News with a Bite! May 2021

Park Vista Community High School, 7900 Jog Road, Lake Worth, Fla. 33467 Volume XVII, IssueIssue IV

Sleeping habits, Page 10 IT’S A WRAP! Dunkin vs. Starbucks, Farewell, Mr. Myers, Page 17 Pages 12-14

Childhood shows, Page 20 Index Publisher: Cobra Life 3 Mr. Reginald Myers Letter from Mr. Myers...... 3 Adviser: Val and Sal...... 4 Ms. Cynthia Glazier Cobras of Wall Street...... 4 Senior staff members: School’s out, time for class...... 5 Aliyana Vasquez: Editor-In-chief Cobra congrats...... 6 Hayden Swergold: Managing editor Florida spots...... 7 Cary Tendrich: Production manager 8 Noam Bernstein: Business manager News Madison Barganier: Copy editor Pandemic affects oceans...... 8 Fernando Matamoros: Sports editor Suez Canal...... 8 Staff writers: Hidden impact of COVID-19...... 9 Emily Cobb Daniel McDonald Sleep habits...... 10 Leo Fergenson Kaileigh Pinta Joshua Foreman Kayla Shim Bright futures...... 11 Carly Siedman Zombie outbreak...... 11 Features 12 Letter from the Editor Mr. Myers retires...... 12-14 The Cobra Chronicle staff praises the class of 2021 for all they have Senior week...... 14 accomplished in their four years of high History highlights...... 15 school. We also honor Valedictorian Angelica Borowy and Salutatorian Kha Polly makes recovery...... 16 Vo as each of you have exceeded above 17 and beyond expectations. We cannot Opinion wait to see what you - and the rest of Dunkin vs. Starbucks...... 17 the class of 2021 - do for the world. Last but not least, we say a Oh, so typical!...... 18 bittersweet farewell to our principal Dr. Seuss...... 19 of thirteen years, Mr. Reginald Myers. Thank you for always supporting Entertainment 20 students and allowing us, the scholastic journalists, to have a platform where Remakes and reboots...... 20 we can make our voices heard. It is sad Summer anime...... 21 to see you go, but we are grateful for your leadership and kindness as the Quick Bites...... 21 principal of Cobra Country. Impact of older shows...... 22 Marvel movies...... 23 Student streamers...... 23 Sports 24 Softball’s stellar season...... 24 Editor-in-chief Gender inequality...... 24

2 | About Us May 2021 Hello, Cobra Students & Staff:

At the end of this school year, I will officially transition to the next stage of my life: retirement. Before I leave, I would like to thank you for being such an integral part of my journey as an educator. I consider it a great honor that I had the opportunity to serve as your principal. During the past thirteen years, I have been blessed to be a member of the Cobra family. I reflect on amazing memories of how much I have enjoyed every second, every minute, every hour, every day and every time I got to be with our students and members of this TEAM. I am excited for the bright future ahead for students and staff. Park Vista Community High School is such a special place to work, to learn and to grow because of the amazing teachers, support staff and extraordinary students that contribute to our positive and inclusive campus environment. Together, we have achieved tremendous success. Our strong academics, athletics, activities, academies, the arts and all programs continually bring accolades to our school. We are so proud of our students who embrace the opportunities and strive to excel in the classroom and the playing fields. We are also so proud of our adults who give so much daily so that our students have all of the opportunities that are a part of a comprehensive high school setting. I realize that for some of our students and some of our staff change is not easy. I also know that you will step up and work alongside the new principal so that all the accolades we have earned in the past will continue in the future. I am confident that you will make sure that the culture on this campus remains positive, and that I can count on you to commit to the best future of our school and the community. I am committed to making the transition between principals during the summer months one that is smooth and seamless and will result in positive outcomes for all. I remember when I first arrived on the campus in 2008. The student body leadership of SGA took me under their guidance and taught me about the dynamics and the school culture of “Cobra Country”. Therefore, I am confident that you will support the new principal in his efforts to make Park Vista Community High School better and stronger than ever. I have no doubt that you are committed to ensuring that Park Vista Community High School remains one of the BEST high schools in our District and in Florida. Remember that the success of our school is dependent upon you. You are the beacon of hope in this community. I am so proud of every student and every teacher on this campus. I truly mean this from the bottom of my heart. These past fourteen months have presented us with numerous challenges and opportunities. During this time I could not have asked for a better effort from the teachers. You rose to the occasion by working tirelessly to learn new and innovative ways to instruct our students both in person and virtually. I know this was not an easy thing to do, but you gave it your best and you were present for our students. All of the new apps, resources and online platforms you integrated into your lessons during this time can now be utilized to engage the students even more when they return to campus. Your enhanced technology skills will continue to captivate our students and will result in positive learning outcomes. Students, what I believe defines you these past fourteen months has been your resilience during the Pandemic of 2020 that stretched into 2021. Many of you improved your learning while some struggled. Each of you found ways to overcome the challenges that you faced with true grit and commitment. You are stronger, more durable and more determined to do better and be better than you were before. I think the biggest hurdle for students returning to campus in the fall will be your acclimation and reengagement in the traditional learning environment. So it is imperative that you understand what will be expected of you from your teachers who are going to be working diligently to motivate and inspire you each and every day to recover from some of the learning slide which occurred as a result of the pandemic. So moving forward, the future looks bright. We need to maintain the culture of high expectations for everyone which includes teachers, support staff and students. We need to continue to increase access to accelerated learning for more students. We need to remove the barriers preventing us from including more students so that enrollment in college level and honors levels classes reflects the demographics of our school. By doing so, we will expose all to more rigorous coursework which will better prepare them for post high school. Our graduation rate will also continue to soar. Let’s remember the importance of family engagement as we attempt to return to some normalcy soon. Family involvement has always been a key cornerstone to Park Vista’s success. I could not think of a better place to work and spend these last thirteen years and conclude my career than here at Park Vista Community High School with such a talented staff and amazing young adults. You have impacted my life for the better in so many ways, and I am so thankful for you. I will miss the daily interactions with you. Good change is coming your way. Be ready to embrace it and take this stellar institution to the next level. Remember to work hard, be nice to people and stay humble. Relationships matter! Love you guys!

Principal Myers Always for the kids! Cobra Life | 3 Cobra$ of Wall Street BY DANIEL MCDONALD millions to be made, but only if you know what you’re Staff writer doing.” Weinstein said he gets his knowledge about the A few months back, the stock market was turned stock market from reading articles and doing research in upside down when day traders (short-term investors) order to understand the math behind stocks. from the popular media outlet Reddit bought so many Sophomore Andre Koltz, another student shares in Gamestop stock, prices went through the roof. investor, said students who want to get involved in This is known as a “short squeeze” in the stock market. investing and the stock market should “take their time The big hedge funds thought Gamestop was going to as it takes a long time to master the market” and to plummet, and there was a mass sale of shares before “never give up even if a stock goes down in value”. the day traders from Reddit decided to intervene. These Ron Lieber from the New York Times discusses day traders carried the price of a share in Gamestop from the negatives to investing at a young age. Lieber said that somewhere in the six dollar range to over $300 a share. “Big gains can make you feel invincible. It is a real danger This made big hedge funds lose billions of dollars in the now” which may contradict popular belief. Investors can process while some of the investors who drove up the hit big with one stock and lose that money by investing price made thousands. into another one and this is especially seen in day trading Following this explosion with Gamestop, the with short squeezes like Gamestop market went into a craze and young students were driven and AMC. to make money after seeing the profit margins that could Now students of all ages are investing and be made. Other stocks, such as AMC cinemas which playing a role in the national economy. Robinhood, the nearly went bankrupt, were driven up, but were saved by most popular finance app for teen investors, more than young investors. doubled in digital downloads in Jan. and there were close Junior Matthew Weinstein said new investors to 400,000 downloads January 29. The prowess made should not “assume every stock is like the hedge fund by young investors is largely impressive and should be situation with Gamestop and AMC”, and that “there are considered a great landmark for high school students. 2021 valedictorian, salutatorian BY ALIYANA VASQUEZ take the next step in his life, he will miss being close Editor-In-chief to home. “It will be hard to get over the fact that home Congratulations to Valedictorian Angelica will be hours away rather than ten minutes.” His fondest Borowy and Salutatorian Kha Vo. Borowy has a 5.45 memory of Park Vista was when he attended his first pep weighted GPA and is proud to serve as president of rally. “It was my first taste of what being a Cobra means.” the Environmental Club. She plans to attend Cornell Borowy and Vo worked hard during high school University and study computer science. Though unsure to become successful, and have made a lasting impact what career she wants to pursue, she on the Cobra community. Advisor of is “open to a lot of possibilities” and the Environmental club David Croll had looks forward to being able to explore only nice things to say about Borowy options and pursue passions. She and her dedication to helping the said, “I want to somehow contribute environment. “She was very passionate to solving the environmental issues at about wanting to make serious hand, even if it’s something small.” change, not just talking about it,” said Some of her favorite moments Croll. “She got along with everyone, of high school were of free time. “I courtesy of Cady Photos Studios respected the club members and was Borowy plans to study computer always supportive of other’s ideas.” think it’s important to realize that science at Cornell University; Vo there’s more than just studying plans to study medicine at UF. AICE English Literature teacher and being consumed by school, it’s Natasha Lazere had Vo as a student important to find time for yourself and do what and said he, “always went beyond what was expected.” you enjoy.” “Students like Kha are one in a million, and I know that Salutatorian Vo has a 5.44 weighted GPA and he will do great things.” is a National Merit finalist. He is going to the University Those in the Cobra community whose lives were of Florida (UF) and wants to become a doctor. Vo hopes blessed to know these students are excited to see college will help him come out of his shell and become how both Borowy and Vo change humanity’s future for “more extroverted”. He said though he is excited to the better. 4 | Cobra Life March 2021 School’s out, time for class BY NOAM BERNSTEIN involvement, but summer will give him time to figure that Business manager out. “Starting in summer will throw me right into the fire Very soon, “Pomp and Circumstance” will play, and find ways to adjust and 2021 graduates, draped in a cap and gown, will prior to the fall,” he said. walk across the stage to receive a diploma signaling Senior Adam the end of high school achievements. For seniors across Akel is taking a similar America, graduation is a major transition that marks the approach by attending end of a significant chapter in their lives and begins the summer semester at the journey into adulthood. For many, that beginning means University of Florida (UF) attending college, whether it be a four-year university, to study biology. Akel said, community college or trade school. While many choose “I want to get a head start to take the first summer out of high school as a way to and get my bachelor’s as relax, work or travel, some students are choosing to quickly as possible so I jump right in and start college in the summer. can move onto medical Starting college early brings a host of benefits school faster.” Summer to incoming freshmen. Academically, it helps them get semester presents new a headstart on core courses, usually with smaller class students like Akel the Akel Iveta of courtesy Photo sizes, and may even present the opportunity for an earlier opportunity to get ahead Akel said he looks forward to graduation, according to College Ave Student Loans. At in their studies. moving to Gainesville this summer. large universities where certain preferred classes are While summer sometimes difficult to enroll in, freshmen will have a does give many students an academic and social better chance at taking them if they do so in the summer. advantage, there are some notable disadvantages. Socially, it allows students to get used to the college Lawrence said, “not having a long break and summer to experience before the campus fills up with students in relax and enjoy” is one of them. “Everything, especially the fall. According to University of South Florida (USF) housing applications, is due just a bit sooner,” Akel admissions, summer program students get special explained and added it does create extra stress to switch access to housing and are often able to have student schools so quickly. mentors to help them adjust to college life. The more Living away from home for the first time is a big casual atmosphere of summer semesters also gives transition for many students, but Akel thinks starting in freshmen more time to get accustomed to living away summer will help him. “The Band-aid will be ripped off from home before the excitement of clubs, sports, rush faster for them (parents) since they are empty nesting week and everything else that comes with the after I leave,” he said. Lawrence agrees starting summer fall semester. will allow him to get thrown right in and adjust for the fall. Senior Zack Lawrence plans on attending No matter when students choose to begin their University of Central Florida (UCF) this summer as a college journey, what they put in is ultimately what health sciences major. “Summer would let me adjust to they get out. Akel advised, “If you’re planning on doing the campus before I begin in fall and get ahead in my a summer term, you should definitely stay on top of classes,” Lawrence said. He noted some advantages applications and make sure it’s right for you.” For many of the early start are getting to meet people and students, it is incredibly beneficial to ease into college life make friends before the fall semester. As an incoming to adjust academically and socially, and starting summer freshman, Lawrence is still unsure of exactly what he is often the way to do that. wants to do in college in terms of clubs and campus

Cobra Life | 5 Congratulations to the following students for placing at the recent HOSA Virtual State Leadership Conference! • Marissa Veeravagu - 2nd place, Medical Reading • Erika Bast - 3rd place, Health Career Photography • Emma Carruthers, Tiffany Gonzalez-Sanchez, Katie Turner, Gabby Ziggler - 4th Place, Medical Innovation These students will now have an opportunity to represent Park Vista’s HOSA Chapter at the Virtual International Leadership Conference. At VILC, they will be competing and networking with chapters across the globe! Congratulations to James Wall work and our awesome Medical Teachers.

Congratulations to Brianna Peters and her amazing teachers! Brianna is the third place recipient of this year’s Pat Oliphant Memorial Student Technology Service Scholarship awarded by the Educational Technology Department and the school District of Palm Beach County. Brianna was awarded $1500.000 in recognition for her hard work and dedication in providing technology support to her school and community.

Regional Champion Zach Dumas (pole vault) and Regional Champion Elan Jacobs (discus) recently competed in the FHSAA State Track & Field Championships at UNF. Congratulations Coach Dan Barry, Coach Jonathan Kiegel, Coach Ryan Callahan, Coach Roosevelt Moore and Coach Garvin Saint Jean! Photos courtesy Vista’s of Park Twitter Photos The Cobra baseball team is District champions and The boys’ varsity volleyball team are district and regional the Lady Cobra softball team is going to States. champions and are in the ‘Elite Eight’ in Florida. Congratulations to all coaches and players.

6 | Cobra Life May 2021 Some of Florida’s best local summer spots BY CARLY SIEDMAN Staff writer While there are the “typical” places one goes to during summer vacation: Walt Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, Rapids Water Park, etc., many places with great reviews go widely unnoticed. One of them is the Grilled Cheese Gallery, which is located in West Palm Beach. Like the name suggests, the restaurant produces a vast variety of grilled cheese sandwiches. Two standouts are The Mac Daddy, featuring grilled hearty white cheese, and as one might have guessed, macaroni and cheese, and The Queen Brie, featuring the restaurant’s pork belly, raspberry puree French brie on sourdough bread. There is literally Photo by Carly Siedman by Photo something to devour for every differing taste bud. One of Grilled Cheese Gallery’s standouts is the Mac Daddy. Sophomore Madison Distefano said, The Queen All sandwiches are served with a cup of tomato soup. Brie is her favorite grilled cheese sandwich at the Gallery because “it has all my favorite ingredients’’. She also Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden. It has believes it is “the best place to go this summer.” The 25 garden areas, holding more than 2,000 species sandwiches range from $7 to $10. Grilled Cheese Gallery of tropical and subtropical plants from six continents, is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. including plants native to Florida; herbs, tropical fruit, Another local restaurant worth visiting is the citrus, palms and exotic trees. Admission is $10 for Sailfish Marina, which is located in Palm Beach Shores. It general/ages 13 and up, and five dollars for ages 5-12. It lies on a deck that overlooks a marina, so diners can see is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. many sailboats and take in the cool breeze. Some good (last entry is at 2:00 p.m.). menu choices are the Sailfish Burger, a mahi reuben McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary, also located in and fried grouper sandwich. Because of the location, West Palm Beach, showcases more than 200 animals, partaking in fishing or sailing after dining is an option. from white tigers to African lions, black leopards, amur These meal options range from $16.95 to $19.95. This leopards and more. It is a non-profit wildlife facility place is open daily, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. that takes in injured animals, native, orphaned and If one has a sweet tooth, a trip to Bulk Candy unwanted. One can get hands-on experiences with Store in West Palm Beach. This venue boasts more than alligators, snakes, tarantulas and more by making a 1,500 different kinds of candy, ranging from old-school tour reservation. One of the most popular parts of the candy to newly popular candy. One can shop candy by tour is visiting the reptile room, which hosts the facility’s color, themes, kosher, flavors or types. The candy costs tarantulas and 12-foot albino python. Tours are offered $1.99 up to $42.99. Store hours are: Monday through from Tuesday through Saturday at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Tours cost $35 per adult and $25 per 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. child, and last about two hours. After visiting some of the area’s eateries, one One will have a good time visiting any of these may desire to get a bit of exercise. Why not visit Mounts places. From mouth-watering restaurants to alligators Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach? It is Palm and pythons, being bored is not an option this summer.

Cobra Life | 7 Pandemic affects oceans everywhere BY HAYDEN SWERGOLD Kennedy said, “Disposable masks inhale germs. Managing editor fit my face better than cloth masks Masks are not the only According to a study as more adjustments can be made,” pollutant entering the ocean amid conducted by the Environment, she said. “They are also a lot more the global pandemic. Objects such Science and Technology journal, comfortable than any other mask I as gloves and hand sanitizer bottles around 129 billion face masks have worn.” have been a heavy pollutant of the have been used every month since Reusable masks, on the ocean as well. According to Ocean the start of the pandemic. Around other hand, are less likely to enter Conservancy, well over 8 million 1.56 billion face masks entered the the ocean and disturb marine life tons of plastic enter the ocean every ocean in 2020, Ocean Asia said. The because people purchase them year. Numerous items have gone to large amount of face masks in the for long-term use as opposed to waste since March of last year, such ocean could have a negative impact disposable masks which are a one as packaging from online orders and on marine life just as plastic alters and done. Senior Tori Schwebel relies food have been discarded. its way of living. Organisms can be heavily on reusable cloth masks. “I How much longer humans entangled within the straps of the find cloth masks more comfortable, will have to rely on face coverings is mask, or even consume the mask and they do not promote waste,” not known right now, thus, the total whole, leading them a step closer to she said. “They can be worn more amount of masks that will enter disease, suffocation or death. than one time as opposed to the ocean is inestimable. But if Humans depend on disposable masks which can only people continue to dispose of masks disposable masks as they are be worn for a short period of time.” and other plastics into the ocean, lightweight, protective and cheap. While cloth masks are better for the the world will have to live with the However, these masks are typically environment, they must be cleaned consequences the contamination will used a small amount of times before or washed regularly in order to cause. being discarded. Senior Hayley ensure an individual does not Suez canal incident shows fragility of commerce BY CARY TENDRICH Production manager incident. Although the container ship was eventually The Suez Canal, a man-made waterway located dislodged March 29, the days leading up to it saw no in Egypt that connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas, shortage of economic struggles. “Shipping industry received global attention when a gigantic container ship, journal Lloyd’s List estimated that the blockage is the Ever Given, lodged into the passageway March 23, impeding approximately $9.6 billion per day worth 2021. The ship was freed six days later, but this accident of goods in container cargo alone,” CNN’s Catherine revealed the vulnerability of global commerce and the Thorbecke stated. Economic repercussions of driving mechanisms behind it. this incident are currently expected to be of little The 200,000 ton ship, which had been consequence to the United States. However, China is the operating under Taiwanese jurisdiction, became U.S.’s most influential trade partner, as its exports yield jammed into the canal around 7:40 AM GMT. Evergreen 26% of all U.S. imports. Marine Corporation, a Tawainese container ship and The Suez Canal also hosts 7% of the planet’s transportation corporation, cited weather as the primary oil shipments, meaning almost every country concerned cause of the ship’s failure to properly navigate through with maintaining economic stability will soon feel the passage. “Evergreen Marine said the ship was slight struggles in response to this accident. “Ships ‘suspected of being hit by a sudden strong wind, causing are already having to detour around the Cape of Good the hull to deviate and accidentally hit the bottom and Hope in South Africa to avoid it [the container ship],” run aground,’’ BBC News reported. USA Today’s Associated Press writer Alex Veiga said The world learning of the crew’s preserved March 29. Evidently, the most profound drawback of this health came as a relief, but other concerns quickly situation is the delay of commercial materials to their sprouted to life. The canal hosts roughly 12% of the proper destinations, which will mainly manifest in gas planet’s commerce, and with the gigantic container ship prices being driven up. However, there is no need for obstructing the flow of other ships safely through the commercial business to be plagued with dread over this waterway, many regions soon began monitoring the situation; the effects will be present in the U.S. as well as other countries, but only to a limited extent. 8 | News May 2021 Hidden impact of COVID-19 BY EMILY COBB Staff writer Try to imagine one of the only forms of communication was lip reading. Well, not everyone has to imagine. More than 460 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss according to the World Health Organization. So how are people who are deaf or hard of hearing surviving mask mandates?

It is a challenge to say the least. For the deaf bendshapemask.com and hard of hearing (DHH) community, the wearing of of courtesy Photo masks hinders their ability to lip read. Combine this This transparent mask, created by bendshapemask.com, is effective, accessible and helpful with eliminating single with the fact that many hearing individuals do not know use masks. American Sign Language (ASL) and suddenly, tasks such as grocery shopping, getting takeout, working and more expressions, and so it is important to get those right in become increasingly difficult. order to sign correctly. If one is thinking about seriously Not only does it affect DHH individuals out in learning ASL, please learn from someone who is licensed public, but also in the classroom setting. Lauren Trainor, to teach ASL. For a brief introduction to ASL, check out an Itinerant Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing lifeprint.com. in the Palm Beach School District is profoundly deaf in Another option for Park Vista students is to join both ears. According to Trainor, a lot of adaptations have Park Vista’s ASL Club. The club meets once a week on been made in order to teach both digitally and in-person Thursdays and focuses on learning basic sign, learning to her DHH students. For instance, for subjects such as about DHH culture, and participating in activities with the math, “not talking and showing at the same time allows Palm Beach DHH Community. If one would like to join, for processing information”, and tools such as “captions, email Karin Soria, the club’s sponsor. clear face masks/shields, instructional amplification are The lack of the ability to communicate has very important to most DHH students (and adults).” been one of the biggest effects of COVID-19 on the Not only do masks make communication hard, DHH community. If one is interested in learning more but those who wear hearing aids also have to deal about the DHH community, how COVID-19 has affected with extra issues. According to Rochester Regional members of the community, learning ASL or buying a Health clinical audiologist Lindsay Saltsman, masks clear face mask, please do, and visit some of the sites can damage hearing aids, cause their accuracy to be mentioned previously in this article, or use credible decreased and cause discomfort to those wearing both. sources, preferably written by those within the DHH Trainor uses hearing aids, and said, “COVID-19 has made community. it almost impossible for me to understand with masks because I am very much dependent on visual cues from the face.” Which is one reason why tools such as face shields and clear masks are so important. When asked about how hearing individuals can help, Trainor said, “Be patient, show your face if helpful to the person you are communicating with and do not roll your eyes. We read body language and facial expressions well.” Another great way hearing individuals can help is by learning American Sign Language (ASL). Though, it is important to remember sign language is not just a language, it is part of someone’s culture and should be respected. ASL, like any other language, has its own separate grammar, mannerisms, and more. As Trainor said, those who are deaf or hard of hearing often observe and go off of people’s body language and facial

News | 9 BY MAISON BARANIER eir Sleep is “a time where our brain restores and Quarantine and virtual learning have altered cleans itself, and where certain memories are seared,” student’s sleep habits. Some changes are beneficial said Park Vista psychology teacher Brenda Breckon. for students. Others, however, are detrimental “Sleep is necessary for everyone and age does play to students’ physical health, mental health and a role in how much sleep is needed for the student development. The most obvious issue is students are versus the teacher. For example--at my age, I can get not ge ing enough sleep. According to ajmc.com, a by on less sleep, but high school students need about survey showed “53% [of people] indicated they spend 9 hours. That’s so counter to our school schedule, less time sleeping now than before the pandemic.” therefore, many of our students are chronically sleep On one hand, virtual school is a great way deprived.” One can possibly still succeed on a sleep to stay safe while continuing one’s education. On deprived schedule if one “adheres to a generally the other hand, online learning comes with great healthy lifestyle”, however, it is advised against. consequences as many students claim it is harder to “My worry is the choice of deprivation will become a focus and learn from home. “I just started in person life-long lifestyle. The consequences will take e ect in school, but I find it a lot be er than virtual,” said early aging, disease, and probably in mental health and junior Hailey Glick. “I’m able to focus more, my mental relationships,” Breckon said. “Sleep cannot be ‘made health is be er, and hopefully my grades will be be er. up’. The way the sleep cycle works is that you get more While virtual, I was more distracted and there wasn’t stage 4/Restorative sleep during the first 4 hours and really any social interaction, so I find being in-person more stage 5/REM sleep during the last 4 hours. Each a lot be er.” has a distinct purpose and a nap won’t make up those Virtual school can also be hard to pay a ention lost sleep stages.” to; at times some students doze o online because they stayed up late the night before. Glick said, “I have fallen asleep in class while I was virtual. It is harder to stay awake when virtual because you aren’t focused.” Students’ abilities to adapt through quarantine N may very well have been influenced by what they prioritize in life. Many students are willing to prioritize school over sleep if giving up a few hours of sleep will allow them to obtain the “A” or “B” in a class they want so badly. Senior Jillian Katz said, “I haven’t done any all-nighters this year, but I definitely did in years past due to homework.” Katz also said she knows the importance of sleep for students’ development and memories, but believes students lacking sleep either do not know this information, or “simply don’t care.” Anxiety is another major reason for the change in sleep schedules with teenagers. The pandemic is believed to have “quadrupled the amount Photo courtesy of kqed.org of courtesy Photo of people who show signs and symptoms of anxiety Bearichon, also known as “Bear”, is a narcoleptic dog. and depressive disorders” from before COVID-19, according to statista.com. The focus on the news also been a major factor as nearly everything everyone Another issue people can have with sleep is a was absorbing was negative. This ultimately caused disorder known as narcolepsy. This is a neurological “Anxiety levels [to be] high, which [possibly led] to condition characterized by fragmented sleep fragmented sleep, unusual sleep schedules, etc,” (uncontrollable sleep a acks) and excessive sleepiness stated health.com. When one is anxious or only during the day time. A person with narcolepsy can lapse focusing on the negatives surrounding them, it is easy into the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep at to lose sleep over the anxiety. It is essential for those random times and then, just as randomly, awaken. This struggling with anxiety issues relating to sleep to look can be very bothersome for people, especially for tasks into ways to help themselves. that require extreme focus like driving. However, people Some good techniques suggested are to stay are not the only ones who can struggle with narcolepsy - consistent with the sleep times, avoid ca eine and dogs can also have this rare sleep condition. There is no naps around 3 p.m., play music to help relax and make known cure for the disorder, but dogs with narcolepsy sure one’s room is dark, cool and quiet. can be treated and still be kept as pets. 10 | May 2021 Future may not be so bright for college students BY AYA SIM a rier Many students are outraged and scared as to Senate Bill 86 is being proposed by Florida what can happen to their Bright Futures. Junior Natalie Governor, Ron Desantis. This bill will cut down the Lima said, “It makes me upset because it’s unfair to amount of funding going towards Bright Futures those who worked hard for the past 3-4 years to get scholarships and student aid. Bright Futures.” Lima is one of those students who According to Orlando Weekly, around 99,483 worked hard to try and get the benefits of the Bright students are granted Bright Futures scholarships Futures scholarship, but now might not. She said, “I every year. It is projected there will be an increase am reliant on my Bright Futures scholarship and it’s in the coming years as it becomes more accessible frustrating because this will be directly impacting me.” to students. According to Bright Futures, a total of Teachers also have much to say about the $6,832,574,603 has been given to students since 1997. changes being debated. English teacher Jennifer Desantis wants to change that. He wants to reduce Kalogeropoulos said, “My understanding is funding spending by requiring recipients to choose certain will now be lessened and given to those who can pick college majors, however the bill’s main sponsor, Sen. a career path, especially a career path in a high need Dennis Baxley, has filed an amendment to Senate Bill 86 area.” “From what I am reading and hearing on the news, to remove that requirement. it doesn’t sound like the greatest plan because funding The controversial change being discussed is is being cut for college education and funding is only limiting scholarships for students with specific majors. going to be funneled into jobs with high paying salaries.” How they are going to organize whether or not a student Kalogeropoulos graduated from Florida Gulf Coast has a viable major is through a list. There will be a list of University using her four and a half year Bright Futures majors the state deems do not lead to “bright futures”. If scholarship. She said, “The Bright Futures Scholarship a student ends up on that list, they will not be receiving is the reason I do not have a student loan (along with as much money as they would have in previous years. some so ball scholarships).” For many students, Bright Futures is the only Currently these changes are still being debated, way they can go to college because many students or nothing is set in stone. Many upcoming graduates are parents cannot a ord college or qualify for student aid. very opposed to the bill and have actively tried to stall According to WPTV, the new bill will “instead tie aid to and petition the bill through protests, along with writing budget appropriations,” giving less money to those who to the senator. are in need of it. CDC warns of ‘Zombie Outbreak’, off ers survival tips BY EO ERENSON a rier The Center for Disease Control (CDC) lists the potential risks of a zombie outbreak and how best to prepare for one. Okay, the CDC is not really anticipating hordes of zombies storming the U.S, but their “zombie guide” is full of general preparedness tips for surviving other catastrophic circumstances, like hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes. On the CDC website, www.cdc.gov, people can access a zombie preparedness blog, which outlines how best to outfit a shelter in the event of a zombie outbreak. The CDC o ers supply lists, general survival information and reassurances on the CDC’s role throughout natural disasters. This campaign was thought up in 2011 by Dave Daigle, the CDC’s preparedness department communications head, who sought a more interesting way to help prepare people for the upcoming zombie apocalypse hurricane season. Daigle thought a zombie apocalypse would help generate public interest in preparedness. It worked. When the website launched, the CDC received so many users, the servers shut down and had to be rebooted. PVCHS medical teacher James Wallwork said the CDC was “smart in creating the ‘Zombie Survival Guide’ because it exposed people to survival preparedness in a fun way.” Most people would likely dismiss a shelter preparedness article, but with the zombie scenario, they are more than likely to read the article.” The CDC’s campaign has helped people, particularly those who typically would not read about preparing for natural disasters, learn some basic information, all under the guise of this fictitious scenario. By introducing a subject like a zombie apocalypse, the CDC sparked public interest in their website, which increased tra ic to the website, making people read up on important information they put out. Junior Daniel Mo e said, “having this page is a great, fun way to raise awareness and public interest on general tips to survive.” The CDC also uses this blog to reassure the population they will look out for people and help out wherever they can, even in cases of a zombie apocalypse. This reassurance allows the population to trust the CDC and accept their help when they arrive to provide help in real disasters.

News | 11 Principal Myers says goodbye to Cobra country BY NOAM BERNSTEIN Business manager A!er an accomplished 40 years in the field of education, principal Reginald Myers is retiring. Originally from Fernandina Beach, Fla., Myers moved to Palm Beach County for college at FAU in the 1970s, and has since served our local community at eight di"erent schools. Myers has served the Cobra community since 2008, and has had major influence on the success of Park Vista. Under his leadership, graduation rates have increased by 14%, the AICE program has grown, and Park Vista has continued to be a highly ranked school in the district. In 2019, Myers was nominated for Palm Beach County School District Principal of the Year. Myers sat for one last interview with the Cobra Chronicle to reflect on his life and career, and to discuss the future.

Q. How do you factor your high school experience into your role as an educator? A. “I wanted to make sure I a"orded our students opportunities to excel academically, to be able to have athletic experiences, experience the arts and all of the various clubs. Our students need to know what the total high school experience is; to be well-rounded students who not only are excelling academically but are learning to be part of something bigger.” Q. What were your main goals as you went into the field of education? A. “I wanted to make sure that I was prepared every day when I went to class. When I faced my students, I wanted to make sure that I had lessons and activities that were fun, that were interesting. I wanted to be present and in the moment for them. But also I wanted to be present and in the moment so they knew that number-one I cared about them as individuals. (You know) there’s an old saying that ‘kids don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care’.” Q. As you transitioned from PE teacher to assistant principal and eventually principal, what were some things that surprised you? A. “Well, I don’t know if there were surprises, but I will tell you that teaching is a tough job. Moving to assistant principal, I found that I was able to impact students a li#le bit more. The accountability was greater. Then moving from assistant principal to principal, well, the big di"erence there was that everything stopped at my desk. Some of these other roles I could say, ‘this is what I think’, but there was somebody else down the hall who could defy those decisions. But being principal, every decision that you make rests on your shoulders, good or bad, as the principal that’s your call. I hope that as principal I have made more good calls than not.” Q. What were some of the challenges from your time as principal? A. “The challenges for me were, ‘How do we get be#er every single year? What is it that we need to do; how can we outperform ourselves from the previous year? What can we do to be#er prepare the students to be successful? I think how we accomplished those things was by having the tough conversations, making sure we gave teachers the opportunity to be trained, and then collaborating with them on how to create successful pathways for our students. Ultimately we not only want students to succeed today, but to prepare them for successful lives beyond high school.” Q. How has COVID-19 a!ected your last year at Park Vista? A. “Let me be clear: I’m not retiring because of COVID-19. My time as an educator has come to an end. I feel that I have another year or two in me, but there are certain rules that govern our careers. Sometimes you get to the end of a road and you can’t go any further. I am actually thrilled that I had the opportunity to stay this school year with this talented sta" and amazing students. There’s not a second - or a day - that I have not enjoyed coming to this school. How Covid has a"ected me is that I have learned so much in the last 14 months or so that I would not have learned if not for the pandemic. For example, my technology skills and my productivity increased. Some of the things I normally did, Covid had me take a pause and say, you know, maybe I can do things di"erently.”

12 | Features e

Q. Tell me about your childhood, did you think you wanted to be an educator growing up? A. “My childhood was rather simple, I got a lot of love. Education was always something that was stressed in our household, and the thought behind that was that it would give us an opportunity to get a job and have a good future in the community. I always admired my high school basketball coach. I knew I wanted to do something in education, and he gave me the spark. He demonstrated how much he cared for us as a person. High school was a large part of my life as a young adult.” Q. What are you most proud of from your career? A. “We provided more accelerated courses; our graduation rate has continued to excel forward. We’ve had National Merit finalists. We’ve had a strong expectation to have a high-performing environment and culture here at Park Vista. We’ve engaged the families. There are so many accolades and so many accomplishments that both students and sta" have earned! Those are some things I can step back and be proud of. Yet those things are not because of me - they are because of their commitment and desire to be the best that they can be. Hopefully, as a leader, I played just a small part to help them to move forward, to continue to work hard and to just help them achieve what they wanted to achieve.” Q. Your wife is also a (recently retired) principal, what was it like having two in the house? A. “Having two principals in the house gave us a lot to talk about. It also gave my wife and me the opportunity to be a sounding board for one another, to challenge each other’s decisions that we might have to make. You can come home, compare notes and stories and then hopefully find a way to turn it o" at the end of the day.” Q. What advice do you have for Dr. Vela as we welcome him into our Cobra community? A. “Dr. Vela already knows that this school community has some talented teachers, some amazing kids, and a very competent support sta". He knows it’s a good place, and knows PV wants to remain one of the best schools in this District as well as one of the best schools in the state. This can be done if we retain our culture of expectations and positivity. I firmly believe that this school has a bright, bright future under his leadership and guidance. If we give him the opportunity, he will take this stellar institution to a higher level.” Q. What are you going to miss about Cobra Country? A. “This is all I know! Si#ing here having a conversation with you is what it’s all about. I am going to miss the daily interactions I have with everyone on sta", all of our students, and anyone who comes to the school. I’m really going to miss it. I joke that I don’t know what I’m going to do on the first day of school in August. Who knows, I might wake up and start ge#ing dressed to come to work! I don’t think there’s ever been any day at any school I’ve served that I haven’t enjoyed ge#ing up and interacting with the people on campus. I will miss everyone, no doubt about it.”

Features Features | 13 Myers: man of many interests BY NOAM BERNSTEIN Business manager Anyone who walks into Mr. Myers’ office will In his most recent count, Myers has 837 immediately notice the Disney regalia on his desk, all different neckties. “I have been known to take my tie off around the room and very often on his face mask. For right on the spot and give it away. That gave me a reason almost his entire career, Myers and his family have to go back to a store and buy more (ties),” he said. With traveled to Disney World multiple times a year. “Going to more than 30 years of frequent Disney trips, Myers is not Disney's fantasy world was a way to get out of the work sure whether he has more ties or more total trips to the world for a weekend,” Myers said. “House of Mouse”. Students may also have noticed Myers is almost Most often Myers will wear a cobra-blue-style tie, always seen wearing a unique necktie. Early on in his but his preferred color schemes have changed over the career, he adopted the custom of wearing different color years as he’s switched schools. To see if he was a man ties to change up his style. “Mens slacks come in either of his word, I asked him to swap ties at the conclusion of black, grey, brown or blue. They’re kinda boring,” Myers our interview. He gladly gave me his black/blue tie, but said. “I needed something to spruce things up a little bit, he would not accept my solid red tie, unwilling to tarnish add some color, so I developed a love for ties.” his Cobra pride by wearing Santaluces colors.

Photo courtesy of Pia Pierre of courtesy Photo Coach Brydge, senior Will Perales and

coach Haggerty enjoyed 80s retro day. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Escalera Alexandra of courtesy Photo

Seniors enjoy the annual tradition of wearing their Lamb Krystal of courtesy Photo Seniors show their class spirit by dressing up on class color and crowns on April 23. Friday during senior week. 14 | Features May 2021

Divorced, beheaded, died, survived BY MADISON BARGANIER Copy editor Henry Tudor, better known as King Henry VIII, was a man of many accomplishments, and many wives. His first wife was Catherine of Aragon. Their marriage was political, Aragon being the princess of Spain. She was originally supposed to marry Tudor’s older brother, Arthur, but sadly he passed away due to the “sweating disease” going around England at the time. To keep the political bond with the Aragons, the Tudors Photo courtesy of contexttravel.com Photo married off Henry. Definitely not the ideal circumstances for The order of King Henry VIII’s six wives: Catherine of Aragon, meeting the love of one’s life, however, their marriage has Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine been depicted as a loving one despite the arrangement. Howard and Catherine Parr. Aragon is recognized as a powerful and smart would recognize him. Tudor forgot, however, his new German woman among many. She was both a fighter for education wife was not as accustomed to English culture. According to and one on the battlefield. According to historyhit.com, Aragon royalhistorygeeks.com, Cleves was abashed in response to majorly participated in the battle of Flodden field, leading this act, rejected Tudor’s advancements unknowing he was to a successive victory all while she was pregnant. Although the king and treated “him as a servant.” This hurt Tudor’s she is quite amazing for her accomplishments during a time pride and supposedly led to the resenting claim she was ugly. so heavily focused on a patriarchal structure, Tudor would Of course Tudor believed he could not possibly be the one become disloyal to her and end their marriage after 24 years who messed up, it had to be Cleves fault as she was ugly! He as Aragon had yet to give him a male heir. should not be embarrassed, she should! Their marriage lasted The word ‘whipped’ has become quite popular to a few months and after the divorce she was given a castle and call someone who has a major crush on someone. Well, it allowance. She was even friendly with the next queen in line, is likely one has never seen someone who was ‘whipped’ go having danced with her instead of Tudor at the court’s 1541 to the great extent of Tudor. His most famous scandal would New Year’s festivities, according to thirteen.org. Now that right be his way of chasing after his second wife: Anne Boleyn. there is “sisters before misters”. Cleves then lived a luxurious She was assertive and witty by nature, refusing to become life until she died of cancer on July 16, 1557. a mistress to Tudor, so he had to find a way to make her A lover of music and dogs, Katherine Howard is his wife. After being denied a marriage annulment and was believed to have been around 19-years-old when she married excommunicated, Tudor went on to reform England to become Tudor, being the youngest of the six wives. Not much is definite a protestant state so he could marry Boleyn. How many can about her life before becoming queen, not even how her name say they have gone to that extent to get with their crush? is spelled or her age. However, it is believed she came from a Certainly not a lot! big family, and it is known she was a lady-in-waiting to Cleves Boleyn also did not produce the male heir Tudor prior to the annulment. Howard had faced great challenges: desired, which was believed to be the reason for her death she grew up in poverty, her father was absent for most of her as she was tried for what many historians believe to be false life and her mother died when she was only five. Years later, accusations that lead to her beheading. This was all done so her uncle pushed her into the king’s arms in hopes of power. Tudor could move on with wife number three: Jane Seymour, This, along with promiscuity, would lead her to following her the second cousin of Boleyn and Katherine Howard. Believed cousin, Boleyn, and becoming the second beheaded wife. to be the only one he truly loved, she was the one who finally Tudor certainly had a type when it came to the gave him a male heir. Guess the saying, “third times the women he chose to become his wives. He married two cousins charm” really does fit here. However, shortly after she passed and their second cousin for starters, but what might be more away due to complications with childbirth. The man really comedical is he married three Catherines in total of his six could not catch a break. wives. In comes Catherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Tudor decided to try his luck in search for his next Tudor. Parr was a witty woman herself, like Boleyn, but she wife through the portraits of Hauns Holbein. There he decided also had accomplishments outside of being queen. She was to marry Anne of Cleves, both for political reasons and her one of the first women to publish a book under her name in beauty. He later, however, deemed Cleves as repulsive and England. However, this wit led her down a path that almost not meeting the standards of her portrait. Many historians followed Boleyn’s execution. Before it happened, Parr talked theorize why this is as there is much evidence against Tudor’s her way out of it long enough to save herself as shortly after claim. One story says Tudor was a hopeless romantic, wanting Tudor died. She then became the one who survived, living to surprise Cleves through a traditional English tale. He beyond her reign as queen. disguised himself as a servant and kissed her in hopes she Features | 15 Austin Polly recovers from spinal cord injury BY FERNANDO MATAMOROS they had made for Polly; it was signed Sports editor by more than one hundred students. In the midst of enjoying the Polly’s parents showed him the hashtag daylight hours after school at the #PrayforPolly that had hundreds of Boynton Beach inlet last November, shares on social media. The Park Vista Austin Polly -as a dare- dived into the soccer team played the remainder ocean and struck his head on the ocean of their games in dedication of Polly floor. Soon after, friends found the which grew into another hashtag: 17 year old in an unresponsive state. #PlayforPolly. The Polly family created Park Vista students Nathan Parks and a GoFundMe page and were able to Jacqueline Flaherty both made distress raise more than $37,000 to cover his calls: Parks to Polly’s mom and Flaherty courtesy of Opal Polly Photo surgery and rehab costs. Polly was to 911. A bystander performed CPR. Polly returns home following a near- overwhelmed by the latter. “That was When paramedics arrived at the scene, death experience that left him as a absolutely amazing; it helped my family they followed procedure to remove the temporary quadriplegic. so much. I truly am so grateful for water from his lungs and rushed Polly everyone’s help with both emotional to Delray Medical Center where he had From the moment of arrival, and financial support.” Apart from his emergency surgery and was intubated. Polly said the doctors were very support at home, Polly said the patients “I have no memory from truthful with him, explaining there at Shepherd gave him that extra push after being dared, everything I know were chances he may never walk again during physical training. “I became is from witnesses. The next memory (because usually people with his type family with other patients. Receiving I have is two days later, I woke up at of injury never do). On the other hand, support from other patients there - the hospital with an insane amount the doctors said it was not impossible some who were in far worse positions of pain and could really only move my and they would push him to gain as - was humbling, and it pushed me to biceps,” said Polly. Polly, his C4 and C5 much mobility as he could. Polly, being work even harder.” vertebrae, had a long road to recovery. a very competitive young man, rose to Polly returned home to South While at the Delray Medical Center, the challenge and took his first steps Florida March 25. After months of he underwent surgery for a C3-C6 on Dec. 31, 2020. “After being told hard work, he is able to walk again, fusion of spinal cord, was given lots of that there was no way of knowing what though he still uses a cane for stability. painkillers, was intubated on a feeding mobility I would gain back, taking my His determined spirit, however, has tube for two days and needed a feeding first steps only a little over a month him believing he will not need it much tube until he woke up. He stayed at after my accident was an indescribable longer. He is on pace to graduate and Delray Medical Center for a total of feeling, but I knew I still had a long way plans to walk the stage with his fellow 10 days, in which the only mobility he to go,” he said. classmates. “Right now, I am on FLVS gained was the “ability to slightly lift my The new year began and doing the classes I need to graduate,” left leg up”. While that might seem like January turned into February. Polly’s he said. a small gain to some, Polly described it inpatient care at Shepherd finished Currently, Polly attends as the moment that gave him hope to February 1, and he became an physical training three days a week walk again. “Those 10 days were pretty outpatient. This meant Polly could live for an hour a day, and attends the bad. I was only able to see one family outside the facility, but would still have gym almost daily during his own time member at a time due to COVID-19, and to come in for his speech, occupational to regain muscle. He admits it is a it was lonely nights of constant pain and physical therapy. “Inpatient training little mentally draining to have to limit and discomfort,” said Polly. Following prepares you for the outside world, but himself so much, yet he is embracing his stay at Delray Medical Center, outpatient training pushes extremely the challenge. Polly’s post graduation Polly was airlifted to the Shepherd hard to help patients make progress plans are to stay close to home for two Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, Ga. and gain back as much mobility as years at Palm Beach State College where his rehabilitation began. possible,” Polly explained. (so he can continue his physical Polly arrived at Shepherd on Polly put in the hard work to training there) but he hopes to finish December 8, and was still basically make great progress, but he recognizes up at Florida State University (FSU) or incapable of any movement. “Day the tremendous support he received University of Central Florida (UCF) to one was extremely scary. I did not from the Lake Worth and Boynton study Kinesiology. “I think I’m pretty know what to expect. The one thing I Beach communities really uplifted his well versed in that field already,” he remember clearly was the great pain of spirits. “I was receiving support from said, proving throughout his entire getting into a mechanical wheelchair. everywhere,” he said. Back home, journey, Polly never lost the humor his Fortunately, things only went up from his fellow classmates Jana Polsky, fellow classmates remember, or his will there. They (Shepherd staff) helped me Mackenzie Solomon and Elona Berisha to persevere. through the worst time in my life”. organized a signing event for a poster 16 | Features May 2021

Starbucks: consistency is key Dunkin’: better quality, prices BY KAILEIGH PINTA BY KAYLA SHIM Staff writer Staff writer For teenagers, it is usually a hard choice to pick Dunkin Donuts is widely known for their where their daily caffeine kick comes from, however, affordable and well-made coffee, variety of other drinks, it should not be since one is clearly better: Starbucks easy breakfast on-the-go and, of course, donuts. Coffee Co. Starbucks was founded in Seattle by Jerry Dunkin was founded in 1950 by William Baldwin in 1971, and started as a small business that Rosenberg in Quincy, Mass. and originally only served then exponentially grew because of the mass demand coffee and pastries. Now Dunkin’ has grown to spread for their coffee products. across the world, and according to dunkindonuts.com Starbucks recipes have always stayed consistent there are over 12,000 locations worldwide. Their menu to ensure good quality when a drink is made, unlike has expanded as well. Dunkin Donuts, where drinks often taste different every Products are sold at a lower price than time someone buys it. The drink will either be too sweet Starbucks, which is infamous for having jacked up prices or even burnt sometimes, causing the drinks to be nearly for beverages and drinks, thus making Dunkin’ not undrinkable. However at Starbucks, there always seems only the better but also the more affordable choice for to be a direct recipe because the drinks are consistently budget-conscious teens. made to taste the same. According to consumerreports.org Starbucks On the Starbucks menu there have always is known for burning their coffee beans, giving drinks a been a variety of items, Dunkin’ on the other hand does bitter, burnt taste. Let’s be honest, the majority of people not have that same variety, or at least in good quality, do not like the taste of burnt coffee. Dunkin roasts their such as matcha and different types of teas and frozen beans enough to give them original coffee taste. Dunkin drinks. Starbucks is the origin of popularity for a lot of does not offer as many sugary drinks as Starbucks, but menu items and one of the first franchised stores to they do have them. The Coolata is just one. carry matcha. Dunkin’ thought it would be best for their On the other hand, Starbucks is known for their marketing to try to copy the drinks Starbucks created, diversity in frappucinos and many other styles of drinks. but nevertheless, made at a lesser grade. They have a wide selection, there is no doubt, but as When comparing the food menu at Starbucks a coffee shop, should not the main focus be coffee? to Dunkin’, the Starbucks menu has multiple options Not for Starbucks, they have blurred the line between for every meal of the day. Starbucks has protein boxes sugary dairy drinks and original coffee. Not to mention, and lunch sandwiches, as well as classic breakfast many people are deterred from ordering certain drinks items like bagels, croissants and breakfast sandwiches. because the name is too ridiculous to pronounce. For Dunkin’ only had classic breakfast items before this example: according to starbucks.com they have a past year when they introduced their new grilled cheese “Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino.” It is a very sandwiches, which Starbucks has had for a while longer. wordy drink, and the drink itself is very similar to that of Starbucks also has the sweet options Dunkin’ has, but a milkshake. If you want a milkshake at Dunkin’ you can with a larger variety such as cake pops, brownies and go to one paired with a Baskin Robbins. croissants. Dunkin’ is a place to go if one is looking for Overall, the more high-quality coffee brand is a wide variety in coffees, and many breakfast items. Starbucks. Their recipes to guarantee the drinks will Dunkin’ is better than Starbucks because it is affordable, taste better no matter how many times they are ordered, there is a variety of foods and beverages. As their slogan the coffee and ingredients are high quality compared to states, “America runs on Dunkin’.” Dunkin and there are more original food and drink items to choose from.

Opinion | 17 College: not like the movies BY ALIYANA VASQUEZ Editor-in-chief College. A place many of us have dreamt of since in the cities you are in. For example, many of you are freshman year. Dreams, however, do not always mimic going to UCF. Orlando has tons of beautiful restaurants reality. College is not simply an amazing party place or where you can hang with friends, and the beach is only a boring institution full of forms and formulas. Nor is it about 30 minutes away from campus. Explore and modeled after movies such as After or The Waterboy. adventure during college. If you are locked in your dorm There is much more involved. all day studying, you may regret not putting yourself out Almost every college movie has some scene there more. at a house or pool party with tons of people dancing, Many Park Vista alumni will tell students college playing games and sometimes doing illegal things. This is not always what high school students expect, nor is is an image many students look forward to in college. it even close to how movies depict it. Alumnus Sean While I am usually down for a great party, I realize McCabe said, “I expected no life,” when it came to school college parties are not as important as getting a college work, however he “was wrong in every way”. McCabe education. Think about this: according to educationdata. attends Palm Beach State College where he said, “Movie- org, a nationwide average of $25,615 is spent per style parties happen, but are rare,” and there are no student per year in a public university. That is a ton of ‘cliques’ like in the movie Bring It On Again. “People are money, so why waste it if you are only going to party all just friends with each other and how much you put out is the time? Just show up to a college party and go home if how many people you know.” you are not planning on focusing on your degree. I mean, Alumnus Annalise Wellman attends Florida I get it. Students go into college ready to have fun and Atlantic University (FAU) where she said the atmosphere, adventure out of the homes they have been sheltered in “is geared to both partying and education. The campus for about 18 years. As an early adult, who would not want itself is mostly based on education but you often see to party hard and celebrate being in the newest stage of fliers and hear students talking about parties.” As far as life? The trick is to be smart enough to balance school education, Wellman said, “The stereotype that you need and fun. to make all A’s and should never have to retake a class Now I am talking to all of you homebodies out is the one that everyone needs to loosen up on. It’s okay there- I see you, I respect you, but I also worry for you. to change your major, it’s okay to retake a class, it’s okay A lot of you may see what I am saying next and think, to get a B or a C. College is hard and that is something “she is just confusing me now. First do not party, second everyone needs to realize.” go out and have fun?” Just bear with me. Like I said, As I have said before, balance is so important in there is a balance to work and fun. Now I applaud all college, and even in life after. As much as people want of you students who truly want to go to college to get to have fun in college, it is also important to manage a degree and solidify your future. Many of you look at your schedule to get in some school work. However, do successful people in movies like Never Been Kissed as not spend all your time studying or you will never get to your example for becoming who you want to be. However, enjoy your late teens and early twenties. Over time you I want you to also think about the main problem Josie can start to adapt to the atmosphere of whatever college Geller had in the movie. She was never able to let loose you go to, which will help you feel more at home. McCabe and have fun during her teenage years and regretted it. said, “Each college does have its own culture and that’s It is okay for you advanced hard workers to take a break something you have to learn.” every once in a while. Maybe go explore the nightlife 18 | Opinion May 2021 Baseless crusade against Dr. Seuss BY CARY TENDRICH Production manager The books And to Think That hesitate to do so. “And To Think That against Dr. Seuss and his works. I Saw It on Mulberry Street (1937) I Saw It On Mulberry Street has its Classifying the fictional fish as and If I Ran the Zoo (1950) by Dr. young protagonist imagining an “Eskimo” objectively does nothing to Seuss have long stood as classic increasingly fanciful street parade offend or ostracize Eskimo culture forms of literature for many across that includes “a Chinaman who eats in any way. Voiding this book of the globe, but recent moral and with sticks. . .” wrote Tristan Hopper. publication deletes one of the most political campaigns against these Many have also taken offense to the pivotal forms of art and storytelling books have made it abundantly “slanted eyes” the Chinaman was many children in future generations clear a portion of society no longer drawn with. The banishment of this can one day enjoy, as many have believes in their value. Dr. Seuss book from publication, especially before them. Enterprises announced On Beyond Zebra March 2 (which would (1955) tells a story have been Theodore of fanatical additions Seuss Geisel’s 117 to the alphabet birthday) six titles will and the “Nazzim no longer be published Bazzim,” a creature because they “portray whose ethnicity people in ways that is not specified are hurtful and wrong.” (and rightfully so; McElligot’s Pool, the ethnicity of a On Beyond Zebra!, fictional character is Scrambled Eggs Super! not important). The and The Cat’s Quizzer inconsistencies with are the four other books the “Nazzim Bazzim”

that have seen their Olson courtesy Images’ Scott of Getty Photo and its ethnicity were last publications. This On Beyond Zebra and And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street leading reasons in the “cancel culture” being are facing complete elimination from American culture. decision to recall this exercised against one of book. It is outrageous, the most fabled authors in American given the reasoning, is completely a fictional character’s unspecified history is yet another example of an unnecessary and ill-advised. People ethnicity in a children’s book has led ill-advised crusade against one of the around the world use chopsticks to to its expulsion from publication. It pillars of valued American culture. consume delicacies regardless of has no relation to the story or the And to Think That I Saw what ethnic groups they belong to. It lesson whatsoever, so why are there It on Mulberry Street was the first is pointless to generalize a depiction such adamant movements based children’s book Gesiel ever published of chopsticks as offensive to Chinese on it? The fact this has to even be under the popular “Dr. Seuss” culture alone. Chinese people have discussed is abysmal. alias. The book narrates upon a slanted eyes; it is an objective This is not up for discussion. road (Mulberry Street) teeming physical trait of those who are Gesiel and his books deserve to go with activity from imaginary cars from China. Therefore, the idea this down in history as unchallenged and hordes of people as part of a could be offensive is overly sensitive gems, yet social justice and political dream-like experience for the young and wrong. correctness movements are not narrator (Marco). The decision to McElligot’s Pool (1947), willing to spare even what is cease publication and sales of another Dr. Seuss book, follows the debatably the most iconic collection certain books was made last year adventure of a young boy fishing in a of children’s books. If people care after months of discussion, and, on lake who dreams about “Eskimo Fish about the staples of American March 2, 2021, this one officially from beyond Hudson Bay” he might culture being preserved, they received the axe. Though Dr. Seuss catch. Due to the description of the must avidly speak out against this Enterprises did not specify which fish, the book unfortunately fell as ridiculous “cancel culture,” which exact depictions in the book were another victim to this spontaneously is seemingly designed to obliterate offensive, the National Post did not ignorant and inflammatory assault anything others enjoy. Opinion | 19 2000s shows recent revitalization BY EMILY COBB Staff writer Certain shows stick with a person no matter how long ago they watched them. They might have been animated, might have come out 15 years ago or were only one season, but with many students having more free time, TV shows and movies that were popular when Park Vista students were younger are resurfacing. For many in Generation Z, Disney and Nickelodeon shows were a big part of their childhood. Shows like “Victorious”, “Hannah Montana”, “Avatar: The Last Airbender’’ (ATLA), “iCarly”, “Jonas”, “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”, “Spongebob SquarePants”, “Zoey 101” and more are fondly remembered. Photo courtesy of imdb.com Photo A lot of Gen Z’s Nickelodeon childhood shows Though many were excited originally about the movie have recently been put on Netflix, such as “Big Time adaptation, it fell short in comparison to the original show. Rush”, “Sam & Cat”, “iCarly” and “Victorious”. In 2019, with hopes of it airing in early 2020. “Zoey 101” fact, according to whats-on-netflix.com, Netflix and was a show that aired between 2005 and 2008 centered Nickelodeon have entered a multi-year contract where around a teenage girl and her brother attending a they will be collaborating on things such as TV series’ boarding school in California. However, minus a remix of and movies. They have already started to do so with the the theme song “Follow Me” that was released in October new live action Winx show that came out in 2021, and 2020, nothing else came out of the said talk. the upcoming Avatar reboot. Additionally, there was a previous live action The original Avatar show followed a 12-year-old attempt for ATLA, with a movie titled The Last Airbender boy, Aang, and his friends’ journey in trying to save the which came out in 2010, but it was met with extreme world. When it was placed on Netflix last May, it was in criticism for not only being inaccurate to the original, the #1 spot for the top 10 shows on Netflix for 58 days but also for the extreme whitewashing done to the according to Forbes.com. The show has been praised characters. Due to the criticism, the remaining movies for having complex and mature plot lines, such as the were not made. Despite that, when Emerson was asked effect of genocide and war, while still remaining kid about the upcoming Netflix reboot of ATLA, she said, “I friendly. Junior Angelina Emerson fondly remembers don’t think the Netflix live action reboot will be terrible.” first watching the show when she was nine years old. Emerson still hopes the new reboot will live up to the Emmerson enjoyed the complexity of the show, and original ATLA, and surplus the older failed one, but in her said, “ATLA made sure to create a full and complete plot mind, “The original is always better.” with dynamic characters. It just made the show that Most of these shows are available on streaming much better.” services such as Netflix and Disney+. So, no matter if one Another popular Nickelodeon show was “iCarly”, looks back on the mentioned shows with great memories which aired for 5 seasons between 2007-2012. “iCarly” or have just now heard of them, their legacy will live on. centered around a teenage girl named Carly and a few of her friends who became famous from a webcam show and discussed the difficulties of not only being famous at a young age, but also having absent parents and more. An “iCarly” reboot is currently in the works with it filming right now, and it is expected to be about the adult life of Carly and some of her old friends, excluding Jennette McCurdy, who played Sam. McCurdy has decided to not get involved in the reboot due to quitting acting several years ago according to teenvogue.com. She has since moved onto focusing on directing and writing. The new “iCarly” reboot is expected to air sometime in 2021, and come out on Paramount+. Not every reboot, however, is successful. For instance, there was an attempt at a “Zoey 101” reboot in 20 | Entertainment May 2021 Summer anime season promises exciting new titles BY JOSH FOREMAN get into, with a loveable cast, unique character designs, Staff writer emotional moments and interesting villains, and this new With summer break rapidly approaching, people season will likely bring in even more fans to the “My Hero need something to do, and this summer’s upcoming Academia” fandom. However, those who are looking for anime season is the perfect way to pass the time. New something original and groundbreaking might not be anime like “Tokyo Revengers”, and continuing anime interested in this series since its lack of originality could like “My Hero Academia” and “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’’ be seen as a bad thing. However, there are plenty more are this anime season’s most anticipated releases, and new and exciting anime continuing this year that may fill people are not going to want to miss them. any niche one might have. For newly released anime this summer, there An anime that may fill a niche is “JoJo’s Bizarre is not a lot to choose from. There are certainly some Adventure”. This incredibly popular and also infamous promising titles though. For example, “Tokyo Revengers”. anime is finally getting its long awaited sixth part. “JoJo” This niche manga finally got its adaptation in April 2021. part 6 is believed to be the worst part by many fans, but The unique plot revolves around Takemichi Hanagaki people are still extremely excited for its release. “JoJo” and his lackluster life. As everything is going downhill fans are somewhat infamous in the anime community, for Takemichi, he suddenly travels back in time, twelve but this is only because of how passionate the love they years into the past, and then he must save himself and have for this anime is. One unique thing about “JoJo” others. The small but dedicated fandom of this manga is each new part features a new protagonist, meaning are highly anticipating this adaptation, and many people there have been a total of five protagonists in the anime are saying this could be the most exciting debuting so far, and eight in the manga. This new part follows series this season. This anime is being handled by the the first and only female protagonist in “JoJo”, Jolyne studio Linden Films. Linden Films are most famous for Cujoh, in what is essentially a revenge/prison break arc. their classic adaptation of the legendary racing manga, Ironically enough, in a Florida prison. This season will be “Initial D”, so this studio has some credibility and could handled by David Productions, best known for their work be the best studio for this upcoming high-octane action/ on “Fire Force” and of course “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”. drama anime. This studio has become extremely well known for their For continuing anime, there are plenty of options. handling of the “JoJo” anime. Lots of people praise their The most popular of these being “My Hero Academia” bassy sound design, and skilled voice acting. This anime season five. This highly popular anime is arguably the is beloved for a reason, and this highly anticipated sixth most exciting pick for this season. Its massive fanbase part will only bring the series more popularity. have brought “My Hero Academia” to be one of the most The summer anime season of 2021 is looking well known animes in recent years, and has even brought very promising. With brand new titles like “Tokyo many younger people into the anime community. The Revengers”, and massive series finally continuing like story written by Kohei Horikoshi is easy to digest with its “My Hero Academia”, and “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”. beautiful animation from a highly regarded animation There are even more exciting anime that were not studio, Bones, which has brought this anime to the peak mentioned. Such as “Beastars” season two and “Demon of popularity. Season five will follow the protagonist Slayer” season two. Above all else, this summer should Izuku Midoriya, as he and Class 1-A have another clash be great for anime and will hopefully usher in lots of with Class 1-B. “My Hero Academia” is extremely easy to new fans. Quick Bites BY LEO FERGENSON Staff writer 1. Of the 78 million kids in school in the United States, there are only around 7.2 million teachers. (surfnetkids.com) 2. Grades 9-12 were only introduced to the US in 1910, with the majority of students only going in the 1930s. Before this, most children only went to school through eighth grade. (geezgwen.com) 3. The world’s oldest school is The King’s School in Canterbury, England. It opened in 597 AD, making it 1424 years old in 2021. (scoopwhoop.com) 4. In China, students expect to get 14 hours of homework per week, leaving many students sleep deprived after getting less than 8 hours of sleep. (scmp.com) 5. Diplomas were originally made out of sheepskin, with scholars in the renaissance carrying around their credentials. Sheepskin was used for its durability, as it can be easily rolled and unrolled thousands of times. (seniorclassproducts.com) Entertainment | 21 Impact of older shows on present media BY EMILY COBB four seasons. “Full House”, the Staff writer popular sitcom of the 80s and 90s, When Park Vista students also had a reboot of its own called think about shows that had an “Fuller House”. It followed the same impact on their life, most think of family 20 years later and was fairly shows from the mid 2000s and successful, lasting five seasons. after. However, that most likely is “Lizzie Mcguire”, on the other hand, not the case for Park Vista teachers. was officially on its way to having Most grew up watching shows such a reboot in 2020, but plans fell as “Animaniacs”, “Full House”, through, and hopes of having one “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, “Dawson’s have ended. Creek”, or older ones such as “Little Older shows such as “The House on the Prairie”, “Batman”, Brady Bunch”, “The Waltons” and “The Waltons” or even the original “Little House on the Prairie” had a

“Charlie’s Angels”. These shows not surprisingly lasting impact on TV, courtesy of amazon.com Photo only had a lasting impact on viewers, combining life lessons and family- The original “Full House” poster, clearly but on TV media as well. friendly content that could be shows the change in fashion versus the AICE sociology and watched and enjoyed by all. These 2016 reboot. psychology teacher Rebecca shows also covered some complex often found in the human experience Coleman fondly remembers watching issues, like drug abuse and death, and in literature and media. “The Wonder Years” as a child with in ways children and others could According to masterclass.com, “An her family, and said “it was the one easily understand, and brought a archetype creates an immediate show [her family] would watch with bit of history to the present. They sense of familiarity, allowing an [her].” “The Wonder Years” aired later inspired shows like “Dr. Quinn audience member to relate to an for 6 seasons between 1988-1993, Medicine Woman”, “Fuller House” event or character without having to and centered on a boy named Kevin and “Anne with an E”. necessarily ponder why they relate.” Arnold throughout his teenage years. Whether shows nowadays It is a common belief that there Coleman also remembers watching are taking inspiration from the hit are 12 archetypes: the lover, the shows like “Sabrina the Teenage ones in the 90s and earlier is hard hero, the magician, the outlaw, the Witch”, “Lizzie McGuire” and “Full to say since this view changes from explorer, the sage, the innocent, the House”, which all either had a reboot person-to-person. Coleman said, creator, the ruler, the caregiver, the of sorts, or are rumored to have one. “It is typical for people to rewrite everyman and the jester. “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” similar stories so it’s possible.” These mentioned shows was popular in the late 90s and early However, English teacher Kristina are worth checking out, even if they 2000s. It focused on a teenage girl Vissa has a firmer view, she believes seem old. While doing so, try to find named Sabrina Spellman and her that shows from her generation, the common archetypes. Many of the adventures as a witch in high school Generation X, had an impact on ones shows can be found on streaming and college. In 2018, there was a today. She said, “There really are no services such as Netflix, Disney+ completely new version created by original storylines. A lot of shows and Amazon Prime. Maybe students the “Riverdale” writers titled “The are a remake of another. Archetypes would enjoy rewatching old shows Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”. are archetypes for a reason. They from their parents’ past with them. It had a grimmer tone than the work.” An archetype is an emotion, original show did and ended after character type, symbol or pattern

22 | Entertainment May 2021 I watched every MCU movie so you don’t have to BY LEO FERGENSON Phase Two -Black Panther: Great film with an Staff writer -Iron Man 3: The villain is great. Not the amazing plot. CGI is lacking sometimes. I was dared to watch every main one, the fake one. -Avengers: Infinity War: The most single Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) -Thor: The Dark World: Loki is the best unsatisfying ending in the whole universe. movie. So, like any sane person, I did just part of this one, too. I love it. that. For three weeks straight. I figured -Captain America: The Winter Soldier: -Ant-Man and the Wasp: Characters are all this superhero knowledge and trivia This movie makes Hydra feel like an great, but the story is confusing. probably should not go to waste, so, actual threat. -Captain Marvel: Remember the 90s?! in ten words or less, here are my mini -Guardians of the Galaxy: I am Groot. And remember Blockbuster?! Wait, guys, reviews of every single MCU movie, from -Avengers: The Age of Ultron: You’ve come back. 2008’s Iron Man to 2019’s Spider-Man heard of floating aircraft carriers. Boom. -Avengers: Endgame: Literally everyone Far From Home, with added bonuses. Floating City. shows up to punch a big purple guy. Phase One -Ant-Man: A professional thief commits -Spider-Man: Far From Home: Nick Fury -Iron Man: The first half screams corporate espionage with his friends. refuses to let this kid go on vacation. “SCIENCE!”, The second half: Phase Three Phase Four corporate espionage. -Captain America: Civil War: -WandaVision: Depressed witch commits -The Incredible Hulk: Days Without Apparently nobody told the Avengers, necromancy and becomes a housewife. Incident: 0. “Communication is key.” -Falcon and the Winter Soldier: A buddy -Iron Man 2: THAT COOL GUY HAS -Doctor Strange: Inception, but this time it cop movie, but they hate each other! ELECTRIC WHIPS! What was his name? is somehow more confusing. -Black Widow: To be released May 1, -Thor: Loki is the best part of this movie. -Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: This kid’s 2020, Nov. 6, 2020, May 7, 2021, July -Captain America: The First Avenger: dad has a huge... ego. I am sorry. 7, 2021, on Disney+ for 30 dollars Brooklyn Man punches a Nazi, becomes -Spider-Man: Homecoming: A great way alongside your subscription! a popsicle. of showing everyday people alongside -The Avengers: Six people who hate each Marvel superheroes. other fight an alien invasion. -Thor: Ragnarok: Friends from work show up at the same fight club. Student streamers try Twitch out BY JOSHUA FOREMAN followers, three average viewers, eight hours streamed and Staff writer seven unique broadcasting days, all in the last 30 days. For Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime are all well-known the coveted title of Twitch partner, it is even more difficult. The streaming services that have seen a vast user increase since requirements are to have 75 average viewers, stream for 25 the pandemic put people in isolation. But another service, one hours and stream on 12 unique days all in the last 30 days. that has been around since approximately 2011, has recently This title is much harder to obtain, but it is worth it. Once a become the most popular live-streaming platform: Twitch. streamer becomes an affiliate or partner, they become eligible Twitch is an American video live streaming service to make money from donations, subscriptions and gifted that focuses on video game live streaming, including subscriptions. A tier one subscription costs $5, a tier two costs broadcasts of e-sports competitions. Also, it offers music $10 and a tier three costs $25. There is also an option to get broadcasts, creative content and more recently, “in real life” one free subscription every month by linking your Amazon streams. It is operated by Twitch Interactive, a subsidiary prime account. This is the same as a tier one subscription, of Amazon.com, Inc., and holds hundreds of thousands of but it does not cost anything for the viewer, and one also gets streamers. From people who get 100,000 viewers to people access to certain Twitch perks that are not available otherwise, who get 100 viewers, the platform never stops. No matter such as changing the color of their name in a Twitch chat. The what time of the day, there is someone streaming, and there is higher tiers of subscriptions grant viewers different perks or constant entertainment at people’s fingertips. This platform is abilities, and while mostly the same, a tier three subscription very appealing to teens, and many of the students at Park Vista gets a person more than a tier one. For instance, one can get watch Twitch streamers play video games, and some of those more emotes if they have a higher tier subscription, and they same students like streaming, so they are able to integrate all also give the streamer more money, so it is perfect if there is a on Twitch. streamer one would like to support. Twitch is a good hobby for people to have. Not only Twitch streaming could be the future of online can it potentially start a community of people who otherwise entertainment, there is always something to watch, and there would have never met, but people can also make some money is definitely something out there that will peak almost from it. In order to make money, however, one has to become anyone’s interest. an affiliate or a partner, and for some, that can be a very arduous task. To become a Twitch affiliate, one has to have 50 Entertainment | 23 Softball team continues to stay on top BY DANIEL MCDONALD AND NOAM BERNSTEIN Staff writer and business manager 2019 win at states “was not a fluke,” and win the title again.” The Park Vista softball team she thinks the team “has what it takes to The Cobras did face a challenge defeated Treasure Coast 6-2 May 14 to return to the hallowed ground of winning” when halfway through the season star improve to a 28-0 record and advance to [the state championship] this year - even pitcher Senior Tyrina Jones tore her ACL, the state final four. A win on May 21 against after last season’s play time being cut ending her season early. However that University High School will advance the short. The team had a 29-3 record in didn’t hold them back from a perfect Cobras to the state championship for the their 2019 state title season as well as record. “I am most proud of my team for second time in three years. (Max Preps an undefeated 11-0 last year. A win in the being able to have my back and not give ranks Park Vista at #4 in the nation.) championship game would make the up because I actually am done for the The team’s hope is to take the state Cobras back-to-back champions - taking season,” Jones said. championship this year, and it appears into account that last year’s championship The talented team will also be they have the talent to do so. Following was cancelled due to COVID-19. sending four seniors to play softball in their most recent win, the Cobras have Senior Kelsey Ganci said, “It college next year: Tyrina Jones at Purdue, scored a total of 234 runs, and have a feels great to be able to go undefeated Rylee Kent at University of Maine, Ganci at collective batting average of .384. The for senior year, we’ve worked so hard Eastern Florida State College and Konz at bullpen has also impressed, striking out and earned everything.” As a catcher and College of Central Florida. With the team 169 batters and maintaining a 0.79 earned a captain for the team, Ganci made the losing some core players next year, Junior run average (ERA). Sun-Sentinel first team along with senior Danielle Dougherty is “hoping for another Krystal Lamb, assistant coach Emily Konz, Junior Ilianna Hernandez and memorable season” for her senior year. for the softball team, said “We definitely sophomore Chloe Fairello. Ganci said this Whatever the outcome of the final two wanted to keep our rankings, win districts season has been special because “From games, the Cobras have had a and make a run at states again.” She the beginning we knew we were not going remarkable season. also said the team is trying to prove their to let up until we made it back to states to

BY KAILEIGH PINTA Staff writer The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), an organization for college sports across the country, has recently been under fire for the lack of support and essentials given to women’s basketball players compared to men at their annual tournament. The NCAA was founded in 1906 with the original intent to change the rules and guidelines for college athletics. Now they serve as the largest collegiate athletic organization in the world with over 1,000 college institutions under their belt. The women at the tournament were usually fed meals out of a bag in their hotel rooms for social distancing measures, however, the men’s teams had a buffet at the actual tournament. The food Ali Kershner of courtesy Photo looked high quality and were hot meals compared to the women, Kershner’s Instagram shows an NCAA men’s weight room vs. who usually got some variety of a cold sandwich. women’s at the start of the March madness tournament. Food, however, was not the only noticeable inequity. Videos surfaced on TikTok of the men’s weight training attractive appearance and her reviews on the meals she had facility compared to the women’s, which initially broke out the received from the NCAA while quarantined inside of the bubble controversy at this year’s tournament. The women’s room was a at the tournament. She also recorded herself opening “swag bland, ungraded room which had very minimal equipment (one bags” given to all NCAA participants at the tournament, which set of dumbbells), compared to the men’s training facility which people soon realized that the merchandise inside of the bag of had about every piece of equipment an athlete could dream of. the men were worth more money and even personalized while Ali Kershner, coach for the Stanford women’s women received the same items, each one worth less money. basketball team, was the main influencer who showed the While she was reviewing her daily cold meals, the information inequalities of the weight room. She posted a photo on her about the men having a buffet and hot food delivered to them instagram tagging the NCAA on multiple accounts saying, “This broke out. This brought out the recognition of the difference in needs to be addressed. These women want and deserve to be quality of food for the men and women at the tournament. given the same opportunities.” These inequalities towards the female athletes at While these inequalities were brought attention to this the national tournament has opened many individuals eyes to year, this may have actually been a pattern that has improved the struggles women often face because of their gender. While prior years when quality of locations, food and other sources are many support the idea of “less revenue brings in less money considered. With that being said, the quality of the women’s stay for the women”, the Oregon Ducks Women’s Basketball team in the tournament compared to the mens was still not adequate made nearly a billion dollars in revenue in the 2018-2019 season enough this year, causing the recognition to be brought to it. according to the Washington Post. The view of male athletes Another woman who influenced the view of the NCAA being superior compared to women can create these types of basketball bubble is Sedona Prince. A woman who plays for the disparities even in organizations that were originally supposed Oregon Ducks created a huge TikTok presence because of her to preach equality.

24 | Sports