LION’S TALEO c t o b e r 3 0 , 2 0 0 8 V o l u m e 4 9 I s s u e 2 6 0 1 K i n g S t r e e t O v i e d o , F l o r i d a

Be an informed voter, whether Democratic or Republican. Look inside for all the information on the presidential candidates, and check out the results of the mock election

pages 12 and 13

Turkey time is almost here. Check out what you can do for charity, and what people are thankful for.

page 6

BEATING THE ODDS. Jordan Smith signs a poster that Westhelle will keep in the classroom to remind her students about their accomplishments. The room was decorated with orange and black balloons. Junior Cody Long receives his plaque from Westhelle at the party. Westhelle cuts a cake that had pictures of all of her students, and distributes a piece to each student in celebration.

photos/GRAHAM CHRISTENSEN and ALICIA POPE

GRANTING AN OPPORTUNITY. The Oviedo Inventeam 2009, Samantha Owens, Daniel Leonard, Jordan Hugh Sam, Devin Flynn, Brittany Hamstra, Jennifer Cavaretta, Racheal Wheatly, John Johnson, Nate Enos, and Sara Wilcox all pose for the team photo. These students will be inventing an aparatus that will prevent citrus crops from freezing. The project is proposed to beng completed in May of 2009.

“I was proud of her [Westhelle] and her students’ accomplishments. What she did is what teaching is all about. ” - Robert Lundquist

Kevin Velosostaff reporter

Westhelle’s class blows top off FCAT

Lemelson-MIT awards InvenTeam 2009 with grantStacey Sterling

co-editor-in-chief

David Parsonsstaff reporter

A free cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship to anywhere, maybe Alaska or Jamaica and $1,500 in prize money; just a few of the rewards that Intensive Math

teacher Betty Westhelle has received from the state for the tremendous learning gains she created in her students.

Westhelle spent 29 years as an Algebra 1 / Intensive Math teacher, nine of them here at OHS, and was announced the overall category winner of a 2008 Excel Award.

The students in Westhelle’s class are classified as low performing. But according to recent FCAT scores, they have displayed tremendous learning gains while also achieving high grades on the test. Westhelle’s student sophomore Omijah Hope gained a whopping 492 points.

“I was proud of her [Westhelle] and her students’

accomplishments,” said Principal Robert Lundquist. “What Westhelle did is what teaching is all about.”

After receiving the 2008 Excel Award, she immediately thought “How can I reward my students?”

To do this, she planned a surprise party for her students. Westhelle had a cake designed especially for the party. A collage of icing, composed of pictures of all of her students, was placed across the surface of the vanilla cake. Along with the unique cake, she also had acrylic plaques made for them as awards.

“They are the ones who earned their high scores, not me. And I really think they deserve something special like this.” said Westhelle.

As she presented the plaques, her closenit group of students accurately guessed who won each award before

Regal Cinemas 22 to remain in place

Over the past few weeks, rumors have run rampant about the future of the Regal Cinemas location in the Oviedo Marketplace. Following an

unsubstantiated news report stating that Regal would not be renewing their contract, many began to wonder if the mall could remain open at all if its biggest draw began to pack its bags.

Regal Cinemas’ Regional Manager Dick Westerling denies any such parting of ways. “The [Oviedo] theater is performing very well. We have a long term lease and it’s our intent to continue to operate that theater.”

This is not to say that the Oviedo Marketplace’s problems have been extinguished. Its occupancy rate has dropped to 75 percent, and there have been several closures in recent months – the most recent is Bill’s Elbow South Restaurant, in operation for 16 years.

“The movie theater is definitely the anchor of the mall. Beyond that, I don’t know if you can really call our mall a mall,” says sophomore Tori Kidd.

This recent string of closures leads many to question whether the convenience of its location is worth sacrificing the larger selections found at the other malls.

“I’d rather just drive to other malls that have what I want in one place, like the Seminole Towne Center,” says Kidd. “We really don’t have that many stores, and the stores we do have are just miniaturized versions of the stores in other malls.”

Junior Rebecca Bernardo agrees. “I’ll go [to the Oviedo] mall if I’m just looking for something small, but whenever I have to go out and do some major shopping, I go to Altamonte. It’s just a lot bigger and has a lot more shops.”

In spite of the several closures, mall representatives are reporting that new tenants are coming, though the identities of these businesses are being kept under wraps. However, a new Sbarro’s Pizza recently joined the food court.

The Oviedo Marketplace may have to overcome more than just a recent slump. In recent years, the mall has developed a sort of stigma, students say, as more of a middle-school hangout than a high school one. “[The middle schoolers] bother me a lot because they don’t do anything, they just stand around thinking they’re cool for hanging out at the mall,” explains senior Candice Smith.

Sophomore Allison Tate harbors similar feelings. “There’s definitely too big of a middle school pres-

ence at the mall. Sometimes I’ll just be sitting in the food court eating and there’ll be some eight graders next to me who won’t quit making out – it’s incredibly awkward, and

photo/BROOKE FIDRICK

see MARKETPLACE, page 4see FCAT, page 7

see MIT, page 3

Senior Rachel Wheatly’s eyes filled with tears and she became almost speechless

when physics teacher Troy Soos explained to her that out of 16 high schools, Oviedo High School was the only school in Florida to receive the $10,000 Lemelson-MIT grant.

Wheatly plays a huge role in this project, because she is the one who came up with the idea to create a way to prevent citrus crops from

freezing. “I was driving through my

neighborhood during a cold snap, and I noticed that all my neighbors were using different ways to try and keep their plants from freezing. I realized that as Floridians, we really don’t have a constant idea about what will protect our plants from freezing,” said Wheatly.

“I feel really accomplished having been recognized for my idea at such a big university. It’s exciting to know that I could help

save people’s crops and make a difference in other’s lives,” said senior Rachel Wheatly.

Senior Jennifer Cavaretta could not help but feel the same.

“When I learned that our InvenTeam had received the grant, I was very excited for our team and project. I was hoping that our project would interest the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Program, but I wasn’t sure how our idea for citrus crop freeze protection would match up

After a $30.5 million (6.5%) slash in the funding of Seminole County Public Schools last March, responsible for the jobs of 18 teachers here at Oviedo High, Superintendent Bill

Vogel announced further reductions in this year’s budget.In addition to the $30.5 million hacked from the budget last year,

Seminole County projects an additional $8.8 million will have to be carved from the budget this year, a figure that is expected to grow in the near future. One estimate reveals an additional 9.9 million to be cut by January.

T o determine just how much money is to be cut, Governor Crist has called an emergency session of the Florida State Legislation to be held later this year.

“I just hope he [Crist] makes the right decisions for the education of the students of the state of Florida,” said Principal Lundquist.

“Last year the district made budget cuts that basically equaled a 5% reduction of allocations for staff,” said Principal Lundquist.

Saying farewell to the teachers who were cut proved to be a particularly difficult experience for Lundquist.

“In my professional career, it was probably the toughest thing that I’ve ever had to do, to let go teachers that were doing an exemplary job in the class room and we had to cut them lose because there wasn’t enough funds nor students for them,” said Lundquist.Who is affected?

Lack of funds was felt by anyone who attempted to take an accelerated class over the summer, only to find that those courses have been cut.

One such student dealing with the cuts is senior Nicole Alers. “Finding out that I couldn’t take summer to get ahead was a huge

pain in the butt. It would’ve messed up my entire senior year,” said Alers. “I had had my senior year planned out since the beginning of junior year and when I found out that the circumstances changed I didn’t know what I was going to do.”

Florida, like the rest of the country, has seen sharp downturns in state general revenue fueled by the drop in the housing market.

To make a long story short, people aren’t buying consumer items including high ticket things like houses and cars. Because around fifty percent of Seminole County

Schools’ budget is derived from state general revenue, mostly

2 October 30, 2008

News

Victoria Persampierenews editor

Uncertainty surrounds budgetKenny Anderson

staff reporter

News The Lion’s Tale

UCF swiftly accepts applicants

Senior claims first place in art fair

Addit ional cuts loom in the futu r e

Senior Victoria Flachner submitted her meticulously assembled application online at UCF’s website on a Monday evening in sunny September. That

Friday, she officially became a college student. “I don’t know if it was because I sent it in really

early, or because UCF has rolling admission or what,” Flachner said. “That was always my plan – to apply as early as I could.”

UCF is one of the many colleges, including UF and USF, that utilizes rolling admission.

“Rolling admission is offered by some schools as a way to open up the admission period for incoming students,” reads an article on campusgrotto.com. “Instead of standard deadlines for applications, [the colleges] will accept applications over a longer time frame, usually 4-6 months, until the incoming class is entirely filled.”

So, in essence, the sooner a student applies the sooner he or she receives the college’s verdict. Although rolling admissions allows more time for students to apply, it also

forces students to apply as early as possible in order to secure one of the limited spaces.

Even with rolling admissions, UCF admissions offices recommend that applicants expect a moderate interval after applying before they are contacted with the college’s decision.

“They told me that I’d wait for 3 weeks to a month for acceptance.” said senior Nate Enos, who received his acceptance from UCF a mere two weeks after applying. He credits his quick acceptance to the fact that he, and many other students, apply to college entirely online.

“I have this friend whose transcripts have been lost twice – she eventually had to fax them herself,” said Enos. “I literally don’t know anyone else who applies the old way anymore. Everyone uses the internet – it’s just so much faster.”

Gone are the days of waiting anxiously by the mailbox for months on end; now, with a click of the mouse and a week’s time, students like Flachner and Enos can take their first step into their future.

sales taxes, less money will be coming to county schools from the state. It remains unclear exactly how much money will be eventually

cut from the school’s budget and uncertainty surrounds where those cuts will come from.

“What’s proposed for the budget cuts for the remainder of this year and next year, we do not know yet,” said Principal Lundquist. “The district has not made a decision, nor do they know how much money is going to be cut from the budget next year.”

What is certain, according to Seminole County Public Schools Secondary Executive Director Walt Griffin, is that funds for the advanced placement program will be sliced by 33 percent.

“I don’t think that the budget cuts have affected students at all, and that’s

very fortunate, and that’s the last thing we want at Oviedo

High School,” said Lundquist.

Lundquist also shares the ever-present uncertainty in the air. “We will be able to function status quo this year,” he said, “but

I don’t know about next year.”Principal Lundquist does forecast tough times for teachers. In

addition to loss of jobs, teachers this year are also faced with the harsh reality of stagnant wages.

“You could see a reduction in staff. In addition, all employees have an increase in pay that was not realized this year, for the first time in a long time that I can remember,” Lundquist said.

In spite of the drastic budget shortfalls, Principal Lundquist remains optimistic about the state of Oviedo’s student population.

“Hopefully we can make it through these hard times without a reduction in the quality of education,” he said. “I think we’re still going to be able to offer students the best education possible and that we’re going to be able to provide the supplies and materials for all of our students to maintain the quality of education we’ve had at Oviedo High School.” Optimism over uncertainty

As OHS heads for uncharted waters, Principal Lundquist is doing his best to keep the high school afloat; he remains nothing if not confident in the future success of Oviedo.

“I will stack our school up against any in the country and that’s because we have quality,” he said. “We have quality students, teachers and a quality community. We will do our best to maintain the momentum that we have generated in the past 10 to 15 years. I think that we will all stand up to these hard times and maintain this momentum to keep our school the best,” said Lundquist.

Senior Hannah Richards, an AP Art/Drawing and Painting student, took first place for her mixed-medium composition at the Maitland Art Festival this month.

“I was inspired by an issue of National Geographic,” said Richards.

The Maitland Art Fesival was one of the first competitions that Richards entered her artwork into.

“I was so surprised that I won, and I think I’m going to keep entering shows from now on, because I’d really like to get a scholarship or something,” said Richards.

Richards plans on using her artistic talent to help pay for her tuition at the University of Alabama, but doesn’t plan on persuing art as a career.

“I’m going to major in international business,” she said.

LEARN TO FLY. “My African culture piece won at Maitland, but it’s not my favorite piece; this one is my favorite, and it won a merit award in Altamonte last week.” said Richards.Lion’s Tale and Oviedian earn recognition from national associations

The Lion’s Tale and Oviedian were both featured in spreads in the Best of High School Press, published by the National Scholastic Press Association. They will both be featured online at www.studentpress.org/nspa and in the NSPA’s annual Best of High School Press book.

The Oviedian was also recognized in the Winter 2008 Edition of News of Journalism Education Association for its artistic style in the 2007-2008 yearbook. Example pages from last year’s book were used as models in an NJA article advising yearbook editors nationwide in methods of improving their yearbook.

Upcoming events: dates to rememberVoting for Faculty Homecoming will take place

Wednesday, Nov. 5 in the cafeteria for one day only.

Student government has planned a car bash during the homecoming carnival, shortly after the parade. Be sure to experience the carnival, located on the track, for all the fun. The carnival will be held on Nov. 14.

The sign-up booth for the blood drive will be located in the cafeteria from Nov. 3-10. The Blood Bus will visit campus on Nov. 11. All healthy students over 16 years of age are eligible to donate with parental consent.

Homecoming tickets will be sold for for $20 until

Nov. 7, and for $25 from Nov. 10-15. Be sure to buy tickets early, because there will be no tickets sold at the door. Valid picture ID and reciept will be required to enter the dance. Attendees over the age of 21 are prohibited.

$18.8 million sliced this year so far.

$30.5 millioncut from the budget during

the 2007-2008 school year.

$9.9 million more at stake.

EDUCATION BUDGET SLICED. Officials expect that the already depleted county budget will suffer further setbacks in the near future.

NewsThe Lion’s Tale 3October 30, 2008

THINGS TO DO:

Apply early. There is no application fee at SCC!

Take your SAT/ACT and make sure a copy of yourscores are sent to SCC!

Apply for SCC scholarships. SCC has lots of great scholarships, but deadlines are sooner than you think!

Keep your grades up! Grades do count.Enjoy your senior year, but don’t let your grades slip!

Call 407.708.2050 or visit www.scc-fl.edu/futurestudentsfor more information!

from MIT, page 1 against other projects from technical high schools. So, when I found out that our team, from a public high school, received the InvenTeam grant, I was overwhelmed with pride for the accomplishments of my fellow teammates,” said Cavaretta.

Over the summer, the Lemelson-MIT program notified Soos, that OHS had moved into a finalist slot with 35 other high schools. But on Oct. 3, through an email from Leigh Estabrooks, the Lemelson-MIT project manager, Soos learned that they have won.

Jerome H. Lemelson, and his wife Dorothy both founded the Lemelson-MIT Program in 1994. The purpose: to support inventors and entrepreneurs to strengthen not only social but economic life.

InvenTeams consist of not only of high school students, but teachers, and mentors that help the students in their endeavors.

The Oviedo InvenTeam will work with mentors from the community such as Tom Minter from Pappy’s Patch farm, and Paul Lyrene, the Agriculture Professor at the University of Florida.

“The project is really starting to pick up speed. We receive the InvenTeam credit card next week, so we can start to purchase our materials and construct our apparatus. In the meantime, each team member is expected to fulfill his/her responsibilities according to the finances, research and design, marketing, and computer groups,” said senior Jennifer Cavaretta.

Some students have specific responsibilities such as Cavaretta, who is a project manager.

“As the research and design manager, I am responsible for keeping my fellow teammates on track with our project timeline and for writing various reports that summarize our progress and challenges, as well as our future goals. These reports include monthly reports, the mid-year progress report,

and the final summary report. In addition to these responsibilities, I am accountable for researching the locations and prices of the items we need, such as thermocouples and heaters,” said Cavaretta.

Others are in charge of marketing and community relations, such as Owens, and Brittany Hamstra.

“The marketing group is responsible for handling press releases, distributing promotional information, and talking to schools, businesses and civic groups. We work to make the community aware of our project and gain their support,” said Owens.

The Lemelson-MIT program takes pride on the fact that the students today are tomorrow’s leaders, which is why this is a student-driven project with the help from teachers, and community mentors.

“The best part about this project is that it is student-driven. Our teacher, Mr. Soos, guides us in our endeavors, but our team is the core of this project. I think that it’s amazing that 10 high schoolers could receive $10,000 to develop their own invention,” said Cavaretta.

The students of the Oviedo InvenTeam 2009 have committed themselves to carry out this large project, because they are responsible for more than just laying out the project. They will be putting their knowledge to the test as they create the apparatus.

“[The students are responsible for] practically

everything! They have to do background research, develop technical plans, conduct lab testing, build a prototype, speak to the media, give presentations to schools and community groups, submit progress

reports, and handle the finances,” said Soos. To apply for the grant the students of the

Inventeam had to come together and form a proposal that consisted of a project timeline, invention statement, final budget, team roster, list of mentors, and the purpose of the invention.

“A large part of it[the grant] will be for the materials and equipment necessary to develop, test, and build the invention. Since this project is being carried out in the same way as a professional invention initiative, there will also be expenditures for marketing, promotion, team building, etc. The only thing it can’t be used for is the team’s travel expenses when we travel to MIT in June; we have to raise those funds separately,” said Soos.

Soos began in spring of 2008, by forming the team, and writing a preliminary proposal. He then went to MIT in the summer to see the 2008 teams present, and learn even more about preparing a final proposal. Oviedo InvenTeam’s proposal was chosen out of 35 finalists, nationwide.

The project is proposed to be finished by May 29, 2009.

“We [the Oviedo Inventeam 2009] are trying to use solar energy stored in the daytime to protect

“[The students are responsible for] practically everything! They have to do background research, develop technical plans, conduct lab testing, build a prototype, speak to the media, give presentations to schools and community groups, submit progress reports, and handle finances.”

Troy Soos, Physics teacher and project advisor

citrus trees from freezing at night. There are two parts to the system: 1. A transparent plastic shroud acts as a greenhouse, allowing light to enter in the day and retaining heat energy at night. 2. A solar cell charges during the day and releases heat energy at night, triggered by a photocell or thermostat.We’re in the early stage of development, however, so the final technical details will depend on the test results,” explains Soos.

After the project is completed some time in May, students of the Oviedo InvenTeam will be taking a trip to Massachusetts.

“The entire team will travel to MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to present their results at EurekaFest, a conference of inventors, researchers, and scientists. The students will also meet with potential investors and partners to determine if further development and marketing is possible,” said Soos.

“All of the people I told were very excited and interested in our project. Many people were also amazed that a group of high school kids could come up with a solution to a problem theoretically,” said Cavaretta “but also take it to the next level by developing an invention to carry out that solution.”

HARD AT WORK. Senior Nate Enos, a member of Oviedo High School’s InvenTeam 2009, works on a circuit for the solar heater in the InvenTeam Lab in Building 8.

photo/BROOKE FIDRICK

News The Lion’s Tale4 October 30, 2008

Come visit the School Store!Birthday?Holiday?

Special Occasion?Buy balloons to celebrate!

Balloons now available at the School Store,located in the front office!

from MARKETPLACE, page 1

Desdemona’s father harbors great dislike for

him because of his Islamic religion, and his successes have driven others, even

those closest to him, to jealousy. As forces plot against him and his once model life takes a tragic turn for the worst, Othello must decide who he can trust before it is too late.

Shakespeare comes aliveD r a m a r e h e a r s e s f o r t h e i r u p c o m i n g p l a y O t h e l l o

illustrations/TOVA KRANZ

I don’t know whether to leave or to start making out with my food in order to distract myself.”

A new big draw, in addition to Regal Cinemas, Tate suggests, will likely be necessary to attract high schoolers in larger numbers once more.

“I might go more if they added some new stores like Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, something like that. Some sort of laser tag arena would be really cool.”

Many students, Smith among them, add that more variety in the food court would be a welcome change. Whatever is to come, says sophomore Toby Tobkin, it seems certain that changes need to be made in order to draw students back.

“Walking into the mall right now is kind of like walking into an old man’s closet – there’s a bunch of things of moderate interest, but nothing truly compelling,” said Tobkin.

photos/CHRISTENSEN, FIDRICK

Jenn Devine, Amanda Eifert, and

Pearson Bolt direct this modern version of the Shakespearean classic, starring senior David Mila as Othello, the enigmatic star of the school football team. Othello’s prowess on the field earns him the respect and admiration of the school, and the love of the beautiful Desdemona (junior Kelsey Renfrow). However, not everyone is enamored with Othello-

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION. Seniors David Mila and Jonathan Mercedes rehearse a scene from Othello; Ju-nior Brandon Taylor receives criticism from the director Jenn Divine; Student directors Amanda Eifert, Pearson Bolt,

and junior Lexi Knerr watch the rehearsal ; Junior Spencer Moothart listens as Mercedes points out to the invisible audience; Mila acts romantically towards junior

Kelsey Renfrow ; Mercedes reaches for Renfrow; Junior Mark V. Harriot and Moothart go over lines.

Play opens Nov. 19-22 in the Gerald R. Cassanova Auditorium

$5 for students $8 for adults

NewsThe Lion’s Tale 5October 30, 2008

illustration/MIRANDA HARMON

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Sparks fly over the issues as Election Day moves ever closer.

This Nov. 4, Florida citizens will decide the fate of Amendment Two. Whether for or opposed, students voice their opinions on the controversial matter.

Amendment Two, also called the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment, challenges certain benefits of unmarried couples, such as health care and hospital visitation rights.

“That’s pointless,” said junior Sara-Marie Kennedy. “People shouldn’t be kept from each other like that. I find it pointless that anyone would want that to happen. It shouldn’t matter if you’re married or not. If they love each other and are willing to sacrifice their time to go visit each other, it shouldn’t matter.”

While some oppose the amendment, some give support.

“They shouldn’t have health benefits,” said freshman Michael Cichocki. “They should provide their own healthcare. Millions of A m e r i c a n s provide their own healthcare or jobs provide it.”

Companies such as Disney already provide benefits for unmarried same-sex couples. If Amendment Two passes, these benefits would be challenged legally.

“Unmarried couples should not get

benefits from the government because people could just say they’re dating just for these benefits,” said sophomore Danny Palazzolo.

While often thought to be a primarily gay rights related issue, the amendment, if passed, would affect straight unmarried couples as well.

“That’s kind of dumb,” said junior Caitlyn Kavenagh. “My great uncle had a common law wife. And if he were in critical condition, I’m sure she would want to visit him, because they’ve been together for 20 years.”

Amendment Two focuses on marriage rights rather than gay rights, but gay couples will be impacted.

“I think that people are people, and they should have the same rights as anyone else. Why be discriminated against because you’re married or not?” said sophomore AJ Wynne.

The amendment will also i n f l u e n c e e l d e r l y u n m a r r i e d couples, who e s p e c i a l l y c o n c e r n themselves w i t h hea l thcare issues.

“I oppose because I think it’s unfair to older people,” said freshman Jullisa Ortiz. “It’s unfair.”

Under the Defense of Marriage Act of 1997, same-sex marriage in Florida

is already outlawed. Same-sex marriage currently applies legally in Massachusetts, California, and Connecticut.

“It’s not fair because some married people don’t care about each other and the ones that aren’t married really care about each other. They should have the same rights,” said freshman Ashley Latyki.

Debates about gay rights loom through the school as students ponder the issue.

“Economically, they should be the same as a straight couple,” said junior Kyle Kassik. “But the definition of marriage should not be changed.”

While not exclusively a gay rights-related issue, Amendment Two will directly effect gay couples in the state of Florida.

“I don’t believe in gay marriage because marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman and it should stay that way,”

said Cichocki. “It’s been that way forever and it should stay that way.”

For students, religion and upbringing often sway ideas.

“I’m really conservative, and I’m really religious, but I still don’t think you should take away people’s rights to visit the ones they love, even if they’re unmarried,” said freshman Stephanie Brache.

The path of Amendment Two will be decided after citizens vote on Nov. 4. The Amendment needs sixty percent of the votes to pass.

“I think everyone should have the benefits,” said junior Mariette Cole. “I don’t necessarily support gay marriage, but you can’t exactly stop it. There’s no reason to punish them. There’s a difference between supporting gay marriage and allowing couples to have health benefits.”

Miranda Harmonstaff artist

Debate rages over controversial amendment

“People shouldn’t be kept from each other like that. I find it pointless that anyone would want that to happen. It shouldn’t matter if you’re married or not. If they love each other and are willing to sacrifice their time to go visit each other, it shouldn’t matter.”

Sarah-Marie Kennedy, ‘10

FeaturesThe Lion’s Tale6 October 30, 2008

NJROTC, NHS participate in charitable causes to better lives of people in our community, throughout America

Passionate heart for needyTova Kranz

staff reporter

Senior Hannah McLean counts each can, one by one, placing each gently into the cardboard

box waiting to fill with cans going to the needy in Seminole County via donations from Oviedo’s National Honors Society.

Students like McLean get involved in helping out for the holiday.

“Whenever I go grocery shopping, I take one of the bags at the front of the grocery store and I buy those and donate them, and I’ve done several food drives before,” said senior Hannah McLean.

Besides the perks of having an extracurricular on her transcript, McLean donates for the sake of assisting those in need.

“I don’t want anybody to be without food, especially on Thanksgiving. Since I’m so fortunate I want to help those who aren’t as fortunate,” said McLean.

McLean is just the tip of the iceberg for the project.

“The National Honors Society has done a canned food drive for the last six years just to give back to the community. We usually give to Seminole County’s Sharing Center on 17-92. We will be donating to the Oviedo Food Bank this time for the first time to specifically help Oviedo families,” said Interior Design teacher and National Honors Society sponsor Janice Latimer.

National Honors Society’s canned food drive collects cans using students in the organization like McLean and through boxes left in a teacher’s room.

“I brought a lot [of cans] from home, and then I put a box in my AP Biology class and a few people brought cans in,” McLean said.

The Sharing Center supplies food to families in need, and reports an increase in families each month when compared to a year ago.

“We have about 28 to 30 percent more [families] than last year. We’re averaging at about 600 families a month,” said The Sharing Center Director of Volunteer and Pantry Services Michael Kenyon.

The Sharing Center also extends a special Thanksgiving offer: a full bag of food items such as pie filling, pie crust, cream of mushroom soup, and other foods and ingredients for a Thanksgiving dinner. This offer attracts several hundred families each Thanksgiving, apart from those who receive food regularly.

“We do a complete meal. I have a list

of things [the volunteers] put in a bag. I’m looking at about 600 families just for Thanksgiving [this year],” said Kenyon.

The growing demand can be hard to meet, but the staff and volunteers at The Sharing Center are determined.

“When [our patrons] shop from our list, sometimes we can’t fill it. We have a whole section for the homeless, and we have a whole section for big families. This way they can get what they need,” said Kenyon.

The decision to give donations to the Oviedo Food Bank instead of directly to The Sharing Center wasn’t hard for Latimer when she heard of the Food Bank’s need.

“We started donating to The Sharing Center because they gave me a call, but last year we got a call from the Oviedo location because they were in greater need. We might end up giving to The Sharing Center later this year, unless Oviedo is still in this much of a need,” said Latimer.

The students in NHS are not the only ones willing to help out when given the opportunity.

“Yes [I would help out] because some people aren’t as fortunate as me, and [the students] should try and help the people helping other people,” said freshman Karen Thomas.

Oviedo’s NJROTC program also helps out the less fortunate for the holidays. Starting Nov. 10, the NJROTC’s Toys for Tots campaign will begin collecting toys.

The program collects toys and distributes them to less fortunate families, usually on welfare or food stamps, and allows these families to celebrate the holidays as well.

“The Marine Corps Reserve started [Toys for Tots] to provide toys for children who may not be able to celebrate Christmas,” Colonel Nardo said.

The NJROTC will be collecting toys until Dec. 17, and these toys will be on display in the NJROTC building, the future building 10, after the ROTC moves in during mid-Nov.

The reward of sponsoring the program provides Col. Nardo satisfaction through its connection to the Marine Corps, and also through its impact on children across Seminole County, and he encourages OHS students to participate as well.

“How good would it be to know that one kid has Christmas because of your sacrifice?”

“I’m thankful to live in America because I am free to do what I want.”

-Junior Alex Hague

-Freshman Caitlin Martin

“I am thankful for music because life would be boring without it.”

“I am thankful for sports.”-Sophomore Garrett Stone

“I’m thankful for senior year and getting into college.”-Senior Sara Wilcox

“I’m thankful for my parent’s support.”

-Junior Katie Morton

“I’m thankful for my family because they support me and I don’t know what I would do without them.”

-Senior Brian Germ

“I’m thankful for the life I have.”

-Sophomore Nicole Intrieri

“I’m thankful for my mom because she helps me with school.”-Freshman Jonny Olven

Please bring all canned foods to room 13-006.

7FeaturesThe Lion’s Tale October 30, 2008

photo/BROOKE FIDRICK

Becoming buff online

Microsoft, the company with the will to prove it’s better than the competition, once

again is deciding to flex its revolutionary muscles. In the spirit of continually one-upping Sony’s Playstaton 3, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is set to revolutionize the home entertainment experience this Nov.

Since the debut of the Playstation 3 in the fall of 2006, Sony has been touting Playstation Home, a social networking system exclusive to PS3 users that resembles a video game version of myspace, complete with a customizable Sims-style avatar and a house featuring your music, videos, pictures, personalized media. It was Sony’s pocket ace, a fool-proof means of surpassing the elementary chat features of the Xbox 360. However, Sony revealed its secret weapon MUCH too soon.

Sony, a company possessing no understanding of the term ‘deadline,’ revealed its plans for Home over two years before its release, scheduled later this year. What it failed to remember was that the owner of its direct competitor, Bill Gates of Microsoft, managed to develop a user-friendly hardware in 1975 for the first popular micro-computer, the Altair 8800, in a few weeks.

True to form, Microsoft developed a better social networking system, and is due to release it in a system update Nov.19. The New Xbox Experience will include the entirely original idea of a customizable Sims-style avatar and media sharing, in addition to chat upgrades. Users will soon be able to chat with up to eight friends at once in the form of text, IM, voice, or video in a virtual party. And to seal the deal of being the preeminent console, they also added a Netflix partnership.

Starting mid-Nov., Xbox 360 users will have the ability to instantly watch over 10,000 movies and TV shows from Netflix.com via their Xbox console. For no extra cost, subscribers to both Xbox Live Gold, Microsoft’s monopoly on online usage, and a Netflix unlimited plan, any plan that does not have to be renewed monthly, can instantly stream the latest feature films and television programs added to their queues.

Some questions surround the release of the new update. Will the operating system still be user friendly? Will Microsoft relinquish its control over its monopoly on downloadable content by allowing users to purchase content with their gamerpoints (There has to be some reason to collect them)? What will happen to the backgrounds and gamerpictures?

None of these have been answered, but what is definite is that home entertainment will never be the same. As the gaming consoles strive to gain supremacy, the only constant is change. Like an arms race, the so-called next-gen consoles are mounting their technological powers, competing to out-do the competition’s best efforts. But whether or not the pendulum will swing backwards is to be determined. Nothing can stop the release of Xbox’s system makeover. The question is, can Playstation still use Home as its trump card, or will it be overshadowed by the New Xbox Experience?

Modern Technology

Ryden Butler staff reporterSony launches Sims-stylesystem complete with avatar

Westhelle presented them.As a teacher who has helped create

such an improvement with her students, was there something special about her teaching?

“I don’t have a set routine that I go through everyday,” said Westhelle. “But I have a class structure different from most teachers that keeps them interested and awake.”

Instead of sitting at her desk checking her e-mail or reading the lesson from the book, she creates a class environment that helps them discover and remember the information in their own way. She has her students work on their homework in specially selected groups of four, and constantly circulates throughout the room giving as much individual attention to each of her students as she possibly can.

One of the most unique things about Westhelle that contributes to her students’ success is the rapport, or close bond, she tries building with all of them. She builds this rapport with her students by showing interest in their clothes, styles,

sports, work habits, and everything unique about each of them to show that she cares.

“You must get them to understand that you honestly care about them and their success in math, school, and on the FCAT,” said Westhelle.

For junior Simon Wood’s birthday, Westhelle went to his house and gave him cupcakes and a video of him teaching the class. At first, Westhelle had a difficult time keeping her students on task. But as the bond she built with her class grew, her class became more engaged and focused on their work.

Not only does she arrive at school and begin working at 6:00 a.m. and leave at 4:30 p.m., Westhelle often wakes up early in the morning around 4:30 a.m. to bake cookies or other pasteries for every single student when there is a birthday in the class. Westhelle also motivates her students to do well by baking for the class period that outperforms all the

from FCAT, page 1others on tests. Even after leaving the school and returning home, she is still toiling over schoolwork and grading

papers until 10:00 p.m.Westhelle says that she

especially enjoys working with difficult students because she loves motivating them and helping them succeed.

“It’s not about the money,” she said “if it was, then I’m in the wrong profession. I just enjoy spending time with my students during the year, and

also spending the summers with my own kids.”

The Foundation for Excellence in Education, which is presenting the award, is a not-for-profit charitable organization launched in 2007 by Jeb Bush. The Excel Award is only given to 100 teachers from10 different categories in the state of Florida. And on October 24, she attended the inaugural Celebration of Teaching at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa in Orlando to receive her package of prizes.

Amy Judahstaff reporter

After seeing groups of tired, sweat soaked teenagers stumble across the gym after their daily

Physical Education classes, Sophomore Spencer Ruiz knew she needed a better way to gain that PE credit.

Luckily for her, Florida Virtual School offers Physical Education classes that you can take online, safe from the piercing sound of a coaches whistle day after day.

“It’s easier online,” Spencer Ruiz said, “you get to do it on your own time. You do a fitness test and record all the scores. You also have to do the exercises they tell you while timing them.”

Students not only get to decide when they want to do the fitness tests, but are also in control of how much time it takes them to complete the online course. “The hardest thing for me is time management, making sure you turn in all your work on time,” says Ruiz.

According to FLVS.com, the whole Physical Education course takes about twelve to eighteen weeks to finish.

“It’s like twelve weeks, but you can do it really fast,” Ruiz said. It’s your choice whether you want to progress slowly or quickly, which is also a bonus of taking the class online, instead of during the school year.

Incentives for some, can result in negatives for others. Sophomore Jamie Babbitt points out his case, “It’s easier to take it at school because you don’t have to go out of your way, you can just take it as one of your classes instead of trying to remember to take it at home.”

Junior Caitlyn Kavenagh had joint feelings with Babbitt, even after completing the online course. “I think it would be easier to take it during the school year because taking it online comes with lots of projects. I had to interview people on their exercise habits, and it was difficult to get a hold

of my teacher.”The online courses go over the

same points as students would go over if taking it in a classroom. From baseline fitness levels to studying eating disorders, both courses have identical information.

Just like taking PE at school, taking PE online comes with responsibilities that students have to make sure they complete on their own time. Kavenagh explained how she had many projects to complete, including an essay she had to write on heart rates.

FLVS.com relays that students will still needs to complete required assignments and exercises. Assignments students will be responsible for include self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, writing assignments, projects, essays, oral assessments, and discussions.

One experience lacking from the online PE course, is the presence of a PE coach. Lots of students form beneficial relations with their PE

coaches, which can impact their view on physical activity later on in their lives.

Sophomore Matthew Smith looked back on his memories of taking Physical Education at the actual school campus with Oviedo Coach, Chad Long. “Coach Long is a funny guy. Last year he randomly pulled out a golf club and hit a tennis ball across the gym. It was the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen a coach do. I’ll never forget that!”

On the flip side, communication with PE coaches online is minimal according to Ruiz. “You get assigned a teacher, and you can use email and the phone to contact and ask questions, otherwise you don’t really communicate with them at all,” says Ruiz.

Kavenagh had troubles contacting her teacher for her online PE class. “It was hard to talk to my teacher, and you couldn’t leave a voice mail because her inbox was always too full so you had to keep calling until she answered.”

DRIBBLE,SHOOT,SCORE. Sophomore Blaine Smith, junior Beau Hogan, senior Ian De Long, and junior Richard Forbes play basketball.

Florida Virtual School allows students to receive high school credit online for PE

Jeb Bush

8 Features The Lion’s TaleOctober 30, 2008

Tiffany Rayco-features editor

These subs know the scoreAs the late bell rings, two freshmen

strut into substitute Kelli Stanley’s classroom. Stanley warmly smiles

as she reminds the forgetful pair of the homework they had been assigned in an earlier period. As they turn to leave, one nonchalantly asks for a pass.

“I said no,” said Stanley with a laugh. “[Because a pass] is what they wanted all along.”

When a teacher calls in absent, various students think they can deceive their substitutes.

“It’s usually first semester freshman. They’re still coming off with the middle school mentality. They’re still learning that in high school there are more expectations,” said K. Stanley. “During lunch they ‘have’ to go the bathroom. They come back with drinks and food. I say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know Oviedo had such nice bathrooms. They have vending machines in them?’” said Stanley.

What these tricksters don’t count on, however, is that substitutes have tricks of their own.

“Students try to text, listen to iPods, and they like to get out of class,” said substitute Claudia De La Concepcion. “They say they need to go to the media center but I call to check up on them and they’re not there. Then I write them up for skipping.”

According to substitute Eric Patterson, students sometimes assume that because their teacher’s absent that it’s “party time”. However, he uses a unique method to keep his classrooms in order.

“I give my ‘Pep Prep Talk’ 95 percent of the time. I say, ‘Don’t get your snack on [don’t eat], don’t get your whack on [don’t speak badly about others], and don’t get your mack on [don’t kiss]’ during class,” said Patterson. “But, some classes I go to

are outstanding and I don’t have to say anything.”

De La Concepcion also stresses the importance of order in class.

“You need discipline in order to learn. If students behave, I’m nice to them and if they don’t, I’m mean,” said De La Concepcion. “I make the kids do work. They’re in school to learn something.”

Though Patterson and De La Concepcion suggest order presents the most acceptable learning atmosphere, K. Stanley disagrees.

“My number one thing is to be respectful. If a student is respectful then anything can be worked out. I try to give rude students a chance or two but then I remove them from class,” said Stanley. “More often than not, the other students apologize for their peers’ behavior and say they understand [my predicament].”

K. Stanley believes she is firm but flexible. However, she and other substitutes face disrespectful students often.

“In some instances [when a student is disrespectful or disruptive] I don’t even talk to them because they’re what

I call ‘cuckoo’. Mostly, I give [students] a ‘one more time’ warning to let them know they’ve gone too far,” said Patterson.

American History teacher Mary Woods instructs her classes to treat substitutes with even more respect than they give her.

“Give substitutes respect. If there’s a misunderstanding between a student and a substitute it’s easier for me to handle it [later] than to create a confrontation,” said Woods.

Though all classes do not demonstrate proper respect, Patterson loves his job.

“I’m a sub because of the joy of watching people learn,” said Patterson.

K. Stanley agrees. “I feel blessed that I

have a lot of students that are nice and enjoy me,” said Stanley. “I love seeing all the kids and watch them grow and mature.”

K. Stanley not only watches strangers change over their high school years, but also sees her son and his friends.

“I told [Connor Stanley] that I was here before he was,” said K. Stanley about her son attending Oviedo High School. “I’ve always been involved in my son’s school activities. I thought if I substituted I could become even more involved,” said K. Stanley.

Sophomore Connor Stanley admits he is kind of embarrassed that his mother sometimes substitutes his classes.

“You usually don’t have parents at school. My friends think it’s the greatest because they know they can talk because she’s not strict,” said C. Stanley. “It’s kind of embarrassing but if the other students don’t know me, then they might not know [she’s my mom].”

K. Stanley feels as if she leads somewhat of a double life.

“I’m the sub by day, then at night I’m driving [his friends] somewhere, cooking dinner or making breakfast when they spend the night. No one knows what to call me. I hear Ms. Stanley and Ms. Kelli when I’m substituting,” said Stanley.

Overall, C. Stanley remains unbothered by his mother’s presence at school.

“Subs are j u s t

“No texting with your brand new LG Dare”

Generalizes all phones as LG Dares and means no texting at all. “Don’t be getting up all in peoples’ grillz”

Don’t fight with anyone, verbally or physically. “The girls are in a lamborghini and the boys are in an old beat up station wagon”

A metaphor meaning the girls are winning more points in his game of Girl Power and Boy Power.“No MP3, no DVD, no XYZ, no ABC...”

Uses rhymes to mean don’t have handheld electronics. “No lubby dubby, rubby dubby”

Don’t express your love for each other. “No beautyizing, no moisturizing”

Don’t put on make-up during class or look in mirrors.

subs. Even if it is my mom,” said C. Stanley. With K. Stanley’s l style, Patterson has a

lot to compete against for students’ favoritism. But, his quirky class style including his own phrases and games make him the favorite of many.

“He writes ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ on the board. When a girl answers a question right, he gives a point to the girls, and it’s the same for the boys. [Depending on who has the most points] girls are ‘better’ or boys are ‘better’,” said junior Ariana McCain.

Junior Tim Johnson enjoys Patterson as a substitute.

“[The game Girl Power, Boy Power] is how he gets people to pay attention.

It makes class entertaining with him,” said Johnson.

McCain agrees that his classes entertain the students.

“He has excellent charisma. He can go into a classroom of really bored kids and make them laugh,” said McCain.

Patterson uses his phrases to bring his classes to order. According to Patterson, a lot of the students laugh.

“A lot of it’s slang terms and multi-symatic words,” said Patterson.

Along with bringing amusement to classes, Patterson makes sure to bring knowledge of life, in addition to what students learn in a particular class.

“A lot of the time I give some insight. Mostly on the subjects of social studies

and religion because I intently studied them,” said Patterson. “Here’s some

words of wisdom: please have a double major. It goes right onto your job application.”

Patterson knows the strives he makes for his students are worth the effort.

“I just love the experience and the joy of giving others insight,” said

Patterson.

Patterson’s Funky Phrases Translated

Ariana McCain ‘110

“I feel blessed that I have a lot of students that are nice and ejnoy me. I love seeing all the kids and watch them grow and mature.”

Kelli Stanley

MIXING IT UP. Substitute Eric Patterson invents his own phrases

and games to use in his class-rooms.

photo/TIFFANY RAY

9FeaturesThe Lion’s Tale October 30, 2008

Freshman Travis Furr feels the butterflies in his stomach as he walks into his casting call for a chance to be in an advertisement. The people

holding the casting call will only look at him for a few minutes, but that will decide Furr’s future with the company.

Furr started his modeling career two years ago without really realizing it through a hat company called Peter Grimm. Furr and his nephew got a chance to be models in a Peter Grimm catalog.

“My brother’s ex-gir lfr iend’s sister’s husband is a famous BMX guy. He knew the people at Peter Grimm and got me and my nephew a gig for the company,” said Furr.

While Furr didn’t return to modeling until recently, his mother always encouraged him to be a model.

“My mom was telling me that I should be a model. I was listening to the radio one day and I heard about a Modeling Expo and told her about it,” said Furr. “My grandma took me to the first interview to get into the Expo, and my mom took me to the Expo. I didn’t get picked there, but I sent my pictures to Deco Models and I got my job there.”

Furr earned a two year contract with Deco Models, a modeling company located in Miami. His first photo shoot with them six months ago was Furr’s first modeling job experience besides the Peter Grimm job.

“When I started at the agency, we had to do a photo shoot for the web site. It was four hours long. You have to stay perfectly still for a long time and it was really hard. It took forever and you have to have perfect posture. You can’t move when they put you a certain way so they can get it just how they want it,” said Furr.

Furr’s personal life sometimes gets in the way of modeling.

“I missed two casting calls over the summer because I was away,” said Furr.

Other times, though, modeling gets in the way of his personal life.

Furr said, “It can definitely interfere with my

personal life. If I get a casting call, I work my schedule around the casting calls.”

One of his first casting calls was for Royal Caribbean Cruises.

“I went to a casting call for Royal Caribbean and I would have had a good chance of getting it, but they wanted someone younger. If I had gotten it I would have gotten to go to Jamaica,” said Furr.

The casting calls usually all happen similarly.

“A whole bunch of people are there and you have to bring your pictures. You give them to the people that are holding the casting call. They sometimes ask you to take a picture to see how you photograph,” said Furr. “There are always a lot

of people there. They give you a time period

that you go to the casting call, like between five and seven, and you sit there for a couple of minutes and they take groups. [At one casting call] I wasn’t there very long; it only took like 20 minutes.”

Competition hovers when so many models want the same job.

“When you go to the casting call, everybody wants to win and you have to give it your best so you can get the job,” said Furr.

Furr will stay in modeling as long as time permits him.

“I would like to keep doing it, it’s really fun,” said Furr. “If it only lasts for high school then I will be fine and if it doesn’t work, I want to be an engineer.”

Miranda Ghali

One by One

The 57 on Heinz ketchup bottles •represents the number of varieties of pickles the company once had.When you die your hair still grows for a •couple of months.The most money ever paid for a cow in •an auction was $1.3 million.The sound of E.T. walking was made by •someone squishing her hands in jelly.Elephants are the only mammals that •can’t jump.When snakes are born with two heads, •they fight each other for food.There are twice as many kangaroos •in Australia as there are people. The kangaroo population is estimated at about 40 million.The average person spends about two •years on the phone in a lifetime.In ancient Rome, it was considered a •sign of leadership to be born with a crooked nose.The United States has never lost a war in •which mules were used.On average, there are 178 sesame seeds •on each McDonalds Big Mac bun.Every human spent about half an hour as •a single cell.There are no clocks in Las Vegas •gambling casinos.Until the nineteenth century, solid blocks •of tea were used as money in Siberia.A violin contains about 70 separate •pieces of wood.Almost half the newspapers in the world •are published in the United States and Canada.If you counted 24 hours a day, it would •take 31,688 years to reach one trillion.The longest recorded flight of a chicken •is 13 seconds.In Rochester, Michigan, the law is that •anyone bathing in public must have the bathing suit inspected by a police officer.

Tea used as money, snakes with two heads

Compiled from www.strangefacts.com

Modeling Moments

Editor’s Note: One by one appears in every edition of the Lion’s Tale, and features a randomly selected student. This edition, a staff reporter inter-viewed the first person to respond to a shouted ‘Hey’ during first lunch.

STRIKING A POSE. Travis Furr turns toward the light and hopes for a bright future in modeling. After many casting calls, and hours of being in front of the camera, he still considers modeling his first priority.

photos courtesy of/FASHION IMAGES, REPRESENTED BY DECO MODELS, INC.

Competitive field beckons freshman

Jelly

by M

irand

a Har

mon

DiversionsDiversions The Lion’s Tale10 October 30, 2008

Amy Judahstaff reporter

Hometown writer takes on segregation

In this bold and sprightly novel set in contemporary Florida, Beverly Coyle, the acclaimed author of The Kneeling Bus, tackles one of the preeminent social problems of our time: the racism that lies beneath the veneer of suburban society.

Ninety-one-year-old Tom Glover hopes to live out his final years in peace and quiet - until his daughter, Lois, returns home with her husband, Paul, who suffers from the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. In an attempt to help his son-in-law, Glover hires two neighborhood boys to care for Paul. But Glover’s choice

All About In Troubled Waters:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/In-Troubled-Waters/Beverly-Coyle/e/9780140233018

Where To Find This Book:Seminole County Public LibraryCentral, East, and West BranchesBarnes and Nobles BookstoreBorders BookstoreAmazon.com

of a black youth, Ted Johnson, over another white boy unleashes the festering racism in Point Breeze, Florida, and Glover and Lois find themselves Johnson’s sole supporters in a disturbing and eye-opening confrontation with the community. As they try to negotiate the hostility they face, Glover is forced to confront his own history as well as the changing nature of racial conflict in America today.

Written with the keen eye and witty pen that distinguished The Kneeling Bus, In Troubled Waters confirms Beverly Coyle’s position as one of the bright new lights in contemporary fiction.

Oviedo native Beverly Coyle experienced first hand the turbulent 50’s, a time when blacks were forbidden to enter Sweetwater Park or buy products from the Oviedo drug store.Her new play, Parallel Lives, co-written is based on those times and premiered in late

Oct. at the SCC theatre.“In 1998 the Florida Humanities Council asked me to write about being a student of Jim Crow

separation and they asked Bill Maxwell to do the same. We [worked on our story] for about six years, called Parallel Lives, and then they commissioned us to make it into a play,” Coyle said.

The Jim Crow laws were intact during the setting of Coyle’s writing. These laws basically mandated the segregation of public facilities. Laws enforced the “separate but equal” idea for black and other non-white Americans. These were demolished by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 but remained in effect during

Coyle’s teen years. Troubled Waters and Coyle’s other two novels (Taken In and The Kneeling Bus) caught the

attention of the Florida Humanities Council and sparked the idea for the play.Coyle was surprisingly close to the hidden violence in Oviedo, with her grandfather

indirectly in relation to the KKK, and took the information she gained through that to write a book following along the lines of what had been going on.

“My novel In Troubled Waters is set in Oviedo (though I call it Point Breeze) because I wanted to tell a fictional version of my grandfather as he moved into modern times, with memories of the Klan activity,” Coyle said. “He didn’t like telling of the bad old days, but he...told me a version of what he remembered about the Ocoee massacre. I put what he told me into a story of an old man trying to remember and sort out the activities of his own people versus his childhood friendship with an Oviedo African American whose people had worked for his people - the childhood friend was killed in Ocoee.”

Growing up in Oviedo, Coyle recalled many fond memories. Most of which were linked to family, who impacted her in ways she couldn’t have ever imagined.

“Grandfather was aloof and stern...but I loved being around him. You never knew when he’d turn his attention on you, then suddenly you were being taken out to his deep freeze for ice cream sandwiches. And he wanted you to eat three of them!”

Coyle treasured those simple memories the most. “I was always being taken quietly to a window to watch a mother quail come across the

yard with all her little chicks following. That lovely sight disappeared as we became so populated in Florida,“ Coyle said.

The serene setting on the outside was actually twisted with a darker side. Looking past the orange trees with her grandfather, past the Scrabble nights with her grandmother, and even past the loud nights she often laid awake listening to the outrageous volume of the bullfrog’s croaks in Lake Charm, an uglier reality emerged.

“I grew up aware that my father leaned toward integration and my Oviedo grandparents did not. That was very powerful for me as a kid...two opposing views. In the 1920s there were two things happening; one, prohibition and two, the vote for African American men. Both things stirred up Klan activity and paranoia among whites. Whites were very afraid of the vote for black men and were also in competition for moonshine and selling illegal booze. So the Klan put on the hood and did a lot of terrorizing -- to intimidate black men from voting and also to destroy competitive private home-made booze competition.”

Oviedo wasn’t just the source of inspiration for her writings, but affected her personally and shaped her into who she is today.

“I’m sure Oviedo placed its deeply important stamp on my own character formation; but much of that will be hidden from me. I think since I was an ‘outsider‘ with parents raising me in other towns, Oviedo was ‘the past.‘ My grandparents were looking back and remembering; and I was doing a lot of listening.”

After writing and publishing several novels, it would seem that writing a play would be a piece of cake for Coyle, right? Wrong.

Coyle explained how play writing style is completely different, therefore forcing her to study the ways of play writing before she could even start developing the play.

“The hardest thing for most people is to stick with a draft that will have to be re-written many times. That’s hard. You have to have nerve for that. You can’t get your feelings hurt,“ Coyle said.

Coyle’s novels didn’t exactly prepare her for the public scrutiny that follows with the production of a play.

“Writing is lonely...then suddenly it‘s very public and you’ve stuck your neck out and you have to be prepared for criticism. I took a whole lot to heart...but in the final analysis, you have to go back home and be alone. So you have to love the ‘alone’ part,” Coyle said.

Working with a co-author was the extra support she needed to complete Parallel Lives.

“Bill was always there for me. I’d call him up and cry and he’d say, ‘Hang in there! We have something good!’”

illustrations/MIRANDA HARMON

AdvertisementThe Lion’s Tale 11October 30, 2008

Candidates make history, inherit headache

Mock election prompts debate

Brooke Fidrick and Kevin Bairdco-op-ed editor and staff reporter

News The Lion’s Tale12 October 30, 2008

Sara Wilcox ‘08 Kimberly Loiars

“I’m a Democrat because I agree with their views in most major issues - especially gay marriage, abotion, taxes, and the war in Iraq. Obama’s ideas about taxes and about getting our troops out of Iraq will really change America.”

“I’m a Republican. Most of my family are Republicans, and we all agree with most Republican stances. McCain’s taxes would be a

whole lot cheaper than Obama’s, not gonna lie, and that’s really what most voters are concerned about right now.”

Over 200 students crowded the election table in the cafeteria to cast their vote in a mock election this month. While the ballots were occasionally amusing (Bungie’s Master Chief received two votes), they also provided incredible insight into

the opinions of our nation’s young voters. Here’s what you had to say.

On November 4, citizens from sea to shining sea will head to their polling places and make history.

This election year, America stands on the brink of shattering gender and racial stereotypes. As stocks plummet, ice caps melt, and troops fight in Iraq, voters will

elect the candidate they deem best-suited to resolve these crises.Economic woes dominate the worried minds of students and their families.

“We have the worst economy we’ve had in a long time and we’re entering a recession. The debt is just getting outrageous. The economy is also affected by the war. It also contributes to the shape of the environment and gas issues,” said senior Robbey Hayes.

For freshman Mia O’Brien, the effects of a slow economy strike close to home.“My mom hasn’t gotten paid in seven weeks. It’s been hard for us to keep buying the

things we buy. People are losing money and prices are going up,” said O’Brien.Senior Daniel Leonard believes these economic

troubles stem from a sub-prime mortgage crisis and lack of consumer confidence.

“Banks are failing because of bad loans. These loans need to be paid off. If people don’t have burdens of a mortgage, they will have more confidence to spend on other things,” said Leonard.

Hayes’ family faces the financial constraints of multiple mortgages.

“We’re paying two mortgages. Since the housing market crashed, we’re being pretty hard-pressed financially,”

said Hayes. “We have that other house just sitting there that we can’t sell. Even if we did sell it, it would be at a marginally

less price than we bought it at.”According to freshman Lucia Santana, both candidates

should make oil and energy their priority issues.“Obama wants to temporarily drill for oil and not use it all at once,”

said Santana. “John McCain wants to go in and drill all he can get. What will we have in 30 years?”

Senior Jared Bacile believes the war in Iraq ought to occupy the top s p o t in a presidential agenda.

“[The candidates’ number one priority should be] finishing out the war in Iraq. We should finish what we started,” said Bacile.

However, Hayes and O’Brien feel the struggling economy merits the most consideration.“[The economy] sucks right now. People who don’t have money are struggling. People

who have money can’t get their money out of the bank because the bank is using it for other people,” said O’Brien.

“I don’t think that race and gender are major issues in this election. Those factors are less important because of the shape of the economy. I think the economy is unquestionably

the number one issue that takes precedent over everything else,” said Hayes. “The negativity of these campaigns has reached a pretty outrageous level. Issues like Joe the Plumber are really inane and don’t matter. They’re just gimmicks used to deflect people away from the real issues.”

Both Republicans and Democrats offer history-making tickets. Should Senator John McCain secure the presidency, Governor Sarah Palin would become the first woman elected to the Vice-Presidency. If Senator Barack Obama becomes president, he would be the first African-American individual to secure the position. These record-shattering tickets add heightened importance to this particular election, as well as never-ending debates on race and gender issues. Santana hopes an Obama victory would break presidential stereotypes.

“We have a vice president candidate that’s a woman and a black candidate running [for president]. It’d be good to see a race other than white man [win the presidential race]. All

presidents have been white and rich. Obama’s worked himself up from nothing,” said Santana.

Senior Shelby Rogers believes race and gender are minor considerations compared to a candidate’s policy stances.

“To some it does matter. To a lot of people, it doesn’t really matter. They just want who’s best for the job. People who actually do care take the time to look at the issues,” said Rogers.

Leonard agrees.“Things like that on their own affect people who are less informed and some idealists,

like feminists of racists,” said Leonard. “Each demographic has its own views. Things that would have been non-issues years ago due to limited media coverage have been made into issues by mass media.”

Leonard believes the media promotes public awareness of election news through 24-hour news channels devoted to politics.

“[Reporters are] doing their job with fact-checking. Politicians by nature lie all the time, on both sides. The media brings everything out. Nothing gets hidden,” said Leonard.

Senior Jared Bacile disagrees.“There’s more to it than what the media shows. There are things about both

candidates that aren’t being revealed to people,” said Bacile.Bacile believes McCain offers the experience and patriotism needed to govern the

country. “McCain has experience. He was a prisoner of war and he was in a position

of leadership when he was caught during the Vietnam War. McCain suffered for his country, which is way more than Obama can say,” said Bacile.

Freshman Austin Gilbert thinks McCain’s realistic approach to government trumps Obama’s “simple” solutions.

McCain is a realist. Obama says we’ll cut this and we’ll cut that. It’s not always so simple and slashing things isn’t always the solution,” said Gilbert.

Freshman Matt Plotts deems Obama’s successes to be a result of the Illinois Senator’s intellect.

“Personally, I think that Obama has the more intellectual background. It’s the only way to account for his successes at such a young age,” said Plotts.

Hayes believes Obama’s strength lies in motivating America’s youth.

“I think that for thiselection, younger voters are more interested in voting because one particular candidate has really interested younger voters and now he wants to bring a new perspective to the government and politics,” said Hayes. “He’s really been able to rally young voters to support him.”

Santana believes Obama’s message of change strikes a chord with young voters.

“I think a lot of younger people are coming out and voting for Obama. They want a change and Obama’s going to give it to them,” said Santana. “McCain uses the same tactics, and that’s what the older people want. They don’t want a change.”

Rogers believes dissatisfaction with the current Republican will sway voters desiring change.

“People want the troops to come home. People tend to vote opposite when the economy [is in a downswing]. A lot of Republicans are voting Democrat because they want change,” said Rogers.

However, the only change freshman Stephanie Kirk wants to see is the end of this election season.

“This election just needs to be over. We haven’t had a break from it. Both candidates are wasting money on it when we’re in the throes of an economic crisis,” said Kirk.

political cartoons/MICHAEL MANGOS“Hot Topics” art/ MIRANDA HARMON and KEVIN BAIRD

Candidates make history, inherit headache

Mock election prompts debate

NewsThe Lion’s Tale 13October 30, 2008

Kimberly Loiars‘08

“I’m a Republican. Most of my family are Republicans, and we all agree with most Republican stances. McCain’s taxes would be a

whole lot cheaper than Obama’s, not gonna lie, and that’s really what most voters are concerned about right now.”

Over 200 students crowded the election table in the cafeteria to cast their vote in a mock election this month. While the ballots were occasionally amusing (Bungie’s Master Chief received two votes), they also provided incredible insight into

the opinions of our nation’s young voters. Here’s what you had to say.

hot Republican or democrat, independent or libetarian, these are the issues that

concern you as an American. With all of Washington’s political jargon floating around, it can be hard to tell what’s what. So here’s the inside on

issues that factor in this year’s presidential election.

Global warming affects more than just polar bears; over 70% of coral reefs all over the world experienced bleaching, or have totally died out, in the last ten years alone. And

funky sea levels will result in erratic and potentially dangerous weather patterns: anyone have

an umbrella?

To date there have been a total of 4,124 US casualties in Iraq - and counting. The citizen death toll is much

harder to count, but the Iraq Body Count Project estimates that over 96,000 Iraqi citizens have died since the 2003 invasion. However, with the Homeland Security Advisory level hovering between Elevated and High, and worldwide regard of the United States at an all-time low, it seems that we as Americans will have to make a very difficult choice between our security and the lives of our soldiers.

Gay marriage is currently legal in three out of 50 states; however, homosexual couples meet a

frustrating glass wall in matters such as healthcare and home buying

because the federal goverment defines marriage as any union between one man and one woman - regardless of what state they live in. While they

may be technically “married”, gay couples oftentimes lack

many rights of heterosexual married couples. The issue is a very touchy topic, as it pertains to relgious beliefs as well as the inherent freedom of all Americans to live their lives as they see fit. Therefore, the matter is currently at a stalemate

- it’ll be up to our generation to decide.

Environment walking on thin ice

The tradeoff: security or soldiers?

Voters debate rights and religion

presidents have been white and rich. Obama’s worked himself up from nothing,” said Santana.

Senior Shelby Rogers believes race and gender are minor considerations compared to a candidate’s policy stances.

“To some it does matter. To a lot of people, it doesn’t really matter. They just want who’s best for the job. People who actually do care take the time to look at the issues,” said Rogers.

Leonard agrees.“Things like that on their own affect people who are less informed and some idealists,

like feminists of racists,” said Leonard. “Each demographic has its own views. Things that would have been non-issues years ago due to limited media coverage have been made into issues by mass media.”

Leonard believes the media promotes public awareness of election news through 24-hour news channels devoted to politics.

“[Reporters are] doing their job with fact-checking. Politicians by nature lie all the time, on both sides. The media brings everything out. Nothing gets hidden,” said Leonard.

Senior Jared Bacile disagrees.“There’s more to it than what the media shows. There are things about both

candidates that aren’t being revealed to people,” said Bacile.Bacile believes McCain offers the experience and patriotism needed to govern the

country. “McCain has experience. He was a prisoner of war and he was in a position

of leadership when he was caught during the Vietnam War. McCain suffered for his country, which is way more than Obama can say,” said Bacile.

Freshman Austin Gilbert thinks McCain’s realistic approach to government trumps Obama’s “simple” solutions.

McCain is a realist. Obama says we’ll cut this and we’ll cut that. It’s not always so simple and slashing things isn’t always the solution,” said Gilbert.

Freshman Matt Plotts deems Obama’s successes to be a result of the Illinois Senator’s intellect.

“Personally, I think that Obama has the more intellectual background. It’s the only way to account for his successes at such a young age,” said Plotts.

Hayes believes Obama’s strength lies in motivating America’s youth.

“I think that for thiselection, younger voters are more interested in voting because one particular candidate has really interested younger voters and now he wants to bring a new perspective to the government and politics,” said Hayes. “He’s really been able to rally young voters to support him.”

Santana believes Obama’s message of change strikes a chord with young voters.

“I think a lot of younger people are coming out and voting for Obama. They want a change and Obama’s going to give it to them,” said Santana. “McCain uses the same tactics, and that’s what the older people want. They don’t want a change.”

Rogers believes dissatisfaction with the current Republican will sway voters desiring change.

“People want the troops to come home. People tend to vote opposite when the economy [is in a downswing]. A lot of Republicans are voting Democrat because they want change,” said Rogers.

However, the only change freshman Stephanie Kirk wants to see is the end of this election season.

“This election just needs to be over. We haven’t had a break from it. Both candidates are wasting money on it when we’re in the throes of an economic crisis,” said Kirk.

Diversions The Lion’s Tale14 October 30 , 2008

Tube Talk

Miranda Ghali co-editor-in-chief

Double Dates Carly Brower

co-diversions editor

Spirit Week November 10-15

Since I can see the medical profession in my future, I like watching medical shows. “House” is definitely at the top of my list because it seems

to resemble, as closely as possible at least, real hospital conditions.

Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), the Sherlock Holmes of medicine, thrives on unsolved medical cases and Vicodin.

The cases appear completely unsolvable until the last 15 minutes of the show and are generally cases that no one would ever think of. One of the most extraordinary cases I’ve seen on the show featured an artist who had taken lots of test drugs for money. The drugs all stayed in his system and caused his paintings to look weird.House represents some of the best doctors in the country. He may have a mean and brutal personality, but he always gets the job done.

While House’s personality turns most people off, his best friend Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) puts up with him, or at least he did.

At the beginning of the season, Wilson left the hospital claiming that he wanted nothing more to do with House after his girlfriend died trying to help him. Wilson has returned (with much relief to avid viewers), realizing that he can’t get along without House’s crazy and annoying personality.

House’s new staff members are quickly learning how to read his personality and House (being the nosiest person alive) is doing the same to them.

At first a private investigator hired by House to help him with a case, Lucas (Michael Weston), quickly became a replacement friend to House. With Wilson back in the picture, Lucas still hangs around to help House spy on anyone and anyone, especially his employees.

The show’s quick witted dialogue never fails to entertain. I sometimes even have to replay it a second time because it is just too good to pass up.

You certainly don’t have to understand medicine to love the show, but sometimes I wish I did, because the show would be that much better.

New episodes air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Make your reservations early, OHS. This year Winter Springs hosts their homecoming the same night as ours

on Nov. 15. Restaurants request that students make reservations for homecoming night celebrations.

“It would be easier if students would call in advance because if they don’t, they tend to pile inside and if we are busy then they can’t be seated right away,” said Chili’s server Angela Fox.

After students make the reservation and arrive at the restaurant Junior Nelson Matos believes that they should try and act civilized. “Most teenagers are sometimes rude and obnoxious when they go out to eat. I think they act this way because they want to have fun in a crazy way,” said Matos.

Fox hopes that students will have learned to be respectful considering their age.

“Sometimes people are rude and it would be nice if they said ‘please’ and ‘thank you’,” said Fox, “ I know they want to talk and have fun but they tend to get really loud. Especially if you’re a senior in high school you shouldn’t act that way.”

Junior Thad Reeser thinks that Chili’s, in Oviedo on red Bug Road, would be an ideal place to spend their homecoming night.

“We get a good amount of people for homecoming. I think students like the food and it’s reasonably price. I don’t think students want to spend a lot of money,” said Fox.

Two popular items on the menu include the Margarita Grilled Chicken for $8.49 and the infamous Molten Chocolate Cake for $5.99.

Junior Gregory Dorleus concludes that students would like to be in formal restaurant where they can enjoy eating and feel comfortable in their suits and dresses for homecoming.

“I enjoy being in a restaurant that has a fun environment and plays classic rock music. I’m also more comfortable

when my server doesn’t have piercings on their face,” said Reeser.

When students get the check they often have trouble deciding on how much to tip the waiter.

“I sometimes get confused on how much to give my server so I end up just guessing,” said Matos.

Fox explains the things one should look for when tipping the server.

“A lot of people forget that at some restaurants, such as Chili’s, we don’t add on the gratuity no matter the size of the party. If your server is kind to you and you’re kind to them then it’s nice to tip around 15 to 20%,” said Fox.

Some students are still conflicted on where to eat for a good price and good service.

“I would recommend such restaurants as Outback Steakhouse [on East Hammock Mitchell Rd], Steak-N-Shake [on Red Bug Lake Rd.], and Shogun [on Alafaya Woods Blvd.] because they are all good. They aren’t too expensive and have good food,” said sophomore Jorden Puglsey.

Monday: Twin Day Comedy Hypnotist in Auditorium 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday: Character DayPowder Puff 7:00 p.m. on John Courier Field

Wednesday: Hawaiian/TropicalDayTalent Show in Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday: Decades DayCarnival and Parade 5:00 p.m.

Friday: Spirit DayOviedo vs.Osceola game on John Courier Field, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday: Homecoming Dance“Viva Las Vegas” in the old gym from 8-12 p.m.

1. Chew with your mouth closed. Nobody wants to see what’s in your mouth.

Top 8 Eating Tips

2. Eat a small snack before going to the restaurant, this way, you won’t be ravenous and stuffing your face with food when you get there.

3. Eat neatly; do not let food come off your plate or out your mouth.

4. Try not to get your hair in the food.

5. Act nice and polite. If someone asks you to get something, just give it to him or her; if they say thank you, say your welcome.

6. Do not lie down if you have a bench to yourself, that is disrespectful.

When going to a restaurant try and follow these tips.

compiled from/http://www.wikihow.com/Act-the-Right-Way-in-a-Restaurantaa

7. Sit up, and if someone is talking, listen.

Homecoming Tickets: currently $20 in the cafeteria and from Nov. 10-15 tickets will be $25

8. Do not eat too much and don’t act odd.

Dual homecomings mean competition for dinner

SERVING A SIDE OF MANNERS. Junior Nelson Matos dines with friends at Steak ‘n Shake while being respectful to his server, Amy Jeleniewski.

photo/CARLY BROWER

“Scrubs” “Scrubs” is a more comedic version of medical

shows. Dr. John Dorian (Zack Braff) gets by his first few years as an intern and develops to be a great doctor who is prone to funny and amusing day dreams.

Returns with new episodes in the winter.

“E.R.” One of the longest running medical shows, “E.R.”

is currently in its final season. The last episodes are sure to be sad.

New episodes Thursdays at 10 p.m. on NBC.

“CSI”“CSI” is the forensic version of House. The

cases are solved by the geniuses of the team and the criminals are always who you least expect.

New episodes Thursdays at 9 p.m. on CBS.

“Ben Casey”Starring Vince Edwards as Ben Casey, a

neurosurgeon at Count General Hospital, this hit hospital show had it all. Romance and drama.

The show ran on ABC from 1961to1966 and can be found in stores.

“Dr. Kildare”Dr. James Kildare was a young intern trying to

make it in the medical field. He tackeled tough issues and realistic situations. Through dramatic scenes he tries to earn the respect of his senior doctor and achieve a degree in his specialty, internal medicine.

The show ran on NBC from 1961 to 1966.

Other shows you might enjoy:

Fox makes ‘House’ calls

DiversionsThe Lion’s Tale 15October 30, 2008

Caitlyn Braswellstaff reporter

Caitlyn Braswellstaff reporter

Tien Holmesstaff reporterTien Holmes

staff reporterMiranda Ghali

co-editor-in-chief

Dig Out Your SoulOasis Alternative Rock

Oasis proves on their seventh studio album Dig Out Your Soul, that they are far from the end of their

recording days. Their mix of engaging alternative melodies with choruses of energy boosting lyrics and beats makes this album a must have in any collection. Not one song on this album sounds like the other, giving a wide range of tunes and harmonies such as the mainstream sound of the song “The Shock of Lightning” versus the classic, alternative rock-blues hybrid of “The Nature of Reality”. This album is a must have for new and old Oasis fans alike.

Up n’ ComingGrab your tickets because these artists are heading our way

Jason MrazWednesday, Dec. 37:30 p.m.Hard Rock Live-Orlando

Carrie UnderwoodSaturday, Dec. 137:00 p.m.UCF Arena

Sarah BrightmanFriday, Nov. 148:00 p.mUCF Arena

Metro StationSaturday, Nov. 84:00 p.m.House of Blues

We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.Jason MrazAlternative

CHECK OUT OUR HOMECOMING DRESSES!

Starting at $65.00!

Butterflies Bridal Boutique

Suits and Tuxes also available for your date!*School Registry*New Location

3635 S.R. 426,Oviedo

321-972-4978Bring this card in for an additional 10% off!

Family Law• Real Estate Law• Wills• Trusts• Estates• Criminal Law• Bankruptcy• Personal Injury• Business Law•

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.

Dream Big, just one of the titles off the new released album Fearless from new recording artist Jazmine

Sullivan. She topped the charts with her number one single “Need You Bad” and established herself as not just a young girl with big dreams from Philadelphia. The 12-track album contains differing melodic beats with a hint of old school doo-wop and reggae. Sullivan works with hip-hop legend Missy Elliot, who was featured on her number one single. As for Fearless being the debut album from the upcoming artist, it is not bad. Mixing it up with the overall aura of the CD wouldn’t hurt and random titles such as “Lions, Tigers and Bears” throw off listeners. Props have to be given to Sullivan for attacking the hip-hop scene with a great mentor, and without fear as the 10th track on her CD claims.

FearlessJazmine SullivanR&B

While the new album Shudder stays true to Bayside’s roots, the imaginative and ingenious works

of this band, heard on their 2007 album, The Walking Wounded, falters on their most recent release. The band still managed to make their creativity and appealing sounds appear throughout the album such as in the original polka-rock melody of “Monceanu” or the teen riot anthem of “No One Understands”. However, Shudder does carry singer Anthony Raneri’s smooth, emotional voice that classifies the band as their own. Compared to their past albums, Bayside is going to have to step it up if they are going to produce another blow out album.

Tina Turner Wednesday, Nov. 57:30 p.mAmway Arena The original “Geek in the Pink”

has managed to create another diverse and entertaining

twelve songs. On Jason Mraz’s new album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. Anyone can find at least one song of his to love with a multitude of songs that all sound like they belong to different genres . All of the songs on the CD are about different topics ranging from love to divorce to righteousness.

The release of “I’m Yours” before We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. came out there was a new hype for Mraz like never before, with good reason.

The CD starts out on a happy note with “Make it Mine”, a song sure to hype anyone up.

The album progresses into songs with guests like Colbie Caillat and James Morrison. Some other songs include unknown guests, such as a choir in the background of “Live High” and a group of children singing in “Coyotes.”

“Dynamo of Volition” remains one of his most original songs, with Mraz speed singing creative lyrics. The first listen to the song might confuse listeners with the lack of an actual point to the story, but can be interpreted any number of ways. “Dynamo of Volition” was actually created from a challenge given to Mraz to include the lyric “blind man’s bike” in one of his songs.

This CD belongs to everyone’s collection, and can be listened to at any time or season.

ShudderBaysideAlternative Rock

The YearbookMishonR&B

He’s a wanna-be. From his look, Mishon comes across like Soulja Boy did when he first stepped on

the scene. However, Mishon is not cranking anything. In fact, he makes listeners crank down their earphones. Sad. This young Chris Brown copycat is doing nothing but making a fool out of himself on his debut album The Yearbook. The album features his solo track “Excuse Me Mama”, which needs to be shot at like it is the target in a skeet competition. Mishon needs a lot more experience, skill and maturity with his entire look. This is one yearbook that shouldn’t be bought.

Diversions The Lion’s Tale16 October 30, 2008

David Parsons

BOX OFFICE BOMBS

staff reporter

Rating: PG-13

Time: 110 min Grade: A

Check your pulse...

Stacey Sterlingco-editor-in-chief

As a western, Appaloosa may, at first, seem to be a pretty by the numbers affair. There’s the villain

threatening a town with his posse and it’s up to two gunslingers to bring him down.

What makes Appaloosa worth while are its characters. When Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) kills a town Marshall Ev-erett Hitch (Viggo Mortenson) and Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) are hired to protect the town.

Cole eventually falls in love with a widow named Mrs. French (Renee Zell-weger) and his new found emotions start to make the job a lot more interesting.

What really drives the movie is the re-lationship between Hitch and Cole, expert marksmen who share a long history that really comes through on screen.

Hitch, who narrates the movie, is a veteran soldier who carries an eight gauge shotgun almost everywhere he and Cole go.

Cole does most of the talking even though he can’t always pronounce the word he’s thinking of, something Hitch helps him out with frequently.

The first half of the movie is rather boring but things start to pick up during the second half when Mrs. French starts to mess with Hitch and Cole’s friendship who, meanwhile, end up having to bring Bragg to justice.

The few gunfights that are in the movie aren’t flashy or drawn-out but ex-citing nonetheless, mostly because they’re realistic. The last gunfight is particularly cool.

This is definitely a character driven movie and it’s a good thing every charac-ter is interesting or this would have been a real snoozer.

As it is, though, Appaloosa is a tense, dramatic western with a lot of respect for it’s genre.

Michael Mangosstaff artist

I was taking a walk down Misery Lane (otherwise known as the Blockbuster new release shelf) when something stopped me dead in my tracks: Pulse 2. There it was,

staring me down, its cover plastered with the faces of zombie-like creatures that will probably never once appear in the movie. It’s safe to say I’d never been as excited to watch a bad movie as I was in that instant.

Who would dare to do this? The original Pulse was by far the worst movie I’ve ever seen in theaters; I could tell this even in my younger days, when I expected virtually nothing from cinema. It’s a horrible film from 2006, where a secret frequency is unlocked that connects the dead to the living. The population of a metropolitan city then proceeds to kill itself, and yet no one fins this weird…at all…until almost everyone is dead. The ghosts can kill anyone, as long as they have a bit of technology on them.

In the sequel, we find that the dead are still walking among the living via cell phones and Wi-Fi. Yeah, that’s right – Wi-Fi. Where is this moving going to take place-a local Starbucks?

The storyline follows a father trying feebly to save himself and his daughter from the clutches of the ghost of his wife. The man looks shockingly like Christian Slater, and I was almost panting in relief when I realized that the crowned king of darkness was not, in fact, going to make a cameo appearance in this filthy movie. In fact, that’s the only positive thing I can say about Pulse 2; you can say what you want about its juvenile direction, its revolting script, its painful lack of common sense, but at least it doesn’t have Christian Slater.

Along the way, not-Christian Slater runs into Thomas Ziegler, who has covered himself with red tape in order to fend off the dead that roam the streets. In possibly the only consistency from the first Pulse to the second, red is still the only frequency the ghosts can’t penetrate. This doesn’t make Ziegler look any less ridiculous, and watching him roam the streets like a daylight version of Batman is one of the funniest things you’ll ever see in a movie. He’s the least respectable character in the movie, and also the one with the most relevance to any possible plot the movie might dare try to pull off. Naturally, half way through the movie he hops out of a car and is omitted completely from then on. He simply says that he has “a plan to save the world” and then leaves. It’s as if you watched any possible hope of enjoyment through stupidity just fly out the window, and it’s back to watching this horribly repetitive and pointless escape to nowhere.

What’s shocking is how quickly I came to wish I was watching the original. Everything – and I mean everything – Is somehow worse in the sequel. The plotline is completely unexplained and feels like a randomized montage of pain that could be used as a low-grade torture for prisoners of war. It relies almost completely on knowledge from the first movie, and yet, from the very first scene, it contradicts it completely. The ghosts are sometimes in a physical form, sometimes not, and apparently can change back and forth at will. This was most definitely not possible in the first movie, just as the original living dead were definitely not individual spirits on

quests of revenge. It probably would’ve been a good idea for the writers

to actually watch the first before making the second. Instead, they just blunder through the movie breaking rule after rule from the first, establishing new rules, and then breaking those as well. In some scenes, the spirits don’t even bother to wait for cell phones to give them a reason to show up. Near the end of the movie, the wife’s ghost turns up in the middle of a field inexplicably, as if the viewer

was supposed to believe that someone had conveniently placed a cell phone in the middle of the valley, and had come back every few days to charge the battery.

The characters aren’t even remotely interesting on any level. Seriously, were these supposed to be real people? They have the depth of the break dancing robot from FoxSports.

But I haven’t even gotten to the worst part yet–almost every single scene in this movie is shot with a green screen. I’m not kidding, it doesn’t matter whether or not the characters are in a deserted street, a grassy field, or even a kitchen table–a green screen is used. Could they really not afford to stand in front of a real house for one scene? Did they really have to make it computer generated? I’ve never seen such an egregious abuse of technology in my

life.The real downer of it all is that this isn’t even the end of

the Pulse series. Pulse 3: Invasion will hit the Blockbuster shelves sometime early 2009. Was it not content to just let me lose faith in humankind twice? All I can say is: brace yourself, Oviedo; the worst may be yet to come.

Flick makes moviegoers buzz for more

moderately angering

inherently stupid

so bad it’s funny

emotionally scarring

cruel and inhuman punishment

so bad it hurts to live

HOW BAD CAN IT BE?

Say ‘Howdy’ to western

photos/WWW.FOXSEARCHLIGHT.COM/THESECRETLIFEOFBEES

Rating: R Time: 114 min Grade: B+

Newly released, The Secret Life of Bees, a charming story, that takes the viewer through a journey of one

abused child who learns about life, and what it means to be loved.

The Secret Life of Bees, based on a book by Sue Monk Kidd, takes the viewer back to 1964, when segregation prohibited people of different colors from drinking out of the same water fountain, or even going to the movies together, and segregation was considered the social norm.

Lily Owens, a 14-year-old girl played by Dakota Fanning, was caught in a life that most people would hate, a world without love.

After losing her mother, Lily blames herself for her mother’s death, and is neglected by her jealous father. Her only friend, her black caretaker and house keeper, Rosaleen Daise, played by Jennifer

Hudson follows her as she runs away from her father, T-Ray, to Tiburn, South Carolina, the one place where she believes she can learn about her late mother.

Upon arriving in Tiburn, South Carolina, both Rosaleen and Lily take residence at August Boatwright’s, played by Queen Latifah, honey house. Lily not only learns how to make honey, but about her mother, and what it is like to have a real family, with love.

The Secret Life of Bees is supposed to be placed during the civil rights movement era, but the Boatwright family is rarely challenged by the white racists in town, because August Boatwright makes the best honey in town.

The props in the movie are legitimate and all of the technology that was seen in the movie, would have been found during

the civil rights movement era. The plot line can be easily followed, and

is unlike a lot of the new movies because it takes you back in time to a dark time in America’s history, but in an easy going way.

The choice of cast in this movie was phenomenal. As usual, Dakota Fanning had a brilliant performance, along with Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys. Up and coming star, Tristan Wilds, member of 90210 (2008), acts along side Dakota Fanning as her love interest, and does not disappoint.

When 14-year-old Dakota Fanning shares a lighthearted kiss with Tristan Wilds, it is not over done, there are now fireworks that appear in the background. It is a simple kiss between two friends, which adds a sense of brilliance to the

movie. Gina Prince-Blythewood produces a

remarkable movie definitely worth seeing.

Movie Reviews

SportsConnor Bailey

sports editor

All of the Oviedo Lady Lions’ hard work paid off on Oct. 20, when they beat the No. 1

ranked team in Central Florida, The First Academy.

First Academy was predicted to win, but the Lady Lions recorded their biggest victory of the season in an astonishing three-game sweep, 25-20, 20-14 and 20-17.

“No one had faith in us except for Coach Long,” junior middle blocker Brie Merriwether said. “Everyone said we were going to be blown out by them. But in reality we blew them out.”

Senior middle blocker Samantha Boesch agreed.

“It was awesome to win,” Boesch said. “It was the best win of the season by far.”

The team’s confidence had been down after losing twice to one of the top teams in the area, Lake Howell. But the victory over First Academy changed it all.

“The game definitely gave us a lot of confidence for the remainder of the season,” Boesch said. “It is going to help us tremendously going into the state tournament.”

Having lost games in the past, this big win felt even more rewarding.

“Beating them felt amazing because they have beaten many of the teams predicted to win states, Lake Howell and Timber Creek. It feels good to know that we are capable of winning a game of that magnitude,” junior left side Gaby Ruiz said.

The team was lead by Merriwether’s 12 kills,junior Jennifer Ward’s 14 kills and Brittany Maggio’s 18 digs.

Lady Lions pull shocker

Maggie Kipistaff reporter

As each team posted their scores, the unthinkable became a reality: the golf

team had gone from the underdog to Conference champ.

“This is the single greatest thing to ever happen to Oviedo Golf,” team Captain Adam Kipi said. “I didn’t think we would do good at conference at all.”

The boy’s varsity golf team was 4-8 during the regular season, leading the other teams to think OHS would be no threat while heading into Conference.

During the season, team Captains and seniors Kipi and Troy Norton helped the team tremendously with their low scores. However, high school golf takes a team to win a match. Oviedo needed consistent scores from every player.

Norton and Kipi continued to encourage their teammates.

“All season we just wanted a good round out of senior Kyle Smith, the third man, and junior Michael Boyle, the fourth man,” Norton said. “We needed them to

Golf team conference champs

“It felt good to play well when my team needed a big performance,” Merriwether said.

The team was really communicating on the court this game compared to previous games.

And that proved the difference.

“I think everyone was really pumped up for the game and we all just wanted to prove to everyone how good we really are,” senior Brittany Maggio said.

Boesch did admit to being intimidated by all of the accolades

First Academy held, but as the game progressed she became more and more comfortable.

“I said to myself, ‘Hey they aren’t any better than us there is no way I should be intimidated. We can win this game,’” Boesch said.

One of the key components to the Lions success this season comes from left side Gaby Ruiz.

However, Ruiz injured her ankle in practice two weeks before the game and was not able to play against First Acadmeny.

“It was hard not being able to play,” she said. “I wanted to be on the court helping out the team even though we won.”

But freshman Julie Brown really stepped in for Ruiz.

“It was good playing against such a high ranked team,” Brown said. “I was excited but nervous at the same time.”

Ruiz really helped Brown’s confidence.

“Gaby always tells me where to go if I am lost,” Brown said. “She helps me out a lot when I make a mistake.”

Ruiz has also become a mini coach to Brown as well.

“If I’m hitting into the block, she [Ruiz] will try to tell me how to hit around it.” Brown said. “She also helps me with my passing during the game. If I am not hitting the set targets, she gives me tips on how to adjust them.”

Districts are up next for the Lions this year, and they will be looking to repeat last season’s districts championship.

“The First Acadamy win will give us a boost of energy going into districts,” Ruiz said. “We will be waiting to play Winter Springs in the finals.”

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS. (From left to right)Freshman setter Kayla Joyce sets a ball in to a hitter, hoping for a kill. Junior Brie Merriwether jump serves the ball to the opposing team.

photos/CARLY MCCARTHY

post a good solid number to have any chance of winning a match. If they did this consistently, we would have a really good shot at a title.”

The Conference tournament held on Oct. 8 at Twin Rivers Country Club, overflowed with players from Lake Brantley, Seminole, Lyman, Lake Howell, Winter Springs, Hagerty, Crooms, and Lake Mary. Lake Brantley was favored to win, and Lake Mary’s team included a player ranked in the top 100 junior golfers worldwide.

OHS’s golf team slowly started to realize that the lions might have a chance of placing in Conference as the day progressed and the rival teams finished the 18 holes of golf.

Smith posted a solid score of 79, and Boyle posted a score of 82.

A sense of anticipation immediately overcame the team as they sat in the Twin Rivers clubhouse, watching the scores come in, team after team. Suddenly, a major shock occurred. The team started to realize all the scores

being posted didn’t compare to the scores posted by OHS.

The team concluded that they won and sat there in amazement, as they attempted to come back to reality.

“Act like you have been here before,” said Coach Matt Ackley told junior Bryan Roth, who couldn’t contain his excitement.

“But Coach, It’s me, Bud, I haven’t been here before,” said Roth.

The solid scores of Smith and Boyle proved to be the right amount of encouragement Kipi and Norton needed. Kipi shot even par, 72, and received first place and the title of Conference champ. Norton shot two over par, 74, and finished in a close second.

The boy’s varsity golf team can now say that they are Conference champs, unlike before.

“It feels good,” Kipi said, “to finally win this thing after being so close for four years.”

FOCUS, AIM, SWING. Senior Troy Norton(front) and Senior Kyle Smith(back) tee off during a match.

photo/Carly McCarthy

SportsThe Lion’s Tale 17October 30, 2008

Sports The Lion’s Tale18 October 30, 2008

Lions upset Winter SpringsDown six points with a minute to go,

junior quarterback Blake Bortles scored the game-winning touchdown

as Oviedo beat Winter Springs 35-34 on Oct. 23

“After I scored, I was very happy,” Bortles said. “It felt really good to be able to help my team.”

The whole team was filled with excitement after the touchdown.

“It was an emotional game and when he [Blake] scored we knew we had the game,” senior defensive lineman Nevin Place said. “Our whole sideline went crazy.”

The touchdown brought not only joy for the night but for the week for defensive tackle Marcus Thomas.

“It was the highlight of my week,” he said. “It couldn’t of been any better.”

Before the game, coach Wes Allen gave the players some encouraging words.

“He told us to play for the love of football,” Thomas said. “We were discouraged in previous games and he told us to play up to Oviedo football.”

Bortles said Allen mentioned the seniors in his pre-game talk as well. “He said that our seniors need to step up and play well and they definitely did.”

The Bears scored on their first play of the game, but the Lions roared back.

“There is never a doubt in my mind about getting down early,” Place said. “I believe in Blake Bortles leading our offense every time.”

Bortles completed 22 of 33 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns for the Lions.

“It felt awesome,” Bortles said. “It felt good that everyone executed properly.”

The offense was led by senior Trey Lundquist, who scored two touchdowns and junior Trevor Berry, who scored once.

Connor Baileysports editor

As enrollment drops in grades 10-12, OHS stands to move from the 6A to 5A division in football and

basketball. The FHSAA will meet mid-year to

determine state high schools’ division changes.

Some sports will not be affected by the change. Basketball and football, that are in the 6A division, will be.

Currently, all the schools in Seminole County (with the exception of Hagerty and Lake Howell) are 6A.

Last year almost 900 seniors graduated and with district rezoning, current enrollment now stands around 2150.

A division change will require additional travel for football and basketball team since there are fewer schools at 5A in the immediate area.

“People and the fans are going to think it’s a bad thing because people don’t realize how the classification system works,” said athletic director Coach John Howell. “It’s not about how good or bad the team is. It depends on the number of students in the school.”

There is a misconception that if the athletics program drops a class, that the team will be playing teams at a lower level than what they were used to playing. For example, Lake Howell’s basketball team is 5A and they beat OHS two years ago for a spot in the districts.

Coach Kershner believes that there are benefits of dropping a size.

“The advantages,” he said, “of dropping out of the 6A division are that eventually everything evens out.”

Division drop looms in futureTien Holmes

staff reporter

run that put the Lions up, 35-34. “It was a great drive and showed our

integrity and leadership,” Lundquist said.Oviedo kicked the ball off with under a

minute to go, but the Bears turned it over to secure the victory.

“It was a great building effort,” Place said. “We’ve had such close games that we’ve lost this year and this win definitely lifted our morale.”

As the season winds down the Lions will look to the Winter Springs game as a source of momentum.

“Having everyone play well,” Bortles said, “and getting the win will give us confidence for finishing the season.”

“It [scoring twice] was unbelievable. There is no other bigger high in the world because you know the crowd is centered on you,” Lundquist said.

The Lions held the edge, 28-21, in the fourth quarter until Winter Springs came back with back-to-back touchdowns.

After the second touchdown, the Bears’ kicker missed the extra point, giving the Lions a shot at winning only down by six.

“We always believe that we can win,” Place said, “but when he missed that gave us a little momentum.”

The Lions did just that.Bortles led a 13-play, 80-yard drive that

was finished off with his 9-yard touchdown

Vs: Lake Howell

SCOREGAME

CUT THE CORNER. Junior Trevor Berry jukes out the defender in the game against Lake Brantley. Brantley won 41-13.

photo/GRAHAM CHRISTENSEN

34-12

Vs: Hagerty 28-35

Vs: Lake Brantley 13-41

Vs. Lake Howell 28-30

Girls bowling remain top notch with skilled player

To some, bowling is just a hobby. For junior Julie Leonard, it’s a competitive sport.

Leonard, who has been bowling for eight years, is on the women’s bowling team.

“I first started to bowl because my brother joined a youth league,” Leonard said. “I spent so much time in the bowling lanes that I became interested.”

Leonard looks up to her favorite bowler Stephanie Nation. Nation is a member of the University of Central Florida (UCF) team and she won the Junior Gold Championship three years in a row. Leonard got the opportunity to meet Nation at a bowling clinic.

“She [Nation] gave me tons of helpful advice because we have very similar bowling styles,” Leonard said. “We got into a mini-competition too. I lost, but it was an amazing

experience.” So far, the women’s bowling team is off

to an excellent start. They remain undefeated and have shown great teamwork the whole season.

“We’re really good this year,” Leonard said. “We’ve gotten a lot better over the years. Competitions are less stressful, since we have really talented bowlers. That puts less pressure on me and everyone else.”

In addition to being captain and one of the starters, Leonard is a drum major for the band and is also enrolled in three AP classes. It’s a challenge to maintain good grades and be involved in both bowling and band, but Leonard has found a way to balance her academics and activities.

“To do well in a game, I have to go one shot at a time and not worry about what I did or failed to do, or what I’m going to do later in the game,” Leonard said. “The same thing

applies to my schedule. I just have to take one event, one practice, one task, and one assignment at a time.”

Although she’s found good balance, Leonard still has schedule conflicts.

“We practice after school on Fridays at the Oviedo Bowling Lanes,” Leonard said. “I am usually able to make every other practice, but sometimes I have to skip out on practices because band will have to rehearse before a football game.”

All of the girls on the team are still good friends both in the lanes and outside of bowling. Some people think that the bowling team wins solely because of one player. Leonard says that they’re wrong.

“We win our games,” Leonard said, “not because of individual players, we win because we’re a great team and everyone works together.”

In the off-season, the team meets up to

go bowling. Not for practice, just for fun. When she isn’t busy bowling or playing

in the band for Oviedo High, Leonard does league bowling. The bowling team also gets together after school on Fridays to bowl for fun.

As for Leonard’s future, the sky is the limit. Leonard has already secured the Bright Futures Scholarship and is interested in the Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Scholarship, which is a scholarship given to one high school female senior who has excelled both academically and in bowling. Leonard plans to attend UCF as a physical therapy major.

“I would love to bowl on the team at UCF,” Leonard said. “They’re definitely one of the best bowling teams in the nation and it’d be awesome if I could play for UCF in college.”

Julia Thorncroftstaff reporter

Season Record

Vs: Winter Springs 35-34

Vs: Lyman 28-30

Vs: Seminole 8-48

Vs: Lake City 20-23

Vs: Heritage High 0-17

SportsThe Lion’s Tale 19October 30, 2008

Only 20 minutes left. Sophomore Jenny Atkinson sits in the car intently waiting for the time when her feet can once again touch the ground while nothing but trees glide by for miles and miles.

Slowly the car comes to a halt. Jenny flings the door open to find a beautiful lake. This lake is where Jenny works up a sweat as she practices her rowing for crew.

“The trip to the practice lake is about 50 minutes but it’s worth it in the end,” said Atkinson.

Jenny fell in love with the sport after joining the Orlando Area Rowing Society.“One day at swim practice, recruiters from UCF came to my swim practice and tried

to recruit people for their team,” said Atkinson. “They were only looking for college level students to join their team so I decided to search for a high school club.”

Jenny eventually found Orlando Area Rowing Society, known as OARS.“OARS is a club team, meaning we have athletes from any area high school, public,

private, or home school that doesn’t already have a team. We practice and race throughout the entire school year,” said head coach at OARS Kirsten Anderson.

Prior to Jenny practicing crew, she focused mainly on swimming and water polo.“Whenever I tell someone I row crew, I get the same question of, `What’s crew?` My

answer is always along the lines of, you sit in a boat and row. It just takes too long to explain it in depth,” said Atkinson.

While crew does consist of sitting in a boat and rowing, it is far more than that. Crew, an athletic sport where eight rowers and one coxswain, position themselves in a long, narrow boat, known as a shell, and race to the finish line.

“Rowing is one of the greatest sports to develop the whole athlete. It is ranked right up there with sports like cross country and skiing because it uses the whole body,” said Anderson. “Many other athletes join a rowing team to cross-train, but end up staying at crew because they like it so much.”

Dedication, power, teamwork, all are needed to successfully row crew.“At a first glance I thought rowing looked easy, but boy was I wrong!” said Atkinson.

“You have to practice a lot just like any other sport and work well with your teammates.”Crew requires not only upper body strength but lower body strength and teamwork as

well. In some team sports, the plays often focus on an individual player, but not in crew. The sport is all about the team working as a single unit, like a perfectly tuned machine.

“Rowing helps teenagers understand commitment to a team. Rowers depend on each and every athlete to show up every day and do their best,” said Anderson. “Crew also helps with time-management skills. In addition, the group of people you row with become your life-long friends.”

Rowing for the first time takes some getting used to. “When I first tried to row, it felt awkward and uncomfortable,” said Atkinson, “but as

I practiced more I started to feel more comfortable.” Practicing for rowing consists of many body exercises such as jumping jacks or

“jumpies”. A great alternative to practicing rowing in a shell would be a rowing machine, which can be found at almost any gym. The rowing machines simulate the same endurance and power needed when rowing a shell in the water.

“When I heard the cost to join a crew team per month it sounded insane,” said Atkinson. “After I took into consideration the cost of everything else, the price made perfect sense”

The price averages out to a total of about $170 a month and includes all equipment, uniforms, and insurance on the shells. Although they may look cheap and flimsy, shells cost around $20,000 and can get up to about $33,000 at the most expensive.

Oars come at a pricey cost as well, rounding out to about $400 a pair. Shells are expensive because they are made out of composite materials such as fiberglass. They also must have holes that are precisely cut out to make the right size and shape. These holes are important because the whole shell would not work if the holes for the oars were not positioned correctly.

Atkinson plans to continue crew throughout her high school career and has recently tried out for a club team at OARS.

“Starting crew at a high school level is going to give me the experience I need to join the crew team when I get into college,” said Atkinson. “Crew may even get me a scholarship.”

Carson Baileystaff reporter

‘ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT’Crew teaches dedication, power, teamwork

photo/GRAHAM CHRISTENSENillustration/CARSON BAILEY

the anatomyof crew

In the shell there are usually eight rowers plus a coxswain but some shells are only built for two or four rowers.

The coxswain is the person in charge of the boat. They operate the rudder and shout out commands to the rest of the team.

Boats in crew are oftenly refered to as shells and are made with great precision to make sure the boat glides smoothly over the water.

In order to row a shell, the rowers must use oars. They are flat at one end to help thrust the shell forward.

Sports The Lion’s Tale20 October 30, 2008

Tuesday Night Lights

BIG APPLE BAGELS

OPEN EARLY 6:30!!!

*Come get some breakfast*

**STUDENTS GET 10% OFF LUNCH WHEN YOU COME IN FOR SENIOR

LUNCH and breakfast**

Bagel and Cream cheese- $2.25Bagel and Cream Cheese and Drink- $4.11

Egg and cheese bagel- $2.99Egg and cheese and meat- $3.69

Smoothies and frozen coffee drinks- $3.39

Tien Holmesstaff reporter

The score says it all. 32-0 I laugh when the class of 2010

thinks that they can actually be a challenge for us, the brave class of 09.

I’m told not to be cocky about the game this year, but I have every right to be. We blew out the roughest seniors this school has ever seen. We blew them out like parents blowing out their child’s first birthday cake candle. Easy.

Have you seen our coaches? Coach Ackley, Coach Hennessey and Coach Kreahling? We have the best of from both sides of the track. C’mon, 2010 being a challenge for us, negative. We had two interceptions last year. This year expect more.

Expect defeat juniors. Don’t be a sore losers and storm the field the last 30 seconds of the game after you lose embarrassingly.

We are the class that brought Oviedo back to an A school.

We will also be the class to hand over the most embarrassing defeat ever.

I predict a fabulous score of 45-0.

Alex Lopezguest reporter

Who: It should be a battle between juniors and seniors at the epic powderpuff football match up on Nov. 2, during homecoming week. Both teams have teachers pulling the strings. For the juniors, geometry teacher Anna Childress is leading the pack, with her husband and Kevin Mathews by her

side.I wanted to coach, because I never played in high school, Childress said. I want to be part of the tradition. It’s a big deal.Heading the senior team is P.J. Kreahling who is a freshmen biology teacher. Also coaching are

colleagues Thomas Jesse, Matt Ackley, and Ed Hennessy

What: Powderpuff is a game of role reversal as the girls take on the challenge of competing in a game of football while the boys dress up as cheerleaders and root their classmates on. Slight variations of the rules occur. Seniors start the ball on 50 instead of kicking it off, for the opening play of the game. There are no fumbles, and the ball will be recovered where it was last in play. The clock will not stop for penalties or incomplete passes. A first down is every 15 yards, instead of every ten.

When: The game will take place during homecoming week on Nov. 11.

Where: The game will take place on John Courier Field. Practices for the girls are held around the little league fields beside the school. “At practice we learned five plays,” said junior wide receiver Monica Kiefer. “The

down and in, the down and out, the hook, the flag and the drag. We practiced these most of practice. The quarterback also threw us the ball so we could work on our catching.”

Boys practice their cheering techniques in the old gymnasium.

Why: “It’s a tradition, girls playing a testosterone sport,” said coach Childress.

By Zane Beard

As soon as I stepped onto the field on the first day of practice,

I knew that the junior team was a winner.

First Coach Childress told us to split up into groups according to what our skills are; running, catching, throwing, or blocking.

I went into the cunning/catching group also known as the wide receivers and running backs.

My lacrosse background prepared me well for this type of quick aggressive play.

But surprisingly even some girls who weren’t already involved with sports discovered immense amounts of hidden talent.

As tough, rough, and skilled as the seniors thought they were last year they were really embarrassed when the juniors kicked their butts 32-0.

The class of 2010 demands the same excellence.

Seniors- Be prepared to take another defeat by the juniors.

Seniors vs Juniors

SportsThe Lion’s Tale 21October 30, 2008

sports editorConnor Bailey

The Roar

photo/GRAHAM CHRISTENSEN

Oviedo’s boys Cross Country team has been competitive this season, recently coming in 6 out of 42 teams at the Holy Trinity Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Leading the team was junior Daniel Schmidt with an 11 place finish and a 16:42 time, followed shortly thereafter by senior David Parsons coming in at 16:48 which was good enough to finish 15 place. Sophomore Toby Tobkin was placed on varsity for his first time this meet, and just broke the 20 minute barrier with a 19:58 time. The girls team finished 30 out of 42 schools headed by senior Paige Matherly with a 22:20 race time shortly followed by freshman Savannah Lacey at 23:04.

with Colin Perry

In their swimming season, the girls team finished with a record of 6-3 headed by sophomore Paige Moorhead and junior Debin Long. The girls record was better than the

boys record of 5-4. Swimmer Moorhead trumped every other Oviedo female teammate, as well as being expected to go to state for swimming the 200 free and the 100 breast stroke. Overall, the girls team performed highly this year and looked great going into districts. Upcoming Games

Mitchell Shumway

There are other sports at Oviedo High School to watch besides football. Friday night football

games have and will always be a tradition for high school sports, but other teams deserve the same recognition.

Oviedo’s varsity women’s soccer team held a record of 19-2 last year finishing as state runner-up.

As the team, composed of most of the starters from the last year’s team, looks to win the state title again this year the ladies deserve some love and support from our fans this season.

The boy’s team wasn’t as successful as the girl’s team however.

Finishing the season with a 8-8-3 record and third in the district, the boys could sure use cheering from our student section this year to boost the team’s confidence and energy.

The boy’s basketball team will look, yet again to have a strong season this winter,

With Coach K in command of the team yet again, the Kershner Krazies will have something to be crazy about this year.

There needs to be decent turn out to actually make some noise and carry out the legacy of the Krazies.

One sport that is easily forgotten is women’s basketball.

The lady Lions basketball team needs a lot of support this season.

This year’s team consists of younger players and will need the support and encouragement of us students, which will be a shock to some of the players.

Wrestling has always been a strength for the Oviedo athletic program winning four of the last five state titles.

With a team consists of three All-Americans the Lions are looking to win another state title and having rowdy group of high school students would surely help the team get pumped up and add a fifth title to the team’s resume.

No pep gives school bad rep

Girls swimming:

Cross country:Boys swimming:

Slow-pitch softball:

Lions Tale: What is your greatest fear?Mitchell Shumway: Penguins, and I have no idea why.LT: Why do you bowl?MS: It’s a family sport, my mother worked at a bowling ally when I was born, and continued there until I was one.LT: What is your Motto?MS: Make it a double! (bowling term)LT: When did you bowl your first game?MS: When I was three, and I used a six-pound ball.LT: On what occasions is it o.k. to lie? MS: It is O.K. to lie if you are running for president.LT: Where did your bowling career kick-off?MS: My career kicked off at the Oviedo Lanes, or OHS.LT: Which living person do you most despise? MS: I most despise Brittney Spears, the bald one.LT: When did you realize that you made it big?MS: When I started winning national championships, I won at the youth state championships and I am in the top 40 in the nation.LT: What is the highest score you have bowled?MS: 300, and I got a ring for it too.-LT: If you saw a turtle lying on its back and could not move, what would you do?MS: I would laugh, and then I would go help the guy, hoping someday he would return the favor.LT : What is the greatest nickname ever given to you?MS: The Mitchell Shumway.

With the exception of the three losses to Lake Brantley, there hasn’t been an obstacle that the Lady Lion’s softball team has failed to overcome

this season. The result of this year’s season is 13-5. In the playoffs, the Lions played Lyman and had a big 13-3 win, followed by a win to Winter Springs the following day with a score of 6-2. The team suffered a loss that afternoon to rival Lake Brantley Patriots by a score of 8-0.

The boys swim team finished this season with a record of 5-4. The team had two outstanding players in senior Dustin Keyes and senior John Chlore. The

team beat expectations even though they had an outstanding amount of freshman.

“It was a good team,” said Keyes “There were a lot of kids this year. It is a very young team.” The team had a small portion that went to districts but they preformed well.

Lions hold Keyes to victory

Lions left on third base

Runners sprint to amazing finish

Girls stroke their way to state

LIONS ON ATTACK. The Lions beat the Lake Howell Silver Hawks in a 34-12 game. The Lions displayed excessive amounts of pride and courge for the first game of the season.

11/5 Girls varsity soccer vs. Hagerty 7:30 P.M.

11/6 Boys varsity soccer, pre-season vs. Melbourne @ Melbourne: 7:30 P.M.

11/7 Boys and girls varsity swimming regional meet. TBAGirls varsity soccer vs Seminole. 7:00 P.M.Boys varsity football @ South Sumter. 7:30 P.M.

11/8 Boys and girls varsity cross-country district championship. TBAGirls varsity and junior varsity Cheerfest at Lake Mary High School. TBA

11/11 Boys and girls varsity state tourney @ Board-walk. 9:00 A.M.Girls varsity basketball preseason classic @ Father Lopez. 7:00 P.M.Boys varsity soccer vs. Winter Springs @ Central Winds. 7:30 P.M.

Op-edLION’S TALEOUR WORD

Budget cuts need student input

With the recent $30.5 million budget cuts in Seminole County and more to come, students, teachers, and parents should be involved in the cutting process.

The Seminole County Public School Board members who have the power over where to make the cuts in the school system don’t always have the first hand information they need to make an intelligent choice. The members don’t always see the effects of their choices and, with help from students, teachers, and parents, they will be able to make better choices.

A committee should be set up at the school made up of teachers, students, and parents to help in the cutting process. The committee should have more involvement than just the PSTA or student government, giving the members an ability to make real choices for OHS.

A committee for all of Seminole County should also be created involving students, parents, and teachers from all Seminole County Public Schools as well as the actual school board members.

This committee should deal with real problems in the budget and areas to cut. After discussion with each other and school board members, the committee will vote on the matter. The members of the school board should then take that information and use it to help them in the cutting process.

With a new system, the school board members would be able to see how their choices affect schools and what students, teachers, and parents’ real concerns are.

Students always complain about the budget cuts and how they don’t want to the Orange County time change for high and middle school students to reach Seminole County. There are so many factors that affect students, teacher, and parents, and they should be allowed to have a real voice in the matters. The Lion’s Tale provides an open forum for stu-

dents, teachers, and the members of this community. Letters to the editor and guest columns are welcome and may be written and submitted to Deborah Jep-son’s room 21-020. Anonymous columns or letters will not be printed, though names may be withheld upon request.

“Free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad.”

Oviedo High School601 King Street, Oviedo FL 32765 • Phone: 407-320-4199 • Fax: 407-320-4213

The Lion’s Tale belongs to CSPA,NSPA, and FSPA. We reserve the right to refuse ads. The views of the staff do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, staff, or faculty of Oviedo High School. Advertising and editorial policies are on file in the newspaper room. (21-020)

Editors-in-Chief: Miranda Ghali, Stacey SterlingNews Editor: Victoria PersampiereFeatures Editor: Marsha Gibbs, Tiffany RayDiversions Editors: Carly Brower, Emily CottrellSports Editor: Connor BaileyOp-Ed Editors: Brooke Fidrick, Jordan Hugh SamPhoto Editors: Graham Christensen, Brooke FidrickStaff Artists: Miranda Harmon, Michael Mangos, Kevin BairdStaff Technician: Graham ChristensenAdvertising Editors: Ryan Fuerst, Ryden ButlerFaculty Advisor: Deborah Jepson

Administrative Advisor: Anna McCarthyPrincipal: Robert W. LundquistStaff Reporters: Kenny Anderson, Carson Bailey, Bridgitte Batista, Zane Beard, Caitlyn Braswell, Tien Holmes, Amy Judah, Maggie Kipi, Tova Kranz, David Parsons, Colin Perry, Caitlin Smith, Ariel Sowers, Julia Thorncroft, Kevin Veloso

Lion’s Tale is accessible through the OHS web page.

Albert Camus

Op-Ed The Lion’s Tale22 October 30, 2008

CorrectionThe Oviedo High School Lion’s Tale Newspaper apologizes for the One by One article that was printed in the September edition. After the newspaper was printed it was brought to our attention that our reporter was given false information. The Lion’s Tale abides by the journalistic standards of integrity and ethics and would never knowingly print false information.

Purple smoke dances above a sun-baked wasteland, outlined by jagged barriers of rock. A lonely camel lumbers through the

desert, pokes its head above the multitude of dunes to reveal delicate minarets and open-air markets.

I can still remember my first viewing of the movie Aladdin and how I snickered at its stereotypical portrayal of Middle Eastern culture.

Though outrage bubbled just beneath the surface of my seven-year-old being, I was ultimately seduced by Walt Disney’s artistic stylings and jaunty melodies.

I’m afraid, however, that my amusement has long-since subsided. It’s an unfortunate consequence of the disinformation and xenophobia I’ve seen in our post-9/11 world.

Ask any God-fearing American what the Middle East is like and he’ll paint a picture that bears little resemblance to the 1992 animated feature.

Ask any ignorant American and he’ll tell of a place where men blow themselves up to satisfy Allah, to have their names recorded in the history books as martyrs, and to be welcomed into Paradise by the open arms of “72 virgins.”

It’s a depiction with little basis in reality.

Of all people, I should know.It’s not necessarily something that I’ve

publicized, given recent events, but one-third of my life has been spent in the distant country of Oman. Tucked away in the southernmost slice of the Arabian Peninsula, I lived in the company of 2.5 million pureblooded Muslims; I walked amongst the so-called enemies of America.

Believe it or not, but during my stay in Arabia I was never accused of being a heathen or heretic. On no occasion did I spy hooded figures stockpiling explosives.

In those seven years, not once had I heard the term, “jihad.”

It’s funny to think that so many people associate Middle East with brutality and fundamentalism.

It’s also a bit disconcerting. You see, unlike people in just about any

other region of this world, the Arabs of Oman displayed genuine kindness. If I didn’t know better, I’d say they were bound by divine law- to offer an “Assalamu alaikum” (Peace be upon you) and a nod of the head to any member of the human race, regardless of flaws or ethnic differences.Showing that same compassion toward outsiders is certainly not an act that Americans often indulge in. It’s just that lack of tolerance that infuriates the Omani within me.

In fact, Americans are the ones who seem to place the most value on a person’s past. It’s a shame, because that’s the thing that most of us don’t have any control over.

When I first moved to this country in the March of ‘96, I found myself in a hotbed of Christian fundamentalism. I would go so far as to label my first friend an extremist, according to his beliefs. While I indulged in violent movies and video games, he preoccupied himself by attending church daily. He was pious, but he was also wildly defensive about

his way of life.Suffice to say, we didn’t see eye-

to-eye on a variety of matters.Truthfully, I can recall the

exact moment when a rift formed between the two of us. It was also at this moment that I realized the depth of America’s subconscious discrimination.

It was late in the summer and, for a lack of better things to do, my friend and I decided that we were going to tag the sidewalk with our artwork.

My cohort rummaged through his garage and managed to produce a single stick of chalk. He bent over and scratched away at the concrete for a few moments. When he was done, he pulled back to reveal a crude depiction of Christ’s crucifixion.

Since he was the sort of person who dressed up as religious figures for Halloween and attempted to convert me at every given opportunity, I wasn’t surprised by his choice of illustration.

He threw his chalk down in triumph and said something along the lines of, “You can’t beat that.” I looked over the fruits of his labor then plucked the chalk from the ground and sketched a simple star and crescent.

I looked to him for approval, but found that his smile had faded.

“That symbol is no good,” he had said. He promptly returned to his house and slammed the door.

The star and crescent was a symbol I had learned in the Middle East, a common representation of the faith of Islam. In addition, it was apparently an icon that my friend did not approve of.

I was caught me off-guard when he

Kevin Baird staff reporter

The human element

returned five minutes later. His mother stood behind him as he hugged a bucket of water.

With a quick jerk, he washed away my masterpiece.

Despite my initial reaction, I soon found that there was no reason to call out or clutch on to malice. The person before me didn’t know anything beyond his parents and his religious texts. His face was utterly blank.

Obviously, a man would have understood the gravity of his actions and based said actions purely on his own conviction.

But what stood before me was no man. He was misguided by a system that preached one thing but practiced another.

My eyes gradually traveled upward, and settled on the face of his mother. It was in her eyes that I noticed a glimpse of satisfaction.

Though this was not the first time I had seen such a gaze. It was far too similar to that of the snake-headed staff wielded by Jafar in Aladdin. Though she lacked the benefit of mystical powers, this woman had hypnotized her son.

She had performed magic with narrow-mindedness.

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Discovering a whole new world

Op-EdThe Lion’s Tale October 30, 2008 23

Let’s face it. We messed up big time.

We’re quickly draining the world’s resources, messing up our environment, and now live in a country where it’s acceptable to accuse someone of being a terrorist simply because they have a connection with the Islamic faith.

To top it all off, we’ve elected into office someone who many consider to be the worst president in the history of the United States, not once, but twice.

So how do we get out of this hole we dug ourselves into?

Albert Einstein once said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” This is true.

As cliché as it may sound, what we need right now is change. We need a leader who can stand strong in the face of crisis, who will trust intellect and innovation, rather than tradition and impulse. We need Barack Obama.

With the economy down, it only makes sense to help the middle class first. The idea that prosperity will trickle down has not worked during the Bush Administration, and will not work now.

It’s clear that John McCain is more interested in military affairs than the economy, and although there is a war to be dealt with, our next leader needs to understand all facets of the world we live in.

The war in Iraq has gone far too long. It is true that John McCain fought diligently in the Vietnam War; however, we must not allow ourselves to repeat history.

Withdrawing the troops within 16 months won’t show that we’re cowards, it will show that we know when to quit. It’s not enough to show brute strength. Intelligence is key.As for foreign policy, Obama tends to take on a more diplomatic approach to things, as opposed to John McCain. Sitting down to negotiate with foreign officials does not show stupidity, rather it shows tact, diplomacy, and intelligence, all things the next president needs if he is to bring our country’s standing in the world’s eyes back to what it once was.

Oil can only go so far, and “Drill here, drill now” is not a sensible solution. A reliance on foreign oil causes economic strife, but even if we tap into our own reserves, diesel fuels still cause problems for the environment, and offshore drilling will not make significant changes in oil prices.

The only permanent solution to the energy crisis is to put time and money into clean energy research,

which Obama will do.Obama plans to put into effect a

carbon emission cap-and-trade program that will reduce the emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050. Not only will this help to preserve the environment, but also create many new jobs.

Nobody is pro-abortion. A very touch subject, many disagree on abortion. However, whether or not a woman will keep a child should be her own decision, not the government’s. Abortion is too complicated of a subject to be strictly forbidden.

The fact that McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate shows a poor reflection of his judgment and character. While people criticize Obama for being inexperienced, Palin slides by on the basis that she’s a young, energetic, folksy hockey mom, appealing to “Joe Six-pack” and members of the NRA.

Besides her lack of experience, Palin has shown ugly tactics in campaigning, rallying up angry mobs over a misconceived connection between Obama and a former terrorist. By using fear to stir up support for McCain, Palin has resorted to McCarthy-like attacks.

It boggles my mind how Sarah Palin can go on about “the sanctity of life,” and then support shooting wolves from helicopters. As scary as it sounds, the vice president may very well be stepping up to take control of the presidency for either candidate, and Sarah Palin is not ready for that kind of position.

Despite terrible leaders, America is not a terrible country. The fact that I can write this column says plenty about the freedoms this country promises. Historically, we have almost always come out on top, and now it’s time to prevail through a crisis once more. Years from now, how will this era go down in the history books? We as a country have a choice to make. We can either be lead down the same road we’re on, or follow a new route. Choose carefully.

Miranda Ghali co-editor-in-chief

The race started a long time ago. At that time, the main concern of voters was how each candidate would treat the

war in Iraq, but the economy has taken that focus away. With everyone focusing on the economy, let’s take a good look at what the candidates really want to do with our taxes.

Senator Barack Obama’s plan for taxes sounds pretty good. He wants to lower taxes for anyone who makes less than $250,000 a year. What most people fail to realize is that he will raise taxes dramatically on anyone making more than that.

Democrats will argue that only five percent of small businesses make more than $250,000 a year. Think about that for a second. That is a ridiculously small amount of businesses that can’t possibly be accurate. Obama also forgets to mention the doctors, lawyers, and big businesses that make that much money and more, those people who save our lives, defend us, and create millions of jobs for us.

He wants to “spread the wealth.” Not only is that completely socialistic, but it is also extremely bad for our economy. Obama’s plan will cause big companies to either close down or leave America entirely.

With Senator John McCain’s plan, taxes would be lowered on big companies allowing them to hire more people, and more companies would be created in America creating millions of jobs along the way. That would be a huge jumpstart for our economy. With more people making money, more money will be spent, the key to any good economy.

Most of us aren’t extremely

wealthy, so we may

see Obama’s tax plan as a good thing. Just think for a second though, if you worked hard for a year to earn $250,000, would you want someone taking your money that you worked hard for so they can distribute it to the people they choose?

Just to point something else out, the economy was in pretty good standing before this year. So what changed? Well, recently, Democrats for the first time during George W. Bush’s presidency dominated Congress. That means that they pretty much overpowered Bush. Now, I’m not saying that the Democrats are the only people that caused the whole financial crisis. The problem is that people like to place all the blame on a familiar face, Bush, but in reality, it’s not all his fault.

Something else that voters should consider is that if Obama does become president, Congress and the White House will be completely slanted towards Democrats. The system of checks and balances will be out the window, so if you don’t like how the economy is going, just wait, the worst is yet to come.

Even though the economy is the first on our list of priorities, what about the war?

McCain doesn’t want to stay in Iraq any longer than we have to. Many people think that hundreds of soldiers are dying there every day and that we should have been out a long time ago, but here are some facts: from the beginning of our mission in Iraq (2002) through Oct. 1, 2008, there were 4,178 U.S. casualties; the Korean War, which wasn’t even considered a war, but a “police action” had 33,686 American casualties from the seven years we were there.

If we pull out of Iraq now and basically throw away all of our progress there now, those 4,178 American’s that died in Iraq will have died in vain.

I don’t like the idea of war anymore than the next guy, but leaving Iraq in 16 months, like Obama wants, is too rash. I do agree that we need to leave, but we must first finish what we started. Being young adults, we need to worry about how leaving quickly might affect our future, not only think about how it will help us right now.

McCain wants to drill for oil in America, something that Bush has wanted since he became president eight years ago. Not only will drilling in America lower our gas prices, but it will also grow jobs and we won’t be giving money to our enemies any longer.

Drilling does take a long time, though, and that’s the problem. In the meantime, McCain does want energy research being done and is even willing to offer a $5,000 tax credit to car companies for each customer who purchases a zero carbon emission car hoping that this will be the incentive car companies need to stop hurting the environment.

McCain only wants to defend Americans. Look at Joe the Plumber, all he did was ask a question. After the last presidential debate, all

the Democrats, including Obama, kept on bashing Joe.

Obama said, “[McCain is] trying to suggest that a plumber is the guy he’s fighting for. How many plumbers do you know making a quarter million dollars a year?”

Joe wants to own his own business and in doing so wants to make that much money, which is why he asked the question in the first place. He’s a perfect representation of most Americans. McCain defended Joe, and in doing that shows that he would defend all of us. Do you want someone in office who wants to bash you like Obama, or someone who will defend you like McCain?

Miranda Harmon staff artist

FROMTHE

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Political Debates

FROMTHE

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Miranda versus Miranda

illustration/MIRANDA HARMON

Athletics49%

Arts11%

Academics22%

Facilities9%

Administration4%

Construction5%“Lunch food, because of the

unneccessary foods they offer that aren’t even purchased--for example the “Chinese” that remains unpurchased and continues to stock up.”Stephany Cortese, “10

“Football, because they get income through admissions to games, whereas most have little to no incomes.”Tim Johnson, “10

Poll out of 100 students taken 10/29 and 10/30

Features The Lion’s Tale24 October 30, 2008

On the flip sideJunior Annemarie Hauser walks from class to class,

her skinny rubber flip-flops smacking the linoleum as she goes. Little does she know, these shoes can be

detrimental to her feet and ankles. “The trainer actually told me I shouldn’t wear flip-flops,

because I hurt my ankle in basketball. I guess sneakers are better for my ankle, but I wear my flip-flops anyway. They are just all around easier,” said junior Annemarie Hauser.

In a Newsweek article published on June 10, 2008, Justin Shroyer, a doctoral student in biomechanics at Auburn University, researched whether flip-flops lead to body pain.

While walking on a platform that measured the force they exerted when their feet struck the ground, participants wore thong-style, flat flip-flops and then regular athletic shoes. They were also filmed as they walked so Shroyer could study differences in the students’ movements.

From this research, Shroyer concluded that flip-flop wearers take shorter steps, and therefore move more to go the same distances as people wearing different shoes, leading to a higher risk of muscle and joint pain in the legs.

“Flip-flops lack both support and protection. This lack of support lends itself to excess pronation (how the body distributes weight) which in turn brings on many foot problems,” said Dr. Gary W. Chessman, an Oviedo podiatrist.

Chessman does not advocate flip-flops, and neither does anatomy teacher Amber Petschel.

“I’m no expert, but I do tell my classes that flip-flops can’t be good for you. As you walk along, your weight is constantly pushing down on those skinny flip-flops, and there’s no way that can be good for your feet or back. The ones with arches are better, but they still aren’t that supportive,” said Petschel.

The way the toes scrunch and tighten when walking in flip-flops can also be detrimental to the body.

“When you wear flip-flops, you kind of scrunch your toes to keep the flip-flop on your foot,” said Shroyer. “By engaging the muscles that scrunch your toes, you are turning off the muscles that would bring your toes up.”

Not only can the act of scrunching the toes cause foot pain, the thong between the toes can cause problems too.

“Excess movement between the toes can cause a blister that may get infected,” said Chessman.

Many people believe flip-flops with arches to be much better for the body than ones that lack arches, but this is not exactly true.

According to Chessman, flip-flops with arches still lack protection; therefore the foot can still slide around, possibly causing injury.

Ironically, students enjoy flip-flops because of their comfort, unaware or uncaring of the fact that they could cause pain.

“I have a high arch so I rarely wear flip-flops, but if I do, I wear my Ed Hardy’s because they are really comfortable. It’s like they mold to my feet,” said junior Tara Stanko.

Students are also fond of flip-flops because they can just slip them right on, especially on hectic school mornings.

“Flip-flops are really comfy and just easy to wear because they just slip right on. I wore flip flops with arches when I went to Halloween Horror Nights and my feet didn’t hurt at all. If you don’t get flip-flops with arches though, it definitely isn’t comfortable,” said junior Zach Rutherford.

According to Chessman, the amount of damage that can result from flip-flops rides somewhat on a person’s inborn physical characteristics.

“Some patients are born with an inherent weakness that will accelerate arch collapse and lead to arthritis,” said Chessman.

If someone does have damage to his/her arches after incessant flip-flop wearing,

Chessman recommends stretch exercise, and supportive shoes with custom orthotics. If this problem becomes more serious, surgery may be necessary.

While flip-flops can still be used for beach trips and the like, podiatrists and experts across the country agree that as a long term walking shoe, flip-flops don’t suffice.

“I wore my favorite pair of flip-flops to Islands of Adventure one day, and one of my friends accidentally stepped on my shoe. I ended up tripping, my flip-flop practically broke in half, and I had to buy a new pair. If flip-flops are that flimsy, they can’t possibly be that supportive,” said Hauser.

Emily Cottrellco-diversions editor

Popular shoe might bring health problems in the future

Moszkito Viper Mesh$50.00

Teva Mush$22.00

Sperry Top-Sider Santa Cruz$40.00

Roxy Bonfire Sandals $29.00

Reef Cosmo$25.99

Rainbow Arch Classics $27.50

all photos/MANUFACTURER’S WEBSITES

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