April 2021
Last month we heard from a handful graduates who stayed close to home for their college studies.
Last month we heard from a handful graduates who stayed close to home for their college studies.
Leira De Jesus, a 2020 graduate, is attending Valencia College. Leira is majoring in Nursing and she thinks the biggest change from High School to College is that you don’t get full lessons and it is up to you to learn the material you are being taught. Her fondest High School memories are playing volleyball, going to homecoming, and her friendships. A few pieces of advice Leira wished she had throughout High School are:
Leira De Jesus, a 2020 graduate, is attending Valencia College. Leira is majoring in Nursing and she thinks the biggest change from High School to College is that you don’t get full lessons and it is up to you to learn the material you are being taught. Her fondest High School memories are playing volleyball, going to homecoming, and her friendships. A few pieces of advice Leira wished she had throughout High School are:
- Push yourself further than what you think you are capable of.
- Stop holding yourself from doing or trying new things because of your self-doubt.
- Cherish all your high school moments and participate in everything you can because it is what makes Highschool what it is.
Darianne Martinez Rodriguez, a 2020 graduate, is attending Ridge Technical College. Darianne is majoring as a Medical Assistant And she thinks the biggest change from High School to College is that she is not as stressed as she was in High School since she gets to focus solely on her career and she feels more engaged in her learning experience. Her fondest High School experience was in her Freshman year where she met her best friends who helped her grow as a person and the beautiful memories she made with them. Some advice she wishes to share are:
Darianne Martinez Rodriguez, a 2020 graduate, is attending Ridge Technical College. Darianne is majoring as a Medical Assistant And she thinks the biggest change from High School to College is that she is not as stressed as she was in High School since she gets to focus solely on her career and she feels more engaged in her learning experience. Her fondest High School experience was in her Freshman year where she met her best friends who helped her grow as a person and the beautiful memories she made with them. Some advice she wishes to share are:
- Focus on studying and finish High School successfully.
- We all make mistakes and bad decisions, so don’t let a mistake get to you and keep going forward.
- Believe in yourself and don’t let others make you feel bad about your decisions.
- Work hard, stay humble, and keep growing as a person.
Mariangely Carbajal, a 2020 graduate, is attending Florida Southern College. Mariangely is majoring in Nursing and she thinks the biggest change from High School to College is the amount of responsibility and freedom you are given. Her fondest High School memory was her graduation since it was a great way to celebrate with close friends and family. An advice Mariengely wished she had in high school was to sleep more and develop a healthy sleep schedule.
Mariangely Carbajal, a 2020 graduate, is attending Florida Southern College. Mariangely is majoring in Nursing and she thinks the biggest change from High School to College is the amount of responsibility and freedom you are given. Her fondest High School memory was her graduation since it was a great way to celebrate with close friends and family. An advice Mariengely wished she had in high school was to sleep more and develop a healthy sleep schedule.
- Important:
- FSA Writing will take place Wednesday, April 7th. Please see the testing dates that were given out by FOCUS teachers to determine if you are testing.
All students must be on campus to test; virtual students will need to be on campus to take all state testing.
Virtual students- you are encouraged to go home after testing if you have transportation. If you do not have transportation you will be held in the Dining Hall until busses are called.
You may not have ANY electronic devices on you during testing. All electronics must be turned off in your bag.
You must take both the Writing and both days of Reading to receive a score.
Your score determines whether you are in Intensive Reading next year or not.
10th graders MUST get a 3 or higher to graduate or they will participate in retakes next year.
Make sure all laptops are charged.
- DHS will be offering peer tutors to help students succeed!
- Fill out this form if interested in being tutored
- Fill out this form if interested in tutoring others:
- Seniors! Make sure to frequently check the Senior Google Classroom page for scholarships, volunteering opportunities, and updates for graduation!
- Pictures for cap and gown are only being taken at the Lifetouch studio in Orlando.
April marks the beginning of National Poetry Month! The goals of National Poetry Month include highlighting the legacy and achievements of American poets.
April marks the beginning of National Poetry Month! The goals of National Poetry Month include highlighting the legacy and achievements of American poets.
This celebration was first introduced fairly recently in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets in order to increase the awareness around the importance of poetry both here in the United States and around the world. Ways to celebrate this month include writing poetry, performing poetry, and learning about all of the different types of poetry there is. Poetry is an important form of expression, and it enables us to get our feelings out while also allowing us to connect and find meaning with our life experiences. It connects our emotions with our senses, a combination that has the ability to create a beautiful story or text.
This celebration was first introduced fairly recently in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets in order to increase the awareness around the importance of poetry both here in the United States and around the world. Ways to celebrate this month include writing poetry, performing poetry, and learning about all of the different types of poetry there is. Poetry is an important form of expression, and it enables us to get our feelings out while also allowing us to connect and find meaning with our life experiences. It connects our emotions with our senses, a combination that has the ability to create a beautiful story or text.
National Siblings Day is celebrated on April 10th. In 1995, Claudia Evart from New York founded National Siblings Day to honor and celebrate siblings. She founded this holiday because she lost her two siblings early in her life in two separate accidents and knew how important siblings could be in our lives. Claudia created the Siblings day Foundation, a tax-exempt organization, whose goals included the establishment of the national holiday. Claudia selected April 10th in honor of her late sister, Lisette’s birthday. National Siblings Day is a day to spend time with your brothers and sisters and look back at old happy memories.
National Siblings Day is celebrated on April 10th. In 1995, Claudia Evart from New York founded National Siblings Day to honor and celebrate siblings. She founded this holiday because she lost her two siblings early in her life in two separate accidents and knew how important siblings could be in our lives. Claudia created the Siblings day Foundation, a tax-exempt organization, whose goals included the establishment of the national holiday. Claudia selected April 10th in honor of her late sister, Lisette’s birthday. National Siblings Day is a day to spend time with your brothers and sisters and look back at old happy memories.
Make sure to complete this survey for future clubs!
Make sure to complete this survey for future clubs!
- What is the debate/mock trial club?
- What is the debate/mock trial club?
“Debate Team/Mock Trial Club is a hybrid club of Debate Team and Mock Trial. Debate team focuses on utilizing skills such as public speaking and critical thinking to defend their assigned position on a particular topic. Mock Trial uses the same skills to simulate a real courtroom trial, with the same attention to procedure. We switch back and forth between Debate and Mock Trial at our meetings.”
“Debate Team/Mock Trial Club is a hybrid club of Debate Team and Mock Trial. Debate team focuses on utilizing skills such as public speaking and critical thinking to defend their assigned position on a particular topic. Mock Trial uses the same skills to simulate a real courtroom trial, with the same attention to procedure. We switch back and forth between Debate and Mock Trial at our meetings.”
- How can students benefit from participating in this club?
- How can students benefit from participating in this club?
“Students greatly benefit in improving their public speaking and communication skills, practicing the use of logic and critical thinking, learning to remain calm under pressure, building research and organization skills, etc.”
“Students greatly benefit in improving their public speaking and communication skills, practicing the use of logic and critical thinking, learning to remain calm under pressure, building research and organization skills, etc.”
- Why is this club important to have here at DHS?
- Why is this club important to have here at DHS?
“This is an important club to have at DHS because it promotes the acquisition of important academic skills for those who are seeking college and career readiness.”
“This is an important club to have at DHS because it promotes the acquisition of important academic skills for those who are seeking college and career readiness.”
- Is there information that can be located for students to learn more about the club?
- Is there information that can be located for students to learn more about the club?
The Google Classroom code is: dp7zr43. Generally, we meet every other week on Wednesday and Thursday during the second half of Flex in Ms. Kincaid's portable 5-106.
The Google Classroom code is: dp7zr43. Generally, we meet every other week on Wednesday and Thursday during the second half of Flex in Ms. Kincaid's portable 5-106.
- What events or activities happen within the Debate/Mock Trial club?
- What events or activities happen within the Debate/Mock Trial club?
“We have had one full-length Mock Trial this semester. Other days we practice debate and analysis skills. We would like this semester to run a full-length Debate as well.”
“We have had one full-length Mock Trial this semester. Other days we practice debate and analysis skills. We would like this semester to run a full-length Debate as well.”
Elective Spotlight:
Elective Spotlight:
For our elective spotlight this month, we thought we’d introduce you to AP Human Geography! This elective is led by Ms. Kincaid, and it’s amazing how she teaches this class. Here are some words from Ms. Kincaid herself;
For our elective spotlight this month, we thought we’d introduce you to AP Human Geography! This elective is led by Ms. Kincaid, and it’s amazing how she teaches this class. Here are some words from Ms. Kincaid herself;
“AP Human Geography is a very interesting class, which is only offered to 9th graders. It basically studies the "why of where" -- why are things (people, cities, farms, country borders, etc.) where they are in the world. It covers a lot of very interesting topics from map projections, population and migration, culture, political and agricultural geography, industry and economics, etc. For the students, it is a very challenging class, but I think in the end it is a rewarding experience and unlike any other Social Studies course offered here at DHS.”
“AP Human Geography is a very interesting class, which is only offered to 9th graders. It basically studies the "why of where" -- why are things (people, cities, farms, country borders, etc.) where they are in the world. It covers a lot of very interesting topics from map projections, population and migration, culture, political and agricultural geography, industry and economics, etc. For the students, it is a very challenging class, but I think in the end it is a rewarding experience and unlike any other Social Studies course offered here at DHS.”
We thank Ms. Kincaid for her time and we hope that this helped you understand a bit more of this awesome elective. Be sure to consider joining if you’re a freshman, it’ll be an experience worth having.
We thank Ms. Kincaid for her time and we hope that this helped you understand a bit more of this awesome elective. Be sure to consider joining if you’re a freshman, it’ll be an experience worth having.
- We would like to congratulate our Spartan Athletes of the Month of April
Girl's Lacrosse:
Girl's Lacrosse:
Kassandra is our athlete of the month because she has shown great dedication on and off the field. She literally goes the extra mile during practice, and is a consistent and powerful midfielder during games. Like most of our team, she maintains high grades and is well behaved in class. She is kind to others and also has a unique sense of humor that we all love!"
Kassandra is our athlete of the month because she has shown great dedication on and off the field. She literally goes the extra mile during practice, and is a consistent and powerful midfielder during games. Like most of our team, she maintains high grades and is well behaved in class. She is kind to others and also has a unique sense of humor that we all love!"
Softball:
Softball:
I am going to say Ivey Allen is the athlete of the month. She always stays after practice, works hard, and always wants more. She works really hard and wants nothing more than to succeed at softball.
I am going to say Ivey Allen is the athlete of the month. She always stays after practice, works hard, and always wants more. She works really hard and wants nothing more than to succeed at softball.
Boy's Lacrosse:
Boy's Lacrosse:
We are definitely looking for the #1 seed, but our district is extremely tough and full of talent. We will be excited to make districts and compete against those teams. As far as preparing we are taking it day by day. We have great team chemistry and are a family on and off the field which helps with playing as a team.
We are definitely looking for the #1 seed, but our district is extremely tough and full of talent. We will be excited to make districts and compete against those teams. As far as preparing we are taking it day by day. We have great team chemistry and are a family on and off the field which helps with playing as a team.
- We would not be as successful on offense without our top scorer, Josh Munoz who has 20+ goals already this season. In addition, on defense our goalie, Cam Arnold has made so many incredible saves and has kept us in so many games; not to mention he has never played goalie before. Both Josh and Cam are seniors who will be missed next season as their commitment, skills and competitiveness are what motivates the team.
- Hands down we are most excited to play Lake Wales after Spring Break on March 30. This night is also senior night and in addition is a district game to be earned to qualify for district playoffs in April.
- Our best win this season was against Lakeland Christian. It was an extremely competitive game played on March 2. The score was 12-11 and we worked so hard to earn this second district win. This game was proof how far we have come in our third year playing this sport.
We have a team motto of hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. If you practice like you'll play and put 110% effort into every practice and game the skills will come. It's never about the gold, it's always about the goals...keep striving and earn it!
We have a team motto of hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. If you practice like you'll play and put 110% effort into every practice and game the skills will come. It's never about the gold, it's always about the goals...keep striving and earn it!
With 7 out of 14 players being seniors we will be rebuilding next year and welcome anyone who is interested in the sport to join our 'lacrosse family'. The brotherhood, competitiveness and fast pace game will be an experience you will be sure to enjoy!!
With 7 out of 14 players being seniors we will be rebuilding next year and welcome anyone who is interested in the sport to join our 'lacrosse family'. The brotherhood, competitiveness and fast pace game will be an experience you will be sure to enjoy!!
