Volume 65 Issue 7 - Fort Myers High School

Girls’ Basketball Team Going Strong
By Rachael Schaaf and Whitney Letourneau
The FMHS girls’ basketball team started off their season
6A school in a holiday tournament
over winter break, but they put up
a good fight. The team had a big
win over Ida Baker three weeks
ago, 51-37. Kelsey Mitchell was
the leading scorer with 14 points,
and Hilary Jessup was close behind
with 12 points. Along with Madison
Barker, the three captains each average
at least ten points per game.
Coach O’Brien said, “The chemistry
between those three [the captains]
is really good. They’re our
leaders. They’ve helped unite this
team.” The girls are hoping to push
with a strong bond even though many players were new. through and are ready for district
Five freshmen were added to the team this year making it play, as they have already won as
more challenging for the girls to become close. The team many games as they did last season.
overcame that challenge quickly starting off their season Good luck to the team for the rest of
with an 11 game winning streak. Unfortunately, they fell to a the season!
Guard, Kelsey Mitchell, shoots a foul shot.
Green Wave Gourmet
By Gabi Hersch
http://savorysweetlife.com/2009/11/easy-peppermint-bark-recipe/
If you still have a sweet tooth for holiday treats, peppermint bark will do the trick!
Peppermint Bark Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
1 bag of chocolate chips (any kind you’d like to use)
1 bag of white chocolate chips
24 mini candy canes, crushed *Do not crush using a food processor. Instead, place candy
canes in a Ziploc bag, and use a hammer to crush candy into small pieces.
DIRECTIONS:
Line the bottom of a 9×13 pan with parchment paper. Pour (brown) chocolate chips in a
microwave-safe bowl. Microwave chocolate chips in increments of 30 seconds, stirring the
chips after each interval until they have completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Spread
melted chocolate as evenly as possible into lined pan. Place pan into freezer for 20 minutes.
Repeat the same melting process with the white chips. While chocolate is still smooth, stir in
half of the crushed candy cane mixture. Allow the white chocolate to cool slightly. Remove
pan from freezer, and spread white chocolate and crushed candy cane mixture on top of
the chocolate layer. Spread white chocolate as quickly as possible. Top off with remaining
crushed candy cane and gently pat down with the back of a spatula. Return pan to freezer for
20 minutes. Remove from freezer, and gently lift the whole mixture from the pan with a butter
knife. You should now have a solid sheet of peppermint bark. Remove parchment paper
and break into pieces. Store any leftover bark in a Ziploc bag and place in the freezer. Enjoy!
*If white chocolate chips do not melt smoothly, stir in 2 tablespoons of shortening.
Renaissance Rewarded
By Laciey D’Agostino
On Tuesday January 11th, Renaissance
card holders and members of the Wave Cave
Wackos were rewarded by being able to attend
the basketball game against Cypress during
school hours. The home side of the stands
were filled with cheering students, happy
about their escape from their daily routine of
learning. The support from classmates must
have had a good impact on the team, because
they beat Cypress with a score of 86 to 53.
Evan Graham charges to the basket during the
Renaissance Basketball game
Story and photos by Laciey D’Agostino
Tidal Wave TIDAL StaffWAVE
STAFF
Editor-In-Chief- Amelia Rosen
Feature Editor-Molli Vyne
Graphics Editor- Drew Seibert
Visual Art Editor- Claudia Zapiec
Academic- Jelise Singh
Student Life- Emily Kaske
News Editor- Liam Corkell
Emily Campbell, Laciey D’Agostino, Ashlyn
Demilia, Joshua Evangelista, Gabrielle Hersch,
Nicole Horton, Samantha Hullstrung, Kelsea
Kosko, Julia Leal, Whitney Letourneau,
Rachael Schaaf,
Sarah Correnti, Jordon Weil
Faster than a
speeding bullet
by Gabi Hersch
Track season is coming up as speedy as
ever. In times like these, there is only one
thing to do. Join! Get involved with an
incredible sport that is for anyone who likes
having fun.
Why should you join track? “To be a part of
something great.” Coach Kelly replied.
Conditioning has already started, so if you
haven’t come out yet, it’s time to do just
that.
Are you fast, can you jump, can you throw
steel spheres of flying disks into the air, or
can you vault yourself, using a pole way up
to clear a little bar, and fall without hurting
yourself... then The Track team is for you.
To make your dreams in participating in
this sport come true, all you have to do is to
visit the girls or boys coaches.
For girls, talk to Coach Kelly in room F240,
and for guys, talk to Coach Rode in room
F226. Be quick about it!
The School Board of Lee County, Florida
Thomas Scott, District 5, Chairman
Mary Fischer, M.A., District 1, Vice Chairman
Jeanne S. Dozier, District 2
Jane E. Kuckel, Ph.D., District 3
Don H. Armstrong, District 4
Lawrence D. Tihen, Ph.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools
www.leeschools.net
The School Board of Lee County, Florida,
prohibits discrimination on the basis of age,
color, disability, gender, national origin, marital
status, religion, or sexual orientation.
Tidal Wave Newspaper
published by FMHS Journalism class. For more information about advertising in the Tidal Wave Newspaper,
please contact Mrs. Pam Schwantes, Newspaper Advisor, at 239-334-2167, ext. 282
Principal, David LaRosa Fort Myers Senior High Schhol
2635 Cortez Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33901 Copyright 2010-2011
Top Ten Facebook
Resolutions
By Josh Evangelista
10. Bring an end to taking upsidedown
pictures of yourself.
9. Change that email address of yours
that you made back in middle school.
It’s about time “hellokittyxoxo@aim.
com” got replaced.
8. Get in the habit of meditating, before
ranting in your Facebook statuses.
Seriously, no one cares.
7. Stop replacing g’s with q’s when
you type, because, honestly, no one
knows what a “qood morninq” is.
6. Before you update your status
from your cell phone while partying,
remember that you have family members
added as Facebook friends.
5. Start listening to mainstream music,
because the number of obscure
indie bands that you share with your
friends equals the number of times
you’re going to get told you’re an idiot.
4. Song lyrics and status updates are
two separate things. Learn to keep it
that way.
3. Every meal you have and status updates
are two separate things. Learn
to keep it that way.
2. It IS possible to block Farmville requests,
you know.
1. Finally, work up that motivation to
delete your MySpace.
Pasta for Pennies
By Rachael Schaaf
SGA’s annual Pasta for Pennies
fundraiser starts on February 1st
and goes through March 1st. They
will be collecting all money during
5th period classes. The stakes
are high and the competition is
tough, since your class can win an
Olive Garden party if you raise the
most money. Remember, the funds
raised go to cancer research, and
SGA would like to meet the goal of
$100,000 total that FMHS has raised
overall. Support the cause and good
luck!
A Balloon For Your Honey!
Valentine’s Day is right around
the corner. The FMHS Academy
of Finance will be selling
Valentine’s Day balloons for
a very low price around the
holiday. Don’t forget to get
your special Valentine a beautiful
balloon and blow pop at
Bookerville corner during both
lunch shifts!
February 4, 2011
Volume 65 Issue 7
Adopt a Pet and Save a Life
By Molli Collins
Everyone at one point has
begged his or her parents to
purchase a puppy, or maybe
a kitten. Most likely, many of
you didn’t get your wish. However,
now is the time to really
make that old wish come true.
Since the economic downturn,
there has been a large increase
in the number of animals in the
shelters. Areas that have been
hit especially hard by the recession,
like Lee County, have
seen an increase in the number
of abandoned pets. There have
been calls reporting numerous
animals left behind in foreclosed
homes. People simply
do not have the money to pay
for a pet. This is your time to
become a foster parent for an
abandoned animal. According
to The Humane Society, about
half of the six to eight million
animals that are brought into
shelters every year are euthanized, meaning that the animals will be killed painlessly. Nevertheless,
it’s still tragic that they have to die because there are not enough people who want
them. This past September in Lee County 172 dogs were euthanized, and the percentage
of stray dogs rose by five percent, leaving 363 dogs in Lee
County homeless. Although the five shelters, in our local area,
ranging from North Fort Myers to Naples try to take in the lost
animals, there is not enough room.
This is where you come in, Greenies. We all know that a pet
is hard work, but how can you resist helping out when you see
such a great need? This is not just charity. People love pets
and can become very close to them. Senior Marissa Marazzi
has five dogs that she has taken in from shelters. When asked
why she took in these dogs, she referred to one of her favorite
quotes, “Saving one dog won’t change the world but surely the
world will change for that one dog”. You’re not only saving a life, you’re gaining a friend.
Unfortunately, the animals are not free; they range from $25 to $95. Even if the money isn’t
an issue, the parents may be, which is understandable. If you aren’t able to adopt a pet, you
can always donate pet food and money, or volunteer. Lee County Domestic Animal Services
is in dire need of dry cat food, and volunteering at an animal shelter would be a great way
to gain community service hours and help your community. Keep in mind these loving
animals, because becoming a foster parent could save a pet. After all Greenies, love comes
in all shapes and sizes.
Star students and what they represent
By Liam Corkell
Star students, people see their pictures
on the walls and they wonder; what is a
star student? Junior Jason Gregson says,
“I’ve always wondered what all those
pictures were about.” It’s really quite a
straight forward process. A
star student is an individual
of FMHS whose
teachers believe to
have exceptionally
demonstrated the
qualities expected of
all FMHS students.
These aforementioned
qualities are
divided throughout
the school year, with
each quality being emphasized
within the time span
of one month. At the close of each month,
the teachers of FMHS have the option to
nominate a student that they believe has
done a truly remarkable job demonstrating
the trait set for that specific month, honesty,
tolerance, determination etc. All names
that have been put forward are then placed
in a large hat and one is pulled randomly, so
as to ensure an even chance for all the nominees.
The selected student then has their photograph
taken, and placed on the star student
wall in the media center. The picture stays up
for the duration of the following month, until
the time when next star student
is chosen. At that point,
the previous picture
is placed out in the
main media hallway.
Some students who
have been honored
with this award include
Jacob Jansen,
Liam Corkell, and
Jacolyne Vena.
However, all those students
who are nominated
receive a small prize for their
demonstrating the qualities of FMHS, even if
they’re not selected as a star student. It may
seem like one of the little things in life, but the
star student award serves as an example of the
traits that every student at FMHS should aspire
to every day of every month of the year.
District considers
changes in School
Year
Shorter summers; longer days
could become a reality
By Molli Collins
The school year of 2011-2012 will officially
be starting on August 8, making the future summer
at least one week shorter than last year. According
to the Highlight of the School Board
Meeting publication from January 11, 2011,
there may also be changes in the bell times in
the coming school year. The Board approved
an adjusted bell time during their meeting on
January 11. The start time for all high schools
will be adjusted from 7:15 a.m. to 7:10 a.m.
and the new end time will be 2:15 p.m. as opposed
to 1:45 p.m. This could make each and
every school day 25 minutes longer. Although
there is still time for the school board and superintendent
to make changes before schools
start next year, the times have been approved
for now.
This may come as a surprise to most students,
but there may be positive outcomes for
the schools. Possibly longer lunches, longer
passing time, or maybe extra planning time for
teachers might come from the change. Budget
considerations are also cited as one of the primary
reasons for changes to the bell schedule.
Positive Players
By Whitney Letourneau and Rachael Schaaf
Throughout the sports’ season, student-athletes’
coaches are supposed to look for an
amazing player who stands out from all the
rest of their teammates. The student-athletes
need to always give 100%, help out without
being asked, and be counted on for anything
that needs to be done. Not only are these students
outstanding athletes, but they possess
other important qualities as well. Instead of
putting themselves first, they are leaders
who help build a strong Green Wave nation
with their positive attitudes. It is an honor to
be selected, and the students received a $10
Pictured: Rebecca Anderson, Emily Thorp,
Sophia Ferrara, Brendan Shearman, Kaleb
Edenfield, and Dalvin Battle
Not pictured: Matt Bursztyn, Hinalei Quinones,
Ty Goldman
gift card to Panera Bread as a prize for being
chosen. Congratulations to Rebecca Anderson,
Matt Bursztyn, Ty Goldman, Emily
Thorp, Brendan Shearman, Sophia Ferrara,
Kaleb Edenfield, Dalvin Battle, and Hinalei
Quinones!

FMHS Cutest Couples... keeping Cupid Busy
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 1.) Emily Campbell, Derek Anderson
2.) Maria Murphy, Evin Graham
Fatal Distraction! By Emily Kaske and Claudia Zapiec
Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, killing nearly 6,000 teens annually. Taking your eyes off the road increases your chances of causing a crash. There are 30
states and the District of Columbia that have laws banning texting while driving, with eight more states prohibiting teen drivers from texting while driving.
A survey taken by Seventeen Magazine and AAA in May 2010 showed that 61% of teens admit to risky driving habits. Out of the 61%, 46% say that they text while driving, and 51% talk on
the phone while behind the wheel. AAA is still pushing the state legislature to make our roadways safer by passing legislation that bans new drivers from text messaging while driving.
The main reason kids don’t survive in car accidents is because they’re not wearing a seat belt. Remember to always buckle your seat belt, don’t use a cell phone while driving, and
utilize your turn signals.
Next time you receive an important text, either take the time to pull over and reply, or
wait until you reach your destination. Because really, what text is worth your life or
someone elses?
Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows:
Part One
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 is the long awaited beginning to the final chapter of
the biggest movie series of the 21st century. The plot revolves around the three kids (well, not so
much “kids” anymore) as they are hiding from Lord Voldemort, while on a quest to destroy the
Horcruxes, the source of the Dark Lord’s immortality.
The thing that makes this film stand out from most of the previous ones is that it becomes less
friendly and more frightening. It becomes less like a family movie, and more like a war movie.
It becomes less pretty and charming, and more evil and in your face. Although it is one of the
darkest out of the series, it is definitely the strongest. The action sequences are of much more
epic proportions. Being a huge improvement to the Half-Blood Prince, which was very slow and
talkative, the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 has sequences that make your heart race. It is also MUCH
more artsy and innovative than any of the previous films. A big love-it-or-hate-it quality found in
the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 is its thrilling and scary nature, making it a deviation from the series’
innocent playfulness. However, there is one thing that hasn’t changed ever since the very start:
the chemistry and friendship found in our favorite trio. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine still maintain
their lovable and unforgettable personalities.
The editors of the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 are either cruel sadists or marketing geniuses. In the
end, both good and evil suffer great losses, and then when things start to get very intense, the
credits roll. The near lack of an ending makes you want to rip your hair out, and it WILL make
you groan. This being said, it is just the beginning of an epic finale. This is NOT a bad thing. The
cliffhanger technique goes a step farther and intensifies just how dangerous Potter’s situation really
is. It increases your appetite by giving you a taste of the ultimate showdown yet to come.
Final grade: A+. The anticipation to see Pt. 1 is very much
rewarded with both its thrilling grand-scale cinematics,
and the reassurance that Pt. 2 will be even more grand.
S.A.T. / A.C.T Program
v
v
v
v
v
v
HIGH SCHOOL Juniors:
What Are You Waiting For?
High School Sophomores:
NOW is the Time!
Nine (9) week, Twenty-Seven (27) hour course.
3.) Chad Barnett, Nadia Nieves
4.) Josh Evangelista, Lacy D’Agostino
5.) Melissa Hubble, Nick Brown
6.) Haley Galewski, Jude Katz
7.) Nicole Horton, Jacob Duval
8.) Taylor Wiles, Kaleb Edenfield
9.) Corey Fisher and Meghan Exline
We average over a 100 point rise on S.A.T. examinations and over
a 2 point rise on A.C.T. examinations.
Prepare for the May and June S.A.T. and the June A.C.T. examinations
JUNIORS: Be prepared to apply to a minimum of (7) colleges by September.
Parent student conferences to select the colleges of your choice.
A Fort Myers High School IB Math teacher will be the instructor for this program.
Workshop: Fort Myers High School
March 29th 7 P.M. Room G-158
For More Information, please contact:
Edward F. Scott at Educational Foundation Systems:
941-916-1398 E-Mail: EFSSAT@EMBARQMAIL.COM
WEB SITE: www.EFSSAT.com
WAVE POLL: DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT VALENTINE
Mrs. Autry, art teacher, “My
perfect Valentine is my husband.
We’ve been married for eighteen
years!”
Mikayla Pervis, 12, “My
perfect valentine would be Collin
Kenline and it even rhymes.”
Orangutans in the Tampa Zoo do their best to stay warm.
GREEN Horoscopes
Photo by Katie Melich
Tae Colston, 9, and Brandon
Green,9, “She should be five foot
two, have good hair and feet, but
her breathe can’t be stank.”
By Jelise Singh
Scorpio: With Venus in retrograde, you’re feeling the need to
stop trying in school. Now is the time to set new goals and finish
strong.
Sagittarius: Mars is making you competitive, don’t get impatient
with others; they’re just trying to comfort you.
Capricorn: Full moon predicts a positive outcome on a new project.
So get creative!
Aquarius: Be patient Aquarius. You’re feeling flustered with
school work, but your handy cell phone calendar can help to keep
your academic life more organized.
Pisces: You source everything from your emotions. Today, think
more about the positive things in life and your days will progressively
improve.
Aries: Dear Aries, it’s this time of year that you can’t help yourself
with surprises and gifts for your loved ones. Be careful, Aries,
because you have the tendency to max out that credit card. Try
to find those good deals, while saving up for the next basketball
tickets.
Taurus: Keep working hard, Taurus. All your hard work will pay off
when the new moon arrives.
Gemini: Reunite with a friend after the 7th, Gemini, as the planets
will align to help you.
Cancer: Positive thoughts equal positive results. So put a smile
on and you better believe it!
Leo: Keep your eyes and heart open during an upcoming school
event because the Sagittarius moon has something sweet in
store for you.
Virgo: Stay focused at the end of the quarter and then make
time for friends.
Libra: You’re feeling creative today, Libra. Enjoy your new semester
classes. You never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll learn.
Mr. Polk “Mr. Bubbles”
says, “I am my perfect
valentine.”
Extreme weather watch:
A winter to remember
Clad in golden spandex pants and shimmering red capes, superheroes are depicted
standing atop gleaming skyscrapers. In actuality, these figures aren’t heroes at all. The
real heroes are the firemen, teachers, parents, and countless other people who strive to
help. Although we see heroes every day, we rarely take the time to appreciate them. I
realized this after hearing of the tragic Arizona shooting on January 8th.
The calamity left six people dead and congresswoman
Gabrielle Giffords in critical condition. The morning was
cloaked in sadness, but a hint of brightness shone through
because of the valiant action of a few people, including a
retired army colonel, Mr. Bill Badger, and a 61 year-old
woman, Ms. Patricia Maisch. Mr. Badger, along with several
other men, restrained the
shooter until help arrived.
Even though a bullet had
grazed the back of his head
and he was disoriented, Mr.
Badger managed to hold the man down. Ms. Patricia Maisch also showed tremendous
courage during the shooting. She grabbed the magazine of bullets from the shooter’s
hand and kept him from reloading his gun.
These valiant people saved many lives, but Ms. Maisch claims, “I am not a hero.”
Whether accepting their heroic titles or not, they showed immense courage in risking
their own lives in order to save the lives of others. The Arizona shooting is one of numerous
occurrences where brave individuals have stepped forward to help.
I believe we should all take time out of our day to thank, or show appreciation for,
heroes we know. They are our firemen, our teachers, and our
parents. They are our heroes. Clad in ordinary outfits
and normal shoes, heroes are everyday people who
exhibit care and valor.
Source for article: www.bbc.co.uk
Melanie Baker, 12, and
Shaunna Lazzaro,12, “Lucas
Scott and Nathan Scott from One
Tree Hill.”
Keep warm anyway you can! December 2010 had many people across the country strapping on
their boots and unleashing their hidden winter wear in high hopes of surviving the piercing winds.
Many forecasts for December labeled the U.S. as the coldest month since the 1980s. The cold
weather affected everyone, especially with the flu and colds going back and forth. Not only were
the people affected, but the crops were also the target of the ice-cold weather.
Many new record cold temperatures have been set. December 2010 has come to an end and January
records are waiting to be made. However, it is not time to pack away those boots and sweaters
just yet because according to national weather predictions, the weather patterns will continue to
drop in temperature. “Winter dies into the spring, to be born again in the autumn”-Marche Blumenberg.
In my opinion
Appreciating Our Heroes
By Amelia Rosen
“I am Not a
Hero”