• 12/20 - 1/6 Winter Break
  • 12/12 - 12/15 Much Ado About Nothing in PAC
  • 12/19 End of Quarter 2
  • 12/16 - 12/19 Exam Week
  • 12/9 - 12/13 Winter Week
  • 10/31 Spooky Lunch Jams
  • 10/21 - 11/13 Fall Food Drive
  • 11/1 New Senior Lunch
  • 10/16 Senior SAT Day
  • 10/14 No School
The student news site of Lake Brantley High School

The Brantley Banner
The student news site of Lake Brantley High School

The Brantley Banner
The student news site of Lake Brantley High School

The Brantley Banner
Jo'tazshya Stephens

Jo’tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter

Jo’tazshya Stephens is a third year staff reporter for the 2019-2020 school year. She is a senior who participates in Track and Field as a sprinter and jumper. At the districts meet in 2019, she placed seventh in girls long jump. Besides athletics, she spends roughly 20 hours as a cashier at Panera Bread. When she is not speeding past her competitors or serving customers at work, she is spending time with her four siblings or watching sitcoms like “Friends”. Since fourth grade, she has participated in the Markham Woods Pathfinders youth group, where she goes camping monthly. As a reporter, she manages the calendar and enjoys being on staff to take her mind off the stressful things and “just write.” While writing is one of her passions, she will attend the University of North Florida’s medical program to become a Registered Nurse.

All content by Jo'tazshya Stephens
Puzzles are a way to make time go by faster. Any age group can finish one of the many puzzle designs that are available.

Staff Pick: Quarantine and Puzzles

Jo'Tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter
April 7, 2020
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On Feb 21, School Administrator Brian Shafer cheered on as senior Anayansi Santiago won the three point basketball challenge. The spring pep rally held in the main gym introduced all the springs sports that were being played.

Spring pep rally

Jo'Tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter
March 6, 2020
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In New York City on June 5, 1917 men lined up to register for the draft. Young men throughout history have been required to register for the draft once they turned 18 years old.

The military draft

Jo'Tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter
February 26, 2020
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Seniors danced to "Hit the quan"

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On Feb. 21, seniors were able to attend senior breakfast that was held in the cafeteria through first and second period. Students paid three dollars to attend or seven dollars to attend and enjoy Chick fil A.

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In the cafeteria on Feb. 21, students had the chance to get their face painted during the senior breakfast. The senior breakfast consisted of face painting, music, and Chick fil A.

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President Donald Trump initiated a government shutdown on December 22, 2018.

What is a Government Shutdown?

Jo'Tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter
February 28, 2019
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Throughout the Halloween season, A Petrified Forest was open to all to have an opportunity to be scared. A Petrified Forest contains two different haunted trails, ‘The Hunted’ and “The Family Swamp.’

A Petrified Forest Review

Jo'Tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter
November 2, 2018
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The Patriot Lab is open for after school internet access on certain days and times ranging from 12 to 5 pm. Lake Brantley wants to provide the access to students who need the internet.

After School Internet Access

Jo'Tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter
April 30, 2018
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Carlton Kilpatrick is the chorus teacher for the Lake Brantley chorus. He won the Florida Secondary Music Educator of the Year Award (FMEA).

Carlton Kilpatrick wins FMEA secondary teacher of the year

Jo'Tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter
February 12, 2018
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Junior Jordan Cannizzaro laughs with Cassidy Ceppos as they take a break from setting up for the weightlifting meet. The girl's regional weightlifting meet was held after school at the Lake Brantley Main gym on Jan. 18.

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Sophomore Tanica Torres listens to junior Walter Godfrey while preparing for the regional meet on Jan. 18 at the Lake Brantley Main gym. Lake Brantley competed at the girl's regional weightlifting meet.

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Junior Elena Korkes stands with her dad on Jan. 18 at the Lake Brantley Main gym. Korkes was one of the many girls the represented the Lake Brantley girls weightlifters at the regional weightlifting meet.

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Junior Elena Korkes spots for sophomore Patricia Hudak during the girls regional weightlifting meet on Jan. 18. This event was held in Lake Brantley's Main gym.

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Sophmore Ashley Weinstein lifts 95 pounds using the technique called clean and jerk on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Lake Brantley's weightlifting team suffered a loss by eight points against the Lyman Greyhounds.

Lake Brantley’s first girls weightlifting meet

Jo'Tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter
November 17, 2017
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Junior Elena Korkes gets ready to lift 115 pounds on Wednesday, Nov. 1. "I have been doing weightlifting for three years now," Korkes said. "I do weightlifting because it is something I enjoy and is fun for me."

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Junior Elena Korkes successfully lifts 135 pounds during the weightlifting meet on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The team cheered her on through one of the heavier lifts that she completed.

[Photo] Students Lift to States

February 15, 2018
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Sophomore Patricia Hudak helps her teammate lift 105 pounds on Wednesday, Nov. 1 during the weightlifting meet in the Brantley Blue gym. Every time a lifter benched, there was a spotter in case a mistake was made.

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The Lake Brantley girls weightlifting team held their first meet on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Lake Brantley blue gym. The team suffered a loss against Lyman's weightlifting team.

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Freshman Zoe Maxson is listening in on a conversation before she spots one of her teammates during the meet on Wednesday, Nov. 1. "Weightlifting has made me more active already, and I just started," Maxson said. "I have also made great friends in weightlifting that have helped me if I needed help or advice."

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Senior Marjorie Pollock awaits her turn as volunteers get heavier weights. On Wednesday, Nov. 1, Lake Brantley lost the meet against Lyman.

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Sophomore Sabina Hincapie competes in the first meet of the season on Wednesday, Nov. 1. She lifts 55 pounds as senior Nellie Scalise spots her.

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Senior Nellie Scalise begins her bench weight at 65 pounds on Wednesday, Nov. 1. She has competed for Lake Brantley girls weightlifting ever since she was a freshman.

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Senior Nellie Scalise helps sophomore Sabina Hincapie complete her first lift of the night. The meet was held in the Lake Brantley south gym on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

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The heaviest weight I have cleaned was 145 pounds," said Korkes. "The heaviest weight I have benched was 155 pounds to date." The Lake Brantley girls high school weightlifting team had their first meet Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Lake Brantley south gym.

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Senior and team captain Destinee Norman gets ready to lift 115 pounds while her coach spots her. On Wednesday, Nov. 1, Lake Brantley held their first meet, but lost to Lyman by eight points.

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Junior Jordan Cannizzaro practices her lift before the meet starts on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the Lake Brantley south gym. The meet started at 4 p.m. and ended roughly around 6 p.m.

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Senior and team captain Liberty Ballard completes a lifts. The heaviest lift that she lifted on Wednesday, Nov. 1, was 205 pounds.

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Freshman Zoe Maxson, sophomore Sabina Hincapie and junior Marissa Maldonado pose for a picture before starting the first meet of the 2017-2018 girls weightlifting season. The meet was held on Wednesday, Nov. 1, in the South Brantley gym.

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Junior Serena Ahmed celebrates after she scored a goal. Ahmed plays holding and attacking midfield. “Scoring a goal is an exhilarating and exciting feeling,” Ahmed said. “I have scored many goals in soccer but the feelings are still the same. It makes me feel accomplished.”

Juniors Ahmed and Jucker achieve the highest level of club soccer

Jo'Tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter
October 27, 2017
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Matthew Blanton is currently answering emails on his computer in the media center. Even during his lunch Blanton is always occupied.

Matthew Blanton

Jo'Tazshya Stephens, Staff Reporter
September 28, 2017
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The Lake Brantley Step team marches their way through the parade. Friday September 7 they did different steps throughout the parade.

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The Lake Brantley class of 2019 makes their way down to Forest City Elementary school to show off their Brantley pride. The theme for homecoming week was Mardi Gra.

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At the Tom Story Field on Friday September 7, 2017, Lake Brantley varsity football players are doing their normal stretches before defeating the Winter Haven Blue Devils 35-28. They are now 1-2 in their games.

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The homecoming game consisted of all the cheerleaders from freshman to varsity to cheer on our Lake Brantley varsity football team at the Tom Story Field September 7, 2017. The cheerleaders did stunts and different cheers to keep the crowd hyped.

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The cheerleaders all came together in order to support the Lake Brantley varsity football team September 7, 2017. Lake Brantley came together as one big family.

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