Coach Henry makes his return to tennis

Section Editor: Brianna Horland
Page 14
Coach Henry makes his return to tennis
Anna Winslow Staff Writer
After teaching at Miramar High School for
several years, Henry took a position at South
Plantation in 1994, when a fellow tennis coach
told him about an opening at the school and
offered him a position as the head coach of the
varsity tennis team. Henry led the tennis team to
many district, regional, and state championships
throughout the years and hopes to return the current team to its former intensity as he resumes his
previous
position as
head
tennis
coach.
Some accidents can change life for the better. Tennis and Cross Country coach Andre Henry’s “I want to
bring the
introduction to tennis was one of those accidents
passion
that led to a lifelong love for the sport.
for tennis
“It was actually all a fluke,” said Henry,
back to
“I was babysitting this bratty tennis player who
South and
wouldn’t listen to me unless I played tennis with
hopefulhim. We went out into the streets to hit and he told
me I was probably good enough to make the team at ly draw
in some
my high school, which was Dillard.” more
Henry began to practice constantly with other notatalented
ble players in his community, such as former world
players
champion, Chris Evert. By his senior year, Henry
from the local community.” said Henry.
had at With consistent,
tained first
intense, and detailed
position on
practices, Henry is
his school’s
building the team to
tennis team
become more sucand went
cessful against other
on to earn
schools in the disan athletic
trict. His long history
scholarship
with the sport allows
to Florihim to see what most
da A&M
people do not in the
Universicomplicated game.
ty. After
“Coach Henry is
graduating,
really locking down
Henry
on practices. He is
entered
teaching us new techseveral
niques and strategies
professionto improve
al tourour games.”
naments,
said player
reaching the
Mackenzie
top 300 in
Ellis, junior. the world be More than
fore injuries
anything,
to his back
Henry hopes
and rotator
to restore
cuff affected
the school’s
his plans and
spirit for tenstopped him
nis and show
from being
the team’s
able to play.
players how
Following
the sport can
his profesaffect their
sional career,
lives.
he became
“Tennis is
the Racquet
a lifetime
Sports Coorsport. It
dinator for
can bring
the City of
Coach Henry intructs the tennis players at a practice. Photo by Anna Winslow.
people so
Ft. Laudermany opdale, where
portunities
he coached
and
introduce
them
to
some
of
the
best
people
they
numerous players before falling in love with teachwill ever meet.” said Henry.
ing.
Jiu Jitsu makes its start at South
Brianna Horland Sports Editor
Starting a new sport at a school is
often a difficult endeavor that involves a
lot of legwork and a long list of approvals,
so it doesn’t happen that often. Starting a
club that revolves around a sport is even
rarer still, but somewhat easier since the
rules of a varsity program do not apply.
To tap into the growing interest of
students seeking a new physical challenge,
the Paladin Jiu Jitsu club was formed this
year at South Plantation. Jiu Jitsu is a type
of Japanese martial art that is practiced
all over the country and a quick internet
search shows that the formation of after-school clubs in the United States is
increasing
The club is run by Coach Eric and
Mr. Bodillo, and the first day of practice
brought in approximately 40 students who
were willing to try out this new sport at the
school.
“I like the enthusiasm everyone
has in the club and learning new techniques and sparring with my club members.” said Elikya Lafortune, junior.
The practice of Jiu Jitsu originated
in Japan as a samurai art which trained the
soldiers for their roles on the battlefield.
Over the years, there have been many
adaptations to Jiu Jitsu, with one of the
most popular being the development of
the Brazilian style, which has given roots
to modern MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
fighting competitions.
The physical discipline of the
practice, the ability to protect oneself and
camaraderie of the group is what seems to
be drawing most students to the club.
“Having a bunch of men twice my
size run away from me is one of my favorite parts.” said Kegan Becker, junior, who
is one of the only girls participating in the
Jiu Jitsu club.
Paladin Jujitsu practices every
Tuesday and Thursday after school in
either the gym or the wrestling room, from
three to five.
Even in their short time together,
the students participating in the club have
already become a close team and a family
that most teams hope to have.
The Paladin Jujitsu club after their first practice. Photo provided by Elikya Lafortune.
Najwa Naami
Staff Writer
This is the first time in South Plantation
history that the school has had a Winter Guard team.
Starting their inaugural season off strong, the team
has been rocking their recent performances, moving
up next levels of competition after just their third
meet.
The Winter Guard’s first contest was January
30, 2016 at South Dade Senior High School where
they were named Premier South Champions in the
AAA level. This was an amazing finish for the team,
especially since it was their first time competing. The Winter
Guard’s confidence
level was still riding high as they
entered their
second competition on
February 6th
at Marjory
Stoneman
Douglas
High
School,
earning
a second
place finish, again
in the AAA
level.
For
their third competition, the team
competed at West
Broward High School and
received third place, but at a higher level of competition against eight other teams, for the South group
was moved up to the AA category. The Winter Guard
has six competitions in all, with Championship Finals
taking place on April 2nd and 3rd at Barbara Goleman High School.
“I saw color guard for the first time at a
football game and I thought ‘this looks like so much
fun, I want to learn how to do that!’ ” said Katherine
Diaz, sophomore. Many people get confused about the difference between Color Guard and Winter Guard, or
perhaps they do not know much about either team.
While both are originally based upon precision mil
itary drill work, Winter Guard focuses on blending
through Winter Guard,” said Rene Coleman, junior.
music, dance and dramatic effect with the drills, with “I have learned new things about myself and how to
the main difference being that the performances are
work well with other.”
held indoors. Colof Guard is held outdoors with the
=The Winter Guard team practices every
Marching Band.
Tuesday
The South team competes
and Thursin the South Florida Winter Guard
day after
Association (SFWGA), which is the
school
South Florida circuit and has grown
from
to include 85 performing units, four
5:00-8:30
of which earned medals at the 2015
PM. There
World Championship in Dayton, Ohio.
is even
“I love performing and being
a schedwith my sisters beuled class
cause they are like
dedicated
my family.” said
to Guard
co-captain Raniwhere
ya Castellow,
some of
junior.
the mem
bers take
The team
the time to
currently
practice for
consists
their comof 18
petitions.
mem
bers. The
The inauco-capgural team
tains are
at South
AlePlantation
jandra
is off to a
Carrasquigreat start
The two Winter Guard captains, Raniya Castellow
lla and Raniya (left) and Alejandra Carrasquilla (right), juniors, with and looks
the first place trophy. Photo provided by Alejandra
Castellow.
forward to
Carrasquilla.
The team is led
continued
by Band Director
success, not
Danielle Singer and four instructors
just for this season, but in the years to come.
who work hard to help with the dance
coordination. Putting
their hearts and souls
in their performances,
it is easy to tell that the
team is passionate about
performing and work
well as a team. With all
18 members performing
perfectly in sync, it is a
lovely performance to
watch.
“I have met so
many loving girls who
I can call my sisters
sportsl the sword and shield l 2016
Winter Guard grabs life by the butt
annA yb otohP .ecitcarp a ta sreyalp sinnet eht stcurtni yrneH hcaoC
.wolsniW
Water polo makes a splash at South
Brianna Horland Sports Editor
Dalal plays multiple positions, but most typically is at driver or point, both offensive positions
which require quickness and excellent ball-handling
skills.
March l Page 15
Under Coach Ben Diaz, the Paladins compete in District 11, which includes Hollywood Hills,
The fast-paced, exciting and growing sport
Nova and the powerhouse teams of South Broward
of water polo has gained a recent following at South
and St. Thomas Aquinas. Currently the boy’s team
Plantation High School, but its roots as a
has a record of 4-4 and the girl’s
sport go back farther than many people realteam has yet to post a win this
ize.
season.
The rules of water polo were devel As a driver, the player who
oped in the 1800’s by Scottish swimming
gets to shoot and score the most
coach William Wilson, who was considered
points, freshman Rachel Leeds
an innovator of water safety and efficiency.
said, “You make a lot of friends
First known as “aquatic football,” water
and get in pretty good shape.”
polo was a combination of soccer, rugby,
“Water Polo is a very fun
wrestling and American football.
game, I like to be able to shoot
The sport was one of the first to be
and score each game,” said
introduced in the second modern Olympics
Leeds.
in Paris, France in 1900 and is now played
The expectation is that this
on the high school, college, national and
spring varsity water sport will
international level.
continue to grow as athletes
Teams field seven players in the
realize how challenging and
pool at one time, constantly swimming,
exciting a sport it can be. Water
treading water, attacking and defending as
polo is sure to expand with the
they try to score more goals than their oppobroadcast of the Summer
nent.
Olympics this August from
“I love how challenging and
Brazil, in which water polo
The Water Polo team celebrating after a game. Photo provided by Suraj Dalal.
rigorous it is and I get to score a lot,” said
will participate.
Suraj Dalal, junior.
Alejandra Carrasquilla Copy Editor
It were the cheerleaders who
received the applause at the 2016
FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading
State Competitions. A torn ACL and seven competitions
later, the cheerleaders placed gold and were given the
official title of 2016 FHSAA State Champions-- the
first-ever in the school’s history.
They competed in the 2A Large Non-Tumbling
Division, performing in front of other teams and thou-
reflected on what worked and what needed
fixing, constantly making changes and striving
for perfection.
The following event, Districts, took place Jan.
16. They took home second place with a 0.04 point
difference off of Dillard High School after performing a
perfect routine and qualifying for states.
“We worked through so many challenges this
year to get to States. At each obstacle we pulled together
and overcame it,” said Kianna Coley, senior. “This year
has shown me that with hard work and determination
anything is possible.”
Then calamity struck. While warming up, threeyear vet and Flyer, Kylie Farmer, tore her ACL while
practicing a one-man stunt the day before States.
The team had to re-choreograph the show and
bring in an alternate, Melanie Pagan, senior, to take
Farmer’s place in the routine. Nonetheless, the cheerleaders’ talents and skills helped them adjust in time to
compete at the University of South Florida that following
Jan. 30 morning.
“Not being able to compete was just as painful
as the physical condition I was in,” said Farmer, junior.
Thankfully, they were able to practice the morning of the state championships at a local gymnasium to
finish refining the final touches to their show before they
rolled out the blue mats. Round 1 took place in the morning; they placed second, qualifying for finals. Again, they
reflected on what needed fixing, made quick adjustments,
and three hours later performed again.
The cheerleaders competed against two teams in
their class once Round 2 came around -- West Broward
High School and Leon High School-- and gave it their all.
Because of this, they performed the best routine thus far
sands of spectators at the University of South Florida Sun
Dome in Tampa.
But, let’s go back to the beginning.
The season began when tryouts were held March
2015, in which attendees were allocated into the Varsity
or Junior Varsity team for the 2015-2016 football season.
Out of the pool of those who arrived, 23 made it into JV
and 32 into Varsity.
From August to late October, they put on their
purple and gold uniforms, clipped white bows onto their
slicked-back hair and walked out to the football stadium
every Friday night. They cheered on the football team
and rallied the crowds while chanting and executing
death-defying stunts.
Then football season ended and November
arrived. Competition season rolled around, and Ms.
Andrea Mele, cheerleading coach and Reading/English
teacher, along with Coach Kayley Angle, picked and
coached the competition team out of the football season
Varsity squad. They practiced diligently during the
weekday for several hours with the help of coaches from
nearby All-Star teams.
“[I learned that] we can be successful with
dedication and a whole lot of perseverance,” said Alexis
Jones, junior. “When we were getting ready and pracThe varsity seniors after winning states. Photo provided
ticing and everything, we worked so hard together and
by Andrea Mele
supported each other so much, it created a whole new
atmosphere for the team.”
in the season and placed first in their class.
Winter break ended and competitions began with
“From the very start, I recognized the talent and
four local events against nearby teams -- one at Coral
potential this year’s team had,” said Ms. Mele. “I pushed
Springs High School; one at Flanagan; one at JP Taravelthem to give it their all and to be the best they can be.”
la; and one here at South. These all served for preparation
The Varsity cheerleaders have proved that hard
for the Regional competition, which took place in early
work pays off: they got their ring, they fulfilled their
January; they placed fifth. After each competition, they
dream, and stayed together as a team.
Player Profile
Tajanie Crawford
Megan Leiter Staff Writer
sportsl the sword and shield l 2016
Cheerling team takes home states
Tajanie Crawford was shaking with fear
as she stepped out with her squad to compete
their routine. This is the moment they have been
practicing for endlessly. Nerves were at their peak,
fingernails bitten to their lowest point, and bodies
had been pushed to their limits. Winning the state
competition would mean the world for this group
of girls, and winning is exactly what they did.
Crawford, a freshman on the varsity
cheerleading team, was very excited to join the
team and has become a driving force in the group
of girls. Crawford’s humble and bubbly demeanor
transforms to a competitive athlete when she starts
to cheer. Being a varsity cheerleader takes a lot of
athletic skills and teamwork. Crawford describes it
as, “Needing a loud voice, peppy attitude, and tight
motions.” Crawford started cheerleading in the
sixth grade but mostly stay to cheers, not a lot of
stunting.
Some good things about being on the
squad are how it keeps your body in shape and
healthy, and getting to make friends with girls that
become family. Spending a substantial quantity of
time practicing together without a doubt brings the
girls closer. They are also brought together when it
becomes time for competition.
The South varsity cheerleading squad won
the Cheerleading State Competition on January 30,
2016. It was a very exciting moment for them. “It
was an unbelievable feeling because we beat the
odds. So when they called South Plantation High
for 1st place, I was in complete shock, States was
definitely a fantastic win and was a great way to
bring the team together,” said Crawford.
Crawford says that she will definitely
continue with cheerleading through her high school
years and cannot wait for more competitions and
great times with the rest of the squad.
Returning to her roots, Julie Kasper
Brianna Horland Sports Editor
March l Page 16
Varsity cheerleaders at South Plantation have gone
on to do many things in life, often experiencing exciting
adventures after graduation, sometimes far away and occasionally closer to home. Then there is the rare occasion that
the path they take curves a bit and brings them back to where
it all began, for sometimes there is just no place quite like
home.
South Plantation BRACE Advisor, Julie Kasper, is
one such returnee, yet in many ways, it is as though she never
left. Kasper attended South as student from 1978-1982 and
was on the Varsity Cheerleading squad during her junior and
senior years. “My favorite part was every football game,”
said Kasper, “I loved seeing the school spirit during the
games.”
Kasper, like many of our current cheerleaders,
participated in several cheer competitions. One of the
most exciting was the national competition in Ohio, where
Kasper and her team participated in the Individual part of
the competition. Looking back on those days with fondness,
she remarked, “kids should be involved in their high school”
because it enhances the experience in such a positive way.
Those who have met Mrs. Kasper may notice her
ready smile and bubbly personality, yet might be surprised
to learn that her role as a cheerleader did not end after high
school. While she is a proud graduate of University of Florida
great things going on at South Plantation and said “It is great
and a supporter of Gator football, she is also a hometown girl
to come back and see how much spirit the school has, so
who grew up as a Miami Dolphins fan, so becoming part of
much more than when I was a student here.”
the ‘Fins cheerleading squad was an adventure she couldn’t
It has been nearly 35 years since she left the Paladin
pass up.
cheer squad, but fortunately for the students at South, Julie
“I spent four years as a cheerleader for the DolKasper is now back home where it all began, full of spirit and
phins,” said Kasper, “and seven as a choreographer. It was so
cheering on the team.
much fun!” Even after all of these years, she is still friends
with some of her former teammates and
has participated in many Dolphin cheerleader alumni events.
Kasper’s curved path after
graduation has led to much success, both
personally and professionally, but it is
her return to South this year as its newest
BRACE Advisor that has returned her, in a
sense, to her cheerleading roots.
The role of a BRACE Advisor is
primarily one of post-graduation preparedness: providing students with information
on scholarships, college application requirements, military requirements or work
force readiness are the basic duties, Kasper,
however takes the role to another level. Always a supporter of student achievement,
she has been a cheerleader for the students
of South (once again), both at school and
Julie Kasper as a South Plantation and Miami Dolphins cheerleader.
within the Plantation community. She can
Photos provided by Julie Kasper.
often be overheard bragging about the