Celebrating MSD Diversity

One step at a time? Not for senior Layla Ali who juggles being a student, performer and step team captain, all while holding up her mother’s legacy. Performing at functions like pep rallies, Multicultural and Black History shows, as well as competing in local competitions, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School step team, known as Legends/Ladies of Destiny to students and staff, is highly anticipate...

Every individual has their own unique culture, developed from the countries our ancestors come from, traditions passed down generations and religions people follow. One student in particular incorporates her culture in the dance studio and within her daily activities. For freshman Preesha Zaveri, culture is more than a characteristic of her heritage. It is a part of her that is present in everyday...

Strike three! As catcher Santiago Ordonez stands behind the plate, the Eagles are one out away from winning the state championship. Ordonez catches the pitch, and it’s a final strike for the Eagles. Ordonez has been on the varsity baseball team for four years. He finished strong last season, playing 30 games, batting .398, .514 on-base percentage, .663 slugging 108 plate appearances, 83 at-bats...

To junior Damian Francis, art and music are more than just leisure. They are the ways in which he expresses himself and the means by which he “documents his life.” For nearly his entire life, Francis’ mother has been a huge inspiration to him. As someone with talents in the fields of art and music, he has always looked up to her. Throughout his childhood and continuing into his high school years, he ...

Cart No. 830 turns the corner of the track, sliding past the others at top speed. As the race comes to its final lap, cart No. 830 continues to go faster and faster, ultimately gaining a significant lead. With the final checkered flag waving in the air, 830 flies by the finish line to win the race. When the cart comes to a stop, Sathvik Sarathy steps out, celebrating a tremendous victory. Sarathy, a freshman,...

Sealing, sewing, woodwork, painting and sculpting are some of the skills adults struggle to acquire. However, these are only some of the many skills senior Angela Guiso possesses. She assembles costumes as a hobby or when she gets stressed with school. Guiso has created fantasy costumes and accessories, such as dragon masks, angels, bird wings and swords. She has also made a mechanical automail arm...

According to Pew Research, only 60% of Americans know what Ramadan is, and even less have heard of Eid al-Fitr. Considering more than 1.6 billion people celebrated Eid last year alone, it might be time to dust off the Quran and take a history lesson. Eid is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the Muslim community, as it marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long holiday that requires fasting...

“When I was younger, my mom had me try different sports and nothing really ever stuck until I tried karate,” senior Gabriela Bravo said. “My sister did it for many years and so did my dad. I was like ‘I don’t know, maybe I’ll try,’ and then I fell in love with it and never stopped.” Bravo has been practicing karate for over 13 years. She attends Dojos Ken USA in Coral Springs and is...

From multiple trips to the office and meetings with sponsors to plan the upcoming Black History Month show to scheduling weekly Black Student Union meetings to helping her younger brother with homework to preparing for her upcoming 8-hour debate tournaments to general homework and school responsibilities, the days of junior Noldine Belizaire are jammed packed and hectic. Balancing it all can be diff...

Dribbling the ball down the court, sophomore Maria Capra dodges the defender, grips the ball and jumps up to make a slam dunk. The ball goes through the net while she lands on her feet, and her teammates quickly run up to her as the crowd cheers. Capra scores two points in the tight game.  Capra plays shooting guard and occasionally point guard for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s women’s JV ...

A couple of students begin walking down the halls, slowly approaching one of the classrooms blaring with loud music. Filled with curiosity, they enter the room as the first meeting of the newly-introduced Dance Club starts. As students wait in anticipation for the presentation, the officers gradually begin their introductions to the members. Finally, sophomore Priya Kalaria, who founded the club, ...

After rigorous social media campaigning and a virtual presentation, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s Red Cross club proudly raised 680 dollars for “Vaccinate a Village,” a fundraiser aimed to raise funds for the Measles and Rubella institute. Senior Kayla Bedmardi is both the co-president and co-founder of the Red Cross Club, alongside senior Haya Shaikh. The Red Cross Club aims...

The keyboard clicks rapidly as senior Lybah Haque types her thoughts across the paper. After working tirelessly, she has successfully completed yet another short story, one she could use for the literary magazine or keep in her personal collection of written works. Haque has had a passion for words dating back to middle school. She was first inspired to pursue writing more intensely in eighth grade...