Are You Prepared for Exams?

Christina Pierce, Staff Writer
April 26, 2012 

Amidst counting down the days until April 27, the last day seniors will be in classes, seniors are beginning to think about finals. The seniors take their exams early in order to spend the weeks before graduation working at their internships. The seniors will begin to take their exams on April 25^th. If a senior is in a non-AP class, he or she will have the chance to opt out of the exam. In order to not take the exam, the seniors need an average of a 87% or above for the year.

If you are an underclassman, do not begin to feel stressed-out because of exams. The upper and middle school’s exams do not begin until May 23^rd. But it IS a good idea to start planning. Here are some tips in order to prepare for the exams.

Stay Healthy

In order to stay healthy, be consistent about getting eight hours of sleep. Sleeping will help you to be more relaxed and less anxious when exams come. Avoid eating unhealthy foods and snacks. Eating healthy foods will help to prevent you from catching a cold before the exam and boost your immune system.

Get Organized

Organization is significant to preparing for the exams. Organizing your notes will help you to feel more prepared. A study guide will help you to prepare. Try moving your notes onto flashcards in order to help you study. You can use paper flashcards or electronic ones on websites such asStudyblue and Quizlet.

 Relax

In order to not feel stressed and overwhelmed from studying, one must relax and take a break. One can relax by playing with your pets, watching TV, or exercising.

Do not be tempted to procrastinate studying until the week before exams. Stay focused– the school year is not over yet. Good luck to seniors who are finishing exams and anticipating AP exams next week.

Varsity Track Team Races into 1st Place!

March 29,2012

Photo Credit: Max Provost

On Friday March 23^rd the Varsity Track team hosted a home meet. Seven schools attended the meet. The athletes were eager to run. The field was consumed with excitement and the bleachers were filled with spectators cheering as the runners raced by. At the end of the meet, both the ODA girls and boys earned first place.

Some highlights of the meet were Fred Porter (’12) receiving athlete of the meet for his performance in the 4X400 meter, 400 meter, 200 meter, and 100 meter. Ashtin Frank (’11) beat her personal pole-vaulting record of the season, increasing her vault from 7’6’’ to 9’6’’. The girls earned an impressive 122 points and the boys earned 111 points from the meet.

The Track team has two upcoming meets. The first meet is today at North Port High School and the second meet is the County Meet on April 5^th at Booker High School. The District meet is on April 13^th at Shorecrest Prep. The Track team is working hard in order to prepare for districts.

Congratulations to the ODA varsity track team for an awesome meet and good luck at today’s meet at North Port High School!

Willy Wonka Opens Sweetly!

Photo Credit: Leslie Garasic
Sam Kimmell as Augustus Gloop

March 23, 2012

On March 21, the musical Willy Wonka had its opening night. As guests were rushing in to hide from the torrential rain, they were welcomed into the Black Box theater with the scent of chocolate wafting through the air thanks to nebulizers strategically placed above the audience.

The musical’s opening grabbed everyone’s attention as the theater filled with bubbles and Willy Wonka, played by Robby Polidoro, opened the performance singing a whimsical “Pure Imagination.” Some memorable moments include Augustus Gloop, played by Sam Kimmell, trying to speak and sing as he stuffed his face with rotisserie chicken, Willy Wonka throwing glitter at the kids, and Mike Teavee, played by Colby Elliot, transforming into a Barbie doll after tampering with the television.

At the end of the night, everyone loved and enjoyed the performance. Many in the audience openly voiced their enthusiastic reviews. When asked about how the performance went, cast member Angela Donnelly said, “ The cast had an amazing, awesome time!”

Thank you to the cast of Willy Wonka for a wonderful performance! The ODA Bolt urges everyone to go see the show which runs through Saturday night, a performance which promises to the wackiest yet.

Waiting Finally “Curbed” for Seniors

Seniors having fun and painting their spots

March 13, 2012

At the beginning of the year, the seniors were given their assigned parking spots as a gift and the opportunity to decorate their parking spot. But the class was confused about what part of their parking spots they were allowed to decorate. Seniors also started to argue about their parking spots because several students had parked in spots that were not assigned to them. The problems were sorted and the seniors were then told that they were allowed to decorate the curb in front of the parking spots.

During H block on March 7^th, and March 8^th, the seniors gathered in the parking lot with paint and paintbrushes in their hands. Due to the price of the paint and limited selection of colors, the class was only given blue, white, and silver paint. The seniors all moved their cars and got started. The class enjoyed their time decorating their spots while hanging out with their fellow classmates.

We would like to thank Mrs. Garasic for setting up the supplies and for organizing the fun activity!

The End of a Tradition?

Photo Credit: Tim Brewer

February 27,2012

On the night before the homecoming game, the ODA community gathers to celebrate all of the Fall sports teams. The night is filled with food, fun activities, and school spirit. But the bonfire for the 2011 and 2012 school year has been postponed several times. Students are asking if we will have the bonfire this year and what will happen to it next year.

In the past, before the football team was formed, the bonfire was on another night. The Bonfire had been a night to celebrate the basketball team. But, it was still a way to create school spirit. The night of the bonfire is filled with fun activities such as inflatable jousting, mattress race, and the beanbag toss. Students then go to the quad to celebrate the Fall sports team. Each coach comes up to the front of the quad to motivate the crowd. After the teams sit down, the students gather around the unlit pile of wood. Symbols of the rival team are a part of the pile of wood. Then, the pit bursts into flames and the crowd begins to cheers.

The bonfire was moved from homecoming week because of the busy schedule. The student council voted for the bonfire to be moved to another date and thought it was best to have the bonfire on a different night in order to celebrate other sports. The date was set on the week of January 5 in order to boost the spirit for the burgeoning Cardinal Mooney rivalry.

Due to poor weather conditions, the bonfire was postponed for another date. Since it is winter, the weather is too dry and too windy to have a fire. The fire would be a risk to the surrounding area. The school was strongly advised by the local fire marshal not to have the bonfire.

There is still some hope for the bonfire to happen this year though. When asked about the hopes of a bonfire this year, Coach Brewer assured that the student council is working hard to make possible plans for a right date for the bonfire. There is a possibility that the bonfire will be in the spring when the weather conditions are more favorable. He had also said that the rescheduled bonfire is “ an opportunity to make a new tradition”.

Follow the New Alumni Brick Road…

March 5, 2012

As the students returned from mid winter break, many noticed the new bricks that have been placed along the walkway next to the bell at the Uihlein Campus. At first, they appear to be normal bricks, but if you take a closer look, one will find the alumni’s names and the year they graduated on each brick.

The bricks are placed in a specific order. All of the graduating classes from the class of 1999 to the class of 2011 have been listed on the bricks. The first graduating class can be found under the bell. The even numbered years are located on the left and the odd numbered years are located on the right.

The new bricks are reminiscent of the six grade’s cement tile project. The sixth graders are given a cement tile to decorate. Each tile has a creative decoration. At the Siesta Key Campus, the decorated cement tiles are placed along the bell and the walkway of one of the main entrances to the school.

There are mixed feelings about the new bricks. Some students think the bricks are similar to tombstones, but others think it is a great way to remember the alumni. When asked about the bricks, Ms. Dobosz replied, “the bricks are a classy up-scaled version of the lower campus’ bricks. They are a new sophisticated version.” Many students have taken a picture of the bricks for their older siblings who have graduated. Senior Harry Lempriere sent a picture to his to his sister who is a former alumna. She responded to the picture of her brick by saying “What? That is awesome!” The alumni’s bricks and the 6^th grade’s cement tiles signify the ending of a chapter of their life and the beginning of the next step to their future.

This year’s graduating seniors are eager to see their own bricks on the ODA brick road.

Senioritis Epidemic?

January 19, 2012

A case of senioritis

As the 2^nd semester begins, many seniors start to catch senioritis. The major symptom of senioritis is a lack of motivation to do work in school. Many students with senioritis will decide to not do homework, not to attend classes, or, in milder cases, just slack off.

Even the yearbook pokes fun at the senioritis epidemic. In senior advisories at the start of the year, seniors must decide the superlatives for their class for a section in the yearbook called “Senior Superlatives.” In the earliest months of the senior year, the seniors identify a girl and a boy from the class who they think has, or will have, the worse case of senioritis

In the spring as the senior class begins to hear from their colleges and start to count down the days until graduation, senioritis is in full swing. Because of this counting down, the seniors begin to get excited and start to lose the motivation to work. Since they are losing the motivation to work, grades and participation begin to slip. This slippage has consequences, however. Colleges continue to check the students’ grades throughout the school year. In order to maintain acceptances to schools, the seniors need to continue to work hard and keep their grades up.

In order to help prevent senioritis, teachers try to motivate students to continue to work hard in class. One strategy is to tempt the seniors with the promise of no final exam. If students maintain an 87% or above, they do not take the final exam. Although this rule does not include AP classes, many students continue to work hard to enjoy the no final exam benefit.

The next time you feel like hitting the snooze button for the tenth time, remember that if you can just get out of bed and engage in class, you will be rewarded for all of your hard work. Even though it is tempting to slack off, we must continue to resist the urge. We still have a ways to go before graduation. Keep up the good work, seniors!

2012: The End of the World?

December 9, 2011

With the year 2011 coming to an end, some people have begun to wonder about the new year. Many are beginning to think about New Year’s resolutions. But, others might be planning for the end of the world.

The year 2012 is said to be the year the world ends because it marks the end of the Mayan calendar. Many have become obsessed with this doomsday theory. Songs and movies have been made based on this, our last year. In 2009, the film 2012 by Roland Emmerich was released into theaters. The movie portrays a man struggling to protect his family while the Earth declines to chaos in the face of rising flood waters. In 2010, the song “2012” by Jay Sean and featuring Nicki Minaj was released. Jay Sean urges people on to party “like it’s 2012.” Yeah, OK. Whatever that means.

The most recent prediction that the world would end came on May 21, 2011. Harold Camping, a Christian radio channel broadcaster, announced that the rapture would begin on May 21, 2011. The prediction caused hysteria among some believers. Several people gave up their life savings and reports of suicides were reported on the days leading up to May 21.

Throughout history, many have predicted the end of the world. But here we are. These predictions have come and gone. The 2012 theory may soon be added to the list of false predictions. Could the world end on December 21, 2012? I dunno. Ask the dinosaurs.

AP Studio Art Class Captures the Moment!

November 21, 2011

The following images were created by the students of the AP Studio Art class. In this project, the students are required to capture elements of design. Students create pictures based on the themes balance, rhythm, repetition, contrast, figure ground/ relationship, proportion-scale, unity, and emphasis.

Amanda Pierce (‘12)

A different look at nature:

This image was taken for emphasis. The composition allows the viewer to follow the natural lines of the stem and fluently guide the eyes to the focus of the image. The pollen is the focus of the image, and the colors allow it to pop and catch one’s eye automatically. This image had been one of the first times I had used a macro lens, and worked out perfectly.

Maddy Chait (‘12)

This photo satisfies the Contrast element required for AP Studio Art. The light is more outstanding against the harsh black.

Mark Marcello (‘12)

The graphite drawing was done as a prerequisite anatomical study of the muscular structure of the torso but was later developed by symbolism.The symbol of the “Angelic Fall” is a take on the idea of falling from grace, hence the torn wings and the mangled features of the aesthetic face (done essentially as an inverted portrait then developed with ripping motions). The countryside both adds to the motion of the piece and expands relate-able idea of the drawing. The focal point at the top center also emphasizes the heavens from which the angel falls, the light source of the piece.

Amanda Arbeit (‘12)

I shot this image with an Olympus E-520 camera and an attached HD macro lens. This image fulfills the principle of design, emphasis. In AP Studio Art, an image taken for emphasis must draw the viewer’s eye to a specific area or point. The closeness and selective focus of this composition combined with the different shades of colors in the foreground and background help create this sense of emphasis.

Jonathan Greer takes on the role as director!

Jonathan Greer '12

November 21, 2011

Jonathan Greer, ’12, is beginning to take on his new role as director of the upcoming school production of the play The Proposal by Anton Chekhov. Greer has been an active member of the theater program since he was in seventh grade.

The play is about a landowner who goes to ask for his neighbor’s daughter’s hand in marriage. But conflicts arise between the landowner and the neighbor’s daughter. The play consists of three characters portrayed by seniors Matthew Silverman, Tim Olson, and Cara Messina.

When asked about his expectations for his first job as director, Jonathan Greer said, “I know directing the play is going to be difficult. But, it will be a learning experience.” Jonathan and Ms. Evans had chosen The Proposal because the play is a classic comedy. There are no official dates for the play, but make sure to keep an eye out for this upcoming performance.

Seniors Receive Their Convocation Gift

October 20, 2011

sophmores serving ice cream to the seniors

On the day of homecoming, the Sophomores surprised the Seniors with their ice cream social. The ice cream social had been a gift that was presented to the Senior class at Convocation. During lunch, the class brought out a table of treats. The Seniors were able to choose from chocolate or vanilla ice cream and add toppings such as gummy bears, sprinkles, Oreo cookies, and whipped cream. Thank you, Sophomore class, for giving the Seniors such an awesome gift!

Convocation Rings this Friday

The Out-of-Door Academy victory bell

September 21, 2011

On September 23, 2011, the school will celebrate Convocation. For those who do not know, Convocation is a day that honors the seniors. The day marks the school’s entrusting the seniors with their new roles as leaders of the school. The tradition began in 2002 as an assembly for the seniors to sign the honor code in front of the high school. Over the next few years, Convocation evolved into a day for the school community to come together in this celebration for students entering their last year at ODA.

One of the enduring and most loved traditions associated with Convocation is the pairing of each senior with a kindergarten buddy. A week before Convocation, the seniors go to the lower campus to meet with their buddies. When they arrive, they get together with their buddies to play and get to know them. The seniors continue to meet with their buddies after Convocation has ended as a way to bring both campuses together.

On the day of Convocation, all lower school students travel to the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch. Students go to the gymnasium, the Thunderdome, where they attend an assembly. On Convocation morning, the seniors again meet up with their kindergarteners and enter the gmynasium with them. Once everyone is settled, each grade presents a gift to the senior class. Gifts include songs sung by the younger students, car washes, poems, and slideshows. At the end of the assembly, the seniors and their buddies gather on the quad to ring the school bell; students then come together to take the annual all school picture.

We are all looking forward to the annual event. Thank you to everyone who has been working hard to make this event so memorable!

Dress Code Receives a Range of Responses

from left to right: Gianna Christnesnsen ’13, Stephanie Meunch '13, Tim Olson '12, and Robby Polidoro '12

September 6, 2011

Due to last year’s leniency with the dress code, new enforcement and limitations are in effect for the new year: no dresses or skirts; all shirts must be tucked in; and pants must be solid colored. For seniors, the change in dress code is disappointing. And what about the middle school students? They get excited for the transition into high school because of the new freedom that comes with high school. What happened to those freedoms? But these are not the only reactions to this year’s dress code. There have been many reactions from the student body about the new change. We decided to have some fun in asking a few students how they felt.

What other setting might you wear your school attire?

“Anywhere! There is no such thing as overdressing. I like to wear button downs, ties, dress boots, and slacks just about anywhere. I think it gives us a wide selection of clothes to wear in an out of school.”-Robby Polidoro ’12

“It depends on what I am wearing. Usually I would not wear this.”-Stephanie Muench ’13

“Weekdays.” -Tim Olsen ’12

Speaking metaphorically, if the dress code were a celebrity, what celebrity would it be?

“Tim Gunn. No question.”-Robby Polidoro ’12

“Steve Carrell’s character from the Office, Michael Scott.”-Stephanie Muench ’13

“Decent. While everyone looks nice, there is really no leniency within the dress code.” -Tim Olsen ’12

What dessert would best represent the dress code?

“Crème brule. It’s a simple, basic,classy dessert. But, you can add a garnish of fresh fruit or mint to it, and this is what gives it a flare r flavor. You can make the dress code as interesting as you want it to be. Add a tie, a nice pair of shoes, suspenders, or whatever makes you, you.”-Robby Polidoro ’12

“Vanilla wafer, because it is modest and plain.” -Gianna Christnesnsen ’13

“Carrot cake, because it is something healthy that someone tried to make sweet, but it just turned out really gross.” -Tim Olsen ’12

Use one word to describe the dress code (any word) , and explain why you chose that word.

“Ace, I think the dress code makes everyone look really sharp.”-Robby Polidoro ’12

“Unimaginative, because everyone looks the same every day. No one sets to express themselves while still abiding by a less strict dress code.”-Gianna Christensen ’13

“Tedious. It’s the same thing everyday; over and over. There’s not much change in the outfit and eventually it gets boring.”-Stephenie Muench ’13

“Decent. While everyone looks nice, there is really no leniency within the dress code”- Tim Olsen ’12