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Every day each person in Florida generates about 100 gallons of domestic wastewater. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, it is necessary to treat and manage all wastewater to safeguard human health and the environment. The local community serves an important role in getting educated about water wealth to ensure the health of people and communities. DEP serves as the lead agency for environmental management and stewardship, focusing on protecting air, water and land. They aim to create a strong partnership community and safeguard Florida’s natural resources. The safeguarding involves the treatment of wastewater to protect public health by ensuring water quality. One facility that manages wastewater treatment in South Florida is the Loxahatchee River District located in North Palm Beach County. Their mission is to foster a sense of environmental stewardship for the Loxahatchee River’s diverse watershed with quality education programs, exhibits and meaningful events. Jocelyn O’Neill, an environmental education manager at the River Center in Loxahatchee River District, said the facility offers school field trips, family programs and outdoor activities for the public to visit and get educated about the facility and its work. “Our outdoor programs are our most impactful programs because they offer people the opportunity to engage with nature while learning about the wastewater treatment process and our efforts to protect the Loxahatchee River from pollution,” O’Neill said. The wastewater treatment plant tour is one of the outdoor programs offered where people can learn about how the facility cleans and filters the 9 million gallons of water they receive every day. “Throughout the tour, we guide participants through the different stages of the wastewater treatment process. We show them how we treat the water to take away sand, bacteria and other microorganisms,” O’Neill explained. The River District started with the tours six years ago to educate the community about the importance of wastewater treatment. O’Neill stressed that every step in wastewater treatment is crucial to protect the community’s health and keep the environment healthy. “It is important that the community understands why we do what we do and how they can help our process. What they do at home affects how effective we are at protecting people and our environment,” O’Neill said. O’Neill emphasized the importance of preventing fats, oils and grease from entering drains as a significant action individuals can take. Scraping off plates into the garbage before rinsing or washing them in the sink helps to make sure the pipes do not get clogged. “It is also a benefit to the people because it reduces the amount of bad stuff that is clogged up inside people’s houses as well,” O’Neill said. Wastewater treatment prevents dangerous pollutants from entering our natural system. Loxahatchee River District and other facilities prevent pollution as well as diseases through their programs. O’Neill said the River District recycles about 95% of the wastewater they receive which protects natural water resources where the community’s drinking water comes from. The South Florida Water Management District is a governmental organization that also manages and protects water resources by removing excess nutrients from South Florida’s ecosystem. Jason Schultz, public information coordinator at the South Florida Water Management District, said the SFWMD makes significant infrastructure adaptation investments to safeguard and restore South Florida’s water resources and ecosystems. “We work to ensure the region’s water resources and ecosystems resiliency to protect communities and natural resources,” Schultz said. In SFWMD’s resiliency and water supply plan, emphasis is placed on promoting water conservation measures aimed to prevent saltwater intrusion. The plan also involves recycling water to protect the health of the community members. O’Neill said it is important that the management is carefully made to ensure that people do not get diseases from unhealthy water. By Hedda Jarhall

HUALIEN CITY, TAIWAN- On April 3, 2024,  Taiwan was hit by a powerful earthquake, the strongest to hit the island nation in nearly a decade. Yet, despite destruction and devastation, Taiwan has remained steadfast in its preparedness and resilience in reducing the impact of the natural disaster. Rescue teams and authorities say nine people were killed during the earthquake, and over 1,000 people were injured. Although, most citizens have mentioned how much worse it could have been. "Similar-level earthquakes in other societies have killed far more people," said Daniel Aldrich, director of the Global Resilience Institute at Northeastern University. According to the BBC, the 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit south of Hualien City and had an epicenter of 11 miles. However, the tremors caused by the quake could be felt more than 62 miles away in the capital, Taipei. This is not unusual as Taiwan is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a series of volcanoes and earthquakes along the edges of the Pacific Ocean. Taiwan experiences over 2,000 small-scale earthquakes annually, with countless fault lines running underneath the island. Hualien City, located on the east coast, is especially vulnerable to quakes because it rests on some of the most prominent fault lines. Graph created by Daniella Pacheco Recognizing its vulnerability, the Taiwanese government has made significant investments to prepare for disaster. Since the utter devastation of the 1999 earthquake, the government has implemented strict building codes and regulations to ensure structures can withstand the indifferent forces of nature. One major component of Taiwan’s readiness efforts is its advanced early warning system. The new technology has given citizens and businesses crucial time to prepare themselves before the earthquake. The warning systems, developed by engineers and seismologists, heavily rely on a sensor network distributed throughout Taiwan to identify seismic activity. Upon the arrival of the earthquake, Taiwan's emergency responses hit the ground running. Within minutes, rescue teams were sent to the devastated areas. Responders began their search and rescue operations following the disaster's aftermath. Fortunately, due to their efforts, many lives were saved within the first hours after the earthquake. The effectiveness of the country's preparation was on full display, particularly in the sturdiness of its infrastructure. Over 300 aftershocks shook the island and caused buildings to sway and shake. By implementing steel rebar designs, reinforced concrete, updated regulation codes, and more substantial foundations, buildings that suffered incredible damage, remained enact enough for citizens to make an easy escape from the rubble. This success results from the years of upgrades designed to protect the island from natural disasters. With each earthquake comes new lessons about dealing with natural disasters. The lessons learned from the events of April 3 will provide insight for future efforts to enhance the country's ability to respond to and recover from disasters. Thanks to the government's alertness, Taiwan is actively forming the groundwork for a safer future by acting as a model for other vulnerable countries through its commitment to disaster resilience. By Daniella Pacheco

West Palm Beach’s waterfront streets sit next to rows of luxury yachts. Now, these roads are lined with food trucks as the city welcomes the annual International Boat Show, which offers everything from a range of investment opportunities to a fun family outing for the weekend. Photo taken by Sofia Smith. This event is held on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, Florida. People from all over the world attend this event as potential buyers or guests. The Palm Beach Boat Show was a four-day event that ran from March 20 to March 23. The entirety of downtown featured over 800 luxury boats, which drew crowds of more than 55,000 people. Bob Gunther, from Casey Key, Florida, said he travels to the West Palm Beach show every year with his wife to watch and participate in this event. “My wife and I look forward to this event every year, where I can visit some old friends who are a part of the boat show,” says Gunther. “I remember when there used to be a few brokers, but it has grown immensely.” On their website, the West Palm Beach Boat Show reported that over 55,000 people attended, including plus ones. With 800 boats on display and 600 exhibiting brands, there was more to do than looking at or purchasing boats. The Executive Director of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Alyssa Freeman, stated that the show has a serious economic impact on Florida. “What's unique at this year's show is that we have any imaginable boats here for the attendees to see,” Freeman said. “We did an economics impact study, and the numbers were historical, with a $1.5 billion economic impact for the state of Florida.” Throughout the show, guests were treated to the latest yacht designs, cruisers, inflatables, jet skis, and many marine accessories. These amenities have resulted in bigger turn outs every year and have influenced Florida economically. Freeman said 600 people are employed every year from the boat show. The amount of jobs offered at the boat show includes food industry roles and boating jobs, so there are many opportunities. Based on the boat show’s cost and outcomes, the public can judge whether visiting the exhibition is worthwhile. Keith James, mayor of West Palm Beach, shared what there is to enjoy while walking down the property of the town. “Just having folks walk up and down our streets while enjoying the waterfront; we know it's a jewel of our city,” says James. “To learn more about what West Palm Beach has to offer is by going to our restaurants, spending money in our city and enjoying what West palm Beach has." The next Palm Beach Boat show is expected to occur from March 20 to March 23 in 2025 with more brokers, marine institutes, and an even bigger crowd than before. Photo taken by Sofia Smith.

There might be trouble lurking around every corner when it comes to child trafficking. Photo Source: Alia Azariah In the dimly lit room of a nondescript building, a young girl sits huddled in a corner, her eyes filled with fear and desperation. She is just one of the countless victims of a sinister and pervasive crime: child trafficking. Diving deeper into this harrowing reality, an individual can be confronted with a multitude of questions, each more unsettling than the last. For as much as we know about the crime, what aspects of child trafficking still remain hidden? What does this crime say about society today and its willingness to forget our children who have formerly been known as our most precious resource? Is there truly anything that can be done? Child trafficking, a modern-day form of slavery, encompasses the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of children for exploitation. This exploitation can take various forms, including forced labor, sexual exploitation, and even organ trafficking. The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) released a staggering statistic stating 1.2 million children across the globe are trafficked annually. In the United States alone, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received over 23,500 reports of missing children involving sex trafficking or attempted sex trafficking in 2020. These numbers show the sheer size of the problem that has devastatingly impacted a large portion of just one country's innocent children. “Child trafficking is not just a statistic; it's a human tragedy unfolding in our midst. Every child who falls prey to trafficking represents a profound failure of our society to protect its most vulnerable members,” stated Alia Azariah, a survivor and a leader of the Safe House Project, an anti-trafficking nonprofit. The prevalence of child trafficking reflects profound societal vulnerabilities and systemic failures. Poverty, social inequality, lack of education, and inadequate legal protection create fertile ground for traffickers to prey upon the most vulnerable members of society. Using the technologies of the digital age traffickers have increased their access to children with online platforms serving as breeding grounds for exploitation. “Child traffickers operate with impunity, exploiting legal loopholes and evading law enforcement scrutiny,” Josh Reebals, a former police officer revealed. “Their tactics are insidious, preying on vulnerable children through manipulation, coercion, and deception.” Beyond the immediate trauma inflicted upon the victims, child trafficking perpetuates a cycle of violence and sustains intergenerational poverty. The loss of childhood innocence circulates through communities, compromising trust and intensifying social fragmentation. Despite the alarming statistics and growing awareness, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of child trafficking. The nature of the crime makes it challenging to obtain accurate data, with many cases going unreported or being misclassified. The complexities of trafficking networks and the complications of various actors remain concealed. The long-term consequences of trafficking on survivors' mental health, social integration, and economic prospects are not always fully understood. In order to support victims and create effective intervention strategies, adequate research is necessary. “It is essential to provide survivors with comprehensive support services, including trauma-informed care, counseling, and access to education and employment opportunities,” states Zuzana Urbanek, the program manager for Child Help, a national organization dedicated to eradicating child abuse and neglect. The urgency of addressing child trafficking cannot be overstated. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, free from exploitation and abuse. By unraveling the complexities of this crime, individuals can develop targeted prevention initiatives, enhance law enforcement efforts, and strengthen victim support systems. “We need to break the silence surrounding child trafficking and mobilize communities to recognize the signs, report suspicious activities, and support survivors on their path to healing and empowerment,” Azariah said. Shedding light on the hidden dimensions of child trafficking is crucial for gaining public awareness and mobilizing collective action. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, individuals can challenge the root causes of trafficking and build a more safe and compassionate society. As Azariah, Reebals and Urbanek collectively emphasize, it is evident the fight against child trafficking demands unwavering commitment, compassion, and solidarity. “We must remain vigilant and relentless in our pursuit of justice for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators,” Reebals stated. Only by amplifying these voices and taking decisive action can this crime be eliminated and the well-being of children safeguarded. Contemplating the life of the young girl in the darkened room, individuals can be reminded of the moral obligation to confront injustice wherever it lurks. Child trafficking may thrive in the shadows, but it is society's collective responsibility to shine a light on this insidious crime and reclaim the lost innocence of countless children.

A view of the city PBA students traveled to in Portugal for the mission trip. Photo courtesy: Sofia Smith A mission trip to Porto, Portugal, had students from Palm Beach Atlantic University share with high schoolers the differences between their Americanized lifestyle and Portuguese culture, while discreetly sharing the Gospel. Christianity in  Porto, Portugal  is not outwardly spoken about in schools due to concerns about students' diverse backgrounds. My team and I used photos and different examples of their life activities to illustrate their way of life. The team departed on Mar. 1, returning the following week on Mar. 8. CMGlobal sent my team and I, which was led by co-leaders Stephen Snow and Diana Mankin, of eight students to Portugal, an organization who sets up various mission trips over spring break and the summer. Gracie Mundey, a senior, talked about what it was like to share her story without being able to express her own faith. “From the beginning, I knew I had to be cautious in the classroom when talking about God,” Mundey said. “Our goal was to build relationships first, so I knew that if I was vulnerable about my personal life, they would be open to sharing their own lives.” Several students opened up about their personal lives during the team's personal connections with certain students in classrooms, the park, church and several other places.These activities consisted of sports days where students were invited to speak to us individually while having fun. Opening up and building relationships taught these high schoolers in Portugal how to be open when suffering silently. Freshman Trace Kirkland talked about the highs and lows he encountered on this trip. Kirkland said, “despite the challenges he faced, the environment felt familiar and welcoming." “At first there were a few lows with the students being reluctant, but showing patience and openness really impacted  not only my life, but my faith,” Kirkland said. Among all the moving moments, when students were unwilling to share personal stories and explain why they thought Christianity and following God was something only for older people. This was not only a setback, it was a push toward greater things where the Portugal team could learn from this and open up about their own lives to decipher what these students were struggling with. According to the website Statista, the divorce marriage rate from 2010 to 2022, Portugal has a high divorce rate and a large number of broken homes, where out of 100 marriages 92 turn to divorces which has had a significant impact on these kids. There is a lot of diversity in terms of grieving, atheism, and mental health concerns. According to the website Statista, the distribution of population is 14.09% of people who are not of religion in Portugal, with a 13% being Atheism. This was regularly seen within many students that openly wore dark clothing and spoke about how religions like christianity and catholicism were boring and for older people. Despite these experiences, there were various reasons behind these “affiliations.” I talked to many groups of students in classrooms who asked about how I have dealt with mental health. I explained how there are 21% of kids in America struggling and 22% of Portuguese students who struggle, according to the website Statista. Lucia Alves, a student, shared her experience of trying to keep up with school while processing the loss of her uncle. “I don’t like remembering the way I felt when my uncle passed away,” Alves said “I focused solely on my grades and that dug me into a deeper state of grief where I didn’t want to deal with my emotions like I should have.” Many Portuguese students like Alves do not want to deal with their emotions, they would rather focus on school or time spent away from family. The team and I talked to these students and noticed how we seemed to have a lot of similarities in the ways we deal with our emotions. The entire atmosphere is what separates Portuguese high schools from American high schools. These kids were not only incredibly engaged, but also very focused and vigilant. Mundey expresses her thoughts and experiences through these engagements and observations. “When I think about the Portugal Mission trip, I think about the love and acceptance,” Mundey said. “Everyone was so kind not only to us, but to one another. My teammates and I planted many seeds there, in hopes that these kids will bloom to know Jesus.” The mission endured a lot of opportunity and optimism towards these students leading in another country. These missions are led by students to learn life lessons and how they can apply to others. Sofia Smith

With 100 feet above sea level, Florida is the third lowest-lying state in the U.S. This is a reason for concern because Florida has more than 8,400 miles of shoreline, the Florida Climate Center found a large part of the state’s population is vulnerable to impacts from sea level rise. Florida Climate Center is part of Florida State University’s Office and serves as the primary resource for climate data, information and services within Florida. They achieve their mission by providing climate monitoring, research and expertise to people and institutions. The negative impacts of a rising sea level are already being experienced in South Florida. Sea Level Rise.org, an organization that simplifies the risks, causes and solutions to sea level rise, found that Miami-Dade County has groundwater levels that are not high enough relative to the rise of sea level which has created saltwater intrusion into drinking water. With a population of 6.6 million people, Southeast Florida constitutes one-third of Florida’s population as well as one-third of the state’s economy, according to a 2016 research study titled “Assessing Potential Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Public Health and Vulnerable Populations in Southeast Florida and Providing a Framework to Improve Outcomes.” The research found that Southeast Florida has a low-lying coast, a subtropical climate, porous geology and distinctive hydrology. This makes it one of the world’s most vulnerable areas to sea level rise in the future. The research concluded a rise in sea level in Southeast Florida will threaten natural systems, densely populated and diverse built environments. The research found that Palm Beach County is at less risk from sea-level rise than other southeast Florida counties because of its higher elevation. Palm Beach County will instead be challenged and impacted by groundwater levels. Megan Houston, Director of Palm Beach County Office of Resilience says that when it comes to sea level rising in South Florida, flooding is to be expected. The flooding occurs mainly from storms, hurricanes and extreme rainfall events that impact residents. The Office of Resilience focuses on making Palm Beach County a thriving sustainable community while dealing with climate change, including sea level rise. Their focus is to prevent, withstand, respond to and recover from disruptions caused by climate change. “Palm Beach County has a relatively high average elevation above sea level which means that we have more time to learn from our neighbors to build and adapt appropriately to sea level rise,” Houston said. Her biggest concern regarding climate change in the area is housing issues. She said it will most likely be challenging in the future for people to find affordable and safe houses. One of many residents already impacted by flooding in South Florida is Meagan Brown, a 22-year-old Fort Myers resident. During 2022, her family’s neighborhood was mostly flooded because of Hurricane Ian. “Luckily my house happened to be one of the houses that were not completely flooded. The flooding stopped at the threshold of our door and it was only our garage that was completely flooded,” Brown said. Her family had to rebuild their garage after the hurricane. A boat had also floated into their front yard that they had to take care of. She said the experience with a flooded neighborhood and city does not change her attitude toward staying in Florida in the future. “I have lived my entire life in South Florida and I do not want to leave,” Brown said. “But it was definitely scary to see everything happening first hand and it opened my eyes to what can happen in the future.” By Hedda Jarhall

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-  El Niño is on the prowl this season in the Pacific Ocean sending its effects in every direction.  This natural climate event is often associated with warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures near the equator. After years of back-to-back La Niña, this is Florida’s first El Niño in five years. The last time Florida saw an active El Niño event was in the winter of 2018 and was weaker than the current event. El Niño and its counterpart, La Niña, are climate phenomena that originated in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. El Niño and La Niña are the most dramatic year-to-year shifts of the Earth’s climate system. It affects agriculture, public health, freshwater availability, power generation and economic activity in the United States and around the globe. Their iconic names come from South American fishermen during the 17th century. The fishermen began to notice the warmer water off the coast at different times during the winter seasons. "El Niño,” which means "little boy" in Spanish. When capitalized, it means "Christ Child," since the event occurred around Christmas. As the opposite of El Niño, they named the second cycle La Niña, which means, “little girl.” El Niño is the warm phase of a larger phenomenon called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). La Niña is the cool phase of ENSO and describes the cooling of the region’s surface waters. El Niño and La Niña are the parts of ENSO that cause change in the ocean, while the Southern Oscillation causes a change in the atmosphere. Therefore, ENSO heavily affects two things: the pressure of the atmosphere and the surface temperature of the ocean below it. Researchers and scientists are not exactly sure what jump starts the oscillation cycle. However, they know that the development of El Niño events are directly linked to trade winds that normally blow from east to west. Dr. David R. Legates, climatologist and retired professor of climatology and geography/spatial analysis at the University of Delaware, has extensively researched El Niño and shed light on the complexities of the climate event. “The wind sets the ocean in motion, so if there were not any winds there would be no global circulation,” said Dr. Legates. Dr. Christian Batoh, professor of biology at Palm Beach Atlantic University says “[During an El Niño cycle], trade winds in the Pacific weaken and instead of warm water being pushed towards the Western Pacific, it flows back east towards the Americas.” Winds across the central Pacific ocean constantly push water towards the Indian ocean. When the winds calm down, the water comes back warmer, causing a mass of warm water to form in the ocean that transfers various amounts of heat into the atmosphere through convection. As a result, the heat affects atmospheric circulation in both the east-west and south-north directions. Meanwhile, during a La Niña cycle, the trade winds become stronger and the warm water is pushed to the West and is replaced by colder water in the East.  These changes can impact the timing of convection, when heat is transferred by the movement of liquids or gasses, and affect rainfall and temperatures. Typically, the American West coast tends to experience more rain, whereas places like Indonesia and Australia are faced with a severe drought. This is often related to the position of the jet stream, the winds that cross the planet from west to east. The shifts in atmospheric circulation lead to changes in the weather around the world. In an El Niño cycle, the jet stream shifts to the south, bringing cooler, rainer and stormier conditions to the Southern United States and warmer conditions to the North. Opposite effects can be seen during La Niña. “As we near the peak of the El Niña cycle in cities like West Palm we can expect an increased risk of flooding and storms,” explained Dr. Batoh. These are just usual effects; the unexpected patterns of these cycles behave chaotically, making them hard to predict. This behavior is generally unpredictable, even though climate models attempt to predict its tendencies. Due to the chaotic nature of the climate system, scientists still cannot predict when ENSO will occur or the magnitude of the impacts. With climate change being a top discussion amongst environmental scientists, questions about the impact to oscillation cycles are on the rise. “It is possible that both El Niño and La Niña coils essentially become more extreme,” mentions Dr. Batoh. It is uncertain how El Niño and La Niña will change as the planet continues to warm from greenhouse gas emissions. Oceans have been warming steadily and quickly due to climate change. Research suggests that El Niño will increase in temperature, precipitation and frequency. Daniella Pacheco

The Race of Hope has something for everyone. Photo Courtesy: Sofia Smith A non-profit organization is hosting a 5k race that dedicates its research and profits towards finding medical evidence to defeat depression. The Hope for Depression Research Foundation works towards brain disorder, specifically raising awareness of depression as a serious chronic illness affecting a large portion of America today. This organization hosts multiple events, specifically charitable 5k races, where anyone can participate for themselves or other people who are struggling. The next race is taking place Feb.17 in West Palm Beach. Auddrey Gruss the founder and chairman of HDRF recognizes depression affects over 18 million people of every gender, age, race, and religion. The foundation works to raise awareness stressing the seriousness of depression and work towards possible cures. Gruss shared some insight behind mental health and how it affects peoples lives. Every 14 minutes someone passes away from depression...Although life is meant to be lived to the fullest, lives are cut short due to poor mental health. Mental illnesses are capable of affecting anyone. Many people struggle silently rather than going to a doctor or authoritative figure. Depression causes people to lose sleep, lack of energy or motivation towards living. Morgan Lovelace, a student at Palm Beach State says that she struggled with depression over the pandemic in 2019 because she felt isolated with her only source of information being the internet. Lovelace had a hard time living her life normally, with even simple tasks like sleeping or going outside becoming hard to accomplish. “I think an organization like The Hope for Depression Research Foundation is incredible regarding the amount of people who suffer silently,” said Lovelace. Victims desperate for change regularly come out to show their support at the race and the organization's other events. By Sofia Smith

Palm Beach Atlantic University Coffee House World Tour provided students with the opportunity to show off their skills, let loose and embrace the true spirit of Rock & Roll. The music took the audience on a journey by featuring rock through the ages, with some pieces even coming from the very beginning of the movement in the 1950s. The concert took place on the PBA campus at Gregory Green on Friday, Jan. 26. Music was not the only entertainment provided; there were temporary tattoos with rock-themed elements, snacks for the audience, and a rock painting station. “I think Coffee House brought more publicity to the musicians; they are getting experience performing in front of a live audience and exposure to the other musical talents that were here tonight,” said PBA student Natalie Childers. The concert featured several student bands including Ges, Borrowed Kit and Spontaneous Moments. Borrowed Kit, featuring lead singer Landon Coggins, was met with the crowd's demands for encore after encore after they finished their set. “My favorite part of the night was the performance by Borrowed Kit; it was a crowd favorite,” Francis Pozo said. Not every student who performed was there to seek recognition for the future; some just wanted to sing and have fun. A nonjudgmental and forgiving environment prompted students to have a good time to relax. “There were even some students I recognized that I didn’t know had musical talent before tonight,” Pozo said. Although the night was a hit overall, Pozo did have one critique shared by a few other students. “If I were allowed to advise for the next coffee house, it would be to provide more snacks and change the setup slightly.” Although there were several different bands, the pool of musicians who got to play throughout the night was relatively small. “I believe that the secret musicians in the crowd need to gain confidence to share their talents, because there were repeated musicians who were great, but kept playing in different band groups,” Childers said. Eden Yacovetti

2024 Sailfish Cup winners celebrate their victory. Photo courtesy: Wilma Ritzén Sailfish Cup, an olympic style set of games, has become a beloved tradition at Palm Beach Atlantic University in the past three decades. This February students came together, working around the clock to make it the best year yet. This year the 29th Sailfish Cup had over 100 students participating. Sailfish Cup is one of PBA’s oldest traditions featuring three days of competitions between the residence halls. To make the weekend possible, both students and staff spend hours preparing and putting together props and backdrops for the events. Activities vary from music videos and dances to basketball and a parade. Josiah Lange, the captain of Watson Hall men’s team, participated in Sailfish Cup for the third time. He became a captain this year, wanting to be more engaged with the competition. “There is a lot that goes on before the cup in terms of preparations. We have to make a banner, decorate a car and decorate an entire backdrop for the lipsync. Those things take time and are hard,” Lange said. Lange said he spent over 40 hours in preparation for the event. As the captain his main tasks were to brainstorm and come up with ideas for the different competitions as well as help decorate the banner and backdrop. Another key element was making sure enough people in his residence hall signed up for all the competitions. “I would say it is hard to make people participate. Many guys want to participate in sports, but it is harder to make them participate in dance-off and lipsync. I still think the guys who do it find a lot of reward in it,” Lange explained. He said even though he has spent most of his time preparing the weeks before Sailfish Cup, it is all worth it. He explained he gets a rewarding feeling of accomplishment when he sees everything on stage. “Sailfish Cup is more than just the fun events we do, there are a lot of things that go behind it. It takes planning and many hours trying to make something look good even if you are not an artist. Personally, I just give my best shot and try to make everything look as good as possible and hope for the best when it comes in front of the judges,” Lange said. He said the best part is to meet new friends. The main reason why he thinks it is worth spending time on the preparations is that he can build a community with lifelong friends. “I think Sailfish Cup gives an area for students to be creative and it also gives students who played a sport in high school a chance to get back to those hobbies for a weekend just for fun,” Lange said. Jay Alilin, a junior at PBA, was one of the referees during Sailfish Cup. The referees review the rules and regulations for all the events. They also help with advertising the events to all the students through Instagram and other social media platforms. “I hope a lot of freshmen attend the event and really fall in love with the campus culture. I also hope to see a lot of upperclassmen lead the freshmen,” Alilin said. Aubrey Laughlin was another referee over the weekend who participated in Sailfish Cup for the first time, her favorite event was the volleyball game. “Sailfish Cup really benefits the PBA community because it brings people together and as a freshman, you get to know the people you are going to be living with and studying with for the next four years,” Laughlin said. Lange is very excited to see what’s in-store for this year’s winners. “It is a lot of fun when you win. There is a huge party afterward and everyone is just on cloud nine because everyone has had adrenaline pumped out. You are in so much suspense when the results come out,” Lange said. By Hedda Jarhall

The South Florida Fair lights up at night . Photo courtesy: Sofia Smith In a world that often moves at quick speeds, there exists a timeless escape, a place where laughter echoes through the air, and joy becomes an immediate emotion when entering the enchanting realm of the South Florida Fair. With its kaleidoscope of colors, a large variety of whimsical rides and the scent of cotton candy and popcorn lingering in the breeze, the fair is not just an event that happens once a year, but a celebration of the purest form of human connection. Palm Beach Atlantic students receive a special deal every year featuring discounted admission to all the rides at the South Florida Fair which will be running from Jan. 12 to Jan 28. PBA student, Hope Mcnalley, had a great experience “I love going to the fair every year with my friends. Taking pictures on the ferris wheel is my favorite part,” said Mcnalley. As the sun dips below the horizon, the fairgrounds come alive with a vibrant tapestry of lights, each detail, a testament to the wonder that awaits. A carousel spins gracefully, painted horses rising and falling in a mesmerizing dance. While the Ferris wheel towers over the landscape, offering a view that extends beyond the physical bounds of the fairgrounds. PBA students can take their families and friends to the South Florida Fair over a long weekend. The heart of the fair lies not only in its rides and attractions but in the shared laughter that permeate the atmosphere. Families and friends hand in hand, navigate the bustling pathways, weaving through the diverse array of stalls and games that hold promises of prizes. The culinary aspect of the fair adds to the adventurous atmosphere for the guests. The aroma of freshly popped popcorn, the sizzle of corn dogs in hot oil,  sugary funnel cakes and fried oreos create a symphony for sweetness. Floridians gather at communal tables, sharing bites and stories, their taste buds embarking on a journey that mirrors the diverse offerings of the fair itself. An international student, Ana Luisa, shared her insight and time at the fair. The welcoming environment of the fair was also fueled by music. The entrance welcomed guests with bright smiles and pop music, whilst the rides included thrilling rock music “The fair had a lot more activities and attractions than I was expecting. I really liked how all the rides had playlists. It made it more enjoyable,” said Luisa. The fair has become a community of life's highs and lows. The thrilling drop of a roller coaster ride, the shared victory of winning a prized stuffed animal, and the quiet moments of reflection on a slow-spinning Ferris wheel all weave together to form a combination of emotions that resonate with the human experience. The fair is a vibrant thread, weaving together the stories of those who embrace its magic, a testament to the enduring power of connection and the unbridled joy that springs forth when shared with loved ones. By Bella Archer and Sofia Smith

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a national day of service where all Americans are encouraged to volunteer and serve their communities. The holiday honors the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and his life and legacy. For the eighth year in a row, Palm Beach Atlantic University participated in MLK Day of Service by making lunch boxes and hygiene bags to provide to people who most need them in Palm Beach County. Together with the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, 844 PBA students, community members, alumni and staff came together to volunteer. 145 of them came to the packing project at the Rinker Athletic Campus. Makenna Welch, a worker at the Workship Office at PBA, said she enjoyed the event because it engaged the community and is a project many people often return to. “This is actually an event that has been going on for eight years and we always get a lot done in a short time. I think our volunteers really enjoy this kind of service because they feel they are helping the community with things that make a real change,” she said. Welch emphasized the importance of volunteering on this day as a way to honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. as he spent his life helping his community by advocating for a just and equal society. She also connected the MLK Day of Service to her Christian faith. “I think it is important to go out on MLK’s birthday to serve people who need help and give back to our community. Volunteering is also an example of what Christ did as he went out and served people which makes this day even more important to me and many others,” Welch said. MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. People all over the U.S. engage in this day to help out the community. Krysta Memis was one of many volunteers who came to serve on this day. She said it was the first time she volunteered at MLK Day. “This was my first time so I did not know what to expect but everyone here is very happy and joyful about serving the community. I feel very excited about being involved in this,” Memis said. Memis said MLK Day was a good excuse to come down to Florida. She used to study at PBA and saw volunteering as a good way to give back to the local community she used to live in while visiting friends. “I am very happy I came down here to serve. I have had a very positive experience. I will definitely start volunteering every MLK Day from now on,” Memis said. Memis and Welch gave advice to those who have never volunteered on MLK Day before. “Everyone seems very excited to be here and it is a good way to give back to the community. I would for sure recommend everyone who can to go out and serve on this day, it is very fun and meaningful,” Memis said. “You feel very good after serving and it feels good to help people. I would just say to go out and try it,” Welch added. By Hedda Jarhall