Volume 62 Issue 8 - Fort Myers High School

The Greenwave has a long and legendary history
What it means to be a Greenie!
by Laura Bisbee
You know the name Greenwave.
Every student that has ever
entered Fort Myers High has
been labeled as a Greenie.
As long as Fort Myers High
has been….well Fort Myers
High, the school’s proudly been
known throughout Lee County
as the Fort Myers Greenwave.
It’s the feared name of all our
sports teams and it’s the school
mascot, Tsunami Sam. It’s part
of Fort Myers High logo and it
sets our school colors, green
and white. But the question
is…where did it come from?
The origins of the word
Greenwave have various sources,
FMHS students enter
work in annual Artfest
Over forty-five FMHS art and photography
students are preparing to enter their work
into the annual Artfest “Art Under 20”
student competition. Artfest is one of the
largest art festivals in Lee County and
will be held in downtown Ft. Myers on
Saturday and Sunday, February 2 and 3.
A large tent is dedicated to high school art
and last year thirteen high schools participated
with over 335 pieces of art exhibited. A
team of professional artists judge the entries
and Artfest 2008 will present cash awards
of $6,000 to winners in each category.
The categories of art include
drawing, painting, photography, 3-
D and mixed media, and a Best Of
Show award of $900 is also presented.
some more colorful
than others. The
most legendary of
all of them, like
pretty much
anything at Fort
Myers High,
starts out with
the Football
team, or at least
the legend of it
does. The story
hails back all the
way to when Fort
Myers High
was known as
Andrew D.
Lynn Institute,
dedicated to
What’s your goal? Pick a SMART one!
Madeline Summa and Amanda Hobbs, sophomores,
are sharing their SMART goals.
All of the students at Fort Myers High
School are setting goals to focus effort,
monitor progress, and reach success.
The last Wednesday of each month
during 5th period, students and teachers
work together on goal monitoring and
documentation toward achievement.
The students have been busy setting their
S.M.A.R.T. goals for this school year. Students
are creating one academic or behavioral goal
for every class. They will also be creating
FMHS has won the Best of Show award
the past two years and this year’s participants
would like to continue the tradition.
Senior Danielle Hawkins is planning
on entering a digital photograph and a
mixed media project. “All the entries
have to be framed,” explained Danielle,
“And that’s a lot of work, but I’m looking
forward to seeing my work displayed.”
The exhibit is free to the public, and
everyone attending can also vote for their
favorite artwork. The winner will receive a
special “People’s Choice” award, another
opportunity to win a large cash prize. Greenie
artists won not only the People’s Choice
award last year, but First Place in drawing
and awards in Photography and Painting.
Bethany Norman, Danielle Hawkins, Albani Gustason, and Mark Livengood prepare their photos for Artfest.
one financial or school involvement goal.
These goals are called S.M.A.R.T. goals
because they must be specific, measurable,
attainable, realistic, and time-bound.
It is important to know how long each goal
will take to accomplish. During 5th period,
the students work on establishing short term
goals. To really be effective, the goals need to
be in writing and meaningful to the student.
“One of my goals is to maintain an A average
in Accounting so I meet the qualifications
for the Gold Seal Scholarship,” says senior
Ana Cossiocazares. Each month during 5th
period, the students and teachers check their
goals to make sure they are staying on track.
Once a month the students will add
information to their S.M.A.R.T. goal binder
to prove they are on track to meeting
all their goals. Junior Steven Waldorf
says, “S.M.A.R.T. goals are beneficial
because they teach students how to set
specific and realistic goals, a skill that
they will use throughout their lives.”
a man that had funded larger buildings for
the school. Supposedly, according to a story
told by Coach Orr, the name can be credited
to an incident that occurred back with the
football team of 1920. According to the
1921 Caloosahatchian yearbook (and yes, the
yearbooks go back that far), football teams
and basketball teams of then Gwynn High
traveled across the Sarasota Bay to play Saint
Pete High School. However, on the way there,
most of the students and faculty on the trip
spent their time “over the rail” in seasickness.
Both the basketball and football teams
though they made it to Saint Pete, lost due
obviously to the nausea and lack of food.
Supposedly Coach Orr reported the students
saying to one another “Look out for the
Greenwave,” referring directly to the bouts
of seasickness everyone contracted. Thus
Academy of Finance senior class: Mary Ortega, Jessica Avalos, Brooke Jenkins, Sneha Lalla, Andrea Guanes,
Hilary McHugh, Jessica Vena, Erin Bise, Eric Myers, Cody Buchholz, Dale Tucker, Nathan Dolorfino
Not pictured: Trisha Tucker, Patrice Pavone-Franco
Students learn to keep
financial future in check
by Noelia Cruz and Lynanne Lowry
Every year hundreds of students graduate
from college with a little more than a college
degree. They graduate with a tremendous
amount of debt. By now, most juniors and
seniors are getting a taste of adult life by
paying bills, whether it is a cell phone bill or
a car insurance bill. There is a program right
here at Fort Myers High School that helps
you manage your money. “The Academy of
Finance teaches you how to keep your financial
future in check,” says Senior Cody Buchholz.
The Academy of Finance is a three year
program that prepares students for the
future. In the three years of Academy of
Finance, you learn different skills related to
business and finance. The program includes
the following classes; Financial Operations,
Accounting Applications I, Personal Financial
Planning and Financial Internship. Financial
Operations and Personal Financial Planning
are both honors courses and earn honors credit.
The Academy of Finance classes also
run the Balloon Shop, where you can buy
balloons for friends and family members
during lunch. The balloons are then delivered
during the last period of the school day.
The students work the lunch shifts and
the senior class is responsible for buying
certainly begins Fort Myers High’s legacy
as the infamous Greenwave from the least
likely of things…seasickness….right?
Our own counselor Bobby Sizemore however
asserts that beside the classic seasickness
adventure, there are multiple other possibilities
to the origin of the name Greenwave.
Sizemore believes that the most obvious
possibility is, of course, the school’s close
proximity to the “green” Gulf of Mexico.
Another possible origin is in the university
of team doctors Dr. Fred Barelston and Dr.
Baker Whisnant, whose university, Tulane,
is another home of the “Greenwave”. So
while perhaps there is no one clear way
to determine what origin of “Greenwave”
is true or not, whatever possibility you
decide, do as advised in Sizemore’s book
Gridiron Greenies: “Take it and run with it!”
inventory, marketing, advertising, scheduling
employees, and tracking all income and
expenditures. “The Academy of Finance
has taught me to properly manage my
money and operate the Balloon Shop.” says
Academy of Finance Senior Jessica Vena.
The program begins your sophomore or Pre-
IB freshman year with Financial Operations
and continues with Financial Accounting
junior year and Personal Financial Planning
“The Academy of Finance has taught me to
properly manage my money...”
and Financial Internship senior year. The
senior class takes a trip in March to New
York City to visit Wall Street and tour the
financial district as part of the program.
For completing the three year program
students are eligible for the Florida Gold Seal
Vocational Scholars Award. This helps pay
for 75% of your college tuition. You can find
out more information about the scholarship
program at www.MyFloridaEducation.
com/brfuture. During their senior year, the
students will be placed in a paid internship
where they complete 150 hours as a student
intern. The program also helps students
to qualify to apply for articulated college
credit at Edison College and Johnson &
Wales University. If you have any questions
about the Academy of Finance program,
please contact Mrs. Shuchart or Mrs. Weigel.
Parent Open
House for all
incoming students
Monday
January 28, 2008
7 p.m.
Congratulations to IB Photo
teacher, Mrs. Pam Schwantes for
becoming Nationally Board
Certified this year.
Scholarship opportunity...
Arts for Life! awards $1,000 cash
scholarships to 25 Florida high school
seniors who demonstrate academic
and artistic excellence in the visual
arts, dance, music or theater. Since
1999, the program has awarded
scholarships to a total of 192 talented
students.
Apply Now
To apply for a scholarship, please
submit a completed application, essay
and sample of your work to P.O. Box
547794, Orlando, Florida 32584. To
be eligible, applications must be postmarked
no later than
February 1, 2008.
If you have questions or need more
information, please contact Lisa
Kammel Raguso, Program Director,
Arts for Life! Scholarship Program, at
(850) 345-6284 or Lisa@ExcelinEd.
org.
Here is the blurb and the website
to visit to apply http://www.
excelined.org/Program/ViewPage.
aspx?pr=2&pc=28
Top 10 ways to tell it’s winter
in Florida
10. You wear socks with your flip-flops.
9. You keep hot chocolate and a blanket
in your backpack.
8. The temperature drops to 32 degrees
in Mr. Sousa’s room.
7. There are crowds in the library during
lunch for body warmth.
6. The only people on the beach are
those tourists from Michigan.
5. You try to figure out how to work the
heater in your convertible.
4. Alligators aren’t the only ones with
really dry skin.
3. Mr. LaRosa goes through 4 chap
sticks before lunch .
2. The Florida license plate is in the
minority.
1. The lines for the tanning salon are
out the door.
January 25, 2008 Volume 62, Issue 8
English department head, Ros Wheeler congratulates
Courtney Butts on her Golden Apple nomination.
Teachers honored
and surprised with
“Apple” recognition
On Friday, January 8, several FMHS
teachers were honored by the Golden
Apple committee. Mrs. Courtney Butts is
one of the Foundation’s 36 Golden Apple
Finalists this year. Courtney says, “I’m
just so honored that students at this school
feel like I deserve to be recognized. They
are the reason that I am a finalist. I went to
Fort Myers High School which makes the
nomination that much more special to me. I
spent four of the best years of my life here
and I wanted to give back to the school that
gave me so much. I consider it a privilege to
teach at the greatest high school in the world!
I also want to say thank you to the English
department, support staff, and Administrators
at this school. They do so much and are so
supportive. I can’t thank them enough.”
In upcoming weeks Courtney will be going
through the process to see if she becomes
one of the prestigious six winners for this
year. Fort Myers High School also had three
teachers chosen as Teachers of Distinction:
Morgan Kirk, Diane Rivers, and Joyce Baskin.
Congratulations to the
Varsity Boy’s Basketball
Team!
Their current record is 15-2!
Come out to the Wave Cave next
Friday, February 1 for the biggest
basketball game of the season against
Bishop Verot! The freshman play at
4:30 p.m., JV at 6 p.m., and the Varsity
game will begin at 7:30 p.m. It will be
WHITE-OUT night, so come wearing
your favorite white shirt and support the
Greenwave!
This year’s drama production is
Pippin!
March 27, 28 and April 2, 3
Show times are 7 p.m. and a matinee on
March 28 at 11 a.m.
Multiples fill the halls of FMHS
Over 25 sets of twins and triplets
Front row from left to right: David and Stephen Tomasek, Monique and Monette Chery, Kristin and Michael
Boothby, Courtney and Tyler Wilson Second row from left to right: Sully and Susette Timossini, April and Toni
King, Cecilia and Juliana Silva, Devonte and Kayla Robinson, Kristin and Amanda Eisenga, Matthew and
Melanie Boyles, Chelsey, Brooke, and Alyssa Mauro, Third row from left to right: Austin and Ashley Pollack,
Robby and Ryan Nimsger, Tony and Tonio Bridley, Lauren and Jared Farley, Matthew and Michael Rippy,
Matthew and Mark Poucher, Emma and Eric Schropp Back row from left to right: Melissa and Marcy McGill,
Brooke and Nick Jans, Alan and Jacques Francois, Frank and Steve Zambrano, Gavin and Hayden Royal,
Samantha and Hannah Troast, Chelsea and Brittany Sachs, Myriee and Tyriee Hardin Not pictured: Will and
John Allen, John and Catherine Cowart, George and Samantha Vidal
by Laura Bisbee
It’s a phenomenon that never ceases
to amaze us, involving the (as quoted by
humorist Josh Billings), “two things in life
for which we are never truly prepared for”.
What is this phenomenon that occurs once
every thirty-three births? It is of course, the
birth of twins, or even more remarkable,
triplets, a 1 out of 535 chance. Yet
despite our fascination with
twins as humans, twins, you
may be surprised to know, are
actually quite commonplace.
Here at Fort Myers High for
instance, we have about thirty-five
sets of twins, including one set of triplets.
So where are these t w i n s
Monique & Monette Chery
floating about Fort Myers High? Well don’t
expect to find them appearing or acting like
one another: sporting the same clothes,
doing the same things, or even hanging out
continuously. Despite the preconceived
notion and misconceptions of others, twins (or
triplets) are not always two to three
peas in a pod, and are more or less
raised as individuals. Amanda
Eisenga and her twin sister
Kristen Eisenga, both
IB seniors, say that
their parents dressed
them alike “when
we were young,
and then we told
them we didn’t want to
Kristin & Amanda Eisenga
do it anymore. They let us develop our own
talents and styles for ourselves”. Sophomore
triplets Brooke, Alyssa, and Chelsey Mauro,
whose junior sister Amber also attends Fort
Myers, had a similar experience. When asked
if their parents encouraged them
as to develop
as “triplets”
rather than
Tony & Tonio Bridley
individuals, both Alyssa and Brooke
responded with “No, not really. Not
much. We’re very different, in the things
we do and the things we wear.” Brooke
went on to say that “We just don’t have
the same personalities…I’m shy and
Alyssa and Chelsey are both outgoing.”
Yet despite these differences, twins, even
here at Fort Myers High, are treated almost
as if they are a unit. Most twins end up
bombarded by questions like “Who’s the
oldest?”, “Why aren’t you dressed alike?”,
and, worst of all, “Are you twins?”, from those
who first meet them. “Whenever someone
does that, we just tweak the question” says
Amanda Eisenga. “If they ask us (obviously)
if we are twins, I ask them “Well…what do
you think? Or we tell them we’re clones
or Siamese twins or we’re triplets. Some
people have actually believed us.”
Yet, no matter the similarities
or differences, when it comes
down to it, most twins just
enjoy each other’s company.
As George Vidal
says about his sister
Samantha Vidal: “We
get along sometimes…
sometimes we do and
sometimes we don’t…
But in the end, we just like talking to
each other about different subjects.”

photo by Corinne Bowden
Front Row (left to right) – Melissa Smith (Parliamentarian), Callie Warner (Fundraising Chair), Vishan Persaud
(Public Relations) Back Row (left to right) – Brett Stelmaszek (President), Bryan Bartlett (Secretary), Luke
Whicker (Vice-President)
FBLA prepares students
for the business world
by Melissa Hubble and Corinne Bowden
Future Business Leaders of America is a nationwide nonprofit education association with a
quarter-million students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. FBLA
has been here at Fort Myers High since 1971. It was founded in 1937 by Dr. Hamden L.
Forkner of Columbia University. The main objective of this club is to study in specific areas
of business and also to learn leadership skills that are necessary to advance in business.
Here at Fort Myers High School we have 42 members in FBLA. The leaders include
President Brett Stelmaszek, Vice President Luke Whicker, Secretary Bryan Bartlett,
Treasurer Ryan Dineen, Historian Carol Still, Parliamentarian Melissa Smith, and finally,
Public Relations Chair Vishan Persaud. There are nine state officers and five regional
officers. Callie Warner, senior at FMHS is a regional officer for the state of Florida.
The members take part in business-related competitions at La Belle Middle School,
state competition in Orlando, Florida, and the national competition in Atlanta,
Georgia. They compete against other high school students. In competitions, there
are various categories that include entrepreneurship, business calculations, network
designs, and management decision making. These competitions are run by the
state officers who work toward accumulating state sponsorships and scholarships.
Students also can attend workshops in different subject areas. They get the opportunity
to travel. FBLA can be continued throughout your college years in Phi Beta Lambda.
It is the largest youth contributor to the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes is
the name of a United States health charity, whose mission is to improve the health
of babies.They have donated an astounding $10,000,000 within the past 13 years.
Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month in room G152. This is a great club
and gives you a lot of opportunities. If you are interested in owning your own business or
being a part of a business, this club will be a big help to you in the future. FBLA looks good
on a resume and is a great way to meet new people and further your education in business.
W h a t a r e y o u r G O A L S f o r 2 0 0 8 ?
Calvin Lisich, senior Amelia Rosen and Kristine Knowles, freshmen Esther Kang, sophomore Jerrod Green, sophomore
“My goal for 2008 is to get into college and
be successful.”
“My goal is to pass Mrs. Tucker’s math
class.” - Amelia Rosen
“My goal is to get A’s on all of my final exams.”
- Kristine Knowles
High school students need more sleep!
by Monika Simic
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best
cures in the doctor’s book.” -IrishProverb
Most high school students are not fully
aware of the importance of sleep. Many of the
students in the United States are falling asleep
in class, arriving late, cranky and drowsy all
day, etc. Due to busy bus routes many are
waking up anywhere from four in the morning.
Most students receive only five to six hours
of sleep every night, when the minimum is
eight hours of sleep for teenagers. You might
not know it, but this type of behavior will
probably affect your daily routine.
Jordyn Sager, sophomore says,
“I get around five to seven
hours of sleep every
night and I absolutely
never have any
energy, I fall asleep in
almost every class.”
A national survey
was taken which
r e v e a l e d
Senior Brice Keenom experiences Japan
by Chauntel Brown
“If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.”
– John Wooden
FMHS contains a diverse amount of
students, each coming from different cultures
and backgrounds. With each culture comes
the chance to gain knowledge and diversify
ourselves. One of the many additions to
FMHS’ student body is Brice Keenom.
Originally born in Fresno, California, Brice
has had the opportunity to live in California,
San Antonio, and most recently Japan. Brice’s
father, Darran Keenom, is a seven year United
States Air Force Staff Sergeant, who is also in
the military band as a vocalist and guitarist.
“When we realized that I would be moving to
Fort Myers, I decided that FMHS was where I
wanted to go,” said Brice Keenom. “Fort Myers
was my first choice, because my family has
gone here in the past.” Compared to the school
Brice attended in Japan, FMHS has a larger
class size. His class in Japan had roughly 330
high school students, 75 made up the senior
class. While in Japan, Brice was involved
in sports and a captain on the football team.
“Living on a base was more structured than
living in Fort Myers,” comments Brice. “Here
I have a lot more freedom.” The base contained
a mall, American food chains (Burger King,
Taco Bell, Popeye’s, Baskin Robbins), and a
movie theater. The students were permitted
to drive on base, but not anywhere else
because the legal driving age was 18.
Brice’s primary inspiration in life comes from
his father. “He always has good advice for me,
and is always proud of my accomplishments no
matter what. He has been my main inspiration
when it comes to sports. I never quit no matter
how hard it may get.” They have a passion in
music; Brice has played the drums for seven
years, and Mr. Keenom plays everything else.
“I am very proud of my dad; He is serving
his country using the skills that God has given
him,” Brice responds of his father’s job.
“Over the past seven years, I have become
more patriotic, learned military customs, and
been able to be part of a family that serves
Soundwave performs in the community
FMHS prides itself on its very talented
vocalists and dancers. Programs such as Influx,
Verdigris, and Concert Choir are all ways for the
students of FMHS to get involved and display
their abilities. One such group is the Fort Myers
High School Soundwave, directed by Mr. Matt
Koller, a new member of the FMHS faculty.
Soundwave performed fifteen times in
November and December at country clubs,
resorts, and the Broadway Palm Dinner
Theater. They have had some pretty impressive
accomplishments, such as being awarded
Superiors at Solo and Ensemble MPA. The
members include: seniors Sean-David Bos,
Kayley Bishop, and Elliott Mitchell; juniors
Alex Troast, Michel Avey, Kaitlyn Johson,
and Tyler Amato; sophomores Lauren Taylor,
Rachel de la Torre, Chazmen McCarter, Tyler
our country.” “I am thankful to be able to
serve my country with the musical gift that
God has given me,” states Mr. Keenom.
Brice is happy to be back in the American
culture. He says, “It is good to be able to
understand people again.” He is also excited
about his friends and family. Brice is in his
senior year at FMHS, making new friends and
participating in challenging classes. Brice has
a bright future ahead him, becoming one of the
many graduating 2008 “greenies” of FMHS.
Brice Keenom’s dad, Darron Keenom, comes to watch
Brice play football for the Greenwave.
Bishop, and Toni Harris; freshman Kayla Fett
and Sam Chestney. Not only is Soundwave
an amazing school activity to participate
in, but it is also a class you can take and get
credit for. Soundwave sings a wide variety
of music including swing music, medleys
from Broadway musicals, and classic songs
in their annual Christmas show. If you are
interested in seeing Soundwave in action, you
can attend any of their concerts. Many of the
members are also in the upcoming musical,
Pippin. If you are interested in singing and
dancing in front of an audience, then you may
be interested in auditions in the Spring. There
will be some very exciting and long overdue
changes to the group for next year. If you are
interested in more information, please see Mr.
Koller and/or visit www.greenwavechoirs.net.
only 20% of adolescents get the nine hours of
needed sleep on school nights. Armando Grez
also a sophomore says, “I get around eight
hours of sleep every night and I feel like I have
a great amount of energy to keep me awake
throughout the day.” Most teenage students do
not get the correct amount of sleep, yet 90% of
parents took a poll and said that they believe
their children get the recommended amount of
sleep on week nights.
The sleep studies found:
•At least once a week more then 28% of
students fall asleep in school, 22% fall asleep
while their completing their homework, and 14%
arrive late or miss school because they overslept.
•Teens that receive inefficient amounts of
sleep are more likely then their peers to receive
lower grades and test scores, while the 80%
that claim they get an efficient amount of sleep
are getting A’s a n d
B ’ s .
•More then one half of adolescents
say to have driven while drowsy.
Students may not be aware that lack of sleep
is affecting their everyday routine, and could
put people in danger around them. In fact,
15 percent of drivers in 10th to 12th grades
drive drowsy at least once a week. Just think
of all the dangers of getting into a car nearly
half asleep. It is important to get the needed
hours of sleep, especially as a teenager. These
hours of sleep can impact grades, work, and
overall efficiency during the school day. So,
why not hit the sheets a little earlier tonight?
Calling all
Instrumentalists and
Dancers!
Are you interested in participating
in the music department for
the 2008 school year? Please
email Mr. Dahlberg at Markld@
leeschools.net and ask to be
added to his INCOMING ROSTER.
Please include name, grade,
instrument and/or dance along
with your home mailing address
and phone number. He will be
sure to get all pertinent information
out to you in the coming
months. Be a true Greenie and
get involved!
“My goal for 2008 is to get better grades.” “My goal for 2008 is to be successful on the
FCAT.”