Volume 62 Issue 10 - Fort Myers High School

Lacrosse club ready for this year’s competition
by Eddie Hardiman and Caleb Boulton
Last year’s boy’s lacrosse season was very
outstanding, with a record of 10-5. The road
to the playoffs was an easy one, but once they
got there, the games were very close, with a
one point win followed by a one point loss.
But this season will be completely different.
First off are the goalies; the well-seasoned
starting -goalie, freshman Johnny Melchiorre,
as well as the junior prodigy, Dylan Reublin.
Melchiorre has seen many youth league
lacrosse competitions, but looks forward
to the upcoming lacrosse season with
his classmates. “I’m looking forward to
playing with more skilled players, as well
as better, more experienced coaching from
Coach Richie Davis. I hope to see good ball
movement, winning face-offs, and hopefully
less penalties.” First year sub-goalie, junior
Dylan “The Brick Wall” Reublin also had
a few comments. “I know I’ll do well this
year, I learned from the best; Johnny. I hope
to catch most of the balls that come at me,
but I’ll block them with my body if I see the
need.” He then directed attention to a fist sized
welt on his leg and laughed, “It kind of hurts.”
Something that both Reublin and Melchiorre
hope for this year is a good defensive line,
which last year, was composed of mainly
seniors who have graduated. (Watch
for our three remaining seniors; Calvin
Lisisch, Ryan Petrone, and Kace Havens.)
A great D-line has been formed though,
from many seasoned players that have
seen many games as well as competitions.
Jacob Weiss, new to the D-line, seasoned as
a mid-fielder, looks forward to playing his
new position. “I’ve been practicing since
last year, I’ve been training hard, and I look
forward to the defensive line with Tyler
(Carner).” Weiss said that the teams he
looks forward to playing most this year are
the teams that have given FMHS the most
challenge in the past, such as Bishop Verot,
Baron Collier, Canterbury, and Cypress.
Up next for the attack line was Patrick
Hagan. Hagan mentioned that he was happy
with the #23 ranking in the state last year,
but he hopes that The Wave will make it
further this coming season. What Hagan
disliked most about the sport was that
most people don’t really know what the
sport is, they don’t know what it’s about,
so they choose not to come out and watch.
Hagan said that he was looking
forward to this lacrosse season, and
that he looks forward most to scoring
Financial Operations class ranks 5th in
Stock Market Game
by Corinne Bowden
The News-Press stock market game has become a popular class activity that is fun,
all the while helping students understand how to deal with stocks. Mrs. Shuchart’s 3rd
period Financial Operations class was one of the many classrooms taking part in this race.
In the end they came in 5th place out of all classroom competitors, and ranked 191st overall.
Students in the class decided on a number of stocks to “invest” their $50,000 in, hoping that
they would be lucky and make a profit. Congratulations to Mrs. Shuchart’s 3rd period!
shots on Baron Collier and Verot.
The guys have been training hard and
practicing for months, most of them since last
Front Row (L-R): Chris Davidson, Johnny Melchiorre, Calvin Lisich, Devin Esposito, Charlie Parker, Alex
Plattner 2nd Row (L-R): Drew Slater, Connor McKay, Kace Havens, Patrick Hagen, Eddie Hardiman 3rd Row
(L-R): Robert Darrow, Mike Riley, Mark Poucher, Brian Schultz, James Barter 4th Row (L-R): Alex Thomas,
Tucker Maute, Phillip Chandler, Taylor Parker, Jacob Weiss 5th Row (L-R): Chris Miles, Tyler Carner, Kyle
Green, Dylan Reublin 6th Row (L-R): Ian Lane, Max Arnell, Coach Harrington Not Shown: Nick Champion
Roaring 20’s
styles return
by Michele Kappas
April 26 is coming sooner than you
think! In case you are not aware, the theme
for this year’s prom is; pinstripes and
pearls, which were in style in the 1920’s.
Although most high school students do
not usually dress the theme there are many
20’s styles that are becoming popular now.
For the guys, according to Black Tie
Tuxedos, some 20’s styles include pinstripe
shirts, thinner ties, white and black shoes,
longer coats, and a bowtie. In today’s
generation, all black is in with the tie
matching the girl, thicker ties, square toed
shoes, various colors for the shirts, and the lay
down collar for the shirt. All white is still seen
today, especially worn by seniors at prom!
For the girls, according to David’s Bridal,
some of the 20’s styles still worn today include;
rhinestones, a lot of sequence, more skin
showing, and gloves. If you are not planning
on dressing the theme at all, the tailored look
is in, colorful dresses, fun and crazy styles
such as poka dots and ruffles, and of course,
all black gowns. Some of the materials that
David’s Bridal considers “hot” for 2008 are;
satins, jersey, organza, and tulle material.
At Black Tie Tuxedo’s you will find tuxedo
styles that are original for great prices!
Girls, if you purchase your prom dress at
David’s Bridal you will receive 10% off
shoes, handbags, and jewelry! Don’t waste
time in looking for your 2008 prom attire.
Louie Mausser, Eddie Hardiman, and Louis Resnick
modeling prom tuxedos from Black Tie Tuxedos.
season ended, and they want people to come
out and support them as they’ve been working
hard to build the team up and get better.
Congratulations to
Ms. Ellen Chaikin for receiving
the 2008 Media Specialist of the
Year for the high school
division!
Tidal Wave Staff
Eric Ambert
Laura Bisbee, Editor
Caleb Boulton
Corinne Bowden
Jordan Brown
Noelia Cruz
Amina Forrest
Morgan Frink
Eddie Hardiman
Alex Hillberry
Melissa Hubble
Brittany Idlette
Michele Kappas, Editor
Drew Kelly
Lynanne Lowry
Louis Mausser
Dakendo Michel
Jessica Norris
Daniela Patino
Annisha Price
Brittany Ratliff
Michael Resnick
Monika Simic
Jonathon Swanson
Jay Valentine
Austin Yorski
Tidal Wave Newspaper
Published by
FMHS Journalism Classes.
For more information about
advertising in the
Tidal Wave Newspaper,
please contact
Mrs. Carmen Weigel,
Newspaper Advisor
at 239-334-2167, ext. 159.
Principal, David LaRosa
Athletic/Activities Director, Joni Logan
2635 Cortez Blvd
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Copyright 2007
2008 Role Models Today Writing
Contest!
Who: Students grades 9-12
What: Write an essay 750 words or
less on this theme:
“One of the most important issues
facing the nation in the news today.”
Must be typed in 12 point and doublespace.
Photographs and illustrations
are welcome, but not required and
will not be returned. Do not fold or
staple artwork! Must attach entry
form.
Due: Must be postmarked by
March 17, 2008
Give entries to Donna Jones in B219
to mail or mail to:
Role Models Foundation, Inc.
4300 NW 23rd Avenue, PMB 144
Gainesville, Florida 32614-7050
**Go to www.rolemodelstoday.org for
complete rules and guidelines and to
print entry form. Or see Donna Jones
in B219 for entry form and complete
guidelines.
Contest will be judged by professionals
from St. Petersburg Times and the
University of South Florida. Winners
will be announced in May. $100
prizes available for the best entries
and possible publication on www.
rolemodestoday.org
The Top Ten Reasons Why Mr.
LaRosa should be the next
President of the United States.
10. He already has a nice office and a
black car.
9. He dresses a lot better than Hilary
Clinton.
8. He’s a lot younger than that
McCain guy...a lot younger.
7. Mr. Eckhardt would be an awesome
vice-president.
6. Mr. LaRosa gives very inspirational
speeches.
5. He’s a lot taller and could probably
knock some sense into most of the
world’s dictators.
4. He would be the first President that
was born in West Virginia.
3. He knows the words to the national
anthem.
2. He puts up with a lot of nonsense
and never loses his temper.
1. He knows how to make change...
he had to once in the Stadium Ticket
Booth.
March 14, 2008 Volume 62, Issue 10
Traditions fill the hallways of FMHS
by Louie Mausser
The next time you’re walking through
the halls of Fort Myers take a second to
look around. You will start to notice things
you have never noticed before. At first you
might notice the numerous amounts of fire
alarms, security cameras, water fountains,
and lockers, however intermixed with all
of the normal things in a hall are complete
random mysteries, that most of the students
in the whole school don’t even recognize.
For example, the hallway where the media
center is, there is a sign up on the rafter
that says “The Quiet Zone.” Another one is
“Logan’s Corner” which
is the intersection where
the big FM is tiled in the
floor, and in that same
section there is a picture
hanging on the wall
called “E Pluribus Unum:
Out of Many One.”
All of these mysteries
and many more are
about to be unraveled.
The voice you all
hear for the morning
announcements every
day is Mrs. Booker.
She has been a family
member of Fort Myers
High for over 20 years.
(Unfortunately this is her
last year at Fort Myers
High, she is retiring). In
1994 she held the duty
of supervising the corner
that intersects the band
room and the commons
area halls. She was there thirty minutes
before school started, in between classes,
during lunch, and after school. She was there
so often that if someone was looking for her,
she was always found at the corner. She was
greatly trusted by the Scholar’s Club and could
always be counted on to do any type of favor.
In 2001 the Scholar’s Club wanted to show
their appreciation to her, for always being
there. They asked the tech club to construct
a plaque that quoted “BOOKERVILLE” in
capital green, carved letters, they presented it
to Mrs. Booker at the Scholar’s Club next big
meeting. Mrs. Booker was so excited; she
said “Now I have to find the perfect place to
hang this.” However the place had already
been decided, the next day it was hung up
in the hall way, now known as Bookerville.
Much of the same story goes for Mrs.
Logan.As a past principal of our school,
she also has a corner on the opposite end of
Bookerville, named “Logan’s Corner.” She
was always in the corner during lunch shifts
and if anyone needed to find her that’s where
she was. Mr. Trelease was Assistant Principal
at the time and named the corner after her
Ms. Logan at Logan’s Corner Ms. Booker in Bookerville
for easy reference to the area, the award was
given to her at a faculty meeting, in honor
of Mrs. Logan in 1996. In Logan’s Corner
there is an abstract tile art. It resembles a
figure of a river. Ebby Slichter and Toni
King say, “It looks like a cosmic river that
flows through the space of our minds.”
However it is actually called “E Pluribus
Unum: Out of Many One.” This plaque
was donated to Fort Myers High for
hosting the Natural Rivers Congress. It
was created by students from Texas, Iowa,
Florida, some of our own local High
picture by Erin Bise
The Little Wave decorates Mr. LaRosa’s office for Valentine’s Day! This year’s Little
Wave class thought it would be fun to surprise Mr. LaRosa on Valentine’s Day. The students
decorated his office with hearts and candy.
Schools also contributed as well as Suncoast
Elementary. They made it to recognize the
spirit of learning and sharing information
about America’s rivers and waterways.
Not only is our school high in spirit and
tradition, but it will always remember those
students that unfortunately lost their lives
during their high school careers. Joshua
Allen Hollis March 9, 1980-October 17,
1999 was a FMHS student who has a
memorial plaque in the gym hallway next
to the boy’s basketball locker-room. Ashley
Marie Nesvik 1983-2000 has a clock donated
to her in the commons area.
Gavin Simpson 1974-1993
class of 1992 was a high
achieving student-athlete
who has a very interesting
marble slab located near the
cafeteria. It has an extending
tree branch and a dove flying
away. If you look closely
you will recognize engraved
figures in the branches and
leaves of people playing all
of the sports that he once
enjoyed, and signs of all
his academic achievements.
Another interesting mystery
of the hall ways are the “The
Quiet Zones”, which can be
found next to the library and
outside the science building
facing the court yard. The
story behind these two quiet
zones is that during your
lunch shifts the courtyards are
popular places to be around.
And while there are people inside taking
classes or testing there are also students outside
making noise so they are simple reminders
to remain quiet while near those classrooms.
However, Ms. Chaikin the librarian says,
“That hallway is anything but quiet when those
doors open and there are students in the hall”
Well there you have it most of the things
you may have noticed in the hallways before
have been uncovered, now have fun roaming
the hallways noticing the details that you
may have never even noticed before: the
details that make FMHS special and unique.
3rd Annual Green Wave
Fishing Classic is just
around the corner!
The 3rd Annual Green Wave fishing classic
is coming up March 28-29! The tournament
is a combination red fish and snook
catch and release. This event is held at the
Bridge Waterfront Restaurant near Fort Myers
Beach. The tournament costs $100 per
angler, but the prize money is over $10,000.
When you register for the tournament, you
will receive a t-shirt, hat, coolie cup, meals,
captain’s bag, bottled water, and a great
time with friends. For
more information,
please contact
Atheltic/Activities
Director, Ms. Joni
Logan.

photo by Corinne Bowden
Top left: Kedra Brown, Ashley Wilkinson, Adiranna Villea, Mariella Marcucci, Middle: Katie Miller, Lilt Muniz,
Joanie Oben, Floor: Breanna Dennis, ShaunaLazzaro, Kelsey Swope, Amanda Luiso, Sarah Skipper,
Sam Chestney
“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who
will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” – Oprah Winfrey
FMHS dances their way to a successful season
by Melissa Hubble and Corinne Bowden
This year, Fort Myers High School has
started a competing elite team in addition to
the dance team that already exists. Tryouts
began with two days of learning a try out
piece and then the audition day where they
preformed in hopes of making the team.
In all, forty-one tried out, but only twenty
members and three alternates made the team.
The small varsity or elite team consists of
ten girls and those same girls are also part of
the twenty on the large varsity team. It was
required that they executed skill, technique, and
presence, and if auditioning for the elite team,
you had to prepare an original piece of your own.
Coaching both teams is Manda Edsell.
She herself has been dancing for close to
thirty years. She also danced professionally
in Musical Theatre for eight years. She has
coached cheerleading/dance for fourteen years
in both Florida and Pennsylvania. We have
had the delight of having her here at FMHS
for a number of years. When asked what her
favorite part of coaching was she responded
“I don’t have a favorite part about coaching
-maybe, it’s the look of accomplishment and
acceptance on the faces of the girls. Also, I
love watching the team succeed and grow.”
She says “Being alumni of FMHS is a
huge part of me coming back and giving
back to the program. It afforded me so many
opportunities, that I want to make those same
opportunities available to the students I coach.”
Leading the teams as captains are
Mariella Marcucci and Daniella Zubria.
The girls practice two to three times a
week from 2:15 to 4:30 in the band room.
The team will compete in Orlando,
Kissimmee, Palm Beach, and Estero here
in the state of Florida. The dancers hope
to perform to the best of their abilities.
“Since this is our first year competing in this
type of venue, just giving 110% every time
will be all that I expect,” says coach Manda.
As a team they will grow and excel together but
as individuals they have their own personal goals.
“If there is any one person I expect to excel
it should be myself, to make sure that I provide
the best possible training, encouragement,
and atmosphere I can,” says coach Manda.
Not only is coach Manda excited
about the team, the girls are too.
Amanda Luiso, freshman said, “I’m
looking forward to all of the
different styles of dance,
because I’m used to only ballet.”
Also freshman Breanna
Dennis says, “We have a great
team and it’s going to be a
great experience.”
“Dance has been
a big part of
my life since I was
t h r e e . I am looking
forward to competitions
throughout the season,” says
freshman Courtney Dixon.
The team looks forward
to a successful season
and anticipates many
a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s
and victories
along the way.
Ashley Wilkinson
rehearses.
Don’t forget to come out and support the
Green Wave Athletic Teams!
Home games against North Fort Myers:
Tennis, Softball, and Baseball
March 20!
W h a t a r e y o u r p l a n s f o r t h i s y e a r ’ s s p r i n g b r e a k ?
“We are going
to be doing
whatever we
can to stay out
of trouble.”
Brittney Brown & Eugene White, juniors
From left to right: Esther Kang, Jordan, a friend from Cypress Lake High, Roseannie Acevedo, Emily Sneeden,
Rotary sponsor Chase Mayhew, Aaron Cummings, Mrs. Himes, Mwachofi Wa Ngure, and Lianne Leobrera
The Interact Club gives back to the community
by Corinne Bowden and Melissa Hubble
Interact is a service and social club
sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fort Myers.
The Rotary Club is there to guide the Interact
members in developing local and international
service projects. The word “interact” is derived
from the words “influential” and “action”.
The club participates in numerous service
projects throughout the year. This past
Saturday they traveled to Alva to pick oranges
in an orchard owned by Frank Mann. They
picked and boxed 15,000 oranges, which
Mann then donated to the Harry Chapin Food
Bank. The members had a lot of fun and are
proud to have worked for such a great cause.
Also during the month of February, the
club took the Valentine favors they made to
the patients at Heartland Medical Center.
On February 16 they opened the concession
stand for the Edison Parade, and sometime
in March will volunteer at the library’s
Fort Myers Youth in Government
Excels at State Assembly
The Fort Myers Phi Delta Y Youth in
Government Chapter once again carried
on the tradition of having the largest
delegation and winning the largest number of
appointments and awards at the Florida State
Assembly. This event, held February 14-16 in
Tallahassee, takes place in the State Capitol.
This year was a building year for the FMHS
chapter. The club added 30 new freshmen to
the program. So, it is particularly rewarding
that our students in District Court and Bowen
Chamber – the two program areas for freshmen
– walked away with a majority of the awards.
President, Kolve Byrd says, “I am
happy with all the rewards and I was
impressed that the freshmen got their
bills passed through both chambers.”
“I think I might
go to my friend’s
place and play
some Halo 3.”
Dennis Kim, junior
Reading Festival in Centennial Park. Some
of the members may also volunteer for
the Eggstravaganza at the Nature Center.
During the Christmas season, Interact
sponsored a less fortunate family. They
provided their Christmas dinner, and bought
gifts for the children. In addition to all of
these kind acts, you can also see them out in
the football stadium working the concession
stand at home Friday night football games.
There are around thirty members in the club
and new members are always welcome. They
meet every other Wednesday in Mrs. Himes’
room, B201. The dues are $10.00. “Interact
is a great club for those looking to serve the
community or those that are looking to fulfill
any service requirements they may have,” said
Libby Hardy. So, if you love helping others,
and giving back to the community, grab an
application and come join the Interact Club!
“I think I am going
to go narwhal
and bearded seal
hunting, down in
Cancun, Mexico.”
Lauren Kneram, senior
Apollo Raymond
wins essay
contest
by Michele Kappas
A p o l l o
R a y m o n d
won an essay
contest on
Jan. 21 at
the MLK
Celebration
in Centennial
Park. “I was a
little surprised
to win and
excited,” says
Apollo Raymond, freshman
Raymond. He
heard about the contest from Ms. Douglas
and was able to write an excellent essay with
the help of her and Ms. Robinson. Raymond
won a trophy and $75 from the Dunbar
Festival Committee. The only other time
he has won a writing contest was when he
got 2nd place in a Sickle Cell Anemia essay.
Quote from his essay: “Dr. King has inspired
me with his message of courage. He showed
courage when he and others were being hosed
down with water and had dogs set on them.…I
have been struggling with Sickle Cell Anemia
all my life. The last time I was in the hospital,
I couldn’t even speak because I had to wear
an oxygen mask just so I could breathe. I
needed to have courage to tell the nurses
about my pain and to get through the pain.
That is one thing that courage means to me.”
“I just want to relax,
sleep in, finish
the two quilts for
my grandchildren,
gardening, and finish
the biography
of Eric Clapton
that I have been
reading.”
Mrs. Broyles, Spanish teacher
“I am going to the
beach, hanging
out, the usual, possibly
some hardcore
bowling down
at Gator Lanes.”
Trevor Baer, freshman