By Giovanna Bovero • In 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive

breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S. - breastcancer.org

• Invasive breast cancer affects one in every eight women. - breastcancer.org

• There will be around 39,510 deaths due to breast cancer in 2012 in the United States alone. - http://ww5.komen.org

• Around 2,190 men in the United States in 2012 will be diagnosed with breast cancer. - http://ww5.komen.org

• Around 410 men in the United States in 2012 will die from breast cancer. - http://ww5.komen.org

• A woman’s chance of developing breast cancer increases if her mother, sister, and/or daughter have been diagnosed with the disease, especially if they were diagnosed before age 50. - http://www.cancer.gov

• Women who have had breast cancer are more likely to develop a second breast cancer. - http://www.cancer.gov

• Studies indicate that the more alcohol a woman drinks, the greater her risk of breast cancer. - http://www.cancer.gov

• Women who are physically inactive throughout life may have an increased risk of breast cancer. - http://www.cancer.gov

• On January 1, 2009, in the United States there were approximately 2,747,459 women alive who had a history of cancer of the breast. - http://seer.cancer.gov

Breast Cancer is a huge problem all over the world. Women, men and relatives are all being affected. This has become a widespread problem and the faster a cure is found, the better. “Being affected by breast cancer absolutely changed my life,” said Patricia Nunez, a breast cancer survivor. “I have been clear for about a year now and I am beyond happy I don’t have to deal with the amount of stress that came along with breast cancer.”You can show your support by donating at registers or joining the Susan G. Komen Walk forBreastCancer.Littlethingsthatmayseeminsignificanttoyoucanreallymakeahugedifference to people who are affected directly or indirectly by this disease. “I appreciate every person who supports breast cancer,” said Junior Bridget Michael. “Without their love and perseverance to make a difference, breast cancer wouldn’t be recognized as widely as it is today.” Many students are going all out to show their support and love to anyone who has suffered from breast cancer. “I plan on dyeing a part of my hair pink to show my support for the cause,” said Sophomore Josh Levine. “By dyeing a part of my hair pink, I feel like I’m really getting a message out,” Sophomore Allie Hendron said.

Walter L. Sickles High School7950 Gunn Hwy. Tampa, FL 33626

The Gryphon GazetteVolume 16, Issue 2

In this Issue:

“I am a fighter” pg. 2Breast cancer slogans pg. 3Homecoming festivities pg. 4 & 5 Art student spotlight pg. 6 Horoscopes pg. 8

Stats on breast cancer

Homecoming week in a wave

1. Clubs show their school support playing games at the homecoming carnival.

2. Junior classmen shout and cheer at the exhilarating peprally.3. Twins Joshua and Daniel Barnes displaying their Gryphon pride.4. The football team gets pumped up. 5. Logan Braswell plays along for character day.6. A scooter makes for great transportation for Garrett Griffith

around Sickles campus on tacky tourist day. 7. Even teachers like Mr. Shelton show their school spirit by getting

involved in spirit week. 8. Throwbacks come to life on retro Wednesday. 9. Gryphon fans Robert Taylor, Juan Garcia, Austin Rusher and Grant

Breheney go support their football team at the homecoming game.

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Page 2 News Volume 16, Issue 2

By Mikayla Sanford

Sickles High School has a change to its staff this year. Dr. Elizabeth Tuten is the new assistant principal for curriculum. She is very qualified because she not only worked at Leto as an AP, but she also has a bach-elor’s degree in English education, a master’s in educational leadership and a doctorate of education in educational leadership. “She’s done this job for a while so she has shown that she will contin-ue to strive,” Assistant Principal for Administration Mr. Harris said. “She incorporates her own abilities with what we do at Sickles and she has adapted very well.” With this being her first year at Sickles, both students and administration have been supportive. “She seems like a very nice AP because she follows the rules, and she’s not too strict,” Sopho-more Devin Morris said. “My friends have really opened up to her and she helps them get on the right track with their academic goals.” Dr. Tuten is also feeling really good about her first quarter. “I really enjoy working here,” Tuten said. “The parents, teachers, and students have been really welcoming and embracing of me. I’m learn-ing and absorbing the culture right now, but I really want to make sure I support the students and teachers and make sure I help them reach their goals. I also hope to contribute fresh insights and ideas.” The students hope she will bring something new to Sickles and help the academic portion and upperclassmen of the school. Mr. Harris knows she is more than capable of tackling the job. “She is very personable, smart and capable of accomplishing things,” Mr. Harris said. “She has been able to transition easily and have no mistakes or hiccups. I want her to be able to do her best at everything she does. The curriculum is an enormous and important job, so she is respon-sible for everyone’s curriculum.” Dr. Tuten loves doing schedules and dealing with constructing cur-riculum and even enjoys testing. The best part about her being here is becoming a part of the Sickles community and having such a great staff by her side. “Not only are the students, but the teachers as well are very deter-mined to do well,” Dr. Tuten said. “I want them to just strive to do their best every single day.

I am a fighterBy MacKenzie Craig

“You have cancer.” Three of the scariest words an individual can hear at the start of a long journey to a cure. When Beverly Encarnacion heard these words for the first time she couldn’t believe her ears. “I remember thinking how could this happen to me, of all the women out there, why me?” It was just before an annual mammogram that Encarnacion was doing a self-examination when she found what she thought to be an abnormal reaction from one of her breasts. Curious about the abnormality, she asked a few of her close girlfriends if they have ever had a similar reac-tion. She came to find that not a single one had. The following week at her appointment she addressed this suspicious activity with her doctor. He suggested it was simply hormones and that it would go away soon enough. Still curious about the strangeness of her breast, Encarnacion decided it was in her best interest to see a specialist. Tests were run, and when the results finally came back, a nurse diag-nosed Encarnacion with early signs of breast cancer. “I was in shock, I couldn’t believe it. I was physically fit, happy, had an enjoyable profession. I was a busy wife, mother and friend. I didn’t have the time to have breast cancer,” Encarnacion said. “It was scary, I wasn’t sure how to feel. At first, all I did was cry and feel sorry for myself. But once I realized it was something I was going to have to face one way or another, I made the conscious decision that I was going to push on,” Encarnacion said. “I was going to fight, not only for the ones I loved, but also for my-self,” said Encarnacion. “I am not a quitter. I am a fighter.” Going through all sorts of therapy wasn’t easy for Encarnacion. Mental therapy along with chemotherapy is physically and spiritually exhausting. But pushing through it, she was not going to let this fight get her down. “A strong support system is the most important thing anyone who has been diagnosed with any form of cancer can have,” Encarnacion said. “They are the ones who are your reason to go to your next chemo ap-pointment. Your reason to get out of bed in the morning, the reason you decide to fight on.” Overcoming her diagnosis and beating all odds, Encarnacion pushed through and was released from medical care at Moffitt Cancer Center at USF in 2010. “Once I was told I was cured, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with my life, all I knew at that point was the daily hassle of strug-gling with my battle with cancer.” After overcoming breast cancer, Encarna-cion decided to change her profession. She took her personal experiences and translated over to the Diplomat American Board of Internal Medicine. “I now work with women who have been diagnosed. I thought that with what I have been through it might help others to see the light at the end of the tunnel. To see that if you push on and fight the battle there is a reward.” Encarnacion concluded, “If you do it right, you will make it. All you need is love, support and hope, and you will make it just fine.

Dr.Elizabeth Tuten busy at work while assisting Olivia Caputo.

The now cancer-free Beverly Encarnacion has a reason to smile. After dealing with multiple bouts of chemotherapy, she now has a clean bill of health and a brand new outlook on life.

Curriculum under new management

Volume 16, Issue 2 News Page 3

Edgy awareness slogans not school appropriateBy Amanda Fitzpatrick

School dress code states that any piece of clothing that distracts students from learning is prohibited. Recently, the controversy in schools is the breast cancer awareness bracelets that say “I Love Boobies” on them. Many schools in Hillsborough County have banned students from wearing them to school. Do these bracelets cause a disruption in class or do they simply show support for a deadly disease? Many people would say that the slogan, “I Love Boobies”, shows a lot of support for the cause. By grabbing people’s attention, it makes them aware of the hard times Breast Cancer can cause. “I wear an ‘I Love Boobies’ bracelet and lanyard to school every day, “ said Sophomore Alex Grosvenor. “I think by wearing them it shows that I support people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and that I care.” Although the bracelets definitely show that some people are trying to sup-port the cause, some people find them offensive. Many women find the slogan very degrading towards them. “Some women have to get their breasts removed because of cancer, so by saying that you ‘love boobies’ on a bracelet it’s kind of like saying they aren’t good enough since they no longer have breasts,” said Junior Katelyn Blum-berg. “The bracelets can offend cancer patients or upset a girl who may be self-conscious of her body.” Some schools in Hillsborough County have even gone so far as to ban their students from wearing the bracelets to school. When Principal Mr. Russell was asked about the slogan he was surprised that an issue hasn’t come up with them at Sickles High School. “I think the bracelets are a good gimmick for showing support for breast cancer but it’s not something appropriate for school,” said Russell. “These bracelets could be offensive to certain students and could cause a disruption in learning.” As of now, the ‘I Love Boobies’ bracelets are not banned at Sickles High School since they have yet to cause a distraction or an issue.

Alex Grosvenor wears this bracelet to support breast cancer.

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By MacKenzie Craig

Senior Alex Mejia has always been an artistic individual. “While others were out doing other things, I was doing art,” Mejia said. From an early age Mejia began to show his passion for art. It started around age four when his mother realized he would never put down the crayons and started stacking up coloring books. Ranging from paintings, drawings, photography, and writing, Alex Mejia is the all-around art student. “It’s just a hobby to me,” Mejia said. “Maybe someday it will turn into more but for now it brings me joy putting what I see in my head into some artistic form.” Interested in all forms of media, Mejia focuses on the use of acrylic paints and pris-ma-colors. “I like to spotlight realistic portraits,” said Mejia. “Especially people and buildings, but not landscapes. In my opinion, landscapes are too cliché. With realistic objects you see it, you draw it, it’s there.”

Page 4 Homecoming 2012 Volume 16, Issue 2

Homecoming Court

King & Queen

Duke & DuchessPrince & Princess

Lady

Dalton Dessi &

Natalie Aquilia

Bronson Daugherty

Victoria Vite

Luis Siam & Summre

RaimerMarissa Palles

22 Twin Day 23 Character Day 24 Retro Day

Volume 16, Issue 2 Homecoming 2012 Page 5

Homecoming Carnival

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Sophomore booth: Bangle ring toss“It’s a fun and challenging way to win,” Sophmore Sonya Nayee said. “People love chal-lenges.”

Junior Booth: Bean bag toss“It’s an easy game to play,” Junior Katelyn Blumberg said. “Plus, people look like they’re having fun while playing it.”

Senior Booth: Ball glass toss“It’s a fun something to do before the game to celebrate for homecoming,” Senior Paige Lee said.

Freshmen Booth: Pin the tail on the Gryphon It’s a fun way to go back to when you were little,” Fresh-men Camille Font said.

Exchangetes Booth: Cupcake walk“It’s a great way to get involved in Sickles pride,” Junior Dolly Bollacker said. “You can even win a sweet treat.”

Optimiss Booth: Limbo & Pina Coladas“When people think Hawaii they think tropical,” Senior Carolyn Nguyen said. “Plus who doesn’t enjoy fun games and cool drinks? Even the APs are getting into it!”

AVID Booth: Black Jack Senior Cheyenne Wolf said, “Play-ing black jack at our booth is a fun way to relate to our fantasy theme of Monte Carlo.”

Twinners David Piatt and Daniel Sobel twin it up on twin day.

Derick Crespo and Lynn Kriv-oruchka had a super character day.

Zack Koeplell and David Wong bringing retro back one fro at a time.

Clay Swingle and Juan Garcia can’t find a decent outfit for tacky tourist day.

Sickles Seniors stand and cheer for all to hear.

25 Tacky Tourist 26 Spirit Day

Homecoming Day

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Page 6 Volume 16, Issue 2

Volume 16, Issue 2 Sports Page 7

Gryphons ride rushing attack to homecoming game romp of chargers

By Mikayla Sanford

For Senior Volleyball Captain Blaire Beamer, this is her last year as a Sickles Gryphon and she hopes to go out with a bang. Even though Beamer started playing volleyball during her freshman year, she is now a captain and a middle hitter for the varsity volleyball team. Outside of the daily three- hour practice, she does extra cardio drills and sees a weight trainer to keep improving. “Blaire has improved tremendously because she barely saw the court her first year, but she is now a strong member and leads us to wins,” Coach Brashear said. “I am going to miss her interesting personality and light-hearted humor.” Sophomore Marissa Fox says she loves that Beamer is really supportive and positive. “She’s a strong leader and always tells us what we did wrong and how to fix it to get bet-ter,” Fox said. “She pushes us to do our best as a team and is also really competitive.” Coach Brashear agrees and says that her intensity during practice and games is good to push the other players, and her perseverance always gets the job done. “She was nominated for Captain this year, which will really help the team because she has great experience. The other girls respect and look up to her too,” Brashear said. “My dad has always been my biggest supporter,” Beamer said. “Even though he can’t make it to all of my games, he makes sure I have the best training and that I am always trying my hardest. I know he will always be there for me.” Beamer says she gets her athleticism from her parents and has always been good at sports because she is so tall. Between juggling several AP classes and practices every day, Beamer says time management is the key. “You have to be really good with your time,” Beamer said. “I can never procrasti-nate or slack off when it comes to getting my school work done.” This year she is getting recruited by a couple of colleges for volleyball and wants to play at a university once she graduates in June. “I want to pass on my knowledge to the other girls and make sure they will continue the legacy,” Beamer said. “My goal is to leave as a leader, have a great season, and make it to regionals.”

Beamer as a Senior

By Jordan Brown

The Homecoming festivities didn’t faze the Gryphons as they rolled past district rival Strawberry Crest 38-17 on a crisp October night. Fans filled the home stands in a sea of black and green as they cheered their Gryphons onto victory. The game fell into Charger hands early with a 13-yard touchdown pass five minutes into the game. The Gryphons would answer back with two rushing touchdowns from senior quarterback Lee Myers and a field goal by junior kicker Daniel Lezotte that would pull the Gryphons ahead 17-7 at the half. With a running game headed by Myers as well as senior fullback Jared O’Donoghue and sophomore running back Ray-Ray McCloud, the Sickles offense would prove too much for the Chargers, putting up 266 yards on the night. After a 10-point 3rd quarter by the Chargers, the Gryphon defense would shut down any attempt of a late rally by Strawberry Crest. My-ers would add another touchdown to his previ-ous two, with McCloud and O’Donoghue adding

a touchdown each to round out the scoring. “Winning the Homecoming Game is huge for the school”, Myers said, “Everyone is just so pumped up for it.” When asked about his stellar performance, Myers answered, “It could have never happened without my offensive line and Jared blocking for me.” The Gryphons will look to end the regular season with victories against Leto and neighborhood rival Alonso in the com-ing weeks. could have never happened without my offensive line and Jared blocking for me.” The Gryphons will look to end the regular season with victories against Leto and neighborhood rival Alonso in the coming weeks.

The Gryphons march their way to victory.

Proud Gryphons walk away from a well earned win.

Blair Beamer shows off her vollyball skills

Volume 16, Issue 2 Arts and Entertainment Page 8

Horoscopes

Jake Russell, PrincipalDeanna Bunch, Adviser

(813)-631-4742 ext.258

Aries- Be happy, you have reasons to cel-ebrate! Things for you are going to turn up. It’s as if a barrier has disappeared and clouds have scattered away.

Taurus- You could have a flash of inspiration that illu-minates the potential future in a pretty profound way. Be sure to write down what you see in your mind’s eye. You want all the information you can get!

Gemini- Hang back and spend time think-ing today. Make sure you’re focused on the future as much as possible, because you can make a real difference.

Cancer- Get that big conflict out in the open-but don’t expect a peaceful resolution right away. As long as everyone’s talking it up, you should be okay. Take your time and keep your cool.

Leo- You’re freaking out a little bit over money, but that doesn’t mean you have to go begging from your parents or hunting for a new job. You might just have to slow down the spending a little bit.

Virgo- You need to take a break today- and you’ve earned it! All your recent work has paid off in a big way, and you can afford to kick up your heels. Let someone else take over for now.

Libra- It’s a total slack-off day for you-if that’s what you want, of course! Let yourself go and do whatever feels right. If someone complains, your good energy should sway them.

Scorpio- You’re rushing through stuff that really needs to be taken slowly. It could be romance, school stuff, or family time, but you need to pace yourself so that you can get it all done right.

Sagittarius- When that one sibling or par-ent sets you off today, count to 10 before responding. You’ll be amazed at how quickly things escalate, and why go to all that trouble over something so small?

Capricorn- It’s one of those weird days when you just can’t be satisfied with what you have. That could lead to all sorts of unfortunate situations, but they should be resolved as early as tomorrow.

Aquarius- Life is like a game to you now- and even if you’re not winning, you can see you have a ways to go, and you’re having a blast! Try to let go of any serious concerns that have been pulling you down.

Pisces- You’re still in a weird mood, but it’s good-weird. You should be able to turn your-self around on some issue or problem that has been bugging you lately. It’s easier than you think to walk away.

The staff of The Gryphon Gazette would like to offer our sincere thanks to our advertisers

and patrons fortheir financial support.

Advertisers:Christian Brothers

Classic EntertainmentFademasters

Modern MaintenanceVan Dyke Church

Vapor Media GroupViva La Diva

Volume Hair Studio

Patrons:Debra & Tim Fitzpatrick

Dan HughesMichele Mendez

Brian & Brittany MobleyS & J Ritch

Phyllis RoggioTammy Sheehan

MacKenzie Craig,Editor-in-ChiefRyan Walsh, Managing Editor

Taylor Amore, Advertising EditorAmanda Fitzpatrick, Opinion Editor

Jillian Delucca, Sports EditorStefanie LeRiche, Entertainment Editor

Alyssa Fedorovich, Features EditorDaniele Mendez, Online Editor

Delanie Mobley, Relations ManagerMikayla Sanford, Staff WriterGiovanna Bovera, Staff Writer

Aaron Pitcher, Staff Writer

The Gryphon Gazette Staff

12949 Race Track Road, Tampa FL 33626(813)-925-1920

Jason.Benintendi@cbauto.net

Find The Gryphon!Find the Gryphon is back! Look through the pages to find

our mascot. It will be even harder to find this issue. It will be hidden and small, and won’t be in any obvious places. Keep a look out for our proud Sickles Gryphon. He might be right

under your nose!

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