Faces of palmetto
Teen Cadet Anja Spiegel Drafting Her Own Story:
For much of the student body at Miami Palmetto Senior High, waking up before sunrise is unheard of and the biggest challenge they face in the morning. However, for freshman Anja Spiegel, this is not an issue.
After spending weeks at an Alabama military camp, Anja can not only wake up at, or before five a.m., but execute and lead a group of teens decked out in camouflage. However, when first joining Extreme Military Challenge Camp, Anja understandably felt overwhelmed, as any teen does in their first year of
summer], and she came back and she said, ‘I want to do Extreme Military Challenge.’ We were like … ‘Okay,’” Carly said.
Obtaining such a high-ranking sergeant position was not an easy task, but Anja knew she could not opt-out and stuck it through despite the challenges she encountered.
“I did cadet basic training, which is two weeks, and they have real drill instructors from multiple branches, and you get put through a little condensed basic training, still very hard, very long. It starts with Shark Attack, so you all get to know your drill instructors, and they yell at you for 20 minutes, and then it’s very high pace. I did not want to be there at the time,” Anja said.
However, another factor that was even more of a motivation for Anja to continue at this camp was being one of many few girls present, as well as one of the shortest kids.
“Being a female definitely makes it hard for being in leadership positions because guys won’t listen to you the same. Over time, I learned how to be a female [in a] leadership position. Also, another struggle was that I came up shorter and smaller. It’s hard to do the optical force or the physical stuff,” Anja said.
Anja returned home, feeling extremely brave and accomplished. Her parents also feel accomplished, not afraid to share their pride in Anja for completing this camp, as well as expanding her military horizons.
“I mean, I have been extremely impressed [with Anja]. The first time she came back, she was like ‘This was great. I did it. I’m never, ever, ever going to do it again. It was crazy, but I did it, and I’m proud of myself,’” Benjamin said. “And then — I’m never going to forget — we were standing somewhere clothes shopping around Christmas time, and she came back and said, ‘Hey, there’s a winter survival training that they do. I want to go do it.’ We were very, very impressed with her growth through it, and very surprised, honestly.”
On top of acing the camp, Anja has created some lifelong bonds.
“I have the bestest friends there. I trust people there more than most any other friends have had outside of camp. [We have] really good connections,” Anja said.
Anja has risen in the ranks in this camp, becoming a Sergeant First Class.
Her success and skill while being part of camp have also given her incredible opportunities. Notably, she earned the honor of laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
on Oct. 21, 2024.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a symbolic grave at Arlington National Cemetery in northern Virginia near Washington D.C.. It exists to honor all of the unnamed and unidentified soldiers who died fighting for the U.S.. Notably, the tomb has undergone 24/7 surveillance every day, regardless of weather, since its opening in 1937.
Laying a wreath is a way to honor the servicemen and women buried there and the opportunity to do so is a big deal for those participating in Extreme Military Challenge Camp.
“At the end of the summer, [the camp] picked 15 or so cadets that they think excelled, and they let them go to D.C.. So during D.C., [we went] to the tomb, to the Pentagon and to the Association of the U.S. Army, which is the army convention,” Spiegel said.
Beyond being a freshman and being new to MPSH, Anja is also new to Miami, Fla. with her family moving here from Cincinnati, Ohio in June 2024.
“At Anja’s school in Cincinnati, she had, like, 12 kids per classroom,” Carly said. “So I think going to Palmetto was a big adjustment for us.”
Their transition has not been the easiest, but they believe the risk has been worth the reward.
“To come to MPSH, a huge public school, it takes a minute to get used to a new town and a new school, for sure. But I think that she’s obviously brave and determined,” College Application Process Advisor Linda Dwyer said.
When Anja moved to Florida, Dwyer was her and her parents’ way of getting to know MPSH and helped Anja kick-start her journey.
“[Dwyer’s help has] been amazing. She’s helped us get into the community and adjust to our move; she’s been awesome,” Carly said.
In her short time here, Anja has already made a strong impression on the community. Her passion and commitment for her service as just a freshman is an incredible achievement.
“I think once we get to know her, she is going to be one of those Panthers we remember forever,” Dwyer said.
From cadet training camp to a brand new school and lifestyle, Anja has soared through the ranks and displayed that it does not matter how small one is, they can still make a big difference.
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Ashley Lamchick Lighting Up the Fight Against Cancer:
Despite her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, Miami Palmetto Senior High freshman Ashley Lamchick remained optimistic during the treatment process and later worked with her mother to create hope during this difficult time.
“I was diagnosed last January, and my doctor put me in touch with someone who sent me lists of what to do and what to bring to chemotherapy. She had sent me a disco ball out of nowhere, without explanation; I got it and I’m like, ‘What is this for?’ And she says, ‘Just bring it with you to chemotherapy,’ which is normally such a sad, scary time, but I brought it,” Ashley’s mother Lindsey Lamchick said.
Throughout her treatment, the disco ball served as a symbol of hope.
“It’s nice because you think of a disco ball like at night, in a nightclub, but during the day, and these rooms have windows, and the way the sun reflects on them and shines lights all around. It makes people happier that have to be in that awful situation,” Lindsey said.
Lindsey and Ashley started the Disco Ball Project after receiving this supportive keepsake, and it became an official nonprofit about eight months ago when Lindsey beat her cancer.
“She came up with the idea of the Disco Ball Project because every time she had chemotherapy, to make the most out of the situation and kind of bring light to it, she would bring a disco ball and make it fun and a party. She didn’t want to think about the shots she was getting, or how bad the treatment
Ashley and her mother started this project hoping to raise awareness about the cancer diagnosis. Throughout the holidays, they go to the Miami Cancer Institute, where Lindsey used to get her treatment
“We’ve done Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas. It’s an all-day effort, taking the entire weekend from 8 a.m. to late afternoon. We also make and distribute chemotherapy bags with essentials
like lip balm, hand sanitizer, fluffy socks and other small items. Each time, we’ve made about 300 bags for the patients,” Ashley said.
Ashley is attempting to expand the project locally by working with MPSH’s Key Club and promoting their mission on the organization’s Instagram page.
“I help her with Instagram and updating the page. Most of the work is done between the two of us. I even got Key Club involved so members could earn volunteer hours by helping us decorate,” Ashley said.
MPSH sophomore and Key Club webmaster Savannah Sanin sees the collaboration as an opportunity to strengthen the connection between the project and the club, benefiting both greatly.
“Coming through Key Club, you get more exposure to the project, and we had a bunch of members show up and earn hours through helping with her project,” Sanin said.
Specifically for Lindsey, the group of women she has built connections with — who have nicknamed themselves “Breast-
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Jamming to the beat of his own drum
“One, two; one, two, three, four:” the four counts of a time signature, laying the foundation for instrumental art — prompting pianos, brass, woodwinds, strings and instruments of all kinds to grace the ears of their audiences. Which one keeps the tempo, sets the pace and makes up the glue to any set of rhythms? Nearly always, the answer to this question makes their work known from the back of a stage, behind a drum kit or in the stands of a high school football game.
In this case, the drummer is Miami Palmetto Senior High sophomore Gustavo Merchan-Mendes. Gustavo discovered his love for drumming early in life, inspired by his father, who introduced him to rock music at a very young age. His South American roots stimulated his musical passion to another level.
“So my mom is Brazilian, and my dad’s Ecuadorian, so I have a lot of Latin background, and that also drives me to learn a lot about drums and different styles of drumming, and not just rock,” Gustavo said.
Heritage and background play a major role in musical taste, enabling him to broaden his horizons and express himself freely. Today, Gustavo plays in the jazz, concert, marching and symphonic bands. In terms of self-expression, he explored the striking ability of being able to drum upside down.
“One day during a showcase, we saw a reel on Instagram of some guy [drumming upside down]. A lot of people were sending it to me, and I thought ‘I might want to do that,’” Gustavo said. “I had done it once, and I did terribly, but then at the senior game, they put me upside down, and just saw how it all worked out.”
Director of Bands Monica Serrano watched from the stands as Gustavo flipped upside down to play an exceptionally difficult cadence on the marching quad drums. She has watched Gustavo evolve for some time now and is eager to see what else he will do.
“He always had a good musical foun dation to begin with. His passion for music is what makes it so
enjoyable to have him as a student because he makes it easy. Anything I want to teach him, even if it’s not drums, I’ll show him something on the piano or guitar, and he’s all about it,”
Serrano said. “He listens to a lot of music, which is something I encourage all of the students to do. I consider music like a language, the more you surround yourself with that language, the easier you’ll be able to pick up on how to speak it, in his case, how to play it.”
At the core of pursuing instrumental hobbies is one critical value: the art of practicing. For sister and junior Cecilia Merchan-Mendes, the daily routine has become a staple aspect of family life.
“Since he doesn’t have an actual drum set yet, it’s not that loud. But when he has friends over, who bring him a whole drum set, he usually plays outside since my parents are always yelling at him,” Cecilia said.
Cecilia can attest that her brother practices whenever possible and characterizes him as both adventurous and self-taught.
“When we went to Brazil for winter break, there was a band that was performing outside of our resort. [Gus] went up to them and he was like ‘Can I play?,’ and they said ‘Sure,’ so he just started jamming with them,” Cecilia said.
From drumming upside down to jamming in the street, Gustavo’s passion for the rhythmic core of musical expression spans multiple cultures, genres and art forms. As Cecilia describes, his uniqueness and tendency to pave his own path is only one part of his love for the beat.
“I think [Gustavo] is a really cool guy, and I think he plays to the beat of his own drum. He doesn’t really do what people want him to do, he’s a free spirit in that way,” Cecilia said.
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Runways to Hallways
Fashionable and fabulous, Miami Palmetto Senior High sophomore Dayanara Gonzalez has traded tiaras for textbooks, bringing her world of runways to the hallways. Modeling for local businesses and the occasional pageant competition, Gonzalez has experienced a whirlwind of glamour from an early age. This past year, Gonzalez has connected to her Cuban heritage by competing for the Teen Miss Universe Cuba title.
The pageant showcased the best of Cuba’s youth, with contestants judged on a range of categories, including evening wear, swimwear, talent and public speaking.
“My first pageant was when I was in fourth grade, and then I quit modeling for a little bit for sports, then I went back, and I wanted it to represent my heritage and where my family comes from,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez’s mom, Barbara Alfonso, made sure that from a young age, this was all a choice, keeping Dayanra informed every step of the way.
“Even though she was little, I would always involve her, because there’s a certain comfort level that they have to have. It’s not like, ‘Okay, you gotta model. You gotta do this,’” Alfonso said.
This past pageant experience was quite a surprise for Gonzalez and her mom, after such a long break from the fashion world.
“[She found out about this competition due to] this dress designer in West Palm Beach called Bella Dresses. I had rented a couple of dresses from him and he’s like, ‘Oh my god, we’re having this pageant, and I would love for her to be part of it, I’m gonna send you the details. Everything starts in January,’”
“So you normally send your pictures to the directors, and then they pick who they want to run,” Gonzalez said. “And then each girl represents a state, like Cuba. And then they all go through a series of interviews, runways and talent competitions to see who like overall and want to represent their country.”
At the pageant, Gonzalez learned to perform multiple dances and also strutted the runway in ballgowns and swimwear.
“It’s like for any sport, you want to practice at home,” Gonzalez said. “But, there’s modeling agencies that have room for that. These rooms help to create private lessons in their offices.”
To the average person, when one thinks of pageants, the comedic reality show ‘Toddlers & Tiaras,’ may come to mind. But in truth, rather than thinking diva, the pageant system focuses on cherishing dynamics between the girls.
“You get so close to the girls because we spent a whole two months together practicing the dances and we had a lot of bonding exercises; the night before our final interview, we did a party bus, and we also had events where we had a party,” Gonzalez said. “You just build a nice sisterhood, unlike the actual modeling world where we’re still competing against each other, but you’re not competing for a job, you’re competing to represent your country.”
While Gonzalez did not take home the crown, she was able to leave the pageant with a growing love and admiration for her culture and new role models to continue to look up to in the future.
“The current queen at the time, Miss Cuba 2023, she won Miss Teen Universe 2023 and she was our reigning queen, and she was gonna pass on the crown to one of us. I had known her since childhood. She also was in the first pageant that I did,” Gonzalez said. “She just never left the industry. So just looking up to her and seeing how far she got in the industry, I wanted to follow in her footsteps. And honestly, she was my biggest
For Gonzalez, Teen Miss Cuba was just the beginning. Due to this experience, she plans on moving forward with her passion for modeling in the future.
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CHIPPING HIS WAY TO TRIUMPH: Geoffrey Laklak
Onalmost any day of the week, one could catch Miami Palmetto Senior High junior, Geoffrey Laklak, at the driving range, the putting greens or playing a round. Since the time he could walk, golf has been a major part of Laklak’s life.
“The first time I touched a golf club was when I was two. I was hitting a couple putts in the putting green, short game, and I think the first time I took a swing was when I was six,” Laklak said.
From playing the putting green as a toddler to competing across the globe, Laklak has quickly become a household name among youth golfers worldwide. Competing in countless
the dedication that he puts into the game.
“He’s determined and doesn’t doesn’t let anything hold him back … he does not let anything distract him,” Tingle said. “[He’s] caring, helps push me to work hard, and he is just a good guy.”
Recently, Laklak started playing for the Lebanese National Golf team. Since they could not send players directly from the country, they recruited Laklak. This experience allowed him to start making a name for himself within the professional golf community.
“So I played for the Lebanese National Golf team, and, at the time before, I’d say, a year ago, they were under siege. So, they couldn’t send anybody from Lebanon, so they asked people who have Lebanese citizenship to go play for them and go represent them. So they had to call on me, and I’ve been fortunate enough to go to all these great countries, like the United Arab Emirates, Japan, many other places, and I’ve kind of made my name well known around those places,” Laklak said.
With Laklak already succeeding through the professional youth golf scene, he continues to have his sights set on the large tournaments on golf’s most famous courses.
“I hope to achieve to play on one of the biggest stages, which would be the PGA Tour, or now there’s LIV golf, but just playing on the biggest stage, competing with the best players in the world, just to be able to say I’m up with them, and hopefully be world number one at one point,” Laklak said.
According to his coach, he is already well on his way to achieving these goals.
“On the course, obviously his scores stand out, but off the course, his practice habits really stand out to me more than anything else. He’s always working on his game, always trying to improve, always practicing,” MPSH golf coach Ryan Ricke said. “It’s impressive to see, you know, when all of that work comes into fruition and you start reaping the benefits of it, so yeah, hopefully he keeps up the hard work and we’ll be seeing him on TV one day playing well.”
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One busy bee:
Alexis Samira Moore
As a seventh-generation beekeeper, Miami Palmetto
Senior High junior Alexis Samira Moore strives to make sure she carries on a long legacy of beekeeping. Yearning to spread her family’s traditions, she found a way to help make families and communities flourish through beekeeping with her initiative, Bees4Good.
“I knew I wanted to do something with bees because [my family] started our own business to have some honey so we could sell it to our neighbors. And then I was thinking, more people should do bees,” Alexis said.
Alexis grew up in Costa Rica. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Costa Rica’s tourism experienced a major decline. Since its borders got shut down, this led to the people of its communities being heavily affected.
“They ended up starting these home gardens, so these were family gardens, and the women ran them with their kids as the guys went out to work,” Alexis said.
and Keilyn] are going to take control of it, and I’m getting the funding. I’m going to teach them everything about how to [beekeep] and help them take the honey off during the season. It’s going to be their business. They’re going to sell the honey and run [the business] so I’m kind of giving them an entrepreneurship opportunity,” Alexis said.
Not only does this tie in perfectly with Costa Rica being set on sustainability and being eco-friendly, but it is also a great opportunity for revenue to come into the El Triunfo village where Heydi and Keilyn live.
“El Triunfo is out in the jungle, it’s in the middle of nowhere. There are dirt roads; they just built a school last year with a public library, and they don’t have Wi-Fi … it is a very poor
of creating an Instagram page and a website and applying for grants. Now that the money has been raised, Alexis
“You have to buy the tools. Each of the suits are $100, the extractor is like $150, and then, you have to buy all of the honey boxes and the bees, which is almost $1,000,” Alexis said.
For Alexis, it all pays off in the end. Despite the distance and the language barrier, she always feels gratitude from the families.
“I think the most rewarding part of it is meeting with the families. They have so little, but they’re so grateful. If you see my
texts, they’re full of heart emojis and praying hands emojis, and they’re very religious … They’re very optimistic. And even when you’re down there later, they’re always smiling,” Alexis said.
Alexis’ mother, Jane Moore, expressed pride in her daughter for taking the initiative to help Creciendo Juntos, as well as continuing her family’s tradition of beekeeping. Jane noted how while she mostly takes photos and videos to help advertise and bring awareness to Bees4Good, her daughter handles everything else, from installing the hives, harvesting the honey and more recently, paying for her flights.
“She’s been very generous with her time, she wants to make sure that these ladies can move on to the next level. It’s the whole thing about teaching a person how to fish, and she’s giving them the tools. She’s one of the kindest people I know, and she’s just very aware of people, it’s been fun watching her interact with these ladies,”
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Alexis intends to continue Bees4Good throughout the rest of high school and even into college. Through teaching
sufficient within the next year and a half, Alexis hopes that other families in the village will learn and the initiative will
“I think then other people would want to get involved, and then I can help out more families and bring more bees there because there’s not a lot of beekeeping,” Alexis
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MOORE
From Church Walls to Recording Studios:
Spotify,
iTunes, Apple Music and YouTube: all platforms where one can discover Miami Palmetto Senior High senior Jonathan Davis, also known as Jon Miracle’s, gospel music and fun personality.
Through the support and urging of his family, Davis decided to hone in on his musical ability by making gospel music.
“My great, great aunt … told me that if you get into any other genre [besides gospel], ‘Me and you, we are going to have a problem.’ So I got into [gospel] and I found my groove within it,” Davis said.
As Davis went through high school at MPSH, he found security in himself and what he wanted to pursue in the future.
“Before I became a gospel artist, I was really solidified in acting. I was going to get a scholarship for acting. I was going to do all of that, straight-up acting, go to Howard, just everything acting. But then I realized that I really loved to sing,” Davis said.
Davis’ assistant and best friend since second grade, junior Shamari Holloway, has seen him grow into the confident gospel singer and actor he is.
“When you’re first starting, you’re putting [music] out there, but you’re not as confident. So I feel like he has gained more confidence throughout coming to high school,” Holloway said.
Whether he was in school drama or singing in church, Davis always knew where his passion would take him. Standing firm in his Christian faith, Davis figured no matter what career drama and acting gave him, he would always come back to his love of singing for the church and making gospel music.
“I sit in my closet, and I just listen to music, especially at night or in the wee hours of the morning … I have a little notepad and I’m just writing down words. Specifically, I have three full notebooks of scraps, and my iPhone is full of scraps as we speak,” Davis said.
Davis pulls a lot of his inspiration for his lyrics from Nicki Minaj, a Grammy-award-winning rapper.
“I take the deeper meanings behind [Nicki Minaj’s]
Davis has taken his passion for music far, producing two total albums including one studio album with a second on the way, all while starting his independent label.
Davis writes his music at all hours of the day, with random bouts of inspiration suddenly coming to him. On the way to school or in the early hours of the morning, Davis can be found with a notebook in hand with lyrics streaming out of him.
music as like, the way that she would write one lyric and play off of another … I don’t listen to all the profanity, and I just literally listen to every piece of the lyric and how it intertwines,” Davis said.
In his music, Davis focuses on those who are traditionally scorned in a church setting and his evolving relationship with God.
“I write most of my music about me turning my life around because it wasn’t bad, I have just been through things. I really had to question God, and my people tell me not to question God, but how can you challenge Him to give you a blessing if you don’t question?” Davis said.
As a self-funded independent artist, Davis has learned to make sacrifices to stay committed to music and make his ends and priorities meet. In addition to dedicating hours to his career as a gospel artist, Davis also interns at a library to make money that he uses to fund his music.
Intending to support small independent artists, Davis created his music label, Miracle Records, with the support of his aunt-turned-business partner, Janice Fair, MPSH’s Advanced Placement Coordinator.
“I typically try to advise him on legal issues. When he wanted to start an LLC, I advised him let’s not do it now, let’s wait. I also make sure he patents his music and that when he searches for beats, he finds free beats,” Fair said.
As his aunt, Fair is always there to cheer Davis on during his performances and will be forever proud of his talents and aspirations.
“If you see him on stage, he is very dynamic. He just interacts with the audience so it has been a pleasure. He has done a couple of musical performances [and] I am usually right there trying to cheer him on,” Fair said.
In the future, Davis plans to expand his record label and continue performing gospel music and acting, all while getting a degree in elementary education. Open your streaming app and turn on notifications for Jon Miracle to get ready for all the big things he has in store.
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The True Spirit of a Palmetto Panther: Michael Spetko
Miami
Palmetto Senior High has long been known for
However, his dedication to Panther athletes is not confined to football, as one can often find him showing his support at all school sporting events.
“I just love being at the games and cheering on the teams. Lose or win … I just love [supporting the athletes],” Spetko
Boys’ Football assistant coach and Girls’ Flag Football head coach, Kevin Mujica, is grateful for Spetko’s support and positive attitude, which spreads to the athletes.
“I think something that stands out [about Spetko] is those crucial moments during a game, where he’ll stop everything that he’s doing, and he’s like crowd control. He’ll make sure that everybody’s locked in, everybody’s screaming, everybody’s chanting; he’s not worried about what anybody says about him. His mindset is on the team,” Mujica said.
Beyond his support on the sidelines, Spetko has formed memorable and lasting relationships with some of the athletes. From the moment senior football player Ethan Lopez met Spetko, decked out in University of Miami merchandise and sitting in the cafeteria during lunch, he knew they would click.
“He’s an amazing person and very kind … Ever since [Spetko became Boys’ Football Manager] we have gotten very close. Lately, we go to each other’s houses on Saturdays and Sundays and watch some football. I just love it when he goes to our games — he gets the crowd hyped; he gets me hyped, and
Spetko’s energy is noticeable at every game. Whether he is running down the track at football games cheering or painting his face white for basketball games, his force draws everyone in and increases everyone’s support for the athletes.
“I think [he has] made an impact on the players to see a kid who isn’t able to play tackle football or play the game of flag [football],
but [see] what he brought on the emotional side of the game … I think he [made] an impact on the players because they saw how much it meant to him; they were the ones that were playing, so they kind of had to give back to Mike and kind of feed off of him,” Mujica said.
Furthermore, Spetko’s support for the sports team has allowed him to create new experiences and connect with others. Most notably, Spetko was the first manager in South Florida to win a State Championship alongside the Girls’ Flag Football Team and Mujica in 2024.
“I mean, people are doubting it but, it’s on there and the ring means a lot to me; the medal means a lot to me and the GMAC championship game that I was a part of [means a lot to me],” Spetko said.
No matter which sporting game he is at, Spetko has made himself a friendly face around the athletic department and beyond. He brings meaning to the true spirit of a Panther.
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THROUGH THE LENS:
To many students, the dark-haired woman on the sidelines of most sports games within Miami Palmetto Senior High’s athletic world is known as “Cocofilms1,” but to most athletes, she is a friendly face to look out for during every game.
Corinna Cortez, better known as “Coco,” is MPSH’s Exceptional School Education Principal Secretary. The passion she displays for her job is evident in the love she has for the school and its surrounding community.
“I think the most exciting thing about my job is actually helping the students in my department. Obviously, that’s my first passion,” Cortez said.
Cortez is best known for her work capturing the best moments during sports games, with her extensive love for football helping keep her job so exciting.
“I’ve always had a passion for football. That’s always been my love … I started filming mainly seven on seven, which is a recreational sport outside of the school, and that’s where I gained a lot of followers so then I continued on to high school sports,” Cortez said.
Away from school, Cortez carries her strong love for the players to her home. Having her daughters on campus as a friendly face turns the tables around and shows her how the players see her while on the field.
“For the most part, she is the same [on campus]. Aside from parenting, she has to be a little more strict on us and push us to our goals in life,” sophomore and Cortez’s daughter Zayuri Zaragoza said.
Despite most sports photographers and videographers pursuing their work on a camera, Cortez records fascinating content all from the camera on her phone. Using her phone, she has captured numerous shots of the football players, helping them with college prospects and getting applications done.
“I’ve seen plenty of football players
throughout my recordings and high school career go on to college and continue their dreams. I’ve helped the players communicate with colleges and try my best to help them see their potential,” Cortez said.
Senior and football running back Ethan Lopez has an especially strong bond with Cortez.
“We both transferred into MPSH during my sophomore year, which was 2021 and seeing Coco on the sidelines is a very big deal for me because she supports and records us; she helps us out with college and all that,” Lopez said. “Even when she’s not there, I know she’s always gonna find a way to watch us, but we love it when she’s there in per son.”
Lopez feels that while Cortez is best known for her job, she means much more to the players than just their photographer.
“I feel like she is part of the team; I’d say as a team mom, but I see her as a teammate the way she helps us,” Lopez said.
Taking on the role of a mother on and off the field, being the player’s confidant, and recording highlights of the game can become a big commitment. Cortez believes in taking it day by day, focusing on the moments.
“I’ve always been a fan of the students and their craft. Their knowledge of the game has always been impressive to me. The way I try not to lose myself is just to focus on the game and the play being made right in front of me because I like to capture all of their moments. After the game, they usually ask to send their clips, and I’m right on it. I try to make sure that the clips are clear so that the posts go up perfectly,” Cortez said.
Cortez holds an extremely vital role for these players. Not only is she the players’ biggest fan but a familiar, approachable and reassuring figure on the field.
“When we’re down, seeing her on the sidelines boosts us up. She cares about everybody and makes it a positive environment,” Lopez said.
Lilianne Fernandez Opinion Editor
l.fernandez.thepanther@gmail.com Savanna Byles Design Editor
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Wrestling with lifestyles:
Upon hearing a loud and powerful voice echoing from room 2111, one might assume the person equipping it would be of a stern temperament. On the contrary, most might not know the other side of Miami Palmetto Senior High Varsity wrestling coach Anthony Fadelle and his pivotal position in Panther Buddies.
Starting at MPSH in 1997, Fadelle coached wrestling and junior varsity football, eventually graduating from Florida International University and then getting his first teaching position at MPSH. While teaching, Fadelle was also an assistant coach for football and wrestling. Fadelle then coached at South Ridge High School for 14 years, deciding to come back to MPSH in 2017 with aspirations of coaching at his alma mater.
Fadelle’s path to where he is today was heavily shaped and influenced by one of his coaches, who turned him away from the “Miami lifestyle.”
“I started coaching and changed everything that I was doing, I was going down all the wrong paths, making all the wrong decisions. Then the opportunity to coach came because he was like, ‘Hey, come over and help me.’ Then I started coaching from that point on. So that’s what changed everything. So it was literally life-changing,” Fadelle said.
Fadelle’s impact on the program has gone so far that ‘wrestlerettes’ — female wrestlers — are normal for MPSH wrestling, something one might not see at every school.
“This year, we have more girl wrestlers than we’ve ever had, and we’ve learned so much more about the toughness and the intensity of girl athletes, especially in a combat sport. My coach has coached for 40 years. I’ve coached for almost 30 and just how fast they learn, how fast they pick it up. For us, it has been amazing, just to see the impact that they come in and they listen,” Fadelle said.
Outside of wrestling, Fadelle is a major part of the Panther Buddies program. Fadelle established Panther Buddies to close the divide between special education students and their classmates.
Fadelle has worked with students with autism
and Down Syndrome for 18 out of his 25-year career.
“You learn that people can be very guarded, but when you’re around the kids, they will open up because of how they are. Even if you have a quiet personality and you’re a very shy person, they force you into not being that. So you get to learn more about the adults and how they are, in real life because the kids kind of push that out,” Fadelle said. “As far as the kids, they’re probably the most genuine people that you’ll ever meet. Like they have a discernment. You can walk in that room, and if you’re a good person, they’ll know it, and if you’re a bad person, they’ll know it by the reaction … it’s just something that they have. So you learn to just enjoy life, like they allow you to not care about the little things that we care about. They don’t care about it. That’s a huge deal.”
Fadelle leaves an impact on everyone he works with, including Panther Buddies students, faculty and wrestlers. He has maintained strong relationships with his former classmates and built upon them even further. Counselor and former ‘wrestlerette’ Lisa Mallard-Thomson has traded in her experience with Fadelle on the wrestling team for her role in Panther Buddies.
“I think he helps the kids be motivated to do the activity and encourages them, he also talks to the students who are part of the panther buddies and makes sure they are organized,” Exceptional Special Education teacher Dr. Sandra Tilton said.
Fadelle’s influence has reached everything he takes part in. The wrestling room has been home to him for almost 30 years, and that dedication shows through his coaching and commit-
“He motivates you. He’s really like a father figure. He stays on top of you and your schoolwork, and he teaches you how to be a great individual outside of school; he disciplines you,” junior and Varsity wrestler Esis Estes-Brenan said.
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Photo Editor
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DESIGN BY MIA CARNEIRO
PHOTOS BY HELENA KAWAMURA AND EMILY STEELE
BEHIND THE SEAMS
Stylish, transformative and inspiring: three words that can describe not only Miami Palmetto Senior High 1998 graduate Patricia Gomez-Gracia’s world-renowned fashion brand, but also her time as a student at MPSH. As the founder of London-based clothing brand Gomez-Gracia, Gomez-Gracia’s designs are the intersection of effortless elegance and powerful femininity — a fusion that empowers women to embrace their individuality through style.
Raised in Miami, Fla., Gomez-Gracia was no stranger to bold, eccentric and unique fashion choices growing up. Her story from Miami’s loud and vibrant streets to one of the fashion capitals of the world, is the epitome of the power of self-expression, hard work and bold vision. With her label now a symbol of confidence and authenticity, Gomez-Gracia draws from her roots in Miami and MPSH for inspiration for her fresh and unique looks.
“Growing up in Miami shaped so much of who I am as a designer. The city’s mix of cultures, styles and energy was always so inspiring,” Gomez-Gracia said.
“It’s this amazing place where luxury meets a rebellious, free-spirited vibe, and that contrast stuck with me. It taught me to love blending opposites — sophistication with a bit of edge — and to design with that same fearless attitude.”
Gomez-Gracia founded her fashion label in 2009, driven by her desire to blend two seemingly opposing worlds: timeless elegance and rock and roll.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of merging refined sophistication with an edge, a sense of freedom and boldness that is often seen in rock culture,” Gomez-Gracia said. “Fashion is about embracing both sides of that spectrum.”
Despite the seemingly opposite aesthetics Gomez-Gracia’s designs combine, her pieces come together in what her sister, Carola Mato, would describe in one word:
“Timeless. That is my favorite thing [about the brand]. It’s timeless,” Mato said.
Having been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR and Glamour and seen on celebrities such as Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Kristen Stewart and Ellie Goulding, the label has seen its fair share of fame and success. As the fashion world began to evolve, Gomez-Gracia’s vision expanded. Today, her brand not only celebrates individuality and confidence but is also built on a foundation of responsible design.
“As the fashion industry began to shift, I grew more mindful of sustainability and conscious design—ensuring that our materials, production processes and ethos were just as responsible as they were bold,” Gomez-Gracia said. “At the same time, I embraced a new era of inclusivity, ensuring that Gomez-Gracia is a brand that speaks to anyone who dares to be themselves, unapologetically.”
Despite her popularity and success, Gomez-Gracia has made sure never to forget her roots. At MPSH, she began to find her passion and voice both as a person and a designer.
“It was there that I first realized how fashion could be an outlet for self-expression,” Gomez- Gracia said. “I remember seeing my peers use clothing to communicate who they were, and it made me want to create garments that allowed people to tell their own stories.”
However, according to Mato, Gomez-Gracia did not have to be taught all it takes to have a powerful vision when it comes to fashion — she was born with it.
“I wouldn’t say [she was always] interested [in designing], but she definitely had a knack for it,” Mato said. “Her fashion sense was definitely a little avant-garde, but like any good design, it would stand the test of time.”
Gomez-Gracia’s vision truly expanded when she interned for one of the fashion industry’s most iconic designers according to colleague and friend Rebecca Cernogorsky.
“She did her internship with Alexander McQueen, and you get thrown into the deep end when you intern with somebody like that, because their style is just so eclectic, but so dark,” Cernogorsky said. “She started very simple, with very few staple pieces… it was something that was safe and edgy but pretty,
pretty powerful. So she did incorporate [style inspired by McQueen] just a little bit at a time until she got up on her feet a couple years into it, coming out with edgier pieces.”
For Gomez-Gracia, her brand’s celebration of individuality goes deeper than typical expectations of the fashion industry. Rather than bending to trends, she stays true to her vision by making her pieces authentic and personal.
“Honestly, I don’t follow trends—I make them. My designs come from a personal place, from stories I want to tell, and I think that kind of authenticity always stands out,” Gomez-Gracia said. “At the end of the day, I aim to make timeless pieces that have an edge—something you can wear for years and still feel amazing in.”
When asked what she would say to MPSH students who are aspiring designers and entrepreneurs, Gomez-Gracia had more than a few words of advice.
“It’s okay to fail. Failure is part of the process, and success isn’t about avoiding mistakes; it’s about how you react, learn and fix them,” Gomez-Gracia said. “I’d also say, think big. Don’t get bogged down in the small details or let fear hold you back. Try everything, take risks and just go for it. You never know what amazing opportunities are waiting for you until you put yourself out there.”
Above all else, however, Gomez-Gracia emphasizes the importance of taking care of yourself and the people around you.
“At the same time, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Balance is so important—your health and personal life matter just as much as your work,” Gomez-Gracia said. “And lastly, be kind. Kindness will take you far, not just in building relationships but in creating a positive environment for yourself and others. Dream big, stay grounded and don’t forget to enjoy the journey.”
Edie Carneiro
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Jazmin Mason Design Editor j.mason.thepanther@gmail.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA GOMEZ-GARCIA DESIGN BY JAZMIN MASON
Abe Ng ROLLING INTO SUCCESS:
Before rolling out as Sushi Maki’s Chief Executive Officer, Abe Ng spent his youth being raised in the exciting environment of Miami, Fla. and the kitchen of Canton, his father’s Chinese restaurant. A graduate of Miami Palmetto Senior High, Ng took his knowledge from his family’s culinary legacy and made it his own, creating Sushi Maki: a multi-location restaurant that blends tradition with a modern flair that dominates South Florida’s sushi scene.
Coming to the U.S. with less than $100, Abe’s father, Allan Ng, moved his family from Hong Kong to Miami. He came with a dream and a desire to do good for his family. With this, he built Canton, a staple community Chinese restaurant. Abe Ng grew up in the restaurant lifestyle and followed in his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps.
After graduating, Abe knew he wanted to start his own business, so he decided to open his own restaurant, similar to his parents, and with that dream, Sushi Maki was born. His business experience began with Ernst & Young LLP in Miami, where he worked as a real estate and hospitality financial analyst with a degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. In 2015, he was a regional finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Abe credits MPSH’s diversity for his successes and ambitions. The school’s atmosphere opened his eyes to the idea that anyone has the opportunity to achieve their goals.
“[I] had classmates that really wanted to do big things. We were very ambitious and had healthy competition to get into
great schools. [MPSH] shaped me — the way I think. I think big when it comes to what I want to accomplish,” Abe said. “[MPSH] had so many different kinds of groups of people. And I think that really prepared me well as I went to university and into the work world, that it’s, ‘Can you contribute?’ And not [about] what you look like or your background, [what matters is] can people rely on you?”
Abe’s successes following his time at MPSH serve as an inspiration for those succeeding him. Knowing that someone who once sat in the same classes and walked down the same halls achieved such great things enlightens MPSH students, emphasizing their access to those same opportunities.
“[Abe’s accomplishments] inspire me because I see through him and all his work because customers who once went to his dad’s restaurant, Canton, now go to Sushi Maki,” senior and Sushi Maki employee Fernanda Casillas said.
At MPSH, Abe was involved in the debate team. The team gave him confidence and taught him the importance of community, persistence and remembering to always aim high. Abe credits his involvement with debate with shaping the person he has become and consuming a large portion of his teenage years. He often traveled for debate tournaments — he went to California for nationals, North Dakota and the Harvard tournament in Cambridge and Massachusetts for summer camp. He also taught at American University’s debate camp.
“I was fortunate to travel with the high school debate team and see lots of parts of the country, and that just kind of inspired me to want to do something on a bigger scale and count Palmetto as a place that really shaped me,” Abe said.
A great part of Abe’s inspiration for starting Sushi Maki comes from growing up in the restaurant business, but for the most part, his decision to join the restaurant industry came later in his life.
“The inspiration came through college. I worked in restaurants,” Abe said. “But specifically, the inspiration [for opening Sushi Maki] came from a trip that I had gone on with my wife, where we saw some terrific neighborhood sushi bar restaurants in Chicago. And that’s how we came up with the idea that what Miami really needed was an affordable neighborhood sushi bar. And Sushi Maki was born in 2000.”
Abe oversees the strategic development and management of all 13 Sushi Maki locations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County. He also partners with Whole
Foods Markets, overseeing 12 Market Stations throughout the South Florida Region. Not only is his innovative Japanese cuisine served in his restaurants, but also available in hospitals, universities and airports.
“As we were growing our company in the early 2000s, we invested in building a central manufacturing facility, and we built it big. We had more capacity than we had restaurants. We knew that at that time, organic and natural foods were growing, so my first choice was to put Sushi Maki in Whole Foods,” Abe said. “We’re fortunate that we have sushi maki at the airport, at Baptist Hospital, at the University of Miami and at FIU. So wherever there’s a lot of people together that want healthy food, they want sushi, we’re fortunate to have Sushi Maki as part of that community.”
In the early 2000s, neighborhood sushi bars were almost unheard of in Miami. Abe was doubtful of the success of this business, especially after a previous business venture in the 90’s—a gourmet burrito chain called Wrapido—had failed. Ng learned from this experience, which was a catalyst for his future successes. He strived to do something innovative and unique to the area. So, his business went from barely scraping by and earning less than $1 million in revenue to making $20 million in 2019.
Abe was recognized as one of the Miami Herald’s 2011 20 Under 40, and the South Florida Business Journal’s 2010 40 Under 40. He was also recently honored as Ultimate Chief Executive Officer by the South Florida Business Journal.
Being a CEO comes with its challenges, especially when workingworking with multiple franchises. However, Abe credits his team for always being ready and happy to work.
“It’s incredibly challenging and rewarding to lead a team together [and] to achieve something that seems impossible, but they get it done. We get it done,” Abe said.
Despite his role as CEO, Abe never lacks compassion and understanding, cultivating a positive workspace in his restaurants. Employees have shared positive feedback about their working environment and can sense his friendliness and passion for his business. He is respected and looked up to by employees and those around him.
“I can tell he’s a really strong leader. Everyone respects him a lot and feels very comfortable around him,,” Casillas said. “I think his friendliness makes people, especially new employees, not feel scared or intimidated or that they have to know everything. When I was taking his order, [he praised my good job]. He was just very friendly, and it just makes you feel like you’re not being judged.”
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MISSON STATEMENT
The Panther staff aims to inform fellow students and parents about school-wide, local, national, and international news. The Panther’s content aims to represent the student body. Editorials feature the opinions of staffers. Features of other students, teachers and clubs further promote the spirit, culture and personality of Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
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The Panther is a monthly publication of Miami Palmetto Senior High located at 7431 SW 120th Street Miami, FL 33156, (305) 235-1360 ext. 1124. The views expressed are solely those of The Panther staff. Students who wish to respond to an article in this publication or discuss another issue may write letters to the editor and submit them to room 1124 or e-mail us at s.paredes.thepanther@gmail.com. The Panther has professional membership in NSPA and CSPA. The Panther prints 1,000 copies per issue for distribution. The Panther is distributed for free to all students in school. Please visit our paper online at thepalmettopanther.com.
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The School Board shall comply with all Federal Laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and all requirements and regulations of the U.S. Department of Education. The Board will enforce its prohibition against discrimination/harassment based on sex, race, color, ethnic, or national origin, religion, marital status, disability, age, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identification, social and family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy and any other basis prohibited by law. The Board shall maintain an educational and work environment free from all forms of discrimination/harassment, which includes Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct such as unwelcome touching, graphic verbal comments, sexual jokes, slurs, gestures or pictures. All students, administrators, teachers, staff, and all other school personnel share responsibility for avoiding, discouraging, and reporting any form of prohibited discrimination or harassment against students by employees, other students and their parents or guardians, or third parties. This policy prohibits discrimination and harassment at all School District operations, programs, and activities on school property, or at another location if it occurs during an activity sponsored by the Board.
