PANTHER
the
V 58 N 5
Miami Palmetto Senior High School
7460 SW 118 Street, Miami, FL 33156
WHAT IS IN YOUR HEAD?
Thursday 17 March 2016
CONTENTS 2
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 6
9
Assassin challenges the ease of senioritis.
An addition to Miami’s growing restaurant scene.
SHOOT YOUR TARGET
SPRING CHICKEN OPENS
15
22 29
WHAT IS INSIDE YOUR MIND?
SPRINGING FORWARD
SENIORITIS DIAGNOSIS
Mental illness is not what is seems. The Panther magnifies the perception and stigma of these
A preview upcoming spring sports seasons.
Second-semester seniors cope with the epidemic.
THE
I
COVER
ON
f you are suffering, you are not alone. When it feels like the world is crashing down onto you, you are not alone. When it feels like no one understands you, you are not alone. Your story will not go untold. Your voice rings louder than any demons trying to silence them. Mental illnesses affect millions of Americans, yet the voices of these people often go unnoticed. The cover sets the tone for an analysis of mental illnesses that explore different perspectives at Palmetto.
Cassandra Barrett (12) poses during the shoot for our cover. Her brain is explored in the cover photo, as it shows what is going through her mind as she trys to deal with the overwhelming aspects of her life.
The crowded hallway symbolizes the stress that many people with mental illnesses deal with in their brains. The large amount of stress and pressure that comes with being a high school student is taken to another level for people struggling with their mental health. COVER ILLUSTRATION BY ANNABEL SANZ
W E I ReV THE
ROUND-UP
$750M
AMOUNT OF MONEY SONY SPENT ON MICHAEL JACKSON’S MUSIC CATALOGUE.
REVIEW3
BRIEFING TRAGEDY IN TURKEY
Turkey’s capital Ankara was the center of a bomb explosion on Sunday Mar. 13, making it the third bombing in the city within the last five months. The first two bombings were led by the Islamic State and Kurdish militants, however, no one has taken accountability for the attack. The bomb left approximately 75 people wounded and 27 killed. It is believed that a car containing a large amount of explosives set off next to a bus near the main square of the city and government offices. Just a couple of days before the attack, the U.S Embassy warned citizens to stay away from government neighborhoods in Ankara because of the threat of a possible attack.
INFORMATION COURTESY OF USA TODAY.
HISTORY
FULLER HOUSE DEBUTS FIRST SEASON ON NETFLIX
“
Fuller House was really good. I think it’s really popular because people are reminiscing about one of their favorite childhood shows.”
AVA LEMOS (9)
FACE OFF FACE-OFF
in the making
1
Time st BOTH THE STATE
House and senate
HEADED BY LATINOS IN CA
INFORMATION COURTESY OF FOX NEWS
SHOULD APPLE COMPLY WITH THE FBI’S REQUEST?
APPLE VS. FBI REQUEST After the San Bernardino attacks in December, the FBI launched an investigation. In order to proceed with their investigation, the FBI asked Apple for access to the alleged shooter’s iPhone. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, responded to the FBI’s request, saying that if Apple grants them access to the iPhone, the same procedure can be used to hack into others iPhones related to suspicious behavior. After the U.S Department of Justice won a court order given by a federal judge, Apple was forced to comply with the FBI’s wishes to further the investigation. In a customer letter on Apple’s website by Cook, he explains the case between the company and the FBI and his explanation on not wanting to hand the FBI a backdoor to their products.
PINECREST’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
“
I don’t think they should because it’s like forcing someone to release information that could potentialy lead to infrignement on people’s privacy.”
JASMINE CHI (12)
INFORMATION COMPILED BY SOFIA BRAND GRAPHICS BY ANNABEL SANZ
“
I think if it’s on the matter of Homeland Security and the terrorist is a threat, the FBI should take any means necessary, even if it invades that person’s privacy.”
JOSE IGLESIAS (9)
The community gathered on Saturday Mar. 12 to enjoy a picnic and parade to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Village of Pinecrest. Floats, businesses and local schools featured in the parade entertained the crowd. Palmetto’s marching band, cheerleaders and variations attended the parade and performed. In honor of Pinecrest’s 20th anniversary, Pinecrest Village council members dug a hole in front of the Village hall and buried a time capsule. Inside the time capsule are items that have been collected over the last 20 years. The time capsule is planned to be opened in three decades, on Pinecrest’s 50th anniversary.
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REPORT5
Brain preservation brings scientists closer to preserving the human body.
The idea of freezing an organ and eventually bringing it back to life has historically been viewed as a fictional concept. Yet, modern technology might change this perception, even though many criticize the moral values of this procedure. The Brain Preservation Foundation (BPF) recently awarded the Brain Preservation Prize for Small Mammals to lead researcher Robert McIntyre and the 21 Century Medicine. The requirements for the award entailed having a preserved brain with neurons still visible under the microscope after storage. McIntyre and his team
found a way to preserve the microscopic neural circuits on an intact rabbit brain over a long period time. McIntyre achieved this process through a combination of cryogenic cooling and an aldehyde-stabilized cryopreservation (ASC) technique. Cryonics uses below-freezing temperatures to preserve an organ, in an attempt to save the valuable cells with the goal of ultimately reviving the organ, even after several idle decades. ASC bears resemblance to chemical fixation allowing the brain to remain a solid organ and maintain its structure without ice formation which would ruin the cells. The rabbit
LOOKING INSIDE THE FACTS ON BRAIN PRESERVATION
FUTURE BRAIN PRESERVATION IS ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND LESS THAN $20,000.
brain was submerged in the chemical fixation and stored at a temperature less than -135 degrees Celsius. The monumental experiment highlighted a breakthrough by successfully and quickly stopping the decay of the brain muscle and keeping valuable proteins in place. This new process prevents the brain from shrinking, making it viable for cryogenic storage. “It’ll probably save a lot of lives. [For example], if you can’t figure [out] something that’s wrong with someone and they’re dying, you can freeze them to buy time to cure them,” sophomore Talia Cogdill said. Although the memories of the preserved brain are not
CHEMOPRESERVATION HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FREEZE A WHOLE HUMAN BRAIN YET.
BRAIN PRESERVATION CANNOT SAVE MEMORIES AS OF YET.
recovered, scientists believe this is a step forward for medicine and the preservation of an actual human brain; nonetheless, many argue against the morality of cryogenics. “[Cryonics] might also be used for cloning, however, that would open up many ethical issues,” sophomore Sofia Rodriguez said. Cryonics companies such as the Alcor Life Extension Foundation argue that the freezing and extension of life does not interfere with the Christian faith. Alcor compares the process to a person being under a coma or unconscious; however The Holy Bible states, “the body without the spirit is dead.”Check AP style guide for bible quotes (James 2:26) The idea of “self” and where it goes during the cryonics and storing process raises eyebrows. Some question what happens to one’s self-identity when the molecules in their brain freeze. The labeling of a person’s death also raises controversy. The time of death declared by a doctor is said to be the legal death while the time of being preserved and resuscitation is questioned. “It is a highly ethical topic,” senior Shalla Sorensen said. “If successful, it could take away the inevitability of death.”
Katharine Hsiao
INFOGRAPHIC BY SUNGHO SON
Design Editor
INFORMATION COURTESY OF THE BRAIN PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
k.hsiao.thepanther@gmail.com
REPORT6
SENIOR ASSASSINS “
I LOVE THE VISCERAL SATISFACTION OF BEATING SOMEONE AT SOMETHING THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD BEAT ME AT.
“
Justin Rodriguez (12)
Assassin, the independent, studentorganized event which allows seniors to work in pairs to ‘assassinate’ their assigned targets for a $1,200 prize. “People are attracted to the game because of the money and competition,” senior and coordinator Sarah Siclait said. “When you look at Grad Bash, we practically had a record low number of people going-- with this, we may not have as many participants as Grad Bash, but the cost to join is low and the prize is huge.” Siclait and senior Gabriela Aklepi coordinate the game by assigning targets and keeping track of kills, a job they consider both extremely stressful and extremely rewarding. “[The best part is] interacting with the participants who are really enthusiastic about the game and really want to win,”Aklepi said. “It’s great seeing everyone so excited.” Assassin has many rules. Kills are considered official when the target is shot by a water gun. The players must text evidence to Aklepi or Siclait in the form of a picture of their target, defeated and dripping in water, which is then posted to the game’s social media platforms. Assassins must kill their targets by the end of the week and may not bring weapons on school grounds or harass their
targets with any threatening messages or behavior. Targets’ addresses become prized information as assassins begin strategizing how to eliminate them, since workplaces, places of worship, school grounds and parks are all prohibited areas. “It’s been a pretty fun experience. It make you really paranoid and you have to strategize with other people,” senior Lucy Kealy said. Kealy has taken the game seriously, talking to other teams, scoping out houses and finding out what cars targets’ drive in order to beat out her competition. “This morning, I sat outside my target’s house from 6:30 to 8:30 waiting for her to come outside,” Kealy said. While students many times dread or skip school-sponsored events like pep rallies or homecoming, Assassin has managed to gain the rapt attention of its over 120 participants, including Kealy, even with the added rules and competition. Senior Cristian Araujo suspects this phenomenon relates to the cash prize and the exhilarating nature of the game. “It’s so exciting stalking your targets and hiding from the people trying to kill you even though you don’t know who they are,” Araujo said. “Your heart races when you’re about to kill your target.” Araujo feels confident in his ability to
win assassin, because he claims no one knows who his partner is, or where the two live. “We make our kills early then we both stay locked in our houses and parked in our garages,” Araujo said. Car chases across highways and staking out in front of targets’ homes before the crack of dawn include some other strategies players go through in order to win. “I have heard of people doing fake promposals to lure people out of their houses for the kill which I think is funny but insane,” senior Catherine McCarthy said. Despite the fierce competition, McCarthy thinks Assassin will be one of the highlights of her senior year, if not her entire high school experience. “I mean trying to figure out who has you and how to get your target is hard but a healthy challenge for sure,” McCarthy said. “I felt that it was one of those experiences that although stressful would be something I looked back on in high school and remembered it as some of the best memories.”
Carmella Jimenez Copy Editor c.jimenez.thepanther@gmail.com
REPORT7
WHEN SPRING BREAK GETS OUT OF CONTROL Spring break can be a time of pandemonium for college and high school students. The wildest parties of the year typically occur during the week-long hiatus from school. When college students decide to party during the break, they usually look for a place that has a beach, nice hotels and exposed areas to relax in the sun. Places in the southeast are perfect for the party these students envision. Many high school students spend spring break relaxing from school during the day and look forward to going to crazy parties at night. Movies like Project X and Superbad depict these out of control teenage parties; the films focus on why students throw these parties and portray the negative consequences. Last year in Panama City, Florida, college students from across the country partied past the legal limit. It got so out of hand that the Panama City legislation felt inclined to create laws geared toward minimizing the effects of this behavior. Some of these laws include being ticketed on the beach for having a glass alcohol bottle and banning the consumption of alcohol on the beach. Although the laws were approved, college students still look to bring the ultimate party to the Panama City beach and the coast of Alabama.
“Laws set up is a good idea but they shouldn’t be too harsh,” sophomore Andrew Paredes said. “They should limit the amount of fun college students have.” In Alabama, officers plan to be in uniform and undercover in order to contain the amount of alcohol being consumed. The officers said they will not permit what happened in Panama City and they want to maintain a family-friendly reputation. “Laws should not be made to regulate partying during spring break because since when do police officers tell us how to live our lives,” junior Natalia Hazday said. “Second of all, we go to school and we have one break so why would they restrict us. It doesn’t make sense.” Spring break is also an important time for tourism and with college students tearing up the beaches, families with young children avoid such places, which can hurt local economies that rely on tourism as a main source of revenue. “I think laws should be put in place at certain vacation hotspots definitely, it gets to a point where it’s dangerous at time,” senior Serag Shanbacky said.
Blake Rubenstein Staff Writer b.rubenstein.thepanther@gmail.com
PHOTO BY CHRYSTAL PETERSON
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LIFE 9
Spring C hicken Review Joining the ultra-competitive fast-food chicken market, Spring Chicken hopes to set itself apart from the competition with a country-home style atmosphere and southern food. The restaurant opened on Jan. 28, 2016 in Coral Gables on US-1 across the street from the University of Miami. Taking over the property of former 44year landmark, Miami’s Best Pizza, Spring Chicken enters the market with big shoes to fill. Owners of the restaurant come from the Miami restaurant group 50 Eggs and own the already popular Miami Beach restaurant Yardbird. The owners possess a thorough knowledge of the Miami food market and hope to emulate their recent string of sucess, in Coral Gables. “Yardbird and Spring Chicken both serve great buttermilk fried chicken,” senior Joshua Benzadon said. “I got the country club chicken. It was so good I felt the need the write a Yelp review. I went with some friends and we had a great time.” Dominated by reclaimed farm parts serving as furniture and decor, the new restaurant plans to attract a market of college students from the nearby University of Miami along with a younger demographic. Fast and casual service, as well as a
relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices give students a bang for their buck. The southern-inspired menu has a wide variety of chicken-based meals that include fried chicken sandwiches, biscuits and chicken tenders. Homemade ‘mac and cheese, cupcakes and freshly spun milkshakes also hold a prominent place on the dessert menu. In addition to classic menu items like their famous fried chicken and waffle-cut french fries, healthy options such as grilled chicken sandwiches and fresh salads are also available for purchase. “It was the best strawberry milkshake I’ve ever had,” junior Alexis Corradino said. “The ambiance was really adorable and I want to decorate my house in the same type of style one day.” Spring Chicken enters the market at an interesting time. Health trends and rising obesity rates have drawn people away from processed foods. This locally grown approach to food draws positive attention from a receptive public.
Brian Morrison Copy Editor
b.morrison.thepanther@gmail.com
SHAKES HAND SPUN CLASSICS
Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry or Shake of the Month.
MIXED CLASSICS
Root Beer, Purple Cow or Creamsicle Floats.
SALADS Your choice of Crispy or Grilled Chicken Breast.
SPRING FARM SALAD
Iceberg & Romaine Lettuce, Baby Butter Beans, Charred Corn, Carrots, Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Crumbled Farmers Cheese, Chipotle Lime Vinaigrette.
COUNTRY COBB
Iceberg & Romaine Lettuce, Charred Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Pepper Bacon, Avocado, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Cucumbers, Homemade Biscuit Croutons, Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.
SANDWICHES THE YARDBIRD
Crispy Chicken Thigh, House Pickles, Southern Sauce. Served on a Toasted Potato Bun.
MAMAS CHICKEN BISCUIT
Award-Winning Crispy Chicken Thigh, House Pepper Jelly, House Pickles. INFOGRAPHIC BY ROBERTA NICASTRO INFORMATION COURTESY OF SPRING CHICKEN
PHOTO BY MEGAN MARTINEZ
LIFE 10
YOU KNOW YOU GO TO PALMETTO WHEN...
3 1
Morning Bagel Glory. Cinnamon, plain or topped with cheese. $1.50 is all it takes to indulge in your favorite style bagel with a side of cream cheese. For many students, bagels serve as the primary source for breakfast. AP human geography teacher John Hayduk sells 168 baked goods each day outside room 2009 before school and between classes.
LOST AT SEA
Palmetto Sauna. A long weekend or holiday break is the perfect getaway from school—until you get back to school. Since the air conditioner is turned off throughout the days off, the classroom temperatures are set to the temperature of a typical sunny day in Miami. Teachers struggle to air out rooms with open windows but forget one major aspect: the temperature outside is just as hot as the classroom, not to mention the added humidity that makes the period unbearable to sit through.
24
The worst nightmare for a junior on a rainy day: when a canoe is needed to reach your car. With Miami’s unpredictable weather, rain could pour down on the 305 at any given moment. Anyone who parks their vehicle toward the middle of the lot may be considered a daredevil. Any upcoming junior should plan to park on the outskirts of the lot to avoid the ocean that exists in the center of the lot.
ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER FACE
There are currently 2,883 students here at Palmetto and seeing a new face is an everyday activity. It is impossible to walk between classes and not notice a new face. Every year at Palmetto, you discover tons of new students in your classes who you had no idea attended Palmetto, let alone existed, before.
5
TVP ON REPEAT
Morning announcements would not be the the same without TVP videos. The next video will not air until three months have passed since the preceeding video was first shown. Come second period, everyone is singing the featured song. The videos, though often repeated, bring an exciting and original element to our daily morning announcements.
6
The Daily Struggle. Whether under the Pawvilion or in the cafeteria, food fights remain the number one reason why you find food in your hair or why a chocolate-milk stain is splashed across your backpack. Food fights are the worst, but take into consideration how much food you can enjoy later just by the remnants caught in your hair.
7
Palmetto has a Uniform? Uniform is not actually a thing. Yes, there are set uniforms but no one actually wears them. There are two types of people at Palmetto: the student who has a uniform waiver and the student that does not. Any word about a random uniform check generates chaos among the students without a uniform waiver, only to leave them hoping that Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Hunter will not stop by their classroom.
Chrystal Peterson Design Editor
c.peterson.thepanther@gmail.com
POLITICAL CULTURE
VS
POP
CULTURE SELENA GOMEZ
JANE GOODALL
VS
S
ocial media plays a crucial role in teenagers’ pop culture vs. political awareness. In today’s technologically driven world, celebrities are often revered, whereas international political and historical figures are often considered afterthoughts to many. Between social media platforms such as Twitter and Snapchat, celebrities’ lives are broadcasted and glamorized for all to see. Reality TV shows like “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and award shows like the Oscars entertain teenagers and engage them in the drama that comes along with selfies, love triangles and new albums. In this questioning, rap music star Kanye West and former South African President Nelson Mandela were compared. Pop singer and actress Selena Gomez was compared to primate biologist Jane Goodall. The Oscars were compared to the GOP Debates and Ultra Music Festival was compared to the National Convention. Even with elections around the corner, many individuals did not know what the GOP stood for and what the National Convention was. Figures like Nelson Mandela and Jane Goodall were unrecognized, whereas pop idols Kanye West and Selena Gomez were identified instantly.
KANYE WEST
NELSON MANDELA
VS
“Selena Gomez was on all of the TV shows I watched as a kid. I didn’t watch informative stuff about ape whisperers.” - Luccia Kealy (12)
“Jane Goodall is one with nature. She can communicate with chimpanzees and has contributed to scientific research on evolution and nature. Selena Gomez has only served as entertainment.” - Jason Bressin (11)
ACADEMY AWARDS
GRAND OLD PARTY
VS “I’ve never really watched the debates and don’t pay attention when people talk about politics. I also haven’t taken an intense American history class yet.” - Ethan Berman (9)
LIFE 11
“I know about the GOP debate because I care about who’s running the country. Even though I can’t vote, I still have the ability to influence people’s opinions.” -Federico Zalcberg (10)
INFORMATION COMPILED BY MORGAN ELMSLIE
“My dad and grandparents were all born in South Africa so I easily recognized Nelson Mandela. It’d be like an American recognizing Abraham Lincoln.” - Chad Girnun (10)
“I don’t watch the news often so I don’t know who that [Nelson Mandela] is. I keep up with social media and all that’s on there is celebrities.” - Nikolai Soroko (11)
ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL NATIONAL CONVENTION
VS “I love the concert experience; the cool outfits, the loud music, and going with everyone. Politics makes me want to sleep. All the stuff the candidates say is for show and to get votes.” - Gabriela Comas-Perez (12)
“I know about the National Convention because I studied it in world history last year. I’ve never heard of Ultra but I don’t use social media at all. I don’t see the need for it.” - Christian Tomaselli (10)
LIFE 12
OF A
ROLES
SQUAD JULIA DEMAYO:
The Romantic
QUALITIES: - Thoughtful - Charming - Lovable
“She’s always the one to make everything cute and mushy. When you think of goals as a cute best friend or a girlfriend you picture someone just like her.” -Nina-Nicol Pozo (12)
Seated left in the top row.
ALYSSA VINCENT:
The Athlete
QUALITIES:
- Diligent “She plays softball and - Energetic she’s really competitive. - Agile When we play volleyball at Coral Reef park she hits insane shots and always wins.” - Samantha Velez (12)
Seated left in the bottom row.
PHOTO BY MEGAN MARTINEZ
NINA-NICOL POZO:
The Mom
LIFE 13
QUALITIES:
- Protective “She’s a leader because - Leader whenever we organize events - Driven they are always at her house. If something is planned she is the one to make sure it gets done.” -Kaelyn Martin (12)
Seated center in the top row.
KAELYN MARTIN:
QUALITIES:
The Social Butterf ly
- Outgoing “She’s always happy and ready - Social - Comical to have fun. She’s the best to have around at parties and she usually has the most fun at them.” -Alyssa Vincent (12)
Seated left in the top row.
SAMANTHA VELEZ:
The Messenger
QUALITIES: - Vigorous - Reliable - Friendly
“Sam is always keeping us in check with all of the events in school. We make deadlines because of her. Without Sam we would be a mess.” -Julia Demayo (12)
Seated right in the bottom row.
Megan Martinez
Business Manager
m.martinez.thepanther@gmail.com
ADS 14
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YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
FEATURE 16
YOUR NAME IS NOT ON THE LABEL. Your name is not on the label. Your face is not the one the pharmacist meets when they hand over the white paper bag. The tiny pills stacked inside the plastic orange bottle do not belong in the palm of your hand or inside of your body. The prescription does not belong to you, just like the mental illness it is intended for does not. But the temptation does. One pill, smaller than a penny, cannot possibly execute much damage, you rationalize. It is just one time, one test, one stressful day. It is only temporary. Just this once and then it will not happen again. But then it works and it does happen again. At ďŹ rst it is innocent. You only use it for important tests. And what is the harm? It is not like you are sticking a cigarette down your throat or smoking crystal meth. While the image of a typical methamphetamine user has rubbery, hollowed cheeks, rotting, yellow teeth and a vacant look behind the eyes, the typical adderall user looks as average as the person seated next to you. The effects are not as glaringly in-your-face as an anti-tobacco
FEATURE 17 advertisement, yet the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies it as a Schedule II substance, which has a high potential for abuse, alongside Cocaine, Meth and Morphine. Prescription medications such as Adderall, Ritalin and Xanax, intended for clinically diagnosed mental disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are becoming increasingly popular for a generation of overwhelmed and overworked students looking for an easy way out. New research from Johns Hopkins claims that young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are the leading demographic of Adderall abuse. The research also says that emergency room visits related to the drug are on the rise, yet legitimate prescriptions for it are not. “Easy access and the pressures teenagers face to strive academically are why this issue is so prevalent,” Emergency Medecine Physician’s Assistant Ana Miret said. “Teenagers often use a friend or classmate’s ADHD or pain medication.” In America, amphetamines have traditionally been associated with junkies and truckers but Adderall changed that narrative. Once college students discovered that the tiny pill could get them through an all-night study session and earn them A’s on tests they otherwise would have performed poorly on, it was like discovering the Fountain of Youth. Who knew that the answer to all their problems came in the form of a little blue pill they soon began praising for their success? When high school students discovered that their college-
aged siblings had a revolutionary new study aide, the drug greeted a new audience on high school campuses. The pressures that come with the college admission process demanding a schedule laden with Advanced Placement courses and after school extracurriculars quickly made Adderall America’s favorite amphetamine. “I don’t judge anybody who uses drugs because of the extreme pressures of high school,” sophomore Maria Garcia said. If only the consequences were as minuscule as the pill that incites them. Obviously the prevalence of this drug abuse poses a health issue to a person taking medication for any reason other than its prescribed purpose. “The patient may not have the proper dosing information, which may lead to overdosing or they may have a condition where the medication is contraindicated which causes an interaction,” Miret said. Seeing and treating the health risks come easily but the solution often ends there. The moral issues often go unnoticed and untreated. The frenzied, desperate race for perfection is too tempting to ignore and the drug’s effectiveness has guaranteed it a spot in American culture. The Adderall gets you an A, the Xanax relaxes you and the Vicodin numbs the pain, but at what cost?
Annabel Sanz Print Editor-in-Chief a.sanz.thepanther@gmail.com
THE TRUTH BEHIND MENTAL ILLNESS 1 in 5 teens between the ages 13-18 have a mental illness. Suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst youth ages 10-24. 90 percent of children who commit sucide suffer from a mental illness. $193.2 billion is the amount of money lost in earnings per year due to serious mental illnesses. 10 years is the typical amount of time between the time symptoms were shown until time of intervention. PHOTO BY SUSAN AGHEDO
INFORMATION COURTESY OF NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL HEALTH INFOGRAPHIC BY REMY FARKAS
FEATURE 18
TREATMENT DISPARITY: The double standards of mental and physical illness treatment Mental and physical illnesses have never been socially received with the same respect. Physical injuries are visible and often temporary. Mental illnesses are psychological and often permanent, yet people who suffer from them do not receive the same amount of sympathy or aid. “People don’t really understand [mental illness] and they never will be able to understand because they don’t have that mental illness. I don’t think they know how hard it is for that person,” freshman Caroline Bayer said. Physical injuries generally heal with time; while mental illnesses typically last a lifetime or with subdued symptoms if the individual receives treatment. “Often people are blamed for their mental illness or somehow their mental illness seems to be more within their control than a physical illness that is definitely out of their control,” AP psychology teacher Ms. Gwendolyn Schoolar said. Many mental illnesses are questioned and viewed as invalid because they are frequently undiagnosed, whereas physical illnesses are easier to sympathize with because they are visible and relatable to everyone. “Most [mentally ill people] suffer on their own and either don’t have the money to seek services or choose not to because there’s a stigma and somehow you feel that you’re weak,” Schoolar said. At Palmetto, accommodations for the physically injured are present, such as ramps, elevator privileges, and permission to leave class five minutes early if dealing with an injury that impairs walking. Similar
PHOTOS BY REMY FARKAS
accommodations for the mentally ill are lacking. Those who suffer physical injuries at school may also see athletic trainer Michelle Benz; however, there is no current trust counselor present at Palmetto to speak to when facing personal difficulties. Ms. Jennifer Roth, the former trust counselor, previously came to Palmetto three days a week, already comparably less than the athletic trainer. She eventually stopped working at Palmetto altogether. In comedian Kevin Breel’s TED Talk “Confessions of a depressed comic,” Breel discusses his interpretation of what it means to be physically or mentally ill within the context of his own experience. Breel argues that if you break your arm people will rush over to sign your cast but if you are depressed, people look the other way and ignore your suffering. “People feel bad for you when you break your arm but they get over it because you’ll eventually get over it, but when someone has a mental illness I think people definitely look down on them,” Bayer said. Depression is a common mental illness among all cultures yet it is not widely discussed. One root of this problem is found in the stigma toward mental illnesses. “There is still a great stigma when it comes to mental illness. It implies weakness. It implies something that can’t be fixed whereas often physical illnesses can be fixed,” Schoolar said. “It’s misunderstood and it’s not talked about.”
Emily Diez Report Editor e.diez.thepanther@gmail.com
FEATURE 19
ADRIANA’S ADHD Senior Adriana Barnes felt excited in the fourth grade; she was just like her mom by being diagnosed with ADHD and she would now got extra time on tests. Due to her mother’s ADHD, she did not see it as a real issue growing up. The normality of the condition in her home led her to assume that it was normal to everyone else. Her mother put her on medication from the fourth to fifth grade due to her subpar grades. She dealt with the side effects of feeling anxious, depressed, fatigued and having a decreased appetite. “I wouldn’t get hungry,” Barnes said. “Around the time I got home I’d just get sad and tired, so I’d go to bed and not do anything. [The medication] was kind of a crutch.” Barnes stopped taking medication in the fifth grade because of these symptoms and did not continue until her late sophomore year in preparation for upcoming junior year. She planned to take AP English Language and composition and AP psychology in her junior year lnd felt that medication would aid in the transition process into AP classes. Barnes spent her sophomore year disproving the notion that her ADHD made her incompetent by excelling with As and Bs without medication. “I wanted to beat the stereotype, so I tried harder and got average grades to show the teachers that didn’t believe in me that even with my disorder I’m not a dumb kid,” Barnes said. Barnes sporadically took the medication during her junior year, which counteracted the positive effects it should have had. Junior PHOTO BY REMY FARKAS
year proved to be difficult because she was still exploring her sexual identity before coming out as a lesbian and had to grapple with depression as well as anxiety in addition to her ADHD. Her grades suffered in response to this combination of factors and she went off her medication during senior year because the symptoms of anxiety and depression worsened. Writing down things helps Barnes cope with her ADHD when she does not take the medication. She uses an agenda for everything that she needs to remember for future purposes. “I write everything down, organization really helps,” Barnes said. “If you’re not organized and you have ADHD, you’re not going to get far.” While it has its downsides, which include an inability to focus and the stereotype of being dumb, ADHD has benefited Barnes in some ways. She feels having ADHD makes her more approachable and easier to talk to because she has a very outgoing and lively personality. “[She] always has great energy and makes everyone happy,” senior Nas Ewan said “[We’re] close friends [and she] is always there when I need her.”
Susan Aghedo Staff Writer s.aghedo.thepanther@gmail.com
FEATURE 20
YOU ARE NOT
ALONE. My brother has Down Syndrome. Having lived with my brother has shown me not to take anything for granted. Alexia Lugo (10)
I have Aspergers syndrome. With help support, I started to turn my problems into my talents. Connor Cunningham (11) PHOTOS BY REMY FARKAS AND SUSAN AGHEDO
I had body dismorphic Gulisquo disorder. Its showed me moribus nihices that mental disorders are supimultiam so much more complex sernites Ad than people understand. iamque confest Fiona Stoerr De Queiroz (11)
My cousin has ADHD. She’s eight and it makes it very hard for her to focus. Sara Kong (11)
ADS 21
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Student Palmetto students share their review: experiences eating at Pei Wei. “Pei Wei has authentic Asian food and fast service. Its a great place to go with friends and family and grab a delicious bite,” sophomore Valery Brourard said.
“I think it’s delicious. I like the chicken Pad Thai. it’s the perfect amount of spice. I’ve been going for years,” sophomore Sabrina Calderin said.
SPORTS 22
1. BASEBALL
Coming off a year in which the team went 15-10 with a loss in the regional quarterfinals to the eventual state champion Christopher Columbus Explorers, the Panthers enter the 2016 season after losing 13 seniors and gaining four new transfers. The team is led by seniors Carl Heldt, Keaton Zargham, Victor Lovo, Brandon Brookins, Alan Alonso, Christopher Headley, Hector Vazquez, Evan Sutta and Ryan Booth. “We honestly feel like we can compete with anybody as long as we keep the mental errors at a minimum,” senior Ryan Booth said. “We believe we are the best prepared team in all of Dade County and up to this point we have shown it in terms of a 4-1 district record.” The Panthers have started 6-3, with key wins against district rivals Coral Reef Barracudas, Killian Cougars and Southridge Spartans. The baseball team holds two of the top ten weighted grade point averages for baseball players in Miami-Dade County. Junior Alec Lanzas is ranked second, with a 5.06 weighted grade point average and senior Carl Heldt ranks tenth, with a 4.8 grade point average.
7
3
2. TRACK AND FIELD
The track team returns seniors Malik Bell, Phillip Cruz, Sherron Jackson and Nathan Wasserman. Sherron Jackson, Kalia Richardson, Philip, Emily Lamas and Nina Harvison all went to Greater Miami Atheltic Conference Finals on Tuesday, Mar. 15. “I hope we can reach our potential and send four or five people to regionals compared to none from last year to show we’ve improved,” senior Nathan Wasserman said. Coaches Amy McCormick, Donnie Martin and Michael Reynolds lead the team into the Greater Miami Athletic Conference Finals this season. Junior Kalia Richardson competes in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dash. Seeing the progress of her team as they move into the Greater Miami Athletic Conference finals excites her. “When I made it to finals it felt so surreal and I kid you not I was in tears,” Richardson said. “Last year we didn’t even qualify, so there’s been a tremendous change in work ethic and team members overall.”
2
3. TENNIS
4. BADMINTON
Panther girls tennis comes off of a 14-0 season that saw them finish second in states. After losing Emma Petersen, Stephanie Levine and Katya Martins, head coach Kelly Gibson’s team returns four of its seven players who went to states: sophomore Samantha Alicea, junior Roxanna Montoya and seniors Olivia Schuitema and Ansofi Wreder. The team is off to a 10-0 start and looks to win at states with a more experienced group. “I’m very excited for the rest of the season,” team co-captain and senior Olivia Schuitema said. “Both [boys and girls] teams are looking pretty solid.” The boys tennis teams enters 2016 looking to build on last year’s success and advance at the district championships, where their 2015 season ended. The team is led by team captain Garrett Huber. “Overall the team is looking great,” senior and team captain Garrett Huber said. “The players have a lot of chemistry with each other and I believe we are going to continue to have a very successful year.”
4
Coach David Zarko and the Panther badminton team enter the 2016 season with returning players Alice Cardet, Aaron Mares, Sy Lam, Jeffrey Li, Morgan Lang, Ryan Perez and Michael Trainor. The team usually participates in tri-matches, where the doubles and singles teams face two different schools. The team is coming in with many newcomers to the sport after many of its key seniors like Gardner Blackburn, Tony Cai, Tiffany Chen, Angela Liu and Orko Sarkar graduated last year. According to team captain Ryan Perez, newcomers to look out for include junior Julia Decker and freshman Kevin Li. “My expectations for the upcoming season is massive amounts of improvement in the gameplay of the new players,” senior Sy Lam said. “I am also confident we will be in the top three when it comes to the Greater Miami Athletic Conference Championships (GMACs), but I am really looking forward to the progress of the newer players.” The badminton team, through seven matches, holds a 6-1 record that includes a win over the archrival Coral Reef Barracudas.
SPORTS 23
8. LACROSSE
8 1
6 5. VOLLEYBALL
The boys team comes into the 2016 season looking to defend the 2014 and 2015 district championships. The team loses 14 seniors from the 2015 district championship team. Alexander Cowan, Garet Sokol-Weinstein, Joshua Benzadon, Lucas Brown, Austin Jimenez, Maxwell Landy and Brian Morrison return as the team’s key players. The boys are off to a subpar start, losing all eight of their games by a scoring margin of 17-4, including losses to rivals Coral Reef and Killian. “I am hoping that our next game against Killian will be our first win of the season,” team captain and senior Garet Sokol-Weinstein said. “After that I think we will win one more game against Palmer Trinity.” The girls team comes into the 2016 season with top returning players Shelby Reamer, Emma Seckinger and Christina Miranda. The team is off to a 5-3 overall start . The team won its last home game of the season against the Killian Cougars by a final score of 18-8. “I’m so proud of how much the team has improved since the first game,” team captain and senior Emma Seckinger said. “We work as one cohesive unit which is seen more and more as we advance through the season.”
7. WATER POLO
PHOTOS BY THE PANTHER
The Palmetto boys volleyball team heads into the 2016 season looking to build on their success from the 2015 season, that saw a District 16 championship and an appearance in the state playoffs. The 2015 team went 23-7 and lost to the Bishop Moore Catholic High School Hornets in the first round of states. Top returning players for this season include seniors Alexander Brown, Andres Cowley, Hugo Henry, Dylan Janney and Nathaniel Parker. “We still have very high expectations,” team captain and senior Andres Cowley said. “Though we lost eight seniors from last year’s team, we still have eight seniors this year that have experience. Our team is also extremely tall for a high school team with 10 guys at least six feet tall. There is no doubt in my mind that we will go far this season.” Through ten games, the Palmetto boys volleyball team holds a 4-5 record, with wins over the Columbus and St. Brendan.
After a year without a water polo team, Palmetto will compete again. On the eve of their upcoming season, new head coach Chase Vaughan heads into his first season with the Panthers. Top players for the 2016 team are senior Carson Hunt and Edward Smigla and freshman Brandon Dunnigan on the boys team. The girls team features Phoebe Iglesias. The boys team has started the season 2-3, winning against the Terra Wolves and Cutler Bay Tiger Sharks. The team’s biggest game occurs Mar. 15 against the Gulliver Raiders. The girls team has a 3-4 record to begin the season and has key wins over the Coral Reef Barracudas and Cutler Bay Tiger Sharks. “Most of the girls are brand new to the team,” captain and senior Phoebe Iglesias said. “I am hoping they learn the basics of the game to where they know the game as well as I do and as the team captain I hope to see our group come together and get closer as a team.”
6. SOFTBALL
The softball team comes off of a15-11 2015 campaign, where they lost to the Coral Reef Barracudas in the regional semi-finals. The loss to the Barracudas would be the Panthers 15th consecutive loss to Coral Reef during a three season span from 2013 to 2015. Head coach Emilio Exposito’s 2016 team returns seniors Amanda Guglietta, Erin Love, Isabella Velazquez, Alyssa Vincent and Christina Vincent. The Panthers have bolted off to one of the best starts to a season in school history with a 17-1. The team has been beating opposing teams by an average margin of victory of eight runs per game. The team believes it has a legitimate shot to reach and even possibly win states this season. “I feel like we really have a good chance,” senior Erin Love said. “We are expected to take it all the way this year given that we didn’t have any seniors last year and only gained more players. Also we don’t have any competition in our district so making it to states shouldn’t be very hard.” INFORMATION COMPILED BY SHANE MCCRINK
SPORTS 24
Morgan Lang, Girls soccer goalkeeper, signed with American University.
PANTHER SIGNEES REFLECT ON THEIR ATHLETICS By Mar. 3, five Palmetto athletes put pen to paper and signed their letters of intent. Although there will be more signees within the next month, let’s take a look at the Panthers that have already earned the right to be college athletes this fall.
& Morgan Lang (soccer): American University
Malik Bell (football): Eastern Kentucky University
Stephany Diaz (soccer): Anderson College
John Pierce (football): Marist College
Ansofi Wreder (tennis): United States Naval Academy
The Panther: When did you first start playing football? John Pierce: I started when I was six. My whole family has played football. Ever since I started playing, it has been my favorite sport. I’ve always been really committed and it’s something I really love. TP: Who do you think has influenced you the most in improving as a soccer player? Stephany Diaz: Throughout the years I’ve had role models in the seniors who’ve graduated. My coach has probably been my biggest role model. She’s really pushed me, she taught me ways to look at the game plan and read a play before it happens. She has overall built me up as a soccer player over the last four years. TP: How have you been able to balance schoolwork and soccer? Morgan Lang: I have always had really good time-management and I’ve been really focused. I always put being a student first and that’s why I’m top six percent in the senior class. As far as I can remember, I’ve always been very detail-oriented and very focused. TP: How do you prepare for each game? Malik Bell: Right before each game, I always pray. I pray that everyone plays the same game, plays their best football and that nobody gets hurt for our team and for the opposing team. TP: What was your fondest memory on the tennis team that propelled your tennis aspirations? Ansofi Wreder: In high school tennis people don’t really cheer as much as they do in college tennis, but in states last year, we were
really encouraged by the fans that showed up and that really helped us grow as a team and influenced our play. TP:What moment did you think most greatly influenced your improvement as a football player? Malik Bell: I think it was in my junior year, when I tore my ACL against Coral Reef. I was able to recover quickly through the help of the trainers. Now, I work more on my lower body so it doesn’t happen again. I think the injury actually humbled me and impacted my mental game. TP: How did the district finals loss affect you personally? Stephany Diaz: It was disappointing. We worked really hard to get to that point and we were all anticipating to take home a district championship and make it to states. I think the loss built my character. It was eventually gonna come to an end so we moved on from that and hopefully next year, the team can carry on our legacy. TP: What type of advice would you give to someone in the decisionmaking process in picking a school? Morgan Lang: The big thing is starting early because the top athletes get scholarships really soon. Who you know also and getting yourself out there as quick as possible, even if you don’t know where you want to go is important. Timing is very important also. In a few cases colleges told me that I was six months late and said that they would’ve loved to have me on the team but they already had a goalkeeper.
Thomas Martinez Copy Editor t.martinez.thepanther@gmail.com
INSIGHT 25
SHOULD MENTAL HEALTH DAYS BE EXCUSED?
YES
NO
When it feels like you cannot keep up, the world crashes down, or maybe you just lose it and simply need the world to stop and wait for you to get yourself together; this is when mental health days are necessary. A mental health day is defined as a day away from school or work for one to just step back, sleep late, catch up on work and take a break from reality. Some would think that the weekend serves this exact purpose, yet with weekends comprised of standardized tests, homework and family events, there is barely any room to find time for relaxation. Schools excuse absences for physical illnesses like going to the doctor and family emergencies. But, why do schools not excuse missing a day of school for being mentally sick for a day? Sometimes, we are actually sick; not in the traditional body aches but in situations that include anxiety attacks and episodes of depression. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 83 percent of Americans are under extreme stress in the workplace. For students, the classroom is the workplace and that stress is more than a statistic. It is that type of stress that can make students both mentally and physically ill. The introduction of excused mental health days, while difficult to prove, may dramatically improve the lives of students. One productive day home can make up for many unproductive days of school when students are stressed and exhausted. It is this one mental health day that can jump-start a series of successful days of work or school, allowing one to get more sleep and complete all of the stressful tasks. By excusing mental health days, schools might see an increase in the creativeness of their students and they will find that their students are less stressed and can, thus achieve better grades and behavior. Mental health days are a catalyst for a healthier life for students.
In today’s society, students will find any excuse to take a day off from school. Many feel as though they cannot keep up with the insurmountable workload and need a break from the stress. Students often skip school and bring a note from their parents as a way to excuse their illegitimate absence because they were “sick” or “at an appointment.” Counting mental health days as an excused absence would just give students another way to deceive the school system. Unlike physical injuries or illnesses, mental illness cannot always be physically evaluated. While the flu or a cold are readily obvious, mental illnesses such as social anxiety or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are nearly impossible to detect solely by physical appearance. Any student can claim to suffer SELF-DIAGNOED THEIR ILLNESS from debilitating stress or anxiety, but no one can fake a broken bone. Students would be able to stay home and “recover” from mental illness at their leisure. Doctors would be put in a compromising situation when they have to determine the number of days to be excused for a relatively subjective illness. They may be sued for not giving a mentally ill student an excused absence out of fear fear of their power being abused. Unlike a broken bone, an X-Ray cannot prove that one’s anxiety has healed. The implementation of excused mental health days would only cause more controversy, as students can easily say that they are troubled with a mental illness, with no easily accessible proof. According to Attendance Works, an estimated 5 million to 7.5 million high school students in the United States miss close to a month of school each year. With attendance already at an all time low, excusing mental health days would worsen the attendance problem. Although many high school students truly suffer on a daily basis from various mental illnesses, there are too many students that would shamelessly cheat the system.
Remy Farkas
Alec Lanzas
r.farkas.thepanther@gmail.com
a.lanzas.thepanther@gmail.com
YO U T H
AGES 13 THROUGH 18
LIVE WITH
M E N TA L ILLNESS
50
PERCENTOF MENTAL ILL STUDENTS
DROP OUT OF HIGHSCHOOL
Feature Editor
INFOGRAPHIC BY CHRYSTAL PETERSON INFORMATION COURTESTY OF NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL HEALTH
46 %
OF
TEENS
FROM
OF
ONLINE SOURCE AN
THIRTEEN PERCENT WENT TO WEBSITES SUCH AS:
OF THOSE
20%
WebMD
Sports Editor
INSIGHT 26
LIBERATION THROUGH INSECURITY
“
I like to live my life not being afraid of anything and just being happy with who I am. Everyone is different in their own way but everyone should get along with each other. Life’s too short.
PHOTO BY MARLOWE STARLING
It happens. Choosing a looser-fitting shirt, wearing more makeup, trying to seem a little more confident with a tilt of the chin--all to brush insecurities under the rug. All of these personal deflectors are inevitable results of being human. Gently scolding loved ones to be more self-confident does not exactly solve the problem. The critical inner voice--degrading thoughts produced by the subconscious mind--is found in everyone. These thoughts cause countless insecurities that constantly nag us with doubts and criticisms, and they are often impediments to our achievements. But insecurities are vital. They serve as the driving force for us to make bold decisions, reach outside our comfort zones and to overcome personal obstacles. Without the self-conscious, inner contempt for being lazy, where is the motivation to be more productive? Life consists of a series of struggles, and insecurities are the human tool to overcoming them. Yet in the narcissistic world of today, society abrasively condemns insecure thoughts as preventatives for success and
well-being. We pursue confidence to indulge in the self-love and attention granted by pretty pictures and superficial personalities. This is not the embrace of insecurity, but its coverup, proving to only suspend or even worsen the problem. Last month, Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue featured the voluptuous curves of size-14 model Ashley Graham, who became the first ever plus-size woman to grace the cover. Graham openly discussed her triumph throughout the month, not only defying the international standard for body types, but portraying the pros of accepting an insecurity as a positive aspect of herself. Insecurities, however, are not limited to body image. According to a 2015 study conducted by Stage of Life, of the 95 percent of teens who felt inferior, 59 percent were appearance-related, 49 percent were personal achievement-related and 38 percent dealt with intelligence. As we progress through high school, the degree of our insecurities fluctuate. They might result from social situations, academic pressure or media images that condemn people to go on diets and work out. The struggle, as they say, is real; but it is purely
“
Garet Sokol-Weinstein (12)
mental. Ignore the stereotypes, dismiss others’ judgments and take it with a grain of salt. The key to overcoming personal woes that alter our attitudes is to accept them—not suppress them. In a more accepting society than previous decades, it is only normal that loved ones rush to us with lectures and conversations to overcome the critical inner voices; and they are right. The instinctive response, however, is to berate ourselves for being human. Once the insecurity is acknowledged, it becomes the enemy. Turn it around, and it no longer looms like a dark cloud. Look at something—any object—up close. Hold it within close range, and it looks like a blur of color and texture, virtually unrecognizable. Hold it farther back, so that it is fully in the range of vision, and its true image is restored. In much the same way, insecurities seem large and fuzzy up close. A blur of yellow becomes a pencil; a blur of self-made insecurities becomes the essence of a person. Take a step back from it, observe it for what it is, and turn it into motivation to improve self-worth.
Marlowe Starling Insight Editor m.starling.thepanther@gmail.com
INSIGHT 27
THE CHEATING CRISIS % 29% IN A SURVEY 70% 3 2 4 5 9 3 CONDUCTED OF 217 STUDENTS ON 30% CHEATING CHEATING: PERCENT
Cheating… Arghhhhhh! I find cheating to be one the worst habits a student can acquire. Yes I know, we always tell our students that when you cheat the only person you hurt is yourself, but that’s not really the entire picture because, in truth, everyone suffers You have insulted your teacher, you have shown you have no regard for the honor code and you are disrespected your classmates. You are sitting in the back of class taking a test and the teacher is not looking at you so you take out your cell phone and google the answers. You have been doing poorly and now your grade zooms up and you reap praise from your instructor. It’s all good – right? Not so much because other students saw you cheat and, taking the honor code seriously, informs the instructor. Next test, everyone turns in their cell phone before the test and your grade plummets. However, in fairness, that test was probably a bit harder to
AS A
PLAGARIZING PREVIOUS HOMEWORK FORM OF PERIODS FROM FOR A ANSWERS FRIEND
TO STUDY
17% 11% 11% 14% “ discourage cheating. You have a friend in a morning class that tells you there’s an FRQ test today and you find the rubric on-line, memorize it and do well on the FRQ. You have, however, also included some of the explanations given online that are not actually part of the answer. Perhaps you think your instructor is an idiot and will not recognize that you have seen the rubric or that perphaps the instructor will not remember that you have gone from making two’s on 10-point essays to now making a ten. Did you have an academic epiphany? I think not. Or maybe you have decided to check with Siri for an answer but forgot to mute your phone. Whoa, that can be embarrasssing; at college, it gets you thrown out. Every time you cheat, you make things more difficult for everyone. Writing one test is hard enough, but having to play the
21%
UNDERSTANDING
LACK OF
LAZY
NO TIME
PRESSURE
TOO
AFRAID OF
FOR
WHY STUDENTS GPA FAILURE CLAIM THEY 27% CHEAT
PARENTAL
NEVER CHEATED
CHEATER
TO HAVE
CONSIDER ASKING COPYING
INFOGRAPHIC BY CHRYSTAL PETERSON
I CONSIDER CHEATING USING SOURCES THAT WERE NOT APPROVED BY THE TEACHER
“
Valery Brouard (10)
game of multiple versions is time consuming in both generating and grading multiple versions. So, it is up to you. You should take your education seriously and soak up all the information you are given. No one can ever take what you learned. Besides, if cheating is your goal and you cannot perfect that skill, then maybe you should fall back on the old fashioned way to earn grades – try studying.
Pamela Shlachtman Guest Writer
AP Environmental Science Teacher
“
I find cheating to be one of the worst habits a student can acquire. Pamela Shlachtman
PHOTO BY SOPHIA CARRILLO
“
OUT OF TO CHEATING NOT ATLEAST ONCE WOULD REPORT A CLAIMED ADMITTED
INSIGHT 28
REAL
vs
SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTO BY CHRYSTAL PETERSON
Over the last 30 years, the average person has seen an increase in total friends but a decrease in best friends. The impact and growth of social media plays a major role in this statistic and has come to define hpw we define our relationships. Facebook has shown steady growth since its inception in 2004. The popular social media site lets 1.59 billion active users reconnect with old friends, keep in touch with current friends and even meet new ones. Critics of social media argue that these platforms changes the way people communicate with one other- and they are not necessarily wrong. Social media gives this generation unique opportunities to meet people that they may not have otherwise. A Pew Research Poll found that 64 percent of American teens have made at least one new friend through social media, which translates to 27 million people. A Cornell study found that the number of close friends on average decreased from three close friends to two from 1985 to 2015. While people have more opportunities to make friends, the friendships they maintain have become superficial. The study defined a friend as someone who the subject had spoken to about personal matters - relationships, finances, secrets, etc. - in the past six months. Subjects in the study had an average of 150 friends on Facebook, yet they claimed to have only two genuine friends. The statistic reflects the impact of social media on the
way that we view friends. We no longer see friendship as a personal bond, but rather a superficial matter. Past generations differentiate from the current one in that these secondary friends would have eventually fallen out of contact with one another. The difference lies in the presence of Facebook and other social media forums; users typically add people on the social media site after meeting them on one occasion, even if neither has any intention of seeing the other person again. Likewise, Facebook allows for people to stay in contact with friends that they otherwise may have fallen out of contact with. This results in having more friends, even if only a handful actually know the person, let alone interact with them on the social media site aside from clicking Like on their statuses and photos. The Cornell study also found that those considered a friend do not generally read most of their Facebook friends’ statuses and would not feel any sympathy towards bad things happening in their lives. This transition caused by the technologically advanced generation in which we live does not reflect a decay of morality or apathy induced by technology
- it simply means that the way we view friendship has ultimately changed. Superficial friendships can open up doors; they can affect entrances into other friend groups or job opportunities down the line. The changes in how people define friendship reflects how the world adapts to technology. A John Hopkins study in 1973 found that acquaintances can help secure a new job for someone else better than a friend because friends share similar connections, whereas an acquaintance maintains different connections that the other person may not necessarily have. True friendship also changed. It is scarcer, but that also means that it is more worthwhile to pursue. Tighter-knit groups can develop as a result and the assistance of Facebook allows people to stay in touch with the same people that one would eventually stop speaking to. More superficial relationships may leave some under the impression that millennials do not value friendship, when social media has simply shown that friendship has become a more intimate matter with a larger pool of acquaintances.
Keith Richards Report Editor k.richards.thepanther@gmail.com
INSIGHT 29
SENIORITIS Phase One: “There is only
PHOTO BY MORGAN ELMSLIE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CLAUDIA VERA
Meet Senioritis: A senior’s biggest frenemy
Anyone closely observing a second semester senior will find that a phenomena takes place after the second-quarter gradebook closes. Backpacks get lighter. Unexcused absences soar to an impressive number. Spotting a senior at school becomes a rarity, as alarms “fail to go off” and sneezing three times in a row constitutes as a permissible excuse for missing three days of class. Although the idea of senioritis seems foreign, especially to underclassmen, the process of acquiring it can be classified into three distinct and dangerous phases – contemplation, procrastination and full-fledged surrender.
one good, relaxing, and one evil, homework.” - Socrates The first sign of senioritis typically occurs when a student opens their backpack with the wholehearted intention of completing an assignment. Although dedication towards keeping up with academics remains intact, the desire to put down the pencil, turn on the television and binge-watch “The Office” begins to creep in. One starts to contemplate the philosophical meaning behind the concept of homework, unravelling a thread of thought that will ultimately lead to the diagnosis – “Will these calculus textbook problems really help me in the real world? Sure, getting an A for my work sounds nice, but so does lying on my bed for three hours while staring at my ceiling fan.” Ultimately, the work begrudgingly gets completed, yet the seeds of laziness and apathy have planted their roots. Senioritis officially begins to grow. Phase Two: Enrollment into Advanced Placement Procrastination The timeless joke of acing “Advanced Placement Procrastination” has become a punchline known all too well by stressed out high schoolers. Nonetheless, second semester seniors find themselves defying all odds in the face of procrastination. Backpacks remain untouched at home as seniors take on more pressing tasks, such as finishing an entire season of “Grey’s Anatomy” in one night or eating an entire box of Cheez-Its in bed. Second semester seniors somehow find one small fiber of academic rigor within their being. Do you have 40 key terms due in fourth period for AP Government? Good thing
you can complete 38 of them in third period. Did you forgot to read three chapters of your AP Literature novel, knowing you have a quiz in second period? First period is obviously your designated reading hour. Seniors transform into shells of themselves, unknowingly on the brink of renouncing any and all forms of work ethic. Phase Three: Trading a white graduation cap for a white flag. At last, the moment of pure submission. It builds up slowly, then suddenly bombards second semester seniors with an apathetic tsunami. Backpacks are left untouched upon return home from school… oh wait, you cannot remember what your backpack even looks like. Although its initial assimilation can be daunting, the emptiness that comes with not caring is seen as a relief to those who spent the past semester drowning in their own stress-induced tears. To many, this final phase represents a victory, despite the failure and risks it poses. In essence, senioritis revolves around an ever-growing “I give up” attitude that almost always projects itself toward academics. Instead of giving up on academics, the part of high school that directly affects the chances of graduating, apply senioritis to the things that you want to leave behind in high school, such as petty conflicts and incessant gossiping. Second semester seniors, take this time to channel that blase attitude into a tool for self-growth. Leave high school knowing that you did indeed face an intense case of senioritis, and along the way eliminated the things that left you feeling small.
Claudia Vera Online Editor-in-Chief c.vera.thepanther@gmail.com
EDITORIAL 30
STAFF
FAST FORWARD EDITORIAL ON MARCH 3RD, 1991 I On March 3rd, 1991, Los Angeles Police Department officers pursued taxi driver Rodney King in a high speed chase across Interstate 210 in the San Fernando Valley. Once he wa cornered by multiple law enforcement officers, King emerged from the vehicle and would suffer 39 blows from officers. Even with video and physical evidence of injury, the LAPD officers were acquitted from charges of assault with a deadly weapon and use of excessive force. The acquittals angered many were the catalyst for the Los Angeles riots of 1992.
25 YEARS LATER...
n the hype of a scandal, facts blur into haze of confusion and heightened emotion in a time of distress. When controversy struck Miami Palmetto Senior High School in February, a number of students who expressed relief and even jubilation for the termination of a teacher with a reputation for rigorous coursework; in more ways than one that reaction was blatantly inappropriate. In reality the situation was not one to be celebrated; lives were ruined. A vulnerable student allegedly fell prey to the manipulation of the abuse of a teacher’s power. While in the United States a person is considered innocent until proven guilty, the impact of an arrest on the charges of sexual battery on a minor will certainly have a lasting impact on the perpetrator and his family. Families, of the alleged victim and the accused, have had to live through some of the most stressful scenarios one could imagine. A celebration of no longer having to comlete reading assignments or note-taking simply minimizes the true agony of the circumstances and ultimately turns the tragedy of others into an immature and narcissistic satisfaction. Many of the students who conveyed joy in lieu of the situation were not satisfied with their grade in the class; this altogether raises another equally disturbing issue. Students, in the midst of difficulty, place blame upon others while the only cause for their failure is themselves. Students often fabricate misconceptions that “My teacher is failing me,” when in fact the teacher simply evaluates the effort which a student puts forth. The sense of entitlement shows a huge lack of morals and perpetuates an already unfortunate situation.
LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR
On March 3, 2016, the Texas Department of Public Safety upheld the decision to fire Brian Encinia, the state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland. On July 10, 2015, Encinia made a stop after Bland failed to signal her indicator before switching lanes. The situation escalated when Bland refused to put out her cigarette, resulting in her arrest. Encinia then proceeded to force her out of her car by pointing a stun gun at her. Three days later, Bland was found dead in her cell after she allegedly hung herself. Bland’s death drew national attention as many speculated that she was killed by the officers and that her suicide was staged. Both incident caused protest across the country. While King’s protesters took to the streets, Bland’s took to social media. People popularized hashtags #WhatHappenedToSandraBland and #JusticeforSandra to draw attention to police brutality and racial bias. While officers involved in the Rodney King incident were able to escape the consequences of their actions, the tragedy set the stage for one of the most controversial topics of the past 25 years. The precedent set by the outrage against the LAPD brought the issue of police brutality into light. Encinia’s termination proves that officers can no longer hide from the law.
DEAR EDITOR,
s.ganter.thepanther@gmail.com & e.seckinger.thepanther@ gmail.com
*Letters submitted may be edited for length, grammar and clarity. Letters can be submitted to Room 911B or thepanthermpsh@gmail.com
DEAR EDITOR,
In “LGBT’s Progression in Sports and Society,” the writer failed to address the ‘B’ and ‘T’ parts of ‘LGBT’ in sports. Recently, the Olympics voted to allow transgender athletes to compete without having gender reassignment surgery. Please be more inclusive in your next issue and include these often forgotten individuals in the LGBT community.
I enjoyed the article, “Consent Has No Blurred Lines.” In my opinion, consent is one of the most important components of a healthy relationship. I thought it was a very informational article because it described the role of the media in influencing teen thoughts on consent. This could have included a poll on the amount of students who have been sexually assaulted or raped. Overall, the issue was one of my favorites.
SINCERELY,
SINCERELY,
Samantha Ganter & Emma Seckinger
Senior Copy Editor & Print Managing Editor
Scandals and rumors in the halls
SARAH SICLAIT (12)
MILENA VAN DER REIS (9)
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.
EDITORIAL POLICY
Correction Policy: 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 Advertising Policy: 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 Ads Manager will. Ads will be approved by EICs, the Adviser and the Ads 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 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.
SNAPCHAT
Isabelle Carbajales
PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Annabel Sanz Claudia Vera
Byline policy: All creative work (such as illustrations, graphics, photos and writing) excluding staff editorials and staff member pictures will include byline credits.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE PANTHER
ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Panther is a monthly publication of Miami Palmetto Senior High located at 7460 S.W. 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 3,000 copies per issue for distribution. The Panther is distributed for free to all students in school. Subscriptions (for cost) are also available. Please visit our paper online at thepalmettopanther.com.
PANTHER STAFF
the
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PRINT MANAGING EDITOR
Emma Seckinger
ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR
Victoria Arguelles
SENIOR COPY EDITOR
Samantha Ganter DESIGN EDITOR
Sophia Carrillo COPY TEAM
Brian Morrison Thomas Martinez Carmella Jimenez DESIGN TEAM
Katharine Hsiao Roberta Nicastro Chrystal Peterson Sungho Son REPORT EDITORS
Emily Diez Keith Richards LIFE EDITOR
Olympia Rodriguez FEATURE EDITOR
Remy Farkas
SPORTS EDITORS
Alec Lanzas Shane McCrink
INSIGHT EDITOR
Marlowe Starling PHOTO EDITOR
Agnes Bartha
VIDEO EDITOR
Maxwell Landy
BUSINESS MANAGER
Megan Martinez
STAFF WRITERS
Susan Aghedo Sofia Brand Blake Rubenstein Annabella Ruozzi Morgan Elmslie ADVISER
Kurt Panton
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