Issue 6, Vol. 57

Student Rights EXPLAINED

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highlights \ Issue 6 \ Vol. 57 \ May 2017 \ 450 Bird Road, Coral Gables, FL, 33146

Contents 2

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Features

Sports

6 | In an effort to

raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving, alumna Suzette Wanninkhof embarked on an 8,000 mile bike ride, beginning in Alaska and ending in Key West.

Advisory Board

19 | On Mar. 28, the

varsity baseball team and a busload of students traveled to Florida International University, where they went head to head with Westland Hialeah in a nail-biting match.

The Scene

News

12 |

Forty students landed in Vienna, Austria on April 10 to start their 10 day Spring Break trip with the school. The students visited landmarks and delved into the cultures of Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

Opinion

14 | As the 2016-2017

school year begins to come to a close, members of the sophomore, junior and senior classes give advice about tackling the challenges of each grade level.

of Miami, including Ironside Pizza (pictured), is the perfect spot for students to visit during free time.

The area is known for the presence of modern art and natural excursions.

Audrey Weigel /highlights

Courtesy of Greg Powell

25 | The Upper East Side

Insight

28 | This issue, highlights

investigates the rights students have in school, as well as the legal code that allows the administration to limit rights, such as privacy and speech, for the overall safety of the school.

Editor-in-Chief:

Olivia Field Copy Editor:

Dylan Carol Business Manager:

Amanda Pallas Social Media Manager: Sutton Payne Adviser:

Melissa Gonzalez Features:

Leila Iskandarani News:

Vanessa Vazquez Opinion:

Benjamin Estrada Sports:

Jack Band The Scene:

Sarah Galt Insight:

Olivia Field

Staff Writers Nicolas Burniske, Tatiana Campos, Estelle Erwich, Angelle Garcia, Dan Leiferman, Kevin Monjarrez, Alejandra Orozco, Alejandro Prida, Shirley Ramirez, Cecilia Rodriguez, Luis Toruno, Mariam Vela, Natalie Viglucci, Sofia Viglucci, Audrey Weigel, Alfredo Wolfermann, Ana Wolfermann, Karina Wu.

Contributors Brianna De la Osa, Angel Vazquez, Jessica Lopez, Cavaleon, heatnation.com, flgov.com, Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, Greg Powell

highlights is the official student-produced news magazine at Coral Gables Senior High School published and produced by highlights staff members. highlights has been established as a designated public forum for student journalists to educate and inform their readers on issues of concern to their audience and dissemination of news and ideas to the entire school community.

As the producer of a scholastic publication, highlights subscribes to the responsibilities set forth in the National Scholastic Press Association Code of Ethics for scholastic journalists and advisers. According to Miami-Dade County Public School policy, student media is not subject to prior-review by administration or district personnel and as such, all content is determined by, and reflects the views of, student staff members only.

Letter 3

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hen I found out I was going to be Editor-in-Chief of highlights, my predecessor told me two things: 1) This is going to be way harder than you think 2) and it also won’t be that fun. As I reflect on the past year, I’ve realized that he was definitely right about one thing: running a classroom filled with 25 wily students is exhausting. But, despite the recurring frustration, my stint as EIC has been one of the best times of my life.

I’ve sung my heart out to the La La Land soundtrack, while a fellow editor cringely mimicked tap dancing. I’ve heard the same birthday song way too much, but I laugh at the flying turtle every time. I’ve been smothered in a group hug, and I almost ate it playing duck duck goose. highlights has allowed me to go to Boston, pet a cat and hedgehog in school, and get too close to a moldy apple juice bottle filled with pennies. Simply, highlights has and always will be my happy place in the school, especially thanks to the people in it.

Sarah, your kinship and creativity has made you the perfect editor. I hope you continue incorporating bright colors into everything you do. Though quiet and soft spoken, Ben has carried the opinion section with grace and fierceness. I’ll be reading your column in the NYT soon. Although we constantly butt heads, Sydney is an integral part of our publication: her positivity and alternative outlook always reshapes the mood of the room.

Jack and Dylan: I’m (sort of) sorry we could not publish your “weiner adventure” headline. Even so, I am not sorry to see you switch roles: I know both of you will succeed in your respective positions. While balancing two jobs, Amanda was both a reliable writer and a strong business manager.

Keep it up.Sutton’s liveliness and upbeat personality always makes room 9220 feel like home. Although your social media posts were sparse, I know that you are ready to take on Insight next year.

To the rest of next year’s board: each and everyone of you has been chosen to take on an editorial position for a reason. Angelle and Alejandra have grown so much as first year members. Both of you are always ready to help, a quality that keeps the gears of highlights grinding. Natalie and Sofia, although completely different in my opinion, both write with the eloquence and detail to take on The Scene and Features. Don’t stress each other out too much. Both tiny and feisty, Karina and Audrey will take our online presence to the next level.

I have no doubt Vanessa will be an excellent Managing Editor. Her ability to run the News section with ease, in itself, stirred up jealousy among editors. Her sassiness and dedication will make everyone else’s lives much easier, and much more fun.

Leila’s crystal clear vision for highlights, along with her confidence, intelligence and love for the publication, will make her an outstanding EIC. I know you will lead our beloved magazine to the next level...but make sure you get in some laughs along the way.

Mrs. Gonzalez: you have been my rock, source of wisdom and lunch buddy for the past year. Thank you for all that you do, because we all know that highlights would be way worse without you.

Lots and lots of love,

Olivia Field Editor-in-Chief 2016-17

SHENANIGANS: highlights thanksgiving (top), a fun group photo (middle), and the opinion boys struggling to finish a last minute headline (bottom).

FACT RETRACTION:

tokeshoes.com 8429 SW 132 Street Pinecrest, Fl 33156 305.444.8922

Present this card for 20% off your purchase (Excludes sale items- may not be combined with other offers)

In Issue 5, our March edition, highlights misprinted a fact on the spread of STI’s in the United States (U.S.). The incorrect information stated: “In the US, 1 out of 3 people ages 14-19 have genital herpes.”

While in fact, the correct statement is: “In the U.S., 1 out of 6 people ages 14-49 have genital herpes.” The information is from the Center for Disease Control.

We also misidentified freshman Duniel Hernandez as Alex Vivas.

Features 4

MORE YOU KN E H T

: OW

Miami

Luis Toruno/ highlights

highlights tested the student body’s knowledge by asking questions relating to Miami’s politics, sports and culture.

By Sofia Viglucci & Leila Iskandarani STAFF WRITER & FEATURES EDITOR

WHO IS THIS?

Answer: Willie Reed, Miami Heat center “Are you sure that’s a player?”

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“This is Kobe Bryant. Definitely.”

“Looks like Ben Carson.”

“The tattoo man.”

“Not Dwayne Wade.”

Courtesy of flgov.com

“John McCain. Ronald Reagan. Sorry, I’m really stupid.”

“Gee. I know who he is, but I don’t remember.”

“Isn’t he the vice president? Or the former vice president?”

Courtesy of David Santiago/Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald

“It’s probably Chris something. I don’t know. They’re all Chris.”

“I don’t keep up with the Heat, I only keep it real.”

“Oh! I know this because I was playing 2K yesterday. Johnson.”

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WHO IS THIS?

Answer: Rick Scott, Florida governor

“Voldemort.”

“Oh! Rick Scott, my baby!”

“My evil twin.”

“Doesn’t Joe Biden actually have hair?”

“A Mr. Clean-looking Donald Trump.”

WHO IS THIS?

Answer: Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade mayor

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Courtesy of C.M. Guerrero/Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald

“I don’t know, but the first thing that comes to my head is George Clooney.”

“Obama.”

“I don’t know! I think that’s the president, or something?”

“Joe Biden.”

“Some geezer in a suit. Probably from Men’s Warehouse or something.”

Leila Iskandarani/ highlights

Key Biscayne

“You gotta cross these bridges, you know, you gotta cross these bridges.”

“Is it in the North or in the South? I don’t know, I just take an Uber.”

“I know how to get there, but I don’t know what it is.”

SUPPOSEDLY OR SUPPOSEBLY?

Answer: Supposedly

5

“I’m part European, so it’s ‘supposebly’ with a ‘b.’”

“Mike Pence.”

“Is that Donald Trump’s sidekick?”

“The president of the school.”

4

WHERE IS KEY BISCAYNE?

Answer: eastern Florida

“Crusing down Bayshore in your droptop ‘rari, turn right on Rickenbacker Causeway!

You go on the Rickenbacker Causeway, you hit Virginia Key, and then you get to Key Biscayne.”

“In Key Biscayne.”

SUPPOSEDLY SUPPOSEBLY “Y’all gonna make me sound so stupid.”

“I’m scared.”

“It’s spelled with a ‘d’ but pronounced with “With the ‘d.’” a ‘b.’”

“Isn’t it with a ‘v?’ Supposevly?”

“It’s with a ‘d’ because you say supposed.

Supposedly. No! It’s with a ‘d?’”

“It’s with a ‘b’ for sure.”

Features 6

Alumna rides for a cause

After biking 8,000 miles to raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving, alumna Suzette Wanninkhof returns home

By Estelle Erwich & Karina Wu STAFF WRITERS

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HEN ALUMNA AND PAST highlights member Suzette Wanninkhof cruised into Key West on March 11, it marked the end of an 8,000-mile ride spanning the length of the United States. On July 31, 2016, Wanninkhof departed from Deadhorse, Alaska with a team of seven on a ride that would last nearly eight months.

The ride was completed in an effort to commemorate her brother, alumnus Patrick Wanninkhof, who was killed by a distracted driver, and raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving.

Joining her were Rachel Hartsell, Greg Powell and Megan Ryan, along with part-time riders Blythe Carter, Eric Geiger and Abbie Donoghue.

“This ride was an awesome opportunity to celebrate him and advocate against phone use and driving and also embark on a pretty big adventure, because that’s exactly what my brother would have wanted me to do,” Suzette Wanninkhof said.

Throughout most of their journey, the cyclists spent most nights camping in

tents. On one of the last nights of their trek, they stayed with history teacher Kathryn Landsea before heading to their destination, Key West. Upon their arrival, the team celebrated their well-earned homecoming after eight months of cycling by dropping their bikes and running down to the ocean.

Wanninkhof’s parents later threw a party for the riders after traveling down to cheer them on.

“What was surprising to me was how generous people were… when something tragic happens it’s easy to think that the world isn’t a good place, so getting to meet people who were so generous and interesting and surprising really restored that for me,” Suzette Wanninkhof said. “My favorite moment was bicycling home, to Miami. We were riding through the Everglades, through the Tamiami Trail, and then I looked… and I’m on Calle Ocho! I just started in Alaska, and rode my bike everyday, and now I’m here - I’m home!

And the realization that all of these different people [who

we encountered] all shared the same landmass was really striking.”

The ride, dubbed Patrick Rides On 8000, is only the beginning of the Wanninkhofs’ efforts to raise awareness of texting and driving. Apart from establishing pro8000.com, a website that serves as a platform for their cause as well as a travel and photo journal for the riders, the Wanninkhof family plans to establish a non-profit foundation in Miami in order to provide bicycle training and commemorate Patrick Wanninkhof.

On April 19, the Wanninkhof parents spoke at a graduation meeting about their son’s death and the dangers of distracted driving. They introduced the idea of “Sock your Phone,” a proposed measure for preventing distracted driving. An individual purchases a pair of socks, uses one sock as a phone-holder while driving, and gives the other to a loved one to do the same. They also launched a $100 essay contest in Patrick Wanninkhof’s honor, in which students s u b m i t e s s a y s about how to make the roads safer.

SMOOTH SAILING: (Top to bottom) Suzette Wanninkhof posing in Fort Fraser after the team lands in Houston. Carter rides through rough weather.

Hartsell and Donoghue enjoying ice cream in Pima before heading to Safford, Arizona.

Ryan bikes through a field in Louisiana.

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Greg Powell

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Fort Fraser, British Columbia

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, Oregon

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A few of the team’s stops during the ride include: Deadhorse, Alaska Northway Junction, Alaska Beaver Creek, YT Watson Lake, YT Muncho Lake, BC Vancouver, BC Castle Rock, WA Portland, OR Gold Beach, OR Cresent City, CA G of esy Blythe, CA Court Salome, AZ Las Cruces, NM El Paso, Texas Beaumont, Texas New Orleans, LA Biloxi, MS Pensacola, FL Co Key West, FL

Safford, Arizona

Lafayette, Louisiana

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Joan Weiner, mini musician

Freshman Joan Weiner strikes a chord with students through her musical ability

By Natalie Viglucci STAFF WRITER

and I filmed an example of what it would sound like with singing. My friend was like, why didn’t I know that you could sing? And she was like, we need to start a YouTube channel and I was like, okay!,” Weiner said.

This past month, a video of Weiner’s singing went viral on Twitter, receiving thousands of views.

“I was really happy about [the Twitter video] because then people could actually know who I am and know me for what I do. Some people like Ms. Zaldivar and some of her students call me ukulele girl, and that’s really cool,” Weiner said.

Weiner hopes to pursue a musical career, and is currently preparing to

HALL >> talk The highlights staff records what students are talking about in the hallways between periods.

UKULELE GIRL: Weiner sings one of her signature songs, Grace Vanderwaal’s “I Don’t Know My Name.”

audition for Miami-Dade Talent Search on April 2. The talent search program is Miami-Dade County’s largest annual talent search, in which participants ages 8-17 compete for prizes ranging from performing arts scholarships to tickets for local theaters and attractions.

She is also interested in competing on America’s Got Talent.

“I want to go to America’s Got Talent and I’m trying to make a deal with my mom… if I make it to the semi-finals in the MiamiDade Talent Search, then I can go to America’s Got Talent,” Weiner said. “She says that I still have a lot to learn; I don’t know what she means by that.”

Natalie Viglucci/ highlights

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STUDENT MIGHT recognize freshman Joan “Joanie” Weiner from the school’s Valentine’s Day serenades, during which she sat perched on a wooden stool with a tight ponytail on the nape of her neck, strumming her ukulele to lighthearted tunes. Her voice turned busy classrooms occupied by boisterous teenagers into still concert halls, where the pupils became the enthralled audience and she, Weiner, took the stage.

Every afternoon, after completing her homework, Weiner spends two to three hours practicing. She uses music as an escape from pressures and apprehension, a way of unwinding at the end of the day.

“I’ve been singing my whole life, but I just started singing in front of people this year,” Weiner said.

On any given day, Weiner can be found singing to the tune of her ukelele as she walks through the halls, or sitting on a bench during lunch playing to a small crowd of friends and acquaintances, singing some of her favorite covers. She also posts her work on her YouTube channel, “Mr. Gullible,” which has several videos of her covering some of her musical inspirations, such as Twenty One Pilots and Grace VanderWaal.

“I was teaching my friend how to play part of “Riptide” on the ukulele

BLOCK 1

BLOCK 2

“Anal leakage is a small price “There’s a ghost in my room.” to pay for some good potato “What is it called when chips.” you’re deaf in the nose?”

“I want to name my child “My pimple looks like ‘iambic pentameter.’”

Elmer’s boyle from The Fairly “He doesn’t do diddly-squat.” Oddparents. I named it Sal.”

News 8

Earth to Gables: seniors steal the show The school’s annual senior prom honors Earth Day with a nature theme on April 22. Seniors Jake Paz and Annie Farrell were crowned this year’s prom king and queen at the dance.

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Sofia Viglucci/highlights Leila Iskandaranio/highlights

[Prom] was an amazing, fun time with my friends. It was the last hurrah for us all to be together.

-Jillian Paz, senior

PROM PARTY: Seniors Jake Paz and Annie Farrell dancing for the first time as prom king and queen (top), senior Kelly Hanley enjoying herself at the prom (bottom left), and students gather together at the center of the dance floor (bottom right).

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ May 2017 \ Pg. 9

Briefings University of Florida office opened

By Alejandro Prida

By Tatiana Campos

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

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HE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (UF) opened an office in the heart of downtown Coral Gables on Feb. 6. The office will serve as a home base for the admissions, alumni outreach and fundraising staff that already live in the area.

Margot Winick, a UF spokesperson, told the Miami Herald that their purpose is not to compete with University of Miami (UM), but rather to engage and strengthen ties with the large alumni and student bases that reside in South Florida.

In addition to catering to students past, present and future, UF officials hope that the

office will entice the diverse nationalities and ethnic groups that reside in the greater Miami area to pursue an education at UF. “It would’ve been great to have had that kind of resource when I was applying,” alumnus and UF student Maxwell Wood said. “Because the [application] process can be a bit daunting.”

University officials have received almost unanimous positive feedback. They also look forward to expanding UF’s presence in South Florida and provenance as a university by working with UM and Florida International University on both academic and research projects. h

School culinary program cashes in

By Mariam Vela STAFF WRITER

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HE SCHOOL’S CULINARY program took home a first place prize at the Education Fund’s A Taste of Education event held at the Miami Airport Convention Center on Feb. 9. Culinary students from 25 different high schools and a total of 27 teams across Miami-Dade county prepared dishes for a table of judges and hundreds of guests who attended the competition.

Lead Culinary Instructor Mercy Vera led the school to success. At the event, there were a total of four categories students competed in: meat, seafood, vegetarian or dessert. Seven judges, composed mainly of local chefs, chose

a first and second place winner from each category. The school sent two teams to the event, each with three people, and competed in the vegetarian and seafood categories. One of the two teams won first place in the seafood category for their chorizo stuffed sea scallops.

“Gables did real well this year… you’re talking about 27 schools throughout the county, including Robert Morgan which even has adults in their program,” culinary teacher Angel Vazquez said.

The school will now receive a portion of the $20,000 grant being split among the winning teams of the event. h

Upcoming Events

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S OF MARCH, THE CITY OF CORAL Gables is the first city in Florida to introduce an ordinance banning the use of plastic bags in stores. It will prohibit the use of plastic bags by retailers and city sponsored events.

Although the ordinance drew support from environmental organizations such as the Surfrider Foundation and Miami Waterkeeper, it did have an opposition that asked the city of Coral Gables commission to delay the action.

The ordinance required an official vote on March 28 to become a law, however the vote was put on hold and the decision remains undecided.

According to the Miami Herald, the ordinance states that first time violators, such as retailers that continue to provide plastic bags, will only receive a warning. There are some exceptions to the ordinance such as prescription medicine bags and other specifics. Following a second offense, there will be a fine starting at $50 and later increase to a maximum fine of $500 after a third offense in the span of one year.

“The law would accomplish some pretty great things for the environment since plastic bags don’t deteriorate and just become waste in landfills,” sophomore Miranda Fernandez said.

“But the fine seems a bit inadequate because only a $500 fine wouldn’t hurt big corporations.”

Retailers continue to present concerns regarding the ban, so the city plans to schedule meetings with businesses in Miracle Mile to further discuss the ordinance and suggest alternatives. h

Congrats!

May 31 Graduation

May 22 IB Senior Breakfast May 18 NHS Induction

Plastic bag ban

May 23 CAF&DM Banquet

Source: CavsConnect

Phillip Wisser,

head baseball coach Wisser won his two hundredth game on April 7 against Miami High with a score of 14 to 1. He is currently coaching his tenth season and graduated from the school in 1999.

News 10

Cav Crash cancelled for two years in a row This year’s normally annual talent show was again cancelled on April 18, the day before the scheduled event

By Sutton Payne and Angelle Garcia SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER AND STAFF WRITER

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HE SCHOOL’S ANNUAL talent show, Cav Crash, has been cancelled for the second year in a row because not enough tickets were sold on collection days. Students and teachers alike had different reactions to the cancellation.

Scheduled to take place on April 19 in the auditorium, the event would have included performances by club representatives in a club parade as well as students showing off talents such as singing, dancing and acting. There would have also been performances by almost every performing group at the school, with the exception of cheerleaders and band. Creative writing club, Catharsis and GablesLive helped to organize and coordinate the event.

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“Our school has no spirit anymore.

Everything has been cancelled this year.

I won’t get to see all the talent the student body has.”

-Gabriela Estua, junior

canceled because of a lack of interest earlier in the school year. Last year, the DID YOU show was cancelled due to rennovations KNOW? in the auditorium.

“Spirit comes from feeling a sense Cav Crash of commitment and belonging to an used to organization as a whole, so the more we get kids involved [and] different types of be a pep kids actively involved… that’s how we rally for the bring back school spirit,” Zaldivar said.

Many were disappointed by the homecoming cancellation of Cav Crash, including the dance and teachers and even administration who football called it “sad news” on the morning game. announcements. With the talent show being cancelled for the past two years, Source: the sophomore and freshmen classes Michelle Zaldivar have never had a chance to go to a Cav Crash. h

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“I felt quite disappointed and disillusioned as it was something I was really looking forward to,” Catharsis business manager and junior Camila Blanco said.

There was no minimum requirement of ticket sales. However, English teacher and Catharsis advisor Michelle Zaldivar, who was organizing the event, said that she wanted at least 150 presale tickets purchased in order to make some profit.

Refunds were issued to the few that did purchase tickets. Students said they felt that tickets were not purchased due in part to the lack of spirit and involvement by the entire student body throughout this school year. This has been an ongoing theme as homecoming and the posibility of a winter formal were both

“A lot of my friends were involved in the creation of Cav Crash and were going to be performing.

I’m upset because I won’t get to see what they worked so hard on.”

-Adriana Obeso sophomore

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“I was surprisingly upset because there are many young students in the school that are talented, but need a chance to show it.”

-Erick Sarmiento, senior

“I was upset myself because I was really looking forward to seeing the whole thing come together.”

-Ivan Perez, sophomore Compiled by Sutton Payne, Angelle Garcia, Cecilia Rodriguez and Vanessa Vazquez

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ May 2017 \ Pg. 11

“A child without education, is like a bird without wings.”

– Tibetan proverb We Agree.

We proudly support Coral Gables Senior High.

Stearns Weaver Miller is a full-service law firm, dedicated to serving the South Florida community.

Bayardo Alemán, Class of ‘99; Mary Barzee Flores, Class of ‘80; Maria Gralia, Class of ‘76; Alison Miller, Class of ‘70; Darrell Payne, Class of ‘81; Gene Stearns, Class of ‘62; Jonathan Vair, Class of ‘88 stearnsweaver.com

News 12

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ May 2017 \ Pg. 12

Students fly overseas for Spring Break

Forty students traveled to four European countries for 10 days and learned about their individual cultures on the trip

By Amanda Pallas BUSINESS MANAGER

first days,” junior Elaine Arias said.

Students also visited Munich, Germany, where they toured prominent locations like the 1972 summer Olympic Stadium and the BMW headquarters.

The tour group also visited Dachau, the first Nazi concentration camp during World War II. “I enjoyed going on the tours because we really got a taste of the culture and history of every town we visited,” sophomore Andrea Adesso said.

In Lucerne, Switzerland, the students were able to enjoy the picturesque view of the Swiss Alps. Additionally, they visited the Lion monument, and the Chapel bridge, the oldest bridge in all of Europe.

SPRING BREAK: Juniors Alyssa Lamadriz, Yara Faour and Marta D’Ocon take selfies while walking the streets of Heidelberg, Germany (left).

Students gather around to watch the sunset over the mountains in Tyrol, Austria (right).

“My ffavorite part of the trip had to be going to the top of Mount Pilatus.

The views were to die for,” sophomore Cristian Ochoa said.

The last city they visited was Heidelberg, Germany where they toured the Heidelberg Castle, a German ruin, before heading back to Miami.

“This was one of the most fun spring breaks I’ve had in a while and I wish I could do it all over again,” Arias said.

The students visited three major countries and were able to learn their respective histories and experience their cultures through tours, food and interacting with people. Plans for next year’s trip are currently in the works and may include visiting Ireland, England and France. h

Jessica Lopez/contributor

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GROUP OF SOPHOMORES, juniors and seniors departed on a 10 day trip to Europe, with plans to visit Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The students were accompanied by seven teachers and started their trip on April 5. The trip was open to all academies and organized earlier this year.

After an overnight flight, the students landed in Vienna, Austria.

They visited historic landmarks such as Parliament, the flower-adorned city hall and Schonbrunn Palace.

The students also became certified Viennese Waltz dancers at the Dancing School of Hernals Grossmann in Vienna.

“I loved the waltz dancing classes we went to in Vienna on one of the

Opinion 13

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ May 2017 \ Pg. 13

STAFF-ED: Florida teachers’ unions bill

If passed, House Bill 11 may infringe on the rights of teachers and other public sector employees across the state M ar ia m

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I sort of wish that the union would become decertified because then we could press the reset button and collective bargaining can happen in more of a common sense way...

- Juan Pasteris, mathematics teacher

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I don’t support [FL Bill 11]. I think It is really just another effort to destabilize the power and the efforts of unions across Florida and most of the country.

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- Jessica Roman, language arts teacher

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S OF MARCH THIS YEAR, an anti-public employee union proposal, dubbed “House Bill 11” was filed by Florida State House Representative Scott Plakon. Initially created by the American Legislative Exchange Council, the bill has also been promoted in other states besides Florida.

This extremely controversial measure that many are calling a “union-busting’’ bill is intended to target public school teachers in the state of Florida. Passed on March 30 in the predominantly Republican House. House Bill 11 does not affect just teachers and public sector employees, but the students themselves.

The bill, if passed and made law, would eradicate public sector unions with less than 50 percent of workers they represent paying union dues. If the union fails to meet the 50 percent mark in paying members, it would be decertified and essentially have to go through the very tedious process of becoming the official bargaining unit once again.

Teacher unions fight tirelessly for professional development in that they give teachers the tools they need to succeed rather than punishing them, creating the well trained, experienced professionals students deserve. In addition, when schools fail to meet the minimal standards of good sanitation practices and cleanliness, it is up to the unions to step up and advocate on behalf of student safety.

Additionally, the bill would also demand annual registration of bargaining units that would entail private financial information from individual members of the group. As Florida is a right-towork state, employees should not be mandated to participate in or pay dues to an organization that wishes to represent them.

The bill specifically exempts any firefighter and law enforcement unions, but never concretely explains its rationale for doing so. Plakon claims he excluded first responders’ and corrections officers’ unions because there is “an extraordinary public policy interest in

[Teachers’ unions] are not getting me better hours, more rights or better pay...I don’t like giving my money to an organization that constantly loses.

- Aaron Miller, social studies teacher

BY THE NUMBERS 75 - 41

passing vote on FL Bill 11 in the House of Representatives

574,000

Floridians are represented by a union

5.6 percent

of Florida employees are members of unions Compiled by Mariam Vela

Source: US Bureau of Labor

ensuring we don’t have labor unrest among the people who protect us from harm.’’ When questioned on why public school teachers did not deserve the same privilege, Plakon replied “no teacher runs into a building when everyone else runs away.” It is evident that this bill is merely a disguise to weaken unions, and more specifically, an attack on the Florida Education Association, the state’s largest teacher union, which has a long history of defying Republican legislation in the education sector.

When asked how many unions would be decertified should House Bill 11 be passed, Plakon responded “I don’t think that’s germane to this discussion.”

Besides House Republicans, the only vocal advocate of House Bill 11 is Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group that has lobbied extensively for the bill and has received funding from the Koch brothers, a group notoriously known for swaying GOP candidates.

Despite effortlessly passing the House by a 75-41 vote, the Senate version (SB 1292) will not be so easily pushed. SB 1292 was assigned to four committees, and the first one it must go through is chaired by a Democrat (Committee of Commerce and Tourism).

From the perspective of students, the proposed bill is as foreboding for them as it is for teachers. Out of everybody, students experience firsthand the immense effort and dedication that teachers put into providing them the best possible education. By crippling teachers’ unions, the bill would put a larger strain on teachers, making their already-challenging jobs even more taxing.

House Bill 11 would only add to the already heavy load on not just public school teachers, but also state and local workers, nurses, bus drivers and many other important public sector employees. The bill suppresses voices and undermines the ability of crucial public servants to carry out their duties, creating an environment where the purpose of unions is compromised. h

Opinion 14

Words from the way out

As the end of the school year begins to get closer and closer, students refle various experiences, challenges and lessons that the different grade levels

Sophomores

Commentary by Alejandra Orozco STAFF WRITER

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This school year, classes were more challenging but I have been able to handle it.

ighlights

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Juniors

deal with college applications and leadership positions, sophomore year increases the workload and gives you a taste of the upcoming struggle.

The studying and homework does not compare to that of the upperclassmen, but it is important you stay on top of it.

It also is the time to get further involved in the activities you choose to be a part of, whether it be sports, clubs, student government, publications, electives or more. The

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O U R sophomore year is your first comfortable year in high school. No longer are you the “fresh meat” or lost student in the hall.

Now, this year is time to focus on your grades. With an excessive number of harder classes, district tests, more APs and an overwhelming amount on your plate, it is time to get serious about school. Although it is no where near “senioritis”, “the sophomore slump” is not a myth, so make sure get involved, as you do not want to be left behind.

You begin to move on from dipping your toes in the waters of high school, to diving into the workload upperclassmen struggle through. Without having to

-Max Rego, sophomore

first thing I did to prepare for sophomore year was drop the unnecessary clubs that I joined in freshmen year and began to focus on what I wanted to be dedicated to. Sophomores should apply for leadership positions in publications and clubs, helping them become more complete students and better leaders. It varies from case to case, but it is crucial to find your niche in the school, and sophomore year is your time to find that.

Sophomore year does have its benefits. You do not have to worry about finding your friend group or meticulously picking classes. It is your last year to decide what you want to be a part of for the rest of your high school career. It is the year to enjoy and have fun, and it is up to you whether or not you take advantage of it. h

Commentary by Leila Iskandarani FEATURES EDITOR

Ana Wolfermann/highlights

difficulty of the courses I was taking.

Before you take eight APs, consider the amount of extra studying you will need to do for each class, and don’t sacrifice your sleep and sanity just to beef up your transcripts.

That said, keep in mind that, outside of your regular schoolwork, you will be doing a significant amount of work to prepare for the SAT and/or ACT. Start early, and do not beat yourself up if you fall short of your goal the first time around; you will likely test a few times before you achieve your ideal score.

Apart from schoolwork and test

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OPHOMORES, I offer you my congratulations and my condolences.

The trials and tribulations of the first half of high school are finally over; no more getting booed at during pep rallies or being a last priority for academy counselors. Unfortunately, these achievements come at a price; as you bid farewell to your lives as underclassmen, prepare yourselves for nine months of endless deadlines, homework, tests and the like.

After coasting through freshman and sophomore year, I was completely caught off guard by the junior year workload. My old technique—going to class, staying fairly organized with my assignments and procrastinating to my heart’s content—failed spectacularly, mostly because I underestimated the

Despite the academic challenges, this year has been pretty good overall.

-Miriam Fong, junior

prep, be sure to get involved with student organizations and apply for leadership positions. If no campus organizations are to your liking, get involved with an extracurricular activity. Taking initiative will give you insight into career paths and serve you well when it comes time to complete college applications.

These responsibilities are taxing, but can be managed. Keep yourself from falling into bad habits, and do not ruin your sleeping schedule; if I have a single regret, it is getting used to taking fivehour naps after school, then staying up until two to finish my work. Remember that you are not alone. If you are pulling an all-nighter to finish an essay or project, so are half your classmates.

I found comfort in the newfound solidarity among my peers, and I am sure you will too. For better or for worse (mostly worse), junior year is coming for you. Prepare yourself, and good luck. h

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s reflect upon the evels have had to offer

Seniors

Commentary by Olivia Field EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

/highlights

Ana Wolfermann

PICNIC PARTY: (Left to right) Seniors Maria Orduñez, Laritza Ramos and Kaylin Sanchez dance together in spirit while at senior picnic.

sunrise, and spend an entire day on the beach. Be conscience of all the city has to offer, as this time period goes by faster than any before.

Senior year, with all of its milestones, puts you in limbo. You feel like an adult, but you still live with your family and are confined to the eight hour school day. So, find ways to exert your independence. A great way to do this is by getting a job; second semester is not necessarily a breeze, but you can afford to rack up some hours at a local business during this time.

One of the most

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COULD EASILY take the next 300 words to reaffirm everything you have already heard about senior year: the workload is unprecedented, college applications are daunting, and it has a lot of perks. I will admit all of this is true, but twelfth grade is about much more than punching numbers into the Common Application at midnight and enjoying a sundae during the school day.

It is about taking advantage of Miami, embracing the newfound freedoms and responsibilities of adulthood, and setting time aside to enjoy yourself.

Although many of us are staying in the greater Miami area, this is the last year that we are all together in our home town. Knowing that I will be heading out of state has instilled a desire in me to spend meaningful time with my friends, and I recommend you do the same. Plan weekends where you venture downtown, wake up early to watch the

The beginning of the year was definitely a little harder than expected but It is gotten easier... now It is just getting ready for testing which has been stressful but the year hasn’t been bad.

-Catalina Saavedra, senior

meaningful aspects of senior year, for me at least, was spending time to reflect on myself. When I was applying to college, it was necessary to think deeply about who I was, what matters most to me and what I want to do with my life.

Although this was definitely a challenge, it prompted me to be extremely thoughtful about my own identity. Go into the college process, and frankly, your last year of high school knowing your worth. Do not doubt yourself; you have gotten this far.

Also, remember to take some time to relax. Read that book that has been on your shelf since freshman year, start the hobby you have always wanted to pursue, and schedule in some much needed naps.

Ultimately, senior year closes the door on a large portion of your life, while simultaneously opening a new one.

Embrace that fact, spend the little time left in high school enjoying yourself and get ready to embark on your next journey. h

Courtesy of Cavaleon

Opinion 16

TWO VIEWS: Public funding for private educ

Proposed Florida Senate bill 376 seeks to direct more funding towa and remodeling initiatives of independently managed but publicly-fu Commentary by Alejandro Prida STAFF WRITER

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L O R I D A lawmakers have proposed a bill that would change how charter schools get taxpayer funding for construction and maintenance projects. The bill, Senate Bill (SB) 376, authored by Florida state Senate Pre-K-12 Education Budget Chairman David Simmons and backed by a constituency of state senators, proposes two changes. The first would require school districts statewide to share their local tax revenue with charter schools, and the second would allow school boards to increase tax rates to prerecession levels in order to account for maintenance backlogs in public schools.

On the surface, it sounds reasonable to increase taxes to provide public schools with some much-needed attention, but that extra revenue will also be immediately split with the charter schools. Halving seems like a misguided use of funds. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) superintendent Alberto Carvalho agrees.

Over the last couple of months he has expressed concerns about the economic implications of SB 376, penning a letter to Simmons and sitting with the Miami Herald editorial board to discuss them.

Among Carvalho’s concerns is the gap in funding left by SB 376. MDCPS’s estimated revenue for the 2016-2017

academic year is $427 million, of which $250 million must be allocated to debt service payments. The remaining budget would ordinarily be used to fund the frequent maintenance that the more than 420 aging public school facilities throughout the County require. Of this money, $83 million would be granted to charter schools. This does away with 46 percent of the original budget and “would have the potential of bankrupting the school system,” according to Carvalho.

Proponents of SB 376 claim that the bill accounts for lost funds by allowing districts to increase their tax rates.

This seems like a reasonable solution, however a tax increase does not make up all the funds lost and would leave many MDCPS and Florida schools behind on maintenance projects. In addition, this proposal’s only purpose is to recuperate funds that had no reason to be taken in the first place. Without the initial $83 million grant to charter schools there would be no need to increase tax rates.

Our state legislatures are suggesting that money generated by the public should be used in the private sector. This contradicts the purpose of collecting taxes, rather than using the public’s money to bolster the pockets of real estate owners, state politicians should consider the effects of diverting funds.

When a new school is built, taxpayers are using their collective funds to create an asset that will forever be a part of

“

Right now, our state legislature is procharter and our hands are tied.

- Iris Pooler, SPED teacher

their community. Charter schools are privately managed and, therefore, deprive surrounding communities of the advantages of public school.

Florida’s current public education system has continually been among the lowest in per student funding across the United States. And SB 376 raises that from $7,205 to $7,224, just a measly $19.

Charter schools have slowly been taking funds from traditional public schools for years, and a significant portion of the real estate used to construct them is owned by politicians who can sway legislation in their favor, as with this proposed bill.

SB 376’s problems do not end there.

Broward county senator Gary Farmer, who worked closely with Simmons on the bill, was unaware that senate president Joe Negron and Simmons had planned for state funding to be done away with if the bill passed. He supports the decision to allow for higher tax rates but told the Miami Herald “I’d have to look into that” when asked about Negron and Simmons’ plan.

A bill put together with this level of miscommunication has no place being put into law, and if senators are serious about restructuring how over 4,000 schools throughout the state receive capital for construction and maintenance they have some serious work to do before SB 376 stands any chance at making the cut. h

BY THE NUMBERS: char Charter school students have an average of seven days of additional learning compared to public school students Compiled by Alejandro Prida and Nicolas Burniske

60 percent of MDCPS capital revenue is used to pay off debt

Florida is in teach per 10 studen

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ducation

towards construction, maintenance cly-funded charter schools Commentary by Nicolas Burniske STAFF WRITER

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HE NUMBERS ARE IN. America’s charter schools, defined as independently managed but publicly funded educational institutions, oftentimes provide a superior alternative to traditional public schools all around the country. Proposed Florida Senate Bill (SB) 376 seeks to increase funding for charter schools at the discretion of the school board in an attempt to improve facilities through new construction and remodeling projects, maintenance and renovation, school buses as well as the purchase of electronic hardware.

There are definitely some concerns plaguing SB 376, primarily that of how to balance funds appropriated to both public and charter schools. If more money is granted to charter schools, there will undoubtedly be less left over for public schools. So the question is, will charter schools be able to fill the void left by the shift in funding from traditional public schools? Specifically, would more funding for charter schools cause more students to enroll?

Charter schools and their respective governing boards are already left with greater freedom to enact policy to help improve schooling for their enrolled students, instead having it being dictated from centralized bureaucracy.

Educational policy could then vary per school in an attempt to strive to create the best learning atmosphere possible, produce the most successful

graduates, and enroll the best and brightest prospective students — all for the sake of reputation and growth.

Not only does this system result in vastly more engaged students, considering they would not necessarily be forced to take classes that do not interest them, but also immensely more specialized students with a career centered education.

I am not a proponent of rushed legislation, and this bill seeks to expand the influence of the government into the vastly limited independent education sector. In order for charter schools to receive funding, the bill proposes that charter schools comply with myriad regulations, including “satisfactory student achievement based on state accountability standards applicable to the charter school.” That is, charter schools must bend over backwards to have their students satisfy the requirements of the widely detested standardized tests known as the End of Course Assessments (EOCs) and the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA).

Instead of proposed SB 376, correct implementation of school vouchers, in the form of government issued education allowances from tax revenues, could benefit the Floridian education system. Vouchers allow parents to enroll their child in the school of their choice, including private schools, using the voucher as partial or full payment

“

Charter schools, and to a larger extent vouchers... make students and teachers the ones the principles have to satisfy.

- James Dunn, government teacher

toward the tuition.

Parents have their child’s best interest at heart, so students and their parents should be allowed the freedom to tailor the curriculum (as offered by the schools in their region) to best suit their child’s aptitudes.

Federal education spending has increased over three times from the year 1970 to 2005 after adjusting for inflation, and is currently at an all time high, according to the Heritage Foundation. Additionally, the reading and math scores on National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests have been nearly stagnant among 17 year olds, the final product of the American educational system. In 1973 the average math score was 304/500 and the average reading score was 285/500 compared to 306/500 and 287/500 in 2012 respectively.

It is apparent that the disease hampering the public schools is not a lack in funding, but rather the bloated and stagnant public schooling system.

The Floridian education system, and the country’s system at large, is going to require a change sooner rather than later if we aim for anything more than lethargy. Florida SB 376 could be the first step towards an increasingly competitive, efficient and functional education system. h

charter vs. public schools

da is 49th eachers er 100 udents

In 2013,

Florida ranked 42nd in per student funding

In the 2011-12 school year, charter students received 58 additional learning days in math and 41 additional days in reading realtive to public school students

Source: Stanford Center for Research on Education Outcomes, Florida Times Union, Miami Herald, Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Opinion 18

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Term limits: a false fix

Aimed at tackling corruption in politics, term limits may fuel the issue that they are meant to solve Commentary by Kevin Monjarrez STAFF WRITER

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ORRUPTION may be the g r e a t e s t challenge for socioeconomic success. As a result, politicians have often sought ways to reduce corruption in our government, specifically in Congress. This search to limit corruption on Capitol Hill has led to the idea of Congressional term limits, potential legislation that has been proven to be unconstitutional, ineffective and detrimental to democracy. Although the goal of implementing a congressional term limit is admirable, it is not a plausible way to limit corruption.

For one, it is debatable whether term limits are effective in reducing corruption. While one would think that limiting the time congressmen spend in office would, in turn, limit their exposure to lobbyists influences, term limits also force fresh faces to rely on such lobbyists who never leave the Hill.Truman School of Public Affairs Research associate professor David Valentine has asserted that many inexperienced legislators often do not fully understand the complex issues which they must produce policy for, resulting in an environment where legislators are overly influenced by lobbyists.

Even after this initial phase of ignorance within Congress, legislators can become further susceptible to corruption as their term limit approaches.

According to a joint study between the University of California (UC) at DID YOU Berkeley and the Pontifical Catholic KNOW? University of Rio de Janeiro, mayors in Brazil with re-election incentives Imposing are less likely to be corrupt than those without goals for a consecutive term. term limits on UC Berkeley theorized that this change all members in behavior between the two groups was of congress due to the risk involved in exhibiting corrupt or questionable behavior. is one of Officials who planned to run for a President second term were less willing to risk Trump’s tarnishing their reputation than officials on their last term. goals for his Congressional term limits have first 100 days also been heavily criticized by several in office. politicians for being undemocratic in nature. Term limits prevent voters from Source: supporting a candidate that they had The New York Times been in favor of more than the limit allowed, acting as an unfair restriction for both the electoral and congressional candidates alike. In fact, the Supreme Court case Inc. v Thornton ruled term limits unconstitutional, saying that state-imposed restrictions violate the right of the people to choose their preferred congressional candidate. Due to this ruling, it is highly unlikely for congressional term limits to ever be passed.

While there are several problems concerning the prospect of term limits, the proposal ultimately fails in that it does not aim to address the base problem which causes the corruption of our senators and representatives, the

dominant presence of lobbyists. The primary reason why congressmen turn to lobbyist is to satiate their desperate need for funds. Surprisingly, Congressional fundraising occupies the majority of a Congressmen’s time in office as a result of the outrageous financial burden campaigning requires, sometimes upwards of $18,000 a day. That large requirement alone demonstrates why lobbyists are so effective in influencing Congressmen, as even a relatively small contribution can make a significant dent in their fundraising obligations.

Lobbyists provide an alternative to the endless telemarketing that congressmen face in exchange for something as simple as a bill proposal.

Although the situation at hand seems bleak, there could very well be a more reliable fix than term limits to prevent corruption- by publicly funding congressional elections. This proposal has already acquired substantial support, as it would potentially reduce the influence of wealthy donors and corporate executives. While one can argue that publicly funded campaigns would not completely prevent lobbyists from spreading their influence, it is undeniable that it would not only reduce the effects of lobbyists, but also serve as a superior solution to term limits.

Publicly funded elections dispose of the reliance legislators have on financial contributors and allow them to spend the majority of their time in the Capitol rather than a telemarketing booth. h

Opposable THUMBS Tennis Players “Doesn’t it hurt knowing that you will never be as good as a wall?”

- Alejandro Prida, Staff Writer

First lunch “It is basically breakfast.”

- Dan Leiferman, Staff Writer

Prom “It is nice to see so many kids caring about Earth day.”

- Alejandra Orozco, Staff Writer h

Studying for AP tests

“I will just highlight the entire review book.”

-Estelle Erwich Staff Writer

Sports 19

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Varsity baseball topples Westland

The Cavaliers baseball team ventures to FIU to face the Westland Hialeah Wildcats

By Cecilia Rodriguez STAFF WRITER

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AKING THEIR GAME TO THE college field, the varsity baseball team defeated the Westland Hialeah Wildcats, 6-5, at the Florida International University (FIU) stadium on March 28. Their overall record is 8-6 and their district record is 5-1.

“It was an awesome experience bringing our game from the usual field at school to a college level field. It was really exciting to play somewhere new,” junior Nicolas Montes said.

The win was largely due to the outstanding game-time performance of senior Adrian Guerra, who pitched five innings and struck out six batters.

“We played well as a team and had a good time. That’s what’s important, doing what you love and having a good time,” Guerra said.

The team started to heat up in the bottom of the third inning, when junior Bryan Vargas sprinted into home after a

HARD HITTER Junior Brian Garcia steps up to the plate and anticipates the upcoming pitch.

single hit by Montes.

The score remained in the school’s favor at 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, when sophomore Ernest Dennis scored a single run following an error by Westland Hialeah’s third baseman.

Junior Harrison Stampler batted a single, bringing sophomore Addiel Quintana home. In the bottom of the fifth inning the Cavaliers scored two more runs. As a result of five walks and a line drive by junior Brian Garcia, the score increased to 5-0. Garcia’s play brought sophomore Brendan Reyes and junior Juan Osorio to home plate.

Eventually, Westland scored one run, but another hit by Osorio brought Kenney

home once again, making the score 6-1 at the bottom of the sixth inning.

However, the Wildcats refused concede. The school rapidly scored four runs at the top of the seventh inning, making the game 6-5.

Westland Hialeah was eager for a comeback and bases were loaded when junior Nicholas Jacks came onto the field and pitched three outs, preventing the opposing school from mounting a comeback.

Throughout the actionpacked match, the team was sure-handed and confident.

Sophomore Gerardo Rodriguez was one of the most active players on the field with seven plays, the most for the nail-biting game. h

Spotlight: Head Coach Hardy, ready to lead The school’s wrestling team acquires a new leader as the team enters another season

By Dan Leiferman STAFF WRITER

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ITH A SPORT AS physically demanding as wrestling, a strong, capable captain is necessary in order to lead the team. This was immediately taken into consideration when the newly appointed head coach Thomas Hardy, rose in rank alongside Coach Angel Vasquez. Hardy’s recent entry as the head coach of the wrestling team will be well accompanied by Vazquez, the longtime wrestling coach that had led the team previously. With Vazquez’s assistance, alongside the fact that Hardy was already an assistant coach for the team last year, the transition of power is set to be smooth. “[Coach Hardy] has a drive to work with us and he is caring underneath everything. I expect him to adapt to us and lead us to more victories,”

sophomore Tristan Breaux said.

The wrestling team’s trust in Hardy’s leadership, testifies to the positive impact that the coach has already made on the team. Having had previous experience with kids as one of the school’s security guards, Coach Hardy’s persistent, dedicated demeanor will come in handy when shaping the morale and strategy of the team.

“He’s very straightforward and values doing things right the first time every time. I expect for him to unify the team a lot and help us support each other,” senior wrestler Manny Zapata said.

Hardy’s new coaching dynamic and will lead his team on a path to victory but, most importantly, will likely have a lasting impact on

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Hardy’s very direct and values doing things right the first time, every time.

-Manny Zapata, senior

the team for years to come. Hardy’s motivating and dedicated personality sets him apart and will ease the team into a new leadership that the team has not seen yet.

“If I can get the majority of my seniors, in the upcoming season to go to college, that’s all I want. The wins and everything are all great but seeing the kids get into college is the most important thing to me,” Hardy said.

Coach Hardy’s priority of helping his athletes into college and his dedication to this idea attests to his realistic coaching expectations.

Although being the new head coach of an athletic team may be intimidating, Hardy’s introduction into the school’s wrestling team will be a smooth transition and will establish a brand new player-coach dynamic. h

Sports 20

Spotlight: Thomas Mikell plays hockey Junior Thomas Mikell continues to hold his passion for a sport unique to the Sunshine State

By Ana Wolfermann STAFF WRITER

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UNIOR THOMAS MIKELL embarked on his journey to pursue a successful future in ice hockey at the age of five. As a child, Mikell admired his father’s passion for hockey and was inspired to follow in his footsteps. The sport symbolizes a bond for him and his father as they have played and watched hockey together for as long as Mikell can remember.

Living in Miami, Mikell tried sports more common in the Sunshine State, such as baseball and soccer, but since he first witnessed a live minor league h o c k e y game at five years old, he fell in love with the speed and physical roughness of the game. Twelve years of passionate dedication to hockey has allowed Mikell’s skills to surpass his father’s expectations. “[Hockey] taught me to be a team player and a better person overall,” Mikell said.

Mikell’s father grew up in New York where ice would freeze over lakes and rivers and he would play hockey with his friends throughout his childhood. Since initially learning to play hockey with his father, Mikell has practiced

MIAMI ICE: Mikell is currently preparing for a series of tournaments.

and played at Pembroke Pines Ice A r e n a , Kendall Ice Arena and at

the Labor Day Tournament. Mikell has also competed in Chicago, Orlando, North Carolina and Detroit with the Toros. As a freshman and just this February, he also made it to FSHL finals playing with the Miami Dade Hockey Alliance.

Mikell will begin attending tournaments

t h e Panthers Ice Den. While Mikell has been involved with hockey for most of his life, he began training competitively at the age of 13.

For the past three years Mikell has played as a forward with the Florida Scholastic Hockey League (FSHL) on a team called Miami Dade Hockey Alliance. Since freshman year, he has been receiving special recognition for his hard work and excellence in the sport.

At 14, he played with the traveling league Miami Toros and they won

regularly again from October until February.

The FSHL is composed of seven high school hockey teams per division.

There are three divisions in the league, Division I being the most talented.

Mikell plays in Division 1 and plays in at least 20 games per season.

Since competitive hockey has been such an integral part of his life Mikell claims to have learned patience and proper sportsmanship.

“I can definitely see a potential future in hockey playing it at my future college,” Mikell said.

Some day Mikell dreams of playing hockey professionally and spending his life enjoying the passion he has practiced for so long. h

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Dedicated parents inspire success As the sports seasons conclude, highlights recognizes outstanding sports parents

By Shirley Ramirez STAFF WRITER

These are not only good athletes, but also great students. They represent Gables very well. Anything we can do to support the team, we

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It’s very exciting when we are able to win a big match against strong opponent, and the team can support one another after the match.

- David Weiner

- Rosa Fernandez

Ra Shi rle y

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did not know they could,” Perez said.

As a board member of the booster club for the girls soccer team, Rosa Fernandez is very involved in her daughter, junior Brianna de La Osa’s soccer team. Fernandez has always retained an active role in the soccer team’s affairs. She hosts soccer banquets at her house, organizes pre-game meals and helps fundraise for the team. Fernandez used to work in the banking field and has stated that she struggled to balance her work with her children’s activities despite her desire to take an active role in their athletics. Since her retirement, Fernandez has placed an emphasis on attending her children’s soccer games and inspiring their passion. Moreover, even though she does struggle to balance her busy schedule sometimes, she always answers the call of duty when it comes to assisting the school’s soccer teams.

“I feel that girls’ sports do not receive enough recognition and so I do my part to ensure that they get the respect that they deserve,” Fernandez said.

Math teacher and longtime tennis coach David Weiner has been committed to his team for 13 years and enjoys every aspect of it.

Junior Austin Weiner, the coach’s son, has been playing tennis since the m

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age of 12 when David Weiner introduced him to the sport.

David Weiner loves going to the players’ matches and was especially proud when the team won a district match.

Weiner expressed his excitement when one of his athletes defeated a notorious cheater in a district match.

“We just had a match at districts where someone on the team won this match against this big-time cheater, a real pain. But he was down big and came back and won. We were so excited when he won. It was very exciting,” David Weiner said.

Parents like these have been able to continuously help not only their children, but the entire team in the process. The parents named are not alone in their pursuit to serve the school’s teams. The amount of parents involved in the school’s athletics and team sports is considerably large and their relationship with the school has helped bring fan support back to sports. With the help of these parents, the teams continue to bring success to the school’s athletic program and continue to compete with other schools.

“I love being in practice with the students because I am able to play with them and help them,” David Weiner said. h

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HILE THE AVERAGE PARENT assists their child athlete by funding their participation in the sport or driving their child wherever they need to go, there are some parents who will go above and beyond to assist the school’s athletic teams and inspire their child’s interest in athletics.

Football booster club president Stephanie Perez has had tremendous involvement in making the program successful. She and the board introduced a multitude of items and promotions that the club has not seen in the past. This year, Perez has put in more time and effort into the club as it is her son, senior Kristopher Moll’s, final year on the team.

Additionally, because Perez’s job has flexible hours, she was able to assist the booster club in fundraising money not only for the current year, but for the next year’s 2017-2018 season as well. Many football players were also able to obtain jobs after the idea that Perez introduced of them working at concession stands. She comes to almost every single football game and said she loves to help around in any way she can. Last year she had a lot of kids who reached out to her for her support and commitment to the team.

“Sometimes, the things we do, even the little things, affect the kids in a way parents

Sometimes, the things us parents do, even the little things, will affect the kids in a way most parents did not know was even possible.

- Stephanie Perez

Sports 22

TWO VIEWS: Should college athletes be com

Every year a new generation of collegiate athletes enter the NCAA. D debate about whether or not athletes should be paid or granted mo COPY EDITOR

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If you look at the amount of money that these athletes are bringing in for their schools, it’s ridiculous.

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but the athletes that brought the money in received nothing except for their allimportant substandard education. Even the school who brought in the least amount of revenue, Arkansas State University with $8,392,852, made millions. However, many of these schools report a deficit in revenue to make it seem as though they are not making any money. But, this is also extremely misleading. These same schools design new and lavish expenses (like new buildings or updated facilities) so they can hide behind the excuse that athletics is not a money making enterprise.

In other words, schools prop of curtains of deceit, whether it be through scholarships to a lower grade education or designed income deficits, in order to continue to exploit the athletes free of charge.

The NCAA itself makes around $912 million a year off its product. Although it is a non-profit, this money stays at the top and cycles through the people wearing suits more so than the people wearing uniforms. The NCAA and schools alike work the athletes to the brink, some getting seriously hurt in just practice, with three Oregon football players who were hospitalized after a grueling training session being an example. The industry brings in millions upon millions of dollars and provide the athletes with scholarships, which in many smaller sports (like tennis or soccer) are not full rides, to a worse education, harshly penalizing them for

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A Y I N G college athletes has garnered much attention and controversy over the past few years, with an increasing number of proponents lobbying for a change in the current system. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is at odds with many people on this subject as it continues to gain a massive amount of revenue off student athletes that receive no compensation in return. This organization, along with the individual universities, operates under the guise of providing kids with free education and big opportunities, while bringing in a huge amount of income annually and discarding any student athlete that does not perform to the level necessary to keep the cash flow steady. Considering this, the truth is simple: it is time to pay the players.

The term student athlete is very misleading. The NCAA and schools around the country use this label to justify the fact that they do not pay athletes because they are “students first, athletes second.” This is not true. In collegiate athletics, the kid’s focus is, and must be, on the sport they play, not on the education they are receiving. A lot of the time, these athletes are forced into less rigorous schedules, as they were at the University of North Carolina. The university imposed fake classes on their “student athletes,” like Swahili courses the students were encouraged not to attend, in an effort to draw all attention to the sport bringing in the money for the school and organization. An athlete’s education is very different from the education of normal students. Schooling for athletes is subpar at best, as the focus for these athletes is on athletics, and not education, as is enforced by the industry of collegiate sports.

Another aspect to consider here is the amount of money that college athletes bring to their respective schools and the NCAA. In 2008 alone, the University of Alabama racked up $123,769,841 (the most by any school), per ESPN,

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Commentary by Dylan Carol

-George Poincot, senior

seeking better compensation elsewhere and casting them off if they can no longer produce due to injury.

The system of the NCAA is highly flawed and unjust. The athletes are employees to the big corporation but are not treated as such.

They are worked incredibly hard, are not allowed to get a job or receive any type of money from anybody (lest they be using their brand in college to get some income to support themselves through the rigors of college life), are expendable pawns in the industry of collegiate athletics and are slaves to the schools which so generously give them free middle school level education. The machine works around the needs of the players and into the interest of the NCAA. The money is there, it just is not used for the direct benefit of the players in terms of compensation, rather to pay the coaches or the executives at the top. To not pay the players for the service they provide is exploitative and flat out wrong. h

QUICK FACTS: According to the NCAA, graduation rates are at an all-time high.

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highlights \ Vol. 57 \ May 2017 \ Pg. 23

compensated for their efforts?

CAA. Devoting hours of their time to their individual sports, the d more benefits continues to puzzle viewers today SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

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N THE MIDST OF controversy, debate surrounding intercollegiate athletics frequently poses the question: “Should college athletes be paid?” This proposition entirely contradicts the ethical foundation that keeps the competition of college sports pure. These are students, not employees. Furthermore, when taking into consideration the immense financial and educational benefits that come with a full athletic scholarship, there is no reason for upending the longstanding institutions that provide thousands of families with such a valued academic opportunity.

Student athletes should not be paid, however, that does not mean they should not be compensated. Due to their athletic commitment and dedication, each student receives an abundance of benefits revolving around a free education, as stated in the student-athlete contract with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In summary, the NCAA is a s non-profit organization that ht lig gh provides athletic opportunities for more than 460,000 college student athletes with a free education. They have the opportunity to attend some of the finest universities in the United States at virtually no cost. These scholarships cover tuition, room and board, books and meal plans as well

81% of the NCAA’s revenue comes from television and marketing rights fees.

as providing students access to several financial programs such as federal Pell Grants, the Academic Enhancement Fund, the Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund and the Student Assistance Fund.

However, for a student not covered by a scholarship, these expenses can add up.

NCAA recently released a study stating that the “average college student graduates with about $35,200 in debt.” This statistic depicts the overwhelming advantage that these student-athletes are given when not having to pay back student loans or debts.

The primary objective of each school is to educate and inform students, preparing them for their transition into adulthood. The amount of players who play professionally after college is incredibly low. Students are aware of this fact when choosing to play in college and should have an incentive to learn. Though the life of a Division 1 athlete can be grueling, these athletes are given every opportunity

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Commentary by Sutton Payne

Athletes are given scholarships that cover massive sums of money, in which they in turn get a priceless degree at the end of their college career

-Nicholas Jacks, junior

Approximately 86% of student athletes live beneath the poverty line.

Source: NCAA, The Price of Poverty in Big Time College Sport, CBS

to prepare themselves with a free education at hand.

Also, playing a collegiate sport may increase one’s success of graduating because according to Politifact, the NCAA graduation rate is at 82%, 17 percent higher than their fellow students who do not play on NCAA sports teams. In this respect, student-athletes are given something far more valuable than a salary: a degree.

If players were to receive compensation in the form of payment, the only two possible sources of funding are the individual college or the NCAA. While it is evident that each school generates significant income, according to the Intercollegiate Athletics Program Report, only 20 Football Bowl Subdivisions schools netted a positive revenue to expenses ratio in 2013. Thus, after paying expenses that eventually circulate back into the student’s benefits in the form of academic programs and athletic resources, most schools struggle to balance their budget. This revenue is also used to support less lucrative sports such as fencing and tennis. Major sports programs bring in enormous exposure as a result of television contacts, licensing deals and endorsements; however, they are losing money in the process. This leaves the responsibility of the athletes’ salaries in the hands of the NCAA. Yet, since they are non-profit, their budget is strictly spent on supplying schools with the funds that are put towards the valuable scholarships that give these students a chance at success.

Nevertheless, say the athletics department was able to supply these figures, regardless of the fact that this scenario still does not add up from a numerical standpoint.

At this point, the now “employee” would be in a business contract with the school, forcing their education to take a backseat to the college’s profits. Even though these players have a huge role in their respected team’s athletics, a fine line needs to be drawn between a school and a company. As soon as an institution begins hiring students as employees, they ignore these individuals’ futures, and prioritize the businesses that they have created. h

The Scene 24

Frost Museum reimagines science After years of reconstruction, the Frost Museum of Science is set to open in May as an educational hub

By Estelle Erwich STAFF WRITER

A

fter two years plagued by financial roadblocks and multiple challenges, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science has finally set a date, May 8, to open.

The museum will be located in Miami’s new waterfront Museum Park, at 1101 Biscayne Boulevard.

“The 250,000 square foot facility combines a planetarium, aquarium and science museum on one campus, furthering Miami-Dade County’s vision of Miami as a major cultural hub with one of the most sophisticated science and technology museums in the nation,” museum spokeswoman Paula Villanueva said.

The museum’s key focuses are education and providing an informative and dynamic experience for the community.

“The museum is divided into four buildings, the Frost Planetarium, Aquarium and North and West Wings, where guests can learn about the core science behind living systems, the solar system and known universe, the physics of flight, light and lasers, the biology of the human body and mind and much more. What make this museum so unique

is that it’s one of the few museums to house a planetarium, aquarium and science museum on one dynamic campus,” Villanueva said.

The three-floor aquarium will simulate the intricate ecosystem of the Florida Gulf Coast, with each of its levels showcasing a different kind of habitat that exists in the waters. The aquarium will include three levels: the Vista, the Dive and the Deep, all with exceptional viewing opportunities.

Another key feature of the museum is the Frost Planetarium. The planetarium is a 250-seat viewing experience complete with 3-D capable projectors, surround sound system and advanced screening programming. The dimensions of the planetarium’s seating are angled precisely to fully immerse the viewer in either a journey through a strand of DNA or a staff-led tour of the galaxies. At the former science museum, the planetarium was a visitor favorite, so the Frost museum has made it a priority to host laser show viewings and offer options to privately rent the planetarium for events or presentations.

Aside from the permanent planetarium and aquarium, the museum

SCIENTIFIC SPECTRUM: The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science will offer multiple exhibits and features, such as an aquarium and planetarium.

Sarah Galt / highlights

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will showcase a multitude of exhibits.

For the grand opening there will be an exhibit focusing on the ecosystem of the Everglades and another displaying the intricate connections between body and mind, sponsored by Baptist Hospital.

The project to renovate and relocate the institution, formerly known as the Miami Science Museum, began in 2012 with $105 million of tax funds.

However, this was an underestimation of what would be needed to complete the endeavor. The plan to relocate and neighbor the Perez Art Museum eventually amounted to a hefty $325 million.

Despite this, the effort to construct a multi-faceted and impressive museum continued. This financially ambitious venture eventually collapsed in the fall of 2015, resulting in a last-ditch effort to salvage the project, which was spearheaded by philanthropists Phillip and Patricia Frost.

Phillip Frost, a former professor at the University of Miami, and his wife Patricia Frost became key investors in Miami’s progress and landscape after selling Frost’s pharmaceutical company. The Frosts have donated millions to projects such as the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum at Florida International University and a science scholarship program in partnership with Oxford University. The Frosts donated $35 million towards the museum, and an additional $10 million for the completion of the Frost Planetarium.

Phillip Frost, who sits on the board of the Smithsonian Institute, set in place many changes, including a complete replacement of the current board. Since these changes took effect, construction has continued, and the date of its grand reopening is quickly approaching.

With careful planning and well executed exhibits, the Frost Museum of Science is set to quickly become a focal point of science, education and community in downtown Miami.

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ May 2017 \ Pg. 25

Dough Miami

One hundred percent safe-to-eat cookie dough comes to South Florida

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

S

Refueling foods and juices come to Miami

By Natalie Viglucci

By Karina Wu ATISFYING ONE’S CRAVING for freshly churned cookie dough, Dough Miami prepares ready-to-eat tubs of batter in a variety of flavors and adds a new dynamic to the city’s restaurant scene.

Last December, Melissa Cardoza and her brother Tiago Montemor founded the business after being inspired by another cookie dough shop in New York City. It is the first online-based company to sell 100 percent safe-to-eat cookie dough in South Florida due to its lack of eggs accompanied by the use of heat-treated flour in the dough. Despite the lack of a storefront, the newly established company continues to thrive off of their weekly deliveries.

“After we came back from New York, we bought a mixer and worked on developing the recipes the way we wanted them for Dough Miami,” Cardoza said.

A family-run business, Dough Miami hand delivers their tubs across the Westchester to Kendall areas from 8 p.m. to midnight every Thursday through Sunday. Customers must order a minimum of three 8oz tubs through their website, doughmia.com, or over the phone. Phone lines open at 7 p.m., an hour before the delivery process begins.

Once received, the dough lasts up to four weeks in the fridge and four months in the freezer.

Fan favorites include flavors like Birthday Cake dough, S’mores and Dulce de Leche. Offering premium flavors such as Kit Kat and Cinnamon Roll, a collaboration with Knausberry Farm, Dough Miami serves up a large variety of the sweet treat. Each tub ranges from $6 to $9, depending on their availability and toppings.

“Our best-selling flavor is definitely the Birthday Cake,” Cardoza said. “It’s the most eye-catching; it has the rainbow sprinkles and sweet vanilla.”

After three months of developing over six original flavors, Cardoza began selling at events such as the Wheelin’ Dealin’ Food Truck festival and the

Juicense

Miami Flea.

“In February, we really started doing shows like [Wheelin’ Dealin] … we have gotten such good feedback that in one month, we’ve been able to expand, look at franchise opportunities as well as look at opening a food truck in the future,” Cardoza said.

Offering delectable flavors, Dough Miami stands as a crowd favorite among the others, putting a new twist on plain cookie dough.

Menu

CHOCOLATE CHIP $6.00 BIRTHDAY CAKE $6.00

DULCE DE LECHE $7.00

PEANUT BUTTER $7.00 NUTELLA $7.00 SMORES $8.00

Limited Flavors KNAUSBERRY FARM CINNAMON ROLL $9.00 KIT-KAT $8.00

CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH $9.00 Sarah Galt / highlights

COOKIE DOUGH CRAZE: Dough Miami’s menu, featuring six regular flavors and three premium flavors, as displayed at the Wheelin’ Dealin’ Festival.

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ITHIN THE PAST FEW years, an explosion of healthier eating habits has taken hold of the nation. Foods like kale, quinoa and acai bowls are replacing the classic hamburgers, ice cream and pizza. Organic cafes and vegan restaurants have targeted conscious consumers and are helping lead America into a healthier direction, and Juicense is now a contributor to the cause.

A glass front entrance gives a sneak peak into the sleek interior of the juice shop. Stainless steel lighting fixtures hang down from the ceiling and plants in silver pots sit on every table, giving the shop a modern, clean feel. A large fridge holds an array of colorful cleansing juices and containers of oatmeal available for purchase.

Located on 2992 McFarlane Rd, Juicense has juices, shots, nutmilks, smoothies and meals on their menu, in which all of the ingredients are non-GMO and organic as often as possible. A bottle of juice ranges from $7.75 to $8.75 and all cleansing shots are priced at $3.50. Their nutmilks go for $8.75 and smoothies cost $10.75 to $11.25. Juicense has foods ranging from $6 Yoghurt Parfaits to $12.25 Smoked Salmon Toast.

The owners are a couple originally from Mexico who wanted to integrate their healthy lifestyle into their business.

“One of the owners, Mariana Diez, is a nutritional coach and certified dietitian and all of the recipes are actually hers,” manager Julio Ortiz said.

As of now, Juicense’s business is booming and they plan on opening another shop in Brickell and potentially in Fort Lauderdale.

Considering that healthfulness is the new obsession nationwide, healthcentered companies have taken the lead in the food industry, and Juicense is on top.

BEAT ME UP $7.75

DEFENSE UP $7.75

MATCHA LATTE NUTMILK $7.75

The Scene 26

Miami redefines the Upper East Side

North East Miami offers a creative outlet for artists, restaurant owners and park enthusiasts

By Alfredo Wolferman & Audrey Weigel STAFF WRITERS

T

eeming with high-rise office towers, shops, boutique hotels and restaurants, the Upper East Side of Miami is a relatively unknown area to students at the school.

Frequently referred to as Northeast Miami, the Upper East Side includes several subdivisions: Magnolia Park, Bay Point, Morningside, Bayside, Belle Meade, Shorecrest and Palm Grove.

The sector is also home to the Miami Modern (MiMo) Historic District of Miami, in which many unique art galleries and restaurants are situated.

Additionally, there are many funky urban centers, cafes, restaurants and parks in the vicinity, many of which are sitting quietly on the Biscayne Bay area, waiting to be discovered.

Morningside Park In a big city setting, filled with the Miami hustle and sun, Morningside Park is the perfect oasis of trees and shade. Resembling the more popular Tropical Park, Morningside offers the ideal place to enjoy a weekend picnic, afternoon walk or an activity-filled day.

With its many amenities, including tennis courts, a baseball field, a municipal pool, picnic benches and walking trails, it is a peaceful escape from urban life.

It runs for five blocks along Biscayne Bay, also featuring a boat ramp that could be useful to students with small boats or skiffs. The park is beautiful in the evening, due to the sunsets that are visible on the beach.

Morningside is also a family oriented park, one of its many benefits being their pet friendliness. For smaller events, there are barbecue areas available. There is kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing available for $12 to $20 per hour, although the park itself has no entrance fee. Keep in mind that although the park is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the weekdays, there are shorter hours on the weekends, opening only from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Ironside Ironside is an art and fashion district

spanning about four blocks, which has been around a total of ten years, yet only started growing and developing in the past two. It is made up of 67 showrooms, studios and coworking spaces that are run by a multitude of designers, architects and boutique retailers.

Ironside has made an effort to create an eco-friendly urban center by implementing recycled and upcycled material concepts throughout its structure. The area is vibrantly colored with modern art sculptures and different exhibits. After stepping in, one can find anything from art showrooms to galleries, restaurants and retail stores.

The Iron Side Cafe is drawing more and more tourists to the area, creating a family friendly environment full of local artists and culture.

The cafe offers authentic Italian cuisine experience by using recipes that are popular all over the country.

The House Calzone is one of the more popular items in the restaurant, although the price is steep.

Another local shop named Pink Bastard specializes in high end, minimalist clothing for women. The store offers totes, shirts, underwear and dresses. The prices range from $40 to $1,200, including tote bags, necklaces and original tees. There are about 65 creative industry businesses such as wedding shops and art galleries throughout the community.

Painting with a Twist Painting with a Twist has redefined art classes by encouraging its customers to bring their own beverage or food item. The company started in 2007 and the owner finally decided to expand it into a franchise in 2009. Since 2009, the franchise has grown to over 300 locations.

Painting With a Twist offers both supplies and assistance within a two hour period. A canvas can either be presketched or blank. Painting with a Twist hosts both public and private events for 10 or more people. They also have specialized public classes for smaller

Audrey Weigel / highlights

Audrey Weigel / highlights

Alfredo Wolferman / highlights

SWEET SIDE: The Upper East Side is an intricate community including amenities such as (top to bottom) Morningside Park, Ironside, Painting With a Twist and Rebel.

Alfredo Wolferman / highlights

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ May 2017 \ Pg. 27

EAST MIAMI ON THE MAP

children and adults.

The prices range from $25 to $45 based on the type of painting, 1 SHORECREST but unfortunately they do not offer 2 BELLE MEADE discounts for parties or any special 3 BAYSIDE promotions. Their monthly calendar 4 MORNINGSIDE of events is posted on their website, 5 BAY POINT paintingwithatwist.com.

6 DESIGN DISTRICT As a fun feature, the teachers in 7 BUENA VISTA the studio make sure to take occasional 8 LEMON CITY breaks and play short games with (LITTLE HAITI) participants, the rewards being paintings 9 LITTLE RIVER 10 LIBERTYCITY the teachers have created.

“I went to Painting with a Twist for my aunt’s birthday and the experience was really nice. The instructors made an effort to teach us how to paint and we overall had a great time,” junior Maria Mejia said.

Rebel Founded 14 years ago Sarah Galt / highlights by owner Andrea Singer, Rebel Boutique sells stylish clothing, jewelry, decorations and other luxury goods. Situated in a small locale on Biscayne Boulevard, they sell wholesale items from all over the United States, including California, Hawaii, and New York. Items rang from high-end

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designer shoes to chic shorts.

Relaxing music and soft, warm lights invade the scene. Originally a consignment shop, Rebel has recently cut down on their consignment inventory and begun to sell more high-end items.

The shop plans to move to a new location on 77th and Biscayne Boulevard in the month of May, seeking to remove their consignment items from the boutique. All items will be valued at $10 during this transition, a huge deal for shoppers. Although the vintage clothing will be gone, Rebel promises to maintain the unique style of clothing that they are known for.

The boutique is currently open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day except for Sundays, when it is open from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Parking is easily accessible despite the busy street surrounding the shop.

Singer can usually be found in the store, making herself available to help customers, creating a friendly shopping atmosphere.

Overall, Rebel has proven itself to be a homey, yet sheek clothing boutique that caters to all types of people and styles.

NOW HIRING! ALL HOURLY POSITIONS APPLY WITHIN AT 2710 S DIXIE HWY | 305.448.9892 2350 DOUGLAS RD | 305.461.1915 1277 SW 8TH STR | 305.856.9221 OR ONLINE AT POLLOTROPICAL.COM/CAREERS Pollo Tropical® is an equal opportunity employer.

® ©2016 Pollo Operations, Inc.

Insight 28

UNPACKING STUDENT RIGHTS

As residents of the United States, each and everyone one of us lives in a law governed society that guarantees fundamental rights. However, as students, some of these rights are limited to ensure campus safety. To better understand why, highlights explores the legal code behind student privacy and speech.

By Audrey Weigel & Alejandra Orozco

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ May 2017 \ Pg. 29

Ma ria m

student speakupS h ts hlig hig la/ Ve

“It

doesn’t really bother me. My bag can be searched at any time. You’re not supposed to have [drugs] inside of school.

We shouldn’t even have that outside of school since we’re underage. Keep it outside...to avoid issues.”

Yoandy Borroso, junior Ana Wo lfe r

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“I think the school system as a whole just has a lot of things it doesn’t do properly, because they tend to have a counter effect to what their intentions are. I think that’s where the rules would apply in terms of limiting us and taking away certain rights.”

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to search a student’s bag. Yet, according to Costa, refusing to be searched would, in turn, be enough evidence for a police officer to search you. So, even if a teacher instigates the search based only off of reasonable suspicion, a police officer may ultimately conduct the seizure if a student declines. “[For teachers, they] just [need] a reasonable amount of suspicion based on something, there is no burden of proof. You can resist [a search]; once you resist and say ‘I’m not showing you my purse,’ now it goes from suspicion to probable cause because now I have asked you to do something and you’re being defiant, now that authority can search you because now there’s a reason why they can search you,” Costa said.

As for teachers, they are not allowed to be searched on campus, due to their union and a different code of conduct that they follow. Though they follow certain rules, like no tobacco or firearms on campus, no school administrator would be able to search their bags because of reasonable doubt or even probable cause. A problem with a teacher being a threat at the school would deal with the legal authorities and would be managed at a legal matter, as the school is not in charge of the teachers like they are students.

The restrictions placed on personal privacy in school continues outside of physical searches of a backpack or purse. In 1995, the Supreme Court ruled that random drug tests could be administered for student athletes. The case, Vernonia School District v. Acton, was in response to the school district’s investigation on the illicit drug use of its athletes. The court ruled in favor of the school district, deciding that random drug testing of high school athletes does not violate the reasonable search and seizure clause of the Fourth Amendment because it is prioritizing safety over the “minimal” intrusion in a student-athlete’s privacy. The key word here is “minimal”. Student’s can temporarily lose some of their privacy rights in order for the school to meet a more crucial goal: guaranteeing the welfare of both students and teachers.

The tradeoff of privacy for safety extends off of campus as well. With the recent emergence of social media and technology in general, controlling what students say online can get more complex, as it is not administered by the school.

With the new role social media plays in the lives of teens, the laws become

Natalie Brenes, sophomore

Ma ria m

T

here are obvious reasons as to why an administrator may search a student’s bag: if they are believed to have a weapon, if they have drugs or if they stole something.

After these more obvious crimes, the reasoning behind invading student’s privacy and other rights becomes much more complex. Actions are then based off of a medley of complex legal decisions, school codes, and most importantly the need to ensure safety on campus.

At the heart of this conversation, is the idea of in loco parentis, which translates to “in place of a parent”.

Under this doctrine, the school’s administration and teachers take on the legal functions and responsibilities of a parent while students are in school. Most students in high school are minors, yet even students who are legal adults fall under this law, as the school is required to ensure the entire student body’s safety. Although this rule is the basis for many disciplinary actions taken by the school’s administration, an easy way to grasp this law is to understand what happens when a student gets injured. If a parent cannot be reached at the time of the injury, the school can stand in and approve a student receiving medical attention. Thus, the school essentially becomes the parent. It was not intended for the school to take complete parental controls over the students, but to ensure protection and assume custody of students because they are deprived from the care of their legal guardian.

School administration clearly does have responsibilities similar to that of a parent’s, but they can dually act as a representative of the state. This was decided in the 1985 Supreme Court case New Jersey v. T. L. O. which ruled that, particularly when dealing with searches and seizures, schools do not act as parents but rather as a legal body.

Specifically at the school, persons of authority are allowed to search you or your bags, with reasonable suspicion. According to Principal Adolfo Costa, school officials, like teachers, administration and security, are allowed to search a student’s bag if they have reasonable suspicion of illegal activity or if students’ safety is at risk. For instance, if a teacher noticed a student’s eyes were red and suspected them of being on drugs, that would be enough reasonable suspicion for them to search the bag. Police officers on campus, however, need to have probable cause, a certain level of proof

h ts hlig hig la/ e V

“They have to make rules strict enough for the students that are going to break them the most but most of the people that go to this school are mature enough to function without such strict regulations.”

Carolina Alvarez, sophomore Compiled by Alejandra Orozco & Audrey Weigel

Insight 30 more complicated. One of the more prevalent issues associated with social media and students is Cyberbullying.

This is defined as “bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication.” The laws in Florida state that when cyberbullying is considered a misdemeanor, the penalty would not exceed a $1,000 fine, a prison sentence of less than a year or both. If it were considered a felony, the punishment would not exceed five years in prison, a fine of $5,000 or both. When discussing social media in general, the only way one can get in trouble within the school for what they post is if it disrupts the learning environment. This includes threats of violence directly related to the school and/or students, as well as other issues. “[The school can take action against] one that disrupts the learning environment, so basically once it becomes something that is impacting or disrupting others and it’s not just a post... it becomes an issue,” Miami Dade County Public Schools Executive Director of External Communications Denise Landman said. “That’s when we can draw the line. It doesn’t matter if you post it during, or if

DID YOU KNOW? Of the 49 million students enrolled in public schools in 2011-2012: •3.5 million students were suspended inschool; •3.45 million students were suspended outof-school; •130,000 students were expelled Source: U.S. Department of Education

you posted it after, it doesn’t matter if you posted it at home; but if you posted [something] threatening, [that is] a safety concern [and] something that we can take action on.”

Although the rules covered so far are complex, there are some laws that are much more black and white. One of the more explanatory ones is the gun policy in place at school’s nationwide.

In the 1990s amid rising crime rates and increased gun violence, the Clinton Administration enacted the Gun-Free Schools Act. The policy expels students for a minimum period of one year for possessing a firearm at school, including at school-sponsored events and activities held off school grounds. The law focuses on student behavior and penalizing students in an attempt to deter them from bringing firearms to school.

There has been for much of history, an ongoing battle between students and the government over the rights students have while on campus. The majority of these debates include students rebelling against their school or local districts for more rights, a prime example being students fighting for their First Amendment rights, specifically their freedom of speech. The 1969 Tinker

v. Des Moines School District case embodies the idea perfectly, that students should be allowed to peacefully protest by wearing an armband. The action the students took part in was in no way offensive to the school, disruptive or an infringement upon the rights of any other students, which is why the school was wrong in punishing them. Cases like these are important in deciding the limitations a school has over controlling a student’s right of free speech.

On the contrary side, the Supreme Court later ruled, in the Morse v.

Frederick case, that a student’s First Amendment rights apply in public schools unless there is a constitutionally valid reason for regulation of speech.

After a student held a banner that said “Bong hits 4 Jesus” along a route many students used to get to school, the court ruled that student speech off campus can be suppressed by school administrators if the speech promotes illegal activity.

In this instance, the banner went against the school’s anti-drug policy, promoted illegal activity and disrupted the learning environment. Even though the banner was not posted on school grounds, it can still affect the school in a negative light. Due to these consequences,

TIMELINE of historic cases: NT

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1982

The First Amendment to the United Stated Constitution protects students from being forced to salute the American flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

1969

1943

WEST VIRGINIA V. BARNETTE

island trees v. pico The First Amendment limits the power of junior high and high school officials to remove books from school libraries because of their content.

TINKER V. DES MOINES Public Schools cannot punish students for expressing their First Amendment rights if the rule is not necessary to maintain civility or the rights of others.

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ March 2017 \ Pg. 31

UNDERSTANDING THE LAWS

Luis Toruno/ highlights

In loco parentis is a rule implemented in school meaning “in place of parent.” This allows the administration to act as your legal parent in school.

5:21

Reasonable suspicion allows teachers to SEARCH a student’s back pack or person at any time.

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SPEECH in school can be regulated, but only if it disrupts the learning environment.

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Sources: Principal Adolfo Costa & MDPCS Executive Director of External Communications Denise Landman

VERNONIA V. ACTON

NEW JERSEY V. TLO Students should not be afforded the same level of search and seizure protection as adults and as juveniles in school settings.

2007

1985

1995

The Fourth Amendment allows random drug testing of high school students involved in athletic programs.

MORSE V. FEDERICK Schools may protect those entrusted to their care from speech that can be interpreted as encouraging illegal drug use.

Leila Iskandarani, Vanessa Vazquez & Olivia Field /highlights

students have restrictions with their free speech on and off campus.

The religious rights of students have also been brought to court, especially issues regarding the Pledge of Allegiance. The West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette Supreme Court case was instigated by a number of students who were Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their religion does not condone saluting or pledging to symbols, including those of political institutions.

The students refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance even after the threat of being expelled from school. After the students were threatened with exclusion and being sent to reformatories, it was determined in the case that the school did not have the power to compel speech in that manner. The case ruling was based on the establishment clause, which guarantees freedom of religion.

When a student, or frankly anyone, steps onto campus, they do not have the same rights as anywhere else. This is in part due to in loco parentis, as is the general basis for the student code of conduct and the overall regulations students must abide by, on and off school campus. Over the years, more and more court cases have defined other restrictions and laws which can be placed on the student body. Ultimately, the complex set of laws that govern the school exists to protect students and teachers, alike. h

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LIGHTBOX Senior Kaylin Sanchez performs at the Black History Month Show on April 7 to commemorate the black community’s contributions and represent her culture.

Amid fashion shows and step performances, her moving poem, “Pride,” portrayed the unfiltered history of black heritage.