The Reporter Volume 15 Issue 4

Feeling Unsafe

English professor Patrick Anderson is releasing his third album, Better Days, on Dec. 13. It touches on conquering depression and past traumas.

The Miami Dade College women’s soccer team finished its inaugural season with a 10-5 record and ranked 18th in the nation for the regular season.

Melissa Martinez reviews Gracie Abram’s The Secret of Us (Deluxe) album, giving insight into the themes that set this project apart from her previous work.

Michelle Reese discusses her experience at Camillus House, a shelter in Miami, and the obstacles state law HB 1365 could bring to homeless people.

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FORUM

Telling Secrets

A&E

Inaugural Season SPORTS

NEWS

Music Heals

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4VOL. 15, ISSUE 4 — NOVEMBER 26, 2024

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OBITUARY

AXIS Wins Its Fifth National Pacemaker Award

Beloved Wolfson Campus Photography Professor Dies At 71 Joseph Tamargo, who taught photography at Wolfson Campus for nearly four decades, died on Oct. 22 after undergoing a procedure to remove a cancerous growth in his bladder.

By Nikole Valiente and Isabella Arce nikole.valiente001@mymdc.net

NIKOLE VALIENTE / THE REPORTER

“

Artistic Win: AXIS, North Campus’ student-led literary and arts magazine, won their fifth Pacemaker Award since its debut in 2003. The prize, awarded by the Associated Collegiate Press, recognizes excellence in collegiate media.

On Nov. 2, North Campus’ student-led literary and arts magazine, AXIS, won the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award. The honor recognizes excellence in collegiate media.

By Isabella Arce isabella.arce001@mymdc.net AXIS Creative Arts Magazine won their fifth Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award in the Two-Year Literary Arts Magazine category on Nov. 2.

Winners were announced at the Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Association Fall National College Media Convention in New Orleans. The honor, which is lauded as the Pulitzer Prize of collegiate media, recognizes excellence in student publications.

The North Campus magazine, which published its first edition in 2003, has been a Pacemaker finalist for the past seven years, earning the award in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

This year’s competition featured work produced during the 2023-24 academic year. “[I’m] really excited that we won a Pacemaker, especially since [it’s] the first issue I’ve ever edited and worked on,” said Josephine Thomas, AXIS editor-in-chief for the 2024-25 school year.

Volume 21’s staff included editor-in-chief

INDEX:

BRIEFING

Bianca Jules, managing editor Richmonde Israel, lead graphic designer Jeanna Chery and secretary Temiloluwa Alagbe. English professors Carmen Bucher and Kathleen Noonan and graphic design professor Eric Cornish co-advised the publication.

“The most challenging part is always being able to incorporate most people[’s] ideas and also capture a collective visual on the output of the magazine…” Cornish said.

“Everyone has got to do their part in order to produce a magazine like this and if someone drops the ball on any of those parts, you don’t get the result at its highest level.”

The student-led literary and arts magazine’s latest volume showcased a mosaic theme, consisting of artworks such as poetry, illustrations, paintings, photographs and film.

“They took a risk…” Noonan said. “There wasn’t really a theme coming from the written or visual work, [so] the students decided they didn’t want to organize around a theme, [but] a visual feel.”

Notable pieces include: Murder is Fine When, a poem by Emdya Permuy about nature against aspects of human society, Forgetful Scars, a short film by Briali Rail about

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The most challenging part is always being able to incorporate most people[’s] ideas and also capture a collective visual on the output of the magazine… Everyone has got to do their part in order to produce a magazine like this and if someone drops the ball on any of those parts, you don’t get the result at its highest level.

Eric Cornish, graphic design professor and co-adviser

heartbreak, and Man in the Mirror, an acrylic painting by Milophe Jean showcasing a partially pixelated face staring at viewers.

“I’m proud of the magazine, but I’m also proud of myself, because I would have never thought I could do something like this,” Thomas said. “I hope students see an arts magazine that [goes] beyond the campus and encourage[s] them to come and join.”

Staff writer Andrea Briones contributed to this story.

SPORTS

10-11

A&E

Barbara Matehu got used to Joseph Tamargo’s phone calls.

In 2015, she studied photography with the Wolfson Campus professor, eventually serving as his lab assistant for five years.

TAMARGO When Tamargo retired in 2020 after nearly four decades at Miami Dade College, the two remained tight.

They traveled, drank coffee, chatted about their passion for photography and often had lunch at Matehu’s grandmother’s house.

“We cultivated a friendship,” the 29-yearold said. “He was like my grandfather.”

Matehu, who is a freelance photographer and videographer, grew fond of Tamargo’s inspiring phone calls.

“Today will be a good day,” he would often tell her.

A month after Tamargo’s abrupt passing, she still sits by the phone.

“I’m waiting for him to call me,” Matehu said.

Tamargo died on Oct. 22 at Baptist Hospital in Kendall, after undergoing a procedure to remove a cancerous growth in his bladder. He was 71.

On Nov. 7, more than 150 family members, friends, colleagues and students celebrated his life at his viewing at Caballero Rivero Little Havana.

They exchanged laughs and smiles and swapped their favorite Tamargo stories; tears rolled down some faces while others clutched onto mementos of their beloved professor, including Nikon and Canon cameras, a black paisley bandana and Kodak film rolls that read, “I love you old man” and “forever in our hearts.”

Tamargo is survived by his wife of 43 years Mayra Tamargo, sons Gabriel, David and Derek Tamargo, older sister Yolanda Tamargo, granddaughter Anais Tamargo, niece Christie Goheen, nephew Anthony Smith and his dog Wolf.

“My father should have been here today…” David said at the viewing. “He had incredible spirit, incredible energy and a desire to continue traveling with me. We had so many plans for books, for exhibitions. We TURN TO OBITUARY PAGE 8

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PHOTO COURTESY OF PEDRO HENRÍQUEZ

Work Of Art: Carola Orieta Sperman is hosting Heatwave Sculptures: An Art Exhibition that is open until Dec. 13.

Heatwave Sculptures Exhibition To Be Presented At Miami Dade College West Campus West Campus is hosting Heatwave Sculptures: The Art of Heat-Molded Motion Exhibition, featuring acrylic work by Argentine artist Carola Orieta Sperman.

The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 13 in the art gallery, 3800 N.W. 115th Ave. in Room 1105. Artwork for the show was created using heat and thermal techniques.

“I believe art is a way to express oneself, and I’m open to showing my pieces to people who don’t know anything about art and want to learn, or simply want to visit the exhibition,” Sperman said.

The 54-year-old has conducted art workshops in Miami and New York, and regularly showcases her work at contemporary art galleries around the world.

Sperman obtained a bachelor’s degree in interior design and a master’s degree in fashion, both from Universidad de Buenos Aires.

Her exhibition is free and open to the public.

—Flabia Llerena

Miami Dade College Literary & Arts Magazines Place In Organizational Pinnacles

Miami Dade College Television has been nominated for two Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards.

Video Game Concert 2024 was nominated in the Live Event Coverage category and Raíces de España was selected in the Cultural Short Format Content division.

Winners will be announced on Dec. 7 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando at 7:30 p.m.

Video Game Concert 2024 includes soundtracks from games like The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario and Final Fantasy and was performed by the North Campus orchestra. Raíces de España features work by Álvaro Alvarado and was performed by the Miami Dade College orchestra.

Contributors to the projects include Ariel Rubalcava, the executive director and senior producer for MDC-TV, North Campus Director of Learning Resources Angel Hernandez, arts and philosophy professor Alberto Bade and the North Campus media services team.

MDC-TV has won 10 Emmy awards during its tenure, including at least one in the past eight years.

—Juliette Bryant

Anzalotta Appointed To National Community College Hispanic Council Board Of Directors

Donovan Laing Jr., a student majoring in culinary arts and minoring in digital media, was awarded the $5,000 Rochelle Bridges Memorial Scholarship on Sept. 14.

The scholarship, granted by the National Association of Black Journalists South Florida, supports graduating high school students with an interest in journalism. Laing Jr. likes to edit films.

Bridges, a two-time, Emmy Award-winning anchor at WSVN 7 who served as president of NABJ South Florida from 1993-1995, passed away in 1997.

Laing Jr. is a freshman pursuing an associate’s degree in culinary arts at Wolfson Campus. The LAING 17-year-old is a private event caterer for his company Chef Laing Miami.

“I am honored and excited to receive this scholarship,” Laing Jr. said.

—Sara Dhorasoo

Kendall Campus Biology Professor Receives Changemaking Education Award Catalina Aristizabal, a biology professor at Kendall Campus, received the Changemaking Education award from the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of South Florida on Sept 4.

The award recognizes K-12 and higher education teachers who design educational experiences that prepare students for active civic participation.

Winners receive a $100 prize and a certificate of appreciation.

“It just brings me joy to do these things because I enjoy my job,” Aristizabal said.

Aristizabal has worked at Miami Dade College since 2010 and is a council member of the ARISTIZABAL Earth Ethics Institute, where she has participated in sustainability projects.

She has also worked with the animal welfare club, MDC for Paws, was the creator of the Connect for Change challenge, a program to engage students in changemaking, and has advocated for the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals.

The 49-year-old has also worked on the Fairchild Million Orchid Project, in partnership with the TriBeta honors society, planting 24 orchids at the College.

Aristizabal received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia and a doctoral degree in biology from the University of Miami.

—Pietra Romano

Kendall Campus’ Miambiance and North Campus’ AXIS earned high placements at the College Media Association’s Pinnacle Award contest in the TwoYear Literary Magazine of the Year COVERS COURTESY OF AXIS AND MIAMBIANCE category.

Miambiance’s Volume 34 finished in second place and AXIS’s Volume 21 was third for the Organizational Pinnacle Award.

Results were revealed during the Fall National College Media Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Nov. 1. Winners were selected based on work produced during the 2023-24 school year.

“I’m just really proud that our hard work is being recognized because even though we didn’t get first place in everything, just the fact someone sat down and thought ‘Wow, you guys did a really good job’ is satisfying itself,” said Megan Carrion, who served as editor-in-chief when the publication was submitted for judging.

In individual categories, Miambiance placed first for Best Literary Magazine Spread, second for Best Literary Magazine Table of Contents and third for Best Magazine Cover.

AXIS placed second in the Best Literary Magazine Spread category, third in the Best Literary Magazine and Best Literary Magazine Table of Contents categories and honorable mentions in the Best Literary Magazine Cover/Nameplate and Best Literary Magazine Use of Theme categories.

“All of our hard work paid off to prove that year after year we’re constantly coming into recognition for the Pinnacles. It just proves that teamwork makes the dreamwork,” said Jeanna Chery, AXIS’ lead designer during the 2023-24 school year. “It shows the effort and the drive that we continuously put in.”

In other Miami Dade College news, Metromorphosis, the literary and arts magazine at Wolfson Campus, earned an honorable mention in the Best Literary Magazine category.

Jaime Anzalotta, the vice provost of student affairs and chief enrollment officer at Miami Dade College, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Community College Hispanic Council.

Anzalotta will assist in creating pathways to success for the Hispanic community at a national level through innovation, leadership and opportunity.

“I was once a shy, sheltered, and introverted kid from Hialeah, Florida who dropped out of high school when I was 16 years old,” Anzalotta said. “To be in the position where I am now that I can serve as a national and local role model not only for students but to other colleagues is a charge I do not take for granted.”

Anzalotta, who has worked at MDC for more than two decades, has also served as dean of students at Wolfson Campus, student life director at North Campus, a professor and an academic advisor.

The 44-year-old has an associate’s degree in social work from MDC, a bachelor’s degree in social work from Florida International University, two master’s degrees—one in social work from FIU and the other in psychology from Northcentral University— and a doctoral degree in conflict resolution and analysis from Nova Southeastern University.

Audrey Amadeo has been appointed as director of ACCESS disability services at North Campus.

Amadeo started her tenure on Oct. 7. She will oversee a team of 15 people, providing services such as interpreting, tutoring, note-taking and adaptive technology to students with disabilities.

Her primary goal is to launch an educational program for adults on the autism spectrum.

“I’ve always had that passion for helping people,”Amadeo said.

The 35-year-old has served as an adjunct professor of social science at Hialeah Campus since 2022. Most recently, she served as a student success advisor from 2023-24 at North and Hialeah campuses.

Before MDC, she worked as a behavior analyst for 13 years and founded the non-profit Arts for Autism in 2013.

Amadeo has an associate’s degree in education from The Honors College at Miami Dade College, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in developmental disabilities from Nova Southern University.

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AMADEO

Miami Dade College North Campus Appoints New Director Of ACCESS Disability Services

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Interconnected: The Jubilation Dance Ensemble performs at the Art of Dance 2024 on Nov. 8 at the Martin and Pat Fine Theater at Kendall Campus.

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Going With The Flow: The Golden Age was the opening performance by the Jubilation Dance Ensemble on Nov. 8 at the Art of Dance 2024.

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Syntony: The Eagles Perch, choreographed by Michelle Grant-Murray, was performed by The Jubilation Dance Ensemble on Nov. 8 during the Art of Dance 2024.

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Ensemble: The Kendall Campus student band presented a mix of music, featuring artists such as Hanson and McBeth at the This ‘n That! concert at the McCarthy Auditorium on Oct. 18.

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4 NEWS | NOVEMBER 26, 2024

THE REPORTER

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NURSING

Padrón Campus Launches Certified Nursing Assistant Program The Padrón Campus is now one of five Miami Dade College campuses to offer a certified nursing assistant program.

By Natalie Maestre natalie.maestre001@mymdc.net Eduardo J. Padrón Campus became the fifth Miami Dade College campus to offer a certified nursing assistant program when it launched classes for a cohort this fall for the rapidly-growing field.

The program is also offered at the Medical, North, Homestead and West campuses.

“A couple of years ago, [the College] put out that scholarship funds for certified nursing assistants were available,” said Padrón Campus President Oscar Loynaz. “[MDC] had over 300 people respond saying they were interested.

We realized it was an in-demand profession, and there’s a lot of employment opportunities in our communities.”

Certified nursing assistants work under the supervision of registered or licensed practical nurses. They help patients with dayto-day activities, such as walking, dressing and bathing, as well as measure and record vital signs, provide catheter care and transport patients.

Last spring, construction of the Padrón facility, which is a 781 sq.

GEOVANNY MARCOS / THE REPORTER

Patient Care: Pictured above is the inaugural cohort of the certified nursing assistant program at Padrón Campus. ft. lab and mimics a hospital setting, began. The site, located in Room 1124, officially opened on Oct. 26.

It includes four long tables at the

center of the room, each seating four students, and electric hospital beds on each corner, surrounded by a wrap-around curtain.

Each bed has a human

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mannequin. Bedpans, washcloths, bath towels, a wheelchair, foldable walkers and linen carts are used to simulate daily responsibilities.

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“Generally, I like to start with the more challenging tasks, the clinical skills,” said professor Debra Lee Tad. “We practice two or three related skills, and after lunch, we either [continue] or review past exam questions.”

Padrón campus began recruiting students for the program last summer. The initial cohort of 12 students received the Open Door Grant, which covers tuition, textbooks, uniforms, supplies, background checks and exam fees for the 12-week course.

To be eligible for the state certification exam, students will complete 100 hours of class lectures and hands-on practice in the lab and 20 clinical hours at local rehabilitation centers, such as St. Catherine’s West, Ponce Plaza and Jackson Gardens.

Spring registration is open for the next cohort, which will be held from Jan. 25 to March 22. Classes are held on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The program is really awesome,” said Genesis Rivas, a Padrón CNA student. “It’s very practical and the professor is very knowledgeable. I already recommend it for someone who wants to enter the medical field and doesn’t know how.”

For more information, visit https:// tinyurl.com/4px4t3nd.

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NOVEMBER 26, 2024 | NEWS 5

THE REPORTER CHEETOS

MCI Student Wins $2,500 Prize With Cheetos-Inspired Dish On Oct. 16, Miami Culinary Institute student Kyjuan Scott won the first-ever PepsiCo Culinary Creators Competition held at Wolfson Campus with his Cheetos-crusted chicken cordon bleu.

By Daylyin Staples daylyin.staples001@mymdc.net Most people are familiar with the ingredients of a chicken cordon bleu: chicken breast, ham, cheese and breadcrumbs.

However, during a competition held at the Miami Culinary Institute last month, Kyjuan Scott put a twist on the dish’s traditional breading.

Rather than using panko, Italian breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, he opted for a cheesy alternative—Cheetos.

And it did not disappoint.

On Oct. 16, the 21-year-old won the first-ever PepsiCo Culinary Creators Competition held at Miami Dade College. He was awarded a $2,500 scholarship by the PepsiCo Foundation.

Scott will also participate in a six-week virtual culinary marketing mentorship with PepsiCo Chef Abby Murphy and have a dish featured at a local restaurant. “[This award is] a sign that you’re doing good as a chef,” Scott said.

“Despite all the trials and tribulations, you made the dish for all three judges, and your food made them smile…Even if you don’t see it you are definitely making

NIKOLE VALIENTE / THE REPORTER

Cheesy: Miami Culinary Institute student Kyjuan Scott won the first-ever PepsiCo Culinary Creators Competition held at Miami Dade College on Oct. 16 with his Cheetos-inspired chicken cordon bleu. progress in your own career.”

The initiative is part of Cheetos’ Deja Tu Huella (“Leave Your Mark”), a campaign aimed at supporting students at Hispanic Serving Institutions with scholarships and mentorship.

This year, Cheetos partnered with the PepsiCo Foundation to offer a $2,500 Uplift scholarship at

schools such as MDC, Los Angeles Trade Technical-College and Dallas College El Centro Campus. Scott was one of 500 scholars awarded nationwide.

Applicants had to submit a recipe featuring Cheetos as the main ingredient and a 15-second video of them cooking the dish and explaining their inspiration.

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More than 30 MDC students applied, and six were selected to participate in the contest, which was held at Wolfson Campus.

Competitors were scored on presentation, difficulty, taste, presence of Cheetos and video content.

In less than an hour, Scott cooked a Cheetos-crusted chicken

cordon bleu plated over a creamy mustard sauce. The chicken breasts were stuffed with sautéed onions, spinach, peppers, smoked ham, Swiss cheese and chopped Cheetos dust.

“Honestly, I was impressed because, you know, it’s hard to pull off a chicken cordon bleu with all those amazing filings inside and the Cheetos in under an hour,” said second-place winner Christian Barruos-Brens. “He really perfected it.”

Scott discovered his love for cooking at the age of 13 when his grandma, the main cook in his household, went out of town. He decided to make fried chicken wings and his family loved them.

Initially, Scott spent two years studying finance at Broward College. When he realized cooking was his passion, he enrolled in the culinary arts management program at MDC. The youngster, who is expected to graduate in May with an associate’s degree, plans to transfer to Florida International University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management.

Scott aspires to become a sous chef at the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach DoubleTree Hotel and eventually own a steakhouse restaurant.

“I see it as a milestone in my career,” he said. “I set sous chef as a goal because it is when I will be capable of managing a kitchen.”

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6 NEWS | NOVEMBER 26, 2024

THE REPORTER

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Professor Uses Trauma To Fuel His Latest Music Project English professor Patrick Anderson will drop his third album—Better Days—on Dec. 13. It expounds on his life journey, past traumas and his fight with depression.

By Sabrina Toro sabrina.toro001@mymdc.net When Kendall Campus professor Patrick Anderson isn’t teaching English or creative writing, he is in the lab—a make-shift music studio in his bedroom closet—recording tracks.

The 40-year-old’s music is a

blend of hip-hop, R&B and blues.

He is releasing his third album— Better Days—on Dec. 13 on all streaming platforms, including SoundCloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Anderson’s 11-track album is a deep-dive into his personal life, touching on the loss of loved ones, depression and struggles with religious faith.

“This album is a reflection of stuff that I came to terms with a long time ago, but I never put out there,” Anderson said. “Being a creative writing teacher, it’s really hard to tell a story with perspective

ALBUM COVER COURTESY OF PATRICK ANDERSON

Healing With Music: Better Days is launching on Dec. 13. It will be the third album in Kendall Campus English professor Patrick Anderson's discography.

if you haven’t already dealt with the trauma of that story.”

In 2004, the South Florida native with a love for writing attended Miami Dade College where he studied journalism. He aspired to write for a magazine.

But when he wasn’t in class, he was making mixtapes for his friends, commingling genres such as reggaeton, dancehall and hip-hop.

After Anderson transferred to Florida State University, he had a conversation with his former journalism professor at MDC, Merwin Sigale, about potential career paths. That discussion persuaded him to switch his major to English.

At FSU, he rekindled his passion for playing instruments and taught himself to play guitar. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2009. Two years later, he received a master’s in creative writing from the University of Central Florida.

By 2015, Anderson had landed a full-time position teaching English at Kendall Campus.

But music remained close to his heart. During the last nine years, Anderson has adopted the stage name Autonomous Entity, a reminder that he is a self-made artist.

In 2020, Anderson produced his first album, Soon Come, which expounded on his feelings of being unfulfilled in his personal and professional life.

A year later, he dropped his second album, WMIA, which follows Anderson during a fictional day in the summer of 2004 as he deals with gun violence and toxic friends.

By 2022, Anderson started working on his latest album, Better

ISABEL PAZ / THE REPORTER

Autonomous Entity: Kendall Campus English professor Patrick Anderson is releasing his third music album, Better Days, on Dec. 13. It features 11 tracks about conquering depression and past traumas.

Days. The project was fueled by a string of traumatic incidents, including the murder of his friends Justin Morejon and Karen Urbina, and the passing of his sister Collene Anderson, who died from COVID in 2021.

“When his sister passed away … he took that pain and put it on paper,” said Alvaro Matus, Anderson’s friend of 21 years. “And I think that right there tells you a lot about what kind of person he is.

Everything put in front of him, he got around it.”

The album’s first single, The Prophet, launched on Oct. 18. It reflects on Anderson’s religious upbringing and how he began questioning the Christian belief system he was raised in.

His second single, Breathe, will be released on Nov. 1. The song was

inspired by a panic attack Anderson suffered during the pandemic and the social unrest following George Floyd’s murder. It serves as a meditation piece that encourages listeners to use breathing techniques to cope with stress.

The third single, Cronos—set to be released on Nov. 17—is an ode to the memory of his friends Morejon and Urbina and his sister Collene.

“His inspiration is all the crazy things that have happened to him,” said Anderson’s fiancée Alexa Velez. “He’s kind of reserved.

[Music is] his way of taking negative things and turning them into something beautiful.”

To check out Anderson’s work go here: https://tinyurl.com/ bp8ac5e7.

AI

Professors Team Up To Publish AI Business E-TextBook Allison Hudson and Veronica Ramsundar released their first e-textbook, The Impact of AI in Business, this fall. It provides a detailed approach to artificial intelligence for students.

By Pietra Romano pietra.romano001@mymdc.net Miami Dade College has been a national leader in AI education.

They were the first institution in Florida to launch associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Applied Artificial Intelligence. In October, MDC spearheaded a consortium of community colleges to help other institutions develop AI programs.

Now business professors Allison Hudson (North) and Veronica Ramsundar (Hialeah Campus) have published an e-textbook on the impact of AI in business.

“We are at the forefront in terms of providing [our students] with information and knowledge that is going to shape their future immediately,” Ramsundar said. “[Students] are not going to be lacking in terms of the knowledge that it brings to the workplace; they are going to be informed about how AI is being used in their particular field.”

The book, The Impact of AI in Business, was published on Aug.

NIKOLE VALIENTE / THE REPORTER

Published: Professors Allison Hudson and Veronica Hamsundar published The Impact of AI in Business, for Miami Dade College’s Applied Artificial Intelligence in Business course.

26 in partnership with McGraw Hill Education and will be used in the College’s Applied AI in Business course (GEB 1432).

With an interactive interface, including several external links to articles and videos, the book

keeps things simple.

It begins with the fundamentals of AI and explains how the emerging technology is being used in the business and finance industries.

Then, it dives into the ethics of AI with case studies.

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“I feel like no one is spared when it comes to AI,” Ramsundar said. “[It] has infused and impacted every aspect of our lives and as the technology advances, the impact is going to grow with that.”

Hudson and Ramsundar met in

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2007 while working at St. Thomas University. Eleven years later, they crossed paths at MDC. They eventually decided to partner up. In 2021, the duo helped develop the College’s Applied AI in Business course, which launched in 2022.

Last fall, the idea to write a book for the class was proposed to them by a McGraw Hill Learning Technology representative.

The pair began writing in January and chose an e-textbook format so they could easily update it as AI continues to rapidly advance. They spent weekends writing and “wrote every single sentence together.”

“I want to be able to look back and say, ‘I helped change students’ lives in education,’” Hudson said.

The professors aim to close the AI literacy gap among underrepresented communities. They will continue updating the first edition and are designing AI awareness workshops for Rising Scholars at North and Hialeah campuses.

“I wish I could say it was a dream come true, but honestly, I never dreamed that big for myself,” Hudson said about writing the book. “The opportunity came knocking and I said, ‘You know what? Why not?’”

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NOVEMBER 26, 2024 | NEWS 7

THE REPORTER MAGIC

Wolfson Campus Students Are Adding Some MAGIC To Frost Planetarium Nine students from Wolfson Campus’ Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex are creating an animated trailer for the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science’s planetarium.

By Isabella Arce isabella.arce001@mymdc.net Paulette Canido grew up doodling.

Her drawings were often inspired by Japanese-style comics and graphic novels—known as manga—and the art styles of artists like Arina Tanemura and Natsuki Takaya.

In middle school, she drew neopets—animals from a virtual game—as human characters and created lore for them.

“I really loved drawing,” the 34-year-old said. “I was always doodling on any paper in front of me.”

Today, Canido—a sophomore at Wolfson Campus’ Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex—has graduated from drawing on scraps of paper and is now putting her work on a 67-foot dome.

She spearheads a team of nine students who are developing an animated trailer for the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science’s 250-seat planetarium in downtown Miami.

The two-minute video will take viewers on a rollercoaster

NIKOLE VALIENTE / THE REPORTER

Big Screen: Nine students from Wolfson Campus’ School of MAGIC are developing an animated trailer for the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science's planetarium. Pictured from left to right are Arin Taylor, head of the 2-D design team, Paulette Canido, the project’s leader, professor Gabriel Ramirez and Frost Planetarium Director Alec Warren. adventure through Earth’s history via a rocketship, while highlighting elements featured in Frost Science Museum exhibits, such as the Milky Way galaxy, the ocean, dinosaurs, turtles and sharks.

It will serve as the capstone project for the students' Animation Studio 1 course.

“Our [current] trailer is years

old…” said Alec Warren, the director of the Frost Planetarium, who meets with the students every two weeks to provide feedback on the project. “‘I’m excited from [what I’ve] seen so far, and I’m eager to [see] the progress as they work.”

According to MAGIC Chairperson Mauricio Ferrazza, the department has wanted to collaborate

with the Frost Science Museum since it opened in 2017.

Planning for the trailer began in September. Students are divided into two groups. The 2-D department is tasked with drawing model sheets and concept art—visual representations of subjects that need to be modeled by the 3-D team. The 3-D department is in

charge of bringing those models to life virtually.

So far, the 2-D team has completed their model sheets, leaving the 3-D group “in full force” to start animating, said Gabriel Ramirez, an adjunct professor in the School of MAGIC who is overseeing the project.

The biggest obstacle students are facing is adapting the trailer to fit within the dome’s 360 degree curve and scaling up the trailer’s quality from 4K resolution to 8K. Unreal Engine 5, a video game developing software used to manipulate visuals and sizes, is being used to render the trailer to 8K. The team is also using software such as Autodesk Maya, which is utilized to model 3-D characters and visual effects, and Adobe programs like Adobe After Effects, which will be used to add graphics and sound effects. “[This project] is something that hasn’t been done at this school yet, so we’re very proud of that fact,” Ramirez said. “But it’s also incumbent on myself to make sure I can get these students across the finish line.”

Students will continue working on the trailer in Animation Studio 2, where the bulk of animation will be completed. They hope to finish the project by the end of the spring.

“I really just want to learn as much [as possible] from this [project] and to be proud of it,” Canido said.

PODCAST PLATFORM

Kendall Campus Launches Student-Led Podcast Platform: StoryBytes This fall, Kendall Campus launched StoryBytes. The multi-podcast platform focuses on amplifying student voices and releases weekly episodes on SoundCloud.

By Natalie Maestre natalie.maestre001@mymdc.net Emily Sendin knows the importance of student-led podcasts.

In 2019, she spearheaded efforts

by Urbana, the literary arts magazine at Eduardo J. Padrón Campus, as they launched the Urbanites podcast series.

Five years later, Sendin—now an English and Communications professor at Kendall Campus— has galvanized a new group of aspiring podcasters to start the campus’ first student-led podcast platform, StoryBytes.

“Alpha and Gen Z generation really gravitate toward this means of getting information…” Sendin said. “So I think that it’s relevant to the audience.”

StoryBytes took flight this fall. It aims to be a platform that amplifies student voices.

The publication already has starpower. Sendin recruited National Public Radio’s Student Podcast Challenge winner Michael Vargas, a former student, to join the team. He serves as vice president.

Rounding out the editorial board are president Isabel Paz,

GEOVANNY MARCOS / THE REPORTER

Storytellers: Pictured from left to right are Isabel Paz, Ainhoa Osorio Torres and Michael Vargas, the braintrust of StoryBytes, Kendall Campus’ new podcast platform. secretary Victoria Cuellar and treasurer Ainhoa Osorio Torres.

Currently, StoryBytes has 14 members. They have been working on their website, Instagram page and media kit—a digital compilation of the platform’s responsibilities and operational and promotional costs.

Episodes are released weekly for each podcast series on SoundCloud.

Their first project, The Vault, debuted on Oct. 16. It analyzes the transfer essays of Miami Dade College alumni who have matriculated to Ivy League schools.

Cuellar writes the scripts, Vargas edits, and Torres and Paz host.

The script is written and revised in a week before it is recorded at the Speech Lab on Monday mornings. Vargas then has two weeks to edit. Episodes are posted every

Wednesday.

“I just hope it helps [students] take the pressure off [sending applications],” Torres said. “You spend all your time and energy trying to do your best…and it could mean a lot to have that sort of inspiration from students that have started at MDC, [and] end up going to Cornell, Brown or Stanford.”

The Vault will continue through

the spring semester. A visual element will be added with behind the scenes videos and interviews with alumni.

In tandem with the English Honors Society, StoryBytes will also host online workshops to aid students working on their transfer essays.

This month, they plan to bring the winning entries of the campus’ Learning Resources’ Ghost Story competition—announced on Nov. 15—to life through the Ghost Stories series.

To further connect with its audience, StoryBytes plans to kickoff The Friendship Project to give groups an opportunity to publish a podcast series under their platform.

In addition, they are hosting a podcast oral pitch competition that lets students submit potential series ideas through Jan. 13. Projects will be pitched at the Speech Lab on Feb. 7. Winners will work with the StoryBytes team to produce the idea.

“I think it’s important for students to participate in podcasts,” Paz said. “It helps them expand their perspective…and in doing that [they] build empathy with the world and patience with themselves.”

For more information on StoryBytes, visit https://bit.ly/3YIdHa6.

To be part of The Reporter, contact Isabella Arce at (305) 237-2157 or isabella.arce001@mymdc.net www.mdcthereporter.com

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8 NEWS | NOVEMBER 26, 2024

THE REPORTER

Family And Friends Bid Farewell To Cherished Photography Professor FROM OBITUARY, FRONT

were just getting started.”

Early Years Tamargo was born in May of 1953 in Manhattan to Grace Mira and Rolando Tamargo.

They moved to Miami when he was three to be closer to his paternal grandmother, who lived in Cuba.

Although Tamargo never owned a camera in his childhood, once he picked one up in 1970, he never put it down.

“There was no defining moment,” David said. “He didn’t look at the Mona Lisa and decide to be a painter—he was passionate about photography his entire life.”

As a young adult, Tamargo was part of the “hippie scene” in South Florida. He frequented a club called The Place in North Miami to watch bands such as WOWII and Kraker perform. At some point, he even rocked an afro and played drums.

“After we graduated from high school, I think all of these Cuban kids started attracting each other like a magnet…” said Tony Labat, Tamargo’s friend of 52 years.

“The fashions we would wear, the clubs that we would go to, the concerts. We started creating our own community.”

Tamargo graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School in 1972. He earned a bachelor’s of fine arts in art from Florida International University in 1976 and a master of fine arts in photography from the University of Miami in 1993.

Finding Love In 1979, Tamargo, who worked at a portable library in Miami, met his wife-to-be Mayra after she answered the phone for her friend Anita Summer, who had requested a book.

“I said, ‘Anita, I don’t care what you say, but I want you to get this call because I want to meet this man,’” Mayra recalls. “I fell in love with just that one call.”

On their first date, Tamargo arrived at her house with three white roses, foreshadowing the birth of their three boys, Mayra said.

A year later, they got married at St. Dominic Catholic Parish and spent their honeymoon in Spain and San Francisco.

By 1982, Mayra gave birth to their first son, Gabriel. They moved into a make-shift apartment in her parents’ house near Westchester. The following year, David was born and in 1984, they welcomed their third son Derek.

the Hills of Valparaiso. He took more than 40,000 photos.

Tamargo was captivated by people’s stories. He often photographed people in the streets of Chile. He printed the images in the United States and gifted them to his subjects the following year.

“He had a way of piercing through the veneer of the world and looking deeper [into] what the world was like, and it came out so clearly in his photography,” said longtime friend and Books & Books owner Mitchell Kaplan, who frequently featured Tamargo’s work in the bookstore since its launch in the 1980s.

Tamargo’s work has been featured at the George Eastman House Museum of Photography and Film, Lehigh University Art Gallery’s Latin American collection, Southeastern Museum of Photography and the Museum of Art and Design.

“As a husband, he was very romantic and very serving,” said Mayra, who was temporarily paralyzed and battled cervical cancer during their marriage. “He always made sure that he was catering to me, even cooked for me and took care of me.”

Shifting Gears Although Tamargo aspired to pursue a career in photography, he put his dreams aside to provide for his family. He worked midnight shifts for Eastern Air Lines, supervising the aircraft cleaning crew. In 1986, he became an adjunct photography professor at MDC. But his job at the airline remained his family’s ticket to travel. They took spontaneous vacations to San Francisco to eat Chinese food and visited museums. Tamargo always brought his camera.

When Eastern went bankrupt in 1991, the then 38-year-old landed a full-time teaching position at Wolfson Campus. He taught courses such as: Introduction to Photography, Intermediate Photography, Advanced Photography, Color Photography 1 and 2, Visual Arts Workshop and Portfolio Preparation.

Tamargo was a proponent of analog photography. His teaching philosophy centered around authenticity and intentionality; he wanted students to tell meaningful stories with their photos.

“Some hated him, others loved him, because he was very honest,” recalls Matehu, who spent hours developing film in the darkroom. “He was not a perfectionist, but he wanted you to know all you needed to know to print so that later, you could break the rules.”

Tamargo was respected for his blunt critiques.

Andrew Woon, who was Tamargo’s student from 2001 to 2003, recalls showing the professor a sculpture he created shortly after 9/11. It was a suitcase filled with essentials needed to survive a terrorist attack such as canned food, duck tape and a gas mask.

Tamargo was critical of the project. He asked, “What was in the suitcase and why was it there?”

When it was time for Woon to submit his project, he reminded the professor that he had “ripped it apart” and “made fun of [him].”

Tamargo nodded his head and replied, “You’re so stupid.”

“I realized at that moment he wanted me to stand up for my convictions. So he’s

Changing Lenses

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID TAMARGO

Man's Best Friend: Pictured above is Joseph Tamargo, a few years ago, as he took a break from walking his German Shepherd Wolf. The former Wolfson Campus photography professor died on Oct. 22 at the age of 71. pushing me, and initially, you know, I folded,” Woon said. “And from that moment on, I can honestly say, I walk into a critique being able to stand up and defend my work.”

After retiring from Wolfson Campus in 2020, Tamargo returned a few years later as an adjunct professor—with his signature ponytail, black beret, dark circular shades and camera over his shoulder.

“He had no need to keep teaching, but he loved his students,” Yolanda said. “Nothing gratified him more than that.”

Point And Shoot In 1999, Tamargo was accepted into the FullBright Scholar Program—a government funded international exchange program that provides grants to study, teach or complete research abroad—for his project From Atget to Friedlander: Street Photography.

The endeavor consisted of teaching and researching street photography in Santiago, Chile.

From 2001 through 2014, Tamargo continued traveling to the country to document

Toward the end of his life, Tamargo was on a mission to create a photobook of landforms—specifically sand dunes—across the seven continents.

Last summer, Tamargo and his son David documented the Tottori Sand Dunes located on the western coast of Japan. Prior to that, the professor traveled to Morocco and Iceland.

David, who has Tamargo’s negatives from those experiences, will be completing the project. He is seeking locations to exhibit his dad’s work.

“You could never call him old,” Yolanda said. “He was 70 years old but he was 20 years young.”

Tamargo also continued feeding his hunger for knowledge. He was learning to speak French and to make mantecado ice cream.

But Tamargo remained a simple man at heart.

He enjoyed walking his German Shepherd Wolf down Country Club Prado Parkway in Coral Gables.

And he ate the same breakfast every Friday at Sunny Side Café in South Beach— scrambled eggs with cheese, hash brown potatoes, bread and a Cuban espresso.

“I looked forward to those Fridays religiously; it was just a very special time,” Labat said. “I will miss him a lot. It’s going to be hard for a while.”

Some of the interviews for this story were conducted in Spanish.

Joseph Tamargo's headshot courtesy of Cristian Lazzari / Miami Dade College.

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10 SPORTS | NOVEMBER 26, 2024

THE REPORTER

BASKETBALL

Siblings Bring Their Basketball Skills To Miami Dade College Amar and Michaela Lane from Trenton, New Jersey are joining the Miami Dade College basketball program this season. They are expected to add defense and rebounding.

By Charlie Stemmer charlie.stemmer001@mymdc.net Basketball has always bonded Amar and Michaela Lane.

As kids, the siblings shagged loose balls, snagged rebounds and perfected their shot on an asphalt court outside of their home in Trenton, New Jersey.

“We grew up in a really competitive house,” Michaela recalls.

Those backyard battles that started long before they were teenagers shaped their basketball careers.

Nearly 15 years later, the duo is back on the same court. But now, they have traded in the frigid northeastern cold for the South Florida sun as basketball players at Miami Dade College.

Michaela, 23, is a 6-foot-4 inch center for the Lady Sharks and 20-year-old Amar is a 6-foot-8 inch forward/center for the men’s squad.

The sophomores are expected to offer rebounding and shot blocking to fortify the teams frontcourts.

“Basketball is my whole lifestyle,” Amar said. “Everything I know is centered around basketball.”

Michaela started her organized

basketball career at the Burlington Recreation League where she played from the ages of 11 to 14.

Amar started at Burlington Township Middle in sixth grade during Michaela’s last year at the recreation league.

The duo soon moved on to The King’s Christian School in New Jersey. Michaela started as a freshman on the women’s varsity squad; Amar, who was a seventh grader, played on the school’s middle school team.

Their time at King’s was shortlived. The siblings moved to North Carolina the following year, but attended different schools.

Michaela attended David W. Butler High School for her final three years. During her senior season, she led the team with 16.3 points per game and 11.8 rebounds while the Bulldogs posted a 19-10 record and finished second in the conference.

Amar spent his eighth grade season playing at a middle school near Charlotte before transferring to David W. Butler for his freshmen and sophomore seasons then he returned to New Jersey to play for Burlington Township High School.

During his senior season he proved a dominant defense force, finishing the year with 123 total blocks, including a game where he recorded seven blocks.

Michaela started her collegiate career at Augusta University in Georgia where she averaged 4.5

MARCOS J. COMESAÑA / THE REPORTER

Sibling Tandem: Pictured from left to right are Michaela and Amar Lane. The siblings from New Jersey are bringing their basketball skills to Miami Dade College this season. points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game.

After high school, Amar played at Quality Academy Prep, which eventually led him to Northwest Kansas Technical College. As a freshman, he led the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference in total blocks with 76, averaging 2.37 per game. He added 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

That year, Michaela joined Amar at Northwest Kansas Technical College, but only as a student.

Amar’s play caught the attention of Sharks head men’s basketball coach Jorge Fernandez who offered him a scholarship at MDC. Michaela accepted an offer to join him in Miami shortly after.

“He has great athleticism, plays above the rim, brings great energy

and is also a good defender,” said Sharks guard Jamaal Morris, who lived in Burlington, where Amar went to high school.

Michaela is earning similar praise.

“She’s [a] silent giant,” said Lady Sharks head basketball coach Susan Summons. “[Michaela is] not a loud talking person, but is learning to be more vocal.”

For more information, contact Manolo Barco at (305) 237-1255 or mbarco@mdc.edu

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WOMEN'S SOCCER

Lady Sharks Inaugural Season Ends In Daytona Beach The Miami Dade College women’s soccer team finished with a 10-5 record during their inaugural season. They finished the regular season ranked 18th in the country.

By Charlie Stemmer charlie.stemmer001@mymdc.net The Miami Dade College women’s soccer team’s inaugural season ended on Oct. 25, as the Lady Sharks fell 3-0 to Eastern Florida State College at the Florida College System Athletic Association semifinals in Daytona Beach.

Despite the loss, MDC had a lot to celebrate this season. They posted a 10-5 overall record, including a 4-1 mark at home, and finished the regular season ranked 18th in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Division I women’s soccer poll.

“I think the season was amazing,” said Lady Sharks forward Tessa Abreu. “Not only in the amazing bond we made with each other despite coming from different cultures, but the fact that we were able to push each other

CRISTIAN LAZZARI/ KENDALL CAMPUS MEDIA SERVICES

Building Blocks: The Lady Sharks won 10 games in their inaugural season and boasted the Florida College System Athletic Association Division I Player of the Year in Julia Gurgel. in every practice and game to get better.”

Notable victories for the squad included a 3-2 win against the ninth-ranked Eastern Florida

State College on Sept. 27 and a 2-0 win against Monroe Community College on Oct. 5. The Tribunes, who are headed to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament

in Wichita, Kansas, only loss this season came versus MDC. “This season has been a testament to resilience, with unexpected challenges met by remarkable

performances,” said Lady Sharks defender Elizabeth Mata. “While there were highs and lows, the growth and determination shown throughout have set a solid foundation for the future. This is only the beginning for our team.”

Forward Julia Gurgel led the Lady Sharks with 12 goals and 24 points. The freshman was tabbed at the FCSAA Division I Player of the Year. Freshman forward Tessa Abreu finished second on the squad with eight goals and 20 points and she led the team with four assists.

Goalkeeper Scarlett Veloza Albarracin was tops on the team with 39 saves in 12 games.

Gurgel and defender Susan Santos earned First-Team All Conference honors and Abreu, Betzael Contreras and Camila Martins Viera received Second Team honors.

“We have always been a very united team on and off the field,” Gurgel said. “Our coaches were very important in this process as they always kept us united. I love our group and the history we are building. We will go very far.”

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12 A&E | NOVEMBER 26, 2024

THE REPORTER

HARRY POTTER

The Wizarding World Expands: Latest Update On The Harry Potter TV Series Grab your wands, robes, and be sure to have your ticket ready to board the Hogwarts Express at the Platform 9¾ because the Wizarding World is back in 2026 with a new show on Max.

By Paola Aranguren paola.aranguren001@mymdc.net Whenever October rolls around, Harry Potter recirculates in pop culture circles. The fandom is constantly evolving with a theme park, Broadway production, video games, and a spin-off series.

For those heavily involved in the fandom side of Harry Potter, surely you’ve heard about the Marauders side of the fandom.

However, what no one expected was to see a brand new Harry Potter back on their screens.

While rumors of a reboot circulated in the media, last year at Max’s streaming event, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed the new show.

The project is still in the early stages of development, but here’s what we know.

The show will be written by Francesca Gardiner and directed

by Mark Mylod, who some might

COURTESY OF HBO MAX

Wizarding World: Harry Potter is a beloved book and movie series that span generations. Now, future generations will grow up with a different rendition of the series, this time a TV show. remember from their work on Succession.

Fans should rest assured the series will be faithful to the source material. The show is set to have ten seasons, contradicting the supposed seven seasons for seven books.

While this contradicts the idea of one season for every book, this

has excited many fans because, like most book adaptations, the movies leaves out some defining details. An example is the detailed backstory on Voldemort provided in the books but left out of the movies.

This also brings the opportunity to bring seamless and proper diversity and representation to

the franchise, but considering J.K. Rowling’s involvement in the show and her controversial nature, many feel conflicted with the series due to her involvement.

The series aims to give a fresh start and bring new young actors into the fold, and as of September 9, Warner Bros. Discovery is searching for their new Harry

Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The official Harry Potter Instagram account posted a UK and Ireland open casting call to find the new wizards of the magic world.

A question that’s probably on many minds is whether any original actors will be in the new rendition. However, the answer is inconclusive; some have already pronounced they will not take part in the reboot, and if any do, it probably won’t be in any major roles.

With excitement comes criticism, and there are many flavors of it. Some argue that the show will not be able to capture the magic and mastery of the movies. Others say it is nothing more than a cash grab lacking creativity for just recreating an existing piece of media.

A common remark is that the series should focus on different aspects of the Harry Potter franchise, such as a show about Harry’s parents and their friends following the first Wizarding War. Despite the mix of skepticism and optimism for the new series, the Harry Potter reboot has everyone at the edge of their seats, waiting to see how Harry and his friends fare against the perils of the magical world.

MOVIE REVIEW

Joker: Folie à Deux Is A Masterclass On Missing The Mark Released on Oct. 4, Joker: Folie à Deux falls flat with lackluster performances, failing to reach the expectations set by its predecessor, despite a cast that includes Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix.

By Nalini Singh nalini.singh001@mymdc.net Following the success of the 2019 Joker, expectations were high for its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux.

Directed and co-written by Todd Phillips, the film promised to delve deeper into Arthur Fleck’s psyche and introduce new characters. Unfortunately, the film misses the mark.

The movie predominantly follows the trial for Fleck’s (the Joker’s) previous murders, where he and his overly sympathetic lawyer face off against Harvey Dent, Gotham’s resolute district attorney, in a flashy, highly-publicized trial.

Fleck, dulled by medication and under media scrutiny at Arkham State Hospital, starts the movie as a shadow of his Joker persona.

As the story progresses, he meets Lee Quinzel, a minimum-security inmate. Their romantic bond is depicted through a series of musical numbers, indicative of Fleck’s descent into madness.

Quinzel, played by Lady Gaga, is an elusive underwritten mystery that leaves audiences unsure if she’s an unstable Joker groupie, a femme fatale who craftily deceives Fleck, or even a figment of Fleck’s worsening stability.

Fleck is no better as he swings from a listless inmate to an

PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER BROS

Falling Short: The sequel to the acclaimed Joker movie faces widespread criticism, falling short of its predecessor’s success and impact. unhinged murderer in a descent into madness so quickly that it’s impressive for a movie that was so long.

There's a thin line between sanity and insanity. This brings us to the movie’s crux and where the

decision to make the film a jukebox musical comes into play.

The musical elements, the imagined sets, the singing, and even the beginning cartoon scene all show us that the Joker is an entertainer and an actor, but how far

does this go? Is the Joker an act or the true persona? A climax point in the movie, which ultimately falls flat.

The film’s climax was a burst of chaos in the otherwise dull theater with an explosive end to the trial,

featuring the origin story of Harvey Dent’s Two-Face transformation. Then, the film finally comes to an end with Arthur’s death after he is stabbed by a fellow inmate.

Joker: Folie à Deux attempts to critique the sensationalism of crime and the media’s role in skyrocketing criminals into biggerthan-life figures, but the themes weren’t explored as effectively as they could’ve been. Fleck’s transformation into the Joker is heavily influenced by the media’s sensationalism, especially as they utilize the murder he committed on live television to make him a symbol of chaos.

The film critiques this by showing how the media’s portrayal can distort reality, creating a narrative that glamorizes violence and overlooks mental health and societal neglect—another theme the movie touches on.

This is predominantly seen in Fleck’s relationship with his lawyer, who treats him as a cruel victim of his circumstances and mental health that she intends to save, reflecting a tendency to infantilize those with mental health issues.

The story of the Joker and Harley Quinn could work perfectly as a jukebox musical. However, this rendition takes itself too seriously, depicting a gritty, toned-down version of the Joker and Harley, that don’t mesh well with the genre.

Ultimately, Joker: Folie à Deux suffers from being wasted potential in all facets.

To write for the A&E section, contact: Nalini Singh at (305) 237-2715 or nalini.singh001@mymdc.net

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NOVEMBER 26, 2024 | A&E 13

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// A&E Nalini Singh, A&E Editor

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T (305) 237-2715 // B nalini.singh001@mymdc.net

CONCERT

Taylor Swift And The Eras Tour Rocks Miami The Eras Tour landed at Hard Rock Stadium from Oct. 18-20. Here’s a recap of the shows and some of the changes fans can expect as the Eras era comes to an end.

By Gabriela Bribiesca gabriel.bribiesca001@mymdc.net The Eras Tour began more than a year ago in March of 2023 with Taylor Swift performing more than 152 shows worldwide.

As the mega tour winds down, it visited Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 18-20.

A lot has changed since the start of the tour, most notably setlist changes.

During her tour, Taylor released her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department. Seven songs from the album were included in the tour’s second leg, including hits like Fortnight and I Can Do It With A Broken Heart. To accommodate, six songs have been permanently removed.

However, Miami saw a special addition to the setlist: Florida!! from The Tortured Poets Department. Fans speculated it would be a surprise song at one of the three Miami nights, but it was a full performance with new visuals, choreography, and Florence Welch was a special guest.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHEN MEASE / UNSPLASH

Welcome To Miami: After tickets went on sale more than a year ago, The Eras Tour has reached its final stages and did a pit stop in Miami from Oct. 18-20.

Miami also saw many new outfits; the most shocking being the new Reputation body suit. Swift wore a custom Roberto Cavalli

bodysuit adorned with gold snakes instead of the classic red. The Fearless era also saw a new outfit with an iteration of the silver fringe

dress adorned with blue detailing along the front.

The surprise song selection not only saw new outfits but a newly

established format.

Typically, Swift has performed two different surprise acoustic songs, one on the guitar and one on the piano. Many fans might have a favorite song that’s not on the setlist, however with the new format of performing mashups their chances of hearing it are higher.

Miami saw a guitar mashup of Tim McGraw and Timeless, and a piano mashup of This Is Me Trying and Daylight on night one, a guitar mashup of Should’ve Said No and I Did Something Bad, and a piano mashup of loml and White Horse on night two, and a guitar mashup of Out of the Woods and All You Had To Do Was Stay, and a piano mashup of Mirrorball and Guilty as Sin? on night three.

So, what can fans expect from the remaining shows of The Eras Tour?

They can definitely expect more mashups, outfits, and if Florence Welch in Miami and Sabrina Carpenter in New Orleans are signs, more surprise guests.

Swift has also been known to announce album releases during her concerts, so there might be an announcement for Reputation (Taylor’s Version) or Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version) by the end of the tour.

ALBUM REVIEW

Gracie Abrams’ New Deluxe Album, The Secret Of Us, Is Stunning Audiences WITH A TOTAL OF SEVEN TRACKS, CATCHY, RELATABLE LYRICS, AND SHOW-STOPPING VOCALS, GRACIE ABRAMS’ THE SECRET OF US (DELUXE) MIGHT BE HER BEST RECORD TO DATE.

By Melissa Martinez melissa.martinez074@mymdc.net Gracie Abrams rose to fame after serving as an opening act last year for Taylor Swift during The Eras Tour. Since then, her popularity has continued to skyrocket.

When Abrams isn’t busy opening for Taylor Swift, she’s been working on her second studio album, The Secret of Us (Deluxe). It was released on Oct. 18.

The completely authentic and raw record from Abrams breaks barriers for both fans and the artist herself. It serves as balm to those with broken hearts.

In past albums, Abrams hasn’t shied away from placing the blame on herself on vulnerable tracks or navigating difficult topics about mental health. This album is no different.

On songs such as Us (featuring Taylor Swift) and Free Now, plights of eternal torment have shifted from laying the blame on herself to someone else. It’s safe to say that a mystery figure has inspired most of the tracks on the album, and Abrams is not afraid to say it with lyrics so blatant that they are confessional.

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With a mix of lyrics that vary from snarky to gut-wrenching and heartfelt melodies, the album has climbed up the Billboard charts faster than any of her previous records. The song I Love You, I’m Sorry was her first track to make it into the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.

The Secret of Us (Deluxe) is filled with songs that resonate with many, serving as a way for her and her listeners to feel less lonely in a world where everything is a little unsteady and speeding past you.

But the passionate bridges of Abram’s songs are the real show stoppers throughout the tracks, notably I Love You, I’m Sorry, which discusses, once again, taking responsibility for a failed relationship.

The album has been well-received both by day one fans and new fans. It serves as a jab to the gut and a warm embrace with its cutting yet relatable lyrics. Like all music should, it evokes emotions in listeners that leave them feeling heard.

Gracie Abrams’ success is rising almost as fast as all the feelings she’s been keeping bottled up, and this album proves that she is here to stay.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF INTERSCOPE RECORDS

New Music: Singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams has released a new album, The Secret of Us (Deluxe), with songs that are just as good as her first album.

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14 FORUM | NOVEMBER 26, 2024

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STATE PARKS

Harmful Plans To Build Over State Parks Leaked Nicolas Ramos discusses how James Gaddis, a former employee of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, leaked information about state parks possibly being turned into private businesses.

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By Nicolas Ramos nicolas.ramos002@mymdc.net On Aug. 19, a whistleblower leaked plans to level public lands to develop hotels, golf courses and other private businesses on Florida State Parks.

The revelation quickly angered many Floridians who felt that the development of nine state parks, including Oleta River, Hillsborough River, Grayton Beach and Camp Helen, would lead to the destruction of many precious habitats and wildlife.

James Gaddis, a former employee of the Florida Department

of Environmental Protection, was revealed to be the person who leaked the documents.

The 41-year-old was a cartographer for the agency and was directly tasked with drawing the maps for the amenities throughout the state parks.

Following the public backlash many have tried to distance themselves from the proposed development, including Governor Ron DeSantis, whose administration originally presented it.

In a press conference on Aug. 28, DeSantis downplayed the plans

as “half baked” and stated the leaks were an attempt by left-wing groups to spin a phony narrative.

On Aug. 31, Gaddis was fired by the DEP, and began speaking with media outlets, including the Tampa Bay Times, saying, “Two main reasons he chose to speak out: The rushed secrecy that was behind the park plans, and the vast environmental destruction that would be caused if they were to be completed.”

The outrage felt by Floridians seems obvious and leads to the question of whether the secrecy

was an attempt to avoid such backlash like past Republican administrators, who have attempted to leverage revenue from state parks, have experienced.

According to WSVN, “In 2015, then Gov. Rick Scott’s administration floated plans to allow cattle farmers to graze their herds and loggers to harvest timber from park lands.”

Many people attend state parks daily for a variety of activities and schools often use the parks as their classrooms to promote interactive learning experiences.

According to Florida State Parks, there are 175 parks spanning across the state, and one would be hard-pressed to find a Floridian who has not visited one with their school or family. Many positive memories have been built over the protected habitats in these parks.

Harming these lands to develop for profit amenities would go against the environmental identity of Florida, and the public outrage was an expression of that.

If it were not for James Gaddis, who knows whether the proposals would still be moving forward or if the public would ever be made aware of such plans.

His efforts afforded the public an opportunity to have their voices heard and resulted in the pullback of these proposals.

However, the agency’s secrecy is concerning, and leads to the question, if there are other instances where public lands are being used for profit to the detriment of the environment.

It is important that we combat these types of wrongs by speaking out when you feel something is truly detrimental to the environment we live in.

For more information on how to visit Florida State Parks or become involved, visit: www.floridastateparks.org.

FRIENDSHIPS

The Commodity Of Friendship In The Age Of Self-Care Nalini Singh explains how modern friendships can often feel transactional due to hyperindividualism, technological advancements and misuse of mental health terminology.

By Nalini Singh nalini.singh001@mymdc.net A Tumblr post by vikingsfuneral explains that genuine relationships, with mutual sacrifice and support through thick and thin, have become self-serving exchanges.

I think about it occasionally and remind myself how lucky I am to have friends who have sat on the phone with me through tough times despite their exhaustion or the times I’ve covered the bill just because I love them.

However, this connection has become increasingly rare. The

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transactional feeling of friendships nowadays can be attributed to many things.

It feeds into this hyper-individualism that promotes the idea that one’s needs should come before mutual care or responsibility.

It’s not wrong to prioritize yourself, but this pursuit of self-interest and personal happiness can be taken to the point where personal comfort comes at the expense of

deeper connections.

The isolation of the American idea of “pulling oneself up by one’s bootstraps” has furthered this, causing people to view themselves as solely self-sufficient and independent, and technology has worsened that.

Before, if you needed directions you might ask someone on the street or if you were to buy something, you’d have to talk to a retail

worker. Nowadays, there is an app for whatever you need, meaning those experiences now lack human connection.

It also doesn’t help that mental health language has become so intertwined with our everyday lingo, and people are either utilizing the terms incorrectly or are afraid of being negatively labeled by them.

For example, “boundaries” and “toxic” can be used to justify

disengaging from relationships that require any form of effort or compromise.

Identifying toxic behaviors and setting boundaries are essential for maintaining healthy relationships. However, it is important to find the line between what is healthy and what individuals use to avoid challenging or inconvenient relationships.

The second concept that manifests is that people become afraid of being negatively labeled by mental health buzzwords.

For instance, individuals aren’t able to create deep bonds because of the fear of “trauma dumping,” which is the unsolicitedly sharing of information with others in a way that leaves the listener uncomfortable and overwhelmed.

As a result, it is essential to note that there is a difference between trauma dumping and confiding in a friend.

When combined with hyperindividualism, we get a breeding ground for transactional friendships, where people only reach out to others as a last resort or when it predominantly benefits them.

We can’t continue to cut ourselves off from seemingly elusive, true and unconditional friendships.

To write for the Forum section, contact: Isabella Arce at (305) 237-2157 or isabella.arce001@mymdc.net

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SEAN COMBS

Sean “Diddy” Combs Faces Disturbing Allegations The Reporter’s Naya Escandon delves into the serious allegations that have been levied against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.

By Naya Escandon naya.escandon001@mymdc.net Rapper and record producer Sean Combs, best known to the world as “Diddy” is facing various civil sexual assault lawsuits and federal charges on allegations of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.

His arrest has sparked a

significant amount of controversy around the entertainment industry as a whole.

Do inappropriate accusations made against prominent public figures create and reinforce negative stereotypes about celebrity culture?

Diddy, who is credited with orchestrating the careers of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige is now at the center of all of this.

In March, Combs’ million dollar homes were raided after several lawsuits were filed against Diddy accusing him of sex trafficking and forcing people to participate in drug-fueled sex parties or “freak offs.”

On Sept. 15, the 54-year-old was arrested at the Park Hyatt Hotel in New York City after a grand jury’s indictment. Since then, his bail has been denied twice.

Among the accusers: singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, Diddy’s former partner, and Dawn Richard, a former member of the Danity Kane group, which Combs assembled on the MTV reality competition, Making the Band in 2005.

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The opinions in this newspaper do not necessarily represent those of the administration, faculty or student body.

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People in the public eye often find themselves under public scrutiny that would be difficult to come back from; however, in my opinion, this case highlights the blurred line between celebrity culture and how fame can influence the decisions made in the justice system.

Throughout the years, Diddy has been a part of scandals and court-related proceedings such as sexual assault, harrassment and sex trafficking, but he has been able to move on and not face legal

consequences.

However, this time Diddy won’t get away without repercussions.

The FBI has collected enough evidence to build a strong federal case against him.

No matter your view of Sean “Diddy” Combs or his case, we can agree that nobody should feel entitled enough to believe they can wipe away such horrible actions.

This case shows the dark and disturbing side of celebrity culture kept behind closed doors because of the influence of money.

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Editorial Board ——————————— Isabella Arce Editor-in-Chief/Sports Editor/ Forum Editor Nikole Valiente Managing Editor Juliette Bryant Briefing Editor Nalini Singh A&E Editor Alejandra Quiroz Photo Editor

SHELTER

My Experience At A Homeless Shelter Michelle Reese shares her experience living at a local shelter, Camillus House, and the daily challenges that she faces.

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Issue Staff ——————————— Paola Aranguren, Gabriela Bribiesca, Andrea Briones, Angelina Cabrera, Marcos J. Comesaña, Sara Dhorasoo, Maria Eduarda Mottin, Naya Escandon, Jesus Garcia, Ivette Gomez, John Izquierdo, Flabia Llerena, Natalie Maestre, Geovanny Marcos, Melissa Martinez, Sophia Massie, Deity Mone’k, Isabel Paz, Nicolas Ramos, Michelle Reese, Pietra Romano, Daylyin Staples, Charles Stemmer, Lisa Marie Suarez, Sabrina Toro, Nikole Valiente, Benjamin Vera

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By Michelle Reese michelle.reese001@mymdc.net From bullying, theft and even mistreatment, my experience at a local shelter has been a blessing and a curse.

Last October, I navigated from Seattle through Oregon and landed in Miami, looking for a fresh start after using drugs and alcohol to process the loss of my mom and cutting ties with my family.

The majority of people that go in and out of shelters are known to be what some call street people.

Others may even refer to them as criminals or slackers.

Although a lot meet the slacker profile, not all who enter shelters are there for three meals and a cot.

Many come from different backgrounds and seek to change their lives.

My current shelter, Camillus House, and probably many others,

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lack the proper structure among staff members, programs and even security to make it a safe environment to progress in life.

Items are stolen every day and intimidation tactics keep clients from having luxuries, even simple ones like watching a movie in a television room, which is supposed to be a courtesy.

Feeling unsafe or mistreated can make those struggling with mental health issues like myself— I’m diagnosed with depression, post traumatic stress and bipolar disorders—feel belittled.

Shelters should really take into consideration that everyone is not the same, but everyone needs to feel some kind of safety no matter where they are in order to be productive in society.

This new state law, HB 1365,

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which prohibits public camping in an undesignated space and has been in effect since Oct. 1, isn’t making it easier either.

Shelters are behaving differently toward us and discharging many for lack of funding.

According to an article in the Miami Herald, Camillus House sought to increase their nightly prices paid by government funding, which is awarded through Miami-Dade County’s homeless agency—the Homeless Trust—but their proposal was rejected.

This led to Camillus House to discharge more than 140 clients back onto the streets without an explanation of what was going on.

A friend of mine was one of the many. She was offered another bed at a women’s shelter in Homestead, but it was too far from her

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job and she decided not to take it.

Remaining clients are scared and feel unsafe, unsure of what their next move will be if they are discharged.

Being more informed would give people more of a chance to prepare by finding new jobs and shelters and decrease the tension between the staff and clients.

Additionally, the introduction of an improved training system, which would teach staff how to treat clients and understand that their jobs are where they work, not their homes, could be very helpful in making people feel more comfortable and safer.

We know that our stay is temporary, but we should feel safe, be treated appropriately and kept informed.

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