Design Editor: Mark Glassman

That was Adam Mark, the reigning photographer-turned-executive editor who was also an active member of the Suncoast Community High good ole' boys network and a former classmate of Glassman. On the strength of Mark's considerable influence -- and the fact that the DP's newest department had no staff members at the time -- Glassman signed on as a graphics designer. Now, just four short months later, the 18-year-old Florida native is one of only two freshmen on the 113th Editorial Board. And there can be no doubt the soft-spoken Glassman is still a freshman. Mild-mannered and polite, he remains largely uncorrupted by cynicism or moodiness -- two chronic signs that one has spent far too many evenings at the Pink Palace. No, Glassman is still more 1950s than 1990s, more Beaver Cleaver than Bart Simpson. But he may come around. According to Jon Cane, a long-time friend, Glassman has indeed seen his share of teenage hi-jinks. "Mark and I would chill late at night at a park near a beach," Cane said. "They had this jungle gym, and Mark and I would smoke cheap-ass cigars -- Swisher Sweets -- on the gym and talk about life." According to Cane, his good friend is fluent in Ebonics and was notorious for jamming "to the bass-heavy rhythms of Warren G, Splat Pack and Coolio" on the way to physics class. "We thought women would 'dig' us," he said. Probably not. But then the word is generally mum on the love life of our fair-haired friend. But sources close to Glassman say he has been known to frequent a strip club or two or three in his time. -- Jeff Wieland