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
Jessie Larrinaga

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor

Jessie Larrinaga is a senior and the Managing Editor for Print of the Pep O’ Plant staff, as well as a writer. She is a member of the tennis team, is Vice President of SADD club and is a member of the Mayor’s Youth Corps. She has a cat named Snow. In her spare time, she can be found watching Netflix or listening to music. Her favorite movie is “The Truman Show”. Her favorite color is blue, and her favorite food is pizza. In the future, she hopes to go to college outside of Florida. 

All content by Jessie Larrinaga
Getting the vaccine for COVID-19 is an experience that many people are having at this time. When I got the vaccine, side effects were something I had to deal with, but being able to protect myself and others from the virus made it well-worth it.

A Proclamation for Vaccination

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
April 21, 2021
In the new movie, “Nobody,” Bob Odenkirk stars as Hutch Mansell, bringing a refreshing new vibe to a genre that often falls into the same patterns. The movie was fairly graphic in terms of violence, but the cinematography and solid acting elevated it to a higher level.

Everybody should see the movie “Nobody”

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
April 8, 2021
The new Tom & Jerry movie disappoints viewers and leaves much to be desired. The movie was anticipated to be filled with the kind of humor present in the TV show, but instead it contained a lackluster plot and poorly scripted jokes that missed their mark.

‘Tom & Jerry: The Movie’ doesn’t belong on the big screen

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
March 25, 2021
Trying fruits for the first time, senior Lauren Azevedo is blindfolded. Azevedo doesn't like fruits because of their texture.

[Photo] 18-year-old tries fruits for the first time

Lauren Azevedo, Staffer
March 22, 2021
Ritt Momney, also known as Jack Rutter, has a new song out on listening platforms called “Not Around.” It had a different sound than his earlier music, including his 2019 album “Her and All of My Friends.”

Ritt Momney’s new song is music to my ears

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
March 1, 2021
People in eligible groups are trying to receive the Covid-19 vaccine as Florida and other states roll out their distribution plans. Issues with distribution arose because not all of the doses held were able to get to those who fit requirements. State and federal governments have worked to develop new plans.

Florida encounters new issues with vaccine distribution

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
February 17, 2021
Hether released a new song along with his album on January 15, and it exceeds expectations. He explored a new sound that had a beachy, pop-rock vibe, and it was definitely worth listening to.

Song of the Week: Oidar

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
January 29, 2021
Toxic masculinity can be found in many facets of pop culture—some examples include fashion, music, and social media. Progress has been made in the direction of acceptance, and people have become more comfortable showing sides of themselves they’ve felt the need to hide in the past.

Toxic Masculinity In Pop Culture

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
January 14, 2021
During the holiday season, it is still important to recognize the social issues that can be found all around us, even in things as simple as Christmas music. Songs that have been considered cultural staples have been found to contain problematic lyrics and themes.

Loathsome Lyrics

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
December 18, 2020
The holiday season is upon us, and girl in red’s new song, “two queens in a king size bed” embodies the Christmas spirit. The song was released on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Song of the week: “two queens in a king sized bed”

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
December 16, 2020
President-elect Joe Biden plans to initiate several executive orders upon his inauguration in January. The orders that he has planned include measures to rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the Paris Climate Accord, repeal travel bans from many Muslim countries, repeal the transgender ban from the military and reinstate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Preparing for the Presidency

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
November 30, 2020
British and American reality television shows share some similarities, but the differences between them make British shows much more enjoyable to watch. In the shows I’ve watched, even if the American and British counterparts had the same premise or concept, the British version had more likeable contestants and genuine seeming content.

British Reality TV Reigns Supreme

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
November 12, 2020
Many seniors are currently working on their college applications. New challenges to the application process were created as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. One of the new stressors students have had to deal with is showing continuity in extracurricular activities despite many things this year being cancelled or moved online.

College Curveballs

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
October 5, 2020
E-learning allows students to keep themselves and their families safe from the coronavirus, but it also has other benefits that make school life easier. The option to attend school online was made available during the pandemic for those who didn’t feel ready to take on the risk that goes with being around thousands of people every day.

The Benefits of E-Learning

Jessie Larrinaga, Managing Editor
September 21, 2020
During quarantine, people should take advantage of the opportunity to try out new looks. People have posted videos on social media of themselves cutting and dying their hair. Coronavirus has offered an opportunity to try new things without the pressure of seeing all your peers the next day.

Grab those scissors and get to work

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
May 28, 2020
Social media not only keeps the world connected, but it keeps everyday people updated on the latest news. Updates and guidelines were posted all over social media about ways individuals could stay safe and staying connected made people less likely to go out due to lack of socialization.

How using social media during quarantine can positively affect you

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
May 6, 2020
During the coronavirus outbreak, many owners are questioning the ways in which they can continue to care and provide for their pets. Grooming and veterinary services along with the normal things that people previously did with their animals were complicated by the spread of COVID-19.

This map shows the number of confirmed cases of the Coronavirus throughout various states in India. An extremely high poverty rate and lack of drinkable water, coupled with a healthcare system is underfunded, are the main reasons for their inability to have handled a crisis like COVID-19.

Smaller countries, greater damage

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
April 17, 2020
A look at the 2020 election and candidates on both the Democratic and Republican sides.

Meet the candidates

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
March 13, 2020
Which character from "The Office" are you?

Which character from “The Office” are you?

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
February 5, 2020
Which Florida beach should you go to?

Which Florida beach should you go to?

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
February 5, 2020
Real Christmas trees have environmental benefits that fake trees don’t offer. This is one of many reasons why having a real tree is superior to using a fake one. Every year of my life, my family has picked out a real tree and set it up, and it is a tradition that I would never give up. Photo courtesy of WIkimedia Commons.

Real Christmas trees are irreplaceable

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
December 16, 2019
December quizzes

December quizzes

Jessie Larrinaga and Lauren Azevedo
November 18, 2019
Swimming breaststroke, senior Max Smith participates in the Spike and Splash meet Wednesday Oct. 5 at the Academy of the Holy Names . Smith hopes to continue swimming until college, and says that it has helped shape him into a better person.

Athlete of the week: Max Smith

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
October 17, 2019
Scream-A-Geddon puts a spin on traditional horror parks

Scream-A-Geddon puts a spin on traditional horror parks

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
October 16, 2019
Florida weather makes fall unenjoyable

Florida weather makes fall unenjoyable

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
October 2, 2019
Club applications increase student stress

Club applications increase student stress

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
September 10, 2019
Enjoying the recently published literary magazine, juniors Gretta Schmitzer and Eric Zaho smile at student-published work. None of the current students in the literary club had prior experience in producing a magazine.

Literary club releases magazine

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
May 29, 2019
Singer Taylor Swift disappoints listeners with release of new song, "ME!" The song failed to reach the top of the charts, obviously because of its repetitive lyrics and childish themes.

New single by Taylor Swift fails in all areas

Jessie Larrinaga, Social Media Manager
May 24, 2019
The soldiers shown in the photo above are similar to those in "They Shall Not Grow Old." The movie showed colorized original footage from the war along with narration by men actually involved in it and the insight into their observations illuminated the personal experiences and loss that took place.

New film reignites World War I discussion

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
March 26, 2019
The storefront of Dairy Joy is lit up so oncoming drivers will stop for a quick ice cream. After transferring ownership, the sign and menus were changed by Chris and Karrie Lynn Mueller.

Change of ownership will benefit Dairy Joy customers

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
March 13, 2019
After declaring a national emergency, President Donald Trump faces lawsuits from 16 statesl. The national emergency faced the Supreme Court because many declared it unconstitutional.

National Emergency shows Trump’s single-minded agenda

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
March 11, 2019
In this year's Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, senior Zain Khan received a Gold Key for his painting entitled “Mom”. Khan drew influence from baroque artist Caravaggio by focusing on the lighting technique utilized in his work.

Students receive regional writing and art awards

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
February 26, 2019
Former Secretary of State Michael Ertel resigns from his position after photos of him in blackface arose. After working for less than a month, his resignation cast a bad light on Gov. Ron DeSantis because of the neglect to condemn this act.

Blackface scandal ruins governor’s reputation

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
February 11, 2019
Similar to a number of other species, the giant pandas are endangered and could become extinct if care isn't take to secure their population. According to National Geographic, more than 1.9 million animal species have gone extinct, and anywhere between 10,000 and 100,000 more go extinct each year.

Extinction causes devastating impact

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
January 23, 2019
Gesturing to the rest of film club, junior Esperanza Liverio talks about the film “Sarah Ann Saves the Farm,” one of the weekly movies film club members need to watch to be able to debate the themes and motives of main characters. The film club has been meeting every Tuesday to discuss films they’ve watched during the time between meetings.

Members discuss film club evolution

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
January 11, 2019
Nationally, the Food and Drug Administration reports that e-cigarette use has increased 78 percent in high schools from 2017 to 2018, and 48 percent among middle schools for the same time range. The FDA implemented a national advertisement campaign designed to influence teens to avoid e-cigarettes by using social media-based tactics, such as YouTube ads aimed at adolescents aged 12 to 17.

Spotlight: The Health Issue

Alexis Perno, Graham Hill, and Jessie Larrinaga
December 14, 2018

E-cigarette use rises among teens, school officials discuss initiatives, consequences

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
December 13, 2018
Following the song for “For the First Time in Forever,” juniors Katie Vincent, Matthew VanWert and Parker Shaw perform the coronation scene from Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” Nov. 29 in the St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School auditorium. Vincent played the character of Elsa, VanWert played the narrator and Shaw played the page.

Chorus hosts ‘The Snow Queen’

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
December 10, 2018
With neon lights glowing, viewers gaze at the interactive exhibit around them. In the Infinity Room, visitors were able to take in the art created by Yayoi Kusama which is available until February.

Tampa art exhibit stuns viewers

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
November 15, 2018
Which fall activity should you do?

Which fall activity should you do?

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
November 15, 2018
Taking this quiz tells which pet is most compatible with someone based on character traits.

Are you a cat person or a dog person?

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
November 7, 2018
Gaining popularity in the 1920s, red velvet cupcakes are distinguishable by their red color. While this made them unique, it also was misleading because the cake itself was no different from chocolate cake.

Red velvet deceives consumers

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
November 2, 2018
fter attending the Dali Museum program, junior Summer Purks likes how it gives her more experience as a 3-D artist. Purks also liked how the program forced her to go outside her comfort zone.

Students accepted to Dali fashion program

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
October 19, 2018
Standing over his next victim, Myers holds a knife and is ready to strike. He looked down on them with a frightening mask over his face on Halloween night of 1978.

“Halloween” holds up as perfect horror classic for October

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
October 6, 2018
Fresh Faces

Fresh Faces

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
September 25, 2018
Displaying choices of protein or vegetables in neon colors, Taco Dirty’s menu includes everything from vegan to gluten free options. The ordering area was created with a similar setup to Fresh Kitchen, as it is owned by the same Ciccio Restaurant Group.

New restaurant Taco Dirty hits all marks

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
September 23, 2018
Filling up her pink Hydro Flask, sophomore Kylie Butler uses the new water filter in the cafeteria. Administrators have ensured the water at Plant is safe to drink after being tested for lead this summer.

District tests school water

Jessie Larrinaga, Staff Writer
August 29, 2018
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