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THE COUNTRYSIDE HIGH SCHOOLTHE COUNTRYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL

Friday, May 1st, 2009 - VOLUME 30, Issue 6 www.cnmcountryside.com 3000 S.R. 580 Clearwater, FL 33761

IN THIS ISSUE...IN THIS ISSUE...

Finding the perfect restaurant can be stressful. For suggestions see Page 11

Th e dream of looking like a princess for dances like prom and homecoming is the dream of most high school girls. However, with that beauty comes expense and stress for those unable to spend the ac-ceptable amount of money for that “Cinderella dress”. Th ere is a new program that has popped up in the area known as, Belle of the Ball that helps those less fi nancially fortunate transform into the beau-ty of their dreams. Th e program gives away new or slightly used prom dresses for free. Th e dresses are technically rented out to those who need them. Th e qualifying process for get-ting these dresses are that the girl is on free or reduced lunch, referred to the program from a church co-ordinator, social coordinator, or family friend, or have family fi nan-cial diffi culties. Th e teen also must be present for the pick up of the dress. With her dress qualifi cation enacted, she will also receive a free dry cleaning coupon, generously donated by Sun Country Clean-ers. Th e coupon can be used before or after the use of the dress. After the dance is done and the lights have gone dim, the dress is to be returned with no stains, tears, or mars. Th ose interested in receiving a dress for the upcoming prom on May 8th, there is a distribution on Saturday May 2nd at the Seminole Mall from 10 a.m. for 1p.m. After the prom there are a slew of unused dresses that lie in closets for years after the event. More and more families have become aware of people being hard hit by the recent fi nancial breakdown and they have been giving more than ever before. If any student is interested in donating a dress to the

program, there is also donation center on May 2nd at the Seminole Mall. Th ey accept all kinds of dresses from prom to more casual sun dresses. Th ey also accept jewelry, shoes, and accessories. If transportation is a problem, there is also a program

at Countryside High School that could also cure the prom day blues. Th e Cougar Closet, located in the A Wing, gives out free dresses for those interested in attending the dances at Countryside or any formal event outside of school. Since families have been more hard hit than ever, Hussar has seen a growth in the amount of clothes being donated. “We accept all kinds of clothing. Th e Belle of the Ball

program has the dresses having to be returned but with the Cougar Closet, those can be your clothes for as long as you want,” said Volunteer Coordinator, Jane Hussar. “We’ve gotten more donations than ever because of the recession. In both the Cougar Closet and Th e Belle of the

Ball program, people have been donat-ing more and more. I think people are just starting to understand how hard hit everyone is now,” Hussar said. Th e Cougar Closet has been at Countryside High for a number of years. Th eir growth as a donation cen-ter has refl ected escalated needs and more open hearts for giving. “Th e program started in 1999 with just giving out and taking in shoes. I started getting a lot of requests from families in need who had fallen on hard times. Th at when the program started taking off because when fami-lies paying attention, they started giv-ing their used dresses and clothes,” Hussar said. Th is program accommodates those unable to fi nd a dress within their price range. “Most of the clothes come from do-nations with the PTSA and families but we also have a deal with Macy’s that has given us brand new dresses and clothes for the year. We’ve seen over one hundred dresses and cloth-ing items so far and I hope we can just keep that up,” Hussar said. Th ere is no shame in accepting

these dresses, it is not a matter of money but a matter of confi dence. If money has become the issue in your prom experience, visit the distribution for Belle of the Ball or belleoftheballproject.com. If any clothes are needed for any gender at any time for any occasion, the Cougar Closet always has its door open in the A-Wing or for a more pri-vate conversation, be sure to talk to Jane Hussar about be-coming the person you want to be, regardless of the price.

rachelLUBITZstaff writer

Belle of the Ball brings Cinderella story to life

It takes more than just a day or a week to pull together the perfect prom. On Friday May 8, 2009, ladies will don their beautiful gowns and men will be dressed to impress as they take a stroll through Central Park and dance their hearts out in Times Square. Th e waterfront Harborview Center in Clearwater is where it will all take place. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and time to pull it all together and there is one group that goes above and beyond to make sure everything is just right, the prom committee. Mrs. Deidre Schuster was the previous prom adviser. Th is year, however, Mrs. Karen Mallory, an English teacher and junior class sponsor at Countryside, decided to take on the challenge of planning the perfect prom. By tackling this daunting task, she is allowing Ms. Schuster to fi nish graduate school and get her Masters Degree in History. Mrs. Mallory and the prom committee are doing ev-erything possible to make the 2009 junior/senior prom an extremely memorable experience for all attendees. Th e committee consists of approximately 10 people, including 4 class offi cers; Catie Munns, Megan Hays, Lauren Co-hen and Lindsay Zallis; and various teachers and students. Th ey have been planning together every other week since January. “I like a fun, easy-going dance,” said junior class presi-dent Catie Munns. “My sister said that last year’s prom was a little strict so we’re hoping this year’s won’t get that same reputation.” Th ere are new rules being enforced this year. For in-stance, the permission slip that has to be signed by a par-ent is a way of making sure that every person attending is

well informed of the rules and guidelines. Each attendee is required to show a photo identifi cation card at the time you purchase your ticket, as well as the night of the dance. Th is rule will be highly enforced so that the people at the door the night of the dance can cross check students pho-tos and names given at the time of ticket pur-chase. Th is is also ex-ceptionally helpful for any student that may have lost his or her ticket. It proves as a way of proving who you a r e and that you have purchased a ticket so that you may enter the dance. Last year students found a way to circumvent the process. Th ere were several infractions of the ticket policy that could have presented a risk for students. Th ere were scalped tickets that were sold for higher prices and to stu-dents from other schools. Several students were expelled, suspended and/or fi ned for reasons such as being intoxi-cated while attending a school function. “Th e precautions we are taking this year are strictly to protect the students and make sure that this year’s prom is the safest environment possible,” said Mrs. Mallory. Th e school does not supply a budget for prom, so it is the committee’s responsibility to fi nd sponsors as well as hold fundraisers to gain the money needed. Due to the current economic state, the committee has done everything possible to make sure they get the most out of their limited funds and save money wherever possible. Th e prom committee has dedicated their time to put

nicoleBOLTONstaff writer together the most realistic New York scene. You can expect

to see locations such as Central Park, Times Square, and Broadway. Times Square is the place to dance. With a 48 ft. by 48 ft. dance fl oor, there will be more than enough room to express yourself and dance along to the music played by DJ Jerry Matos. Matos was the DJ for Countryside’s Home-coming dance in 2007. He will be bringing a 10 ft. video screen where music videos, pictures, and live footage from the dance will be playing. To really get the feel of being in the Big Apple, there will be sixteen hand-built building replecas. Th ere will be television screens playing clips of classic New York movies and trees from Central Park. It wouldn’t be New York without great food. Just to name a few, there will be pizza, chicken tenders, and mini chicken cordon bleu balls. For dessert, there will be a chocolate fountain and other things as well. Various kinds of soda; Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Sprite to name a few, will be available in addition to water to make sure everyone stays hydrated. Don’t forget to cast your vote for the 2009 Junior and Senior Prom court. Th ere will be two male and two female junior representative as well as four male and four female senior representatives. Th e senior male and female with the highest amount of votes will be crowned New York’s fi nest, and receive the title of this year’s king and queen. As of Monday April 27th, there are approximately 150 tickets left with 550 already sold. If you missed the regular sale times, see Mrs. Mallory in L-1. Make sure you don’t miss out on an awesome prom.

Cougar closet is a more accessable way to achieve the ultimate Cinderella look for prom. Located in the A-wing. Contact Ms. Hussar for more details. photo credit: Rachel Lubitz

New York Nights -the dance to remember

New styles for 2009. Be free to wear what you want to. Page 6 &7

Countryside Baseball and Soft-ball seasonal update. Page 5

As the adults struggle with the hassle our world is

coming to, teenagers starting high school are beginning to

go through it as well. As you start your high school years,

you learn a lot about life on and how it is on your own.

For example, you begin to pay for your own bills, get a job,

pay for gas, the list can keep on going. Unfortunately the

economy these days can barely support us to take care of

those important responsibilities.

“I spend $150.00 [a month on gas]” said sophomore,

Mike Dorner.

Th e young people to which this aff ects, takes away

from their social life. Th ey have to cut back on outside

hobbies like sports or traveling because the expenses are

going up in price and it’s hard to aff ord. Not having jobs

for high school students is making things worse on them

and more stressful. Jack Kosakowski president of Junior

Achievement USA said, “Teens are indicating feelings of

uncertainty and anxiety about the economy and how its

eff ecting their lives.”

Th e starting age for a job can be anywhere from 14

and up, starting your working days just baby sitting for a

neighbor or being a bagger at Publix. Jobs are tough to fi nd

and even if you fi nd one, the interviews can be more then

you might ever expect. Sometimes you can fi nd a job the

easy way, by having inside help from the company you are

looking into working at. Another way is just to walk in,

approach the manager or whoever is available at the time,

and blowing them away right off the back.

For others it doesn’t always go that way. You can go all

around asking from place to place “are you hiring”, they tell

you yes or no, give you an application if it’s a yes, you return

the application, and they will then say “we will call you”, or

schedule a interview. It’s hard work to receive a job in this

economy, for just about anyone looking for a job and for

the ones who have lost theirs.

“I went in and applied. Had a small interview, got a

call a few weeks later asking for a second interview” said

Senior, Cassie Cardvcce.

For the most part, students fi nd the incentive to get a job

from the common nagging and frustration that is par-

enting. Th ere are some major perks, however, to the job

market. After a teenager gets over the idea of humiliating

themselves in interviews and feeling completely unpre-

pared for anything, there is another sweet taste that comes

along...cash. Now that one has a job, there is money to be

spent and things to buy.

Because of the economy, businesses are losing income

or being shut down, as well as just having to cut back on

employees or cut pay to a lower scale. Teenagers go through

not receiving minimum wage, not getting enough hours in,

and even getting cut off from the job over all. Once some-

thing as bad as this happens to anyone, they might get the

feeling they won’t be able to make it.

Many high school students here do have jobs, some

have had them before all the struggling began, others have

got them by jumping to the fi rst opportunity they see for

an open job. Other students have lost their jobs due to the

ever down sizing job market. Many jobs have certain ages

you can start working at, they can be 14, 16, or 18, it de-

pends on the circumstances they off er.

But with summer just starting to show itself, the job

market is increasingly shrinking. Th e economy isn’t help-

ing either. Older men and women have come to fi nd any

job that they can and there is no doubt that employers

would much rather hire someone older and wiser than a

high school kid.

Fourteen percent of the U.S teens, 15-17 years of age,

have reported that they feel the need to contribute to the

family budget. Another statistic reported was that one-

third of teens, surveyed there was less job availability. More

then 50 percent of teens say they talk with their friends

about what’s going on in the economy. Th is information

was taken by the Junior Achievement/Allstate Foundation,

during their 10th annual teen personal fi nancial poll.

Th e economy might be a battle for most people but

there’s no need to give up. Teens can work just as hard to

achieve anything they want and this war against our world

wont bring them down.For more information please visit the Cougar Career Center in rm. A2A

NEWS 2Students struggle to find jobs Buses bear county cutbacks kaleyNEMETH

staff writer

A tear-stricken child waves goodbye to her fi rst home,

a business closes and leaves men and women out of work,

out of money for their families. Donation centers loom be-

low hopeful, and gas prices shoot up--higher and higher.

An unsightly picture is painted here, and everyone knows

why: the economy.

Th e inevitable is rising; with an obstacle that 75% of

Americans face, the children of the early 21st century may

just meet their

match. Edu-

cation budget

cuts.

Among

other coun-

ties, Pinellas

has felt the

impact of the

recession with

w h a t s o e v e r

no cushion to

lessen the load.

An astonish-

ing fi ve plus

e l e m e n t a r y

schools were

closed earlier

this year be-

cause, ex-su-

perintendent

Clayton Wil-

cox points, the

loss of state

money with

enrollment de-

clines. As well

as, two funda-

mental schools,

Southside and

C o a c h m a n

are planning

to move into

ne ighbor ing

middle schools.

It is predict-

ed that by 2010, the Pinellas Country School System is to

lose almost 10,000 students. Offi cials speculate that the

deterioration of students in the county is due to the climb-

ing prices of houses and insurance rates, pushing those

struggling with the times out of the economically unstable

Bay Area.

Last November, Tallahassee offi cials delivered some

far-fetched news: to deal with the perverse times, about

$40 million needed to be shed from the educational fund-

ing of Florida. Early this year, the number soared to almost

staff writermeganMASON

$70 million. Just imagine, if closing fi ve elementary schools

in the country meant saving $7.5 million, than how many

other schools are lined up for the chopping block? Offi -

cials have yet to release a list of other potential “cut-back”

schools, but perceive in order to abide by the new stan-

dards, cuts will be necessary.

Next up for change, school busing, aff ects about 40%

of all elementary schoolers in our county, and so far, has

yielded complaints from thousands of parents. Around

17,000 students

will go with out

bus service at the

beginning of the

2009-2010 school

year. Th is commu-

nity-stirring action

saved almost $13

million already, but

still has quite a bit

left to go if they in-

tend on following

the $60-$80 mil-

lion dollar range of

cutbacks. All stu-

dents enrolled un-

der the old choice

plan, in which

they do not attend

a school in their

county-appointed

zone, will lose all

busing privileges.

Kids grand-fa-

thered into schools

out of their area,

however, are be-

lieved to remain in

the safe realm. Th ey

will still receive

busing, as of now.

Th at is intended to

cut nearly $7 mil-

lion, but for those

that remain out of

their zone, how much

is it really worth it?

As Pinellas sinks deeper into the economic depression,

more and more cuts will have to be made; on education,

on community projects, and anything else that seems too

old or small for the high-paced crisis sweeping the nation.

But as John F. Kennedy recited nearly 40 years ago, “Our

progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in

education. Th e human mind is our fundamental resource.”

And for those aff ected by the ludicrous, but much-needed

budget cuts, there are no better words than “hang in there,

relief is on the way”

Pinellas County school buses line up for their turn on the chopping

block; School and Education budget cuts photo credit Megan Mason

Miltary Recruiter Info Meeting

Tuesday May 5th

Immediately after school in rm. G4

Students in All grades an parents are invited

NEWS 3

Many of the clubs here at Countryside help to

better the students who take them by giving them hands

on experience with the fi eld they wish to enter after

high school. One such is Florida Future Educators of

America. Th e students who attend this club are a group

of female students who wish to pursue a career in pre-

school education. “It’s a club for future teachers. We have

projects and help the community through teaching,” says

senior Carly Bartlett. Th e members of this club take part

in multiple events every year, including holding the teacher

appreciation breakfast (where the school thanks the

teachers for all the hard work they put in during the year)

and traveling to diff erent schools to help teach the younger

students. Members also run the Cougar pre-school right

here at Countryside. Th ey help the community by teaching

and projects, such as the yearly book drive.

“Th e book drive is the biggest project we do. We put

books in laundromats and children can take the books

for free if they like them,” says Bartlett, the club’s vice

president. Carly has been a member of Florida Future

Safety has always been a main priority here at Countryside

High school. Unfortunately as many of you know, there

have always been fi ghts breaking out every now and then

that even our supervisors have trouble preventing. Th is

obviously has become a great concern to faculty, parents,

and students. Majority of these fi ghts would often occur

behind the walls in our concourse. Th is was an obvious

location to hold a fi ght, on account that it limits our

supervisors sight of the students. So what solution was

there that could really help prevent these reoccurring

fi ghts?

It took a rough estimate of $500 to tear down the walls

in our concourse, now replaced with benches. Ever since

this drastic solution the eff ect has been a positive one,

in conclusion to less fi ghting. With only four assistant

principals and 1300 students to watch, it was very diffi cult

to keep a sharp eye on our valued students.

“Too many things were happening behind those walls,”

staff writerevanMILLER

Having a hard time choosing the right classes? With

the new year rolling around, its becoming a big deal to

most students at Countryside.

Some of the new classes that will be here include,

Interacting Design(Gaming), Comprehensive Th eater

1, Introduction to Film and Entertainment, Jazz En-

semble, Chinese 1 and more.

“I’m thinking of taking Chinese.” said Junior Carlos

Acevado.

Th e addition of new classes brings a sense of relief

to students who want a change in classes. In order to

attend a four year university students must have a mini-

mum of two credits in a foreign language. So instead of

taking Spanish, why not try one of the new classes such

as Chinese.

Another new assortment of classes is in Advanced

Placement[AP], which are college courses taken in high

school. Th ere are a few added AP classes like History

of Art, Environmental Science, and United States Gov-

ernment and Politics.

“Taking an AP class gives you more of a challenge.”

said Mrs. Steele.

Students these days slack in their classes due to their

lack of motivation. If the work the teacher assigns you

is eff ortless then a student won’t bother to do it and

will easily fall asleep or cause a distraction. Assuming

that grades are good in an honors class or regular class,

why not step up and challenge yourself and take an AP

class.

Students that take and pass the AP exam are re-

staff writerkaylaYAMONICO

staff writerlaurenINCE

Want to get a thank you card for your mom? Need to

buy some colorful decorations for your scrapbook? Th en

go check out the Cougar Cage, opening May 6, located

in the CHS Gymnasium ticket booth!

Marianne Reese, a teacher here at Countryside

High school, intends to open up the Cougar Cage with

her students from H5. Sponsored by the IVE Commu-

nity-Based Instruction classes, the cause for the store

was due to the chance of losing their funds. “Th ere is a

very strong possibility that [funding] will [be] reduced,

if not, stopped [for] the funding of buses [and] our CD

art program. So, right now we don’t even have a full

week’s worth of busing,” Ms. Reese explained.

It won’t be decided until

this summer whether the

fundings for the class will

be cut or not. But for Ms.

Reese’s class, they don’t

have time to wait. “[Th e

funding] allows the kids,

teachers, and the assistants

that escort them to go to

three diff erent work sites

during block three. Th ey

actually work in businesses,

like we have the Country

Club where they’re in the

dining room. [Th ey have the] Fitness Center Care [as

well]. Th en a couple of them [go to work] at Publix

where they bag groceries and everything. So they get a

real job experience with real supervisors that are based

with the school. It allows them to learn the skills and

hopefully receive a reference for a job. Without [fund-

ing], we can’t go out and work in the community.” Ms.

Reese states.

However, if fundings are dropped, they’ve got a plan

to keep them steady. Coming up with the idea of a store

that sells cards, crafts, and more resulted in the Cougar

Cage. Ms. Reese explains, “It may or may not provide

enough funding to help with transportation, but it will,

if they do completely withdraw their support for buses,

...allow [the students] to run an entire business from

the bottom up. Th ey [would learn] everything from pur-

chasing the product, the parts for the product, assem-

bling the products, sales, advertising, delivery, handling

the cashier, the whole bit. So it would still give them a

work experience. It would just be here on campus.”

Th e Cougar Cage is the class’ only hope of getting

by money-wise. So go support them, and who knows?

Maybe you’ll fi nd some cool stuff . “We hope that ev-

eryone will want to come by. Th ere’s some really neat

stuff in there, a lot of nice gifts, and there will be a lot of

school spirit [items] in the fall.” Ms. Reese said.

C l u b p r e p a r e s F l o r i d a ’s bright minds t o t e ac h

N e w c l a s s e s h i t C - s i d e

Student violence hits the wallstaff writer

meganKOCH

C o u g a r C a g e is on the p r o w l said Mr.Bates. “But since the walls have been taken down,

I haven’t seen a fi ght break out yet.”

Th ough those walls have been standing ever since the

school has opened, it was time to make the change for the

student’s best interest. With so much fi ghting and not

enough supervision, it was just a danger to our students.

“When the wall was there fi ghts would break out at that

location more than any other place in the schools concourse,”

said sophomore Michael Hoeft. “ I really haven’t seen as

much trouble since the wall has been removed.”

It is very unfortunate that replacements like this had to

be made, but it is only to help with the safety in our school.

If our supervisors could not keep an eye on our students,

who knows what might have happened in the future. With

these walls down students are not as prone or tempted to

fi ght, with the fear of getting caught as soon as it would

start. Hopefully this will be one of the last changes needed

to help our school be a safer place for our students.

warded with three college credits.

“With the new variety of classes, students can pos-

sibly fi nd a future career by taking something diff erent”

said Mrs. Steele.

Colleges and Universitys look back on the classes

you’ve taken throughout high school and the grades

you’ve recieved to see if you challenge yourself, are self

motivated, and have a strong will to learn and further

your education.

Although there are more

options for classes, there will

also be a change in the sched-

ule for next year. Students

who have fallen behind in

credits and/or failed classes

will no longer be able to make

up those classes as easily as

before and are therefore tak-

ing other programs to make

them up. Such as: Florida

Virtual School, NovaNet,

Night schooling at Palm Har-

bor University High School

and at Clearwater.

Unfortunately, any elec-

tive classes will be terminated

if students don’t sign up for

them.

Accept the challenge, take

the new classes.

Educators for the past two years and wants to be a

elementary school teacher. One of the best aspects of the

club she says is, “Getting together with people who share

common interests.”

At the beginning of the year, the club began with 20

members. Meeting every Wednesday after school, the club

has remained strong throughout the school year. Th ey

have kept busy by planning events like a day of teaching

fi rst grade students at Garrison-Jones Elementary School

located in Dunedin. Th e event is called Junior Achievement

Day. “We will be teaching 1st graders. We get to take over

the class for two hours of the day to teach and sing songs

with the kids,” says Bartlett.

Th is will help members of the club get a feel for what it

is like to be an actual teacher.

If you aspire to ever become a teacher,and wish to gain

some experience while in high school, the club is always

looking for fresh new faces. Th ey meet every Wednesday

in J-1, so stop by if your interested in becoming a Florida

Future Educators.

“It may or may not provide enough funding to help with transportation, but it will...allow [the students] to run an entire business from the bottom up.” -Marienne Reese

heatherEBERTstaff writer

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, and Ryan ReynoldsRelease Date: May 1stSet roughly twenty years before the fi rst X-Men movie, the fi lm will focus on Wolverine’s violent past and his early encounters with Th e Weapon X program. Origins will also chronicle his interactions with other mutants including many Deadpool, Th e Blob, Emma Frost, and the long-awaited Gambit.X-

Men O

rigins

:Wolv

erine

St

ar

Tr

ek Starring: Chris Pine and Karl Urban

Release Date: May 8thTh e Famous Cult T.V. Show is com-ing to the silver screen exploring the back stories of the shows most famous characters including James T. Kirk and Spock before the meet aboard the Enterprise.

In a perfect world A-list Hip-Hop artists and R&B singers would all be featured on a well rounded album, consisting of diverse songs that people can truly vibe to, over fl avorful beats made by Timbaland and Polow Da Don. Th is is exactly what’s been portrayed on Hilson’s debut album, In a Perfect World. Listening to this album I noticed that I got a couple diff erent feelings of who I thought Keri Hilson was. While nodding my head to songs with hype hooks like “Get your money up” and “Turnin’ me on”, I got the sense that the Atlanta born and raised fresh face revealed a kind of street or hood persona. On the other hand, as I felt the emotion in songs like “Tell him the truth” and “Energy”, I perceived her as a softer and more com- passionate person. I believe some may interpret this as Keri being confused, but I take it as a sign that she has diff erent sides and music is an outlet that talented artists, such as Hil- son use to convey those dif- ferent personality traits. One thing I must say though, as I listened to the album some of the material reminded me of an R&B princess that has been around for a while and goes by the name of Ciara. I had heard the tracks “Energy” and “Knock You Down” before on the radio but it wasn’t until I received this CD that I learned it was Keri Hilson singing these amazing songs. Keri does have style I just believe it will take time for her to be at the top of her game and have her own distinctive style. “In a Perfect World” was projected to be released in September of 2008 but was delayed because of failed single releases. Th e edition that ended up being released fi nally in March 2009 consists of diff er-ent songs that were not even on the original track list for the album which was to be released in September. Artists featured on this album are Trina, Lil Wayne, Keyshia Cole, Kanye West, Ne-Yo and Akon. Overall I fi nd this album to be a success and I know my friends and I will be bumping these make you want to move beats as we sing along in our cars and houses. It’s a hot CD and I look forward to hearing more and more of Ms.Keri baby.

Keri is turnin’ it on

movies coming soon...

Starring: Tom Hanks Ewan Mcgregor Release Date: May 15Sequel to the Box offi ce hit the Davinci Code, this fi lm is about Intrepid Har-vard professor Robert Langdon uses his knowledge of art and religious symbol-ism to unravel a religious mystery. Th e Illuminati, an ancient scientifi c group, seem to be plotting to destroy the Papacy and all that is connected with it.

Angels & DemonsStarring: Ben Stiller and Robin WilliamsRelease Date: May 22When the museum of natural history in New York is closed down for upgrades and renovations, the residents in the museum are transported to the Smithsonian. Larry Daley (Stiller) accompanies the pieces to assist with them when they come to life and prevent them from running amuck.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

After a small delay, Electronic Arts’ second video game adaptation of Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather” was released on April 7th. Godfather II expands upon the story introduced in the fi rst game, while running parallel to the storyline established by the second Godfather fi lm. The player controls mobster Dominic, who takes control as the Don of the Corleone fam-ily after the death of Aldo Trapani, the main character from the fi rst game. The game features similar gameplay to its predecessor, though it includes an expanded arsenal and an improved Blackhand gameplay system. The ‘Blackhand’ system allows players to extort busi-nesses and fellow gangsters through “persuasion” that includes physical violence and bribery. Like in the fi rst game, one of the main objectives

editor in chiefryanDUCHANEAn Off er You Can’t Refuse - Godfather II Review

in Godfather II is to take control of businesses belonging to rival crime families. To do this, the player can either

bribe shop own-ers with a small sum of money, or physically as-sault them until they give in. Either way, extorted businesses will

provide the player with money

to buy new weapons. A new feature in Godfather II is the Don’s

View, a map screen which shows the entire city, which businesses are owned by which families,

and the current status of already extorted shops. The game moves through three locations- Havana, Cuba, Miami, Florida, and New York City.

Godfather II has some impressive graphics, though the actual game engine and character models are only slightly improved over the previous game. The story is interest-ing and involves many moments from the second movie, though it may cause players who have no interest in the fi lm to grow bored. The online multyiplayer modes offer a chance to change things up. 16 players can go head-to-head on XBOX-Live or Playstation Network in a variety of modes that can provide extra weapons or money for the single player campaign. Overall, Godfather II is a fun and open-ended game. The maps are large enough to allow exploration, and the blackhand gameplay once again brings an addictive experi-ence to the table. Online gameplay is an intersting addition, though it doesn’t pac the punch of other experiences like Gears of War or Metal Gear Online. Despite all its features, the game’s appearance is about the same as its predecessor. With that in mind, it might be wiser to rent the game now and wait to see if there is a Wii release, which would mean better controls and (hopefully) a few more improvements.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Riding down the street with your favorite song busting through the speakers or with your friends kicking back and listening to the radio is why the creative musical artists of today have been putting out hot track after hot track. From Lady Gaga and T.I to Th e Fray, songs have been pouring out of the studio and through radios like Vin Diesel driving a BMW M-Series in Fast & Furious. Songs like Soulja Boy’s Kiss Me Th rough the Phone and Th e Black Eyed Peas’ Boom Boom Pow hold spots on iTunes’ top 10 downloaded songs list. A famous American poet and educator, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” For many, music plays a big role in day to day life.“It [music] calms me down,” junior Danielle Gil-liard said.Music can also change a person’s energy level and

Radio stations crank out the hits

heatherEBERTstaff writer

get them pumped for the game or the show. Alterna-tive Rock fan and JV football player, freshman Cody Chmelik said, “Before football games I listen to music to get pumped up.” Th ere are a lot of songs being played on the radio. Th ere are many that are hot and some that are not. When asked what songs students believed are the best right now, hits like Young LA and T.I.’s Ain’t I came up. Students are also welcoming back Britney Spears as she puts out likable hits like Womanizer. Her new comeback and tour may bring a more pop-interested crowd into the scene. “One song on the radio that is not so good is Soulja Boy’s Turn My Swag On,” sophomore Natalia Acevedo said. Rock, Hip-hop and Pop are dominating the charts and it’s only the start of the year. So, only one can guess what will come out next. Whether one week may be Country or one week may be Pop, there is no guess-ing what the next big thing will be.

photo courtesy of Google.com

photo courtesy of Google.com

photo courtesy of Google.com

4ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS 5

S w i n g i n’ t h e i r h e a r t s o u tBaseball Update: Th e seasons have started, baseball and softball

have swung into action here at Countryside

High.

Baseball started off with a pre-sea-

son, beginning on February 9th.

Th eir fi rst game was versus Gibbs

High School, on February 11th,

taking home the win 11-0. Th e regular

season began on February 16th, playing

their fi rst game against Pendleton, unfor-

tunately they lost 17-4.

Th e team plays around 10-16 diff erent

teams a year, from various high schools. Th ey

play seven innings, depending on the score,

and they are about two and one half to three

hours long. Games are played mostly in Pinellas

county, however four take place in Hillsbor-

ough; for example Alonso and Gather. Th ey total

anywhere from 25-27 games, and have about 2-3

a week.

“We play in one of the best districts in the

state, (6A-7)” said junior and third basemen

Stephen Tsagaris.

You always wonder what they do in prepara-

tion for a game. Th ey get there at 4:30 p.m and

games start at 7:00 p.m. Th e team will hit on

the fi eld, gear up, stretch and throw, take in and

out fi eld, then play ball!

Th e team has 17 players on it, all coming

from each grade level. Requirements to

make it onto the team include, being a

strong and good baseball player, having

good grades, gone through condi-

tioning, and having adequate skills.

Th ere are nine positions to fi ll, and

they are pitcher, catcher, fi rst, second,

and third basemen, short stop (ss), right,

center, and left fi elder.

“I pitch,” said senior Travis Webster.

Practices during school on the week days are anywhere

from three to three and one half hours long. Also, the

team practices on Saturdays for four hours. During their

practices the conditioning gets a little rough. Th ey run

six miles every Monday starting from the baseball fi eld

here at school to Curlew and back. Also they do sprints,

bleachers, and footwork drills.

“Conditioning is very hard [and] we do all the

workouts you can think of,” said sophomore and

fi rst basemen Chris Frey.

Many things go on throughout the

season, some can be crazy, cool, and

maybe hurtful. Spencer Wilson hit

for the cycle which means, he hit a

single, double, and a home run all

in one game against Clearwater.

Also, Kyle Leja got hit in the

nose by a ball.

Many of the students who

play on the team have the

dream to go on to be a pro-

fessional. To make this dream

a reality, they work hard to

earn a scholarship. In order

to receive such an honor,

it takes a lot of hard work

and dedication. A few team

players want to attend small

schools in Florida, others

might be aiming a little higher.

Once you go through playing

for a huge college, then a minor

league, major league baseball can

be just around the corner.

“[I would want to play for] the

Atlanta Braves,” said sophomore

Dominic Monda.

Softball Update: Th e softball team began with a pre season

tournament starting on Feb 6th, crushing Ridgewood

11-0 . Six days after that, their regular season began, the

fi rst team they played was Mitchell High School. Th e

Cougars won with a score of 2-0.

Softball plays about 20 diff erent teams, scattered all

staff writerkaleyNEMETH

over Pinellas and Hillsborough, until states come around.

Th ey play schools like Eastlake High School and more all

the way down to Miami. Th e games are seven innings and

about an hour and one half to two hours long. Th e

team plays a total of 30 games, and 2-3 a week.

“It’s a cool thing to play teams from all

over Florida,” said junior Paige Oxen-

dine.

Th ere were originally 15 play-

ers on the team but this year they are

down one player due to surgery. In order

to be a part of the team, you must acquire

some certain skills. You must show hard

work and determination, as well as be a team

player, be able to throw, and want to be there.

Just like in baseball there are nine positions and

you are able to have as many as you want ( one

at a time), and you’re able to switch.

“I play third,” said freshman Kristin Hubbard.

Everyday, the team is out practicing for about

two and one half hours, except on game day.

Th ey sprint and do abdominal exercises. Also

they do lunges, work on their core, and jump

rope.

In softball there are diff erences with the fi eld,

are way the pitchers throw, the ball size and

color, and much more. Th e fi eld and the base

lengths are smaller, games go by faster and the

ball is yellow and much larger. Th e distance

from the home plate to the pitcher’s mound

is shorter. Also the bats they use are dif-

ferent, and when your allowed to take the

lead off a base is changed.

Another subject that baseball and

softball have in common is that these

girls have the dream to receive schol-

arships to small colleges and even

universities. Th ey know its tough but if

they want it, the girls will work their way

to the top, and earn what might be handed to

them one day soon.

“I have a scholarship to my dream school, the Univer-

sity of Florida,” said sophomore, Alyssa Bache.

Alyssa Bache, sets up to send out a pitch during a game. This young girl, only a sophomore in high school, is the one who recieved the scholarship to UF. Photo credit Bryn-Allan.Andrew Brodbeck, stands in the dug out talking with some of the players as they

wacth the game. Photo credit Yearbook advisor Judy Vesey.

6 7

Each year, prom comes around exciting the

junior and senior class of nearly every high

school across America. Stiff black and white,

penguin-like tuxedos are rented by the masses,

over-exaggerated dresses and mile-high heels

are bought in bulk, and limo services are booked

months in advance. Sound familiar? Th at’s be-

cause it is exactly that, a repeated process. Every

year when prom verges in, the same generic acts

are being practiced. Some may call it tradition,

but the truth lies more along the lines of boring.

Prom is meant to be spectacular; something we

will remember until we are well into our ‘golden

years’.

As far as our prom traditions go now, students

honestly don’t even have to attend the event to

know how it will probably play out. Why not just

watch the ever-so-rare cheesy teen movie or fl ip

through the pages of nearly every teen magazine

in the checkout line? It’s everywhere we look,

plaguing the teenage mind to think that prom

has to be the same year after year. Minus the

big cap sleeves and even bigger hair, everything

has progressed into looking like a carbon-copy

of the past. It’s not mandatory. We don’t have

to follow the trend. We can break free from the

pack.

“I think prom should have diff erent themes

that we dress up to, like pirates instead of formal

wear,” said junior Anna McNally.

Th e realm of which we can expand

our horizons is endless.

Boys, this year instead of the

same old dress suit, try a classy sports coat with

a bright button-down or graphic T-shirt to add

a splash of color and personality. No blending

in with this get-up, but there will be a lot of at-

tention-getting, all the while prevailing in the

proper dress attire.

If a suit is more your style, pastel colors like

pink, baby blue and purple are becoming more

common rather than the traditional black. In

past years, matching the vest with girl’s dress was

a must. Now matching the entire tux is becom-

ing more apparent. Designers are now making

a wider selection of suits that better defi ne per-

sonal style.

“My suit...is lavender with a plaid jacket, and

I got a lavender hat, shoes, and a cane to fi nish

it off ,” said senior Darrien Coleman. “Just know

that I’m gonna be looking macdaddy fl y.”

Th en, what about those blocky dress shoes

that weigh down your feet and make even the

slightest movement a hassle? Why not just save

those for Sunday Mass and put on your favorite

Vans, or a clean pair of Converse to step out of

the norm.

And girls, isn’t it the biggest nuisance in the

world when that one other girl has the exact

same dress? It’s bound to happen when the ma-

jority of the high school female population limits

their selection to two department stores or one

specifi c mall. Try and get out of that comfort

zone, it may take a little scavenging, but it will all

be worth it for the perfect dress. Boutiques are a

great place to fi nd a unique one of a kind dress,

but those places can be pricey and may pinch

some pockets. Instead, vintage thrift shops carry

tons of hidden treasures, it just takes a little dig-

ging. Won’t it feel good to know that your dress

is a novel, unmatchable buy?

Th ough, long dresses have always been the

more traditional choice for prom, short dresses are

also quickly becoming more accepted. Designers

like Jessica McClintock and Betsey Johnson are

some that have fallen into the ‘keep it short’ fash-

ion movement. McClintock dresses mostly all

have tight, strapless bodices and full tulle skirts

while Johnson’s dresses are full of whimsical de-

tailing and baby-doll inspiration.

Before prom, it’s relatively the same routine

down to the fl ash of the camera.

“Instead of the normal stiff and awkward pos-

es, I’d just dance in all my pictures,” said senior

Kelly Schroeder.

As for the ever popular limo, getting in gear

with new alternatives when it comes to transpor-

tation this year.

“Why ride in a limo when I could ride my

bike? I’ll get exercise and I can just put my heels

in a little back pack,” said fellow junior Kayla

Carleton.

In retrospective, prom may present yet another

chance to pursue the latest craze, but resist the

temptation and don’t give in. Try to change it

up this year, don’t go by the implied rules. Show

everyone that you can go to prom and wear what

you like, do what you want to do, and be who you

want to be, even if that’s not what everyone else

expects.

kellyMCDONALD & saraMINEO staff writers

Trade in those rented penquin suits

for a comfortable sports jacket and

slacks that are not only more bud-

get friendly, but sure to impress. If

black isn’t quite your style, pastel

colored suits, like pink, baby blue,

and purple, are also making a come-

back this year.

Boys can ditch the but-

ton downs and ties this

year. Instead, opt for

graphic tees that show

your peers your person-

ality.

for promTL

I

ND I II UaaI YYV DStudent express their

“My suit...is lav-

ender with a

plaid jacket, and

I got a lavender

hat, shoes, and a

cane to fi nish it

off . Just know

that I’m gonna

be looking mac-

daddy fl y.” - Darrien Coleman.

Focus

Short, fi gure-fl attering dresses are gaining

popularity this year for girls at prom. Bold

patterns and colors are trendy alternatives

to the traditional sequin ball gown. Shown

here is a dress from Dillards, but vintage

thrift stores or boutiques are unique places

to fi nd a dress that suits your individual

style.

6 7

Each year, prom comes around exciting the

junior and senior class of nearly every high

school across America. Stiff black and white,

penguin-like tuxedos are rented by the masses,

over-exaggerated dresses and mile-high heels

are bought in bulk, and limo services are booked

months in advance. Sound familiar? Th at’s be-

cause it is exactly that, a repeated process. Every

year when prom verges in, the same generic acts

are being practiced. Some may call it tradition,

but the truth lies more along the lines of boring.

Prom is meant to be spectacular; something we

will remember until we are well into our ‘golden

years’.

As far as our prom traditions go now, students

honestly don’t even have to attend the event to

know how it will probably play out. Why not just

watch the ever-so-rare cheesy teen movie or fl ip

through the pages of nearly every teen magazine

in the checkout line? It’s everywhere we look,

plaguing the teenage mind to think that prom

has to be the same year after year. Minus the

big cap sleeves and even bigger hair, everything

has progressed into looking like a carbon-copy

of the past. It’s not mandatory. We don’t have

to follow the trend. We can break free from the

pack.

“I think prom should have diff erent themes

that we dress up to, like pirates instead of formal

wear,” said junior Anna McNally.

Th e realm of which we can expand

our horizons is endless.

Boys, this year instead of the

same old dress suit, try a classy sports coat with

a bright button-down or graphic T-shirt to add

a splash of color and personality. No blending

in with this get-up, but there will be a lot of at-

tention-getting, all the while prevailing in the

proper dress attire.

If a suit is more your style, pastel colors like

pink, baby blue and purple are becoming more

common rather than the traditional black. In

past years, matching the vest with girl’s dress was

a must. Now matching the entire tux is becom-

ing more apparent. Designers are now making

a wider selection of suits that better defi ne per-

sonal style.

“My suit...is lavender with a plaid jacket, and

I got a lavender hat, shoes, and a cane to fi nish

it off ,” said senior Darrien Coleman. “Just know

that I’m gonna be looking macdaddy fl y.”

Th en, what about those blocky dress shoes

that weigh down your feet and make even the

slightest movement a hassle? Why not just save

those for Sunday Mass and put on your favorite

Vans, or a clean pair of Converse to step out of

the norm.

And girls, isn’t it the biggest nuisance in the

world when that one other girl has the exact

same dress? It’s bound to happen when the ma-

jority of the high school female population limits

their selection to two department stores or one

specifi c mall. Try and get out of that comfort

zone, it may take a little scavenging, but it will all

be worth it for the perfect dress. Boutiques are a

great place to fi nd a unique one of a kind dress,

but those places can be pricey and may pinch

some pockets. Instead, vintage thrift shops carry

tons of hidden treasures, it just takes a little dig-

ging. Won’t it feel good to know that your dress

is a novel, unmatchable buy?

Th ough, long dresses have always been the

more traditional choice for prom, short dresses are

also quickly becoming more accepted. Designers

like Jessica McClintock and Betsey Johnson are

some that have fallen into the ‘keep it short’ fash-

ion movement. McClintock dresses mostly all

have tight, strapless bodices and full tulle skirts

while Johnson’s dresses are full of whimsical de-

tailing and baby-doll inspiration.

Before prom, it’s relatively the same routine

down to the fl ash of the camera.

“Instead of the normal stiff and awkward pos-

es, I’d just dance in all my pictures,” said senior

Kelly Schroeder.

As for the ever popular limo, getting in gear

with new alternatives when it comes to transpor-

tation this year.

“Why ride in a limo when I could ride my

bike? I’ll get exercise and I can just put my heels

in a little back pack,” said fellow junior Kayla

Carleton.

In retrospective, prom may present yet another

chance to pursue the latest craze, but resist the

temptation and don’t give in. Try to change it

up this year, don’t go by the implied rules. Show

everyone that you can go to prom and wear what

you like, do what you want to do, and be who you

want to be, even if that’s not what everyone else

expects.

kellyMCDONALD & saraMINEO staff writers

Trade in those rented penquin suits

for a comfortable sports jacket and

slacks that are not only more bud-

get friendly, but sure to impress. If

black isn’t quite your style, pastel

colored suits, like pink, baby blue,

and purple, are also making a come-

back this year.

Boys can ditch the but-

ton downs and ties this

year. Instead, opt for

graphic tees that show

your peers your person-

ality.

for promTL

I

ND I II UaaI YYV DStudent express their

“My suit...is lav-

ender with a

plaid jacket, and

I got a lavender

hat, shoes, and a

cane to fi nish it

off . Just know

that I’m gonna

be looking mac-

daddy fl y.” - Darrien Coleman.

Focus

Short, fi gure-fl attering dresses are gaining

popularity this year for girls at prom. Bold

patterns and colors are trendy alternatives

to the traditional sequin ball gown. Shown

here is a dress from Dillards, but vintage

thrift stores or boutiques are unique places

to fi nd a dress that suits your individual

style.

8OPINION

Ditch the date It’s a month before prom. You’ve put off looking for the perfect dress in the hopes

that someone will still ask you, and the two of you will correspond. You haven’t made

dinner plans, or arranged a ride, because a large number of the ‘Prom Logistics’ depend

upon who you’re going with.

But why? Why is it that, if you don’t have a set date for prom, the urge to even go

simply deteriorates?

Perhaps the vast array of high school teen movies that we’ve all grown up with have

taught us that going stag to prom is just pitiful. After all, who will you dance with? Who

will you stand all shiny and polished on a staircase and take pictures with? Who will you

go out to dinner and spend a week’s worth of pay with?

Well, here’s a crazy idea…why not your friends? Why not go to prom with the group

of people you’re closest to?

Th is year, don’t wait around for that special someone to pop the question. Ditch the

date, and just worry about having a good time.

Of course everyone secretly hopes they’ll be asked. Th e truth is, no matter who you

are, there are probably people who would kill to take you, but who would never ask.

So why not show up wearing comfortable shoes, looking to only impress yourself, and

dance with every single one of them?

After all, what good is a date anyway?

staff writersnicoleBOLTON & ajQUENELL

Grab your clothes, money, tickets, and most importantly your date and walk out the

front door off to prom. Th is is the day that many girls have been dreaming of since they

were freshman or younger. What does this perfect night entail? Going to dinner? Cap-

turing the moment forever with pictures? Th e guy buying the corsage to match the girl’s

dress? Th e girl buying a boutonnière for the guy? Well a night like this usually means

you have a date.

Girls think about how frustrating it’s like trying on a hundred dresses, but when you

fi nd that perfect one, it’s as if none of the others even crossed your path. Th ink about

the look on your date’s face when he sees you for the fi rst time all dolled up and perfect.

Th ink about how happy your parents will be as they take pictures for you and your date

to keep for a lifetime of memories. Th ink about going out before the dance and having a

lovely dinner at your favorite restaurant. Still want to go with your friends? Th en make it

a double date.

Whether they arrive in a limousine or a personal vehicle, the couple leaving their

car arm-in-arm and heading towards the door is always a wonderful sight to see. Two

people together usually look happier holding each other close than just a plain group

of friends walking in together. So now you’re inside and dancing with a few of your

friends only to fi nd out that they can’t stay long and must leave early, aren’t you happy

that you’re not left standing there alone the rest of the night? Here we have one of the

benefi ts of bringing a date.

Suddenly, the song “My Boo” by Usher and Alicia Keys comes on. What do you do,

run for the tables to sit it out? Maybe watch your friends pair up, feeling awkward and

left out? I don’t think so. It’s time for you to grab your date and enjoy the romantic mo-ment.

Si

n gleH i t c h a d a t estaff writer

bethanyREED

..

“It’s formal thing to go to prom with someone, but I could still have fun without a date,” - Drew Blocklinger.

“I w

ould

go w

ithout a

dat

e, b

e-

cause

it does

n’t al

way

s ta

ke

two

to d

ance

,” s

aid junio

r M

ilam

Bar

tges

.

“N

o on

e go

es to

pro

m

with

out a

dat

e, so

I’d

be li

ke

a lo

nely b

ird,”

said

soph

o-

mor

e Shak

iah D

enise

Gar

ey.

“I think it will be

more fun just going w

ith my

girls,” said junior Chelsea

Kulhm

an.

“I don’t want to feel any pressure of going with a date,” said senior Tavaris Clark.

“I would go with my girlfriend to

have a memorable story to share

with my children,” said senior

Johnny Ortmann

9FEATURES

Young leader sparks political interest Th e inaugural Republican Club meeting on April 9 lured a considerable crowd into the media center after school. Newly appointed faculty adviser, Chris Settle, gave opening remarks to approximately 40 onlookers. He men-tioned his satisfaction with the number of attendees, and praised the club founder, sophomore Mark Hettig. “It’s very good to see a response like this when it comes to student involvement in government,” said Settle. “It’s [also] exciting to see a young man who’s just a sophomore take such major steps as a leader.” Hettig presented Settle with the idea of forming the club just prior to Spring Break. Th e teacher was appre-hensive about being adviser for another club, until he saw the eff ort that the sophomore had already invested into its formulation. Hettig created a website, www.Countrysid-eRebublicans.com. It is equipped with a constitution for constituents to abide by, an electronic sign up for prospec-tive members, as well as a brief description of Hettig, Vice-Chairman, Andrew Richey, and Secretary, Jordan Vaal. “I knew this was a young man that already knew what he wanted to do. [It’s a] very impressive website,” Settle said. Hettig also had to go through a process to make the club offi cial because he needed the state’s permission to use the word Republican in the title of the organization. He dealt with local representatives as well as committee members, who signed his constitution and sent it to Tallahassee. In addition to the detailed set up, Hettig arranged a question and answer session with United States Congress-man, Gus Bilirakis, at the fi rst meeting. He messaged the Congressman’s assistant, Elise Gately, on Facebook. She in turn gave Hettig the congressman’s offi ce contact infor-mation and they set up the meeting. “[Th e process] was very easy and accessible, surpris-ingly,” said Hettig. Bilirakis was also pleased with the turnout at the event. Th e congressman retraced his love of politics back to his childhood, volunteering for election campaigns. He en-

couraged the students to get involved in the political pro-cess too- whether they off er assistance, constructive criti-cism, or support. “Most of my staff has worked for me on a volunteer basis,” Bilirakis said. “Th ey do such a good job that we hire them on the congressional staff .” Th e congressman answered concerns about the “fi s-

paulineMURPHYeditor-in-chief

Congressman Gus Bilirakis gives a speech to the Republican Club of Countryside High School. The club is interested in

spreading and expressing their ideals of being productive members of their future party. photo credit Rachel Lubitz

cally irresponsible” behavior,as he referenced it, in Washington D.C. He reiterated the idea that too much money is being wasted by the government and things need to change. Bilirakis also recently proposed several bills such as, excluding the fi rst 17,000 dollars of an E-1 soldier’s salary from federal income tax, alleviating the postage payment when people send care pack-ages to soldiers, and using biometrics, physical and behavioral recognition, in order to tackle the illegal immigration issue. “Not everyone’s going to agree with you, but you’ve got to go up [to Washington] and just try to do the right thing,” said Bilirakis. Th e Congressman was asked towards the end of his discussion if he would run for the Senate in the near future. He expressed hesitation at the thought because of family priorities and a need for more ex-perience. Ultimately, Mark Hettig plans on the club being a place for students to hear both sides of issues. He intends to have a guest speaker of varying authority at each meeting, and he would like to incorporate community service projects. He would also like to see a Democratic Club formed so that the clubs can debate one another. “I don’t want it to be one of those clubs where once the founding person graduates, it kind of dis-sipates. I want it to be able to survive on its own without me propping it up at all. But basically, i just want it to be a place where people can come discuss issues,” said Hettig. Th e Republican Club meetings are typically after school every other Th ursday in Mr. Settle’s class-

room, B4A, unless otherwise posted on the club website. Th e next meeting is on May 7. County Commissioner Neil Brickfi eld will be the guest speaker at the gathering. To become a member or for more information, visit www.CountrysideRepublicans.com.

8973518907351083518375109837510875

123761387410707

10THE PUZZLER

Comi Pie -DevilzMoon

Directions: Using the given numbers, fi ll in the grid so that every row, column and ever (3x3) framed box contains the numbers (1-9) exactly once.

SUDOKU© Kevin Stone [www.brainbashers.com]

Diffi culty Level: Medium PROM• Test prep (SAT, ACT, FCAT)• Individualized tutoring in all subject areas• Virtual School assistance• Honors, AP, Spanish course assistance

Phone: 727-786-8887 • Fax: 727-786-354030750 US Hwy. 19 N. • Palm Harbor, FL 34684

www.thetutors.net

Read from right to left

ILLUSIONSQ: Can you tell what this is a picture of?

DevilzMoon

* - ?Special Features Spot The Difference“

“

:-

,

.

Directions

There are

difference

between

the images

How long will it

take you to find

them

Answers

To find the

answers Just cut

out both images

then over lap

them on top of

each other

13?

11GRUB

krystalCASEYeditor-in-chief

With the constant worry about the outfi ts, limos,

and photographs, how is one to worry about fi nd-

ing the perfect place to eat? Th is year’s prom

is at the Harborview Center in downtown

Clearwater. With the many restaurants

in the area such as, Frenchy's Rockaway

Grill and Palm Pavilion, how can one

make up their mind? Other restaurants

located near, but not on the white, sandy

beaches are, Clear Sky Cafe, Crabby Bill's,

Kiku's Japanese Sushi Grille, and Alex’s Family restau-

rant, which is a small mom and pop restaurant.

If your’re looking to stay closer to home, some of

the many restaurant's in the area are Chilies, Applebee’s,

T.G.I. Fridays, Olive Garden, and some of the famous

steakhouses, Outback and Longhorn.

"Before prom, I am planning to go to the Palm Pavil-

ion," said junior Lindsay Zallis.

Th e Palm Pavilion, as some may not know, is

located beach side and over looks the Gulf of Mexico. It

off ers casual dining, indoor or an outdoor deck. Prices

range from $6.49 to $16.99.

Located across the lot is Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill.

It too, overlooks the Gulf waters and is most no-

table for its satisfying seafood delicacies. It has

a friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices

ranging from $7.50 to $15.95.

"I would like to eat somewhere where

the price is con-

venient " said

senior Francesca

Negrillo.

If one prefers fi ne dining over casual, Kiku’s

Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar is one to consider. Ki-

ku’s is listed as Tampa Bay Area's premier sushi restaurant.

Its class and elegance is a little bit pricier than most restau-

rants in the area. A full course entree starts at $20.00 and

include soup, rice, and vegetables. Kiku’s sushi and sashimi

bar starts at $28.00, and includes soup.

While Kiku’s may be out of some student’s price range,

Crabby Bills is one seafood extravaganza to consider. It’s

casual, friendly, and food aff ordable environment, is sure

to set in anyone’s price range. Th e seafood combos start at

$15.99, and are served with two sides. If some student’s

do not care for seafood, Crabby Bills off ers a variety of

sandwiches, such as burgers and chicken breasts. Prices for

such sandwiches start at $5.99, and include fries and a side

of cole slaw.

Students looking to stay within the area before

heading out to the Harborview, can also try the Twisted

Bamboo, a new restaurant with asian fl are, conveniently

located on Tampa Road across from Sonic. Twisted Bam-

boo maintains a comfortable and friendly environment.

Th e food is prepared with the freshest ingredients.

One thing to remember when planning, is to make res-

ervations. With the crowded scenery and the crazy, frenzy

Friday, prom night is sure to be a night to remember. Pick-

ing the right restaurant is like picking the right dress.

Fill up your stomach Fill up your stomach before your dancebefore your dance card card

photo creadit Joyce Dim

mer

photo creadit Joyce Dimmer

phot

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photo creadit logo provided by the reseraunt

photo creadit logo provided by the reseraunt

photo creadit logo provided by the reseraunt

photo creadit logo provided by the reseraunt

Imagine American Idol. Country-fi ed. Couple-fi ed. Imagine thousands upon thousands of hopefuls, stand-ing in line for hours, silent but thrilled, for the chance of becoming America’s next best duet. When you’ve got this worked out in your head, imagine getting up in front of millions of people across the U.S., the spotlight shining in your eyes. Your heart refuses to stop beating at the pace of the Hummingbird, about 1400 times a minute it seems, and fails to seize the pounding in your chest. You feel like you can barely breathe, let alone sing. And your expected to belt out the lyrics of a high-paced, talent-prominent song with a country twang? Even writing this, I slump a little in my chair, and try to avoid “the spotlight”. But Adrian Ma-tera, a senior at Countryside, who, along with his father, has incurred this entire (inconceivable) situation, waves it off with a modest shrug, “Piece of cake,” he said. Born into a world of music, Adrian grew up around a family with an unstoppable passion. Often, he would spend his days solely teaching himself the various instru-ments laying around his house. First, it was the keyboard - where he blossomed into a musician, like his father, and eventually geared his talent toward the base guitar. “I don’t believe in lessons. You’re supposed to feel the music, know the music, not be taught what [to play and] not to play,” said Matera. No talent shows, no send-in tapes to ‘America’s Next Coolest Kid’, Matera continued his dream of one day be-coming a famous musician. Despite some spiteful com-ments on his budding livelihood, and those who refused to believe in music as a career, he trudged on. “[No matter what] emotion I go through, or I’ve been through, I know I can turn to my music,” said Matera. Four-years sped past already, Adrian, a senior, will be graduating with his 2009 class. Regardless of his brief but impressive high school career, Matera (for the most part) never lost sight of his future. In his sophomore year, he rounded two of his best friends to merge their talent into a three-man show. Th e band named themselves after Ma-

tera’s middle name, Dark, and included Josh Wood, drums, and Alex Ross, guitar. “We don’t really have a script to what we play, we just play whatever we want to. We’ve kind of got this experimental funk thing going on,” Matera said. And as all bands, they began in the garage phase. Th ey practiced almost daily, until eventually they were recog-nized around several small clubs in the Bay Area. Late January, Country Music Television (C.M.T.) an-nounced a second season of ‘So You Th ink You Can Duet’ was to take place this summer. Casting calls, began in Feb-ruary. Matera, focusing on his schoolwork for the last se-mester of his high school years, didn’t think for a moment he would be auditioning alongside thousands of people after their own music-revolving dreams. “One day my dad just told me, ‘Son, you’re going to be part of my duet,” Matera said. Typically, Matera had been used to playing somewhere along the funk genre, but country he added, “was just fi ne.” Later that week, father and son drove up to Nashville for the open-casting call in town, and stood in line for hours upon hours. Eventually, they made it to the judges. “I wasn’t scared at all,” Matera said, “It was easy because music is my passion. It’s what I do.” And it was just that confi dence that the judg-es saw in the family duo that put them through to the next round. A few weeks later, Adrian and his father were fl own up to Nashville-this time for the weekend. As you can imagine, a majority of that time circulated around practicing, waiting, and standing in line. Fortunately, the tiring and hectic weekend hadn’t aff ected the pair o n e bit. Once more, the judges sent them through. “I just felt right up there [on stage],” Adrian recalls.

Th rough various stages the two progressed fi ghting out the country competition. Eventually they progressed to the semi-fi nals, where they made up part of 20-some pairs. Th ough two amazing musicians, with an undeniable pas-sion, eventually, Adrian and his father were cut out in the semifi nals. “[Surprisingly], the judges said we were too country for the show,” Matera said. “[But] it was a very positive experi-ence, and I learned a lot.” Now back in their home state, the son-and-father duo are recording a demo with the studio company, Zen, and plan to release it to the public relatively soon. “I have lots of confi dence, and I want to go far as a musician,” Matera said, “But I plan to do some things on the side too.” With high school soon behind him, he

can add this experience to his musical-rounded belt. Band members Ross and Wood, both juniors, bid farewell to their fellow band-mate and friend, while Adrian leaves them behind to pursue his aspirations in the real world. College-bound unsure, he

intends to stay close to home until another opportunity is thrown his way. As for those who want to follow their dreams,

Matera said, “just be yourself.”

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN... 12

meganMASONstaff writer

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