theSpyglassMAY 2015BRADEN RIVER HIGH SCHOOLVOLUME 7 ISSUE 3

American Scholastic Press Association First Place Winner: 2013, 2014 & 2015 || 6545 State Road 70 East Bradenton, Florida 34203

How to be productive over summer vacation- page 4

Production of the Drama Club’s play- page 5

More Inside:

-Summer movie preview page 12

-Featurette on FFA member, Micah Gallagher page 6

-Fall sports highlights page 14

Suessical the Musical:

Summer Make or Break:

by Rolanda AntoineSENIOR STAFFER

In the last months before their graduation, seniors are savoring every last moment by particicipating in Grad Bash, hosting graduation parties, and having little get-togethers with

their friends and family before persuing their futures.

Photo courtesy of A Plus Pro Photo

As the last day of school rapidly approaches, seniors are attending different end of the year events to make lasting high school memories. Events such as Universal’s Grad Bash, Senior Breakfast, and Anchors Away bring the Class of 2015 together before graduation.

Universal’s Annual Grad Bash took place on Saturday, May 2nd when seniors had access to both The Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios and were able to watch rapper Trey Songz perform. Seniors had all access to the amusement park’s rides.

“Grab Bash was a great way to celebrate my senior year,” senior Alex Jock said.

Recently, senior exam exemptions were approved by the State legislature. In order to be

exempt, seniors must have had at least an eighty-six percent for both fourth and third quarters, but they must attend all classes on campus on May 18th and May 19th. Most seniors are happy with this exemption.

“I am glad that seniors have the opportunity to be exempt from exams because if offers an exclusive privilege for us,” senior Brandon Darpino said.

Seniors are also preparing for the night to remember: prom. This year’s prom is a night where seniors can dance the night away and spend time with great friends.

“Prom is by far my favorite event of the year and I cannot believe all of the work brought by the junior advisory board,” senior Kathryn Lutes said.

On Monday the 18th before exams begin, seniors will be able to attend a senior breakfast during first period in the cafeteria in order to celebrate the four years of hand work put forth by the graduating class.

In addition to that, on the night after of last day of school, seniors will be able to attend the first ever Anchors Away Celebration as a final farewell before commencement. This event will include dinner provided by different restaurants in the county, as well as music and fun and was planned by the senior avdisory board.

“All the events that the school is holding for us seniors allow students to bond with the kids they spent four years with,” Lutes said.

NEWS2 may 2015 the Spyglass

by Kelsey Fiander-CarrEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

FFA advances to state fair: Many FFA students who competed in this year’s county fair prepare to compete on the state fair level of competition.

The River’s Future Farmers of America’s (FFA) competitive season ended with a huge victory with many students advancing to the state fair competition.

Preparing for the county fair required many hours of practicing, judging, and hoping for a spot in the state fair in April. Students have options of participating in many competitions that are offered at fair. The fair offers competitions in horse, swine (pig), steer (male cow), and dairy heifer (female cow) showing and judging. The fair also offers awards in showmanship for plants.

At the county fair, junior Mackenzie Bryan received first place in the swine class and was the division reserve grand champion. Additionally, senior Rachel Elek placed first in class and was the division winner in swine judging.

“Judging is really cool because participants do not know their scores until the end. I was so surprised that I won because I have not been really involved with swine in over five years,” Elek said.

As for the showing of diary heifers, many of the River’s students placed in the top ten of showmanship. At the county fair, showers have the option of entering themselves and their heifers in the costume contest. Junior Jasmine Stanton, for instance, dressed her heifer as a zebra and received the most original award;sophomore Michael Fioretto received most creative with his costume as well.

Along with these students, many other FFA members advanced to the state fair competition. Some of these were seniors Emily Courson and Dahlia Sutliff, junior Emily Ralston, and sophomore Diana Courson. These members advanced for their work in livestock judging. In the same category, junior Michah Gallagher individually placed first with her score among 300 other competitors.

“It was really surprising [to win] because I did not think that I did very well,” Gallagher said.

Also, in horse judging, the River’s very own

Emily Courson, Gallagher, Ralston, and Amanda Neal, placed fourth out of 60 teams. At state fair, this same team placed fourth in their respected category. Neal competed in the Appaloosa Horse Show and won 1st in Youth Western pleasure, Youth and Novice Horsemanship and Youth Trail.

Although FFA students spend hours of preparation time getting ready for the fair, they are still able to participate in classroom activities, crown this year’s Mr. and Ms. FFA (Peter Vole was crowned Mr. FFA, Micah Gallagher was crowned Jr. Miss FFA and Rachel Elek was crowned Miss FFA. Candidates were selected based on an application, their fundraising efforts for the Florida FFA Harvesting Change Campaign), prepare omelettes for faculty and staff, participate in a Sub-District FFA Skate Night, host a barbeque, and have many students compete in competitions that are not a part of the county or state fair.

For example, Gallagher herself attended a competition where she went against all high school horse judgers in southern Florida and placed first with her score. Gallagher’s judging score was compared to 300 other competitors and served as quite a challenge for her to receive the top spot.

“I have been in horse judging for several years, but it was still shocking that I won with the overall score,” Gallagher said.

Many of the FFA seniors find it difficult to find a college that incorporates the FFA club and agricultural values in their school. Many students resorted to attending colleges that have specific field oriented extracurricular activities that amount to most of the values that FFA excels in with the important life skills that can be used later in life.

“Being a senior, I can take the things that I have learned in FFA and apply them to different college extracurricular activities that I may be involved in,” Elek said.

Junior Kimberly Duncan showed her steer at the county fair, winning first in the steer showing category. Duncan also

participated in dairy showing along side of other members of the FFA chapter.

Photos courtesy of Danielle Zeris

Junior Kelsey Richie and freshman Abigail Garman showed their swine to the judges of the county fair. Garman and

Richie recieved second in class overall. Richie herself was a senior showmanship finalist due to her exceptional score for

showing the swine

Rick Mills resigns:

by Trianna NyguenAssT. NEws & OpINIONs AND spORTs EDITOR

“I want to thank our students, parents and our entire team of school district employees for all their hard work and dedication.

“

- Rick Mills

After two years, Rick Mills steps down from the school District of Manatee County.

After serving as Superintendent of the Manatee County School District for two years, Rick Mills announced that he will step down from his position at the end of July. Mills’ contract was supposed to end in July of 2017, but he felt that the board no longer supported him subsequent to elections in the fall. The announcement of his retirement came as a shock to many because in an interview a few weeks prior, Mills stated that he wanted to be with Manatee County for the long run. Because he believes he has resolved the main concerns within the district, he feels he has completed his time in this county and now wishes to move on to other opportunities elsewhere.

Mills has been working with the District since March 2013 after the previous Superintendent, Tim McGonegal, resigned in September 2012 when eight million dollars in spending was not accounted for in the district’s records a year earlier. This left Manatee County in major debt and a financial turmoil. According to the Bradenton Herald,when the monetary discrepancies in the district were discovered, McGonegal accepted resignation immediately at the request of board members.

After taking charge of the district, Superintendent Mills turned an $8.9 million deficit

in the school district into a $14.4 million surplus; he also helped the Manatee District meet its state-required fund balance for the first time since 2009. With regard to academics, the school grade of 24 schools in the district was raised, and seven schools

raised their grades by two letter grades, helping the school district jump from their rank of 47th, out of the 67 school districts in Florida, to 37th.

Even though Mills has solved many issues

in our school district, many people disagree with the way he manages the district. Shortly after he came to the district, he laid off 182 teachers in order to remedy a financial issue and have a better understanding regarding how the district spent its money. Additionally, Mills made many recommendations that parents and educators, as well as members of the Board, did not agree with. Many citizens in Manatee County feel that Mills does not truly understand what needs to be done to help the district because he is not a native of Manatee County.

“I think Rick Mills did a great job as Superintendent, and it is a shame that some people overlook the positives and only focus on the negatives,” sophomore John Sekula said.

Mills asked the board to discuss his retirement plan at a workshop on May 12, but the board denied the request and instead decided to take a vote. The results were in favor of his retirement 5-0. Mills’ retirement will become effective July 31. His job will most likely be given to an intern in August while the board looks for a new superintendent. As of now, there are no decisions as to who will take over in his place. Once again Manatee County finds itself in the positiion of finding a new leader.

NEWS MAY 2015 3 the Spyglass

by Jenna Byrd News & OpiNiONs editOr

Protests in Baltimore spiral out of control:

by Amber WilliamsstAFFer

Earthquake shakes Nepal

by Kelsey Fiander-Carr & Lauren Wagner editOr-iN-CHieF ANd stAFFer

The race to the presidency:The 2016 elections are now in full swing as the first canidate, ted Cruz, announces his run for office.

After the sudden death of an African American man while in custody of the police, citizens of Balitmore protest in hopes of seeing justice and racial equality.

With the 2016 presidential elections just around the corner, young voters are deciding which candidate will take office.

“As a first-time voter, I am trying to keep my eyes open for different candidates to ensure that I am making the right decision about who may be leading the country in the next years,” senior Alex Jock said.

Many candidates have made their announcement that they will be running for president in the 2016 after the first announcement from Ted Cruz.

Cruz is the current United States (U.S.) senator from Texas. Elected in 2012, Cruz overcame many racial boundaries by becoming the first Hispanic or Cuban American to serve as a U.S. senator from Texas. Before then, Cruz worked alongside George W. Bush in his 1999 presidential campaign. After Bush secured his role as president, Cruz served as an associate deputy attorney general in the U.S. Justice Department.

Cruz entered the run for presidency as a Republican and announced his presidential bid March 23 at Liberty University in VA. He spoke to Cable News Network (CNN) and hopes that an early campaign will focus voters.

Other Republicans, such as former governor of Florida, Jeb Bush and a current senator from Florida, Marco Rubio are have also announced their running. John Ellis “Jeb” Bush served as the Governor of Florida for two terms from 1999-2007. With a 56% vote, he

was the first Republican governor to win re-election in Florida. Prior to his election, he helped his father (George H.W. Bush) run for the presidency in 1988.

Marco Rubio is currently serving in the U.S. senate, and previously served in the House of Representatives for two terms from 2000-2008. Rubio is widely known for his immigration policies and is moving forward with fundraisers to promote his run for presidential candidacy in the 2016 election.

While the Republican candidates pile up, the Democratic Party has remained quiet. Only Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have announced their candidacy. Clinton ran against Barack Obama in the 2008 elections and served as First Lady from 1992-2000.

In 2008 she ran for presidential election before giving the nomination to Barack Obama. A year later, under Barack Obama, she was confirmed as Secretary of State.

Many students, like Jock, are excited, yet unsure, as they prepare to make an important decision: who will be the next U.S. President?

Newspapers, television commercials, and online blogs offer various reasons for choosing each candidate and offer insights for voters.

“I have never really been interested in politics, but knowing that after I turn 18, I have the right to vote, I feel like I should be more involved,” junior Zach Myers said.

It was Saturday, April 25, just a little before noon, when a devastating earthquake hit Nepal. The 7.8 magnitude quake destroyed thousands of homes and affected millions. The Nepal earthquake killed over 4,600 and injured over 9,000. The earthquake was estimated to cost anywhere from one billion to ten billion dollars. The United States has sent supplies and soldiers to Nepal, and 15 other countries have recognized the tragedy and have promised their support as well. While Nepal is recieving supplies from many different countries, they are not able to fully use the equipment, so countries are also sending in technical experts as well.

Other organizations are helping with donations and resources for the people in Nepal as well. One in particular is the American Red Cross. The Red Cross delivered over 19,000 relief kits, and they have raised over $300,000 dollars in order to repair damages in Nepal. Along with this, the Red Cross has come up with a program called the Family Link which allows family or friends to search for loved ones who were in Nepal during the earthquake. Additionally, the organization allows people register a missing person.

The Red Cross is receiving supplies to help out Nepal by donations through their website or through their fundraiser on iTunes. Contributors are asked to visit an iTunes page in order to donate to the Red Cross for Nepal. The amount of money that can be donated may vary in amount. Apple automatically passes 100% of the donations to the Red Cross. According to the page, contributions will help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, support to Nepal.

Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter are responsible for raising public awarness about Nepal as evidenced by the five million tweets in just three days. The more information people have, the more they will be wiling to donate to the cause.

Freddie Gray, 25, died Sunday, April 19, from multiple spinal injuries he allegedly incurred seven days earlier while in custody of the West Baltimore police. The police detained him when one officer made eye contact, and Gray ran in the other direction. Gray had an extensive criminal record, about 20 crimes in total, which primarily consisted of the use and possession of narcotics, burglary, and trespassing. When he was arrested, he was having trouble walking, and by the time he was in jail, he could not breathe or talk. The evidence is unclear as to how he died, but his death has ignited instability throughout the city of Baltimore.

Additionally, the news and social media have been tracking developments.

“The Baltimore situation is all over Twitter, and I think that some people are too opinionated when there was only a small amount of evidence released to the public,” senior Marisa Turner said.

Throughout the city of Baltimore, protesters have lined the streets with a determination to bring what they believe is justice to Freddie Gray from police brutality. Some individuals protest and express their emotions and beliefs lawfully, but

others have blown up police cars, thrown rocks at the officers, and looted nearby drug stores.

“I think the people committing the riots are destroying Baltimore; the riots are completely unnecessary. Peaceful protesting is different, but looting CVS is not helping the rioters ‘prove their determination’. Instead, all of the protesters should express their feelings of discontent and disgust peacefully if they are unhappy with what happened in the case of Freddie Gray,” sophomore JJ Bouche said.

As of Friday, May 1st, six officers were charged with the death of Freddie Gray. The state attorney on the Gray case said that the six officers failed to restrain Gray with a seat belt in the van and provide him with medical care when Gray requested it. While the charges vary for each policeman, one was charged with second-degree murder. The other five officers were released on bail.

“I am happy with the results the court gave Friday night. I hope the riots will ease because I don’t want to see Baltimore in turmoil anymore,” senior Deanne Sipes said.

Graphic Courtesy of Jenna Byrd

The student press of Braden River High School has adopted this as its mission: To publish news, information, and opinion articles for and about student, faculty and administration activities, interests and policies. To maintain high ethical standards with regard to fairness, personal and legal rights, responsibilities and accuracy. To provide a forum for free and responsible expression of student opinion and present well-balanced, locally researched coverage of issues of broader student interest. To welcome diversity and increase the scope and depth of our coverage in order to heighten mutual understanding and awareness throughoutour entire school and community.

KELSEY FIANDER-CARR, Editor-in-ChiefHANNAH MENNES, Asst. Editor-in-ChiefEMILY WUNDERLICH, Business Manager

JENNA BYRD, News & Opinions EditorMADISON CORLEY, Life & Features Editor

MADELINE OLDENBURG, Entertainment EditorTRIANNA NGUYEN, Asst. News & Opinions Editor and

Asst. Sports EditorCARLY COLONNA, Asst. Life & Features Editor and Asst.

Entertainment EditorCELESTE SMITH, Advisor

CHRIS YATES, Advisor

Staffers

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OPINIONS4 MAY 2015 the Spyglass

Summer break pritorities:

by Kelsey Fiander-CarrEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

May 15- Spring Chorus ConcertMay 16- PromMay 20- Key Club Banquet May 21- Spring Football Game @ Cardinal Mooney May 18 to 22- Senior ExamsMay 23- SGA BanquetMay 25- Memorial DayMay 30- GraduationJune 1 to 5- Underclassmen ExamsJune 5- Last Day of SchoolJune 8 to 12- Colorguard CampJune 27 to 30- Percussion Camp

Junioritis vs. senioritis:As the school year comes to a close, people wonder- does the ‘long haul’ to graduation just affect seniors?

Many students in the graduating class will openly admit to having senioritis, a ‘disease’ that plagues students in their final year of high school and is characterized by a decline in motivation or performance.

“After being in school for 12 years now, I have found it very hard to even be motivated when it comes to doing homework,” senior Alex Jock said.

However, many juniors across campus argue that they, too,suffer from senioritis based on their course load. Lack of motivation to simply do homework has been seen in seniors, juniors, and some underclassmen.

“Taking on a lot of Advanced Placement (AP) classes, I have to deal with not having a lot of alone time. I am continually doing homework and studying for upcoming tests,” junior Marissa Dubois said.

Students and teachers alike have seen a decline of upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) attendance in class in the last few months.

“I literally come to school because my mom tells me to, I have completely given up,” Jock said.

Whether or not senioritis and junioritis are real, every student needs to overcome the lack of motivation and make it the big day: graduation.

“I may not want to do homework and I may not have motivation to even come to school anymore, but I do want to go to college. If I decide to completely give up during my junior year, I may pass up the chance of succeeding in college,” Dubois said.

As seen on Twitter, senior Andrew Garcia shares the lack of motivation to do everyday homework with junior

Tyler Dyson. Both students agree on the virtually real ‘disease’ of senioritis and junioritis.

Senior StaffersROLANDA ANTOINEKATIE CAFIEROKRISTEN COLONNACARLEY ENGELBERGER

OLIVIA GARROBRANDON HUYNHCINDY LUKELLI MCCARTHY

by Rolanda Antoine & Jenna ByrdSENIOR STAFFER AND NEWS & OPINIONS EDITOR

With summer break rapidly approaching, students at The River are beginning to make preparations for their summer vacation. For some, summer is the opportunity to take a much needed break from academics and lounge around the house; for others, this break serves as a chance to explore the world and travel to different cities or countries. In addition, many students take the advantage of the upcoming break to obtain employment and earn a little extra money.

The number one activity this summer break is to stay at home, relax, and participate in fun activities. Many students also take advantage of the upcoming break to spend time with friends and family.

“I plan on watching a lot of TV; my favorite show is definitely Friends. I also plan on sleeping in, going to the pool, and passing time with my closest friends,” sophomore Sarah Shumway said.

The second most voted activity to do this summer break is to work at various jobs. Students say they want to gain a little extra money this summer and chip in around the house.

“I am currently employed at Chick-fil-a, and I really enjoy my job. I work about 30 hours a week, and I get to be alongside some of my closest friends,” senior Enrique Batista said.

The third most voted for activity is to travel around the United States, and even in some cases, travel around the world.

“I am so excited for summer break because I am going on a mission trip to Guatemala. A group

from my church and I are going to help the Guatemalan people by giving out medicine, donating clothes, and donating food; we are going to improve their lives,” sophomore Aleah Grabowski said.

16 students will stay home this summer while 14 students plan to vacation and 12 plan on working.

Graphic Courtesy of Jenna Byrd

Students prepare for the upcoming break and make plans to spend their time wisely.

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Between the months of February and May, the drama and music departments joined forces to produce a show like no other. After the initial success of their earlier production Cheaper by the Dozen in December, students knew they would have to work even harder to exceed the expectations of their audience this time around. Sophomore Megan Ianero, who was a swing dancer for the show, says that the challenges the cast faced in producing the musical only made it that much better.

“Going from just straight dialogue to now singing and dancing all over the place has been a difficult transition, but it is going to make Cheaper

Students and staff of the art departments come together to present their second production of the year.

by Emily WunderlichBUSINESS MANAGER

Photos Courtesy of Emily Wunderlich

by the Dozen look like a snooze fest,” Ianero said.In the weeks leading up to opening night on May 7,

teachers and students alike made sure to promote their show in as many ways as possible. Flyers circulated around school, posted on windows and doors, and distributed in some classrooms. Students were responsible for selling tickets, so they took to social media to spread the word.

Putting together a musical requires the cooperative efforts of many different talented individuals. Under the direction of Mr. Ricardo Robinson and Ms. Barbara Helfrick, actors made sure they had their lines, staging, and choreography memorized and perfected.

With the help of Ms. Kerrie Couchois, they also received guidance in improving their vocal abilities. The ensemble, or “live pit”, consisted of dedicated musicians, both students and teachers, from both our band and orchestra programs, all under the direction of Mr. Kendall Carrier. Sophomore Danni Reviere, who played the lead role as the Cat in the Hat, says that coordinating with the ensemble was tough at first, but the cohesion of the group is what made it easier to adjust.

“When we began this learning process, we did it together as friends. As we approach the end, we have become more than friends- we are a family,” Reviere said.

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

6 MAY 2015 the SpyglassLIFE & FEATURES

The Spyglass’ sailing seniors:

Meet Micah:

It is that time of the school year where if your tuxedo is not yet rented or your dress is not yet hemmed, then you are in trouble. Prom is swiftly approaching and will be held Saturday, May 16. The theme this year is ‘Decade of Diamonds’. Celebrating Braden River’s 10 year anniversary since its founding, the dance will take on a timeless and classic feel with a color scheme of black and white.

“I think it is an excellent idea for the prom to represent this milestone because we use these events to showcase Braden River to the community. The theme really reflects the pride that we students have for our school,” junior Kim Evans said.

The Junior Advisory Board (JAB) has tirelessly been planning the event and strives to make prom the best one yet. From picking the theme, ordering decorations, creating the music playlist and selling tickets, JAB has made sure not to leave anything to chance and have planned prom off of a perfect image.

“Prom is one of the most treasured high school moments, and this year JAB really worked hard to plan a memorable night for all those in attendance. The behind the scenes work and all the time put in will surely pay off on the big night,” junior Briana Lutzi said.

by Carly ColonnaASST. LIFE & FEATURES AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

A ‘Decade of Diamonds’:The Junior Advisory Board plans the tenth school prom.

President Caroline Desorbo leads the weekly Junior Advisory Board meetings by making sure that every member is aware of the dedication needed to plan and execute the River’s monumental tenth prom. JAB has been taking time out of

their day to organize an event ten years in the making.

Junior excels in agriculture after winning many competitions on the county and state level.by Kelsey Fiander-CarrEDITOR-IN-CHIEF Photos Courtesy of Kelsey Fiander-Carr

by Madison CorleyLIFE & FEATURES EDITOR

After many years of dedication, the seniors of the Spyglass recolect the impact journalism has had on their lives.

After winning numerous county and state competitions in the agriculture departmen, junior Micah Gallagher has been blazing the trail for the River’s Future Farmers of America (FFA). Gallagher placed sixth individually in the state for horse judging and was awarded her Greenhand Degree and the prestigious Chapter Degree. To further institute agriculture in her life, Gallagher plans to run for president of her FFA chapter. Gallagher thinks of herself as a people person and loves being involved in school. Apart from FFA, Gallagher is a member of Serteens, Beta Club, and is a future AVID tutor.

Photo courtesy of Danielle Zeris

Brandon Huynh Brandon Huynh served as our editor in chief for the 2014-2015 school year. He was a part of Florida Business Leaders of America (FBLA), journalism, National Honor Society (NHS), junior advisory board (JAB), and Chinese club. Huynh will be attending the University of Central Florida (UCF) to pursue a career in journalism/creative directing.

“My favorite memory from journalism is meeting my best friends. My staff has become my family and that’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Huynh said.

Cindy Lu

Rolanda Antoine

Katie Cafiero

Kelli McCarthy

Cindy Lu is one of our assistant editors in chief. She has made many amazing accomplishments throughout her high school experience, including color guard, journalism, beta club, key club, student government association (SGA), and a plethora of other inspiring triumphs. Lu was nominated for a Golden Herald award in the “general scholarship” category. After high school, Lu is attending the University of Florida (UF). She hopes to someday be involved in the media and entertainment industry.

“The two things I will miss most about high school are all of the amazing friends I have made and being a part of the organizations. I have loved being active around campus, so not being able to do things like perform at football games and plan homecoming next year breaks my heart,” Lu said

Katie Cafiero is also an assistant editor in chief. Katie was involved with journalism, SGA, the Black Pearls dance team, and was just named as an honorable mention recipient in the journalism category at the 2015 Golden Herald Awards. Cafiero will attend the University of South Florida.

“Writing for the school paper solidified my passion for journalism and made me realize how much I enjoy being involved in my community. I will always look back on the amazing opportunities journalism exposed me to. I was able to walk the red carpet, go behind the scenes at Busch Gardens, and participate in events around campus,” Cafiero said.

Kelli McCarthy is the editor of our entertainment section. Kelli participated in SGA, journalism, NHS, and senior advisory board. McCarthy will attend UF and she hopes to move to London one day.

“The thing I will miss most about our school would definitely be the amazing teachers and administration who have helped mold me into the person I am today and prepare me for my future endeavors,” McCarthy said.

Rolanda Antoine is one of our assistant editors of life and features. Rolanda was involved in key club, journalism, French club, and was nominated for a Golden Herald award in the English and literature category. Antoine plans on attending the State College of Florida (SCF) for two years before going to USF.

“There are many things I will miss about the school, like the boom boom chicken and the maxx sticks, but, of course, I am also very sad to leave my teachers and friends here at the River”

Olivia Garro

Carley Engelberger

Kristen ColonnaKristen Colonna is the business manager for the

newspaper. She was in the Black Pearls dance team, journalism, SGA, and NHS . In the fall, Colonna is going to Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)

“I will really miss the abundance of school spirit that we pirates demonstrate. Being involved around campus really allowed me to see the pride our students possess,” Colonna said.

Olivia Garro is a staffer for the entertainment section, known for her exceptional video game reviews in each issue. Garro excels in literature and journalism. She even interned at Poynter University. After she graduates, she will attend USF.

“I will miss the daily routine and regular activities of high school. Having schedules and deadlines really kept me grounded and made me accountable, whereas after high school, we are responsible for ourselves and must manage our own time,” Garro said.

Carly Engelberger is a staffer who helped write for almost every section of the paper. She participated in the soccer team, journalism, and SGA. After high school, Engelberger plans to attend USF.

“I will miss the comfort of attending a school for four years. I have made great friends and I have become used to the regularity of high school. I have formed a bond with my classmates, especially in journalism, and leaving them will be really difficult for me,” Engelberger said.

LIFE & FEATURES MAY 2015 7 the Spyglass

by Kelsey Fiander-Carr & Amber WilliamsEDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND STAFFER

Night with the stars: Art club sponsors the seventh annual special needs prom.

High school students often count down the days to their school dances, but each year volunteers can be found just as excited to help with a night that is not their own: the special needs prom.

The art club at the River once again sponsored the special needs prom by hand making various decorations. The special needs prom is a formal night for special needs individuals ranging from age 16 into adulthood who live in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The prom was held at Woodland Community Church on April 24 at 7:00 p.m. This year is the seventh annual dance and the sixth year that the art club has helped with the event by making decorative banners. The art club worked very hard to finish the decorations for this year’s theme, “In the Jungle”.

“We make these decorations every year, not only to give the attendees beautiful things to look at while they are having the time of their life, but also to give their parents something to feel like they are taking their children to a ‘normal’, everyday event where their children can feel free and happy,” senior and art club president Kaytlin Powell said.

The River’s art club is said to be one of the best art groups in the state and is happy to offer a great deal of time and work when it comes to helping their community. Many students are inspired by the art club’s motivation to pursue their happiness, taking initiative to do what makes them happy, too.

“Doing this event allowed me to develop a sense of teamwork [among the art students] and be a stronger leader. I could bond with the group I was in charge of while gaining leadership skills,” junior and art club vice president Carlos Martinez said.

Members of art club found the special needs prom project to be very beneficial to their artistic talent, social skills, and interest in art.

“These banners have reminded me how much I really enjoy the art club. We members spent a lot of time on the special needs prom. The amount of work and dedication that we have put into creating the beautiful decorations for the event is inspiring. I am very proud of our work and I am very happy with the final product,” sophomore and art club member Kristen Retaleato said.

Art club also sacrificed many hours of their own time in order to provide a pleasant night for those who may not have the opportunity to feel like an average, ‘everyday’ person. They not only made the decorations for the event, but they also volunteered at the event to make sure everything ran smoothly.

“[During this event] the attendees seemed to feel beautiful and were able to express them-selves without being judged or ridiculed like they might feel on a normal day. This annual event is so important for the prom-goers and every-one involved with the event and I am so happy that I was able to contribute to it,” Powell said.

Members of the art club work to complete their banners. Everyone contributes, combining their varying styles.

Photo Courtesy of Kelsey Fiander-Carr

by Cindy LuSENIOR STAFFER

“Summer is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” so celebrate with the flavors of the Summer season! For a modern twist on a classic dessert, follow this simple recipe for a fresh and fruity treat. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries – this versatile, and decadent, fruitcake is sure to impress at any event.

Ingredients (makes two cakes)

1 box angel food mix

1 box devil food mix

2 containers cool whip

2 cups chopped fruit of choice

Directions

1. Prepare cakes by following instructions on box, using nine-inch

pans.

2. Once baked, remove cakes from pan, and let cool.

3. There should be four cakes in total: 2 angel and 2 devil.

4. Place one layer of angel cake on serving platter.

5. Spread cool whip and cover with fruit evenly on top.

6. Add on layer of devil’s cake.7. Cover entire cake with cool whip,

and top with fruit.8. Place in refrigerator for 10 minutes.

9. Cut and serve.10. Enjoy!

SimplyDelicious

A Recipe Collection

Photo Courtesy of Cindy Lu

Four years in five statements:Seniors look back on the pros and cons of high school.

High school is an unforgettable experience and is often nostalgically remembered later in life. Seniors share the things they will miss and treasure, and other things they will happily leave and forget about high school.

5. Rules

Dress code, cell phone policy, and the new rule for wearing an I.D. on a lanyard every day all can feel like huge setbacks for students. They can be hard to follow, but dealing with the repercussions from administration is something to be avoided at all costs. “I’m really not going to miss the strict dress code, or wearing my I.D. every day and being paranoid that I will forget it at home,” senior Quinn Daubert said.

4. Extracurricular activities

Whether it is playing an instrument, acting, singing, dancing, cheering, or painting, extracurricular activities have huge impacts on the lives of high school students. These electives allow students to take a break from stressing over tests and homework and focus on things they are passionate about. “I am really going to miss orchestra. I have been playing violin for seven years and school is such a big reason as to why I stuck with it and never gave it up,” senior Meghan Retaleato said.

3. Teachers

While they can be an annoyance to some, teachers often do more than just teach students. They can inspire children and impact their lives and career choices. “I’ll miss my teachers a lot. The teachers at the River are so

by Madison CorleyLIFE & FEATURES EDITOR

inspiring and I will never forget them or the impacts they have made on my life,” senior Conner Armentrout said.

2. Waking up early

Whether they wake up before the sun rises, or right before it is time to go, all students can agree that their alarms go off much too early in the morning. After high school, people are usually given the liberty to wake up a bit later, or at least not have to stay up all night doing homework. “I really hated waking up so early every day. I could barely focus in class because I was always so tired. Hopefully after graduating I can at least wake up after the sun rises,” senior Kathryn Lutes said.

1. Friends

Good friendships can make one’s entire high school life a positive experience. When every friend is in the same school, staying in contact and making plans is easy. However, after graduation and moving to all different places, people often lose contact and drift apart. “The amazing people I have met over these past four years have taught me such unforgettable things. I am so sad to leave the influential friends I have made here,” Trahan said.

Overall, seniors are savoring their last few weeks of high school, as they discover the aspects they will miss, and those they will not miss.

“It has been such a blessing to be a part of such an amazing school and I genuinely love it. I wouldn’t choose any other place to have finished my high school career,” senior Hope Trahan said.

The annual award ceremony recognizing high school seniors for their outstanding contributions to the community.

by Katie Cafiero SENIOR STAFFER

Every year, students from around Manatee County are acknowledged for their exceptional achievements and dedication to the community.

The Golden Herald Scholarship was founded in 1978, and the program has continued to award countless students in 15 different categories. The categories range from English and Literature, to Computer and Technology. The River selected 30 seniors to represent the school and attend the awards ceremony at Neel Auditorium May 7, 2015.

“We have 30 slots to fill, but we do not necessarily have to fill them,” Braden River Golden Herald sponsor Brian Kirchberg said,

“I get a group of teachers together, and we discuss where to place the students. It was a really, really difficult decision because we had a lot of good applications.”

Each nominee had to undergo an application process along with personal interviews.

“I was really excited for my interview

because I felt like it was my chance to show my passion and dedication to the community,” senior nominee Ella Biggins said.

Biggins represented the Social Science category and has been actively involved in local government and youth activism for about four years. At the ceremony, she received first place in her category.

Golden Herald’s emphasis is community service; therefore, it is important for each nominee to show a commitment to bettering Manatee County.

Senior Emma Slotabec, one of the nominees for Speech and Drama, has over a thousand service hours dedicated solely to community theater.

“Not only have I performed in shows, but I have also helped stage manage and volunteered at camps to help spread the passion for the arts around the community,” Slotabec said.

The Golden Herald sponsors, Mr. Kirchberg and Mrs. Elsdon, had prepped the nominees by

scheduling mock interviews and extensively editing applications. In these mock interviews, teachers and students simulated the actual interview which took place on April 11 at the Bradenton Herald offices. Students dressed their best to fix any mistakes they may have before their actual interview.

A winner from each category was chosen to receive the first place prize of a $1,500 scholarship, or a second place honorable mention prize of a $500 scholarship.

Nominated students at the River have worked hard to present their dedication and passion for their individual categories in hopes of winning the prestigious Golden Herald award and the scholarships that follow. No matter the title recieved, it was a great honor to even be nominated for this award.

“Last year we had two winners. This year, we had the most nominees out of every school, seven Honorable Mentions, and three winners. I think it was a huge success,” Kirchberg said.

Golden Herald 2014 nominees await on stage for the scholarship winners to be announced. Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Straley

Golden Herald NomineesART ATHLETICS BUSINESS

CITIZENSHIP ENGLISH

GENERAL JOURNALISM LANGUAGE

MATH MUSIC SCIENCE

TECHNOLOGY VOCATIONAL

DRAMA

SOCIAL SCIENCE

Judith Quinn Daubert Kaytlin Powell Brittany Cole LuAnn Seng Esther Garcia Emily Courson

Zachary Ali Alex Love Rachel Elek Emma Slotabec Rolanda Antoine Taylor Haddad

Stephanie Hayes Cindy Lu Katie Cafiero Brandon Huynh Leanna Flores-Machado Lucas Mingote

Savannah Bosch Ford Ferrara DeAnne Marriette Sipes Sierra Blashock Alexa Hafley

Ella Biggins David Espinal Nichole Fleming Nesreen Ghnaim Caroline Imiolek Kristen Toomey

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

Honorable MentionHonorable Mention

Honorable Mention

Winner

Winner Winner

ENTERTAINMENT10 MAY 2015 the Spyglass

The legend was born in 1990 when this young performer aspired to change the musical world. This talented artist broke the boundaries of music, creating a diverse and sensational genre for the world to experience. Mixing the sounds of soul, blues, and R&B, Andrew Hozier-Byrne, also known as Hozier, redefined the meaning of style. With the release of his new self-entitled album, Hozier is dominating the charts and has caught the attention of listeners all around the globe. The journey to musical success began for Hozier at a young age. Living in a small town in Ireland, Hozier was always surrounded by the influential and smooth notes of blues. The son of a blues musician, Hozier aspired to become an artist who could convey his feelings and expressions through the sound of music. In today’s music industry, it is more than likely to see artists jump from one genre to the next. For example, Taylor Swift made the clear transition from an early country phase to a more modern pop genre. Hozier decided to take a different route and to categorize himself into numerous styles. At the age of

15, Hozier joined a band which performed a diverse selection of genres to the local public. After gaining experience in the music world, he decided to pursue musical education at Trinity College in Dublin. When Hozier attended Trinity College, he was enrolled in vigorous music programs to help strengthen his music platform; however, in just his first year of college, he decided to drop out to pursue the opportunity of a lifetime. Hozier recorded demos with Universal Music and instantly became a star. Hozier released his EP “Take Me to Church” in 2013 which attracted a world-wide audience. The new and fresh approach Hozier took toward music received international admiration and a desire for more of his brilliant lyrics. Following the release of his first EP, Hozier then released his second EP “From Eden” in spring of 2014. This sneak peak left listeners around the world in complete awe due to the dedication of Hozier himself. Fall of 2014 marked a revolutionary time in Hozier’s life. After signing with the famous recording company Columbia Records, Hozier released his first album to the world. This elaborate album includes

by Brandon HuynhSENIOR STAFFER

Influential novel set to hit the big screen The Shack primarily focuses on the present time, where Mackenzie (Mack) Philips receives a note in his mailbox to meet ‘papa’ at a shack. Mack thinks that it is a cruel joke because he has not seen his abusive father since he ran away when he was 13. As he ponders the note, he realizes that it could be referring to something else because his wife refers to God as ‘papa’ as well. Rewinding to four years prior, Mack took three of his children on a camping trip. While they were at the campgrounds, Mack’s daughter, Missy, went missing. Mack searched the area, but she was nowhere to be found. Later there are suspicions that she was taken by a murder nicknamed “Little Ladykiller” and killed in an abandoned shack, but her body was never discovered. Even now, Mack has still not given up hope of finding Missy. He believes that it is his fault Missy disappeared; if they had not gone camping that weekend, or if he would not have let her out of his sight, it never would have happened. Mack contemplates going to the shack, eventually deciding to go. When he first arrives, it appears to be empty and nothing really

special; actually it is pretty decrepit. However, Mack is faced with visitors- three of them. He discovers that the shack serves as a metaphor to give closure and come to a realization about the event that happened four years before.

William Young employs the point of view of third person to tell the story of Mack’s journey. This allows the reader to gain insight about his character through his actions and speech, rather than his subconscious thoughts. It is a magnificently moving story about forgiveness and love. Young wrote a type of book that leaves

readers questioning many things and reevaluating their approach to life. The bulk of the action takes place in the shack, and most of the novel is dialogue between Mack and those he meets there. Mack struggled with the idea of trusting in God after Missy’s incident, and the dialogue displays his progression as a person throughout his weekend spent at the shack. I would definitely recommend this book, but not because of its engaging plot or complex characters, but for the theme it is trying to convey. It is so simply wonderful that it does not need any of those extra trimmings to make the book interesting.

W i l l i a m Young

Fiction

by KELLI MCCARTHY

SENIOR STAFFER

Absolutely loved it!

Really good

A few flaws, but worth it reading

Had trouble completing

Did not enjoy it

“Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes.”

songs from both EPs such as “Take Me to Church” and “Work Song” and numerous unreleased tracks. Hozier immediately received the attention of listeners all around the world, resulting in a secure spot in the Billboard’s Top Ten. In such a short time, Hozier became gold in countries such as Great Britain, a major accomplishment for such a young and fresh artist. Ever since the release of Hozier, the artist has received quite a bit of attention. Hozier has performed songs from his album on popular televised shows such as Saturday Night Live and even the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. In addition to his fame, Hozier also received many nominations for award shows such as the Grammys. Hozier’s 2015 tour has kicked off and is coming to the Tampa Bay area May 9, 2015. As an addition to the popular Tampa event “Big Guava”, Hozier is one of the headlining acts announced at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre. After dominating the charts worldwide, Hozier is giving a new meaning to music. This artist is taking over the music industry one venue at a time, conveying his musical genius through every note and lyric.

ENTERTAINMENT MAY 2015 11the Spyglass

Big Guava music festival returns to Tampaby Madeline Oldenburg ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Music fans of all ages flocked to the Florida State Fairgrounds and MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on May 8 and May 9 to indulge in the 2-day Big Guava Music Festival. Not only did this Tampa Bay event include carnival rides and a variety of food trucks, but it also had a select few of the nation’s most popular performers. Although this was only the third year of the relatively new festival, Big Guava attracted thousands before its four stages.

Kick-starting the festival, the first day was filled with bands from a variety of genres. Ranging from EDM DJ Pretty Lights to the headliner of the day, Passion Pit, the selections appealed to a variety of people.

All of the rides, tents, and tables were positioned in a way that music could be enjoyed at any place within the venue, which was the goal of Live Nation in hosting this event.

It was a carefree environment meant for people who sought to relax and enjoy the music and sunshine. Businesses set up tents to sell handmade clothing,

jewelry, and artwork to the diverse crowds attending the event. A variety of food could be found at the many food trucks, selling everything from stone-fired pizzas to authentic Greek food. Big Guava was an opportunity to bask in the sun on a blanket in the grass while listening to amazing live performances.

Day two proved to be more exciting than the previous day although there was no escape from the blazing sun. For many, it was a second day filled with enjoyable rides and fantastic food. For others, it was a chance to watch the performances of and possibly meet their favorite bands.

There were multiple levels of tickets that could be purchased: general admission, pit, and VIP. These different tickets all determined the way the day was spent—either having the opportunity to be incredibly close to the stage without the stress of waiting or spending a large amount of time saving a spot to see a great band.

Wrapping up the festival on the night of the

second day were performances by Hozier and The Strokes. These performances alone drew incredibly large crowds because of Hozier’s recent fame and the fact that The Strokes had never performed in Tampa before. As people relaxed on the lawn to absorb the last moments of Big Guava 2015, memories of the monumental performances from this year’s festival lingered in their minds.

The music-lovers of not only the Bay area, but all of Florida hope for Big Guava’s return in 2016, bringing with it some of the most famous bands in America. Although it has only just began making its name, Big Guava has the potential to earn a festival reputation comparable to that of Bonnaroo in Tennessee and Coachella in California.

No matter the popularity of the festival now, the best part is that it is small enough that fans can never escape the music, which is what connects all of the diverse festival-goers into a large “Guava family.

Photos courtesy of Brandon Huynh

Lead singer JT Daly of Indie Rock band Paper Routes performs live on day two of the festival.

Passion Pit, the day one headliner, prepares for their closing song, bringing the first day to an end.

The first day of Big Guava begins with a security check at the entrance to the fairgrounds.

The Honeymoon Tour, Ariana’s second tour, will be coming to the Amalie Arena July 16. The show will highlight her album entitled My Everything, and travels across North America, Europe, and Asia throughout 2015.

Ariana Grande

Imagine Dragons will be in Tampa on July 10 for their Smoke + Mirrors world tour alongside opening acts, Metric and Halsey. The band’s first album was released in 2012, and since then they have skyrocketed to fame.

Imagine Dragons

Teen Wolf returns June 29 with a special two-part episode to begin their fifth season. The series will welcome back old favorites as the characters face their senior year and the future

together.

Teen Wolf

After leaving his band Fun., Nat Ruess plans to release his solo album, Grand Romantic, on June 16 Produced by Ramen Records, the album is set to include hit single “Nothing Without

Love” and feature several artists.

Grand Romantic

ENTERTAINMENT12 MAY 2015 the Spyglass

Summer movie previewby Carly ColonnaASST. LIFE & FEATURE AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Taking place 22 years after the first movie, Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar, has become home to a function-ing dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World. Bring-ing to life the original idea of John Hammond, the park has been operating for 10 years but the visitor rates have begun to decline. In order to re-spark visitors’ interest in the theme park, a new at-traction is created, and naturally, everything goes wrong. Jurassic World will be released June 12.

Marvel’s newest con-man, Scott Lang is armed with a super-suit and has the ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength. In order to help pull off a plan to protect the secret behind his suit, he must embody his inner hero and unique abili-ties. With the aid of his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, Scott must accomplish a heist that will save the world as well. Ant-Man will be released June 17.

Adapted from the bestselling novel by John Green, Quentin Jacobsen has been next door neighbors with Margo Roth Spiegelman all his life. After an all-night adventure through their hometown, she suddenly disappears. Quentin and his friends embark on an adventure to find her by following the trail of clues that she has left behind. Paper Towns is released July 24.

This is a modern adaptation of Marvel’s origi-nal and longest-running superhero team, the Fantastic Four. With the ability to teleport to an alternate universe by altering their physical forms, four outcasts most learn to control their abilities and save Earth from a former friend

The art of production:by Andres Monroy STAFFER

The eight most anticipated entertainment events of the summer.

The art of music production is a difficult field that requires patience, dedication, and creativity. The development of music through unique computer programs is predominant in genres such as pop, electronic, and hip-hop. Famous producers use these programs to make the tunes that you hear on the radio, including Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, and Dr.Dre.

Music production is the art of creating, composing, writing, and putting together pieces of music to form a song. This task can be accomplished by either an individual artist or a team of people working cohesively to get the job done. Different artists use different music production software, but “FL Studio” is among the most popular. Avicii, Deadmau5, and Afrojack are only a few of the artists who use this program to make their smash radio hits.

Music production is similar to looking at an organism. Inside this body are cells that build the project. These cells contain essential information that make up the entire song. Inside the “cells” are the music, melodies, drum patterns, and effects.

When creating these melodies, it is up to the artist to provide an underlying mood for the song. The chord progression is essential to the feeling the song gives off. All lyrics aside, the literal music can make people feel many emotions.

The cells that make up the song are layered on top of each other and timed at certain points of the song to give it its length.

Most songs are made up of an introduction, a chorus, a verse, another chorus, a second verse, a bridge, and finally the last chorus. At certain parts of the song, different melodies can be played to give the feeling of a verse, a lead up, the chorus

and the bridge, making the creative process take more time since each of these sections of the song could potentially contain different riffs.

A majority of artists create their instrumental first, and then proceed to lyrics. In most cases, the instrumental and the lyrics are created by two different artists, but there are artists out there who compose both.

After writing and recording the vocals on the track, it is essential to mix and master. Mixing and mastering is the process of leveling all the volumes of the track to give it a professional sound. This way, artists can adjust a song to avoid situations where a certain sound overpowers the entire track. For example, this will ensure the bass of a song will not block out the synthesizer or main instrument. Mixing and mastering is the last process to the music production process. When finished, the song is ready to be published.

The publishing of a song or album is usually handled by a different team of people, or in most artists’ cases, a record label. The record labels oversee everything from getting an artist’s music published to sites like iTunes or Spotify, to producing and distributing hard copies at stores around the world.

Music production is a very slow process, which is why artists can take multiple years making and completing an album. Patience, along with creativity and dedication, is necessary to produce a well-made song.

All that is really needed to begin producing is a general goal and the persistency to progress as an artist. A simple synthesizer riff over a drum pattern is all artists start out with, and eventually this simple idea can evolve into a potentially successful song.

Music production is an art form that brings together all the essential parts of composing music, and it is certainly the way to go for new upcoming artists.

Fun in the sun:by Cindy Lu and Hannah MennesSENIOR STAFFER AND ASST. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Derulo’s fourth album will feature such tracks as “Want to Want Me” and collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Lopez among several others. Everything Is 4 available for

purchase starting June 2.

Everything Is 4

After an epic cliffhanger that left fans in shock, Pretty Little Liars will return for its summer premiere June 2. Fans should expect to get more insight into who Charles is and why he turned

into A.

Pretty Little Liars

Garth Brooks heads to the Amalie Arena June 5 for his world tour. General tickets run at 65 dollars, but fans can purchase VIP packages that include exclusive prizes. The concert

will also feature Trisha Yearwood.

Garth Brooks Tour

The Insidious franchise returns with its third film. Premiering June 5, Chapter 3 of the series reveals how the psychic, Elise, assists a teenage girl prior to the haunting of the Lambert

family.

Insidious 3

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

7.

8.Behind-the-scenes of the music making industry.

6.

MAY 2015 13 the Spyglass

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SPORTS14 MAY 2015 the Spyglass

A year of success:The River’s sporting oganizations blazed with a firey success with many of the groups advancing into district and state competitions.

Dance Team

Winterguard

Marching Band

Girls’ Tennis

Fall Football

Cheer team prepares for a new season with a new coachby Kelsey Fiander-CarrEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

This year’s varsity football team was the first is Braden River High School history to go undefeated. The season ended with a record of 11-1; they won Braden River’s first ever district title. Varsity broke the school record for most turnovers, most wins, and most shut outs.

Marching Band of Pirates (MBOP) placed third in class 3a in Florida Marching Band Championships. MBOP marched their show “War” and won best overall music in semifinals. The band’s new show, entitled “Dream” is set to air early next school year.

The tennis team ended the season with a record of 8-4 and competed in the district tournament. On the second day of districts, they placed first over Lakewood Ranch but fell to second after two players lost their quarter final games. Three other players went to finals and Victoria Bernhardt and Larissa LaBolt won their district title. The team placed second overall at districts.

Both the varsity and junior varsity winter guard teams performed in a total of 12 shows over the course of the season, with varsity performing in two national regionals. The JV winter guard placed first in class B at FFCC state championships while the varsity winter guard placed fifth in class A.

The Black Pearls varsity dance team received eighth place in their category in the nation at UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida. In preparation for nationals, they attended a summer dance camp in which they competed and got first place.

by Trianna NguyenASSISTANT EDITOR OF NEWS & OPINIONS AND SPORTS

1.

2.

“We are”… “BR” shout the River’s new varsity and junior varsity cheerleading teams as they practice in the gymnasium. Led by new coaches, the River’s cheerleaders are ecstatic for a new competitive season. Practicing for two hours, three days a week, coaches Chuva and Stout are preparing the team for tough competition that they saw this past cheer season from high schools in Florida.

“Our new coaches are working us very hard to transform our team into something that will be hard to beat,” junior and four year cheerleader Emily McNulty said.

Being new, the cheer teams’ coaches rely on varsity cheerleaders who have been a part of the team for numerous years to lead the team. Varsity cheerleaders, McNulty, juniors Ally Rahn, Haley Yursky and many others lead practices by ‘calling off’ cheers and helping junior varsity cheerleaders with difficult choreography. Many varsity cheerleaders wish to extend their competitive season and are excited to be performing for more sporting events.

“I love the excitement of the crowd when I am cheering,” sophomore and three year cheerleader Lauren Kvederis said.

Apart from cheering, cheer team members cheer to become closer to other well-rounded girls and form long-lasting friendships.

“I am looking forward to forming a bond with this team stronger than any other year,” McNulty said.

The River’s cheer teams are perfecting each cheer in order to perform with precision at the spring football game on May 21.

1. Junior Ally Rahn calls off the cheer that will be performed in the upcoming spring football game.

2. The junior varsity cheer team practice stunting with the coaches and varsity team around team for support. The varsity team believes that the junior varsity girls have a lot

of potential.

Photos Courtesy of Kelsey Fiander-Carr

Photo Courtesy of the National Football League

The NFL draft has dedicated sports fans on the edge of their seatsby Lauren WagnerSTAFFER

This year’s NFL draft occurred on April 30 and lasted until May 2. It was hosted at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, IL, and has left teams in anticipation of the upcoming season.

The Draft allows teams to swap and trade players, starting with the team that had the worst record at the end of the last season. The Cleveland Browns had the most picks at 12, while the San Diego Chargers and Carolina Panthers had the fewest.

Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston were two of the more valuable players in the draft. Both are winners of the Heisman trophy from previous seasons, and were chosen to go to the Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively. It was the first time two Heisman trophy winners were selected as the top two picks in the draft.

The Buccaneers signed Jameis Winston at 23.35 million dollars, with a 16.7 million dollar signing bonus. Marcus Mariota was signed at 14.23 million dollars with a 13.8 million dollar signing bonus.

Other highlights of the draft include the Miami

Dolphins’ trade for DeVante Parker, a wide receiver from the University of Louisville, as well as Donovan Smith for the Buccaneers as an offensive tackle.

As next season approaches, the teams gear up for the games, as summer training approaches and competition approaches.

SPORTS15 MAY 2015 the Spyglass

This month’s spotlight features two student athletes who have excelled in their respective sports.

by Brandon HuynhSENIOR STAFFER

Q&A:

Q: When did you start playing tennis? A: I started playing tennis when I was in the seventh grade. Q: What is your favorite thing about the sport?A: My favorite thing about tennis is that it helps me blow off steam and the warm ups and running keeps me in shape. Q: What is your biggest achievement in tennis so far? A: My biggest achievement in tennis so far is being #1 on the team last year.

Q: What are your plans after you graduate?A: I am going into the military after I graduate.

Victoria Bernhardt has been on the varsity tennis team all four years and has been captain of the team in her senior year. When she is not playing tennis, Bernhardt likes to watch movies on Netflix and hang out with her friends. In the future, Bernhardt wants to pursue a career in the medical field for the Airforce.

VICTORIA BERNHARDT

ERIK ROSS

Q&A:

Q: How long have you been on the track team? A: I started track my junior year and this will be my second year on the team. Q: What is your favorite thing about the sport?A: My favorite thing about track is that it is an individual and team sport. You want to place well and train hard individually so you can get points for the team. Q: What is your biggest achievement in track so far? A: My biggest achievement in track is throwing 100’ for the first time last year in discus.

Q: What are your plans after you graduate?A: I plan on going to Florida Atlantic Univeristy.

Photo Courtesy of: Allison Malcom

Photo Courtesy of: Hannah Mennes

Erik Ross has been on the varsity track and field since his junior year. His main goal is to place high when competing and set a record for the school’s track and field program. Besides track and field, Ross played football for the Pirates during its winning season. After walking the stage at graduation, Ross plans on attending Florida Atlantic University.

Spotlight

Class of 2015

Zach joined numerous clubs throughout high school, including Spanish Club, Key Club, HOSA, ARC, and NHS. He also was Editor in Chief of the yearbook, president of the Sarasota Cadets, president of peer study hall, and president of senior advisory. He will be attending USF to study International Business with a focus on Spanish, before heading off to law school.

If I could describe my time at Braden River, it would have to be ‘absolutely flawless’! It really was an amazing four years,and I don’t want

to leave.“

”

Zachary Ali

Heavily involved in clubs here at the River, Caroline served historian of Key Club, senator of SGA, and historian for NHS. Through these organizations, she was able to raise over $600 for third world countries and plan school events such as movie night. These extracurriculars, along with FBLA and HOSA, helped Caroline develop her passions in many areas of life. She hopes to become a pediatric nurse practitioner after studying at FSU.

Braden River and my time here have taught me to always do what makes you happy; who cares what people think?“

”

Caroline Imolek

During his time in high school, Alex has been a member of TSA, Tri-M, and Beta Club. He also held leadership positions as NHS president and a section leader for the Marching Band of Pirates. After graduation, Alex will attend The College of William and Mary in Virginia to study public policy.

My biggest advice leaving high school would most definitely be to fake it until you make it.“

”

Alex Love

Throughout high school, Mitchell was involved in varsity cross country (captain junior and senior years), varsity soccer, varsity track (captain senior year), along with club soccer at Chargers. He was also an officer in both Beta Club and Spanish Club. After high school, Mitch will be attending West Point, where he will graduate as a 2nd lieutenant and study Aerospace Engineering.

I’ve had a long four years and barely a minute off, but it’s been a ride that I know I’ll look back on and smile about.“

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Mitchell McCormick

During her years at The River, Emma served as captain of the Silver Pearls dance team, sophomore representative for Serteens, president of SGA, and secretary of NHS. She also was a member of several school musicals, senior advisory, Beta Club, and Avid tutoring. Upon graduating, Emma will attend the University of Florida, where she plans to stay involved with Student Govrenment and hopefully study abroad.

It never felt like school completely ended at 2:05; it was with me all the time. That’s what I loved most about being a Pirate.“

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Emma Slotabec

With graduation rapidly approaching, the Class of 2015 says goodbye to their four year journey here at The River. From homecoming dances and district championships, to senior projects and AP exams, senior year has been one to remember. As the future graduates ascend to the next stage of their lives, they leave behind cherished clubs and teams that have shaped their short experience here. “Getting involved and making different friends made everything so much more exciting; it was what made Braden River really feel like a second family,” senior Emma Slotabec said. However, the friendships built and lessons learned extend far beyond the walls of this school. Although seniors are off to college in a few short months, the Pirate family is one that will be with them wherever they will go. Throughout the year, several individuals have stood out as the leaders of their class. They have taken the definition of being a “Pirate” to a new level, serving as role models to their peers through their involvement in clubs, sports, and other organizations around campus.

by Hannah MennesASST. EdiTor-in-ChiEf

Photo Courtesy of Abby Toole-Plummer

Photo Courtesy of Donna Love

Photo Courtesy of Halie Terry

Photo Courtesy of Madison Corley

Photo Courtesy of Ashleigh Gilray

Ella worked throughout high school to improve both The River and her community. She was Chair of the Manatee County Youth Commission and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Committee, along with vice president of Senior Advisory, vice president for FBLA, and a varsity cheerleader. She has decided to major in political science at FSU in the fall. Eventually, Ella plans to go to law school and hopefully run for Congress.

Finding great friends can make high school one of the most amazing experiences in your life, even if it takes a while.“

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Ella Biggins

Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Biggins