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The student-run news site of H. B. Plant High School

PHS News

The student-run news site of H. B. Plant High School

PHS News

The student-run news site of H. B. Plant High School

PHS News

Seniors explore post-graduation alternatives

Seniors explore post-graduation alternatives

Matt Blydenburgh, Business Manager April 20, 2015

Seniors have begun preparations for whatever path they have elected to take for their next step towards a career after graduation in May. While many students have moved towards the path of a four-year...

Valedictorian Cameron Mackenzie poses for a Pep O’ Plant photographer before an interview. Mackenzie has gained attention for his academics.

Valedictorian reflects on high school

Katie Chae, Staff Writer April 20, 2015
I took all these classes to show myself that I am smart. Now that I think about it, it seems like a waste of time because I know the extent of my own intelligence...
Events wrap up senior year

Events wrap up senior year

Helen Kahassai, Arts & Entertainment Editor April 20, 2015

With less than two months left in senior year, events that students have been waiting for all year- including Senior week and Grad Bash- begin to take place. Senior Week April 20- 24 Seniors celebrate...

Virtual school classes broaden students' future opportunities

Virtual school classes broaden students’ future opportunities

Allison Figueroa, Public Relations April 20, 2015

Initiative. Universities clamor for students with this valuable trait- the ambition, motivation and focused personality that breeds success. Often times students demonstrate their drive by overloading...

State Thespian Festival recognizes student performances

Melissa Jassir, Features Editor April 6, 2015

This past week, March 24 through March 28, members of the thespian club participated at the State Thespian Festival at the Tampa Convention Center. "State festival is a time when all of the thespians from...

A budding documentarian, senior Maddy McKay will capture the behind-the-scenes creation of “Cabaret,” the school’s spring musical.
 McKay’s movie marks the first time that a student has created a documentary of this caliber on a school production.
As an aspiring filmmaker, McKay hopes that undertaking this project will allow her to expand her skill set for the future.
“This is what I want to do as a profession. Nothing like this has ever been done and that’s why I want to do it,” McKay said. “ I wanted to create something real.”
“I want to show the whole process of a show, not just the final product,” McKay said. 
Senior cast members displayed a particular sentimentality regarding their final school production.
 “At some point in my life I will want to look back at my high school theatre experience. ” Nick Russo, senior, said. “Who knows what she’ll capture on tape!”
Although senior members of the cast appreciated McKay’s documentation of their last play, underclassmen cast members  on “Cabaret” shared a similar sense of excitement.
“I think this will be a really fun experience,” Elizabeth Doney, sophomore, said. “I think it will be interesting to watch it all come together after we’ve finished.”
Involvement in McKay’s documentary left some cast members with a newfound appreciation of the process of integrating all of the elements of a show. 
“Documenting all of the steps we have to take to achieve our goal of a great show has given me a different outlook on the creation of ‘Cabaret’,” Marissa Sandler, junior, said.
While some of the cast and crew of “Cabaret” might have regarded the documentary with skepticism initially, a consensus seemed to exist that the additional project did not interfere with rehearsals.
“We get so focused on what we’re working on that you almost forget she’s filming,” Doney said.
McKay’s documentary will conclude when the show opens to student viewers in April.

Student documentarian captures school spring musical through lens

Katie Whitson, News Editor April 2, 2015

A budding documentarian, senior Maddy McKay will capture the behind-the-scenes creation of “Cabaret,” the school’s spring musical. McKay’s movie marks the first time that a student has created...

People shop at the market in Hyde Park for fresh produce and other products held on the first of March. Many vendors sold products there

Farmers’ markets get fresh

Rachel Ferreri, Staff Writer April 1, 2015

In South Tampa, pedestrian-friendly farmers’ markets are flourishing. In these markets, there are a minimum of 50 vendors, including local groups, businesses and non-profit organizations. One of these...

Best Buddies Campaigns to end slurs

Best Buddies Campaigns to end slurs

Allison Figueroa, Public Relations March 20, 2015

It's a large sheet of butcher paper, royal purple, a color barely visible under hundreds of signatures. President of Best Buddies McKenzie Kennedy sits behind it, dishing out Crunch Bars and other treats...

Colossal Curl is the first ride at Adventure Island with a wave wall and a funnel. The new ride opens March 7.

New water ride opens this spring

Robby Killette, Online Editor in Chief February 17, 2015

Adventure Island revamped its arsenal of rides over the winter. Colossal Curl will be introduced as the amusement park’s newest ride this spring. Colossal Curl is the tallest ride at the park at 70...

Students showcase artistic ability

Students showcase artistic ability

Nikki Lund, Illustrator February 17, 2015

Students earn nominations for art award

Students earn nominations for art award

Melissa Jassir, Features Editor February 2, 2015

Plant High School art and photography students earned 20 awards in the 2015 National Scholastic Arts competition. Student’s work will be displayed in the National Scholastic Art Show and an awards ceremony...

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