TITANIUM Defining Ourselves, Winter 2018
Table of Contents
Titanium Magazine/Volume 4/December 2018
THE
Winter EDITION
PREPPING FOR THE ACT/SAT Get the know-how on pg. 12
Which teacher are you most like?
Take the quiz on pg. 17
MOST WANTED PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR
pg. 18
The clubs you see and hear about on campus What was the most popular album of the year amongst students? Find out on pg. 29
Fashion galore: Cool Weather Trends
See pages 6-7
Weaving into a new role How Matt Weaver went from teaching to Athletic Director By Kendall Walsh If there is anyone who knows the ups and downs of this school, it is Coach Matt weaver. Weaver has coached on campus since they days the doors opened in 2010. “I have absolutely loved my time here,” Weaver said. “This is definitely a place that feels like home. I can see myself retiring here. I know I’ve done my part with helping kids and whatever my stamp is that I leave here, I will be happy with it.” Weaver worked as the wrestling coach on campus, recently becoming Athletic Director. “I started year one as assistant wrestling coach,” Weaver says. “Then January of year three I became head wrestling coach and PE teacher, last year I did the DCT class, and then this year I’ve been athletic director for about the last six weeks.” Weaver attended Campbell University and wrestled there for three years until he suffered an injury. He switched gears into coaching wrestling after college, his life quickly centering on the sport. “It’s funny because I actually planned
my entire wedding around wrestling,” Weaver said. “My wife, who was and is very supportive of this lifestyle, wanted to get married in November because the weather is nice, so I told her ‘Sure, we’ll just have to
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“Wrestling has been my life pretty much every year until this year,” Weaver said. “This is the first time I’ll have Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, or my anniversary without wrestling being there. Maybe this year I can
find a weekend I don’t have a tournament.’” Weaver then went onto coach both of his sons, Nick and Andrew Weaver, in wrestling throughout their high school years. Weaver loved this lifestyle, and filled the position as Athletic Director. Weaver toyed around with the idea of being Athletic Director for eight to 10 years, but officially stepped into this position this year after contemplating the decision with others. “They told me that this is my school, and I need to do what is best for my school,” Weaver said. “I think this is the way that I can affect my school.”
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New Athletic Director 5
FASHION
FREEZING FES passion for Fashion
Teens voice their love for the creativity and art of the fashion realm. Content and photos by Robin Ntankeh
“I’ve definitely been interested in fashion for a while,” sophomore Devyn Irvin said. “When I was younger, I used to want to be a fashion designer. I even bought a sewing machine. I bought a sewing kit, I cut up my old clothes and I made new stuff. It wasn’t good, but I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride that I made something with my own hands. It’s something when I was younger that I really wanted to have a career in. Not as much now ‘cause I’m interested more towards technology, but I’ve definitely been interested in it. It’s an interest that’s not gonna go away anytime soon.” “I love to express myself and I think it [fashion] is just another form of expression,” junior Ariana Pearsall said. “Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be a fashion designer. It was my number one set career. I had it for like 10 years and I was gonna be a fashion designer, no question about it. And then I started wearing makeup in middle school, I got into it really fast and watched Youtube videos and taught myself how to do it all. And it’d be so much fun.”
FASHION FORWARD Students predict the future changes for the fashion world and what it could mean for them. Content by Robin Ntankeh “I think people are gonna start realizing that we live in the Sunshine State, and it’s hot here,”freshman Parker Wasden said.“Even when it is December, it gets hot. So I think people are gonna start realizing that maybe wearing gloves and scarves and really long socks and fuzzy clothes isn’t the best idea and you might have a heat stroke.”
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“I would say roughly just this: wear what you want, but don’t wear it if you feel like you’re gonna look stupid...” sophomore Ethan Diaz said. “Wear what you feel is right or what you’re comfortable with, and then you’ll be able to pull it off. Or in a sense, just be yourself.”
TIVITIES
Out with the old, and in with the new: students share their fashion favorites. Content and photos by Robin Ntankeh
“I feel like winter fashion is going to become much more diverse and different in the future,” senior Madelyn Pichardo said. “A lot of people are starting to do more creative things. And in makeup , I also see people doing differnet color eyeliners and lots of warm colors for the winter season... people are just continuing to find ways to express themselves differently each year.”
Madelyn Pichardo
“Honestly, I feel like fashion is more of a cycle and things just change….” senior Jaelani Hernandez said. “Like the boyfriend jeans for example. Those used to be a thing back in like the 90s era, but nobody would’ve worn them last year. I feel like it’s just a cycle, I don’t see a big change.”
“I find myself wearing more oversized and colorful clothes even though it’s winter, I don’t care,” sophomore Moriah Lopez said. “Like I’ll still bring colorful colors into the winter… I like to wear these styles of clothing because I’m more or less on the girlier side when it comes to the way I dress, so I can be comfortable and still wear what I wanna wear with my clothes. However I want, whenever I want.”
Moriah Lopez
“I like to express who I am and try to be individual with my style,” sophomore Angelo Paulino said. “I expect people to hate and like my style because that way I know I’m being myself. So I decide to just be a bit more simple, but at the same time go towards more primary colors like red, yellow, blue and sometimes a bit of green.”
Angelo Paulino page 7
In it
to win it
Winter sports and commitments Content by Savannah Upson
Briana Eads With playing soccer for 13 years, it has been a game changer for senior Briana Eads. Since she was younger, she has held a special connection with the sport. “I started playing because my mom had played her whole life,” Eads said. “She wanted me and my sister to play, too.” Despite challenging times when playing the sport, Eads continued to work through her obstacles to better her skills. “There was a time where I wanted to quit,” Eads said. “I felt like I didn’t have enough time for anything else in my life” With her strong commitment and determination, she received an offer from Jacksonville State University in Alabama to attend their school. “When JSU first asked me to go to their college I was shocked because I did not think that would happen as soon as it did,” Eads said, “They asked me in my junior year, and I didn’t think it would happen that soon.”
Alexa LoBasso For junior Alexa LoBasso, soccer has been a huge part of her life. Not only did her father play in college, but she has been playing since she was three. When she plays soccer, she feels in her element and uses that as a stress reliever. Despite only being in 11th grade, LaBasso is already committed to Stetson University for her outstanding soccer skills. “I felt excited when I first received the offer because this was my first offer, and all of my hard work had paid off,” LaBosso said. “I also felt a little nervous because the decisions I would make in the next couple of weeks would determine my future.” Soccer has taught LaBossa discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and trust, but it has also brought her fun memories. Last year, her team traveled to Seattle, Washington for the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) nationals. “This was a really cool experience seeing a completely different city,” LaBossa said, “I had never been to this part of the country, and it was nice to visit someplace with different scenery.” Even though she has been playing for 13 years, there was never Lobasso did not strive to improve and get better. “I never wanted to quit soccer,” LaBossa said. “It was my life.”
Soccer Comittments 8
Outside the classroom How students spend their time through sports Content by Savannah Upson
Kick That Ball As he prepares to kick the
ball to a teammate, freshman Tyler Brame gets into position. While Brame plays, he tries to win and help his teammates out. “When I play soccer, I get excited and nervous,” Brame said. “I want to do the best I can.” Photo by Jordan Mckendrick Lifting weights Weightlifting gives students the ability to exercise, but it also gives them a chance to feel in their element with senior Kevaughn Mcmichael. “Lifting weights makes me feel unstoppable,” Mcmichael said. “When I get in my zone, I feel powerful.” Photo by Kendall Walsh
Cheering the Team On As the team practices,
they run through their cheers. “My favorite thing about cheer is stunting and all of the friends you make when you’re on the team,” freshman Isabella Haner said. Photo by Kori Kestory
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` 842 Diplomat Drive, Unit 110 DeBary, FL 32713
Call (386) 227-7759
do you
How
STUDY?
Children climbing on the playground, couples picnicking in the shade, friends catching up as they walk on the sidewalk, all are normal things that one would expect to encounter at Gemini Springs on a typical Sunday afternoon. What might seem unusual
is senior Jarrett Hart studying for his SAT at a picnic table. The park is not exactly quiet, but he prefers it to a coffee shop or somewhere else. “I like to study at parks and open areas with few people,” Hart said. “I find it easier to concentrate outside rather than confined in a room full of electronics and distractions.” Even without distractions, it can be hard to get focused on the task at hand: studying. Despite doing so
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How and where students study for standardized tests By Connor Darby
daily for several weeks, Hart is still nervous about his SAT score. “I just get test anxiety and begin to over think simple questions, which often leads to me getting them wrong,” Hart said. Test anxiety is one of the things senior Shakira Khan worries about as well. To get into Fordham University, her dream school, Khan feels as though she needs to improve her SAT score. With the smell of donuts and coffee in the air she opens an SAT prep book, but she prefers Kaplan Prep Online Live. As she works through the problems, she scratches her work in pencil on a separate pad of paper. “What is making me nervous is that my hard work won’t pay off, and I won’t get into college due to my standardized test scores,” Khan said. Junior Alyssa Faron is not as worried about her scores because she has a year until her college applications are due. She studies twice a week and took the SAT as a sophomore. “[I have studied] Twice a week for the past two months,” Faron said. “I want to go to UF, and I need a good score. I have a tutor, and I do all the practice tests and then we go over them.”
Stanford University
With hopes of being accepted into Stanford University, senior Jordan Koehler wants to go for academic purposes. “They have a really cool curriculum plan that allows you to take way more classes, and therefore learn a lot more, than most other schools,” Koehler said.
Big Dreams Three students reveal their dream colleges Content and photos by Connor Darby
University of Florida
Senior Deborah Rumor wants to attend University of Florida. “They’re not just an academic school,” Rumor said. “They have good everything, like good sports teams and, they’re an all inclusive school. There’s something for everyone.”
Schedule Accordingly
Duke University
From previous experiences on the campus, senior Danae Bibaud wants to attend Duke University. “The first time I saw it, I was eight [years old],” Bibaud said. “We toured the campus, and it was literally the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. And recently, in August, I just went for an official college tour, and it was even better than I ever remember.”
An outline of the college admissions process and steps to follow *Information from CollegeBoard. By Connor Darby
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Got it? Ruggiero engages with his students
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to help them grasp the concepts “I tell a lot of stories,” Ruggiero said. “Most of them usually have a purpose, and that purpose is tying in what we’re talking about but at the same time trying to keep them entertained.” Photo by Connor Darby
Influencing The
Future
Economics teacher Joseph Ruggiero encourages his students to enjoy their learning By Devyn Irvin
It has been a long, stressful week of school; teacher I get to be a part of a cool part of their lives; students look forward to he end of the day, but class they’re transitioning to the next level, and just being a still awaits. With economics left in the their day, they part of that is really the best thing.” dread the new budget strategies or vocabulary they For some of his students, it is Ruggiero’s personality might have to learn. But, as they are sat at their desks, that makes him valuable as a teacher. Students feel half asleep, that boredom changes into intrigue as that they can connect to him more because he is economics teacher Joseph Ruggiero breaks out in able to crack jokes in class while also being able story about how he used the economic strategies he to teach them meaningful information. During his has to teach them to budget his own finances. classes students will often find him moving Economics is energetically “As a senior teacher I get to be a part of a cool part a class that most throughout students have no of their lives; they’re transitioning to the next level the room to experience with them and just being a part of that is really the best thing.” keep coming into it, so entertained. they may find it tricky to grasp the concepts. However, “[What I’ll remember most] is him being really Ruggiero is there to help relate the concepts to a real cool and funny, and not being so serious like the rest life scenario, or a memorable anecdote that makes his of my teachers,” senior William Humphrey said. “Him and his students’ lives easier. being able to have fun with the students, as well as “We’re talking about savings right now so he’ll talk teach them at the same time.” about what he does for his own savings and how he While Ruggiero is the teacher of the year, he does budgets for certain things too,” senior Raymond Hosen not bring it up often. However, even though it is not a said. “It gives me a real world experience of what it’s topic that is discussed very much in his classroom, his actually like.” students are still able to acknowledge it. Not only is he dedicated to teaching his subject, he “I think it [Ruggiero being teacher of the year] is is also dedicated to his students. As a result of holding really cool because it’s never happened to me [to the title of the teacher of the year, Ruggiero wants to have a teacher who is teacher of the year] before,” live up to what that means to him, which includes his senior Kierra Garcia said. “He doesn’t like boast about connection to this students. it everyday like ‘guys I’m teacher of the year so you “By far [interacting with students] is the best part have to listen to me’. We honestly didn’t even know of this, interacting with them, getting to talk to them, until, we saw the [plaque] on his door...but I think he and, watch them grow,” Ruggiero said. “As a senior definitely deserves it.”
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Teacher of the year 15
1 A. B. C. D. E.
5 A. B. C. D. E.
7 A. B. C. D. E.
How do you spend your weekends? Grading Sleeping Working Binge watching netflix Playing video games
Where would your dream vacation be? Europe New Zealand Retirement Hawaii Answer choice B
8
Which is your favorite holiday? A. B. Labor Day C. Christmas D. Thanksgiving E. Answer choice B
2 A. B. C. D. E.
What is your favorite type of food? Indian Greek American Mexian Italian
What
3
Which word best describes you?
4
Who is your celebrity idol?
A. B. C. D. E.
Random
A. B. C. D. E.
Harry Styles
Optimistic Diligent Artist Awesome
teacher are
y o u m o s t l i k e? What is your favorite movie? Dog Day Afternoon Ever After Dr. Strange V for Vendetta Lion King
9
Which member of your friend group are you?
A. B. C. D. E.
The Mom The troubleshooter The mean one The comedian
Mr. Ogram
If you picked mainly B’s, you are most like
Mrs. Mckenzie
If you picked mainly C’s, you are most like
Mr.Korten
I don’t have one Janet Jackson Mr. Rogers
What is your favorite quote?
to prepare is A. “Failure preparing to fail” I am not a teacher, but an B. “awakener” C. “Endeavor to persevere” D. “Live your life” E. “Hakuna matata”
10
The good looking
My birthday
If you picked mainly A’s, you are most like
6
Ellen Degeneres
A. B. C. D. E.
What do you value most in life?
Teaching Time Honesty Creativity Relationships
If you picked mainly If you picked mainly E’s, you are most D’s, you are most like like
Mrs. Walker
Mr. Ruggiero
Section 2
Keepin’ it trendy 2018’s most popular products
Students were asked what products they saw the most this year. Content by Melanie Schepmans
#1
#3
checkerboard vans
5%
Apple Airpods
48%
#2
iPhone X
35%
#5
#4
lanyard and wallet
apple watch
2%
4%
#7
#6
metal cup
1%
mom jeans
2%
#9
Kylie Jenner lip kit
1% page 18
#8
scrunchie
1%
#10
Fortnite
1%
What’s the buzz? PContent rosby Melanie an dSchepmans c ons of airp o d s
The w1 core can sense if your airpods are in your ear “The string can never get tangled up since there isn’t one and they’re a trend. A con is that they are expensive,” sophomore Keely Colgan said.
“They are small and easily hidden from teachers and fit in your pocket. cons are that they have to charge and some people may find you rude if they don’t see them,” sophomore Chloe Jeffries said.
“I love that there is no cord and I can have my phone in my pocket and my earbuds in at the same time,” sophomore Emily Carrow said.
Airpod batteries last up to five hours on a single charge
5 o ut of 1 0
“I don’t like how they are separated from each other, which makes them easy to use,” sophomore Brea Kamm said.
Students said airpods were the most popular item of 2018. *out of 20 page 19
More than mere notes on a paper Advanced Orchestra students discuss the experience of being in Chamber By Kaelyn-Rose Miranda
They begun to tune their string instruments and rise the hair of their bows until they are ready to begun practicing. The cellist who sits on the outside positions his bow right above the bridge of his instrument. He looks around to make sure everyone is in starting position and takes a deep breath, a cue to start playing. A group of students in the Titan Philharmonic Orchestra called Chamber meet every Tuesday and Thursday to practice challenging pieces. Senior Milagros Soto practices her violin in class. “Being in Chamber has helped me be more “Chamber is an audition-only independent,” Soto said. “I make sure that I’m heard, so I know that I’m putting my own ensemble that plays higher level music.” weight and boosting my confidence.” senior Juan Ceballos explained. “Our music after high school. director [Orchestra teacher Mr. Strott] gives us music, and “I plan on minoring in music performance in college.” from there we rehearse and work on the music he gives us.” senior Helena Santos said. “It is something I am very These selected students are not only chosen for playing passionate about.” well, but often are chosen because they have an interest in What most people believe to be just a hobby, chamber orchestra students prove that playing music is more than reading music sheets, it is a way to express themselves. “All my life I played instruments or been involved in music,” junior Olivia Russo-Hood said. “Playing the viola is like having another part of me being expressed because sometimes it’s hard for me to speak one on one with people, but if I’m able to share something with music, that’s me being able to speak my mind.”
Junior Jetzabel Alba plays her violin to conquer the challenges she faces. “There are certain time signatures and rhythms that I have to keep practicing because it is super hard for me,” Alba said.
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How to make Coil Pottery With Freshman Kayla Raimo
By Kaelyn-Rose Miranda
Step one: Wedge the clay
“You have to keep your hands together and press the clay down and push in at the same time. You’re trying to get all the air bubbles out of the clay, so it doesn’t blow up when it gets dried.”
Step two: Make your coils and your base
“Then, you have to cut [the clay] into sections, and then roll your coil until it is all one size.”
Step three: Slick and score
Scoring is a huge part of attaching each piece of clay to another while slip is a mixture of water and the clay that makes it stick like glue. “You have to smooth, slick, and score your clay, that’s what keeps it connected. It makes it not fall and then you would just keep placing them on top of each other.”
Q & A with Seth Kaul
Benefits Kaul gains from playing Content by Kaelyn-Rose Miranda guitar
Q. Why did you take guitar?
I took guitar because I had interest in learning the instrument, and I thought the class would help me relax.
Step four: Fire your kiln
It usually takes the students around two weeks to finally complete their masterpieces. “After we are done designing them, we take them to the green room and [ceramics teacher Sheri Langlais] fires it in the kiln.
Q. How have you benefit from learning guitar?
I’ve benefitted [from playing guitar] a lot because the class is social and a really nice environment. It’s my favorite class.
Q. What are some challenges you’ve faced when learning guitar? Getting your muscles used to guitar can be challenging and it can hurt until you get calluses. But mostly the class pace is super forgiving, and you can make up your test.
Q. How can you express yourself when playing guitar?
We can express ourselves by learning new music outside of class. [Guitar teacher] Roman is extremely flexible and will help anybody out and give them extra music if that’s what they want.
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MAKING AN IMPACT What clubs are next?
Content By Kori Kestory
Students from Rho Kappa set up games during the pep rally, SGA members preparing to announce them, getting the microphones ready and students seated in the bleachers. “As underclassmen it’s really important for us to gain experience and become well knowledgeable about the SGA responsibilities and processes, so that when we are upperclassmen, we can run SGA smoothly,” sophomore Chloe Evers said. As one of many clubs in our school, SGA plays a big part in our community. SGA is amongst all the other clubs that contribute to the school. “Rho Kappa impacts our school in a positive way,” senior Brooke Parry said. “It helps students become engaged in history and meet new people through it.” Rho Kappa is another club that has a big impact on the school. Rho Kappa guides students through school, and into their future in a beneficial way. “I think I will definitely learn a lot not only about myself, but about our community and how we can inform everyone here at UHS on how to become an active member of your community,” sophomore Kennith Victoria said. Although the Red Cross Club is new on campus,
they have been active within the community and campus within months of forming. From fundraising to food drives for hurricane victims, the Red Cross Club affects the school in a positive way. “Ever since I started Key Club, I’ve been way more involved in events,” sophomore Madison LaCroix said. “It really helps with stress about community service hours. All the dates are already pre-planned, so you aren’t as worried about it. Also, it is an easy way to hang out with friends, which makes it a lot more fun.” Key Club is a way to get involved in your community. Key Club does many things around the school and volunteers with many events in our community. Key Club provides students with an easy way to get involved with others off campus, and to also receive community service hours, while doing so. “I feel good about helping the community, whether it is helping someone old or young, I love being involved, and in the end, it will make you feel good about yourself,” sophomore Maddie LaCroix said.
Sweet Standing by the SGA table at lunch during Amnesty week, senior Hannah Mulroney hands out popsicles to students. “I really wanted to do well to earn money for the senior class,” Mulroney said. “But it’s very hard when there is one week to compete with multiple other clubs for sales. It was still fun getting to bake, and see teens happy that show ‘n tell Senior Rho Kappa Member they can buy junk food at school.”Photo by Tall Tales Senior Cailyn Toro, NHS Isabelle Clark teaches fellow student Brionna Taylor. treasurer, talks to fellow students in senior Cierra Stark about a game to NHS about their past stories. “NHS raise money during amnesty week. is really fun, and I just love being Photo by Brionna Taylor. involved and participating in our community,” Toro said.
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L e a d i ng th e Way
Students making a difference throughout their community Content By Kori Kestory
National Honor Society “NHS participates in community wide events to help out,” junior Morgan O’Quinn said. “We go to elementary schools to help the younger kids, we have a tutoring program at the high school for students struggling, and we attend community events to work.” Photo by Kori Kestory
Rho kappa
“We take part in lots of the events around the school,” senior Rho Kappa member Brooke Parry said. “One we’re most known for is “random acts of kindness” where we stand out by the drop off loop in the morning and tell kids to have a great day, just being kind to them.” Photo by Natasha Sweet.
Red cross club
“We help out around the environment or we help collect food and different donations for the hurricane,” sophomore Red Cross Club member Kennith Victoria said. “We helped donate food and other things for the hurricanes that hit this past year, and anything else that comes our way.” Photo by Melanie Schepmans.
Key club
“Key Club gives students an opportunity to get volunteer hours,” sophomore Key Club member Maddie La’Croix said. “Most students get volunteer hours from sports, so this is another way to receive volunteer hours while staying involved in your community.” Photo by Kori Kestory.
Student Government “SGA has taught me to how to be a leader , how to to work well with all different kinds of people and to solve problems by taking my time to figure them out,” senior class president Hannah Mulroney said. “ SGA has definitely helped shape me to be more confident in the future with taking charge as a leader and how to be a good one along with that.” Photo by Kori Kestory.
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A FEW MORE SECONDS
Senior Alexandra Bradford and her roles on and off campus Content By Brionna Taylor
As president of many clubs, senior Alexandra Bradford works long hours of planning and teaching other staff members while proves she has the leadership skills to fit all the roles in her current student life. “My biggest achievement recently happened at the NHS junior induction ceremony,” Alexandra Bradford said. “As president, I plan on taking the club in a predominately volunteering direction to help raise money for charity. I am president of another club, the Music Honor Society, and we also help raise money for charity.” On the other hand, Bradford has an unpaid internship at the Fish Memorial Hospital where she observes surgeries in the OR. On Mondays, from the hours of 8 a.m.
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to 12 p.m., Bradford works to study the moves of other doctors to help her in her own upcoming career. “I want to be either an orthopedic surgeon or a plastic surgeon,” Bradford said. “My role model would be Dr. Reed at the Fish Memorial Hospital. He’s been an orthopedic surgeon for a while, and I plan to be like him when I grow up.” While being invovled in many clubs can be challenging, Bradford makes sure to keep up with important dates stay on track with everything going on in all of the clubs she attends. “Well...I have a very specific planner filled to the brim with dates and events,” Bradford said. “I make sure that officers meet multiple times before meeting and events to go over anything
important. I’m sure to stay on top of all of my assignments” With this being Bradford’s senior year, many of the clubs she’s in may be left behind. New students are constantly coming to the school, but Bradford did not hesitate to leave a recommendation for those arriving. “I would 100% recommend Science Olympiad to anyone who is interested in any degree of science,” Bradford said. “I would recommend NHS to those high achieving students who have a 3.8 GPA or higher and are interested in volunteering experience. Tri-M is for those who may want a career in music or have a passion for music.”
Seniors Lucas Laguer, Jonathan Jackson, Emily Edwards and Alexandra Bradford take a photo together. “During NHS officer meetings, we discuss plans for future volunteering events, guidelines for members (such as required service hours and dues), and any concerns that an officer might have about the chapter,” Bradford said. Photo by Natasha Sweet
A F T E R H OU R S
Bradford’s club meetings and events Content by Brionna Taylor “I was extremely proud of the junior inductees for making it into NHS, and was equally proud of the NHS officers,” Bradford said. Photo by Jordan McKendrick
“The hardest part of the TRI-M induction ceremony was ensuring that the set-up was perfect and that the process ran smoothly,” Bradford said. Photo by Morgan Costner
“I kept thinking about how exciting it’d be to see some of these talents up on a stage, performing in front of a full audience,” Bradford said. Photo by Brionna Taylor
sweet tooth Alexandra Bradford volunteering to sell treats around school for NHS. “Amnesty Week was a great opportunity to raise money for future volunteer events that will need some funding,” Bradford said. “We were raising money in order to re-invest it into future projects for charities.” Photo by Brionna Taylor
EXTRA TIME
Bradford gives back to the community Content by Brionna Taylor artist Alexandra Bradford helping paint for the fall festival. “I loved seeing the families having so much fun together, playing games, painting, and decorating cookies,” Bradford said. Photo by Jordan McKendrick
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Celebrities
Different ways celebrities influence teens and what they think By Carson Francis
as
Influencers
A student lays on their couch, flipping through the channels on the TV in attempts to find something to watch. They settle on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, curious in what was new in the life of Kim Kardashian in particular. Celebrities with similar fame as the Kardashian-Jenner family have blown up on the internet and on TV, social media supposedly to be part of the blame. With large platforms from Twitter to Instagram, celebrities are in the spotlight for fans to see. With photos and information being shared almost instantly as soon as it is gathered, celebrities’ roles as influencers to teens and young adults can differ. “It’s mainly social media because everybody’s on there, and everybody sees everything,” freshman Anaya Penfield said. “Once they see somebody else doing something and certain people like it, they think they can do it, too.” Celebrities such as music artists can send out impactful messages through their music, which
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can cause fans to dive into the meanings behind them. “I think some of the biggest celebrity influencers that are around today are music artists because everyone listens to music,” senior Lathan Schefer said. “Depending on what music you listen to impacts how you think of certain things. People see these artists, celebrities, and they think, ‘Oh, I like this. I kind of want to be like that’, so it’s kind of that mentality you want to be what you see.” With different forms of beauty highlighted on the big screen, celebrities output of their own versions can sometimes affect how someone feels about their physical appearance and the way they think. “I think teenagers kind of look up to them and that kind of impacts how they should live and what they should do,” junior Sarah Love said. “How they should give back to the community or how they should act in the community. I think it just kind of makes a difference how they act towards people as well.”
Hear it out 31% Sweetener by ariana grande
Making a scene What makes To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before so popular By Carson Francis
As a part of book trilogy and having a film adaptation, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Students’ vote on top is talked about and shared album of 2018 around, taking the internet by By Carson Francis storm. “What I liked the most was 2% Camila by relating to Lara Jean and not Camila Cabello having a lot of friends in high school except one person, and trying to open up even if it’s not something you intend to do,” freshman Jaylyn Edwards said. “People can relate to all the 45% Scorpion characters and it is entertaining by Drake and a lot of people want that to happen to them. It’s a craving for people to have that lifestyle.” The book and movie are praised for consisting of diverse
characters and a diverse cast, representing minorities. “It has [a] really good way of showing diversity,” senior Arianna Solomon-Peck said. “You don’t see that much, especially in movies. They’re just starting to bring in the diversity aspect and the fact there’s so many races in it; It’s bringing up people you don’t usually see.”
22% Pray for the wicked by Panic at the Disco
Marketing Your Brand How one student promotes her talent on social media Content by Alexus Cleavenger and copy by Carson Francis
A girl sits in front of the camera singing, her eyes closed and her mouth annunciating every word as each octave changes throughout the song. When she is done recording, she edits the video as needed and then uploads it to Instagram, contemplating how to advertise her video to reach others. Junior Madison Buckley is building her Instagram platform, with 9,862 followers, for her singing through different marketing strategies. “I have a social media marketing manager, so they have my account and they like accounts that can’t really reach my accounts through what I am doing,” Buckley said. “Through my posts, I hashtag a lot so
that way the people on the hashtag pages can notice my account and eventually follow me.” From Instagram, Buckley hopes to expand her social media platforms. “Once I get a bigger platform on social media, I hope to use that to brand myself with bigger companies and agencies,” Buckley said. However, Buckley does not have a clear path planned ahead. Instead, she wants to just focus on her hobby and share it with others. “I don't really have a goal,” Buckley said. “I just enjoy singing. Instagram is the platform I am most successful on, so I am trying to branch out to YouTube to just gain a following on that, too.” page 29
Beyond t h e How does technology affect the learning environment? By Alexus Cleavenger
book
As the end of class is slowly approaching, the themselves for the real world when situations call students fret over finishing their assignments on for the use of them. time and grabbing their homework for the night. “Technology allows teachers to engage students Luckily, with the tap of their finger, they have access in learning, but also it prepares students for the real to anything on mobile devices. world,” Kestory said. “Nowadays, everything is done Technology is not solely a tool to use, it is now automated, whether it’s through Qr scans or needing an everyday lifestyle. Technology is teeming in to order thing online, these are little skills that you classrooms all over the world, helping both teachers use in the adult world regardless of whether your in and students keep up with new lessons and education or not.” assignments. Technology in the classroom is not only helping “Sign language is a very visual language, so students evolve, but traditional teaching methods during class when we use the projector there are are challenged by technologically enhancements. a lot of images to support the vocabulary thats The role of a teacher has been not been completely being learned in sign language,” American “Technology allows teachers to engage students sign Language teacher Rachel Adelman said. “Students also use laptops to submit in learning, but also it prepares students for the assignments through Canvas which helps real world,” Kestory said. the students who maybe prefer to submit assignments online.” changed, but altered. Teachers are integrating technology in their “I think the job of the teacher has always been everyday teaching practices, engaging students more to try and make sure they know what the students along the way. need to meet and learn the curriculum,” digital “ In my line of work, I work with teachers who are video productions teacher Brian Kells said. “I think implementing technology and some of the unique technology just gives them a different way to present ways that I see them using technology is virtual the curriculum to the students.” reality,” the lead Facilitator of the Digital Classroom Although the benefits to innovative learning are plan Melanie Kestory said. “For example, I have been endless, there is a point where students have been at a middle school where the students were learning crossing the line and becoming addicted to their about Mars, and they got to view augmented screens. reality.” “As a teacher, technology has always been there In the learning environment, there are a handful for me, but I think finding a healthy balance between of benefits that come along with the use of enough technology and too much technology is technology. Students learn how to use the various important,” Adelman said. types of technology and softwares to prepare
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Cover photo by Jordan McKendrick