B WLI NG FOR STATELION’S TALEN o v e m b e r 2 4 , 2 0 0 8 V o l u m e 4 9 I s s u e 3 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

Drinking and driving can lead to serious consequences such as a DUI, or even death. Check out the startling statistics.

pages 10 and 11

With the advancing technology, people may soon be able to choose their child’s eye/hair color along with many other features.

page 9

Julie Leonard places first in state, while teams roll in as runners-up

Victoria Persampierenews editor

Nervous sweat beaded at the nape of Senior Vienna Johnson’s* neck; she leaned back on her heels, crossed

her arms over her chest, and tried to look casual. In front of her, the club’s bouncer squinted skeptically at her fake ID. She’d never encountered this problem before; nobody had ever noticed that the shorter, darker-haired girl on the ID didn’t exactly look like the tall blonde that handed it over.

“This isn’t you.” Accused the guard. Johnson protested, insisted that the picture on the card was, in fact, her. The guard asked for further identification – a credit card, anything.

“I don’t have anything with me,” Johnson lied again.

Still unconvinced, the guard drew her aside. “Sign your name three times as it appears on your license,” he instructed. Johnson cringed, but complied.

“I had no idea what the signature looked like,” she said. “So I just signed the girl’s [on the license] name three times in cursive.” She handed the slip of paper over, and waited again. The wait was agonizingly long as the guard scrutinized her handwriting, comparing it with that of the unknown girl

on the fake ID. “He looked at it for a while, so I’m

thinking that maybe [my signature] might have actually been kind of close [to the girl’s.] But then he looked at me and said, ‘Sorry, but this isn’t you.’”

Now this is where, under other circumstances, Johnson might have found herself in a heap of trouble.

“Any person, whether a juvenile or an adult, who drives a motor vehicle without a valid driver license commits a criminal act and can be taken to jail,” said Commander Marc Beaulieu of the Oviedo Police Department. “However, simply having an altered or fake driver license in your possession is a crime and can result in your arrest.”

If he’d been following protocol, the guard should have called the police and Johnson would have spent her night out on the town locked up in prison. But by some stroke of luck, the guard pocketed Johnson’s ID and told her to hightail it. She was all too happy to get away.

“The guard merely put the ID in his pocket and I left. I think that if I had tried to put up a fight or something, the cops might have gotten involved, but I was not going to

see FAKE ID’s, page 3*names withheld

Emily Cottrellco-diversions editor

School leaks1200 gal lons of water i n s i n g l e d a y

DRIP, DROP, DRIP. Susan Carpenter’s measured the amount of water wasted in a day, which averaged out to 1200 gallons per day. Since then many sinks have been repaired.

photo/BROOKE FIDRICKDrip, drip, drip. The leaky faucet released water droplets one by one as chemistry teacher Susan

Carpenter looked on. Disappointed by this waste of water, Carpenter walked back to her classroom and planned a new conversion experiment for her classes.

“I noticed that the bathroom sink was leaking a lot, so I thought figuring out how much water the school is wasting in the bathrooms would good conversion experiment for my students,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter’s chemistry classes and her AP Environmental class carried out the experiment in both the boys’ and girls’ bathrooms of the science building to see just how much the leaky faucets cost the school.

The classes went out with a beaker, a graduated cylinder, and a stopwatch, and

collected water in the beaker for 30 seconds. That water was measured in the graduated cylinder, and then the students calculated how much water we were losing in milliliters per second, and converted that measurement into gallons per day.

“The data that all of the classes collected was amazing. I was surprised and upset to see that some of the sinks were leaking water like a sieve,” said sophomore Eric Gender.

The classes’ experiments concluded that on average, the leaky faucets cost the school 1200 gallons of water a day.

“The results made me feel like we should do a better job with conserving water here, and that the construction team should work on that. Thankfully, I know they are planning on fixing

see WASTING WATER, page 3

Tears flowed down junior Julie Leonard’s eyes after rolling her last ball. Leonard took home the girls individual championship at the State Bowling Finals, defeating Timber Creek senior Kaleigh Harp

2-1 on Nov. 12. “I wasn’t expecting to come out on top at all,” said Leonard. “I went

to the competition just hoping I could make it into the top 16, because that would be a huge accomplishment.”

From Nov. 11-12, both the men and women’s bowling teams competed at the State Bowling Finals, at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando.

On the first day, the team bowled four games that determined their status in both individual and team competitions. Leonard was placed fourth, bowling a 182, 192, 194, and 247.

“During the tournament, I was so stressed,” said Leonard. “But you can’t let it get to you, otherwise you perform badly.”

In the first round, Leonard bowled against Jennifer Wiley of Forest High School, whom she beat 2-0 with scores 173-138, and 184-171. In round two she played Miami Southridge High School’s Brianna Pucko whom she also beat 2-0, leading her to be victorious in the third round the following day, beating Julie Wright of Winter Park High School 2-0.

Then Leonard played the final championship match versus Timber Creek’s Kaleigh Harp. The format of the match was best scores two out of three.

Leonard could feel the pressure to win. “Before my championship match, I was shaking and nervous to the point

of feeling ill,” said Leonard. “I wouldn’t look at or talk to anyone but Coach Wilkie. I even had a hard time watching the other girl [Harp] bowl. I was secretly hoping she would throw it in the gutter or leave splits every time.”

Although her nerves were getting to her, Leonard pulled herself together, focusing solely on the match and her bowling.

“Despite my stress,” said Leonard. “I was somehow more relaxed

Julia Thorncroftstaff reporter

see BOWLING, page 1

Dripping Away

STRIKE!

photo/GRAHAM CHRISTENSEN

courtesy of/JULIE LEONARD

photo/GRAHAM CHRISTENSEN

Fake ID carriers risk jail

HUDDLING FOR HOPE. Freshman Courtney Wright, senior Ashley Wright, Coach Pete, junior Julie Leonard, sophomore Kelsey Burr, and the rest of the team gather for a pre-game pep talk.

FIRST IN STATE. Junior Julie Leonard practices at the Oviedo Bowling Alley one day after school.

2 November 24, 2008

NewsNews The Lion’s Tale

Display quirks, win scholarship money

Students compete in OHS Idol

A DANGEROUS PLACE. The internet serves as a place for bullies to harrass and label peers without the consequences of in-school harrassment.

photo illustration/TOVA KRANZ

Tova Kranzstaff reporter

Bridgitte Batistastaff reporter

There is no need to stress over having the best prom outfit. No longer will the shortest, tallest, biggest or smallest be patronized

thanks to scholarships specifically created for these students. It’s time to apply for scholarships that award hidden talents, unusual names and unique oddities. Having the cash for college will become a reality for some lucky university hopefuls.

Got Cash?SAMMY (Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache

of the Year) will award 25 lactose-lucky students with $7,500 for the milkiest mustache. Visit whymilk.com for more information.

King Duct and Queen TapeA night packed with memories for any senior is

prom night. Why not spice up your wardrobe with a look that will guarantee an once-in-a-lifetime look?

Duck Tape brand duct tape is handing out scholarship to the best-dressed couple all decked out in duct tape fashion. Originality and workmanship are crucial and if your sticky creation is the winner, the school will be awarded a $2,500 prize. Send in your picture to apply.Will All the Zolps’ in the House Please Stand?

The prestigious Christian college in Chicago called Loyola University is willing to pay for a full tuition for four years at their school with anyone with the last name ‘Zolp.” A valid birth certificate is needed with your application. This may seem like an unusual way to get paid, but actually other schools are following suit. To get a Texas A&M University scholarship you need the last name of Scarpinato. For North Carolina State University it’s the names Gatling or Gatlin. Even Harvard University has some choice names for aspiring scholarship-owners. Baxendale, Hudson, Thayer, Downer and Bright are the names needed, with a valid birth certificate to prove your qualification.

Sweet, Sweet MoneyAll aspiring bakers can cash in as well. Anyone who

thinks they have the best apple pie has a chance of winning a juicy $25,000 grand scholarship from the Culinary Institute of America. There are also a $15,000 and a $10,000 scholarship for recipes just short of perfection.

Never Short of CashRemember that childhood story, Rumplistiltskin?

The actor who played him on the big screen isn’t exactly normal sized. Billy Barty, a 3’9” actor has his own scholarship sponsoring dwarfism. The Little People of America (LPA) is a nonprofit organization that supports anyone who is 4’10” or less in height. The deadline is April 1 so don’t fall short of getting some free money.

Above the CrowdThe Kae Summer Einfeldt Scholarship is handing

out $1,000 scholarship for anyone a little above average in the height department. Women at least 5’10” and men at least 6’2” are eligible for the award.

New law deletes cyber-bullying

Girl’s basketball is holding OHS Idol, a singing competition between Oviedo High School’s talented students. Three singers will perform during halftime during each varsity or junior varsity game. Audience members will receive a ballot, and the singer with the least amount of votes from each game will be eliminated. Typically varsity halftime is held between 7:15p.m.-7:45p.m. and junior varsity halftime is held between 5:45 p.m.-6:15p.m.. The winner will be announced Jan. 29 and will perform one last time.

OHS plans to publish a literary magazine for the 2008-2009 school year. Accepted work includes all of the following: art, short stories, lyrics, poems, essays, pictures and scripts. Any student wishing to submit their work may submit to any of the following sources: Deb Jepson’s mailbox, any multi-media technology student, a language arts teacher or room 21-020 by March 2. Oviedo High School released the 2000-2001 edition titled “Connections”, pictured below, that featured student works.

Literary magazine accepting submissions

FCAT changes will be made to support the financial cuts in the state of Florida. There will no longer be a multiple-choice section in the writing part of the exam to cut costs by $2.5 million. The summer exam opportunity will be canceled for high school students who need to pass FCAT to graduate. Parents will not be able to access their student’s scores online but must wait to receive the scores by paper reports from their students. The changes in FCAT will take place this 2008-2009 school year.

FCAT changing to fit budget

In hopes to become environmentally friendly, Stu-dent Government will be starting a new recycling pro-gram. Plastic bins are available in the front office at Amy Goodwin’s desk. The large bins will be located by the auto shop. Contact Brenda Holmes with any ques-tions or concerns. Remember: recycle, recycle, recycle.

SGA initiates recycling program

Three years ago, Jeffrey Johnston killed himself at age 15. After Johnston committed suicide a

victim of in school and online bullying, his mother, Debbie Johnston, pushed for three years for the passing of a Florida law named after her son.

The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up For All Students Act states that all Florida public schools must have a concise policy for dealing with bullying and harassment which now includes cyber-bullying through cell phones and online sources such as instant messager, networking sites, and email.

While the law was passed unanimously in Florida’s Senate, some like sophomore Spencer Ruiz are waiting to see how this law is carried out.

“I think the law can be beneficial to students, it’s just how people enforce the law that can benefit students or not,” said Ruiz.

But, despite widespread confidence in the law, uncertainty springs from doubts about the law’s enforcement, and its role in school.

“This [law] sounds like our government trying (with good intentions, I’m sure) to take over where our parents fell short. Seems to me that we would be more effective if we used mass media to show people how to behave, or how to effectively raise children,” said English teacher Christopher Friend.

Currently, the bullying policy at OHS resembles the law in many aspects, including a succinct description of what is considered bullying. Bullying is considered any conduct that would impact the functioning of a Florida school student or faculty member.

Assistant Principal Marcia Haskel, the administrator handling the integration of Jeffrey’s Law into the OHS discipline system, says the law’s careful handling of a potentially dangerous and life threatening situation is already in effect.

“Everything that [the faculty and staff] does is in it. The law is in place right now,” said Haskel.

Another element of Jeffrey’s Law is a referral to

see a guidance counselor for both the student being bullied and the bully.

“Usually I am brought in early in the process. I will work with not only the student being bullied, but also the student who is bullying. Both are recommended to speak with a counselor because there are issues on both sides. I have found that students who are bullying have issues and problems of their own and the bullying is just a symptom of other issues,” said director of the guidance department Nicola Johnson.

When in counseling, the first step, Johnson said, is to make sure the situation between the students is in control.

“The first thing I try to accomplish is diffusing the situation. I want to make sure the students involved are safe. This is important for both sides because there are times when a student who has been bullied will retaliate. Parents are involved in assisting with creating a plan to encourage mutual respect between students. There may also be a need for referrals to outside counseling for more intensive work with the students involved to get at the underlying issues for the bully, and to repair the self-image of the student who was being bullied,” said Johnson.

Though there’s no guarantee of the law’s success, some see positive aspects.

“It’s all about how the law is enforced. If there are serious consequences then the law can cut down bullying immensely. If it’s not enforced enough, then the bullying law won’t have any effect,” said Ruiz.

Florida act prohibits off-campus bullying, aims to save lives

61.6 percent of students bullied are picked on for their looks or speech.

55.6 percent of students who are bullied report physical abuse.

The US Department of Education estimates that three million thefts and violent crimes take place near schools each year.

By age 24, 60 percent of identified bullies have a criminal conviction.

77 percent of students in middle school say they have been bullied.

A survey taken in 1994 states that 22 percent of teenage boys had been in a fight the past year.

Information from highlands.k12.fl.us.

Bullying statistics

Water wasting due to faulty faucets

NewsThe Lion’s Tale 3November 24, 2008

from WASTING WATER, page 1the science building to see just how much the leaky faucets cost the school.

The classes went out with a beaker, a graduated cylinder, and a stopwatch, and collected water in the beaker for 30 seconds. That water was measured in the graduated cylinder, and then the students calculated how much water we were losing in milliliters per second, and converted that measurement into gallons per day.

“The data that all of the classes collected was amazing. I was surprised and upset to see that some of the sinks were leaking water like a sieve,” said sophomore Eric Gender.

The classes’ experiments concluded that on average, the leaky faucets cost the school 1200 gallons of water a day. “The results made me feel like we should do a better job with conserving water here, and that the construction team should work on that. Thankfully, I know they are planning on fixing it all,” said Carpenter.

In fact, the construction workers have already fixed a water wasting issue with the sinks in the newer buildings.

“There was a contractor error in which the water just continued to run out of the faucets in those buildings, but we have since fixed that issue. As for the leaky faucets in the science building, they will be fixed during the renovation. We don’t want to waste water or any type of energy,” said Principal Robert Lundquist.

After the renovation, chemistry teacher Kathy Savage will turn the experiment into

a before and after look at the faucets by having her chemistry classes carry out the same procedure.

“My classes will do the experiment as well because it is a perfect example of a real life situation for a chemistry application of conversion, and it is directly relevant to the students’ lives,” said Savage.

Students experienced shock when they learned of the amount of water the school wastes everyday, and remain hopeful that the end of construction will bring an end to such wastefulness.

“I though the experiment was exceptionally productive. I was confused by the results, though. The school board will lose teachers, yet they will let the school itself [waste] water,” said sophomore Cody Singleton.

Sophomore Ashley Tooke said, “The experiment on the wasting water was eye-opening. I was very upset. If just Oviedo High School alone can waste that much water, just imagine how much water all of Seminole County wastes. Something needs to be done!”

do that,” Johnson said. “I was so lucky that I wasn’t arrested or fined,”

Lucky indeed: the consequences for few students are aware of them.

“Certain types of fake ID could be a violation of either state or federal law depending on the type of falsified identification being carried or presented,” Beaulieu said. “An underage person who buys, attempts to buy or simply is in possession of alcohol has committed a crime and can be arrested.”

That’s jail time for having a false form of identification in your wallet, more jail time for using it to buy alcohol, and even more jail time for using it to drive.

And that’s not all: “Counterfeiting even the most common forms of identification is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.” Beaulieu said. So if you or anyone you know has an old form of identification, don’t give it to anyone – just shred it.

Why the huge penalties over having a fake ID? For the most part, it’s not the clubs that really concern the police – it’s the fact that having a fake ID gives m i n o r s n o t only the ability to go clubbing, but also the chance to drink…and drive.

“The first ID I had was over 21, but I didn’t get it so I could drink,” Johnson explained. “I just needed an ID to go out with my older friends and it happened to be the first one I found.”

However innocent Johnson’s intent, the fact is that most students who

from FAKE IDS, page 1 use fake IDs will use them to acquire alcohol, and may be tempted to use them to drive as well.

“Law enforcement officers across the country strictly enforce these laws because in past years as many as 3,800 young drivers age 15 to 20 have been killed in traffic crashes.” Beaulieu said. “More than 326,000 young drivers are injured each year. Sadly, young drivers are involved in fatal traffic crashes at over twice the rate of the rest of the population. Those fatal traffic crashes too often involve the use alcohol.”

Law enforcement just can’t afford to take the risk of letting kids who may potentially cause serious harm to themselves and others go with just a warning: possessing a fake ID is enough to get a minor into some serious trouble.

And don’t think that the police don’t notice: while some bouncers and storeowners may seem lazy about verifying IDs,

law enforecement sure isn’t.

“Law enforcement officers have training on the security features built into different forms of identification to tell them when an ID is fake.” Beaulieu warned.

“Given the use of false documents by identity thieves and criminals of all types, it is more likely than ever that identification will be checked closely

by police.”

National Science Honors Society hosts first science café in state

SCIENCE IS COOL. (bottom left) National Science Honors Society members enjoy the food at the Lion’s Pride Science Cafe, which included drinks, donuts, and cookies donated by Publix. (left) Assistant Principal Leon Merck joins in on the fun and food. (below) Ed Haddad, excutive director of the Florida Academy of Sciences, poses with guest speaker Dr. Betsy Von Holle, a professor of Biology at UCF, and SCPS science curriculum specialist Dr. Donna Poniatowski.

The state of Florida’s first high school level Café Scientifique - called The Lion’s Pride Science Café - took

place in the Media Center, where 25 Oviedo residents relaxed, ate and listened to guest speaker Dr. Betsy Von Holle, a Biology professor at UCF.

Café Scientifique is a grassroots organization, common mainly in Europe, where scientists meet with locals to explain and discuss their current research. Oviedo’s version, run by National Science Honors Society and sponsored by the Florida Acadamy of Sciences, offers Oviedo residents the opportunity to meet local scientists and learn about their research.

photo illustration/ VICTORIA PERSAMPIERE

photos courtesy of/ KATHY SAVAGE

illustration/ VICTORIA PERSAMPIERE

Victoria Persampierenews editor

Future CafésDec. 10

unknown subjectJan. 15

extraterrestrials

Free in Media Center. Food and drink

supplied; parents welcome!

Costly contracting error

One of the main objectives of Café Scientifique, according to their website, is to humanize and demystify the scientific community. However, chemistry teacher Kathy Savage says that Oviedo’s version of the café may serve other purposes.

“It’s also an opportunity for students to meet science professors from universities; they’ll go to school later on and at least they’ll know one person in the department. My goal is for students to be able to make contacts and expand their networking system.” said Savage.

The concept is in its infancy in the United States, and the Lion’s Pride Science Café provides a unique learning opportunity for students and residents alike.

News The Lion’s Tale4 November 24, 2008

Carson Baileystaff reporter

Obama’s victory marks turning point

phot

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Bumper stickers are removed from cars, signs ripped from the ground, and presidential t-shirts put on the

50-percent-off rack. This can only mean one thing: the votes have been counted and the election is finished.

This past Nov., voters tore down the “Caucasians Only” sign that once hung figuratively in the White House, and elected the first African-American president.

“When I heard that Obama had won, I was filled with happiness,” said sophomore AJ Wynne. “I had faith in Obama and I knew he could do it. I am excited to see the changes he will bring to America.”

Obama’s main platform dealt with change and what he could do to promote bi-partisanship and tolerance between different ethnicities.

“The historical 2008 presidential election has given me immense hope for further change in our country. It has opened my eyes to the wonderful freedom and opportunity of American of all ethnicities,” said freshman Nirvani Khan. “I believe that this election was the ultimate turning point for our nation and reflects how much it has overcome.”

Many controversial issues took the forefront in this election, but none more than race and gender.

“To be frank, I never thought sexism was a prominent problem in America, so having a woman taken seriously didn’t surprise me. It

was the reactions [of the media] that showed me that sexism was still a problem,” said Wynne.

There was, of course, a group of voters who cast their votes based almost entirely on the race of the candidate. However, this opinion seemed to be uncommon.

“If you are able to move forward by any means necessary, I believe you should do so.” said freshman Bia Boykin. “For me, I

don’t think presidency should be based on race or even sex for that matter. Presidents should be chosen by who has the better head on their shoulders.”

When people went to the polls on Tuesday Nov. 4, some of their minds were filled with

preconceived notions of false race wars because McCain, a white man, was opposed by African-American Obama.

“I thought only minorities of our country would vote for Obama, and that Caucasians wouldn’t because he’s black,” said freshman Alex Tejada. “After I saw that a big percentage of Caucasians voted for Obama, I realized that they believed in what he thought would make our country better.”

Before the votes had been tallied, many people had doubts that America would ever have an African-American president, but Obama beat the odds.

“Having an African-American president did give me hope for change,” said freshman Terrance Theven. “Also with an African-American

president it showed me that anything can happen if I work hard and persevere.”

While the unprecedented situation of being the first generations of citizens under an African-American president is welcomed by many as an expected end to a very long journey, others are still surprised by just how far the country has come.

“I was actually a little shocked that America is obviously ready to give up racism,” said Wynne. “It showed that people are people and when it comes to change, I believe America’s change is for the better. Maybe this will even further improve relationships between people, how people judge others, and how people are ranked in our society.”

Khan shares this sense of hope and patriotism.

“It’s incredible to realize that an African-American today has been given the opportunity to govern

the United States, after only 50 years of discarding its discriminatory mind-set. Before this election, I believed that America was unwilling and unprepared to cast race relations aside while voting for a president,” said Khan. “However, after the turnout, I’ve begun to understand that America has grown as a nation and has learned to pay little or no attention to trivial matters, such as race. Instead, our nation has begun to focus on the significant aspects of an i n d i v i d u a l , including their character and knowledge.”

“I believe that this election was the ultimate turning point for our nation and reflects how much it has overcome.”

Nirvani Khan, ‘12

Start at SCC.

You are guaranteed admission to one of Florida’s eleven publicuniversities as a junior after earning an Associate of Arts degreeat Seminole Community College.

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

Finish at one of Florida’s

universities!

My Choice. My Future. My Place.

Joe Biden and President-Elect Barack Obama.

The Lion’s Tale 5November 24, 2008

Features‘Dancing Queens’Dance team inspires commitment, friendshipStacey Sterling

co-editor in chief

The last bell rings, and as many students head to their cars to sit back and relax for the rest of the night, senior Katie

Stephens heads home for a few hours before she has to head back to school for three hours of dance practice.

“Dance is very time consuming. All together, we have sixth period practice, two three hour practices with the band, one three hour practice for the dance team, plus football games, and Saturday competitions,” says Stephens.

When most students are out for the summer, Stephens along with the rest of the dance team are still preparing for the year ahead.

“We have a summer camp for dance at the beginning, along with optional practices. Towards the end of summer we have band camp. We participate in football season and competition season in spring, along with the spring show. If you are a senior then you are done after spring show, but if you are not you do a home routine, which is for the upcoming dance show,” explains Stephens.

Many students wouldn’t be able to withstand the long hours that dance team requires, but the current members have a passion that allows them to keep up with the time demands.

“It’s fun—I can express myself through dance whether I am mad or happy or sad or excited,” said senior Brynne Coupland. Dance team participates in football season, where they perform with the band during half time, along with competition season in spring.

“We are not really part of the band, we just march with the band,” explains Riera.

Some band students approve of the dance team participating in the half time show, while others would rather the half time show remain the traditional Encore (colorguard) and band.

“During marching season, Encore and Mane Attraction are combined to form the Visual

Ensemble, or V.E. After marching season is over we go back to our separate parts,” said senior Nicole Alers, a first year Encore member.

“The biggest difference is that Encore is a blend between dancing, flag and weapon work, instead of just dancing,” said Alers.

Stephens, the dance team captain, has committed not only herself, and her time to dance, but her money, as well as the rest of the dance team.

“Dance is very expensive and it depends on how long you have been on the team. Some people don’t have enough money for dance, so we have scholarships, where we raise money through f u n d r a i s e r s , ” explains Stephens.

With the ongoing activities that dance participates in year round, dance dues can be quite expensive.

“Dance team is about $2,000 a year and it pays for costumes, choreographers, competitions, etc,” said senior Grace Riera.

The dance boosters assist not only the students, but Coach Carol Hollander in numerous ways.

“They [the boosters] help pay for different team activities and they organize many of the team events,” said Coupland.

A l o n g with the b o o s t e r s help, the team hosts many fundraiser to help with

funds. “We do car washes, we sell lion stuffed

animals at Publix, and we sell poinsettias during the holidays,” said Riera.

Although dance consumes a lot of Stephens time, she still finds time to enjoy herself.

“I like the girls on the team and the friendships that are formed. There are only six seniors on the team, but we are great friends. We have senior nights, where we just hangout and watch movies,” said Stephens.

For others, dance allows them to become closer than before.

“I’ve been dancing my whole life and I love it. My sister Cami, and I have always done it together so I guess it just makes us that much closer,” explains Coupland.

At the beginning of the year dance officers are assigned ‘families’, which allow the team to bond with each other, and keep each member in check.

“Families keep the girls on track, and we check if they are doing the right thing. There are about seven people in a family,” said Stephens.

At one point, many members of the dance team attended a dance studio outside of school.

“My mom put me in lessons when I was three in Oklahoma, and then I moved to Florida, and I was on the middle school dance team, and now high school dance team,” said Stephens.

But because of the time requirements from the dance team many have had to cease their attendance at other dance studios.

“I used to attend a studio, but no one on the team has time for that with our busy schedules,” explains Riera.

Although the team is demanding, the dance team members have formed a bond to each other and the team that will thrive.

“I really just love entertaining people,” said Riera. “The best part about the team is the girls, they are my family.”

“I’ve been dancing my whole life and I love it. My sister, Cami, and have always done it together, so I guess it just makes us that much closer.”

Brynne Coupland, ‘09

Hollander’s Tips To Dominating Dance

photos/GRAHAM CHRISTENSEN

SIDE SPLITTING LAUGHTER. Senior Katie Stephens displays her flexibility and bright smile, both kept in shape from dance. The dance team has ‘Senior Nights’ where the seniors get together for movies, laughs, and a

good time.

photo/TIFFANY RAY

HALF-TIME GROOVES. The Dance Team and Encore, otherwise known as Colorguard, dance in the half time show with the band at the Homecoming game against Osceola High. Seniors Angee Carey, Annie Futato, and Nicole DeLeon (on far left) strike a pose during the Encore routine. Senior Katie Stephens raises her arms in school spirit along with the Dance Team (middle and far right).

Practice your Revelé (rising • from a position to balance on one or both feet) every night and morning when brushing your teeth.

Watch “So You Think You • Can Dance”. It makes you want to dance, develops interest, and keeps you up to date.

Keep breaking the moves • down into small steps.

Don’t be afraid to laugh at • yourself if you fall or make a mistake.

Tighten your core to keep • yourself balanced.

Know the differences • between discomfort and pain. If you hear something or feel something, then it needs to be checked out. But, you’ll always have discomfort or be sore at first.

To nail your Paseé (bringing • your foot up to your knee), keep your foot tight against your other leg. Don’t be “like a flamingo”. Don’t stick your foot out past your other leg. Getting it right makes your turn easier.

If a move is difficult, never give • up. Try, try, and try again.

The Lion’s Tale6 November 24, 2008

Unaccustomed to open discussions in class about sensitive subjects, some become embarrassedMiranda Harmon

staff artist

Modern Technology

Ryden Butler staff reporter

“Particularly in Classical Greece and the Renaissance, there’s lots of nudity. I don’t consider it ‘touchy’. If it’s about nudity, it is what it is.”

Didi Gibbs

illustration/MIRANDA HARMON

I don’t mean to be critical of all of the technological advancements, but where have all the inventing geniuses gone?

It could be that the spirit of adventure and investigation has diminished in America. It could also be that the money lies in useless gadgets, rewarding inventors with giving people what they want rather than what they need. Then again, maybe all of our best inventors retired after the frenzy to win the Cold War’s arms race. Regardless of the reason, it is disconcerting to see the lack of interest in the scientific fields among members of our own generation.

Theoretically, technology advances at an exponential rate. Yet look how little our idea of technology has advanced since the 1950s. Then, just as now, the future was envisioned as a utopia with flying cars and all-in-one machines later embodied in The Jetsons, and Star Wars. But why, after 50 years, are we still so far away from that technologically advanced utopian future? Certainly technology advances, but these advances are only minor: a variation on a theme or a hardware upgrade. Even the latest gadgets can trace their roots back from the fifties.

As far as I can tell, no new technologies have appeared in the last 50 years. All of them are improvements upon earlier inventions. The space shuttle is simply an improvement upon the millennium-old Chinese rocket, the Plasma TV is only an upgraded version of an invention of the 1880s, even air conditioning was technically invented in the 700s. Granted some of these improvements have been more momentous than other (namely the computer), but it still seems as though technology is advancing in the wrong direction.

Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison revolutionized technology at the turn of the century with thousands of patents. Yet a century later, we still use the same light bulbs and electrical systems. Granted we’ve come a long way since Edisonís phonograph, but it still seems as though technology is advancing in the wrong direction. Sure an iPod is nifty, but it only serves to pay for another of Steve Jobs’ signature black turtlenecks.

It is said that there is a dire need for Green Technology, but is it any closer to attain than the hover cars envisioned in the fifties? At this rate, the foresight of people like George Lucas may remain a dream, lost long, long ago, in our own backyards, where laziness and rejection of science halted the advancement of technology on the final frontiers of technological perfection.

‘Touchy’ topics

From Oedipus Rex to human development, class discussions can steer towards difficult territory,

especially in regard to sexual topics. Classes such as AP Psychology and

AP Literature discuss topics dealing with sexuality, testing the maturity of students.

“I was in AP Art History and AP Psychology and AP Lit,” said senior Ellyn Spangenberg. “Usually the kids that are in those kinds of classes are more mature and they know how to handle those situations. And it’s part of life, so it’s not like we all don’t know. [Sex] is going to come up sooner or later.”

While some don’t mind discussions regarding sexuality, other students do.

“It’s just the concept of the teachers explaining what’s going on and everything. It’s kind of weird having them talk about it,” said junior Alesia Bass, an AP Psychology student. “We spent a whole period talking about premarital sex, and I guess it was just kind of awkward.”

“I personally have never felt uncomfortable talking about those sort of things because I think it’s perfectly healthy and normal to be open about it,” said junior Brittany Beavers. “But I do know that some of the kids in my classes are disturbed by some of the topics because they blush and bury their heads and whatnot.”

While class discussions can become awkward, teachers rely on the students to keep things on an academic level.

“The teachers handle it as well as possible,” said Beavers. “I mean, they’ve obviously taught it before so I think they’ve pretty much experienced all the immature comments that some kids say.”

AP Art History also deals with sensitive subject matter, such as nudity and ancient cultural practices different from those today.

“Part icular ly in Classical Greece and the R e n a i s s a n c e , there’s lots of nudity,” said AP Art History teacher Didi Gibbs. “I don’t consider it ‘touchy.’ If it’s about nudity, it is what it is. Keeping it in context legitimizes it. You have to understand the historical context.”

While the course deals with mature subject matter, Gibbs explained that students generally do not display immature behavior.

“It’s usually kind of a peer pressure thing. If I’m talking about something that’s mature, nobody giggles because that equates them with immaturity.”

Gibbs also teaches Humanities.“We just got done reading Oedipus and

Medea. It’s in context of Greek culture, and Greek history, and it transgresses time.”

Both Oedipus and Medea are ancient works of Greek literature that deal with

sensitive subject matter. “I think if you have a certain level of

expectation for your class, and you set things up right, they don’t act shocked or upset,” said Gibbs.

AP Psychology covers human development and sexuality.

“AP Psychology is a college level course that covers all disciplines in psychology,” said AP Psychology teacher Karlin Gasthoff. “In an Advanced Placement course the students are expected to behave in a mature and thoughtful manner, that is why certain courses are reserved for juniors and seniors.”

Sexuality can become a difficult subject to talk about in a classroom setting.

“A lot of high school kids are not secure in their sexuality and they don’t want to talk

about things like that with adults,” said AP Psychology teacher Zack Densberger.

AP Psychology teacher Joan Stone explained that AP Psychology may create discomfort for some students.

“Many parts of the curriculum may make students feel uncomfortable for different reasons, especially if the topic ‘hits close to home,’” said Stone. “For example, if we are discussing depression and the student or a family member suffers from this condition, a level of discomfort may be experienced.”

However sensitive the subject matter becomes, Stone explained that her students behave well.

“Generally speaking the students are very mature and do not exhibit inappropriate behavior during class discussion.”

AP Literature also involves touchy subjects, such as 17th century and contemporary literature, dealing with sexual references.

“I like to think that we never go past a point where anyone would get uncomfortable. I think we keep it on an academic level. It’s never about personal experiences or anything concrete,” said AP Literature teacher Roy Starling.

While conversations are kept academic, awkwardness may occur.

“I can tell that when our discussion tends to move in those directions in any serious way, then the students get quieter and they just sort of look at me like ‘what have you done?’,” said Starling.

Teachers handle fragile topics as well as they can.

“I am very straightforward with my students,” said Gasthoff. “I find if I meet a touchy question without reacting in an embarrassed or uncomfortable manner, then my students don’t get the reaction they were hoping for, the topic is no longer fun and not worth pursuing.”

Often teachers find candidly discussing topics eases any difficulties.

“My job is to teach a certain topic,” said Densberger. “Sometimes that topic can be uncomfortable to discuss. But learning to look at uncomfortable issues and discuss them is part of the learning process.”

Taking extra care to handle touchy subjects carefully often helps.

“I try to handle everything tactfully because almost anything in a particular story could be a touch subject for any student on any given day,” said Starling.

“Whenever anything’s mentioned it seems to be that we’re all quite comfortable,” said Stone. “In my experience the kids have been very appropriate.”

Inventions of today only newupgrades of past advancements

FeaturesThe Lion’s Tale 7November 24, 2008

Lights, camera, actionMiranda Ghali

co-editor-in-chief

WROR T.V. welcomes new teacher, different style

The tardy bell rings at the start of third period. Lethargic students stand for the pledge at the beginning of WROR TV. They don’t realize that

through their first and second period, students worked diligently to create their masterpiece of WROR TV.

Some of the students who have been at Oviedo High School for a few years noticed a change in WROR TV. The previous TV Production teacher, Greg Beasley left Oviedo for a different job and a new teacher, Kyle Snavely, took his place.

“I had taught at a couple high schools before continuing my education and then I got my degrees and I started teaching at Fullsail [University]. I liked teaching at the high school level more, so I’m back,” said Snavely.

The new change came about with the new teacher for several reasons.

“I had an idea of how the announcements could improve, much more entertaining than just people talking in front of the camera, and the students were ready for something new,” said Snavely. “We got together and brainstormed how the sound stage could look and hopefully made it better than it was.”

While Snavely doesn’t really notice a big change from teaching at a university to teaching at a high school, he does sometimes gets annoyed at the students that don’t want to do the work.

Snavely said, “I’m not teaching chemistry or math; I’m not teaching a class that should be hard for students to participate in, so it’s aggravating when the work that they have to do is, to me, fun work anyways. I [ask them] to draw storyboards and then they don’t do it. Why not? It’s not like I asked you to do trigonometry. It’s sometimes aggravating to get effort out of something that I see as effortless.”

S e n i o r Nick Goodwin, who is an editor of WROR TV, said, “He’s not

Beasley, but he is really cool. He makes it better and more watchable. It’s not just people talking for ten minutes.”

Senior Adam Kipi, who is also an editor of WROR TV, agrees with Goodwin.

“He [Snavely] runs the show a little differently. We run it more as a talk show format instead of just announcements. He also demands a little more from us. He demands perfection,” said Kipi.

Snavely is no novice when it comes to filmmaking. He’s always been interested in the subject and he even taught digital cinematography and documentary filmmaking at Fullsail University.

“My parents sat me in front of the TV a lot when I was a kid. I liked watching TV and I liked to get behind the scenes on anything that interested me, so I wanted to get

into making TV and movie stuff,” said Snavely.

Even though Snavely hasn’t worked in Hollywood, he has worked in that industry and has a few insides on the production world.

“It’s very project based, so you don’t know if you’re working six months from now.

It’s very cutthroat, somebody will stab you in the back just to get your job and I don’t like that at all,” said Snavely.

For anyone that is interested in going into the film business, Snavely has some tips. Snavely said, “Just know what you’re doing, do it as quickly and efficiently as possible, keep your mouth shut, and show up early and you’ll get hired again. You do those things and you will be able to get jobs over and over again.”

While some students barely noticed a change in the announcement format, some teachers can be heard complaining about the extra length to the announcements.

“We try to keep it as quick as we can, but the announcements are what take the longest and make it slow. If you actually timed the announcement spots versus the content that we give, the announcements blow it out of the water every time,” said Snavely. “You can look at the time for the shows that were on when Beasley was here and when I came. They are the exact same length. We even put a counter on there so that you can see the exact time of the show. Our shows will always be between seven and thirteen minutes and that’s how it always was.”

According to Goodwin, one of the biggest differences with a new teacher is that each student is in charge of a weekly

segment.“We got together and figured out all these

different skits that each student wanted to do. For each skit, the students get a week, some skits get two,” said Snavely.

Everyone knows of senior Donald Metzger’s skit “Metzger Madness” and Metzger enjoys Snavely’s help in making his skit more

pleasing.“He [Snavely] showed me how to do a

split shot and some really cool effects,” said Metzger.

Don’t think that the last of the changes has come.

Snavely said, “When it comes to this department, I want to do more than just show our show every day.

Eventually, we’re going to get a website up where we’re going to be pod-casting our episodes every day. I also want to compete. We’re definitely going to go to the FSPA [Florida Scholastic Press Association] competition. I want to get our name out there

and I want my students to have goals other than just doing the announcements every day. I want them to get better for a reason.”

CAPTURE THAT SHOT. Snavely and Landenwitch film for WROR T.V. during first period.

illustrations/TOVA KRANZ

“I had an idea of how the announcements could improve. We got together and hopefully made it better.”Kyle Snavely, TV Production teacher

BEHIND THE SCENES

Kyle Snavely and senior Adam Kipi edit film in second period

for WROR T.V.

Snavely instructs junior Jesse Landwitch and sophomore

Asa Becker while filming. T.V. productions films with a JVC

DV 550 camera.

In first period, senior Paul Moran talks to Snavely while

filming.

Junior powder puff players, being filmed for the announcements,

cheer for their team and convince students to attend the game.

Snavely and Kipi edit film, using the VT4 during second period.

photos/GRAHAM CHRISTENSEN

Features The Lion’s Tale8 November 24, 2008

Brooke Fidrick

One by One

I kept running and running and running. I wasn’t even in town anymore. When I told my body to stop, it wouldn’t.

Helplessly, I ran these foreign streets.A lake stopped me in my tracks. Staring

out into the mucky green water, creating temporary waves. I loved lakes with a passion.

Even if I tried to turn back, how would I even get there? I don’t even know where I am right now.

It all happened so fast, in reality, and yet it really felt like a misunderstood dream.

-Kristin CasonFor freshman Kristin Cason, this scenario

represents not a nightmare, but the musings of a budding writer translated into words.

In her spare time, Cason writes realistic fiction stories in journals modeled after her observations and experiences. “Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough” is one such of these stories.

“[It’s] mainly about this girl who likes to help people and she has these two guy friends that are total opposites. She’s just getting in a lot of things, and she doesn’t really share how she feels. She gets into a fight with one of the guy friends and she starts running. She can’t stop. She’s running and running and running, and she comes to a place that’s not even familiar,” said Cason.

Like most of Cason’s stories, “Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough” changes from an entertaining story to a tale of self-awareness. As the main character, Kimi, continues her unstoppable running, she runs into two people named Matilda and Edward.

“They have this house,” said Cason. “On the outside it looks raggedy and disgusting. On the inside it’s beautiful. It’s just like a mansion. It has a lot of doors and many halls. [Kimi] has to go through each door and deal with her problems. She’s never done this before. She finds out more about herself.”

Though this story may seem fantastic, Cason prefers to write realistic fiction.

“I don’t like fantasy because it seems too unreal. I don’t mind reading it from someone else, but I can’t do it myself. I like doing realistic fiction because it can actually be kind of a helpful thing,” said Cason.

To Cason, realistic fiction can inspire readers to learn more about themselves and become more helpful towards others.

Cason often lets friends in need of cheering up read her stories.

“I let many of my friends read it, and they felt so much better about themselves. They were able to think straight and everything. This is my way of helping them. If I can’t do it physically, I can at least do it mentally,” said Cason.

One friend in particular inspired another of Cason’s stories.

“One of the stories is called ‘Stupid Boys’, but ‘stupid’ is slashed out. It’s about this girl who hangs out entirely with guys. She has a boyfriend and she upsets her boyfriend by the way she acts toward her guy friends,” said Cason.

In Cason’s story, the main character eventually grows closer to one of her best guy friends, whom she has known since she was five years old. As their relationship progresses, they begin to date. The new couple encounters obstacles, such as parents disapproving of their relationship. Cason modeled this story’s main character after a friend.

“I got inspiration from one of my friends. She was always surrounded by guys in class, whether she liked it or not,” said Cason.

Cason (who plans on becoming a writer, journalist, or graphic designer) began writing in fifth grade. After a brief hiatus, she resumed her hobby in seventh grade. Since then, she has written four stories: Open Your Heart, Open your Heart II, Stupid Boys, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

Half Magic, a novel by Edward Eager, provided the strongest literary inspiration from Cason. The novel describes the adventures of a group of children who find a magic coin that grants wishes only halfway.

“[Eager] inspired me so much to write. I thought, ‘Hey, I want to write this. I want to write stories,’” said Cason.

Editor’s Note: One by one appears in everyedition of the Lion’s Tale, and features a randomly selected student. This edition, a staff reporterinterviewed the first person to pick up a fedora left on the ground outside of the Media Center during first lunch.

The U.S. government •spent $277,000 on “pickle research” in 1993.Blueberry Jelly Bellies were •created especially for Ronald Reagan.Fortune cookies were •actually invented in America by Charles Jung in 1918.Seven percent of Americans •eat McDonald’s everydayNapoleon Bonaparte was •afraid of cats.Eachday,fishermenkill•more than a hundred whales.You are more likely to be •attacked by a cow than a shark.Women shoplift more often •than men; the statistics are four to oneOnly 55 percent of •Americans know that the sun is a star.In the next seven days, 800 •Americans will be injured by their jewelry.Aboutfivepercentof•Americans claim to have talked to the devil personally.Twenty-two thousand checks •will be deducted from the wrong bank accounts in the next hour.You’re more likely to be •killed by a champagne cork than a poisonous spider.

Note: In the Oct. edition, we incorrectly stated that a person’s hair continues to grow when he or she dies. According to science teacher Kathy Savage, it does not.

Compiled from The Book of Useless Information by Noel Brotham

by M

irand

a Har

mon

Jelly

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. In freshman Kristin Cason’s story, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, the main character must open numerous doors to deal with her problems and eventually, she finds out more about herself.

photo/BROOKE FIDRICKillustration/MIRANDA HARMON

Journals hold tales of self awareness, facing fears

Attacked by cow, women shoplifting

DiversionsThe Lion’s Tale 9November 24, 2008

DiversionsKevin Baird

staff reporter

Genetic testing kits hit retail marketsGenetics explain why you look like

your parents and, if you don’t, why you probably should.

In an attempt to pander to the ever-expanding genetics market, an offshoot of Sorenson Genomics known only as “Identigene” has produced the first “fast, accurate and confidential” home paternity tests.

These kits, according to the Identigene website, are now available at more than 15,000 retail locations throughout the continental United States. Among these are CVS, Fruth, Meijer, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart.

“Over-the-counter sales offer a completely new marketing channel for DNA testing. It makes the process more convenient and affordable while ensuring reliability and confidentiality,” said Sorenson Genomics COO Doug Fogg. “We learned that people are extremely receptive to the idea of purchasing a DNA paternity test kit while shopping at one of the nation’s leading drug store chains.”

This is only the most recent in a long line of products aimed at providing mothers-to-be with answers. US News & World Report indicates that fascination with babies’ DNA began in 2005, when two separate companies released kits capable of predicting a fetus’ gender.

“We want disabled children to be welcomed into the world. My fear is that we’re moving in the opposite direction.”

Andrew Imparato, President of the American Association of People with Disabilities

Though some consider these creations to be sources of relief for single mothers and happy households, alike, others view it as proof of an increasing obsession with fetal genetics. Ethicists fear that it’s only a matter of time before couples are able to screen for genetic defects.

Junior Kayla Aponte said, “How long before we’re changing every possible aspect of our children? If we proceed down this road, how long will it take for us to become so

Even with widespread concern, it can’t be denied that Identigene has simplified the act of getting a DNA test.

The American Pregnancy Association reports that, prior to the release of Identigene’s latest product, paternity tests required the intervention of a judge, cost upwards of $2000 and often took weeks to be processed.

Although it could be argued that potential benefits outweigh the risks, fears of genetic manipulation have prompted the creation of the term,

“designer baby,” used to describe a child intentionally selected to be the best combination of the parents’ genetic material.

Modern bioethical codes like the Declaration of Helsinki condemn unnecessary and dangerous experimentation without the consent of the subject, but a number of people remain optimistic about future application.

Junior Hans Hinnershitz said, “Some health issues are really burdensome. Not just on the individual, but on the family as a whole. Some people require lifelong nursing care. They can’t

walk or talk or even feed themselves. What’s good about living like that? I’m sure if you

Genetic manipulations spur worry among students

corrupted that we can no longer call ourselves humans?”

Some day, similar tests could even influence traits associated with beauty, personality or intelligence.

“We want disabled children to be welcomed into the world. My fear is that we’re moving in the opposite direction,” said Andrew Imparato, president of the American Association of People With Disabilities. “If we decide to use prenatal testing to eliminate gene-based disabilities, that’s what the Nazis were trying to do, in their own crude way. I think we’re saying that certain types of lives aren’t worth living.”

But some claims that everyone is entitled to a life free of severe physical impairments. Sophomore Josh Arroyo said, “It’s not necessarily that any one way of life is better than another. I think the point they’re trying to get across with genetic testing is that everyone deserves a chance. Nobody should have to have their life ruined by a disorder they have no control over.”Personal DNA testing kits becoming more accessible

By comparison, the home paternity kit produced by Sorenson costs little under $150 and promises 99.99 percent-accurate results within three to five days.

Junior Tyler Griffin said, “It certainly seems like [Identigene] has streamlined the process. I can only imagine that some people are having heart attacks while waiting for a mere ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and it all seems kind of ridiculous.”

With the Identigene DNA paternity test kit, participants collect a sample by swabbing the interior of their mouth. The sample, along with all consent forms and lab fees, are then sent in an enclosed postage-paid return envelope to Identigene for analysis.

Results can then be received via mail, email, or a secure online service.

“In our day and age, there are a lot of issues concerned with broken families. I feel that products like those offered by Identigene are providing a lot of comfort to people, even if they can’t mend relationships or ease the burden of having unmarried parents,” said junior Alex Hague.

Scientists looking for ways to create a designer baby

could ask anyone like that, they’d support recent advancements in genetics.”

The Washington Post reports that the majority of couples who display interest in genetic testing or designer babies have already had a child with a genetic abnormality, have a family history of genetic syndrome or are trying to clarify worrisome results from standard screening such as ultrasound or basic DNA analysis.

Unfortunately, facts do little to quell the fears of those who see designer babies as the start of a slippery slope. Prospective parents in sections of the world are already inspecting embryos so they can decide whether to have

a boy or a girl.Leslie G.

Biesecker of the National H u m a n G e n o m e R e s e a r c h Institute said, “It’s a classic P a n d o r a ’ s box. Like any powerful t e chno logy,

[testing] solves some problems while at the same time creating new ones. How you use a powerful technology decides whether it’s good or bad.”

In an effort to relieve concerns, certain doctors around the globe agree that genetic manipulation should be used only to combat medical conditions, rather than take part in aesthetic improvement.

One such supporter of this approach is Dr. Mohamed Taranissi, director of London’s Assisted Reproduction Gynecology Center.

In July of 2004, he was involved in the treatment of a two-year old boy named Joshua, born with a potentially fatal blood disorder. It’s a problem that could have been avoided four years ago, with the technology we have today.

But as for now, only stem cells can offer hope.

Taranissi said, “You have a child at home that is very seriously ill and you see the pain and agony and know there is a simple treatment out there that will relive his condition. If it is okay for this child or that child how can you deny it to other people?”

He backs a change in popular opinion and international law regarding genetic screening.

“What we are doing is simply helping sick children.”

Is Jr. a couch potato or an athlete? Parents find out earlyphoto/CARLY BROWER

According to the New York Times, recent studies have proven that parents can tell their child’s natural athletic strengths for $149 and a cheek swab sent to a lab in Colorado called The Boulder-

based Atlas Sports Genetics. The goal of this test is not only to inform the parent whether their child

is better at speed or endurance sports but also to benefit the children in the long run by taking parental pressure off of them from their parents.

If parents understand that their child’s difficulty at athletics is not due to lack of passion but a genetic predisposition, they may ease up on their child.

Carly Browerco-diversions editor

Kids from infancy through eight can be tested, giving parents a chance to • properly foster a kid’s natural abilities from a young age

To access this test you must swab inside the child’s cheek and along the • gums to collect DNA and return it to a lab for analysis of the gene ACTN3

Scientists looked at the gene’s combinations, one copy provided by each parent. • The R variant of ACTN3 instructs the body to produce a protein found specifically in fast-twitch muscles. Those muscles are capable of the forceful, quick contractions necessary in speed and power sports. The X variant prevents production of the protein.

People with two X copies are more likely to be suited for endurance sports while • those who have the R varient are more compatible with power sports

The analysis takes two to three weeks, and the results arrive in • the form of a certificate announcing Your Genetic Advantage.

The testing kit was scheduled to be available starting Monday • through the Web site atlasgene.com.

Brave new world

Features The Lion’s Tale10 November 24, 2008

Broken bottles, broken livesTiffany Ray

co-features editor

Junior Ryan Ridenbaugh stares in wonder at the roses strewn across his friend Kelly’s desk at Bishop Moore High. The

weekend before, Kelly’s boyfriend drove under the influence.

That, and Kelly’s failure to wear her seat belt cost her everything.

“She was thrown from the passenger seat, out the window,” said Ryan. “While making a turn, they flipped over. She died the next morning.”

Ryan sat next to Kelly almost every period of the school day last year, before the accident. According to Ryan, they were pretty close and her death shocked him.

“It just happened like that. I found out the next day at school. I saw the roses on her desk and asked why they were there. Every time I hear about an accident, I think of her. Her boyfriend stole the car they were in. I think her boyfriend received 30 years for grand theft and manslaughter,” said Ryan.

According to Chief Richard Beary, Director of Public Safety and Police, the most important aspects to saving a life are to wear seat belts, and not to drive under the influence.

“There was a mock DUI here recently. But, every time I hear about an accident, I think of her. It would have been too devastating to go,” said Ryan. Mock DUI illustrates catastrophe

The mock DUI involved drama students, police officers, fire fighters, and adult actors in an attempt to show what really happens when someone drives under the influence.

“It’s is not an abstract idea. This is reality. This is about being safe,” said Beary.

The mock DUI, acted out inside the football stadium, takes place the night of the

Homecoming dance. Senior David Mila arrives at senior Carly Lupo’s home to take her to the dance, and her father asks, “This is my baby. Will you take care of her?”

David doesn’t keep his promise. At an after party David drinks alcohol, then gets behind the wheel with Carly next to him.

“[As the drunk driver] you have to live with the fact that you didn’t die and the fact that you ruined somebody’s family,” said David. “[My character is] unharmed physically but mentally h e has to live with the consequences. Personally, I would have much rather died.”

The crowd, composed of juniors and seniors, watched juniors Claire Shackelford and Amanda Eifert rip the tarp covering the “crashed” cars off as a loud pop echoed across the football stadium speakers. Smoke billowed from the cracked and bent vehicles with drama students David, senior Ansley Hobbs as Carly, senior Kim Clark and senior Jon Mercedes inside.

“Even while I was still in the car, I was crying,” said Ansley. “It was hard to hear David [begging me to speak] and not answer him.”

Lupo, who played Carly before the accident, hopes everyone watching took something away from the mock DUI.

“It was living t h e experience. If I could have saved one person’s l i f e

[because of the reenactment of what really happens], then that’s enough,” said Lupo.

According to Beary, the mock DUI is not only a performance, but a training program for firefighters and police officers involved.

Unlike popular television programs where the

emergency response time happens in an instant, the mock DUI showed how slowly

emergency personals actually work.

“It wasn’t at all what I expected. I was amazed by the response time. I had no idea it took so long for emergency personals to get to the scene,” said junior Anna Rhenstrom.

Firefighters, who arrived on the scene with wailing sirens, could not help Kim and Jon without drastic action. After police officers handcuffed David and Carly’s body was covered with a blanket, they hammered at the windshield of the other car and tore the roof of the car off to get to the trapped students.

“There’s a golden hour that is critical. Your odds of survival go up dramatically if you can leave the accident within that first

hour,” said Beary.A helicopter

landed on t h e

field to transfer one of the victims to a hospital, and an ambulance hastily left with the other passenger with haste. A recorded voice spoke sadly through the speakers as personals carted Carly’s body away.

“Mom, you told me not to drink. I swear I didn’t, mom. My date had been drinking, but I was the one to pay. If I didn’t drink and drive, why am I the one who died?”

Tragic statisticsAccording to Beary,

a person dies of a car c r a s h

every 30 minutes in the United

States.“Last year,

42,000 people died of a car crash. That’s

a bigger number than [the population of] Oviedo,” said Beary.

According to Beary, the leading cause of death from 15 to 24 years of age is car crashes.

“This is a serious situation. We have experienced carelessness and deaths of our own. God forbid that it happens to any one of you,” said Principal Robert Lundquist. “In fatalities there’s no second guessing. There’s no rhyme or reason for what happens. We need to send a very strong message to everyone: please, please, please be careful.”

According to Beary, after an accident, some may forget about the tragedy. But, for loved ones, it will never be forgotten.

“At this point, it only starts for the family. The worst assignment of a

law enforcement officer to get is to go to the home of an

unsuspecting family and try to deliver the news that a loved one is dead,” said Beary. “When the family sees students, or it’s a birthday or holiday, it’s still not over.”

Even after the immediate family deals with the death of a loved one, it’s not over for his or her classmates. As principal, Lundquist

bears the burden of informing the student body of the catastrophe.

“To have to describe that you’ve lost one of your students is one of the most difficult things that one has to do. It’s hard to describe the feelings that you have in words,” said Lundquist. “As a student, you may say, ‘Oh, they’ll be back on Monday.’ But, they’re not coming back. It’s a hard reality to realize that there’s no return. You can’t redo it.”

Lundquist stresses the importance of paying attention, and the importance of not driving under the influence or with someone under the influence, and to wear a seat belt.

According to Beary, the officers involved in accidents sometimes check in on patients to see how they fared.

“They check to see if what they did maybe salvaged anything from something tragic. But, you usually don’t see them again,” said Beary.Heart-wrenching truth

Sandy Keesee, mother of a car crash victim, will never see, will never touch, and will never say “I love you” to her daughter, Crissy, again. Sandy spoke about her daughter’s story at the mock DUI, leaving some in the crowd in tears.

“It is an honor and privilege to share Crissy’s story. The fact is our daughter would be here today if the driver of the car drove the speed limit. The car flipped several times,

Mock DUI raises students’ awareness, teaches safe driving

1. 2.

FeaturesThe Lion’s Tale 11November 24, 2008

BY THE NUMBERSBroken bottles, broken livesunsuspecting family and try to deliver the news that a loved one is dead,” said Beary. “When the family sees students, or it’s a birthday or holiday, it’s still not over.”

Even after the immediate family deals with the death of a loved one, it’s not over for his or her classmates. As principal, Lundquist

bears the burden of informing the student body of the catastrophe.

“To have to describe that you’ve lost one of your students is one of the most difficult things that one has to do. It’s hard to describe the feelings that you have in words,” said Lundquist. “As a student, you may say, ‘Oh, they’ll be back on Monday.’ But, they’re not coming back. It’s a hard reality to realize that there’s no return. You can’t redo it.”

Lundquist stresses the importance of paying attention, and the importance of not driving under the influence or with someone under the influence, and to wear a seat belt.

According to Beary, the officers involved in accidents sometimes check in on patients to see how they fared.

“They check to see if what they did maybe salvaged anything from something tragic. But, you usually don’t see them again,” said Beary.Heart-wrenching truth

Sandy Keesee, mother of a car crash victim, will never see, will never touch, and will never say “I love you” to her daughter, Crissy, again. Sandy spoke about her daughter’s story at the mock DUI, leaving some in the crowd in tears.

“It is an honor and privilege to share Crissy’s story. The fact is our daughter would be here today if the driver of the car drove the speed limit. The car flipped several times,

it was going so fast. The two passangers in front were able to get out of the car, but when they caught their breath, they noticed that Crissy wasn’t with them,” said Sandy.

Crissy loved to dance, and was a Dazzler [dancer] at Seminole High School until her junior year, when the accident took her life. According to Sandy, many of Crissy’s friends commented on her Myspace page after she was gone, expressing sorrow and saying that they missed her advice, support, and big heart.

“What Crissy left us was her legacy. She left such an imprint on people’s lives. At her funeral, there were more than 500 people who came. She was happy to give. She wanted to be an organ donor. What came next, after I left the hospital the night of the accident, was a call no parent should ever get. It was someone asking me if I would allow them to use Crissy’s eyes and other organs that would help someone live,” said Sandy. “It was difficult for me to speak, but in my heart I knew my daughter would do it without a second though.”

Through breaking speech, and tears, Sandy begged the crowd of students to wear seat belts, not to drink and drive or speed.

“There will be an ache in my heart and my family’s hearts forever. All I want is my daughter back. Crissy had a torch she was carrying, you couldn’t see it, but you definitely felt it. I hope to keep her light burning by helping others. It’s about your life now,” said Sandy.

The accidents that cause so much grief can not always be prevented, but the loss of life, at times, can.

“You can control this. You may be saving somebody’s life. You don’t have to

live these nightmares,” said Beary. “But for those that

do, it never ends.”

Mock DUI raises students’ awareness, teaches safe driving

THREE WORD BANGER. Picture description goes here. Include names, event, etc. Keep stroke around picture, please!

TOO LATE. 1. Three firefighters work at cutting the injured passenger out of the car during the mock DUI on Nov. 5. 2. A police officer waits with the dead passenger for the morgue to pick her up. 3. Junior Michelle Collins cries during the viewing of the mock DUI, along with many other juniors and seniors. 4. Firefighters try to remove senior Kim Clark from wrecked car without endangering her. 5. Junior Alan Zegarra comforts junior Ariana McCain during the emotional mock DUI.

Sophomore Franco Del Pino and friends hopped in the car Oct.

20 at 3:30 p.m. with nothing but the thought of getting back to Berto Rivera’s house after their long day.

What should have been a short trip ended up in tragedy.

Del Pino recalled the scene in the car before the misfortune.

“It was all cloudy so we all knew it was going to rain. I was sitting against the back door of the bed of the pick up and Berto was driving with Vanessa Ruiz [a sophomore at Hagerty High School] as a passenger and [sophomore] Akira Gouvia and Vanessa Ferguson [a sophomore at Hagerty High School] were sitting across from me in the back. I remember looking around the dirt road and seeing all green. [Ferguson] and [Gouvia] were talking and laughing while [Rivera] had the music playing in the front,” said Del Pino

Fifteen minutes later, a pothole on Brumley Road caught the tire of the pickup.

“We hit a pothole and the tire popped. The next thing I knew the car was going from side to side. [The car] made a sharp left toward a big ditch, after that we all knew what was going to happen. The car hit the ditch but I managed to hold on for the impact, but it flipped sideways and I went flying,” Del Pino said.

That triggered a series of events.“Ruiz fell through the side window and the

truck tipped over on top of her. [Rivera] managed to stay in the car but [Ferguson] and [Gouvia] had already jumped off,” Del Pino said.

With the car on top of Ruiz, they needed to find a way to get it off.

Help came. Rivera and Del Pino lifted the truck up off Ruiz despite their apparent injuries. After lifting the truck up off Ruiz, a retired fireman pulled the truck off of her.

Del Pino, who was later diagnosed with a fractured ankle and other injuries, could only explain this feat with the simple words ‘adrenaline rush’.

The second Ruiz reached the hospital she was sent to intensive care and treated for many broken bones.

Del Pino refused to give into shock because of his concern for Ruiz. The other’s were all concerned as well.

“We were all just worried for Vanessa’s life,” Del Pino said regarding his thoughts of the crash.

After a week and a half of not being able to walk, Del Pino finally got back on his feet. It took awhile longer for Ruiz to recover, but

has returned to school and according to Del Pino her health is fine.

Del Pino’s experience will not be forgotten any time soon. When asked if he learned anything from it at all, he laughed a bit and proceeded with, “[Yeah], stay away from pickup trucks.”

Amy Judahstaff reporter

Two heroic teens help save friend after sudden accident

Franco Del Pino ‘11

Motor vehicle crashes remain the number one cause of death among youth ages 15-20. There were 7,460 youth motor vehicle deaths in 2005.

28% of 15- to 20-year-old drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2005 had been drinking.

It is estimated that 24,560 lives have been saved by minimum drinking age laws since 1975.

During the last 30 days, 28.5% of high school students nationwide had ridden one or more times in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol.

Information from SADD.org

4.3. 5.

all photos/C

HRISTEN

SEN, FID

RICK

photo illustration/MIRANDA GHALI

“The car hit the ditch but I managed to hold on for the impact, but it flipped sideways and I went flying.”

Franco Del Pino, ‘11

Diversions The Lion’s Tale12 November 24, 2008

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

Fall out boyFriday, Dec. 126:00 p.m.House of Blues

Of montrealTuesday, Dec. 97:30 p.m.House of Blues

The MisfitsSaturday, Dec. 68:00 p.m.Club Firestone

Miranda Ghali co-editor-in-chief

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.

Tien Holmesstaff reporter

Thr33 RINGST-PainR&B

Native Florida rapper, T-Pain, released an amazing new album, Thr33 Rings. “I Can’t Believe It”,

literally. Already since the albums release Nov. 11, the CD has produced three hit singles, “I Can’t a It” featuring Lil Wayne, “Chopped and Screwed” featuring Ludacris, and “Freeze” featuring Chris Brown.

If that isn’t an all-star lineup already, the album also features Akon, Kanye West, Mary J Blige, and Ciara. The track “Reality Check” features Raheem Devaughn and Musiq Soulchild, two of the best male R&B artists in the game right now. The song combines a slow, grown vibe that produces a melodic symphony of pure maturity.

Overall, Thr33 Rings is the best album since T-Pain’s debut in 2005.

Tien Holmesstaff reporter

BeyoncéI am...Sasha FierceR&B

Ridiculous, that is the term that defines the quality of pop icon Beyoncé Knowles new album I am…Sasha

Fierce. With incredible platinum records on her shelves, this type of ferocity is not adding another plaque to her walls. The two disc CD containing a total of 11 songs, combine to create this pathetic up beat mid 60’s folklore type sound. What happened to the “Survivor” that she sang so hard with Destiny’s Child.

It becomes a shame when novice little sister of Beyoncé , Solange is making bigger hits than her veteran sister. The first track on disc one, “If I Were A Boy”, came off as a mediocre attempt to copy Atlanta native Ciara who produced hit single “Like A Boy” in late 2006.

It’s honest to say that Beyoncé has dropped the ball with this album. Maybe she should retire like her husband Jay Z did, and come back onto the scene when competition lessens, or just when she decides to make better music.

Just like her song says, “If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it.” The ring is not on. Hopefully she gets the hint.

Not much changed. When Hinder released Extreme Behavior in 2005, people went crazy over “Lips of an

Angel”. Hinder has not developed much over

the past three years. While some songs, such as “Heaven Sent”, “Without You” and “Use Me” are okay, they don’t display any improvement, or astonishing musical feats. Out of 11 tracks, maybe six songs are worth listening to.

Overall, the CD could be classified as waste of space. If you own the first one, there would be no point in buying the entire second CD, because Hinder shows a lack of creativity.

Stacey Sterlingco-editor-in-chief

take it to the limitHinderRock

between the treesFriday, Dec. 196:30 p.m.House of Blues

MudvayneSaturday, Dec. 207:00 p.m.House of Blues

Connect with inner nerd

Forgive Durden’s new release Razia’s Shadow is as big a shock as any. After a breakup of the band, leaving

only the singer and guitarist Thomas Dutton, Dutton decided to raise the rock scene to a new level- the musical.

This alluring new album features 11 guest singers from his label as well as a few of his friends, like Brendon Urie of Panic At The Disco, Greta Salpeter of The Hush Sound and Shawn Harris from The Matches.

Dutton explains that the storyline of this musical splits into two parts, the first half being the creation and ultimate division of the world and the second half being a story of destined love and the world being united as one.

This orchestra-filled rock album even goes as far as to have a narrator (Aaron Weiss) fill in the gaps of the story line where the song lyrics do not.

Songs like the intricate “The Spider and the Lamp” featuring Max Bemis of Say Anything starts out sounding like a typical musical, with its harmonizing piano, must-have background choir and emotion filled voices. But as the song continues, it begins to sound more like the alternative-rock melodies of Forgive Durden people used to know. This song also features an interesting and familiar lyric to Say Anything fans.

Each song’s melody goes perfectly with the mood Dutton

wanted to bring to the story, such as the softer and

joyous sound of “It’s True Love”

or the fast and worrisome theme of “Doctor,

Doctor.” In all, what Dutton

did was surprising and inventive; Ambition and creativity has never sounded so captivating.

Caitlyn Braswellstaff reporter

Razia’s shadowForgive DurdenAlternative

Tube Talk

French singer Carla Bruni and her soulfully sunny voice is addicting on this first lady of France’s 2002 debut

album Qu elqu’un M’a Dit. The mood of each song is made obvious

by Bruni’s emotionally-filled voice, such as in “La Noyeè” where she exerts a longing sound in her voice while the fluent guitar accompanies her as if it’s answering her. Captivating tunes like “J’en Connais” and the album’s single “Quelqu’un M’a Dit” show up throughout the whole album, leaving one forced to hum the contagious melodies.

With the soft, rhythmic acoustic guitar, this album paints images of summers and bliss and is sure to relax and relieve all who listen.

Quelqu’un M’a DitCarla BruniFrench PopCaitlyn Braswell

staff reporter

Despite the title, “The Big Bang Theory” did not air with the big bang it deserves, not even with a

small one.The comedy follows four physicist

nerds who have no chance at a normal life. Penny (Kaley Cuoco) becomes a neighbor of roommates and best friends Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki). Leonard, who is way more down to earth than Sheldon will ever be, quickly falls for the beautiful Penny.

While this show sounds extremely cliché, the show’s credit is redeemed with the humorous character of Sheldon. There is no real way to describe Sheldon without seeing him for yourself. The only thing I can tell you is to picture the nerdiest, the smartest, the most annoying, and the most introverted people you’ve ever seen. Now combine all four people. That’s Sheldon.

Sheldon, who is way too smart for his own good, can resemble a small toddler at times. Not only are his OCD-like mannerisms completely annoying, but he makes everyone on the show look like a complete idiot (and keep in mind, four of the five main characters are physicists).

Penny moved to California to take a shot at an acting career, but so far, that has completely fallen through and she’s currently a waitress. Penny’s character really isn’t very stupid, but next to Sheldon, her IQ drops dramatically. Sheldon and Penny never seem to get along much to the dismay of love-struck Leonard.

Being the nerd that I am, I can’t help but admire the shows ability to make anyone laugh at their own inner nerd.

It saddens me to know that not many students watch it or have even heard of it. The other day I was talking with a friend and I found out that they had never even heard of the show even though it airs during prime time on CBS. Give the show the chance it deserves.

New episodes air Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBS.

photos/WWW.FORGIVEDURDEN.COM

Haste the daySunday, Dec. 146:00 p.m.The Social

yesSunday, Dec. 148:00 p.m.Hard Rock Live

In January, “Lost” will replace the • “Private Practice” time slot. A show synopsis episode of “Lost” will air at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and follow with new episodes at 9 p.m.The new drama “Life on Mars” will • air after “Lost” on Wednesdays.“Private Practice” will be moving to • Thursday nights at 10 p.m. to trail “Grey’s Anatomy” in hopes to gain more viewers.“Pushing Daisies” will soon see it’s • end on ABC along with “Eli Stone,” and “Dirty, Sexy Money”.Don’t forget to watch for the season • eight premiere of “Scrubs” which has now been moved to ABC. It will premiere on ABC on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 9 p.m.

Changes coming to ABC

SevendustWednesday, Dec. 317:30 p.m.House of Blues

DiversionsThe Lion’s Tale 13November 24, 2008

David Parsons

BOX OFFICE BOMBS

staff reporter

Terror beneath the surface

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?

Movie Reviews

Michael Mangosstaff artist

Victoria Persampierenews editor

I strolled into FYE a few months ago and immediately made a beeline for the horror section. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in a section like this, surrounded by bits of cinematic genius like The Gingerdead Man and Clawed: The Legend of Sasquatch, but then I saw the blood red cover of a DVD sporting the title Orca: The Killer Whale, flanked by a large black fin circling a familiar looking fishing boat…

In that instant I realized that I was looking at the most shameless, brazen, and horrifically stupid Jaws rip-off to ever tarnish the seven seas. Seriously, someone should’ve sued.

Instead of a rather large shark, we’re stuck dealing with a killer whale hell-bent on vengeance that will use its advanced knowledge of pyrotechnics and its uncanny ability to evade continuity to win.

It all begins with a long montage of killer whales leaping heroically through the air. Even though they claim this is the ocean, I can blatantly see the bottom of the SeaWorld tank in my screen. The scene drags on…and on…and on…Imagine the director beating you over the head while screaming, “See! Whales do live in pods!”

In the next scene, a man falls out of a small boat into the water with a Great White shark while trying to start the motor. Miraculously, the stationary boat he practically did a cannonball off of two seconds ago is now 100 feet away. The shark takes aim and goes in for the kill, but never gets a bite. A killer whale speeds out of the depths to hit the

shark on the side; it shoots 90 degrees straight up and 20 feet out of water as if it accidentally set off a mine. Then it’s back to whale watching. Just in case you forgot, whales live in pods.

The actual plot follows Captain Nolan (Richard Harris), who decides he wants to capture and sell a killer whale. What’s he thinking?! Doesn’t he know that whales live in pods?! They have families, Nolan, families! Didn’t you watch the first 20 minutes of this movie? His plan goes astray. He misses the killer whale and hits its mate instead. The whale dies and the surviving orca goes on a rampage aimed at the local fishing village. This puts Nolan in a bind: he must kill the whale, or be killed by it himself.

Wait a minute…Richard Harris…isn’t that…?

I can hardly believe it, but it’s Dumbledore, 30 years younger and out hunting whales. You want to know why Dumbledore always kept his past secret? Because he was out making this movie! Albus, you clever weasel! Not even Rita Skeeter saw this one coming.

The whale decides it’s done screwing around, and breaks the gas pipes that line one of the docks. Then it rocks the base of a nearby building, knocking a kerosene lantern off a table. This causes a chain reaction that spreads fire all throughout the city, all the way up to the gasoline storage facility, which is destroyed in an unnecessarily large explosion. The whale happily leaps in the foreground, as if the director thought this scene was so awesome that he felt the need to put something in that was the equivalent of him

screaming “YEAH! YEAH!” at the viewer.I have no idea how the whale got such in-depth

knowledge on the concepts of flammability, how he knew there would be a lantern sitting in just the right place in the building he took such pains to disturb, or how he knew any of this would cause the town to burst into a blaze of hellfire, but I guess that’s the price I pay for watching this horrible movie.

After young Dumbledore realizes that his Aguamenti spells aren’t enough to put the town back together, he decides it’s time to meet the animal at sea in battle. But the whale isn’t interested in fighting just yet; it wants to lure them to its “own arctic turf” first. Blindly, the captain and his crew follow. Their ship is steered by that same stereotyped Native American man who inevitably appears in every killer whale movie ever made.

Eventually the crew reaches the Arctic, where the orca surprises them by pushing an iceberg across the Arctic Ocean and ramming it into young Dumbledore’s ship.

Come on, Albus! Try sectumsempra! Or levicorpus, that’ll teach him!

Alas, it is not to be. Our good friend Albus gets thrown hundreds of feet by the whale’s tail (?!) and the whale disappears under the wake, gloating in victory.

Unfortunately, this review leaves me with more questions than answers. How did young Albus get into the fisherman’s trade in the first place? And how will he return from the dead to aid The-Boy-Who-Lived?

J.K. Rowling you owe me answers, and I want them now.

Rating: PG-13 Time: 122 min Grade: B

There really is no reason Role Models shouldn’t be funny. It stars Paul Rudd, the guy who seems to

be cast in some minor role on almost every new comedy in theatres lately, yet somehow manages to always be funny and memora-ble. It also stars McLovin himself (Chris-topher Mintz-Plasse) and Stifler from American Pie (Seann William Scott). The movie certainly is funny and Rudd works well as a leading man.

Danny (Rudd) and Wheeler (Scott) are two friends who go around selling Minotaur energy drinks to kids at high school as part of a drug free program. Cynical Danny has become tired of selling energy drinks and his irrational behavior leads both of them to either have to go to jail or perform com-munity service at a child mentoring group called Sturdy Wings.

If giving the option of working with children instead of rightfully going to jail sounds ridiculous it’s because it is but the movie pulls it off well enough to not bother you too much. It’s at Sturdy wings that Danny and Wheeler met their “littles” whom they will be mentoring.

Danny is paired up with Augie, (Chris-topher Mintz-Plasse), a cape-wearing nerd who enjoys acting out medieval adventures. Wheeler is paired with Ronny (Bobb’e J. Thompson) a foul-mouthed little kid who quickly becomes the movie’s comedy crutch when nothing funnier is happening.

The movie is pretty predictable from that point on. Danny and Wheeler have a hard time relating to their respective kid but eventually find something they both have in common and get into funny situations along the way.

Although the movie is formulaic and a little too heart-felt towards the end, it still offers plenty of laughs and probably the funniest moments involving a medieval fair in any movie this year. Of course, that’s not saying much.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months, or else are very socially deprived, you

know that Twilight, the newest teen cult-novel, premiered in movie form this past weekend – much to the absolute ecstasy of scores of screaming teenage girls who had been waiting for that day their entire lives.

Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison) is supposed to be the perfect guy: he’s hot, he’s rich, he’s sensitive, he’s talented, he’s an immortal vampire…do I have to go on? Seriously, I could. For days.

This, of course, meant that poor Pattinson had some major shoes to fill. He had to not only live up to the astronomical expectations of a rabid female fanbase, but he also had to make the role of Edward Cullen – who is, let’s admit it, a very cliché character – fresh and original enough to appeal to the non-Twilight-reading audience.

In these objectives, he failed miserably.Pattinson looked wholly uncomfortable

through the entire movie as he spoke with Bella, his human love interest. I think that this may be due in part to the fact that Pattinson is British, and Edward is

not. Although Pattinson’s effort to sound American was admirable, it was also kind of hilarious; it sounded like he’d studied for the role by listening alternatively to George Bush’s speeches (“Yoo ah mah lyfe now-uh”) and the Godfather. (“I wanna hea’ yo teeries.”)

Pattinson could have hit the role so much harder, but he did have some redeeming scenes: I especially loved his sarcastic, half-baked excuses to prying questions. (“I had an adrenaline rush. It’s very common. You can Google it.”)

The movie wasn’t by any means a failure. In fact, it was the colorful and crazy supporting cast that saved the movie. Kristen Stewart, did a phenomenal job; she was exactly the person I expected Bella to be. She had the quiet sarcasm, the stubborn facial expressions, and the klutzy nature down. (She trips twice and hits Jacob, spectacularly played by Taylor Launtner, right in the noggin with her car door.)

Despite my crushing disappointment in Robert Pattison’s performance, his was the only portrayal in the movie that I felt wasn’t up to par. In fact, there were

some characters that really surprised me – namely, Charlie Swan (Billy Burke), Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli) and Emmett Cullen (Kellen Lutz).

It was a good movie. It was a good enough movie to stand alone, away from the books, and still be entertaining. Was it a smash hit? No. Was it everything crazed fans wanted it to be? No. The special effects were pathetic. Edward’s glittery skin was so unattractive. And the love between Edward and Bella was completely not there. I don’t even want to think about how

the few lines that were actually true to the book were delivered with a monotone why-am-I-saying-this kind of reluctance that was a real mood-killer. (It’s hard to go all gooey inside when Pattison says the “lion fell in love with the lamb”

line with a huge implied question mark at the end and a barely concealable oh-God-what-an-awful-line smile on his face.)

However – it was fun. It was a good movie. Of all the book-to-movie conversions I have ever seen, Twilight was the only one that really captured the feeling of the novel. I view it as an addition – a side franchise to the books; supplemental but not actually part of the series.

‘Twilight’ leaves fans bloodthirsty for more details

Foul mouth kid serves as movie’s comedy crutch in ‘Role Models’

photos/WWW.TWILIGHTTHEMOVIE.COM

Rating: R Time: 99 min Grade: B+

SportsSports The Lion’s Tale14 November 24, 2008

Students, spectators keep sports alive Talking Cents

Football - $77,000 Basketball -$14, 000 Others - less than $5,000 Booster Club raises $30,000 - $40,000 each year Total: $125,000

LIONS PACK STANDS. Lions fans pack the stands at a football game. Each person in the photo paid $8.00 per ticket - $4.80 of each entry fee went directly to support the team that the fans are rooting for. The remainder went into the main sports budget to help support other sports.

photo/BROOKE FIDRICKillustration/ VICTORIA PERSAMPIERE

“Athletics doesn’t take away one desk or one book from anyone!

We raise every dime we have.”Coach John Howell, Athletics Director

Whether you know it or not, you helped buy Junior Blake Bortles’ helmet. You also paid for part of

freshman Alex Worthen’s soccer jersey, and for the painted lines on the football field. You bought enough basketballs to keep the boys and girls basketball teams happy for an entire season. You, the faithful sports fan, are literally the heart of all school sports.

“We get absolutely nada from the county,” Athletic Director John Howell explained as he reviewed the sports budget he keeps on tidy spreadsheets on his computer. “The only thing they give us is some money for the buses for the entire band, and all the teams. By the time just football season ends, we have no money.”

When you think about it, playing a sport is a pricey business. A team needs uniforms, safety gear, balls, bats, pads, rackets, practice equipment and not to mention a stadium for their fans to watch them from. Where in the world would the school get enough money to fund 27 full sports teams?

Put simply: from you. “Any gated sport – swim, football,

basketball, lacrosse, soccer, you know – we collect the money from ticket sales, and a

percentage of the profit goes to the sport playing to help cover the cost

of what they need.”

Howell said. “After that, about 60% of it goes to the general athletics budget to help pay for non-gate sports like tennis. We raise every dime we spend.”

In the last edition of the Lion’s Tale, 49% of students polled said that they thought that the school should make budget cuts from the athletics program – which would be very hard to do, considering that the school actually budgets exactly zero dollars for the sports department.

“ E v e r y b o d y in the community seems to have the same idea – that we spend tons of money on sports,” Howell said. “It’s not true! We raise

all the money ourselves.”Ticket sales just aren’t enough to fund the

entire athletics department; approximately $30,000 - $40,000 of the athletics budget comes from the efforts of the Booster Club.

“Fundraisers, membership fees and sponsorships – that’s where we raise our money,” said Angie Williford, a past president of the Booster Club. “There used to be this huge carnival in the mall parking lot – that was our main fundraiser. But now with the construction we can’t

do it. That was a big hit to the Booster Club.”

Despite the loss of the carnival, the Booster Club is still essential

to the sports programs. “The best way to help

support Athletics is to come out to the games and

to have your parents join the Booster Club.”Raising money to support all 27

sports teams is a tall order – despite common opinion, and without any help

from the county, the sports teams manage to be entirely self-sufficient.

The coaches receive small supplements from the county for their coaching, hours. Head coaches for most sports generally make between $2,000 and $3,000 a year in addition to their county-paid salaries.

“Coaches earn less than $500 a month from the county for coaching six days a week.” Howell said “It’s like being a teacher or a nurse; nobody’s in it for the money. Most of the coaches I know spend what we earn on the kids anyway, to help pay for things that the kids might not be able to afford themselves, like team shoes or bags or something.”

Basically, running a sports team is, well, a team effort.

“We raised every dime that we have – of course we’re going to spend it,” said Howell. “Athletics isn’t taking away one desk, [or]

one book from anyone.”

Victoria Persampierenews editor

The athletics program relies heavily on the money earned by ticket sales. Here’s the figures for just how much money students shelled out to see each sport last year.

The County pays supplement salaries to coaches, band directors, and other teachers who donate their time and effort to the school.

Football: $3,465 $2,445Basketball: $3,058 $2,445Baseball: $2,651 $2,039Swimming: $2,039 $1,632Wrestling: $2,651 $2,039

head coach assistant coach

SportsThe Lion’s Tale 15November 24, 2008

SATTests are stressful.

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Lions down biggest rivalConnor Bailey

sports editor

KICK INTO GEAR. Senior defender Caitlin Millich kicks the ball into a Lake Mary player’s shin during the game on Nov. 19. Sophomore forward Katie O’Kennedy looks onward hoping to help her teammate. The lions won 4-3 in a highly contested game.

photo/GRAHAM CHRISTENSEN

The lady lions love to score fast.With a record of 7-0, the lions

recorded a huge win over the talented Lake Mary Rams on Nov. 19.

The ladies started the game with two goals within the first ten minutes scored by junior forward Jillian Peppiatt and sophomore forward Katie O’Kennedy.

“It felt great to contribute to my team and lead them to victory in such an important game,” said O’Kennedy.

Following the quick start the ladies settled down the pace of the game.

“We worked the ball around more and we were more patient. We weren’t thinking we had to score right away all the time,” said sophomore outside midfielder Morgan Campbell.

But the game was far from over.“After we scored the second goal we

stopped playing at an intense level, which came back to hurt us,” said O’Kennedy.

Six minutes into the second and final half the Rams scored one of their three goals.

“We scored early, but then we settle down thinking it would be an easy win, but they just came back and shoved it down our throats,” said sophomore sweeper Meagan Borger.

Katie O’Kennedy’s picture perfect goal

from the 20 yard line put the lions up 4-2 in the second half, but the momentum soon swung the Ram’s way.

With less than seven minutes left in the game, the Rams scored a goal off a corner kick and put pressure right back on the lion’s defense.

“There was a lot of pressure to keep Lake Mary from scoring which would tie up the game. It felt really good to hold them off and win the game,” said junior stopper April Asby.

“We won the game, but I wanted to walk off the field saying I gave everything I had, but I couldn’t say that about this game,” said Borger.

The Lion’s passed the test against Lake Mary with a score of 4-3.

“Lake Mary is our biggest rival and has the most talent in the area so it gave us a good idea to what we are going to be up against this season,” said sophomore center midfielder Colleen O’Kennedy.

Last years team was loaded with talent, but this year’s team looks to be equal, if not better.

“I really feel we have more goal scorers to threaten the opposing team this year compared to last season. The chemistry also seems a lot better than last year’s team. We are all getting along as a team and bonding,”

said Peppiatt.The team finished with a record of 19-2-2

and reached the state finals losing in penalty kicks against Wellington.

“Our team is well experienced and has a lot of talent; I believe that will propel us to winning a state title this year,” said senior

center midfielder Kara Mundelein.The road ahead contains few challenges

but enough to get the team ready for the state tournament. The team will participate in the Michelle Akers tournament on Dec. 19 to Dec. 23 and will encounter another meeting with Lake Mary on Dec. 12 at Lake Mary.

throughout it all, just bowling the way my body knows how.”

Leonard won the first game 181-163, but lost the second one 179-190. In the third and final game, she crushed Harp with the score 232-158.

“I just broke down in tears because I was so happy,” said Leonard. “When I finished the game, it was the best feeling in the world.”

Leonard credits Coach Paul Wilkie with helping her overcome her nerves and improve her game throughout both the season and the tournament.

“I couldn’t have done it without Coach Wilkie there supporting me after every shot, helping me make minor adjustments to improve my game, and basically keeping me sane throughout it all,” said Leonard. “Our team is really blessed to have such an amazing coach, and I couldn’t be more thankful to him for everything.”

While crushing the other girls in the individual championship, Leonard also competed with her fellow Lady Lions in the team competition.

The Lady Lions lost their first match to Cypress Creek, losing 1-3.

“After losing our first match, we got sent to the loser bracket. We had to win six straight matches in order to make it to the championship and somehow we did,” said Leonard.

The girls made it to the finals, eventually losing to St. Lucie West Centennial High School.

Although they fell short of first place, the team ranks as state runners up.

“It has been an awesome feeling knowing that I was a part of an amazing team,” said senior Ashley Malmstrom.

Malmstrom transferred from Hagerty this year. Defeating the Huskies was a great achievement for her.

“Coming from Hagerty High School and bowling against them made them rivals,” said Leonard.

“Hagerty has always been a rival of OHS. It was very satisfying beating them at states.”

Malmstrom is one of the best on bowling team. She played in almost every match, but had to sit out for some matches.

“I have really serious tendonitis in my knee, so I sat out when it was really bothering me,” said Malmstrom.

The boy’s team also placed second in the state, but eventually lost to Martin County High with scores of 3-2 and 3-1.

Boys’ bowling team takes second

Senior Daniel Leonard shares mixed feelings about the team’s success

“It’s both incredible and disappointing because it’s a great way to end my senior year of bowling,” said Daniel. “But to go so far and fall short of first gets me down a little. Overall, however, the team had a great season and I am so proud to be a part of it.”

Aside from being proud of his teammates, Leonard is also happy for his little sister Julie ranking first in state.

“I was and still am so proud of what my sister has accomplished,” said Leonard. “We’ve spent years learning to bowl together, and it’s amazing that she made it all the way to the top in the state.”

Malmstrom also shows appreciation for her teammate.

“Once Julie made it to the finals I knew she had it,” said Malmstrom. “She had put a lot of effort into the bowling team. She had an amazing season finishing off in the top two highest averages in the season. I love her; she is really like a sister to me.”

In addition to being State Champion, Leonard was named both Athlete of the Week and Bowler of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel.

“It was, and still is extremely overwhelming,” said Leonard. “Everything that happened- it’s just so surreal. I’m getting interviews and phone calls from newspapers. This experience has been so incredible.”

Although Leonard is ecstatic about ranking first, she feels there’s more happening that has not been recognized as much.

“It’s not just being State Champion that’s incredible,” said Leonard. “I got to be on a State Runner-Up team with seven of the most amazing girls I know. All of us poured our hearts and souls into each match, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

from BOWLING, page 1

Sports The Lion’s Tale16 November 24, 2008

Paintball

Coaches issue invitation to girlsTien Holmes

staff reporter

Julia Thorncroftstaff reporter

The junior varsity boys wrestling team opened the year with a win against Seminole High and a loss against

Deland High. The junior varsity girls lost against Seminole, but in the match against Deland High, the OHS female wrestlers had to be content to watch.

Deland High does not have a girls wrestling team.

The OHS JV team accepts more than just men; the invitation extends to women as well.

Five freshman girls have joined the squad along with five upperclassmen.

According to Coach Rafael VAlle, more females are trying out for wrestling and that increases their chances of getting college scholarships that often go unused.

Freshman Jocelyn Santos has a variety of extracurricular activities and finds time for wrestling practice.

“I have ROTC every Tuesday and Thursday,” said Santos. “Wrestling is Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.”

Even with a rigorous schedule Santos strives to be at wrestling practice for the benefits it provides.

“It’s [wrestling] not your typical girl sport,” said Santos. “Wrestling teaches us how to dominate and tame our bodies. It’s a way to not get in trouble and gives us something to do.”

Freshman Kayla Cartagena attends wrestling practice despite her schedule that includes NJROTC, volleyball, and Police Exploring, an off campus club.

“People should stay more active,” said Cartagena. “You definitely get a workout wrestling. Their physical training, running, and weight lifting looked really interesting and it’s just fun.”

First year head Coach Valle is excited about the number of girls out for the team this year.

“We’ve had a great turnout this year,” said Valle. “There is always a need for more, and we want boys and girls to come out. Wrestling is for anyone.”

Even though the coaches strongly urge both sexes to participate in the sport, there hasn’t been much of a girl’s team since 2007.

“I think the women’s program is in its infancy, but it has potential” said Valle. “When the girls team develops the same skills [as the men], we expect the same results.”

The women’s team is fairly young because of the number of freshman girls who attend practices.

However, the stigma of being a male dominated sport doesn’t effect the male wrestlers on the team.

Senior Xavier Santiago wrestled on the 2007 junior varsity team where girls were on the team too.

“I think it’s great to have girls on the team,” said Santiago. “It gives them an opportunity to be part of a real competitive sport.”

Sophomore Morgan Cassel points to her jaw, showing where her best friend shot her in the mouth.

“We were playing paintball,” said Cassel. “It was my second time ever playing. My best friend was checking for a safety trigger on the gun. She was standing three feet away from me, and the gun was pointed at me when she accidentally shot me.”

Despite the injury, and a bruise that lasted for three weeks, Cassel became addicted to paintball.

“I started to paintball when I was about nine or ten. It’s unfortunate that I don’t get to play that often”, said Cassel, “but I enjoy playing every time I go.”

Blasting paintballs at opponents isn’t challenging for senior Trey Beverly. Beverly plays on a paintball team in Central Florida and competed in the World Cup.

The World Cup lasted from Oct. 22-26 at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. The World Cup consisted of nearly 400 teams from around the globe.

While Cassel plays paintball just for fun, Beverly plays in a league.

“I practice about two times a week at Epik Paintball on East Colonial Drive,” said Beverly.

Epik Paintball, located on 14200 East Colonial Drive, is a seven acre, all outdoors facility in Orlando that helps with both regular players and first-timers. Epik has professionally trained staff members who are experienced in paintball who can help guide beginners.

Cassel usually plays paintball with her friends and her church group at Orlando Paintball (OP) located at 7215 Rose Avenue off of Orange Blossom Trail. OP is the largest indoor and outdoor paintball facility and proshop in Florida.

The costs of equipment can be a major downside to paintball. Some players go all out and spend thousands of dollars for equipment while people who play for fun spend a few hundred dollars.

F o r protective gear, most people get the paintball marker, air tank, hopper, and a mask, whereas other people get knee and arm pads, paintball pants and jerseys.

“As far as safety and protection, you definitely need a mask,” said Cassel. “For clothes, you should wear long sleeves and sweatpants. Basically anything you feel comfortable in.”

What some beginners and other people fear about paintball is getting hit.

“It doesn’t hurt that bad when you get hit, as long as you wear protective gear,” said Beverly.

Beverly suffered from one minor injury. “I tore one of my ligaments once while sliding,” said Beverly. “I only missed out on one event, so it wasn’t that big of a deal.”

Although Beverly thinks that getting shot doesn’t hurt, Cassel has some different opinions.

“Getting shot with a paintball gun is like getting rocks thrown at you,” said Cassel. “And by rocks, I don’t mean little pebbles, but stones.”

Players say adrenaline flows during combat

The girls are expected to compete and carry the torch as four year state champs just as vigorously as the men.

“Wrestling is about dedication and understanding. Four year state champs don’t come from training three months a year,” said Valle. “It comes from being with the Oviedo high school program five days a week and working with the best coaches.”

“We are here to announce that there is a girls wrestling team and we need more girls,” said Santos.

Although paintball can be seen as only physically demanding, it’s also mentally

demanding.“Paintball is

a fun activity to run around and randomly shoot at your friends,” said Cassel, “but it’s more than that. You have to be in good physical shape

and you need to have some sort of strategy in playing.”

Cassel plays capture the flag with her friends, whereas Beverly plays xball competitively. For both games, it’s important to be in top physical shape and also be clever and strategic.

Regardless of the injuries she’s endured, Cassel still enjoys paintball.

“It’s just a fun sport. I enjoy getting to run around with my friends and legally shoot them.” said Cassel.

A portrait of fun

Places to Paintball

Al’s Army: 1440 E Altamonte Dr Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Orlando Paintbal : 7215 Rose Ave. Orlando, FL 32812

“Getting shot with a paintball gun is like getting rocks thrown at you... I don’t mean little pebbles, but stones.”

Morgan Cassel ‘11

GIRL POWER. Freshman Jocelyn Santos puts a half, a move designed to break an opponent down, on feshman Denice Encarnacion as sophomore Kurt Keebler offers suggestions.

photo/GRAHAM CHRISTENSEN

Epik Paintball Field: 14200 East Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32826

Hypersports Park: 5080 Hoffner Ave.Orlando, FL 32812

photo/CARLY MCCARTHYillustration/CONNOR BAILEY

SportsThe Lion’s Tale 17November 24 2008

-

Savanah Lacey, now 14, still remembers the day she won the “walk and trot” class in a horse show, when she was

only 10 years old.When Lacey arrived at Wendover stables at

6:30 on Sept. 29, 2004, she felt “nervous and excited”.

When Lacey remembers what she wore, she laughs, “I wore khaki breaches, black paddock boots, garters (for under her knees), a polo, black glove, and a helmet.”

When asked how she had to style her hair, Lacey replied, “I wore a hairnet, I hate hairnets! All my hair got bunched up on top!”

When Lacey mounted her horse, Porsha, she felt “really excited.”

When Lacey trotted around on Porsha, she says that she knew today was going to be a good day, their day to shine.

When Lacey was waiting for the results, Porsha was nervously walking around like she knew something was about to happen.

When the announcer said her name as the winner for the “walk and trot” class, Lacey screamed, along with her grammy.

When they announced said she won, Porsha stepped in ants.

When Lacey met up with her family after claiming her ribbons, her instructor, Leslie, was there. “Leslie was really happy.”

When Lacey’s family went out to celebrate, at Chili’s (where her father was working), Lacey ordered a cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake.

When Lacey returned home later day at noon, she was the proud owner of seven new ribbons (two 1st place, two 2nd place, and two 3rd place, plus another first place ribbon for winning the class).

When Lacey thinks back to that day, she can’t help but feel proud and smile her gorgeous smile.

Now when Lacey mounts a horse, usually Riggy, she sometimes thinks she’s ten again, trotting around on Porsha.

Their time to shine.

Guest Columnist

Backstroker sets new school record at stateFemale swimmer sophomore Paige Moorhead has recently

experienced a lot of success in her event, the 100 meter backstroke. On Nov. 14, Moorhead swam a 58.37 time, not

only breaking the school record, but was also deemed eigth best in the state. Moorhead was the only swimmer to compete in states for Oviedo High School.

The boys golf team had their run of success but came short as they placed 8 out of 12 at districts. Seniors Adam Kipi, and Troy Norton shot an 81, 9 over the

course par of 71. This is quite a drop-off in standings as Kipi and Norton came in 1st and 2nd at conference respectively. The team ended the season winning against three opponents.

Boy’s golf disappoints at districts this year

Girl’s varsity basketball starts off rocky

In a slight defeat, the girl’s varsity basketball team lost 42-40 in their first game on Nov. 18 to the Lake Mary Rams. The team also faced a crushing defeat against Father Lopez in their

preseason classic. Against the Rams, junior Annemarie Hauser and senior Katia Vales each scored 9 points. The JV team on the other hand, dominated Lake Mary 39-17, with sophomore Katie O’Hanlon shooting a team high of 10 points.

Upcoming Games12/03Girls Soccer @ Seminole12/04Boys Soccer Vs Winter SpringsGirls Basketball Vs Winter Springs12/05Boys Basketball @ Hagerty12/06Boys Varsity Wrestling @ Citris HighGirls Basketball @ EdgewaterBoys Basketball Vs Celebration High12/09Girls Basketball @ SeminoleBoys Soccer @ Lake Mary

Lions Tale: What three character traits would you use to describe yourself?Lee Wildes: I would say blunt, hard working, and super-slow.LT: What do you do in your spare time?LW: I don’t have spare time; all my time goes to wrestling.LT: How would you weigh a plane without scales?LW: I would lift the plane in one hand, and lift weights in the other until the weight was equal.LT: How many times does a clock’s hands overlap in one day?LW: 22, the hands overlap every 65 minutes, not every 60.LT: What is the best movie you have seen in this past year?LW: Definitely The Hulk, because it reminds me of myself! LT: What would you say to me if I got you an elephant?LW: I wouldn’t say anything. I would look at it, and then wrestle it.LT: If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be?LW: I would be Erin O’Dell, also known as the gorilla.LT: What drives you to wrestle?LW: I wrestle to be able to say that I’m better than you.LT: What significant awards have you won in wrestling?LW: I was an All-American in Greco-Roman, 3rd in the nation in Greco, and 17th in the nation for sophomore and freshman Folk Style. LT: What would you say your favorite part of the sport is?LW: Wrestling is the only sport where I can slam a girl on the mat!LT: What is your most embarrassing moment from wrestling?LW: My most embarrassing moment from wrestling was when a girl bit me during a wrestling match.

with Colin Perry

Lee Wildes

Oviedo High’s boy’s soccer team had mixed results in their games against Lake Howell High School. The boy’s junior varsity team edged out a win 2-1,

while the varsity team was crushed 4-0. The boys are back in action on Dec. 4 against Winter Springs at home.

Boy’s varsity soccer lose against Silver Hawks

AIM TO SCORE. (Left) Senior Sydarius Collier shoots over sophomore Jay Thomas. Collier is on the varisty basketball team. (Right) Senior Jason Guerrier shows off his dunk skills during practice. Guerrier also starts on the varsity lions basketball team.

photos/BROOKE FIDRICK

The Roar

Senior Lee Wildes faces off on the mat

Stephanie O’Sullivan

Freshman remembers shining moment as a prize-winning equestrian

Kevin Baird staff artist

The human element

Op-edLION’S TALEOUR WORD

Fake ID’s lead to very real consequences

Some students feel that if they don’t have the privileges they would like, they can resort to the use of fake ID’s. Though they are breaking the law, many feel that if they are caught the consequences will be minimal due to their young age. That is not the case. We feel that the student population is not as informed as they should be about the consequences of breaking ID laws.

Having a fake ID in your possession, even if you are not using it, is still a crime and you can be arrested for it. Even more jail time is involved if using a fake ID to buy alcohol, and even more for driving a car without your real driver’s license. Counterfeiting fake ID’s is the worst form of breaking ID laws and can get you up to 15 years in jail.

While there are instances of people not getting caught using a fake ID, the consequences are brutal and stay with you for the rest of your life. Clubbing isn’t the issue that most police care about. It’s drinking. Police don’t kid about driving while intoxicated. There is zero tolerance as a driver could seriously harm pedestrians, other drivers, and themselves.

Some clubs and store owners are lax about checking ID’s but that shouldn’t encourage you because police officers don’t mess around. All are trained in spotting a fake ID and all actually compare your face with the picture on the ID.

Why rush just to drink or go clubbing? You are only a few years away from being able to legally do them. Enjoy your youth with your friends, and if your friends don’t want to do anything other than go clubbing and encourage you to break the law knowing the consequences, it’s time to find new friends.

Being more informed on the consequences could save your future. With a criminal record following you around from something you thought was harmless could prevent your future from blooming. You could have trouble finding jobs and you will have that humiliation following you for the rest of your life.

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.

“In America, the President reigns for four years, and journalism governs for ever and ever.”

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 Editors: 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.

Oscar Wilde

Op-Ed The Lion’s Tale18 November 24, 2008

My parents took me everywhere when I was younger. To their dismay, I had an excellent sense

of direction. Come hell or high water, I always found my way back home.

Obviously, abandonment was never an intentional problem in my early years. Things always just turned out that way. I was the kid with the short attention span who too often became engrossed in some far-flung shiny object or another. After a brief period of distraction, I’d whirl around and feel as if I’d been marooned on the shores of some forlorn desert island.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear that people ran when I had my back turned.

By the time I was ten, however, this was no longer the case. I’d heard my name announced over intercoms so often that “reporting to front desk” became second nature.

My first clash with loneliness had turned me into a weepy mess. But it became such a commonplace occurrence that impatience eventually replaced hysteria.

Irritation guided me towards store lobbies even before the booming voice could summon me. I knew it was simply a matter of avoiding strangers and waiting for my mother’s approach.

As I sat Indian-style on the retail floor, I watched the passersby. Unnoticed, I felt like a ghost, like I was free to observe without being observed myself.

This is the reality, I fear, that future generations will be forced into. A way of life where men disregard the suffering of their kin and apathy reins supreme. Though modern-day parents suffocate their kids in an effort to maintain their innocence, it can’t be denied that we live in a dog eat dog world.

In fact, this was one of the first lessons I learned as a human being. Before my confirmation as an accident-prone adolescent, I lived in the ignorant bliss of a toddler.

But naivety is as much a curse as it is a gift.

I’m quite certain that if I’d ever stumbled upon a van with “free candy” engraved in the side, circumstance would have given way to tragedy.

Without a doubt, I would have ignored any bullet hole-dotted windshield or shady-looking occupants or muffled squeals seeping from the trunk – all in pursuit of a simple sugar rush.

I suppose it’s this natural curiosity that my parents have always unsuccessfully tried to suppress.

In an effort to bring about the desired change, they confined me to a child leash for several years.

But on one occasion, I escaped from my neon orange constraints and set out on an expedition through London Heathrow Airport. As the winter holiday season loomed forward, an ungodly number of travelers crammed into the structure. I took advantage of this busyness and slipped from the straps that wrapped around my belly.

I’m told that for hours I was a source of amusement for the bystanders who did nothing to thwart my flight. People couldn’t help but chuckle as they pointed out the escape route to my frantic caregivers.

In the end, I was snagged by airport security.

Beyond my family, not one soul seemed to regard me as anything more than an accessory to the building. For all they cared, I was a piece of furniture that the staff had forgotten to tie down.

I’ve spent the better part of a decade thinking about these childhood experiences. I can see, now, that all those onlookers had reduced me to less than I was. In public places, things would always turn sour and I was the “problem” that nobody wanted to get their hands on.

The failure of people to intervene was a

blatant act of dehumanization.And, of course, this truth is not

only limited to toddlers separated from their guardians.

Dehumanization is an international phenomenon. This same policy of ignorance applies to a war-torn Darfur, to the human trafficking taking place on three continents, to those commercials that plead, “Feed the children.”

I’ve come to realize it’s unquestionable. When confronted with dire situations, individuals avert their eyes and turn their ears deaf.

As children, we shout, “Spread good will.” But as adults, we whisper, “Every man for himself.” Are we really so reluctant to tap into our own humanity?

It’s about time we learned that evil prevails when good individuals fail to act. One of the lesser-known ill effects of cruelty is that it renders all bystanders cruel.

illustration/KEVIN BAIRD

Built to please

Don’ t j u s t s i t t he r e , t ake a c t i on

Cartoon by Mike Mangos

Emily Cottrell co-diversions-editor

Miranda Harmon staff artist

Miranda’s Marvelous

Musings

Op-EdThe Lion’s Tale November 24, 2008 19

Voters deny gay marriage rights

Don’t get me wrong; those of you who know me know that I’m still celebrating the outcome of this

year’s election. But there’s one thing that disturbs me greatly.

Why is it that people don’t want gay marriage?

Well, of course that’s a stupid question. From what I understand, people want marriage to remain a sacred bond between a man and a woman, and are concerned in the religious sense.

However, with the passing of amendments in several states either banning gay marriage or weakening gay rights, I find myself asking this question again.

I know what you all are thinking. “Oh, Miranda, just shut up already!” I’ve always been pretty vocal about this issue, and the truth is that I’ve wanted to write this column for a very long time.

I’ll say right now that gay marriage laws will not directly impact me. I am not gay, and do not intend to get married to another woman, but this is much bigger than me.

Here’s what I don’t get about the religious concerns.

This is the United States of America. We are not a theocracy, but if we base laws off of religious documents, we might as well be. The separation of church and state is a pillar that this country stands on, and if we knock it down, we’re that much weaker.

Besides, the Bible also says that you aren’t supposed to eat shellfish. Why isn’t anyone carrying around signs that say, “God Hates Red Lobster?”

And as for sanctity, what about divorce? Why is it that two perfectly respectable

individuals of the same sex who love each other can’t get married, while celebrities can marry and divorce within the same day? If it’s sanctity you want, then how can you stand the number of divorces happening each year?

The union of two loving people, regardless of gender, is never a “threat” to the institution of marriage, or this country. Homosexuals wanting to marry pose no dangers to you or me, or to anyone for that matter.

Okay, so maybe gay marriage is a new, scary idea to some people. Maybe people are afraid. But why?

Not too long ago, interracial marriages were against the law. Since then, we have evolved as a society to embrace diversity, and now we must do so again.

You may believe that homosexuality is wrong, that being gay is a sin. You

may believe that God hates gays, but that doesn’t change one fact.

The fact is that we are all human beings. We all feel pain, we all change and grow, and we all love. Regardless of what you believe, there are plenty of perfectly respectable gay men and women who live, grow, and love just the same as we do.

And here in America, the land of opportunity, it’s been said again and again that all men are created equal.

So I ask of all of you, please consider this issue again.

When it comes down to it, it’s about the government having control over a person’s sexuality and personal life. Not only is that never going to happen, but in the “land of the free,” it shouldn’t.

This isn’t about what Jesus would want, or what qualifies as “sacred.” This is about discrimination, and it needs to be stopped.

illus

tratio

n/M

IRA

ND

A H

ARM

ON

Reasons behind the seasons

The holiday season is here and you know what that means. It’s time to stop wallowing in your teenage angst and start

rediscovering the only time in your life when you were happy, your childhood.

I love the holidays, all of them, and you should too. I love the crisp, chilly weather, the tacky decorations and the homeless mall Santas they pay in bottles of Jack Daniels.

I’ve never been so excited as I am after I’ve eaten enough candy to pass out in a diabetic coma on Halloween. Or when I’m trying to remember what the names of my relatives are on Thanksgiving.

There are a lot of misconceptions about the holidays though and that’s what this article is going to be about.

First, let’s talk about Christmas, which happens to be the only time of the year when I’m a devote Christian. Maybe church should be more like Christmas. I know I’d go more often if I got an Xbox every time I walked in the door.

I also find it interesting that Santa, a fat, German housebreaker is the mascot for Christmas. It may be Jesus’ birthday but St. Nick is definitely the life of the party.

Anyway, did you know that the suicide rate doesn’t actually go up on Christmas as is currently believed. In fact, it goes down. I guess

Santa stopped handing out cyanide pills.I’m not sure how this myth became

popularized but it doesn’t seem so strange considering all the unbearable Christmas specials they play on TV. Or maybe some people just don’t know how to deal with the fact that Santa isn’t real.

It’s a good thing this myth isn’t true because there’s nothing that kills the holiday spirit faster than seeing someone hang themselves with their own Christmas lights.

You think they could have at least done it on Halloween, that way people could just play it off as part of the decorations.

Speaking of Halloween, which has already passed but is too much fun not to mention, do you know what it’s supposed to be a celebration of?

I always thought it was a celebration of childhood obesity but it actually started off as some sort of pagan celebration.

The holiday started as a Celtic celebration of the beginning of winter, when the dead could supposedly pass into our world.

Then the Romans conquered the Celts and realized how much fun they were having sacrificing animals so they decided to steal the holiday.

It’s okay though; the remaining Celts toilet papered Rome that night and a tradition was

born.I’m not sure what any of that has to do with

fun-sized Snickers bars but I’ll go with it.Anyway, there’s no real myths associated

with Halloween except for how it turned into a holiday where people fool themselves into believing that their the only one whose going to be dressed as the Joker.

Next up, Thanksgiving. Wow, there are too many misconceptions about this Holiday to write about here so I’ll go with the most obvious misunderstanding.

Everyone knows that the first Thanksgiving probably didn’t go the way your second grade teacher told you. The pilgrims most likely didn’t invite the Indians to eat with them and if they did, they probably made them sit at the kid’s table.

If the Indians were invited to the first

Thanksgiving I’m willing to bet they didn’t get any turkey. They probably just got a heaping plate full of smallpox.

I always wondered what Indians do during Thanksgiving. I bet they just sit around and wish they had invented gunpowder earlier.

Well, that wraps up my special holiday themed article. I hope you found this amusing and ended up even more confused about the holidays then before you read this. I know I did.

Citizenship mixes cultures

Ashley Aschoff, ‘09

“Yes, because it will keep people out of trouble.”

Britney Scott, ‘10

BecausePobody’s Nerfect

Michael Mangos staff reporter

illustration/MICHAEL MANGOS

Now, I can’t be deported. I don’t have to worry about not getting a scholarship just because I’m not American. And, when I

turn 18, I can vote. See, I was born to my British parents in

Canada, leaving me with both British and Canadian citizenship. I moved to Oviedo a while ago, so I’m fully equipped with an American accent and everything.

But until a few weeks ago, I only belonged to those two countries. I grew up in an American environment, but technically, I wasn’t American. Then my dad applied for citizenship, and took a test on American history and government that, let’s face it, many kids in this school couldn’t pass.

After he passed all the tests, my dad received a letter informing him of his citizenship ceremony. I decided to tag along.

When finally admitted into the auditorium where the ceremony was held, the family and friends shuffled into the red cushioned seats to the soft sounds of patriotic music.

Eventually, the 627 immigrants filed in. The ceremony contained many speeches on the importance of immigrants to this great nation. Later, the coordinator (a heavy-accented immigrant himself) had the prospective citizens stand when their birth country was called.

Around 82 countries were represented that day. I sat in awe as each person stood; representing such an array of unique cultures, showing me that America still creates a better life for so many people.

Then came the oath of allegiance. Every immigrant recited it fragment by fragment. In the oath, these people renounce all allegiance to any foreign countries and vow to stand by the Constitution and the United States.

This shook me. All of those people just renounced their allegiance to those unique cultures. Bam. Just like that. I sat there trying to imagine a proud American renouncing his citizenship. I couldn’t. So these people just sacrificed some of their cultural pride for the United States.

Trust me. I love living here. But giving up my Canadian and British citizenship? That would be hard for me. So I truly respect those people for making a better life for themselves and their families, letting that aspect become much less important.

When a parent becomes a citizen, a child under the age of 18 is entitled to citizenship too. So when all 627 immigrants became Americans, I became a citizen too.

I thought about this as the new citizens waved their little American flags, as George Bush’s prerecorded video message enforced the fact that immigrants are just so darn important, and as the familiar words, “and I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free” echoed in the background.

And I guess I am proud to be American. I’m just as proud to British and just as proud to be Canadian, but according to all the speakers at the ceremony, this country needs immigrants. And I’m glad to be here.

GuestColumn

Columnist disagrees

Poll out of 100 students taken 11/25, 12/1

“No, because it is none of the school’s business to be in our personal lives.”

Features The Lion’s Tale20 November 24, 2008

David Parsonsstaff reporter

Freshmen Steve Tillis wakes to his alarm in the early morning hours of the school week to find eight pairs of eyes staring

back at him. The flick of the light switch reveals that he is surrounded on all sides by a rather large population of snakes and lizards. While this would be a nightmare come true for some, Tillis wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I guess it all started catching snakes with my granddaddy when I was six or seven,” says Tillis. “I got my first turtles when I was ten and my first snake a year later.”

Since that time, Tillis has developed a passion for reptiles of all sorts and sizes.

“Turtles were my first pets, but they were too messy,” Tillis said. “Lizards were next, but they turned out to be way too expensive. Snakes were a lot easier to deal with – since they only eat about once a week, I only had to spend about two or three dollars a week on food.”

Over the past four years, Tillis’ collection has grown beyond a single pet or two. He currently owns six snakes (two ball pythons, two Kenyan sand boas, one carpet python and a corn snake), two gecko lizards, and two red-footed tortoises that he raises for a local research center known as the Chelonian Institute.

As overwhelming as this may seem, Tillis guarantees that his collection will only get bigger as time goes on.

“There is a joke in the reptile world: snakes are like potato chips, you can never have just one.”

With eight animals living under the same roof with Tillis, space can at times be an issue.

“All the walls to my room are basically composed of my snake and lizard cages. Luckily they’re mostly all small snakes. The biggest is the carpet python,

which should grow to be around seven feet. Even though the sounds large, it’s not even close to being considered a “big snake”, which usually implies that it’s around 20 feet.”

Tillis adds that the tortoises are kept in a separate room where there is less foot traffic because they get stressed easily.

“As far as the enclosures themselves go, the animal’s size actually isn’t that big of a problem. I taught myself to build my own cages out of wood and Plexiglas. It’s really not that hard it saves a lot of money, since you don’t have to keep buying different cages as the snake or lizard grows.”

Though Tillis usually has to keep the animals in separate enclosures, he’s recently been trying his hand at breeding.

“It feels good because you know that you are caring for them so well that they feel comfortable enough to have babies. It’s the ultimate sign that you are doing something right. I’ll probably sell the new snakes to help pay for food and stuff.”

Tillis’ work with reptiles doesn’t stop when he leaves the house. For about an hour every Sunday, he works at the Chelonian Institute in downtown Oviedo, a research and conservation center that boats the world’s third largest turtle and tortoise museum collection. Dr. Peter Pritchard, one of the world’s leading turtle zoologists, heads the institute.

“My dad found out about the Institute from his Rotary Club when Dr. Pritchard visited and gave a speech. He told me about it and we called Dr. Pritchard and I started working there the next day. It’s a very low profile place and it’s very easy to drive right by it, even when you are looking for it. Since it is a private institute, very few people come locally u n l e s s they are doing

v o l u n t e e r work. Most of the people who visit it are

from international places and are just staying to look at specimens or to see Dr. Pritchard. For example I met two guys that were from Guyana and another lady who was from Madagascar.”

Tillis works with a vide variety of tortoises, including red-footed tortoises, African-spurred tortoises, box turtles, Aldabran tortoises, and Galapagos tortoises.

“It can be hard to take care of the Galapagos turtles because they are very big and not very smart.

When they decide to go somewhere t h e y don’t r e a l l y stop for

anything i n their way, even if it’s another

turtle. Sometimes you’ll see a turtle will be

flipped onto its back after another turtle runs into it, and they can’t get up”

If one thing is for certain, it’s that Tillis’ journey of working with animals has only just begun. Four years and counting since he bang his reptile collection, he has no intention of slowing down.

“It will definitely have a future working with animals, whether it’s at a zoo or a private reptile breeding facility I’m not sure yet. But my dream job would be working for Brian Barcyzk at BHB reptiles, one of the gods of the reptile world.”

Tillis encourages other to get involved with reptiles if they are enthusiastic, but to be aware of the commitment that goes along with it. Snakes can live for 20 years, lizards for 15, and tortoises for over 60.

“Be responsible about it – don’t just go out and buy an iguana or a big python or boa,” said Tillis. “Do your research and stay with beginner species.”

Snakeson a

BoySnakeThe Adventures

Of

shelfSnake facts:

Teen’s room turns into reptile realm

Kenyan sand boa’s, CooKie, and the unnamed female are unliKe any other snaKes, beCause they are burrowers.

rep-tillis uses many deviCes to Care for his reptiles.

Unlike a mammals’, a snake’s tongue is used to smell, not taste.

Snakes can live without eating for months.

The majority of snakes have over 200 teeth, none of which are used to chew. They only serve to hold the snake’s prey in place as it eats.

Snakes do not have ears, and are deaf to airborne sounds. However, they pick up vibrations in their jawbones, on the scent molecules on their tongue, and can even pick up some through their lungs.

Snakes do not blink. In fact, they have no eyelids at all. Instead, they have a clear scale that protects their eye.

Snakes can swallow prey up to three times larger than their own mouth thanks to special tendons in their mouth that are able to stretch very wide.

Some snakes lay eggs, others – including rattlesnakes and cottonmouths – give live birth.

compiled from snakecell.org

steve tillis, alter ego steve rep-tillis, builds his own Cages to house his variety of snaKes.

steve rep-tillis is breeding his ball pythons, Jenny and the unnamed male.

steve rep-tillis not only owns snaKes but various other reptiles suCh as gieCo, the leopard geCKo.

ozzie, the Jungle Carpet python, is one of steve rep-tillis’ many snaKes that resides in his snaKe realm. photos/CARSON BAILEY