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ePathfinder Staff

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[wow_title text=”Recent Stories”]

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• Forever YoungMarch 20, 2025
  The evolution of Barbie in the world Living in a perfect world, Barbie has grown up and yet ironically stayed forever young throughout the decades. Formally known as Barbara Millicent Roberts, Barbie debuted on March 9, 1959. Created by Mattel Inc. The original Barbie doll was based on the German-built Lilli doll. Far from what is known now, the original Barbie doll wore a black and white strapless swimsuit, sunglasses, earrings, stiletto-heeled shoes, and bold makeup, and she had quite arched eyebrows. Although Mattel was the manufacturer, Barbie’s life came from the heart and mind of Ruth Handler. An inspiring woman who was born on November 4, 1916. Her purpose for Barbie was to inspire young girls to imagine their future beyond motherhood and get rid of the idea that women have certain expectations in society. The name of Barbie was inspired by Ruth’s daughter, Barbara and as Barbie grew, she influenced ideas of women empowerment, beauty standards, and gender roles turning into a cultural icon after starting as just a playing doll for young girls.  Over the decades, Barbie has changed appearances and transformed. As different styles became popular in fashion, Barbie adapted. From the original look of pale white skin and bold makeup to softer looks and outfits that reflected current trends, to now being diverse with multi-cultural Barbie dolls and inspirations. The first multi-cultural Barbie doll was introduced in 1980, but some question why it took so long to promote it. It wasn’t until 2022, that Mattel released its first LGBTQ+ Barbie doll. “Barbie has always portrayed the message of ‘you can be anything you want’ especially towards a girl population,” said DBHS junior Jordan Juste. Starting in the 1960’s, Mattel introduced the friends of Barbie. Starting in 1961 with Ken, her boyfriend, and her first best friend, Midge in 1963. After that, more friends of Barbie were introduced creating a large population to be interested in her as there weren’t only new girl Barbies but also new boy Barbies. But then again, it raised suspicions as to why other cultures weren’t introduced until 1980. As much as Barbie has grown and changed appearances, she has stayed young, being a 19-year-old girl since the start.  “She’s very versatile, and there are different variations of her so she’s not just one thing, she’s implying to others that you can do anything, you’ll just be as good as the next person,” said DBHS junior Jordan Juste. Today, young and older audiences are more inclined to Barbie because of the films. In 2001, the first animated Barbie movie was released introducing a whole new look towards Barbie and her world. Creating not only a toy doll for assumingly young girls, but an entertainment enjoyment for all ages. With the most recent Barbie live-action movie from 2023, the Barbie franchise doesn’t face as many problems as it did decades ago when the world wasn’t the same. Barbie TV shows and series have also made their way into the world, like the iconic ‘Barbie Life In The Dreamhouse’ from 2012. As of 2025, Mattel has yet to release Barbie dolls surrounding the Polynesian and Pacific Islander culture. So even though Barbie has changed a lot, there’s still a lot of room for improvement and even more growth. Written by Janna Margar Pit | Graphic Designed by Janna Margar Pit Published March 20, 2025 | ePathfinder | Perspectives 
• The Ban Of TiktokMarch 19, 2025
  A small change that affected many  On the morning of January 19, 2025, TikTok was banned in the U.S., but the ban did not last that long which was about 3 hours long of the ban. The government had concerns about TikTok being owned by a Chinese company (ByteDance). The U.S. Government were worried that they could access the American user’s data and confidential information and spread the information. Because of these concerns, they thought it would be a great idea to ban TikTok so that nobody would have access to American users’ information.  Most people who use TikTok were disappointed in the ban. This made many people protest the decision, arguing that TikTok is just a normal social media app like many other social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc. Some people even took legal action to fight against the ban. Meanwhile, Influencers and business owners who make money from TikTok lost that place of income, and since TikTok was banned, they were worried that the ban could hurt them financially.  “The TikTok ban was so unnecessary, and the government is dumb for thinking that TikTok is spying on us,” said DBHS Junior Katherine Landero.  It has been rumored for years that Tiktok would get banned, so many thought this was just another false alarm. But the surprise shocked them all when it happened this time.  Those who deleted TikTok off their phones and tried to get it back realized that it was no longer available once deleted. Other people who had TikTok on their phones would go as far as selling their phones for 10k+ dollars and people who were too obsessed with the app would buy it. Some people would change their regions to Canada to get the TikTok app back on their phones. The ban on TikTok, though it was only for a short time greatly impacted the United States.  On February 13, 2025, at 1 PM EST, TikTok was finally back up on the App Store and working again. When Tiktokers heard about this, they were relieved, especially influencers and business owners who relied their money on TikTok. This brought everyone’s hopes up that TikTok is not getting banned for now. Written by Perla Aguirre | Graphic Designed by Janna Margar Pit Published March 19, 2025 | ePathfinder | Entertainment 

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• The Summer I Turned Pretty 
  Love-triangle of the decade The teen love show, The Summer I Turned Pretty sparked every fan’s heart with a second season. The first season was released only a year ago which makes it even better. Originally being a trilogy book series by author Jenny Han, it is now a TV series giving its fans a fresh look at each character. Actress Lola Tung starred as the main character Isabelle “Belly” Conklin, a sweet teenage girl caught in between a dilemma with Jeremiah Fisher, played by Gavin Casalegno and Conrad Fisher, played by Christopher Briney. These characters make up the love triangle that builds throughout the show, and a group that constantly makes fans shuffle between all three sides. Considered a coming-of-age story, The Summer I Turned Pretty focuses on Belly, who holds a romantic connection between two teenage boys who happen to be brothers. It begins with a longing crush on her childhood best friend Conrad. All she’s known is her fixation on him but during her summer break in Cousins Beach, a series of events makes her question whether she likes Conrad, or his brother, Jeremiah. Without a doubt, this is more complicated than any other love triangle. It plays with the dynamics of love, friendship, family, and morals. The first season was released on June 17, 2022, and the second season was released on July 14, 2023. The book author, Jenny Han also contributed to producing and making an appearance in the show. This helped the director and other producers get a better understanding of what was supposed to happen because they had her insight. Since the newest season came out, many new fans have shown support with its concept. The series does an excellent job portraying the emotions of a teen girl stepping out of her comfort zone and into the experiences of being 16. It gives many other teenage viewers someone to relate with. “It made me so sad, but it was entertaining and that’s why I liked it. When it comes to Belly, I kind of relate to her because it was a little hard for me growing up, from being a kid to as I am now,” said Deerfield Beach High School sophomore Anisah Mohammad. The Summer I Turned Pretty does not just give an entertaining plot and an exciting love triangle but also shows a realistic situation of a summer vacation with family friends. Lately, it was announced on August 3, 2023, that a third season will officially be coming out eventually. Although the exact date is not clear, many fans and DBHS students alike are excited to see where the story is going to take this love triangle. Written by Janna Margar Pit | Graphic Designed by Janna Margar Pit Published September 22, 2023 | ePathfinder | Entertainment 
• Standing in the Spotlight
  The MTV Video Music Awards People were celebrating this year’s VMAs on September 12th, 2023. Many celebrities and artists surprised the masses with their talent and got the recognition they deserved. In 1984, MTV began the VMAs (Video Music Awards) to award and recognize talented individuals and move their rank up in the singing industry. Since then, the VMAs have entertained their audience and have given the winners something to motivate them to keep doing what they are doing. Looking back at older VMA celebrations, things have changed since the first VMAs were held. Iconic artists of each generation perform at the VMAs to give their guests something to look forward to besides the award-giving ceremony. In one of the earlier celebrations, bands like the Smashing Pumpkins, The Rolling Stones, and artists like Snoop Dogg performed and were unforgettable. In this year’s VMAs on September 12th, 2023, artists Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Karol G, and Demi Lovato performed on the stage with many songs and incredible talent. Even the K-pop or Korean Pop groups Stray Kids and TOMORROW X TOGETHER performed. These talented individuals should be proud of the recognition they are granted for being invited to the award show. Few people know the importance of giving awards to those who work hard. VMAs are influential to lots of celebrities and always aim to appreciate artists who deserve it. It is wonderful how the VMA Awards bring celebrities and artists together to celebrate each other’s talent. “It’s good to recognize artists because it appreciates their work and brings them out there more. The fact that it’s so many artists in one place and getting awards for everything makes it special,” said Deerfield Beach High School freshman Brianna Rivera. Although not all that participate in the VMA awards receive an award, the awards are given to the ones that deserve it the most and worked the hardest for it. It is a fan-voted award, so it all depends on an artist’s fan base to push them to the top. In this year’s VMAs, some of the most viral winners were Taylor Swift for all three video, artist, and song of the year. Ice Spice won Best New Artist, Maneskin won Best Rock, and many more artists won awards for their talented work. Not only do the VMAs recognize singers and artists, but also influence their music to give people what they want. The award show has done an incredible job of helping artists continue their careers. Annually, numerous people look forward to watching the VMAs celebrate big and small artists. Written by Janna Margar Pit | Graphic Designed by Janna Margar Pit  Published October 6, 2023 | ePathfinder | Entertainment 
• Slam Dunk
  Dribbling into this basketball season Returning to the court for the upcoming basketball season are the Deerfield Beach High Bucks. Starting the season, the girls’ basketball team has their first game on November 13th against the Cypress Bay Lightnings. The boys’ basketball team also has a game on November 13th against Somerset Keys Lions marking the first of a long list of competitions. The players are pumped as they enter this next period, and a lot has changed since the last. Different expectations are rising for this year; the boys’ and girls’ basketball players are preparing to reach them with a slam dunk. “My expectations are for it to be challenging and I hope to come out a district champion,” said DBHS senior Shanice Rebecca. “I’m excited for the journey and to see how I develop on and off the court.” The Deerfield Beach High basketball initiative provides many opportunities for talented players to achieve their goals. Basketball is also a great sport to help strengthen the minds of students when it comes to partnership and competition. Players build up this innate skill with techniques like defense and rebounding drills with their teammates by their side. As soon as the games start, players have to be ready mentally and physically. The school is confident that the teams will have more wins than losses and is looking forward to the games that have yet to come. The tickets to attend an upcoming or future games are available for purchase on GoFan. Written by Janna Margar Pit | Graphic Designed by Daniel Sasson  Published November 3, 2023 | ePathfinder | Sports 

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•  Show Up, Show Out April 15, 2025
  The 2025 FSPA Competition  For the first time in years, Deerfield Beach High School went and made quite an impression at the Florida Scholastic Press Association (FSPA) conference this year, showcasing the talent and dedication of the student journalists. Held in Orlando, the event brought together high school students from across the state to celebrate and enhance their skills in different kinds of art journalism, photography, and media production. Jalynn Pacheco-Sanchez, a CBA sophomore said, “I think the way that it can improve for next year is more planning and better teaching and lessons during school to be prepared for the upcoming competition.” Many talented CBA students obtained awards for their hard work and dedication. The students who received these awards include Janna Pit, Amina Scott, Addison Calvet, Berjory Romeus, Charles Bines, Sorayah Girot, Jalynn Pacheco-Sanchez, Maricel Vargas, Jorge Mederos, Ivyy Boles and Jianna Valbrun. “My FSPA trip was amazing,” says Sorayah Girot, one of the winners. “It was also stressful because we had to hurry with our video, but overall, it was great” In addition to the awards, students had the opportunity to experience what it’s really like in the journalism world. Many expressed their excitement about the experience and how it inspired them to continue pursuing their passion for journalism and encouraging them to find ways to improve their work. With such a successful showing at FSPA, Deerfield Beach High School is poised to make even greater strides in the world of student media in the coming years. Written by Leila Rogers | Graphic Designed by Leila Rogers Published April 15, 2025 | ePathfinder | News
• The Roaring 20s  April 14, 2025
  The Birth of The Jazz Age Due to the United States’ role during World War I, the economy experienced a massive boom after the war. Many American industries were engaged in manufacturing war materials and mass food production, which led to significant economic growth. Even after the war, the U.S. became a major lender to other nations struggling with their economies. This surge in wealth contributed to what many today recognize as the Roaring Twenties. “The roaring 20s was an era filled with illegal gambling and new fashion”said DBHS senior Janay Civil. In 1920, the Prohibition Act played a significant role in shaping the Roaring Twenties. It was enacted to prevent the American population from purchasing and producing alcohol. However, it had unintended consequences. The Prohibition Act resulted in a rise in organized crime, as the population began producing more alcohol than ever before. This period saw the emergence of the American mafia and gangsters who profited from bootlegging. Corruption also flourished, with many government officials and law enforcement officers reportedly accepting bribes. Speakeasies, secret nightclubs, and bars thrived by selling alcohol illegally. This Act contributed to the rise of the “Lost Generation,” known for its reckless behaviors and a more carefree American culture. During the Roaring Twenties, jazz reached the height of its popularity. The era fostered a new social norm, with the Lost Generation characterized by constant parties and a carefree attitude that embraced jazz on the dance floor. The upbeat tempo of jazz music inspired innovative dancing styles. “Flappers” were young, independent women who challenged the social norms of the time through their fashion, sexuality, and behavior. Their styles often included bold cosmetics, bobbed hair, knee-length skirts and dresses, and clothing that was more revealing than what was traditionally acceptable. These young women were frequently found at parties, bars, and nightclubs, dancing to jazz music. The Roaring Twenties came to an end in 1929 with the onset of the Great Depression, which brought hardship and a significant economic downturn. The fashion of the era also shifted toward more modest and affordable clothing. By 1933, a new amendment was passed to repeal the Prohibition Act. The Roaring Twenties was a time of prosperity for many Americans, but the rapid accumulation of wealth created vulnerabilities, as many businesses lacked the stable foundation needed to withstand the Great Depression. Written by Widelandine Emilcar  | Graphic Designed by Widelandine Emilcar  Published April 14, 2025 | ePathfinder | Feature
• March Madness ShowdownApril 11, 2025
  Florida and UConn take home the win  This year, the March Madness tournament is one to remember delivering buzzer-beaters, major upsets, and unforgettable championship finishes. The Florida Gators came out on top 65-63 against the Houston Cougars. This is the Gators third national title. Down by 12 in the second half of the game, the Gators had to flip a switch and that is precisely what All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr who scored 11 points after being scoreless in the first half. Todd Golden, the head coach of the Florida Gators just 39, is the youngest coach to win a national championship since 1983. The women’s tournament was just as exciting with the UConn Huskies taking the win. This is their 12th national championship defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks. Paige Bueckers, a senior guard at UConn, finished her college career on a high note leading with confidence and clutch plays. This game was an emotional moment for Vanessa Bryant said her late daughter Gianna would have loved to see UConn win. This year’s tournament had plenty of standout games to overtime games or dominant performances by underdog teams. The final four was filled with powerhouse programs which meant every team and player had to play as if it was a championship game. This tournament is not just about how good a team is but too many it is about the hustle and heart that goes into the game. For fans, students, and players March Madness reminded them why college basketball is so exciting. Written by Addison Calvet  | Graphic Designed by Addison Calvet Published April 11, 2025 | ePathfinder | Sports
• Music: Stolen Sounds April 10, 2025
   Is music piracy still an issue?  Music piracy is the illegal copying and distribution of music without the copyright owner’s permission. It is a form of copyright infringement that can result in civil or criminal penalties. Music piracy has been an issue since the 1960s, and even after the creation of YouTube and Spotify, it might still pose a threat. “Music piracy is when people steal music from other original music artists without permission,” says DBHS freshman Jahneli Lake. Music piracy is illegal because it violates the rights of the composer, recording artist, and record company. It can result in civil lawsuits or criminal penalties, which lead to paying thousands of dollars and serving time in prison. Since the creation of the modern tape recorder in the 30s and 40s, piracy has risen, it became even more popular after digital recording. However, in the early 1990s, the MP3 was formatted to allow music to be compressed into even smaller files online. In 1992, the Audio Home Recording Act (AHRA), a copy protection scheme, was passed, requiring all digital devices to have a Serial Copy Management System. “I think it’s become more irrelevant as time passes, due to its lack of prominence. Also, music is now usually credited to its artists.” Others say that music piracy isn’t a concern anymore. Of course, it has been considered a lingering threat to the music industry. However, with the creation of affordable streaming services, improved copyright enforcement, and more, music piracy has declined. Studies show that since 2017, piracy has dropped by 50%. The reason is that streaming services have become more accessible and affordable over time. Apps and websites like YouTube or Spotify have allowed users to obtain a “music library” without breaking laws. They also provide a better user experience, as modern quality outclasses older songs. Piracy nowadays usually obtains malware or viruses, making the whole process more harmful than beneficial. Although there are arguments about piracy hurting music artists financially, the truth is that the industry has been thriving. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the music industry made $15.9 billion in 2022 alone, the highest they’ve made in decades. Music streaming isn’t the only way for artists to gather money; they can also sell merchandise, have sponsorships, and more. Written by Micah Noel | Graphic Designed by Micah Noel Published April 10, 2025 | ePathfinder | Perspectives
• The Golden Night April 9, 2025
  97th academy rewards  The 97th Academy Awards occurred on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. For the first time, the ceremony was streamed on Hulu in addition to being broadcast live on ABC. Along with Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, Conan O’Brien was the show’s first host. The AMPAS honored 2024 film releases with Academy Awards (Oscars) in 23 categories.  Overall, ANORA won five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Direction (Sean Baker), and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Mikey Madison). People watching this are encouraging them. There were approximately 19.7 million viewers in total. The last time the Oscars attracted over 40 million viewers in the United States was in 2014. “I didn’t expect ANORA to win, but some of the Oscars, she did deserve it,” said DBHS freshman Maria Garica. The win of ANORA had many mixed feelings about it, but knew it deserved some Oscars.  The leading nominations are Spanish-language musical Emilia Perez led the nominations with thirteen, which is the highest ever for a non-English film. Emilia is a musical crime drama about a cartel leader who undergoes gender transition to escape their past. The musical category had the Brutalist and Wicked tied for second with ten nominations. All winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 2, 2025.  The ceremony honored the 15th annual Governors Awards. Posthumous recognition went to Quincy Jones for his contributions to film music. Casting director Juliet Taylor was celebrated for her influential career, while producer Michael G. Thalberg Memorial Award for their impact on the cinematic landscape.  Written by Perla Aguirre | Graphic Designed by Perla Aguirre Published April 9, 2025 | ePathfinder | Entertainment 

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