OPINION
NEWS
ENTERTAINMENT
Understanding the war in Ukraine
New Justice inspires inclusivity
Harry Styles excites fanbase with single
PAGE 6
PAGE 8
PAGE 12
LION S TALE
OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • 32765 EDITION 4 • APR. 17, 2022 • VOLUME 62 • OVIEDOJOURNALISM.COM
HOPE PREVAILS
2 | NEWS | THE LION’S TALE | APRIL 17, 2022
Hope prevails in the midst of division With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, tension between countries has been high. Last month, Biden announced an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine - making it a total of $2 billion donated since the Biden Administration was established. Along with financial aid, this assistance package includes stinger anti-aircraft systems, weapons, aerial systems, ammunition and armor. Putin’s actions are not only affecting Ukraine and have the potential to spread to other countries. Misinformation being spread throughout Russia has similarly only been adding fuel to the war due to the blocking of outside sources. Tens of thousands of people have died in Mariupol as the fight continues. Despite this, Putin has not yet made any plans to end the war he began. In other news, the Parental Rights in
Education bill has officially been signed by republican governor Ron Desantis and will go into effect in July 2022. The passing of this bill has angered many LGBTQ+ activists and has sparked protests. Desantis and concerned parents continue to support the bill despite all the backlash from the community. On a lighter note, both of Oviedo’s NJROTC and Roarbots robotics teams made it to the championships in spite of the struggles they’ve faced this year due to the pandemic. The regional competition win resulted in the team advancing to the Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. Our sports section highlights Oviedo’s Winterguard team which placed first at the Winter Guard International Regional competition in Plant City, Oviedo.
In addition to that, OHS junior Bryce Lesser broke the clean and jerk record, weighing in at an impressive 210 pounds. Senior Center Fielder Xavier Lopez and his baseball success is also featured in our sports section. Our opinion section will be covering many of these affairs, such as the upcoming prom and the different perspectives students have regarding the event and its cost. The starry night themed prom in Orlando was held on April 9, 2022. Many students had a blast at the event, dancing to songs from a playlist all attendees were able to submit song suggestions to. Senior week is another exciting occasion students have been heavily anticipating. Also located in our opinion section is a recap of the ceremonial
OUR WORD
event, as well as with the best outfits worn throughout the week. Along with prom and senior week, there is an update on the current Ukraine conflict regarding its status, censorship, and Putin’s war crimes. Our features section takes a look at the newly established and family-owned restaurant, Lil Vinny’s. The feature follows how they grew their family business and the difficulties regarding this process. Make sure to take a look at our entertainment section to read about Harry Styles’ recently dropped single, “As It Was”, and his new album, Harry’s House. Also in our entertainment section is a review on the upcoming movie Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore and how J.K. Rowling’s recent controversies have affected her status and reputation as the author of Harry Potter books, as well as a screenplay writer for the new movie.
Meet The Lion’s Tale staff Madisyn Rummel Reporter A sophomore on staff, this is Madisyn’s first year as a reporter. She plans to go into the entertainment management career after high school and her favorite Netflix show is You. Her favorite singer is Taylor Swift and loves attending concerts. Though she likes them all, her favorite song by Taylor is Paper Rings. She also loves to drive and going out whenever she has the chance.
A senior on staff, this is Nelly’s first year reporting and her second year at Oviedo High School. In her free time, she loves to read. Some of her favorite books include The Time Traveler’s Wife and Little Women. Her favorite music artists are Clairo and TV Girl. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a major in biomedical sciences and eventually study cardiolology.
Editor-in-Chief Emma Yost Managing/ Editor Hannah Warrner News Editor Hannah Warrner
Opinion Editor Veronika Maynard
Online Editor Hannah Warrner
Features Editors Ashlee Ross Penelope Banks
Art Director Veronika Maynard
Sports Editors Mackenzie Holmes
Jr. Art Director Audrey Strembicki
Reporters Entertainment Editor Kaden Bryant Elliott Woodmansee- Nelly Campos Siress Audrey Choate Jaden Cordonero Culture Editor Joemi Cordonero Kait Peterson Vincent Crook Laura Cruz
Alexis Shaughnessy Reporter
A junior on staff, this is Laura’s first year as a reporter. After graduation, she plans to move to the city to work at a small, local business she likes. Her favorite movie is To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. One of her biggest dreams is to one day travel around the world to visit all her favorite destinations.
Merrick Dicarolis Eric Esquivel Esther Guevara Mikayla Philpot Madisyn Rummel Riley Sanderson Alexis Shaughnessy Nathaniel Zoucha Photographers Diego Lara Audrey Strembicki Danielle Stein Faculty Adviser Ben Langevin
VIEDO HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL • 601 • 601 KING KING STREET TREET S ••OV OVIIE ED DO O,, FFLL •APRIL •APRIL 12, 17, 2022 •• V VOL OLUME UME 62 62 EDITION •• EDITION 66 O OVIEDO
FRONT PAGE DESIGN BY VERONIKA MAYNARD
A sophomore on staff, this is Mikayla’s first year reporting. After graduation, she plans to double major in computer science and creative writing. Later, she will become a software engineer while writing books on the side. Her favorite book is Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. In her free time, she loves listening to music and acting in school plays. She’s performed in Night of the Living Dead and Rock of Ages.
Laura Cruz Reporter
Esther Guevara Reporter A sophomore on staff, this is Esther’s first year as a reporter. Her favorite color is pink and in her free time she loves hanging out with her friends. She plans to one day go into the psychology field. She loves music and Tyler The Creator is her favorite artist. Her favorite subject in school is history because she has it with her best friend.
Mikayla Philpot Reporter
Nelly Campos Reporter
Admin Adviser Nancy Diaz Principal Dr. Trent Daniel Oviedo High School 601 King Street Oviedo, FL 32765 P: 407-320-4199 F: 407-320-4213 Population: 2800 students across in person and online settings 29 newspaper staff members
A junior on staff, this is Alexis’ first year reporting. Her all time favorite movie is Five Feet Apart. After graduating, she plans to one day major in psychology at Florida State University. She’s also on the dance team, Mane Attraction. Her favorite color is blue and in her free time she enjoys shopping. Her favorite subject in school is math.
members. Mission Statement The Lion’s Tale is the student newspaper of Oviedo High School, located in Oviedo, Florida. Our mission is to provide news, feature stories, editorials and opinions relevant to our readers while upholding the highest professional and ethical standards. The Lion’s Tale follows copy standards outlined in the Associated Press Stylebook, 42nd Edition,
published in 2007 by the Associated Press, and is a member of the CSPA, NSPA and FSPA. Distribution 800 copies of The Lion’s Tale are distributed free to all students and staff at Oviedo High School. Subscriber information is available on OviedoJournalism.com. Reader Contributions Letters to the Editor are
accepted and may be sent by post, e-mail or dropped off in Room 5-020. The Lion’s Tale does not accept guest columns and reserves the right to edit Letters to the Editor. Full policy is available on OviedoJournalism.com. Advertising Policy The Lion’s Tale reserves the right to refuse advertisements. The full advertising policy of The Lion’s Tale is available on OviedoJournalism.com. OVIEDOJOURNALISM.COM
DESIGN BY KADEN BRYANT
APRIL 12, 2022 | THE LION’S TALE | NEWS | 3
Month in Photos 15 LOVE The Oviedo Lions put up a good fight against Trinity Prep
STRIKE OUT 4/15 is senior night for the varsity baseball team
PHOTO BY AUDREY STREMBICKI
PHOTO BY DANIELLE STEIN
SHOOTING HIS SHOT Cade Anderson gets ready to shoot the ball into the goal.
NEW YORK STYLE Oviedo students eat at the new local pizzaeria, Lil Vinney’s.
PHOTO BY AUDREY STREMBICKI
PHOTO BY DANIELLE STEIN
PHOTO BY AUDREY STREMBICKI
SPIKE IT Senior Raven Wrobleski hits the ball to the opponet from an amazing set from Paige Wisneski, 10, they put up a great fight against the Huskies.
TASTE OF OVIEDO Oviedo has their annual “Taste of Oviedo” at our local Oviedo Mall
PHOTO BY DANIELLE STEIN
ROCK ON! The OHS theater closes their performances of Rock Of Ages
THE LAST GOAL Senior Riley Finnegan defends the goal against Hagerty
PHOTO BY AUDREY STREMBICKI
DESIGN BY AUDREY STREMBICKI
PHOTO BY DANIELLE STEIN
APRIL 17, 2022 | THE LION’S TALE | OPINION | 4
Students debate prom's cost and ways to make the day affordable STORY BY KADEN BRYANT As the school year grows closer to the end, the excitement of prom sparks among students. With asking out your crush, renting a fancy limo, and searching for the perfect attire - prom is a unique, significant event in the life of all high school teenagers. The anticipated night is one they’ll hold in their memories for years, though unfortunately not everyone is able to enjoy it due to the hefty price. There should be a way for every student to take advantage of this right of passage. Prom tickets first went on sale before spring break for 80 dollars and are now selling at a whopping 90 bucks per ticket. Since the cost is so high, many students are unable to attend this long established experience, but all people should get the opportunity to appreciate the ceremonial event. For many, prom is a once-in-alife-time occurrence. It’s a chance to have fun with your friends, celebrate the progress you’ve made throughout high school, dress up in fancy clothing, and relax for one night of gratification while surround-ed by your favorite people. Though with the expensive price, countless students are unfairly deprived of this traditional experience merely be-cause they lack the finances to purchase a ticket. It’s cruel to deny teenagers something they’ve been looking forward to their entire lives. It would’ve been appreciated if the school put a discount on the prom ticket price. With those leftover finances,
hundreds of more students would’ve been able to attend at a reduced cost. Students could also potentially work off some of the price by volunteering for other activities that would help the school out. Sometimes a little can go a long way, and this is an option that would greatly help out students with the cost. With the price of decorations, photobooths, reserving a venue and the meals being served, it’s understand-able why the tickets are so costly but there are accommodations that could be put into place for those struggling with financial issues. If the fee was low-ered even ten or twenty dollars, it would ensure the attendance of so many stu-dents who were dying to go. Prom shouldn’t be an event for only the people who are able to afford it. Every single high school student deserves to enjoy the same experience, and with the right measures, it’s possible to give them that with a little more structure and some better planning.
STORY BY KAIT PETERSON Prom season is rolling in at a fast rate which can typically bring the stresses of preparation for the highly anticipated event all over the country. One common misconception of the glamorous event is that it will always tend to cost a pretty penny, this can be true depending on which route you decide to take in the shopping process, but there are many other alternatives for those who do not wish to drop a paycheck or two on materialistic items they might only use once. The most typical expenses for prom include the outfit which consists of either a dress or a suit/tux, shoes, accessories and an optional corsage or boutonniere. For the ladies, there are an array of options when shopping for a dress, making the search more accessible to those who don’t wish to spend hundreds of dollars. Starting with the most inexpensive option: thrifting. Shopping sustainably is always the best option regardless of the
occasion but with the popularity that thrifting has been gaining due to social media influence, there are common-ly a good amount of options that carry prom dresses if you dig deep enough. Goodwill typically has a ton of prom dresses, many vintage and some new, these dresses can range from $5 to $35 at most. These dresses are also usually very unique as most of them are from past years or even decades. Aside from Goodwill there are also various vintage stores in the central Florida area that have some vintage dresses as well. One store being Duckie’s in the Oviedo Mall which is also a non profit organization that donates all of their proceeds to a small theater business a couple stores down. Their prices range from $20 to $80. Going into the more expensive options, there are stores like Dillard’s, Macy’s, and David’s Bridal. These options can typically be found in malls and their prices range from $120 to $280. Lastly, the more expensive tier of dress stores are usually the stores that carry de-signer options, these can include Nord-strom and SoSweet Boutique located in the Oviedo Mall, if you are looking to splurge on your attire for the event. Their dresses are typically in the $300-$900 range depending on the designer and the style of the dress. It is largely debated that men have it easier when it comes to prom shopping it is in fact very difficult, and can prove to be very expensive depending on your taste. With the right choices, it’s possible for ev-eryone to have an inexpensive prom.
Senior week spreads excitement around campus STORY BY JOEMI CORDONERO
Monday started the dress up week off with OHS spirit. Seniors were encouraged to dress in attire or colors to show school pride. Many wore their senior crowns and shirts. That night, there was a dodgeball tournament. People grouped up with friends to try to win but in all, the ‘Blue Ballers’ won the game. With the team including Eli Whitehouse, Tyler Shavers, Noah Sharpp, Kristian Galloway, Aaron Jackson, Max Strickland, Sergio Flores, Liam Hibbs, Michael Irvin, and Tyler White. Tuesday had seniors dress up ten years in the past. Many students wore casual throwbacks with fun hairdos, with some people outdoing the rest. Senior William Deem showcased an unforgettable Buzz Lightyear costume with a matching rolling backpack. It was fun to watch a lot of the seniors participate and see what they dressed like when they were younger. At night, the Lundy’s were held! The Lundy’s is an award ceremony that celebrates the seniors with celebrating who they are. From who’s the biggest gym rat (Kenneth Phynn) to Ms. Oviedo (Caroline Przystup), many seniors were recognized. Wednesday was packed with things
PHOTO BY DANIELLE STEIN to do. It started with a senior breakfast during the first three periods. Seniors collected graduation materials and had many classic breakfast items to choose from such as pastries and coffee. Seniors dressed up as what they thought they would turn out ten years in the future. Around campus, there were a bunch of nurses, doctors, moms, and other significant jobs. Later that day, seniors had game night and with an Oviedo- inspired jeopardy game. Thursday was a classic senior week dress up day. It was senior day! Seniors dressed up as senior citizens and went all out with canes and nightgowns. Some Students wore wigs, gowns, or even took a cane to school to sell the look. It was the last day with an activity after school which was a movie. Many seniors cozied up with popcorn to enjoy High School Musical 3. Friday finally came around with the final dress up day. Seniors dressed up in their favorite college or college they’re going to. Other students dressed up as their future trade instead. It was a nice transition since many students are heading off to college.
SENIOR WEEK: The Blue Ballers team dodges a loss against Los Rojos.
DESIGN BY KADEN BRYANT
April 17, 2022 | THE LION’S TALE | AD | 5
Schulte Realty www.SchulteRealty.com LINDA SCHULTE BROKER/OWNER
info@Schulterealty.com 407-721-0611
6 | OPINION | THE LION’S TALE | APRIL 17 , 2022
Soviet violence in Ukraine: from 1918 to today STORY BY VERONIKA MAYNARD Soviet Russia and Ukraine have always had high tensions, tracing all of the way to the beginning of the Soviet Union. When the revolution against the tsar first began in Russia in 1917, Ukraine took that opportunity in the weakened government to officially break away from Russia and become independent. That independence lasted three years before Ukraine was forcefully taken into the USSR and was fitted with a soviet puppet government. During their time under Soviet Rule, Ukraine was considered one of the closest advisors to Russia in the USSR. But they also suffered extremely under soviet rule, experiencing 3.5 to 5 million deaths in a mass starvation led by Stalin. Ukraine wouldn’t escape the puppet government until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and it is debatably possible that the puppet government didn’t go completely away until the end of the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych. In 2013, President Yanukovych was offered a trade pact with the EU, which could have streamlined Ukraine’s membership into the EU. Yanukovych, against most of the Ukrainian public’s wishes, turned down the pact in favor of a $15 billion bail from President Putin. This led to months of peaceful protest in Ukraine against the President, wanting to expel the soviet
leader out of the country. Yanukovych responded to the peaceful protest by sending out state troops and brutally murdering hundreds of civilian protesters. Eventually, Yanukovych was kicked out and banned from Ukraine.
BELARUS
POLAND
RUSSIA KYIV
KHARKIV DONBAS MARIUPOL
RUSSIA LEANING ANNEXED IN 2014 UKRAINE WEST LEANING AREAS OF CONFLICT
CRIMEA
In response to Putin losing his figurehead in Ukraine, he invaded Crimea and the Donbas region in order to regain a foothold in Ukraine. And this marked the start of the 8 year long war that has just recently escalated beyond what was believed to be
plausible. As of the moment, there are over 4 thousand recorded civilian casualties, most likely more that are unrecorded. Over 4.6 million Ukrainian refugees have left the country at the moment, and over 7.1 million Ukrainians have been displaced. Currently fighting is occurring mostly in large cities in the East, such as Kharkiv, and Mariupol, two cities which have been hit very hard, along with the capital Kiev. But the fighting has also stretched to more western bordering cities, such as Lviv. Due to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Russia has also successfully been able to blockade Ukraine from the coast, greatly limiting the number of supplies and aid Ukraine has been able to import. The war in Ukraine comes at no large surprise when looking back on the history between Ukraine and Russia. But for the war to occur on this scale in this modern age and time when war like this hasn’t occurred in Europe in over thirty years is what is the most shocking part about the war. And it was the belief that Putin wouldn’t dare to attack Ukraine in this day and age that led to the state of unpreparedness that Ukraine was in when Putin fired the first missile. Putin’s brutality will have consequences, I can only hope it will come on time.
Understanding the war in Ukraine
The root of the war in Ukraine is the indoctrination in Russia OPINION BY VERONIKA MAYNARD Indoctrination and censorship is undoubtedly the sole reason this war has gone on as long as it has. If most of the Russian people were not isolated from the outside world since they were young, and had access to legitimate news sources, there would have been too much opposition to the war for it to begin in the first place. People would have been able to tell from the start that something wasn’t right, when Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that they were fighting a Nazi country even though the Ukrainian president is Jewish. But extreme censorship and indoctrination has blinded many Russians from the very obvious truth. Censorship in soviet media has existed since the creation of the USSR. When Stalin starved and killed millions of Ukrainians in the course of a couple of years, he was able to get most Russian public support for it. He started his campaign years before he enacted the holodomor (the starvation), comparing Ukrainians to insects, dehumanizing them. And when he began actively harming Ukrainians, it was accepted, because Ukrainians - over the course of a few years - became something not human in Russian media. And these tactics that Stalin used in the 1930s Putin continues to use today. He spreads disinformation to garner support for the war, claiming that all Ukrainians are nationalists, that the Jewish democratically elected president, is a Nazi. So when Putin invades Ukraine to ‘liberate’ the civilians living there, less people have objections. But censorship and disinformation traces farther back than just the media. It is in the education sys-
DESIGN BY VERONIKA MAYNARD
PHOTO BY VERONIKA MAYNARD tem, where children are taught that Stalin, the man who massacred millions, was a Russian hero. Children are taken to a Lenin or Stalin museum at some point in their elementary school years and told about the amazing, heroic deeds of their previous leaders. “You couldn't see [indoctrination] while you were there,” sophomore Nicholas Formel said. “It is really hard to identify something that you grew up with and that was normal for you. But when you come to a place like America, you begin to see it.” One of the biggest current lies the Kremlin is spreading, besides the one that there is no war, is that Ukrainians persecute Russians who live in Ukraine, that all Ukrainians hate Russians - even though one out of six Ukrainians are ethnically Russian - which is why Putin is invading Ukraine. To save the Russians. Putin is trying to spin a protective narrative when in actuality he is most likely invading Ukraine be-
cause he never saw Ukraine as a country, but rather as an extension of Russia; and as NATO creeps closer to Russian borders, Putin was most likely threatened and figured it was time to make Ukraine Kremlin’s once more. And he had the perfect framework in the people of his country to raise support for the war. Any opposition that people had, they were forced to squash in order to survive. For survival, you had to be on the president’s side. Because if you oppose, you either get assassinated, or you lose any means of livelihood. It is no wonder that many older generations of Russians support the war. Any critical thinking was beaten out of them when they were younger. The culmination of the past 100 years of control have led to the genocides we see from Putin today. This is the legacy of Russia’s indoctrination.
PHOTO BY JOSE RODRIGUEZ
CRUNCH TIME: Oviedo’s NJROTC students doing sit ups during the athletic portion of states
PHOTO BY ETHAN DENSBERGER
ROBOTIC LIFE: the current model of the Roarbots robot
New family-owned pizzeria brings New York flavors to Oviedo
APRIL 17, 2022 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 7
Winning awards across Oviedo: robotics and NJROTC states STORY BY MIKAYLA PHILPOT Recently, both Oviedo’s NJROTC and ‘Roarbots’ robotics team have made it to and participated in state championships. However, these events are vastly different. NJROTC consists of a series of events, such as personnel inspection, drill teams, athletics, academics, and a 100m relay. Whereas, in robotics, the teams are paired up in ‘alliances’, entering both robots into a series of competitions in a 12x12 box, competing against another alliance, so that a total of 4 robots are in the ring at any given time. They are trying to win the most points for their alliance, via a series of challenges, during each match. Despite these differences, both competitions share students’ investment in their interest, whether it makes them excited to participate or anxious to do well. ”Being at the competition was really nerve wracking,” said junior ‘Roarbots’ team member, Ethan Densberger. “It does cause a great bit of anxiety but it’s an oddly enjoyable anxiety.” Both teams had a great day, with NJROTC placing third overall in academics, and the Roarbots team reaching world championships for the first time ever. Regardless of how students place at the event, it provides opportunities to grow and improve upon their skills for
future competitions. “Even if we didn’t come out on top, everyone did their best,” said senior NJROTC member, Christian Scarboro. “And for people who are coming back next year, they’re gonna do even better.” And that improvement and experience has allowed students to reach new heights, achieving what before may have seemed out of reach. Later this year, Oviedo’s ‘Roarbots’ robotics team will be competing in World Championships for the first time ever. “Making it to worlds is… something that’s never been done by a ‘Roarbots’ team,” said Densberger. “I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the first team to do it.” These competitions also help students prepare for the future, learning communication skills that they will take with them throughout their life. “It helps you [prepare for the future by] working with other people,” said senior NJROTC member, Angelo Mejias “There’s always a way to work through whatever challenge you’re going through.” These students can be proud, not only of their amazing achievements at their respective state championships this year, but of how it’s helped them to learn and grow.
STORY BY LAURA CRUZ AND ALEXIS SHAUGHNESSY There are not many restaurants to attend with friends around Oviedo. Well, Lil Vinny’s, a new Italian restaurant, recently opened in Oviedo and has already become incredibly popular. This restaurant is located right along Winter Springs Boulevard, which is conveniently close to Oviedo High School. The pizzeria is a family owned business started by Alex Nikolloj, a former New Yorker that grew up in the business. According to Nikolloj, there are several surprising aspects that go into opening up your own restaurant - like the amount of money one has to invest in their business, which is not including the rent every month. However, he is very experienced, having worked at a family owned business in the past. A major struggle for small businesses was the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many to be shut down. However, the pandemic was just another mountain to climb before finishing up with all the planning needed to open a restaurant. “It is a better time to jump into something when everyone else is afraid to do it,” said Nikolloj. The Italian restaurant is open for early lunches and even late dinners. Its hours range from eleven in the morning until nine in the evening on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Though closed on Mondays, it is also open an extra hour on Fridays and Saturdays, which is perfect for those late dinner nights Another unique feature is that they offer take out for movie nights or parties - along with excellent service for reservations, for those who like to plan ahead or dine in large parties.
This Italian restaurant just recently opened about a couple months ago and has already become a fan favorite. The only downside is that the food pricing is a little on the expensive side. However, most food portions are very large, large enough to feed multiple people. As you walk through the door, the amazing aroma of good New York style pizza creates an Italian vibe that is so tough to beat, your cravings will be begging you for more. When a customer was asked her thoughts about the business she answered the following. “The service here was great and the quality was even better,” said OHS sophomore Lauren Eldert. “The pizzeria was very nice and family friendly inside, too.” Unlike other pizzerias, the family business has passed on its secret touch and love for generations. Every ingredient that goes into these dishes is 100% fresh and the best quality available. From premium cheese to delicious crust, your stomach will be thanking you. Customers have also claimed that each staff member or employee working at Lil Vinny’s is very friendly even during Friday’s rush hours. The next night you are craving some good Italian food, consider taking a trip to Lil Vinny’s if you are looking to enjoy a new, high quality dining experience. “I saw that this new pizzeria just opened up near my house and I had to go and try it,” said OHS senior Kayla Fain. “The employees were super polite and welcoming and the food tasted amazing. I would definitely recommend it to a friend and go back for more.”
PHOTO BY DANIELLE STEIN
DIG IN: Two boys enjoying pizza at Lil Vinnie’s. PHOTO BY DANIELLE STEIN
MAKIN’ DOUGH: An employee making pizza, at Lil Vinnie’s.
DESIGN BY MIKAYLA PHILPOT
8 | NEWS | THE LION’S TALE | APRIL 17, 2022
New Supreme Court Justice inspires inclusivity STORY BY KAIT PETERSON Over the span of the last few weeks, history has been made as the first ever black woman has been appointed to serve on the supreme court. Ketanji Brown Jackson, born September 14th 1970, was officially nominated for the supreme court justice position by President Joe Biden on February 25th 2022, shocking the nation in both good and bad ways. Many tried to contest that Jackson was not qualified for her position using an array of false narratives from self-proclaimed political experts on several news outlets. Right-wing arguments also included berating Brown Jackson with questions to which they themselves don’t know the answers. For example, questioning Jackson’s qualifications and even test scores from her earlier years which they admittedly did not know how to evaluate. Jackson’s confirmation into the position on Thursday, April 7th marked a new point in our history pertaining to how the country will be run. As a prevalent black woman in politics and society, this has made a lasting impact on the minority groups that wish to run for political positions and help make an impact on the world. At Oviedo High School, the impact has already been reaching some of the students and staff. Senior Kiana Scott, a very prevalent and involved student at the school, feels that the appointment will lead to positive change in politics. “It is nice knowing that there is more representation in those who are running our nation and determining the outcome of trials in court settings,” said Scott. The representation of another woman on the court, especially a woman of color, can help move the government in the direction of diversity and equality, as the government has been dominated by old white republicans for generations. “It gives those in the minority hope that we will have more of a voice and that, now, this voice will actually be heard and considered, this has been awaited and long overdue but I am glad that the change is finally being made,” said Scott. As a prevalent member in her society as a member of the Black Student Union and reigning 2022 Prom Queen, Scott has been working towards making an impact through building a place for black students to come together and empower one another. The Black Student Union, or BSU, was founded this year under supervisor Kimberly Finnegan, Advanced Placement Literature
“this has been awaited and long overdue,” said Scott. teacher. The BSU gives black students a place to come together and meet with peers while working towards making the school a more inclusive and safe place for black students. Junior and Co-event coordinator Alexandra Lightbourne took a liking towards BSU and has been rising in the ranks of the club. Lightbourne, although
“simply put, the primary takeaway from 250 years of recorded American history is that Presidents are not kings. … This means that they do not have subjects, bound by loyalty or blood, whose destiny they are entitled to control.” Jackson has also worked on various labor law and union cases in which she has fought vigorously to prevent any attempts to limit their ability to unionize or engage in collective bargaining. Alongside the union cases, she has also been a judge on several immigration cases, and racially based cases as well, some demonstrating just how unbiased she truly is in her decisions, which some tried to contest during their questioning and hearing prior to her being confirmed. “I feel like this could make a very large impact on the nation as a whole, maybe not me directly, but in a way where we are now entering a new era where representation of power women, especially women of color, are becoming more recognized and respected in positions of political power. It’s empowering for sure,” said Lightbourne.
“we are now entering a new era,” said Lightbourne.
Along with ultimately having a very inclusive and diverse judicial philosophy and open mind, Ketanji Brown Jackson will be a force to be reckoned with and should be a strong symbol of equality not only in the justice system, but in how our future will be molded for years to come.
PHOTO BY WHITE HOUSE not a big fan of politics, believes that having more representation in the supreme court can truly shift the path of how the government runs things for the long run. “This definitely rocked the boat for sure. I think that this was a necessary move for the government because this is going to be a huge push in the right direction. Moving away from the older generation of white republicans, and moving into a more diverse government. Which in the future will hopefully continue to grow, it gives hope to those
““this is going to be a huge push in the right direction.”said Lightbourne. who haven’t been heard by those who are in charge. More equality in the justice system is necessary,” said Lightbourne. The confirmation decision came down to
DESIGN BY MACKENZIE HOLMES
be 53-47, every vote against her confirmation came from a Republican senator. Although there were several prominent Republican voters who shared Lightbourne’s opinion on the subject. One being senator and past presidential candidate Mitt Romney. In a short remark on Twitter Romney shared a few kind words after voting in favor of Jackson. “Thank you for your leadership and stewardship in upholding the tenets of the Constitution. Thank you for your support of soon-to-be Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Thank you for your authorship of a new chapter in
American history. Thank you for your penmanship of a new book in African American history,” Romney tweeted. This tweet can help demonstrate just how important the confirmation of KBJ is for our future. For many republicans, this appointment challenges the influence that they have had over the rulings of the supreme court for decades, one prime example being the abortion case rulings the past several months. Some of Jackson’s most notable cases include two cases that directly affected Trump’s presidency during the impeachment and therefore kept some of her supporters on board, going on to say,
APRIL 12, 2022 | THE LION’S TALE | SPORTS | 9
Oviedo winterguard places first at Winter Guard International regional competition STORY BY RILEY SANDERSON
This past month, the Oviedo winter guard competed in the Winter Guard International Regional competition at Plant City, Oviedo. The competition consisted of a preliminary and final performance by the team. At prelims, OHS scored an 83.4, seating Oviedo at first place. Advancing onto the finals performance, they scored an 84.3 and placed first for a second time. As a result of these remarkable performances, Oviedo Varsity Color Guard is now 1st in their class in the country. Since the start of the Oviedo winter guard’s season in the first week of December, the team has been getting at least 10 hours of rehearsals every week. At these rehearsals, the team gets to work on their performance as well as build up their technique in order to prepare for competitions. Despite the team’s success, Oviedo winter guard has gone through multiple struggles in their 2021 season due to re-
percussions from the Covid-19 pandemic. “After the pandemic years, our team got a lot smaller- this year our varsity team has 9 people, which is half of what it was in 2020,” said Erin Slogar, a senior on winter guard. “Usually, winter guard shows have a better general effect when there are more people on the floor to fill up the space, so we were definitely worried at the beginning of the season.” Regardless of their shortage of people, Oviedo’s winter guard undoubtedly pulled through to represent OHS at the WGI Regional competition. “I think that having a smaller team has worked to our benefit, because we’re closer to each other than in past years and having a cohesive group of people directly translates to our success,” said Slogar. “We always have people coming up to us at competitions and saying that they couldn’t believe we only have nine because
PHOTO BY AUDREY STREMBICKI
we look like a bigger team on the floor.” Furthermore, the 1st place at the regional competition caused the Oviedo winter guard to advance to the Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. In terms of preparation, the team is continuing to ready
themselves with the same hard work they have been putting in all season. “We also know that this win is only reflective of that performance, so we’re still working hard towards Ohio for the WGI World Championships,” said Slogar.
Q&A: Bryce Lesser breaks Oviedo boys weightlifting record STORY BY HUNTER FUEHRER
Q: Was there more motivation that you felt help break more records?
Q: What does lifting mean to you? A: Lifting means so much to me. It’s easily my favorite thing to do. It’s a great outlet to relieve stress and take out anger.
A: 100% it makes me want to break more records. Q: How was lifting affected your life
Q: What made you decide to lift?
A: It brings me a lot of joy. It’s something that I won’t ever stop doing. Even when i’m old.
A: My dad always lifted, so I wanted to do it with him.
Previous Record: 230 lbs
Q: How did breaking the record make you feel? A: It was a very satisfying feeling, but it also encouraged me to work harder.
Bryce’s Record: 240 lbs PHOTO BY OHS PUBLICATIONS
DESIGN BY RILEY SANDERSON
10 | AD | THE LION’S TALE | APRIL 17 , 2022
AIR
Air Replacement and Repair
I
STATE LICENSE# CAC1821060
APRIL 17, 2022 | THE LION’S TALE | SPORTS | 11
of the Month: ROARBOARD Athlete Xavier Lopez BASEBALL
STORY BY MERRICK DICAROLIS The Oviedo varsity baseball team is 11-6 this season with a win and a loss against cross town rival hagerty. Oviedos next game is against Lyman in the 15th
GIRL’S SOFTBALL
STORY BY MERRICK DICAROLIS Oviedo’s varsity softball team is 4-8 this season, there most recent result was a loss against winter springs high. The final score was 9-3
BOY’S LACROSSE
STORY BY VINCENT CROOK The Oviedo Lions Boy’s Lacrosse Team is having a mildly successful season. With an overall record of 10-7, they have not lived up to the success of last year, when they finished the season with a 13-2 record. They are still on for a good end to the season, however, with a 4-2 divisonal record.
GIRL’S LACROSSE
STORY BY VINCENT CROOK The Oviedo Highschool Girl’s Lacrosse Team has performed exceptionally this season. With an overall record of 15-3, and a division record of 4-1, the team’s morale has to be up, compared to last year, when their overall record was 9-6.
Senior Center Fielder Xavier Lopez has been an unstoppable force on the baseball field. New to Oviedo Highschool this year, Lopez seems to have adjusted well to his new surroundings. While attending his previous school of Lake Nona, he was a star player. He began playing baseball at the age of 5, due to his dad playing Division One baseball in New York, at Saint Francis college New York it’s in the North East Conference. Xavier always felt that he had something to prove. When Lopez got to Oviedo this year he had many expectations already set for himself. One of them already being that he’s a new kid on the already good Oviedo baseball team going 18-10 last year losing in the playoffs to Lake Brantley 11-0 there was still room to improve. But Xavier already knew that he had to step up and be one of the best players on the team this year. Lopez, this year is leading in 5 of the major statistical categories for the team this season. Leading in Batting average with 0.38, On base percentage with 0.475, Stolen bases with 5, Having 19 hits, and a Slugging percentage of 0.52. Such amazing stats as these have earned Xavier the opportunity that every sports player dreams of. Which is to go to a division one college. Xavier has earned a scholarship to Daytona State College. Lopez is going to follow his fathers footsteps getting into a division one college. But this season isn’t done yet with an 11-5 record Xavier still has some time to make an even bigger mark on the year. With the playoffs approaching the Lions
have high hopes to go deeper in the playoffs then last year and maybe even win the state title, with the help of Xavier they can expect more out of this season.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
STORY BY HUNTER FEUHRER Oviedo Girls Beach Volleyball is currently 6-1. Their only loss came in a 4-1 match to Hagerty. The girls next match is against the 5-1 Lake Mary, Rams, in a non district away match.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
STORY BY HUNTER FEUHRER
Oviedo Boys Varsity Volleyball is currently 4-8. After a slow 0-7 start to the season the boys would come back to go 4-1 in their last 5 matches. Their next match is against 17th ranked Timber Creek.
WATER POLO
STORY BY ERIC ESQUIVEL The Oviedo Water Polo team is 13-2 this season earning them a spot in the playoffs. On 4/13/22 the Lions will face the Lake Mary Rams in the playoffs.
DESIGN BY VINCENT CROOK
12 | ENTERTAINMENT | THE LION’S TALE | APRIL 17, 2022
“LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” takes us to a galaxy of nostalgia STORY BY ELLIOTT WOODMANSEE-SIRESS
Back in November of 2007, any kid with access to a Wii, Xbox 360, or PlayStation 3 likely found themselves before the blocky galaxy far, far away - LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga. The game became a classic instantly, beloved by fans new and old, and introducing a whole generation to the many worlds of Star Wars. Since then, the Star Wars galaxy has grown beyond the binary suns and Death Stars, now hosting decades of legends and stories for both fans fresh into these cosmos, and fans who have explored them since Luke himself first took hold of his father’s old lightsaber. And now that the full saga has come to an end with the Disney “Sequel Trilogy”, Traveller’s Tales has returned to the workstation to put together a new game, brick by brick. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga sees all nine films, from the original 1977 “A New Hope” to 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker”, rebuilt with the plastic pieces of
PHOTO CREDIT: TRAVELLER’S TALES, WARNER BROS., DISNEY
the LEGO world, giving players the opportunity to revisit their favorite movies and step into the block shoes of their go-to character, Jedi, Sith, or someone in-between. Once booted up, the game offers players 25 planets to explore, from Tatooine, to Coruscant, to Starkiller Base, and all in the many lenses of each trilogy. There are also 380 characters to unlock, giving one the chance to pin the most unlikely of force-users, aliens, and droids together in a kaleidoscope of colorful planets. From the start, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga cuts it quick, throwing one right into the story, depending on which trilogy you decide to hop into first. Players are given the choice to start with any of the three Trilogies, allowing them to join Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in infiltrating the Trade Federation, or aid Princess Leia in her escape from Darth Vader with the Death Star plans, or see Poe Dameron cross paths with the unhinged Kylo
Ren and The First Order. From there, the game works through the films quickly depending on one’s play style. A whole movie could be finished in under an hour if you’re to avoid the tantalizing shimmer of studs floating on the ground. The game is soaked with nostalgia, especially for those who grew up playing the original 2007 game. Traveller’s Tales also show off their love for both the saga and the fans, comedically twisting the stories by highlighting many of the memes which Star Wars is now famous for, especially within the “Prequel Trilogy” of films. It carries the same charm the old game did, now brightened by better visuals, optional voice acting, and far more fluid controls. The feeling of mowing through enemies with your lightsaber is exhilarating. Although the original will always carry an energy irreplicable, The Skywalker Saga is a pure force of joy, and totally worth kicking into hyperdrive.
A stylish return to the stage: New “Fantastic Beasts” film “Harry’s House” announc- sparks controversy before ment excites fans release
Fans of the adored singer, Harry Styles have been anxiously waiting for the announcement of a new album since his second record, Fine Line. Since the release of his sophomore album, Styles has toured and filmed two movies, so fans were not expecting an album anytime soon. After completing his tour for his debut album, Styles took a year off to write Fine Line then another year to begin touring due to the Coronavirus. With the North American leg of Love on Tour just wrapping up, the announcement of a new album came to a shock to fans. On April 1, Styles released a new
STORY BY HANNAH WARRNER
STORY BY JADEN CORDONERO
single following the announcement of the new album titled, ‘Harry’s House’. It is expected that most of the songs on the upcoming album will be from quarantine and time spent at home. Each album Styles has released has been so unique yet still have a signature sense to them that it is nearly impossible to predict what exactly the sound will be for the third album. The new single entitled, “As It Was,” is an 80’s style song that talks about how times have changed and many have speculated that it is about growing up and experiencing the hardships of adulthood. Some fans say that the single reflects COVID-19 and Styles’ experiences in quarantine. It expresses feelings of things not being how they used to be, as a society, many things have changed from how we used to do things and it is simply not the same. After over a year of no new music, fans were overjoyed with the new song, with it topping charts within the first twenty-four hours of its release, and the video that came with it. ‘Harry’s House’ is set to drop on May 22nd- just in time for the summer.
Wizards. It’s up to Newt and his friends to stop Grindelwald from seizing control and ruining wizards for the rest of time. However; it seems fans and critics alike don’t seem to like the direction of the film. The film is set to be released in the US on April 15, but critics have a lot to say, with the film having an average score on review sites. A common complaint is how the film is ridiculously dragged out for seemingly no avail, as well as a story that seems to have no clue what direction to follow. Even fans of The Wizarding World seem to have mixed opinions on the film. While some love the inclusion of the story into the franchise, others see it as a needless grab for money and attention. With conflicting views on the film, there’s controversy lurking around it as well. In recent times, J.K. Rowling - author of the Harry Potter series and screenwriter for the Fantastic Beasts franchise - has been under intense fire, to the point where some of her social media accounts have been suspended. Due to recent controversy, Rowling has lost credibility and in turn has affected the attention the film has received, making it have a negative air around it.
DESIGN BY ELLIOTT WOODMANSEE-SIRESS
PHOTO CREDIT: COLUMBIA RECORDS
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is the newest installment to the “Fantastic Beasts” series. Based off of its parent franchise, Harry Potter, the story follows exuberant wizards trying to solve problems in The Wizarding World. The story of the film is about an evil wizard Grindelwald obtaining the power of precognition to become the new supreme head of the Federation of
PHOTO CREDIT: WARNER BROS. PICTURES