More
The Reporter’s Nikole Valiente looks back on her blossoming sports writing career and how it reconnected her with her late Cuban grandfather.
Summer Picks
With summer just around the corner, Nalini Singh gives her five must-watch flicks to quench your thirst as beach season approaches.
Temiloluwa Alagbe discusses the prevalence of live-action remakes and sequels in Hollywood and how that reflects a lack of creativity in cinema.
Movie Man: North Campus film student Harrison Hahne-Lum was awarded Best
val in New Mexico for his
Nineteen-year-old Harrison HahneLum won Best Screenplay for his stopmotion short film, A Swan Story, at the Las Cruces International Film Festival in New Mexico on April 7.
By Isabella Arce isabella.arce001@mymdc.netWhen he was four years old, Harrison Hahne-Lum watched Spider-Man 2 for the first time.
The experience inspired him to create his first movie. It was shot with his father’s flipphone and featured stuffed animals.
“I loved rewatching it,” Hahne-Lum said. “I loved that it’s like a moment in time captured forever.”
Today, Hahne-Lum—a rising sophomore majoring in filmmaking at North Campus’ School of Entertainment & Design Technology—has graduated to bigger projects.
On April 7, the 19-year-old won Best Screenplay for his stop-motion short film, A Swan Story, at the Las Cruces International Film Festival in New Mexico.
“[Harrison is] always comfortable asking
the tough questions, which I think takes a lot of people a long time to discover how to do,” said North Campus film production professor Joshua Ellis, who taught HahneLum this spring. “He’s continuously trying to better himself and he’s done that since day one.”
A Swan Story is a dramatic comedy that follows Sukaira, a blue origami swan who adopts a child and tries to find true love via speed dating.
Sukaira faces rejection because she has a missing wing. However, after a fire breaks out and she saves the day, people start liking her.
“I guess you could say the message is that people should love you for who you are, for what’s on the inside,” Hahne-Lum said. “If they only come to you because you found recent success or fame, you should ignore them.”
A Swan Story runs for 15 minutes and 35 seconds and took 737 days to complete.
It was shot using a Canon Rebel T7 and stop motion—a film technique in which objects are moved between photographed frames to give the illusion of motion. It can
take about 12-24 still images to create one second of animation.
“Harrison is a gifted student who demonstrates impressive attention to detail,” said Thomas Demos, who was Hahne-Lum’s professor for two SEDT film courses this school year. “[He has] the patience and determination required to produce a high-quality stop-motion animation film.”
From the start of the project, Hahn-Lum, who wrote, directed and edited the film, faced various obstacles.
He originally planned to use a clay figurine with aluminum wires as the central character, but it broke once he started using it.
The award provides up to $55,000 annually to high-achieving scholars with financial need so they can complete their undergraduate studies.
By Nikole Valiente nikole.valiente001@mymdc.netVelourde Borgella, Javier Cuñat, Eddie Fordham, Jr. and Maria Gabriela Cardenas were awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship on May 9. The prestigious honor awards each scholar up to $55,000 annually to cover living expenses, tuition, books and other fees at a transfer institution.
In addition to the four Miami Dade College winners, 56 other scholars were selected from a pool of nearly 1,700 applicants from more than 380 community colleges. Applicants had to be sophomores or recent graduates of a two-year institution in the United States, have at least a 3.5 GPA and show financial need. They could not have previously been enrolled at a four-year university and must pursue a bachelor’s degree in the fall.
Velourde Borgella
Velourde Borgella has always loved taking care of people.
When she was eight years old, she helped her paralyzed grandmother Octavie—feeding her, giving her massages and helping her use the restroom.
In high school, she carried a small bag containing first aid essentials, such as pain medication and bandaids; her friends always came to her whenever they needed help.
Three years after immigrating to Miami from Haiti, Borgella became a full-time insurance agent to financially support her mother Marie, who could no longer work because of severe arthritis. Despite the workload, she continued to pursue an associate’s degree in the Honors College.
“The Jack Kent Cooke scholarship just changed my life,” Borgella said. “I will be able to pursue my education in my dream school debt free.”
At North Campus, the 24-year-old served as the public coordinator of the National
AXIS , the creative arts magazine at North Campus, has been awarded a Gold Crown Award by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in the literary magazine category.
Winners were announced on March 15 during Columbia University’s 100th Annual Spring Convention in New York.
The honors recognizes overall excellence in student publications produced during the 2022-23 school year.
Volume 20’s theme was reminiscence and renewal. It marks AXIS ’ first gold distinction.
“We submitted to this [competition] many times before and received the silver crown, but this is the first time receiving the gold, so it’s amazing,” said AXIS Editor-in-Chief Bianca Jules.
In other Miami Dade College publication news, Miambiance , the literary arts magazine at Kendall Campus, won their fifth Silver Crown in the general magazine category for Volume 33. It featured food as its theme.
“We didn’t get a crown for Volume 32, which was the first magazine I worked on as editor-in-chief," said Miambiance Editor-in-Chief Megan Carrion. “We got Gold Circle Individual Awards, but we didn’t get a crown, so I’m really glad that we managed to get [it] for this one.”
Juliette Bryant
Miami Dade College’s North Campus, 11380 N.W. 27th Ave., is hosting Finn-Con, its annual anime and gaming convention, on June 15 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Activities will be held in the 2000 and 5000 buildings and include discussion panels, gaming tournaments, virtual reality expeditions, face painting, karaoke, mask making, a Cosplay contest, a Harry Potterthemed escape room and a video game concert.
Last year, Finn-Con hosted nearly 4,000 guests, according to Angel Hernandez, the director of Learning Resources at North Campus who oversees the event.
It’s free and open to the public.
To volunteer, visit https://bit.ly/3UqRCfj. For more information, go to https://libraryguides.mdc.edu/Finn-Con.
Sophia ArenasWolfson Campus alumna Jennifer Suarez has been named a Guistwhite Scholar by Phi Theta Kappa.
The honor, which comes with a $5,000 prize, recognizes academic excellence, leadership and community service.
Eight students were selected from a pool of 3,000 applicants nationwide.
“It’s important to shape our youth, to be good and understanding people for the better of our society and future,” Suarez said.
The 19-year-old, who graduated from the Honors College with an associate’s degree in English literature in April, served as the president of PTK at Wolfson Campus and president of Miami Dade College’s Model United Nations this school year.
Outside of MDC, Suarez volunteered at Guitars Over Guns, a non-profit organization aimed at mentoring youth in low-income communities through music and interned at the Children’s Defense Fund, a non-profit organization that advocates for children’s education and human rights.
Suarez, who was awarded the $5,000 Wolfson Campus Board of Trustees scholarship, will pursue a bachelor’s degree in English literature at Emerson College in Boston this fall.
JoelleWorcester
Miami Dade College and Florida International University signed transfer articulation agreements on April 10 to facilitate the transfer process into FIU’s engineering, tech and hospitality graduate programs.
Students who have a bachelor of science in electrical and computer engineering technology will have a direct pathway toward FIU’s master of science in electrical engineering or computer engineering or master of science in internet of things.
Graduates who hold a bachelor of science in data analytics can transfer to FIU’s master of science in data science and artificial intelligence program.
Those who have a bachelor of science in cybersecurity are eligible for entry into FIU’s master of science in cybersecurity program.
Students who earn a bachelor of science in information systems technology qualify for admission into FIU’s master of science in information technology and telecommunications and networking programs.
Scholars who attain a bachelor of applied science in supervision and management with a concentration in hospitality can earn a master of science in hospitality management at FIU.
For a list of eligibility requirements and more information about MDC’s articulation agreements with other institutions, visit https://bit.ly/3Wa63ps.
Daylyin Staples
Alexander Gonzalez, Martin Herrero, Marcos Perez Hill, Rachel Rodriguez and Jose Zamora received the Eig-Watson School of Aviation Merit Scholarship on April 8 at Wolfson Campus.
The $5,000 prize is awarded to scholars pursuing a career in commercial aviation.
Applicants needed to be United States citizens, have completed at least 12 MDC credits, have a GPA of at least a 3.0, and have received a pilot certificate and/or expressed interest in pursuing a degree in professional pilot technology.
The scholarship was established in 1988 by Lois Eig Watson in memory of her late husband, Saul Eig. It has funded the education of more than 214 students.
Benjamin Vera
Andrés Giraldo, who served as a photographer for The Reporter during the 2023-24 school year, has been hired as a multimedia journalist by Univision Colorado, a Spanish-speaking broadcasting network that covers Colorado, Massachusetts and Philadelphia.
He will begin his post on May 20.
Giraldo will conduct interviews, shoot photos and video and edit news packages in Connecticut.
“I hope to continue growing professionally…[and] be a voice for people who have no voice,” he said.
During his tenure at The Reporter, Giraldo took photos for the news, briefing and online sections and created social media reels.
The 33-year-old, who emigrated from Medellín, Colombia in 2021, took ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes and was pursuing an associate’s degree in photographic technology at Wolfson Campus.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in audiovisual communications from Universidad de Medellín in 2009.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Giraldo launched People News, an Instagram account that covers Colombia, Mexico and the United States. He oversaw a team of approximately 10-12 journalists, coordinated assignments and meetings and reported news.
From 2019 to 2020, he served as a part-time news correspondent for Cristovisión Noticias, a Catholic television station in Bogotá, Colombia.
Before that, Giraldo worked at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Medellín for more than two years. He was a moderator for Por Las Buenas Siempre (For The Good Always), a radio program, and was the creator and director of Noticiero Arquidiocesano (Archdiocesan Newscast), a weekly digital newscast.
Sophia Arenas
Percussionist and producer Adolfo Herrera will perform his latest album, Irrepetible (Unrepeatable), at the Koubek Center, 2705 S.W. Third St., on June 1 at 8 p.m.
Irrepetible , which was released on June 21, 2023, is a 10-track album that explores themes such as uncertainty, love, beauty, nature and death through poetry and improvisations on instruments like piano, electric guitar and drums.
The concert will feature Manuel Gámez on piano and Javier Espinosa on bass.
“It’s going to be the first time that this project comes in front of an audience that is live,” Herrera said. “Everything on this project has been released in a digital way. Nothing has been saved or played or shared with anyone [live], and that is the importance of this concert.”
Herrera, who was born in Caracas, Venezuela, has been involved in music production for more than 25 years. He has performed with Ed Calle, Franco de Vita and José Luis Rodriguez González, commonly known as“El Puma” (Cougar).
The 49-year-old earned a bachelor’s degree in social communication from the Central University of Venezuela in 2001.
Tickets, which are $25, can be purchased at https://koubekcenter.org/ event/disc-cover/.
Celebration: North Campus Board of Trustees Scholarship recipient Sean Matias and West Campus BOT Scholarship winner Valentina Aleman (with phone) take in the ambiance during the North, West and Hialeah Campus commencement ceremony at loanDepot Park on April 20.
Feeling It: Scholars rejoice during graduation at loanDepot Park on April 20.
All Smiles: Pictured from left to right are Honors College graduates Laura Duharte, Lorena Camejo Gonzalez and Nayyab Pervaiz minutes before crossing the stage at commencement on April 20.
Elegance & Poise: Pictured from left to right are John S. and James L. Knight Foundation President and keynote speaker Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega and Vice Provost Malou C. Harrison moments before kickstarting the North, West and Hialeah Campus commencement ceremony at loanDepot Park on April 20.
Students from more than 118 countries participated in three commencement ceremonies at loanDepot Park, celebrating the culmination of their academic careers at Miami Dade College.
By Andrea Briones andrea.briones001@mymdc.netYgor Zambrano is no stranger to life’s unexpected challenges.
In 2020, while at home, the teenager fainted and had to undergo heart surgery. The medical emergency was a major setback to his academic career at North Campus where he was working toward an associate degree in criminal justice.
As a result, Zambrano failed a few classes that semester, but fueled by the support of his professors, he refused to give up.
“[They] pushed me through everything and told me to keep going,” Zambrano said. “They told me it doesn’t matter how long it takes, as long as you get it.”
Saturday, the 24-year-old was one of more than 12,000 Miami Dade College students representing 118 countries to receive their degrees at three graduation ceremonies at loanDepot Park in Little Havana.
WEDR 99 Jamz on-air personality, She-J Hercules, hyped up the crowd before the ceremonies with turntable remixes of music by artists like Bad Bunny, Lil Uzi Vert and Karol G.
“Make some noise 2024!,” the popular DJ told the crowd.
Students, decked out in black graduation gowns and caps with personalized messages such as “I made many plans, but God ordered my steps” and “Teacher in training,” danced and waved as live videos of the crowd were displayed on big-screen TVs around the ballpark. Others snapped selfies and took group shots with friends and professors.
Onstage, students were greeted by members of the College’s Board
“ Graduation is going to come at some point in your journey, make the most of it. Because when you invest time and energy into this institution, I guarantee that it’ll give back to you tenfold.Arquímedes "Archie" Rivero, Wolfson SGA president
of Trustees, student government association presidents, administrators, campus presidents, Vice-Provost Malou C. Harrison and College President Madeline Pumariega.
Moments before crossing the stage, they were saluted with blue and white confetti, flashing rainbow-colored strobe lights and plums of smoke were shot above them.
In one of the most emotional moments on Saturday, the family of Yanaisa Pulido received a posthumous Homeland Security college credit certificate in her honor. Pulido, who was working toward an associate degree in criminal justice at MDC and dreamt of becoming a police officer for the Hialeah Police Department, was killed in an accident on I-95 on Feb. 7.
On that day, the 23-year-old, who was an emergency medical technician for Miami-Dade Ambulance Services, stopped to assist with an accident. However, moments later, two cars slammed into one of the cars from the original accident and hit Pulido. She died at the scene.
As Pulido’s siblings, Emilio and Chauna, stood on stage to receive the special award, their mother, Dayami Apaulaza, stared at the framed certificate for about eight seconds before slowly closing her eyes and pulling it toward her heart.
“[This award] means a lot because my sister didn’t get to see it,” Emilio said afterward. “She didn’t get to walk the red carpet. She didn’t get to shake the [president’s] hand. So this means a lot to me because I’m representing her.”
Each ceremony featured a community leader who uplifted attendees with their keynote speech to graduates.
They were Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, the president and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation who spoke at the North, West and Hialeah Campus ceremony, C.D. Glin, the president of PepsiCo and the Global Head of Social Impact addressed the Wolfson, Homestead and Medical students and Raymond Rodrigues, the chancellor of the State
University System of Florida was the featured speaker at the Kendall and Eduardo J. Padrón Campus graduation.
“Don’t wait for people to decide it’s your turn. Create your turn by doing the work, honoring your commitments, always giving your best, developing expertise and questioning the status quo,” Wadsworth said “Create your turn by showing what you’re made of and as you create your turn, always remember to extend your hand to others to lift up their ideas.”
For students like 37-year-old Shantel Roper, the ceremony marked a new beginning.
A month before commencement, she gave birth. Saturday, Roper walked across the stage with her associate in science degree in nursing from Medical Campus.
“I am so relieved, and I am so grateful that all my friends who I went through this journey with all made it,” Roper said. “I was wondering if I was going to graduate on time but I was able to give birth and still make it.”
Meanwhile, Honors College stalwart Arquímedes “Archie” Rivero, who served as SGA president at Wolfson Campus and was a Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship semifinalist, issued a challenge to his classmates at MDC.
“Graduation is going to come at some point in your journey, make the most of it,” Rivero said. “Because when you invest time and energy into this institution, I guarantee that it’ll give back to you tenfold.”
Staff writer Sara Dhorasoo contributed to this story.
For more photos from graduation, turn to the photo briefing section on page 3.
The office, located in Room 6126, will offer resources such as financial aid, assistive technology, career counseling and training to help people with disabilities find employment.
By Nikole Valiente nikole.valiente001@mymdc.netMiami Dade College aims to provide students with the financial, academic and emotional support they need to attain an education.
For students with disabilities, ACCESS: A Comprehensive Center for Exceptional Student Services provides resources like testing accommodations, note-takers and interpreters, to facilitate their pursuit of higher education.
Now MDC students will have a new resource.
On April 29, the Florida Department of Education’s Vocational Rehabilitation program, a federal-state initiative that assists people with disabilities find employment, launched a satellite office at North Campus in Room 6126.
The program aims to expand to other MDC campuses in the future.
“We want to be the first place that individuals with disabilities go when they need assistance…we want to enhance their independence,” said Kirenia Pintado, who serves as the interim area director for Vocational Rehab’s Miami-Dade County and Monroe County offices.
Vocational Rehab also offers financial aid, tutoring, career counseling, internships, technology, like armrests and wheelchairs, medical services, such as diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, and transportation assistance, including vehicle modifications and gas money.
“Since COVID, people are coming in needing more resources, whether it’s with mental health, academics, finding employment,” said Elizabeth Potenza, director of ACCESS Disability Services at North Campus. “[Vocational Rehab] is just another tool in our toolbox [that] can give students the assistance they need to be successful.”
To qualify for assistance, applicants need to have a documented disability and meet with a vocational rehabilitation counselor.
Candidates are then referred to a certified vocational evaluator to assess their academic, emotional and medical conditions, as well as their interests, strengths and weaknesses.
Results are used to create an individualized plan for employment, which outlines the jobs that are best fit for the person and the resources they need to succeed.
“The key thing is helping our community and citizens, enabling them to move forward—to study what they want to study, to contribute what they have a skill [in] or what they want to develop a skill for,” said Carlos A. Ponce, a consultant for Vocational Rehab, serving as a liaison between North Campus’ satellite office and the ACCESS department.
Benjamin Vera, a psychology student at Kendall Campus who wrestles with obsessive compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, understands the value of Vocational Rehab.
After resigning from his part-time job as a foot-wear sales associate at Bass Pro Shops, the 19-year-old struggled to afford his classes.
This summer, Vocational Rehab is paying for his courses.
“Keeping up financially was very difficult because I kept failing classes. I kept missing work because I was stuck in these cycles of anxiety. It was very hard for me to see a
Workforce Ready: The Florida Department of Education’s office of Vocational Rehabilitation, an agency that helps people with disabilities find and maintain employment, inaugurated a satellite office at North Campus on April 29.
future in the educational side of my life,” Vera said. “But, you know, Vocational Rehab, they really gave me an opportunity to not have to worry about the financial part, get better and focus at my own pace.”
Liliana Ramirez, founder of ACCESS: Sharks, a program that helps students with disabilities acquire work experience at North Campus, sees the long-term benefits of having a Vocational Rehab office at the College.
“A collaboration between a VR agency and MDC will help students with disabilities become work ready and remain in employment,” Ramirez said. “Employment will increase our student’s self-esteem and will bring material advantages to them and their families.”
For more information about Vocational Rehab, visit their website at https://www.rehabworks.org/.
with a checking or savings account from EdFed.
When you open an account with EdFed, managing your expenses is the easiest part of your day. As the credit union for Miami Dade College, EdFed’s valuable member benefits are available to all students, faculty, staff, and their families.
Benefits of membership include:
• Checking and savings1 accounts with no monthly maintenance fee
• Convenient surcharge-free withdrawals at EdFed ATMs on-campus with additional access to over 55,000 Allpoint and Presto! ATMs nationwide
• Free auto buying service to help negotiate your next car or truck
• Comprehensive lending solutions for your vehicle or home purchase
• Student loan solutions offered in partnership with Sallie Mae2
• Exclusive discounts on local retailers, restaurants, and attractions
• Access to financial education workshops and events
• EdFed-sponsored student scholarship programs
Call (786) 775-5464, or to find a local branch, visit EdFed.org/locations
Renovations to the 1,000 sq. ft. space include a modernized storefront and new flooring, lighting and technology. Several walls will be removed to create space for student collaboration.
By Nikole Valiente nikole.valiente001@mymdc.netThe Student Life Department at Wolfson Campus has been located in Room 2101 for more than 27 years.
But this summer—that is changing.
While the space gets its first overhaul in more than two decades, it’s temporarily relocating to Room 4101—next to MDC Works
Renovations are projected to start in May and finish by the end of 2024.
Changes to the 1,000 sq. ft. facility include a new storefront, flooring, lighting and technology. The revamp will remove various walls to create an open environment for student collaboration.
“A new, open space will offer students an accessible and inviting area where [they] can choose to work in teams or as an individual, host meetings, do presentations and [engage in] fun activities,” said Ana DeMahy, senior director of campus administration at Wolfson Campus.
Student Life currently houses
Phi Theta Kappa, the Student Government Association, the Inner Club Council and the Peace Center, where club meetings are held.
It also features a game room with a pool and ping-pong table and a room to make student I.D.s.
DeMahy, who served as Student Life director at Wolfson Campus from 1997 through 2006, said the space’s proximity to the College North Metro Station and Gordo Café made it a student engagement hub, hosting events like food drives, lunches, movie screenings and performances.
Rising sophomore Matthew Rodriguez, who was recently elected Student Government Association treasurer, views the space as his “second home.”
“Making [Student Life] as welcoming as possible is super important to leave that good impression for new students and returning students, making it a place where students are like, ‘Wow, I go here? That’s so cool,’” Rodriguez said.
Mariana Triay, a sophomore studying biology in the Honors College, hopes the revamp will increase foot traffic.
“Maybe more people can see that it’s a great space to be in,” said Triay, who frequently plays pool with her friends at Student Life.
“I’ve met a lot of people playing in the game room that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
FROM STUDENT SPOTLIGHT, FRONT
So he pivoted to paper.
“I knew nothing about origami,” Hahne-Lum recalls. “I watched a bunch of tutorials online. Most of them are guys with big, ugly fat fingers holding it. The camera quality is so low and sometimes it’s not even focused.”
The animated flick, which was shot in a bedroom with no air conditioning, was filmed with a budget of $200, often requiring the film aficionado to improvise.
He used stacks of toilet paper to uphold bounce boards, ramen noodle containers for storage and sheets with math homework scribbled on it as light diffusers.
However, Hahne-Lum, who started the film as a junior in high school, says his greatest challenges were learning how to edit and managing his time.
“It [was] kind of a lonely process,” he said. “I was just in a room by myself for hours.”
Although he often considered giving up, Hahne-Lum, who is autistic and dyslexic, wanted to leave his mark.
“I wanted to finally make a good film that people would enjoy, that people would laugh and cry [about],” he said.
A Swan Story was shown at the Hollywood Florida Film Festival last November—where Hahne-Lum won an award for Best Animation Director—and at the Morc Comadori Animation Festival in Japan.
It recently won Best Animation and Best Comedy Short at the Miami Web Series Festival and will be screened at the FilmGate Miami Film Festival at the Silverspot Cinema on June 26. Hahne-Lum hopes to create a
feature-length sequel to A Swan Story and one day become “a big-time Hollywood director.”
“Film is forever,” he said. “It’s like a permanent reminder of the mark you leave in the world.”
To see more of Hahne-Lum’s work, visit his website at https://hazardouscinemas.com/gsff-2023 or his Instagram @ hazardous_cinemas.
The Museum of Art and Design is collecting testimonials of people who have personal connections to the Freedom Tower in preparation for its 100th birthday and reopening.
By Nikole Valiente nikole.valiente001@mymdc.netJuan Antonio González remembers when the Freedom Tower was known as el refugio—a Cuban refugee assistance center.
In 1969, a decade after his family’s dairy business was seized by Fidel Castro’s communist regime, his family immigrated to Miami, where they lived in a two-bedroom house with two other families.
To offset expenses, they visited the Freedom Tower to get food and medical care.
The then 13-year-old recalls shuffling through the dark, musty building, climbing down industrial-like stairs and waiting in line to receive la caja del refugio, which contained mystery meat, powdered milk, peanut butter, a block of cheese and a bottle of corn syrup.
“It was the beginning of the González family as Cuban-American,” said González, now 67. “It was Mecca. It was magical. It was somewhere over the rainbow. It was all those cliches that we came to know once we mainstreamed in the United States.”
The González family story is one of dozens being collected by Miami Dade College’s Museum of Art
and Design’s Centennial Stories project, an initiative gathering intimate audio/video memories of the Freedom Tower in anticipation of its centennial in 2025.
“The Freedom Tower is perhaps the most iconic building in Miami,” said María Carla Chicuén, the executive director of cultural affairs at MDC. “It is a historical landmark and understanding and learning about these stories is key to appreciating our shared history.”
Construction was funded in 1925 by former Ohio governor James Middleton Cox to house the Miami Daily News and Metropolis , later known as the Miami News
Architecturally, the building parallels a Spanish Cathedral; its 289-foot height made it the tallest structure in the south at the time it was built.
During the 1960s, it became known as el refugio, offering assistance to thousands of Cuban immigrants fleeing the communist revolution.
Currently, the Freedom Tower, which was established as a National Historic Landmark in 2008, is home to MOAD and the offices of the College’s Cultural Affairs Department, Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival and Live Arts Miami.
It was closed last May to undergo a $26 million renovation and is anticipated to reopen in July of 2025, according to MOAD executive director Amy Galpin.
The revamped building will feature three main exhibitions: a two-floor showcase chronicling
the Tower’s history, a contemporary art exhibit honoring CubanAmerican artist Félix GonzálezTorres and North America's firstever FIFA exhibit.
Centennial Stories will augment the museum’s chapter on el refugio. So far, approximately 20-30 testimonials have been collected, each averaging about an hour.
The stories will be played audibly on directional speakers to guide people through the multimedia presentation. It will feature photographs, videos and artifacts such as passports, letters and a recipe booklet created with food items offered at el refugio
Full-length testimonies and transcripts will be available in the College Archives and on Bloomberg Connects, a free app that provides guides to museum exhibitions.
“It’s important to hear directly from people—to create a historical record that reflects myriad voices,” Galpin said. “Honoring people’s individual experiences and learning about their personal journeys [is] essential to our shared humanity.”
Some stories have been recorded in the podcast room at West Campus, while others have been filmed at North Campus’ MDC-TV studio and Wolfson Campus’ Tuyo restaurant, which has a view of the Freedom Tower.
“What I have found is that even though something happened over 60 years ago, these memories are still very real and very present and very emotional,” said MDC archivist René Ramos, who is conducting the interviews for the testimonial project. “In some cases it seems like the memories have only become stronger and more emotional for people.”
Zoila De Yurre Fatemian, the director of Learning Resources at Wolfson Campus, remembers going to the Tower when she was seven years old with her father, Victor, who volunteered as a translator and guide.
“[The Freedom Tower] is part of history. It’s part of the culture here in Miami. It was a significant time, a defining time [where] so many people changed their lives,” said De Yurre, who gave her testimonial in March. “[Knowing] that I was part of that, even helping to put a piece of cheese in a box, it’s a good feeling.”
Testimonials, which will be edited by Local Projects, an exhibition design and consulting company, are being collected through the end of June. To share your story, contact Giovanny Marin at (305) 237-3643 or at gmarin1@ mdc.edu or at freedomtower@ mdc.edu.
Twenty-two-year-old
Michael Vargas Arango, who has schizoaffective disorder, won NPR’s College Podcast Challenge with his entry: The Monsters We Create
By Andrea Briones andrea.briones001@mymdc.netThree years ago, Michael Vargas Arango was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder.
The condition, which includes symptoms such as auditory and visual hallucinations and depression, affects approximately three in 1,000 people.
Until last fall, the 22-year-old had kept his condition mostly hidden.
Then, he told his girlfriend Elizabeth Pella.
“She wanted to protect me; she didn’t want me to tell her friends because she didn’t want them to judge me,” Vargas recalls. “So at that point, I was like, Why do I have to hide myself?”
Vargas, who was taking a communications course, used the conversation as fuel to produce The Monsters We Create , a podcast aimed at challenging mental illness stereotypes.
Six months later, Vargas, who is studying psychology at Kendall Campus, was selected as National Public Radio’s College Podcast Challenge winner.
He was picked from a pool of
more than 500 applicants and will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
“I really think he’s a gifted storyteller, but he also had a very important story to tell,” said his communications professor Emily Sendin, who supported him through the project. “He kind of brings you into this world and that’s a rare
gift, so I think that’s what makes it so appealing.”
The podcast spotlights a flashback to Vargas’ mother Olga meeting Felipe, her then five-year-old son’s “imaginary friend.”
Fearing he was possessed, Olga, a devout Catholic, took him to a priest.
In 2021, Vargas was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in Colombia, shortly before arriving in Miami. He battled anxiety and depression.
“I grew up thinking that schizophrenics are dangerous people, [that] they are crazy and delusional,” Vargas explains in The
Monsters We Create . “What am I supposed to do now? I am one of them now. Am I crazy?”
With the support of his family, therapy and medication, he has remained resilient.
“You start appreciating relationships more and the little moments that you get to live with people; you understand that life is not that big of a deal. You’ve got to enjoy it,” Vargas said. “Everyone’s going through their own stuff…you just accept it and start living your life with what you have.”
The Monsters We Create has audio clips whispering and echoing phrases such as “you’re crazy” and “they won’t understand” to simulate schizophrenic symptoms.
Vargas, who aspires to become a psychiatrist, also interviewed Miami Dade College students to get their thoughts on people with schizophrenia, without divulging he has the condition.
Responses ranged from “delusional” and “imbalanced” to “psychotic” and “dangerous.”
“People segregate and mistreat what they don’t understand,” Vargas says in his podcast.
The project has more than 16,000 views on SoundCloud.
“He wants to make a difference in the world,” Pella said. “He wants to help people, so just [to] see that he was able to accomplish that was huge for him.”
To listen to Vargas’ podcast, visit https://bit.ly/3K3QHvs.
Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an organization focused on promoting mental health awareness, and vice president of the Haitian IBO Club.
In April, Borgella graduated with an associate’s degree in nursing with a 4.0 GPA . She has committed to Emory University in Atlanta, where she will pursue a bachelor of science in nursing.
Javier Cuñat
and computer science club aimed at helping students kick-start their career in the tech world.
The 19-year-old, who was named a Hites Transfer Scholar in February, also served as secretary of the Student Government Association and as vice president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
Cuñat also became an instructor at the Everglades Correctional Institution, where he taught a 15week course on the fundamentals of technology for incarcerated men.
trajectory of his life.
Fordham earned his high school diploma in 1993 while at the Apalachee Correctional Institution. He became a tutor, helping others learn to read, write and do math at 17 maximum security prisons in Florida.
them.”
Fordham is a member of the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network, National Society for Leadership and Success and was invited to be an advisory member of the Florida Foundation for Correctional Excellence.
He has committed to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he will pursue a bachelor’s degree in communications and public administration. He aspires to become a policy analyst and work on prison policy reforms.
She struggled to learn English and navigate through the education system.
However, with the support of her family, she pressed onward.
“Don’t give up, keep pursuing your dream, because it is possible,” Cardenas said. “Do not let your thoughts or the barriers that hinder [your] potential to be bigger than [you.]”
Maria Gabriela Cardenas
During an introduction to computer applications course at the Kenwood K-8 Center in Miami, Javier Cuñat, then a sixth-grader, accidentally turned off his teacher’s promethean board using his computer.
That moment ignited a curiosity for computer science in Cuñat’s heart that continues to grow today.
“It was a moment of shock, realizing how powerful [computers] are and how cool it could be to know how to do stuff [on them],” he recalls.
At Kendall Campus, Cuñat founded CyberSharks—now known as INIT—a cybersecurity
FÚTBOL
Outside of MDC, the techfanatic founded CryptoKids, a non-profit organization aimed at providing children in low-income communities with computers and technology.
Cuñat, who was born in Valencia, Spain, graduated with an associate’s degree in computer science with a 4.0 GPA from the Honors College in April. He has committed to Stanford University in California, where he plans to continue studying computer science.
Eddie Fordham, Jr.
In 1991, Eddie Fordham, Jr. was convicted of first-degree felony murder, armed robbery and grand theft for driving a get-away car in an armed-robbery homicide and was sentenced to life in prison.
While incarcerated, he realized he was a course short of graduating high school. That changed the
Twenty-eight years later, Fordham joined MDC’s College in Prison pilot program, an initiative aimed at helping incarcerated people earn college degrees, while he was stationed at the Everglades Correctional Institution.
During his time at MDC, Fordham served as the senior counselor of the Dr. Regina B. Shearn Corrections Transition Program and led the development of the Pre-CTP Mentorship Program.
The 51-year-old was released from prison in April of 2022. He graduated from the College’s Prison program last summer with a 4.0 GPA.
“I have a tremendous responsibility now to do my best, not just for myself, but for all the others that I’m paving the way for that are currently incarcerated or justice impacted,” Fordham said. “I want them to know that if God can do it for me, he can certainly do it for
She grew up watching her father Douglas, a goldsmith, create earrings, necklaces and bracelets at their family business, M&D Joyeros, in Venezuela. She often tinkered with her dad’s supplies, using malleable silver to make necklaces and wax to make ring molds.
As she grew older, Cardenas developed a love for science that grew alongside her passion for art, culminating in a desire to become a dentist.
Ironically, that dream was challenged when her family immigrated to the United States in 2018.
At Kendall Campus, Cardenas worked as a part-time chemistry tutor and founded the Pre-Dental Club, an organization to help students attain experience in the dental field. Last year, the club partnered with the Florida Baptist’s Ministry Dental Unit to offer free dental services to low-income communities.
The 19-year-old also served as vice president of the Letter Exchange for Awareness and Progress (L.E.A.P.) Club, a PenPal initiative that aims to promote awareness on the hardships incarcerated women face.
Cardenas graduated with an associate’s degree in biology with a 3.9 GPA from the Honors College in April. She hopes to attend Johns Hopkins University in Maryland or Vanderbilt University in Tennessee to pursue a career in dentistry.
The photos used in this article are courtesy of the Kendall and North Campus Media Services departments.
Miami Dade College and FIFA announced a partnership that will bring a fútbol exhibition, speaker series and internships to the College.
By Isabella Arce isabella.arce001@mymdc.netGet ready soccer fanatics—the Fédération Internationale de Football Association is coming to Miami Dade College.
On April 30, MDC announced a new partnership that will bring a FIFA exhibition, internships and a soccer-themed speaker series to the College.
The collaboration, which took two years to finalize, is set to start this fall coinciding with the launch of MDC’s new men and women’s soccer teams.
“A partnership with such an influential and global conglomerate like FIFA helps the notoriety of how important Miami Dade [College] is to this community and how we put students in high places, not just in the United States, but worldwide and FIFA does the same,” said Mike Balado, MDC’s athletic director. “I think both entities have very similar goals and that’s to be successful. What a great way to continue to do that with an organization like FIFA.”
The collaboration will kick-off with an internship program at the new FIFA offices that are opening at 396 Alhambra Circle in Coral
Heads Up: Miami Dade College and FIFA announced a new partnership on April 30 that will bring a fútbol exhibition, soccer-themed speaker series and internships to the College this fall.
Gables in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
About 10-20 internships will be designed based on the students’ interests.
“The internship opportunity will provide students hands-on experience to learn about different careers and from different professionals within the FIFA
organization,” said Maryam Laguna Borrego, chief of staff and vice president of external affairs and strategy at MDC.
In a college press release, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “I am proud that students of Miami Dade College will also have the chance to work with FIFA as interns.”
The exhibit will be curated at the Freedom Tower when the iconic building is reopened in the spring of 2025.
“FIFA will open up their first museum in North America here in partnership with Miami Dade College and they’ll have the ability to highlight the history of soccer and bring really prized possessions
like artifacts,” Borrego said.
Incoming freshman Alejandro Cumplido, who plays for Inter Miami CF in the U19 division and was recently recruited to play for MDC’s soccer team as a striker, attended the luncheon and is excited for the FIFA exhibit.
“Soccer is my life,” said Cumplido. “The amazing things FIFA has—all the jerseys, all the historic things—that’s gonna be nice to [go] and see them.”
Cumplido, who has been playing soccer since he was five, was able to chat with Infantino at the press conference, which was held at the Eduardo J Padrón Campus.
“It was kind of a dream because I grew up watching FIFA so to be there and have the opportunity to talk with [Infantino was] a beautiful moment,” Cumplido said.
The third component of the collaboration between MDC and FIFA is a speaker series that is in the planning stages. It will include former FIFA soccer players and World Cup winners, Borrego said.
“Miami is on the world stage as far as soccer goes,” said MDC’s men’s soccer coach Guiseppe DePalo. “The visibility that [this partnership] is going to give our program, our university and our community on the world stage with Copa America coming this year and World Cup ‘26 and all the various events next year.”
Miami Dade College lost back-to-back games to Chipola College at the Florida College System Athletic Association Division I Marianna Regional, ending their season with a 28-26 record.
By Charles Stemmer charles.stemmer001@mymdc.netThe Miami Dade College baseball season came to an abrupt end after they lost the first two games of the Marianna Regional versus Chipola College.
During the series, the Sharks had leads mid-way through both games—5-3 in the top of the fifth inning of the first game and 5-0 in the bottom of the fourth of the second game—before losing.
Chipola won 14-5 on May 3 and 11-5 on May 4.
“We fought until the end regardless of who was in front of us,” said sophomore catcher Geremy Garcia. “We fell short, but that’s part of baseball and I assure you that the Sharks coming back next year will cover our backs and bring that ring back.”
Standout performers for the Sharks during the series were Garcia and right fielder Dean Guzman, who each had a homerun and two RBI in the series, and
third baseman D’Angelo Ortiz, who collected three RBI.
The pitching staff had a rough two-game stretch, allowing 21 earned runs in 16 innings while walking 19 batters.
During the season, the Sharks
had a 28-26 overall record under first-year head coach Lazaro Llanes, who replaced Adrian Morales after he took the head coaching gig at Nova Southeastern University.
The team, which featured 12
freshmen, struggled at the start of the season, losing seven of their first eight games, posting a 9-13 mark through February. But the team rebounded in March, finishing with a 11-6 record for the month.
The Sharks were 8-8 in April and May but they stumbled to the finish line, losing four of their last five games including the two to Chipola College in the regional series.
“We had a few returners, but the majority of the players were new to the program,” Llanes said. “Once we started to believe in each other, we started playing much better and we grew as a team after that.”
Offensive leaders for the Sharks this season were: Garcia, who led the team with 52 RBI while adding seven home runs, freshman Michael Petite, who topped the team in home runs with nine and sophomore D’Angelo Ortiz, who was the batting average champion with a .377 mark.
Freshmen Carlos Jacome and Maikel Perez each contributed five home runs.
On the mound, right-hander Juan Miguel Fernandez boasted a 9-3 record. The sophomore also led the team in strikeouts with 83. That was 35 more than the pitcher with the second most K’s.
“Although we fell short, we had the makeup of a championship team, but that’s just baseball,” said freshman catcher Santiago Carriles-Alvarado. “I believe this is a crucial part to the success of next year’s team.”
Nikole Valiente looks back at her time covering sports at the paper and how it has rekindled memories of her grandfather, who was an avid baseball fan.
By Nikole Valiente nikole.valiente001@mymdc.netI’ve never had a passion for sports.
But baseball, it’s in my blood— I’m Cuban.
My grandpa, Francisco “Pipo” Valiente, was a baseball fanatic who played second-base in neighborhood ball games in Cuba.
When he was in his 80s, Pipo’s blood pressure would spike when he watched his favorite teams, the Miami Marlins and the New York Yankees, compete from the comfort of his reclining chair in Hialeah.
During our weekly domino tournaments, baseball games were a TV staple. I can still see my grandmother, Norma, who had Alzhiemer’s disease, tapping her index finger on the domino table.
“Pelota y pelota,” she would sigh. Baseball and baseball.
My grandfather died in 2017, but his passion for the old ball game left a mark on me.
When I started my tenure as editor-in-chief of The Reporter last year, I wanted to be involved in the paper’s baseball coverage, but since I didn’t know anything about sports, that fantasy was unlikely to become a reality.
But life always has a way of pushing you where it wants you.
My first sports story was on Mike Balado’s appointment as the head of Miami Dade College’s athletic department in August. It was one of my first times asking uncomfortable questions in an interview.
Balado had been fired from his previous job as Arkansas State University’s men’s head basketball coach.
It took 30 minutes worth of questions to address the matter,
but the experience reaffirmed that as a journalist, you need to ask the tough questions.
The following month, I covered Lazaro Llanes’ appointment as the Sharks’ head baseball coach and Alex Fernandez’ appointment as the senior advisor to MDC athletics.
My heart wanted to pump out of my chest as I scooted onto the clay infield to interview Llanes, a former scout for the Marlins and the Milwaukee Brewers, and Fernandez, one of the greatest pitchers MDC has ever produced.
But as our conversations unfolded, their easy-going, downto-earth personalities helped me see something many 21st century teens like myself need to be reminded of: people are just that—people.
As I covered more sports stories, I witnessed the influence sports have beyond the fields they are played on.
In December, I reported on the
a
reopening of North Campus’ Demie Mainieri Field.
The famed field, which had been dormant for nearly three decades, honors MDC’s legendary coach Demie “Doc” Mainieri, who launched the baseball program at North Campus in 1960 and served as its head coach for 30 years.
Although the baseball giant accrued 1,012 wins in his career, I saw Mainieri’s true legacy in his players.
They remembered Mainieri as someone who taught them how to do their job without expecting a reward and to play baseball unselfishly.
“He taught you how to be a team member,” said Chicago Cubs scout Nick Belmonte, who played for Mainieri in the 70s.
To kick off the new year, I covered the first night game held at the Kendall Campus baseball field in its nearly 60-year history.
The energy was electric as eight 80-feet LED light towers illuminated the Sharks’ exhibition game versus St. Thomas University.
Sharks catching coach Rudy Arias, who played for the College from 1975-77, lit up as he spoke just before the first pitch as a rainbow hung over the field.
“Watching this right now, it’s such a beautiful thing,” Arias told me on the field that night.
I then switched gears and got the opportunity to report on Atavya Fowler, an MDC softball player with a custom shoe design business that has caught the eye of Major League Baseball players like Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Harold Ramirez and St. Louis Cardinal’s catcher Iván Herrera.
But the story that has touched me the most was an obituary on beloved coach Charlie Greene.
The 94-year-old, who spearheaded the baseball program at Kendall Campus and served as its head coach for three decades, died on March 13.
Although I didn’t meet Coach Greene when he was alive, I met him through the memories of the people he impacted.
Players like former New York Yankees pitcher Gil Paterson, who grew up without a dad, saw Greene as a father figure and staunch advocate for timeliness, camaraderie and integrity.
“He was disciplined…I was late for the bus one minute and he didn’t want to take me on when we went to play in the playoffs. [I was] like, ‘What? I’m your best pitcher!’ He said, ‘I don’t care, I don’t care,’” Paterson recalls. “He cared, but I’ll tell you what, he wanted it done the right way.”
My reporting has allowed me to see the baseball diamond as an arena that fosters relationships and teaches life lessons.
I bet my grandpa would agree.
Summertime is the perfect time to catch up on old movies. Nalini Singh has some recommendations for those looking for the ideal seasonal flick.
By Nalini Singh nalini.singh001@mymdc.netAs the days grow longer and the Florida sunshine beats down, it is clear summer’s arrival is imminent.
After dreary spring showers, it’s time to embrace the season. What better way to do so than with a lineup of quintessentially summer films?
Whether you’re looking for a sun-kissed romance, a horror flick or something in between, here are some of my top picks to help kick off the sunshiney season and bring on those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.
The picturesque Greek island Kalokairi awaits audiences in Mamma Mia!. The film tells the story of Sophie Sheridan as she prepares for her wedding and tries to uncover the mystery of who her father is.
The sunshine settings and ABBA exclusive soundtrack provide a backdrop for an endearing ensemble cast and a story filled with nostalgia, comedy and love. At the heart of the movie is a powerful relationship between the mother-daughter duo of Donna and Sophie Sheridan. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of musicals, ABBA’s classic hits such as Dancing Queen and Our Last Summer, coupled with glimmering oceans and Greece’s cobblestone streets,
CLOCKWORK ORANGE
never fail to evoke the essence of summer.
The charming romantic comedy-drama Letters to Juliet enchants audiences with the inherently romantic background of Verona, Italy, where Shakespeare’s infamous Romeo and Juliet takes place. The movie follows a young American, Sophie, and her fiancé, Victor, as they embark on a pre-honeymoon to Verona.
As her husband works to conduct research for his upcoming restaurant, Sophie learns about the Secretaries of Juliet, who respond to letters about love. Sophie writes back to an unanswered letter from 1957 and soon finds herself on a journey to help the author find lost love and maybe find her true love along the way.
Call Me By Your Name
Under peach trees and lush greenery, somewhere in northern Italy in 1983, director Luca Guadagnino captures summer malaise in his film Call Me By Your Name . Based on the book of the same name, Call Me By Your Name is the story of Elio Pearlman as he meets and becomes enamored with Oliver, a charming, older doctoral student staying with Elio’s family to work under his father.
The undeniably gorgeous cinematography and atmospheric soundtrack aid the film’s languid pace as it tells a story of obsession, longing and introspection. The stills from this movie have shown up on summer mood boards since its release in 2018 and have ignited new desires for European summer trips worldwide.
I Know What You Did Last Summer, takes place in the sleepy fishermen’s town of Southport, North Carolina. It follows a group of teenagers who reunite after attempting to cover up a fatal accident on July 4 of the previous year, when the final girl, Julie James, receives a letter stating, “I know what you did last summer!”
As the title suggests, the film utilizes eerie summer nights to portray the mystery and dread permeating the movie. While it
isn’t the best horror flick out there, it’s filled with iconic moments like the masterful chase scene with Helen Shivers. It’s a juxtaposition to the bright summer fun, taking advantage of the balmy summer weather and eerie small-town vibes to create a classic summer horror movie.
Dazed and Confused
The early 1990s coming-of-age comedy Dazed and Confused is set during the last day of school in Austin, Texas, in 1976. The film captures the carefree spirit of the ensemble cast as the characters
embark on a journey of teenage rebellion and self-discovery. The nonlinear plotlines depict the journeys of incoming first-year high schoolers and soon-to-graduate seniors through the tribulations of high school pressures. Under the hazy and sun-soaked Texan landscape, the movie encapsulates summer adventures with friends and the possibilities that fill the future. It's filled with classic 1970s rock hits and dynamic characters; Dazed and Confused portrays nostalgia for a bygone era and the golden days of teenagehood.
One of the most controversial films ever made, A Clockwork Orange remains an important staple of cinema due to its bold questions and boundary-pushing story.
By Maria Eduarda Mottin mariaeduar.mottin001@mymdc.netStanley Kubrick’s thoughtprovoking science fiction film, A Clockwork Orange , is an adaptation of Anthony Burgess’s British novel of the same name.
Inspired by the U.K.’s unemployment and inflation crisis, which led to extreme violence and political upheaval, A Clockwork Orange immerses the viewer into a dystopian Britain under an authoritarian regime. There is a youth subculture of violence, where teens like protagonist Alex DeLarge and his gang of “droogs” commit violent physical and sexual crimes throughout the night. Throughout the film, the viewer is provided with a first-person perspective from Alex as he narrates his disturbing crimes and sick enjoyment of them. However, the story takes a dramatic turn when the gang tries breaking into a mansion owned by an elderly woman and Alex accidentally kills her with a blow to the skull.
He’s arrested and sentenced to 14 years in prison. After two years, Alex receives a visit from the Minister of the Interior, the leading figure of the current political party in power. He sees Alex’s violent and rebellious nature and recruits him for an ongoing experiment, the Ludovico Technique. He guarantees subsequent success would purify Alex of evil impulses and reinstitute him into society.
Alex envisions a chance to cut his sentence and agrees but the Ludovico Technique turns out to be similar to torture. He’s taken to the clinic, strapped down and forced to watch graphic films depicting rape, torture, wars and murderers under nausea-inducing drugs. He is then publicly humiliated by being physically beaten in front of an audience of politicians and policemen.
At the end of the experiment, Alex can’t commit a lewd or violent act without triggering an overbearing feeling of sickness.
The prison priest then tells the Minister: “He ceases to be a wrongdoer. He ceases also to be a creature capable of moral choice.” Ultimately, Alex did not choose to be good, even upon agreeing to undergo the Ludovico Technique, because he is deprived of free will.
A Clockwork Orange creates this paradox to point out how the State is just as corrupt as the wrongdoers it tries to criticize. It poses the central question of whether the State should have the power to choose between evil and good on behalf of others.
The movie suggests that eradicating evil through unethical means doesn't equate to genuine goodness.
In the end, Alex reverts to his evil ways by regaining his freedom of choice by attempting suicide. He is compensated with a high-ranking position within the political party. With the ending carrying this symbolic hypocrisy, the viewer realizes the party is more concerned with protecting their interests than actually curing him.
The movie shows that societal standards of good and evil are based on equally corrupt governmental systems.
A Clockwork Orange remains relevant decades later because of its exploration of human freedom of choice and morality. Its final message is that for genuine good to exist, we have to accept the possibility of evil. After all, no one is born a clockwork orange.
CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORKS IN LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE, ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE STILL HAS LESSONS TO TEACH US TODAY.
By Maria Eduarda Mottin mariaeduar.mottin001@mymdc.netGabriel García Márquez was a Colombian writer and is considered one of the greatest authors of all time. His work One Hundred Years of Solitude landed him a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982, and to this day, remains one of the most important political commentaries in Latin American literature.
It explores the history of Latin America through the fictional town of Macondo. Central to the story is the Buendía family, the founders of Macondo and a family that has a knack for repeating the previous generation’s mistakes.
Each generation makes a tragic mistake that sets a domino effect of a mess for the next generation to either fix or worsen. García Márquez uses the magical realism genre to create unique surrealist metaphors like ghosts, strange prophecies and floating women.
The developments of the village of Macondo are told through imagery and symbolic moments that reference historical marks in the history of humanity and Colombia, like the beginnings of alchemy, the Age of Enlightenment, colonization and the Industrial Revolution. The nameless war in the book led by Coronel Aureliano Buendía’s rebellion against the government and the Catholic Church is a direct reference to the Colombian “Thousands Day War,” in which the Liberal Party went against the government led by the National Party.
perfectly summarizes the idea behind the bizarre, semirealistic occurrences of the book: “Everything that men do is religious and heroic, and yet in danger of being fictitious and fallible.” The irony of magical realism is precisely that it emphasizes the absurdist aspects of the characters’ desires. Ultimately, all their efforts to satisfy the Buendía’s grueling feeling of emptiness are at risk of being in vain.
Through the Buendía family, García Márquez highlights how actions motivated by the wrong intent eventually lead to their demise. Oftentimes while trying to prevent tragic prophecies or trying to elevate their stations, the Buendías would do exactly as predicted.
One Hundred Years of Solitude is an acclaimed masterpiece that proposes a magical realist’s take on humanity’s trajectory and nature. Márquez references key moments of Colombia’s history with a unique mysticism that makes One Hundred Years of Solitude , an immersive and thought-provoking read.
Is history a chain of mistakes condemned to repeat itself unless someone chooses to learn from it and break it? Was the downfall of Macondo the morally bankrupt Buendías, outside exploiters or a fusion of both? And what can we as readers learn from this cautionary tale?
It is these questions and more that have solidified One Hundred Years of Solitude as a classic in magical realist literature. It takes complex questions of the real world and explores them in a way that is not constricted by the rules of reality. It is the kind of novel that everyone should read at one point in their life.
The long-time favorite digital world of wonders and plumbobs has announced its plan to expand its four-version collection to five. But is Sims 5 just a cash grab?
By Temiloluwa Alagbe Temiloluwa.Alagbe001@mymdc.netFirst introduced in February 2000, The Sims is a life simulator game designed for gamers to create people and build their lives with different careers and lifestyles.
The game developer Maxis announced at the Behind The Sims Summit in 2022 that the Sims Studio will soon release The Sims 5, currently known as Project Rene.
According to Electronic Arts, the new development is meant to “represent the team’s renewed commitment for The Sims’ bright future.”
The Sims 5 is expected to be released either this year or by 2025, and Maxis promised it will include new developments in game design and gameplay.
This comes after years of complaints about the lack of quality for The Sims 4; gamers even say the older versions have more likeness to the real world since most items now require purchasing packs and
Anotha' One: Maxis Studio is slated to release The Sims 5 by 2025. But how much of an upgrade will this new version truly be?
bundles.
YouTuber SatchonSims shared in his video “10 Resons Why The Sims 4 feels Boring” why the base game, which doesn’t include purchased worlds, decor and lifestyles, is too boring.
The video further elaborates that a big issue with the game was
like a restaurant, and [choose] how it looks.”
The announcement of The Sims 5 left wavering opinions on whether it is needed since there are four versions of the game already. However, most agree there are many aspects of The Sims that can be expanded on, that is, if Maxis is willing to experiment with their successful formula, rather than regurgitating the same game over and over again.
Sims users shouldn’t have to download various mods, or game modifications created by other players, to make their experience more unique. That’s what game sequels and updates are supposed to do.
Although mods are fun to use, they shouldn’t be the only way to make the game fun. It was bad enough that the game’s monthly updates don’t do much for the technical issues that follow after they accumulate.
that it had too many mundane tasks and lacked the authenticity of their previous iterations. Best summarized as “too much filler,” how can Maxis improve upon The Sims world without abandoning its slice-of-life format?
Like SatchonSims, users on platforms like Discord and Reddit expressed desires for more freedom with home building and storylines for their Sims, as well as more freedom with their Sims’ career path.
The success of a product is impossible without improvements and constructive criticism, whether it’s from professional gamers or regular people.
“I would really like to see a Sims economy,” shared Reddit user chadwicksterelicious. “I want to be able to run my own business,
Hopefully, The Sims 5 can live up to our expectations. Sims may not be real, but they should live like we do.
Sean Yakobson provides an overview of autism spectrum disorder and highlights the importance of challenging stereotypes on the condition.
By Sean Yakobson sean.yakobson001@mymdc.net
My name is Sean Yakobson; I’m a film student at North Campus’ School of Entertainment & Design Technology and I’m on the autism spectrum.
Although I’ve had the condition my whole life, I didn’t become aware of it until I graduated highschool in 2017.
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges with communication, interaction and repetitive behaviors.
It’s often referred to as a spectrum because it encompasses a broad range of symptoms that manifest differently in each person.
Some individuals may have mild symptoms and can function relatively independently, while others may have more severe challenges that significantly impact their daily lives.
For example, one individual
may struggle with maintaining eye contact and initiating conversations while another may have difficulty understanding nonverbal cues or engaging in reciprocal conversations.
I have excellent communication skills and can connect with almost anyone (this wasn’t always the case; it’s something that I’ve worked on and improved throughout the years); however, I constantly deal with major sensory issues.
I’m hypersensitive to stimuli like sights, sounds and textures. This makes existing in South Florida difficult. The moment I get home, I, as Taylor Swift once sang, shake it off. This repetitive movement stimulates me in a calming manner.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) describes three levels of increasing severity of autism— level one (“requiring support”), level two (“requiring substantial support”) and level three (“requiring very substantial support”).
Despite the strides society has made in science and technology, there is no definitive reason as to why autism develops and it can happen to anyone regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation.
Stereotypes of autism often stem from media portrayals or misconceptions rather than accurate representations.
Contrary to the notion that people on the spectrum lack empathy, autistic individuals are highly empathetic. They may struggle with understanding social cues, but they often have profound feelings and care deeply about others’ well-being.
Society sometimes labels
autistic individuals as “geniuses.” While some people with the disorder may have exceptional abilities, such as in math, music or memory, this is not true for everyone. By the same token, autism isn’t synonymous with intellectual disabilities, as the disorder primarily affects social communication and behavior, not intellectual ability. Autism also looks different in each person. While there are common characteristics, like difficulties with sensory sensitivities and restricted interests, each person’s experience is distinct, shaped by a combination of genetic, neurological and environmental factors.
Understanding and
appreciating this diversity is crucial in providing appropriate support for individuals with autism to help them reach their full potential.
This is a lifelong developmental disorder. While early intervention can greatly improve outcomes for autistic individuals, they continue to experience autism-related challenges throughout their lives.
However, with appropriate support and accommodations, many autistic adults lead fulfilling and successful lives.
I couldn’t imagine back then the things that I am doing now. But with the help of a strong supporting cast and the drive for self
improvement, I’m here now, writing to you, the reader.
“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism” is a phrase that underscores the immense uniqueness of individuals on the spectrum. It highlights the importance of taking an individualized approach to education and intervention by focusing on each person’s strengths, needs, preferences and goals.
By embracing the diversity within the autism community, we can create more inclusive environments that celebrate the richness of human variation and ensure that everyone thrives.
Temiloluwa Alagbe discusses Hollywood’s lack of originality and corporations’ reliance on sequels, remakes and adaptations to attract audiences.
By Temiloluwa Alagbe temiloluwa.alagbe001@mymdc.net
In the past two decades, Hollywood has been churning out remakes and adaptations.
Warner Bros.’ Willy Wonka , starring Timothy Chalamet, was one of the highest grossing movies of 2023. But, the film is merely a remake of the 1971 and 2005 versions of this tale.
Another example is Mean Girls
(2024).
Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., the comedy puts a musical spin on the original film produced in 2004, which was followed by a sequel seven years later.
Although nostalgia sells, 74 percent of Gen Z and Millennials prefer authentic films versus remakes, according to a survey conducted this year by Tubi, a streaming platform owned by Fox Corporation.
Audiences are seeing one too many sequels and not enough new stories.
From my eyes, the film industry is experiencing creative fatigue.
In an article for the Daily Mail, English T.V. critic Christoher Stevens puts it this way:
“It seems no one in Hollywood now has an original notion in their heads.”
Disney is another example of this phenomenon churning out live-action remakes.
The film giant is set to release Mufasa in December of 2024 as a prequel to The Lion King (2019).
In such a competitive industry, the brightest ideas are not always given a chance.
American Horror Story actress Jessica Lange spoke up about the decrease of creativity in Hollywood during an interview with Vulture last month.
“You look at some of the best films of the past year—what do they have in common? They’re not from America. My favorite was ‘Anatomy of a Fall.’ How often do we get to see a film like that…?”
It’s not to say that there are no original productions. Writer and actor Mike White’s HBO series White Lotus (2021) was not based on any other production and is one of the most successful streaming series’ to date.
Building upon existing art is normal and has been done for years, yet it is becoming too normal.
Hollywood is clearly struggling to create new concepts, choosing instead to recycle old plots.
Big companies like Disney and Warner Bros are worried about money.
Similar to the original, the sequel follows a young cub—Kiara— as she matures, while exploring the origins of her grandfather, Mufasa, the legendary king of the Pride Lands.
Film studios want to ensure they aren’t wasting millions of dollars, so they reproduce old movies or make sequels to crowd favorites.
Even employment in Hollywood is choked, as executives rely solely on big-name stars to work, mostly to attract fanbases to their productions.
Recreating another film shouldn’t be the norm when filmmakers and writers with fresh ideas are overlooked.
It may be uncomfortable to branch out to uncharted territory, but there are infinite possibilities for what American TV and cinema can bring.
Apollinaire Mendoza discusses the United States’ emergence as a world power and how its tenants of liberty, representation and justice have affected developing nations.
By Apollinaire Mendoza apollinai.mendoza001@mymdc.net
The 19th and 20th centuries saw the United States grow from 13 states to an imperialist giant spread across three continents.
Patriots who had fought for natural rights in Massachusetts in 1776 were constructing a canal in Panama, repressing revolutions in Asia and taming the Great Plains in the Midwest.
After World War I and II, the U.S. became one of the world’s main power brokers.
But how has the world been shaped by a country founded on the ideals of democracy and free markets? And have those ideals done more harm than good?
HIGHER EDUCATION
World War II left most of Europe bankrupt and unable to control their former colonies.
This put the U.S. in a precarious position—it could either encourage democracy (at the risk of losing support from political parties in favor of the Soviet Union) or repress independence movements alongside.
While most colonies gained independence, the American idea of democracy hasn’t always led to freedom.
Countries such as Russia, Singapore and India have shown that authoritarian elements can arise in democracies, curbing human rights and infringing on personal liberties.
On the other hand, the U.S. has established organizations to strengthen international relationships.
In 1945, it launched the United Nations, an organization aimed at fostering global cooperation. This forum gave newly-independent colonies equal footing with European powers. They advocated for decolonization efforts and demanded assistance to develop their countries.
The U.S. also founded the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, organizations that now loan billions of dollars to development projects throughout the globe.
Critics of these institutions point out two major concerns for developing nations.
The U.N. Security Council is headed by developed nations; the IMF pressures indebted nations to pass legislation, such as cutting social programs or increasing taxes, to continue receiving financial support.
Opponents of international regimes view this as an effort to maintain dominance over developing nations rather than a genuine attempt at true global representation.
However, law and justice are incredibly apparent in the U.S., with courts existing at each level of governance within the country.
The U.N. established the International Court of Justice for member states to resolve civil disputes
and the International Criminal Court to indict individuals for heinous crimes, including genocide, slavery, murder, rape and sex trafficking.
Although both organizations are major steps toward universal justice, they’re riddled with criticisms.
Many African nations assert the ICC only enforces charges for individuals in weaker, less developed nations. The trend was broken with the conviction of Vladimir Putin, but the ICC continues to evade the war crimes committed by the United Kingdom and the U.S. in Iraq.
While the debate surrounding the positive and negative attributes of American ideals continues, one cannot deny the influence they hold in the modern world.
Angel Araujo discusses the benefits and drawbacks of seeking higher education while encouraging students to finish what they’ve started.
By Angel Araujo angel.araujo002@mymdc.net
“Should I drop out of college?” The question has troubled countless college students, including myself, for years.
According to a study conducted this year by Sallie Mae, a banking corporation, approximately one in four students are at risk of abandoning their pursuit of higher education.
Tuition, transportation and stress take a toll on everyone. Sometimes giving up seems like the best option.
However, I encourage you to keep an open mind.
You are an investment—the more you spend on your growth and development, the more valuable you become.
Imagine yourself in 10 years.
A report published by the National Center for Education Statistics in 2022 found that graduates with bachelor’s degrees can start earning an average of $59,600 annually.
If you drop out of college today, you could be working at a deadend job—doing overtime to make ends meet, missing holidays, learning skills that are only applicable to your current occupation and losing the opportunity to achieve more.
However, college is not for everyone. Some interests, like construction, cosmetology, culinary arts and auto servicing, align better with a vocational school. Consider this list of pros and cons.
Improved Career Opportunities: A college degree frequently results in jobs with higher earning potential because many occupations demand additional degrees or specialized training.
Personal Development: Higher education encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Scholars are exposed to challenging viewpoints, which might deepen their awareness of themselves and the world.
Networking: Universities offer excellent opportunities to improve one’s communication and build relationships with professors, industry specialists and peers.
Specialized Knowledge: Higher education enables people to focus
on their areas of interest, allowing them to cultivate a deeper understanding of their field.
Cons:
Financial Burden: Seeking higher education can be costly.
Many graduates are saddled with student loan debts, which can take years to pay off and affect financial independence.
Time Commitment: Keeping your grades up in college requires discipline and sacrifice. It’s difficult to juggle academic studies with personal responsibilities such as a job or family.
Uncertain Return On Investment: Although a college degree can improve job prospects, success is not guaranteed; it can still be challenging to secure employment and a high salary.
Rapidly Changing Job Market:
Due to the ongoing changes in the job market, skills and information acquired through higher education may eventually become obsolete. To be competitive in their chosen sector, people must be flexible and stay up to date on their abilities.
If you’re already deep into your college career, stay the course because a college degree opens doors that might otherwise remain closed.
But if you’ve recently started, meditate on your values, goals and character before taking the plunge.
Del Rio A&E
Briones
Temiloluwa Alagbe, Angel Araujo, Isabella Arce, Sophia Arenas, Melanie Bello, Andrea Briones, Juliette Bryant, Sara Dhorasoo, Maria Eduarda Mottin, Isabelle Jean-Baptiste, Jesus Garcia, Andres Giraldo, Vanessa Landrian, Yairi Lorenzo, Apollinaire Mendoza, Alexander Ontiveros, Isabel Paz, Alejandra Quiroz, Nalini Singh, Daylyin Staples, Charles Stemmer, Lisa Marie Suarez, Sabrina Toro, Benjamin Vera, Sean Yakobson, Joelle Worcester Manolo Barco, Media Adviser
B mbarco@mdc.edu
T NORTH.........................(305) 237-1255 T KENDALL......................(305) 237-2323 T WOLFSON....................(305) 237-3477
The Reporter welcomes letters to the editor.
and
All
of
and clarity. Letters can be sent via e-mail to mdc.thereporter@gmail.com, with the subject “letter to the editor.”
B thereporteradvertising@gmail.com
T (305) 237-7657
Miami Dade College is an equal access/ equal opportunity institution which does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, ethnicity, pregnancy, sexual orientation or genetic information. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the College’s Equity Officer: Dr. Joy C. Ruff at (305) 237-2577 or 711 (Relay Service) or jruff@mdc.edu.
