THE REPORTER
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FEB. 14, 2011
NEWS
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Full Extent: Esquilo Preto (Right) performs a high kick—for demonstration—on Capoeira Luanda student Morgan Armstrong. Preto’s students are of all ages, ethnicity and genders.
GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER
Up In The Air: Esquilo Preto (Right) can perform complicated moves even though he is sometimes limited by a knee injury.
GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER
ODD JOBS SERIES
Renowned Capoeira Instructor Attending Kendall Campus FROM CAPOEIRA, FRONT
Preto, 34, a native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, teaches the art of Capoeira and has been practicing the sport for more than half his life. Originating in Brazil in the 16th century as a survival technique used by slaves, Capoeira—a mix of dancing and martial art—has always been a part of Preto’s life. The sport’s influence around the world has been steadily rising and is widely regarded as an active exporter of Brazilian culture. “We were doing a demonstration in San Antonio...People would come up to us and say ‘You’re all Brazilian,’ but I was the only [Brazilian] one in the demonstration,” Preto said. “I spread my culture to
my group around me and we took each other in.” Preto, a physical therapy major at Miami Dade College’s Kendall Campus, believes that a higher education is key to spreading his art form. As a Capoeirista, it seems only natural that Preto would become a physical therapy major. He has been practicing Capoeira for 18 years and he believes it saved his life. “Most of my friends were drinking, doing drugs, doing w rong things; [Capoeira] kept us out of trouble. It gives us a perspective of moving on and doing better,” said Preto. “The ones that didn’t follow through are either dead or have a rougher life.” A member of the group Capoei-
ra Luanda, Preto’s impact on the community is not limited to his inner circle. “It’s ver y cool what they do because they travel everywhere and always put Capoeira before everything else,” said Christopher Caballero, 19, a student at Kendall Campus and member of Capoeira Berimbau, a separate South Florida group. “They’re trying to make sure everyone learns and experiences the art,” Caballero said. Preto hopes Capoeira can keep growing and developing around the world. “I think I’m ver y fortunate with the life I’ve had,” Preto said. “We’d live in a better world if everyone did Capoeira.”
ANDREA ORELLANA / THE REPORTER
Playing It Off: Esquilo Preto, 34, watches the students of his group Capoeira Luanda spar or “play” amongst themselves. Preto is forced to take breaks during class due to the adverse effects of knee surgery.
TRAGEDY AT NORTH CAMPUS
Student’s Life Ends With Tragic Accident Near North Campus FROM STUDENT DEATH, FRONT
PHOTO COURTESY OF JUNIA RICHEMOND
Gone Too Soon: The family of Miami Dade College student Tyron Richemond is mourning his death after he was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Feb. 1.
$90,000. His arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 22 at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, according to the Law Offices of Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez. Charles Williams, 55, who was also hit during the incident, survived. He was transported to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Williams is in critical but stable condition in the neurological intensive care unit. Richemond was one of six siblings. Richemond was a computer art animation major at the North Campus. “We always joked about how far we would get in life. He liked to draw and I like computers. He wanted to do something with his talent,” said his best friend, Windy Bienaime. “Tyron never liked drama, never liked negative stuff. He always wanted to help people. If someone needed help in a subject, he would help them. He was a good
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person; quiet, but good. ” Former MDC graphic design professor Elio A r teaga taught Richemond for three courses. “He was a great, emerging student. I always tried to bring the best out of him,” Arteaga said. “There was this one piece I particularly remember that he did in my class. It was an animation piece on his favorite rap artist, it was good. He got an A minus. Tyron spoke the bare minimum and said what was absolutely necessary. He always challenged himself.” Richemond also attended the Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center, an outreach center for the North Campus. Librarian Theo Karantsalis, said Richemond would spend countless hours at the library. “One of my best students, he was an everyday visitor. He always stood at the reference desk with eager questions. Anyone can see he was 100 percent focused. Unlike other students, he was reserved,” Karantsalis said. “When he first walked in I asked him ‘what’s your
passion? Because here you have a mission. I’ll never forget it, he replied, ‘to be in a better position to provide for my family.’” Junia Richemond said her brother used his financial aid money to buy groceries for the family. “He didn’t work, so with his financial aid he would help,” she said. Richemond’s 5-year-old niece Sinaya Stivil said she will miss his youthful spirit. “I’m going to miss him playing Wii with me. I would win all the time,” Stivil said. “He was very funny, he made me laugh.” Richemond’s funeral was held on Feb. 12 at Southern Memorial Park. “This is not fair. My son was good. He’s my best friend. He always told me, ‘Dad you and me, you and me together, cause girls don’t last’,” said Tyron Richemond’s father, Samuel Vincent . “Now he can’t keep his promise. He’s dead. He was so respectful, pure. He always told me: ‘I want to be at the top, dad. At the top.’ And I always knew he would be. He’s at the top.”