Bloomingdale Yearbook

Although there was no racing down snow covered hills on snowboards, no replicas of Parson Brown being crafted outside, or even any snowball fights in the park, this 2009 Floridian Christmas season was sure to be memorable for many students. They had plans of hanging out with friends, visiting family, and hosting various holiday parties, while awaiting the holidays. Many students had lots of gifts on their wish list, such as Xbox 360 gaming consoles or even a car for some new drivers. Also, some went on family vacations around the US to see friends and family or just to enjoy a much needed break in the mountains or at the beach.

“[For Christmas break], I went to Georgia and went hiking in the mountains,” said sophomore Jared Vick.

For most, though, the best part of the break were the presents that came with it on the 25th. Freshman Darius Mack got lots of things for Christmas.

“I got a new leather jacket, shoes, and a Wii,” he said.

Overall, the students had a wonderful Christmas break, enjoying both the gifts and the time off, despite Florida’s sunny weather.

For one week in the month of November, Nativity Catholic Church held the Novemberfest. Most students get excited for this fair because its close to us and not that expensive and most high school students in the area go to it. The day that it opens for the public will be Wednesday November 11Th from 11 a.m til 11 p.m.

The students of Nativity and there family sell armbands for the price of $16 dollars. Instead of the price when you get there of $28 dollars

Melanie Arguado,10, said ” i loved the Novemberfest, I’m always excited when it starts because everyone goes to it, and its not that much money, and the rides are pretty good.”

The Novemberfest runs through Sunday November 15Th. The times change each day. For Thursday the time is from 4p.m til 11 p.m, Friday will be 4 p.m til midnight, Saturday will be noon til midnight and the last day Sunday will be noon til 6 p.m.

“Register for the 5K…so I have more young punks to beat!” This was written on social studies teacher Mr. Garner’s blackboard in the months before the PTSA 5K Run/Walk, and he wasn’t the only one excited for it.

The Run/Walk was held Saturday, November 7th, on the Bloomingdale track. That morning at 8:00 a.m., the runners and walkers registered, paying a fee of $10, and at 9:00, the laps began.

Mr. Garner, who anticipated the event for months, says, “They say I’m so old I leave a trail of dust. But it’s the young punks who will be eating that dust!”

In regard to the PTSA’s choice of event, a student, Freshman Ian Ludden, states about the 5K, “I think it’s great that the PTSA is encouraging physical activity for the students.”

People at the event also brought donations for United States troops. They could bring anything that might be useful to soldiers, such as blankets, hygiene products, books, or crossword puzzles. The PTSA collected these at the 5K and sent them overseas.

The September/October issue of the Crimson Times came out and students couldn’t wait to get them. They were sold at tables during all lunches and for a 25-cent donation, each student could recieve his/her own copy. The table produced a lot of traffic back and forth between students and teachers, receiving a lot of donations, too. A couple of members on the newspaper staff told of what the paper was all about and why students liked it so much.

“It’s informative, keeps you in the know, and [gives you] the feel of Bloomingdale,” said junior Kelsey Rodriguez. The staff said in their writing the paper, they talk about school affairs with the goal of keeping all the students in touch.

“It’s interesting reading about your school and it reflects school spirit,” said senior Sloane Hovan when asked why students should pick up a copy.

In that case, there is much ’school spirit’ circulating around the school with the new buzz of the Crimson Times coming out and will be until the next one stirs up the school again.

  This past weekend I had the opportunity to go see the new movie Where the Wild Things Are. This movie is based on the book. It’s about a kid who I guess thinks he’s some sort of cat or something. He gets in a fight with his mom and decides to sail away. He comes to an island where wild things are and becomes their king. If you want to know more go see the flick.

  ” It was very wierd, kind of creeped me out. But I did love the book, and wish I could hang out with Bob and Terry for a day,” said Junior Jordan Fowler.

  “Bob and Terry were very funny. It  was an inspiring movie. I was emotionally aroused when I saw the dirt fight because it brought me back to sweet  memories of me as a child. It reminded me of when i ran away from home and sailed away. I was very happy after seeing the film. God bless the director,” said Junior Justin Potts.

AP Lang students were given a project involving the book, Their Eyes Were Watching God. This project required the students to compose a journal, while reading the book, of either a dialectical journal or a graphic organizer. Some of the students were not stressed at all, though, about completing the project.

“I paced myself so I didn’t procrastinate,” said junior Megan Bergevin. This timing appeared to end up being helpful to the students, though, because of all that the project asked for.

“We had to read the book and take notes about quotes,” said junior Tyler Bird. These notes and/or annotations had to be thorough reflective notes about major points and events that took place during the book.

When asked if the project was helpful to understanding the book,  junior Tyler Bird said, “Yes, because it showed me things that I din’t see when I was reading it.”

So, in the end, the project’s purpose of analyzing the book by using new reading strategies proved helpful, as brought out by junior Tyler Bird.

Many students around the school do much during the year in preparation and anticipation of homecoming. But, for some, there was a conflict of whether or not to even go. There were different reasons that students listed, but the most common reason given was because of money.

Said junior Dominique Celerin, “I didn’t feel like spending money on a dress.” This was a popular reason among girls who had chosen not to attend because they felt that a dress alone was too costly. But, since homecoming was so celebrated among the students, some still felt that they were missing out.

“I like to dance and I wish I could’ve seen my friends that don’t go here,” said junior Shanice Carter. But, the others that didn’t attend seemed content with their decision.

“I’m going out to eat that night [instead],” said junior Dominique Celerin. But, when asked about their plans to attend homecoming in the future, the decision was mutual among all.

“Definitely for my last year,” said junior Shanice Carter.

Students felt that they had a lot to look forward to at homecoming, but some of them felt that the best part was getting ready. For girls, it was the primping: doing hair, nails, and buying a dress. For guys, it was buying a suit and getting a fresh haircut. There were many expectations and one major one was the students’  dressing up, which was so important to many.

But, the most talked about expectation was the actual activity to happen at homecoming. Many feelings were very similar.

Said junior Genesi Estrada, “I was looking forward to dancing and hanging out with my friends”. This compared closely with the feelings of junior Olivier Ishtiaq, who said he was most excited about “anticipation of dancing and seeing everybody dressed up.”

These students prepared mentally and physically for homecoming and when asked if he  plans to attend homecoming next year, junior Olivier Ishtiaq said, “Yeah, definitely”.

Bikes, skateboards, and feet are all types of transportation students use to get to where they need or want to go but the most convenient form of transportation for students is the automobile.

Cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs are just some of  the vehicles you will see in the student parking lot.

Some students have used cars with a story behind them.

“I have a 1991 Bronco that my dad bought the day before I was born.  My sister had to drive too before she went off to college.”  Said junior Crystal Morgan. “My nickname for my truck is “The Tank” and I fill it up every Saturday.”

Other students have new cars.

“I have a 2008 black Pontiac G6 and I’ve had it for about six months now.”  Said junior Jordan Lowe. “I spend about 30 dollars every three weeks on gas and I “Gator” it out in support of my future school.”

For eleven years students go through schooling that all leads of to the most important year of all, senior year.

During this final year in grade school, some students have major decisions to make such as: Do I want to go to college?  What college do I want to attend? What plans do I have for my life. What am I going to do now? While others already have their plans established.

Most of the seniors are glad to be graduating.

“It feels good to finally be a senior because its my last year and I am ready for college.”  Said senior Jakie Goss. ” I am not sad to be leaving and I will not miss high school. ”

Some students are going to pursue their careers in different states.

“I plan on moving to New York to study art,”  Said senior Aaron Lee, ” I want to be an architect and go to NYU.  Knowing that I am on my last year in high school makes me ecstatic, super-duper happy, bro!”