Isabel Paz was tabbed as a finalist for the National Public Radio College Podcast Challenge. She is one of 10 nationwide competing for a $5,000 prize.
Offensive Engine
Michael Petite leads the baseball team’s offense with 11 home runs, 40 RBI and a .366 batting average as the Sharks surge into the state playoffs.
Creativity Drain
Melanie Bello discusses how the music industry is losing its creativity by chasing viral moments on social media apps like TikTok and
Lessons
Amanda Hernández explains what it means to romanticize your life—being present, productive and loving yourself—and the dangers of overdoing it.
More Than 14,000 Graduates Cross The Stage At LoanDepot Park
Miami Dade College celebrated the culmination of its students’ hard work on April 26 during three graduation ceremonies at loanDepot Park.
By Yazid Guelida yazid.guelida001@mymdc.net
Haivyl Lopez’s life has never been about quick success. She believes in doing things the right way, no matter how long it takes.
Twenty-four years ago, the Cuban immigrant enrolled in classes at Wolfson Campus.
She faced various challenges, including dealing with her eldest son’s brain surgery and grappling with the sudden death of the father of her two children.
“No matter the challenges and setbacks that life throws at you, you just have to keep on,” Lopez said. “Do it right, with integrity, no shortcuts.”
On April 26, the 48-year-old, who is a senior vice president at Truist Bank, was one of more than 14,000 Miami Dade College graduates from more than 120 countries who received their degrees at three
different ceremonies at loanDepot Park in Little Havana.
Lopez, who earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration supervision and management, graduated next to her 20-year-old son Sebastian Vera, who received an associate degree in business administration.
“Regardless [of] what I go through, I will continue to be in school, and I’m looking for my master’s degree after this,” Lopez said. “That inspired my kids to say ‘okay, my mom did it, why would I not do it?’”
Festivities were fueled by WEDR 99 Jamz’s DJ She-J Hercules. She set the mood with remixes of songs like Nokia by Drake and DtMF by Bad Bunny.
On the stadium screens, the word “JUMP” flashed to encourage students to dance and cheer while families roared as the graduates’ countries of origin were announced. Scholars were greeted by a flurry of white and blue streamers, bursts of smoke and strobe lights as Pitbull’s Don’t Stop The Party played. Wide smiles and selfie cameras were in abundance as students prepared to walk the stage.
Among them was 16-year-old Jaiel Langston, an 11th grader from Miami Northwestern Senior High who received a pre-bachelor of arts degree.
“I’ll just be very honest with you, I sometimes don’t even understand how she’s able to do it,” said Rhonda Gaines-Miller, Langston’s mother and principal at Miami Norland Senior High. “But, I think because she looks at the ultimate end goal, she’s able to stay focused.”
Langston will begin to work toward her baccalaureate degree at MDC in her senior year, and looks to receive her certified nursing assistant and electrocardiogram technician certificates by the end of this year.
“Even if I’m scared, I just do it,” said Langston, who is the captain of the volleyball and flag football teams at her high school. “Diamonds are made under pressure, so might as well just keep it up, right?”
The ceremony also featured star power. Commencement speakers included Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and CEO of Moms First, who offered
Cinema Shines At 42nd Annual Miami Film Festival
The Miami Film Festival ran from April 3-13 at 27 venues throughout South Florida. It featured more than 200 movies and showcased work from directors representing over 45 countries.
By Yazid Guelida yazid.guelida001@mymdc.net
As Harpoon Ellis casually strolled onto the red carpet at the Miami Film Festival, the actor did what he does best—he acted. Decked out in a lavender vest, a black T-shirt, cat-eye sunglasses, a gold bangle bracelet and a gatsby cap, Ellis gave off a bohemian moviestar vibe akin to Johnny Depp.
“I’m playing the part of [an] upper echelon actor, which I’m not, but I just wanted to play because there’s a red carpet here,” said Ellis, who recently starred in his first professional film, A Weird Kind of Beautiful “I don’t know when I’m ever going to be back in a place like this or a part of something like this.”
The loquacious actor appeared in the dark comedy, which was featured at the MFF’s 42nd rendition that ran from April 3-13.
More than 115 feature films and 100 shorts from over 45 countries were showcased.
The 10-day event screened movies at 27 venues, including the Adrienne Arsht Center, Silverspot Cinema, the Koubek Theater, Bill Cosford Cinema, the Little Haiti Cultural Center, Regal South Beach, Coral Gables Art Cinema and the Miami Beach Bandshell.
This year’s festival also marked the return of Olympia Theater in Downtown Miami. The historic theater, which was closed for seven years, underwent extensive renovations, including the restoration of the lobby and auditorium of the 99-year-old playhouse.
“We’re really thrilled that the timing worked out, and now we can bring people back into that incredible space,” said James Woolley, executive director of the MFF.
The festival kicked off at the refurbished theater with a screening of Meet the Barbarians , a French comedy-drama directed by filmmaker and actress Julie Delpy.
It follows the community of Paimpont, a little known village in Northwest France, as they prepare for the arrival of a family of Ukrainian refugees. When the family arrives, the town is surprised to discover that they are Syrian refugees.
Humberto Ochoa, a filmmaker who watched the movie, was receptive to the film’s themes of discrimination and acceptance.
“They start discovering they’re not
SAMUEL TORRES / THE REPORTER
Graduation Day: More than 14,000 students graduated from Miami Dade College during three commencement ceremonies at loanDepot Park on April 26.
// BRIEFING
Isabella Arce, Briefing Editor // T (305) 237-2157 // B isabella.arce001@mymdc.net
Univision ’s Andrés Giraldo To Appear At MDC Journalism Speaker Series
Andrés Giraldo, a multimedia journalist for Univision New England , will be the next guest at the Miami Dade College Journalism Speaker Series.
The interview will take place at noon on May 30 at Hialeah Campus, 1780 W. 49th St., in the Student Services lobby located in front of Student Life. It will be conducted in Spanish.
Last year, Giraldo was a photographer for The Reporter, winning firstplace awards for best news photo and picture story from the Florida College System Publications Association in November.
In 2020, Giraldo launched PeopleNews, an Instagram account that posted weekly news segments of approximately 45 minutes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Giraldo managed a team of about 13 journalists, including correspondents from Colombia, France, Mexico, the United States and Venezuela.
The 33-year-old has a bachelor’s degree in audiovisual communications from the University of Medellín in Colombia.
The MDC Journalism Speaker Series was launched in February of 2008 to provide students an opportunity to meet and network with working journalists. To date, more than 84 journalists have participated in the series.
STEM Summer Bridge Program Returns To North Campus
North Campus is hosting the STEM Summer Bridge Program, a threeweek initiative dedicated to preparing first-year STEM students to succeed in mathematics and science courses.
It will feature workshops on academic and career advisement, financial literacy and the transfer process.
The program will take place in Rooms 1214 and 1216, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from July 14 to Aug. 1. Lunch will be provided. A stipend—the amount has not yet been determined—will be provided upon completion of the program.
To apply, visit https://tinyurl.com/5ycr856u by July 9.
Isabella Arce
Two Miami Dade College Students Earn PTK All-USA Academic Team Honors
Erick Pinzón of Kendall Campus and Lorena Cardenas of Eduardo J. Padrón Campus were selected to the Phi Theta Kappa All-USA Academic Team.
More than 2,100 students nationwide vied for the honor, which includes a $5,000 prize that helps students cover expenses as they transfer to a four-year institution.
“I was really nervous, really stressed,” said Cardenas, a sophomore studying graphic design in The Honors College at Padrón Campus. “I received the news that I got All-USA and I had no words. I was totally surprised.”
To apply, applicants had to be members of PTK, maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA and have completed at least 36 credit hours.
They also had to be enrolled in at least six credit hours and could not have previously been nominated for the All-USA or Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholarship.
“I’m very excited,” said Pinzón, a sophomore biology student in The Honors College at Kendall Campus. “You work so hard for something and put your best foot forward. It bolsters confidence and takes a bit of weight off my shoulders.”
Brendan Chuy
New World School Of The Arts Presents Hadestown: Teen Edition
The Louise O. Gerrits Theater at Wolfson Campus, 25 N.E. Second St., will host a production of Hadestown: Teen Edition by students from The New World School of the Arts.
Viewings of the folk opera will take place on the eighth floor of the 5000 building on May 9 at 7:30 p.m., May 10 at 2 p.m., May 16 at 7:30 p.m. and May 17 at 2 p.m.
Hadestown explores two intertwining love stories from Greek mythology—Orpheus, Eurydice and the gods Hades and Persephone—that invite audiences to the underworld and back.
“People look at this play as Orpheus’ story. But the last person on stage telling the story is Eurydice. She’s trying to break free, it’s her tragedy,” said Silas Hoover, the production’s director. “Through story, we begin to better understand our world and begin to see opportunities where we fail to see those opportunities.”
General admission is $15 per show; admission for students and seniors is $10.
For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/347dsfkm or to purchase tickets, go to https:// tinyurl.com/yw3e6vtm.
Ivette Gomez
The Reporter Accepting Applications For EIC
Miami Dade College’s awardwinning student newspaper—The Reporter —is accepting applications for the position of editor-inchief for the 2025-26 school year.
Deadline to apply is May 12 at 5 p.m.
Prospective candidates must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, at least one year of experience with a college, high school or professional organization and be enrolled in at least six credits per semester.
Responsibilities will include overseeing a staff of about 45 students, assigning and editing stories, training writers, overseeing section editors and representing the paper at college-wide events.
Applicants are required to submit a resume, five to seven clips, three references and a 500-word essay explaining their plans as editor-in-chief.
For more information, contact media adviser Manolo Barco at (305) 237-1255 or mbarco@mdc. edu.
Ninette Portero
MDC Student Wins Miss Miami Gardens Scholarship
Edwina Petionet, a biology student at North Campus, was awarded the Miss Miami Gardens Scholarship on Feb. 22.
The program, which relaunched in 2023, is part of an organization dedicated to providing resources to young women, empowering them to continue their education and pursue their goals.
As part of her application process, the 20-year-old presented a community service initiative titled Compassion in Action, which advocates for improved patient care for elderly residents in nursing homes.
The competition consisted of five stages: an interview, a health and fitness portion, a talent performance, an evening wear competition and an on-stage conversation.
Petionet, who aspires to be a family physician, obtained five points toward the Miss America Crown and will advance to compete in the Miss Florida Scholarship Program in June of 2025.
“This has been an incredibly transformative experience,” Petionet said. “It’s not just about beauty or the title, it's about the opportunity to challenge yourself, grow and make a difference.”
Ninette Portero
MDC Student Wins PTK Guistwhite Scholarship
Daniel Yantani Coto, an Honors College student at Homestead Campus, was one of nine Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members nationwide to receive the Guistwhite Scholarship.
The $5,000 prize aims to fund students’ expenses at a fouryear university. It is awarded to PTK members who have at least a 3.5 GPA and have completed at least 45 semester credits.
“I was honestly surprised because I didn’t think I did [my application] well, [and] I didn’t think I had enough time,” said Coto, a sophomore studying economics. “I’m very happy and excited.”
In March, he was also selected as a Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship semifinalist.
That scholarship provides students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university with up to $55,000 annually to cover tuition, housing, materials and other required fees.
William Murphy, a speech professor and adviser to the Forensics Society at Kendall Campus, has been inducted into the Florida College System Activities Association Hall of Fame. Murphy was honored on Feb. 8 during the virtual FCSAA Forensics Tournament.
For nearly 15 years, he has advised the speech and debate team, helping strengthen their communication skills and compete at the local, state and national levels.
“This is a huge honor for me,” Murphy said. “It is humbling to be involved in an activity with so many thoughtful and kind individuals who are committed to effecting change in their world.”
He also serves as the FCSAA state forensics adviser and is the tabulation director for the Miami Dade Urban Debate League.
Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Colorado Mesa University in 2001, a master’s degree from the University of Colorado in 2004 and a doctorate degree in human communication studies from the University of Denver in 2011.
LOGO COURTESY OF THE REPORTER
YANTANI
MURPHY
PHOTO COURTESY OF LORENA GARAY / UNIVISION NEW ENGLAND
PETIONET
PINZÓN
CARDENAS
Isabella Arce
MDC Speech Professor Inducted Into FCSAA Hall Of Fame
Ninette Portero
Emily De Los Reyes
GEOVANNY MARCOS-PEDRO / THE REPORTER
GEOVANNY MARCOS-PEDRO / THE REPORTER
ANGELINA CABRERA / THE REPORTER
ANGELINA CABRERA / THE REPORTER
Fun In The Sun: A young woman sunbathes in an inflatable shark at the Kendall Campus pool on March 19 during Lucky Charm Splashdown, an event hosted by the Student Government Association. The pool party included live music, ice cream and pizza.
Water Racing: A student participates in the inflatable relay race at the Lucky Charm Splashdown event. The competition featured three teams: the Student Government Association, the baseball team and the Safe Sharks club e-board.
Curtain Call: The Miami Dade College cast of In The Heights takes a final bow after their opening night show at Wolfson Campus on April 10.
Grooving: A group of Miami Dade College students performed the Tony award-winning musical In The Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda on April 10-11 in the auditorium on the second floor of building 1 at Wolfson Campus. Pictured is a photo from a practice session on April 8.
Miami Film Festival Returns For Its 42nd Rendition
FROM MFF, FRONT
strangers, they’re just humans,” Ochoa said. “People that are coming from a different side, different story, different perspective, but they are still humans.”
On April 10, actor Jason Isaacs, best known for his portrayal of Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, was given the Precious Gem Award. He participated in a live recording of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast at the Chapman Center at Wolfson Campus.
That same day, moviegoers at the Miami Beach Bandshell watched El Sonido de Miami , a documentary honoring Cuban-American musicians that influenced the sonic culture of the 305. After the screening, the audience enjoyed a live performance by Carlos Oliva y Los Sobrinos del Juez.
This year’s festival featured a bevy of local films.
Among them was The Python Hunt . The documentary is about the Florida Python Challenge, a bizarre competition held by the state government to remove invasive species from the Everglades. It was recognized with the Made in MIA Feature Film Award, which included $60,000 in Panavision
camera equipment.
Another film, Little Haiti, Miami, USA, follows a mom searching for the man her son depicted in one of his paintings. The movie won the $5,000 Made in MIA Short Film Award.
Other awards were handed out in various categories.
Omaha, a movie chronicling the cross-country adventure of a father and his children after his wife tragically passed away, was awarded the $10,000 Jordan Ressler First Feature Award.
The Last Meal (Le Dernier Repas), a movie about a man with stomach cancer sharing his final meals with his daughter, won the $15,000 Marimbas Award.
Festivities wrapped up at the Olympia Theater with the closing film On Swift Horses, a romantic drama directed by Daniel Minahan. One of the lead actors, Diego Calva, spoke to the audience after the showing.
“The festival bringing the types of films that it does to the community is really important,” said local filmmaker Mark Pulaski. “A film festival really promotes films that your average person wouldn’t get to see or wouldn’t know about because there is so much content out there.”
Movie Mania: This year’s Miami Film Festival was held at various venues in South Florida from April 3-13. More than 200 films were showcased.
Orange Retires After More Than 34 Years At MDC
Nanette Orange, who was a paralegal in the Office of Legal Affairs for the past 18 years, retired from Miami Dade College after more than 34 years at the school.
By Andrea Briones andrea.briones@mymdc.net
During a nearly four-decadelong career at Miami Dade College, Nanette Orange was always compassionate.
Whether it was serving as a counselor, financial aid adviser, contracts administrator or a paralegal—she put others first.
“She’s a kind, patient individual and has this personality that’s very endearing to people,” said Javier Ley-Soto, the College’s general counsel, who worked with Orange for nearly nine years in the Office of Legal Affairs. “She’s so genuine that you feel listened to, respected.”
Eighteen years after joining the Legal Affairs team at the downtown campus, Orange retired on March 31 after more than 34 years at MDC.
“I think that one of the biggest things I’m going to miss about the College [is]… knowing that you’re contributing somehow to someone becoming a productive citizen of the community,” Orange said.
The 61-year-old, who graduated from Hialeah Senior High School in 1981 and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the
University of Miami, started her career at MDC in 1990 as a parttime counselor for a grant-funded college readiness program. Orange worked with high school students who were in danger of dropping out, helping them get back on track and prepare for college. By 1991, she was promoted to a financial aid adviser at North Campus, but eventually
contracts administrator and a paralegal.
transferred to Wolfson Campus. There, she assisted students with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form and scholarship applications. Her mission was always to help.
Despite her stellar work in student services, Orange was always curious about the legal field.
That passion sparked during her junior year of high school when she was part of a weekly court
observer program that allowed her to visit courtrooms to learn about the legal system.
In 1998, Orange returned to the classroom to pursue a degree in paralegal studies at MDC.
Two years later, she became the contracts administrator at Kendall Campus for the facilities management department, managing architectural and maintenance contracts, insurances, licenses and bonds.
By 2007, Orange joined Legal Affairs as a paralegal. She worked on matters such as labor issues, real estate, contracts, public record requests and trademarking.
But her reach went beyond the legal matters she was charged with. Orange formed life-long friendships with her co-workers.
“When I told her that my son had started picking up a football… [on the next] occasion she got me a little University of Miami football because that’s where I went to law school and it became one of my sons favorite footballs,” said Chris Saunders, an assistant general counsel at the College.
Outside of MDC, Orange is known for her prowess for the written word. In 2006, she published Soul Whisperings: Poems for Victorious Living , which is available on Amazon and at Barnes and Nobles. Seven years later, she released Innermost Journey: Poems for Lifetime , which is currently out of stock.
Orange’s interest in writing has been evident from a young age. When she was 5, her mom often found her armed with a pen and a pad, writing or reading poems.
In retirement, Orange plans to expand her creative writing, promote her two books and travel to New York, Europe and Africa.
“She’s a prime example of what Miami Dade College is,” Ley-Soto said. “A community for all.”
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SOPHIA MASSIE / THE REPORTER
Farewell: Nanette Orange retired from Miami Dade College on March 31 after a career that spanned more than 34 years. Orange worked as a counselor, financial aid adviser,
Tassels, Streamers And Smiles Fill The Air At LoanDepot Park
motivational words for graduates from the North, West and Hialeah campuses. Patrick Gelsinger, head of technology at Gloo and former CEO of Intel, spoke to graduates of the Wolfson, Medical and Homestead campuses. Kendall and Eduardo J. Padrón campuses were addressed by Fred Voccola, co-founder and vice chairman of the board of directors of Kaseya.
“Today you become graduates of
democracy’s college,” New York Times bestselling author Saujani said. “You know something about using your voice to make a difference, and so hear me when I say it is time to shape the world and our nation in Miami Dade’s image.”
Gelsinger spoke about the importance of community.
“None of you are here just to make something of yourselves, you’re here to change the lives of others and the communities that you’re in,” Gelsinger said. “Have your own
IN MEMORY OF
Scholarship Honors MDC Fire Academy Alumnus
Killed In Wrong-Way Crash
The Zeke Urrutia Firefighter Scholarship will cover tuition and fees for one student, each year, to attend the Miami Dade College Fire Academy.
By Pietra Romano pietra.romano001@mymdc.net
The family of a Miami Dade College Fire Academy graduate who died in a car crash set up a scholarship to honor his legacy.
Ezequiel “Zeke” Urrutia, who received his firefighter certification from North Campus in December of 2020, was killed on Jan. 9, when a woman driving an SUV in the wrong direction collided with his vehicle on the Florida Turnpike in Miramar.
Two weeks later, the 23-year-old’s parents, Frank and Tiffany Urrutia, created the Zeke Urrutia Firefighter Scholarship.
The MDC Foundation is accepting donations to support and establish the scholarship’s endowment. Thus far, more than $47,000 of the $100,000 goal have been raised.
“Even after my wife and I are no longer on this planet, our son’s legacy scholarship will continue to give people the opportunity to take the training free of charge and get them to save lives,” Frank said.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to one student. It will cover tuition and fees at the Fire Academy. Applications will be accepted starting this summer.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need and submit an essay answering the prompt: “What inspires you to become a firefighter?”
Zeke’s inspiration to become a firefighter was evident since preschool.
“They asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he put fireman,” Frank said. “He always wanted to save lives.”
That childhood ambition led Zeke to enroll at the MDC Fire Academy at North Campus after he graduated from Miami Palmetto Senior High School in 2020.
Like all students at the time, Zeke wore a mask because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the face mask was unable to contain his
died on Jan. 9 after another driver crashed into his car.
excitement for the profession he was preparing for.
“That smile shone through all of that,” said Karls Paul-Noel, director of the MDC Fire Academy. “It said to me this was a person who had found his purpose.”
After earning his firefighter certification, Zeke continued his training at the American Medical Academy Paramedic School, becoming a certified paramedic. He was working full-time at MCT Express Ambulance Service.
To donate to the scholarship fund, visit https://tinyurl.com/mrpzdct9.
audacious moonshot, but bring others along with you.”
For Nicole Miller, the moonshot was taking on her dream of working in the medical field as a physician assistant.
The 25-year-old completed the Medical Campus’ rigorous PA program in 27 months.
“Late nights and early mornings, exams twice a week, it was a lot to get used to and I’m really proud of myself and I’m proud of everybody in my class for being able to get through that,” Miller said.
Fourteen-year-old Noah Thomas achieved a significant milestone most kids his age can’t fathom.
The young scholar received his associate’s degree in electrical engineering, making him the youngest graduate in the College’s history.
He started his college journey as a 10-year-old, following in his older brother Nathan Thomas’ footsteps. Nathan also graduated from MDC when he was 14. Noah topped Nathan’s feat by three months.
“[Nathan] was definitely a factor in reassurance that I could get through it successfully because he also did it, and he was there to help me out with that stuff,” Thomas said.
Kendall Campus Student Government Association President Yosdany AnguloCartas, one of the last speakers of the night, addressed his fellow graduates one last time.
“This moment, this stage, this diploma— it’s not just a piece of paper. It is a symbol of sacrifice, of resilience and of faith,”
Angulo-Cartas said. “If we made it this far, just imagine how much more we’re capable of.”
Staff writers Ivette Gomez and Pietra Romano contributed to this story.
FROM GRADUATION, FRONT
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK URRUTIA
SAMUEL TORRES / THE REPORTER
PHOTO COURTESY OF LUIS ILLESCAS / MDC MEDICAL CAMPUS MEDIA SERVICES
In Memory: The Zeke Urrutia Firefighter Scholarship was created to honor Ezequiel Urrutia, who
Young Scholar: President Madeline Pumariega congratulates Noah Thomas as he walks the stage during commencement on April 26. The 14-year-old received an associate's degree in electrical engineering, making him the College’s youngest graduate ever.
Two Generations: Haivyl Lopez and her son Sebastian Vera pose for a photo during graduation on April 26 at loanDepot Park.
Kendall Campus Student Is A Finalist For NPR’s College Podcast Challenge
Isabel Paz, a pre-nursing student at Miami Dade College, is a finalist in National Public Radio’s College Podcast Challenge for her entry: When Faced with the Barrel of a Gun
By Ivette Gomez ivette.gomezfornos001@mymdc.net
“Oh my God, what do I do?”
The thought dashed into Isabel Paz’s mind as her school—Doral Academy—was locked down in 2022 after an armed intruder entered the campus.
As she peered through the windows of her first-floor classroom, the slightly built high school junior saw cop cars flood the area.
“I was shaking,” she recalls.
Frantic, the teenager called her mom. There was no answer. So she left a voicemail.
The incident was eventually cleared without injuries, but the tense moment left an impression.
Two years later, Paz recreated that haunting voicemail for the opening of a podcast— When Faced with the Barrel of a Gun —she produced for an English composition course in the spring of 2024.
Late last month, the podcast was selected as a finalist for National Public Radio’s College Podcast Challenge.
The 19-year-old Honors College student at Kendall Campus is one of 10 finalists nationwide vying for the $5,000 prize.
A winner will be announced this month.
“We listen to hundreds of entries every year,” said Janet W. Lee, an NPR producer.
“The moment I started listening, I was really impressed by the host’s decision to reenact the voicemail from the shooting.”
Paz, a pre-nursing student, is competing
Podcast Superstar: Isabel Paz has been selected as a finalist for National Public Radio’s College Podcast Challenge. The winner will be announced later this month.
against students from Ivy League schools such as Princeton University and Dartmouth College, and other academicallyrich institutions like Stanford and Duke.
If she wins, Miami Dade College will celebrate back-to-back victories in the competition. Kendall Campus student Michael Vargas Arango won last year’s contest.
Her journey to this moment has been shaped by personal challenges.
When she was 13 years old, Paz was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia, a condition that causes a fast heart rhythm and can lead to symptoms such as dizziness,
fainting and shortness of breath.
She spent weeks in the hospital. Despite the health scare, Paz was inspired by the nurses who cared for her and decided to pursue a career in nursing.
Today, the sophomore has transformed from an anxious, unsure freshman to a campus leader.
Since the fall of 2023, she has served as an illustrator and photographer for The Reporter
Paz is also vice president of Health Occupations Students of America, a student organization focused on developing healthcare
skills, and treasurer of N.U.R.S.E., the prenursing club at Kendall Campus.
Additionally, she is the program coordinator for Xplora, a club that allows students to teach STEM lessons virtually to children in Peru. In that role, Paz organized a service trip to Peru and raised $2,000 for the nonprofit FNE International.
“Little by little, without noticing, I started doing things that I was passionate about,” Paz said.
Last summer, she participated in a graphic design study abroad program in Seoul, South Korea.
In the fall, Paz founded StoryBytes , Kendall Campus’ student-led podcast platform.
“She’s able to do so much with very little resources or funding, and really motivates and inspires her staff,” said Emily Sendin, an English professor at MDC and adviser to StoryBytes
Beyond her podcasting success, Paz earned the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Hites Transfer Scholarship, a $7,500 award recognizing academic achievement and community engagement, last month.
She is also a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which provides up to $55,000 annually for tuition, books and living expenses to 60 students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
Paz, who aspires to be a travel nurse, is expected to graduate this semester with an associate degree in pre-nursing. She hopes to transfer to the University of Pennsylvania.
“A lot of the things I’ve managed to do are because I was lucky to start on the right path and I was dedicated enough to stay on it,” she said.
To listen to Paz’s podcast, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdf9wr8r.
REPORTER FILE PHOTO / YAIRI LORENZO
Three MDC Students Win $7,500 Hites Transfer Scholarship
Phi Theta Kappa members Nicole Liethof, Isabel Paz and Chabeli Quincoces have received the $7,500 Hites Transfer Scholarship for their academic and extracurricular achievements.
By Yazid Guelida yazid.guelida001@mymdc.net
Miami Dade College students Nicole Liethof, Isabel Paz and Chabeli Quincoces have been awarded the Hites Transfer Scholarship.
The $7,500 prize is awarded to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members for their academic performance, leadership and civic engagement.
Twenty-two students nationwide were selected in March from a pool of more than 2,800 applicants.
Nicole Liethof
Liethof is a biology major in the Honors College at Eduardo J. Padrón Campus.
In 2020, the 19-year-old immigrated from Spain and faced some initial difficulties.
“Being an immigrant, it was hard to know the opportunities [available] here, especially when finishing high school and transferring to college,” Liethof said. “[MDC has] opened a lot of
Reaching New Hites: Pictured from left to right are Nicole
were awarded the Hites Transfer Scholarship.
doors for me, [and] now I know I can accomplish many things.”
Liethof has been active in PTK events, including volunteering at nursing homes, organizing food drives for low-income families and participating at the 2024 Miami Marathon.
She is also the vice president of community involvement at the Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honors Society and a member of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda.
Liethof plans to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Emory University in Atlanta or the University of Pennsylvania. She aspires to work in biomedical research, focusing on Alzheimer’s disease.
“I want to be able to create less invasive treatments in the future for patients,” Liethof said.
Isabel Paz
Paz is a pre-nursing student in the Honors College at Kendall Campus.
As a 13-year-old, she spent weeks in the hospital after being diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia, a disorder that produces rapid heart rhythms. That experience motivated Paz to pursue a career in nursing.
and
The sophomore serves as vice president of community service at PTK’s Omicron Tau chapter, organizing events like beach cleanups and representing the chapter at symposiums.
Since the fall of 2023, Paz has also worked as an illustrator and photographer for The Reporter In addition, she is vice president of Health Occupations Students of American, treasurer of N.U.R.S.E., the pre-nursing club at Kendall Campus, and program coordinator for Xplora, a club that teaches STEM lessons virtually to children in Peru.
The 19-year-old is also founder of StoryBytes , a student podcast platform at Kendall Campus. In March, she was selected as a finalist for the National Public Radio College Podcast Challenge for her entry: When Faced with the Barrel of a Gun
University of Pennsylvania and aspires to be a travel nurse.
“I’m so happy about [winning the scholarship], because it could cover the majority of the dorm [costs] wherever I’m staying, which is such a huge weight off of my shoulders,” Paz said.
Chabeli Quincoces
Quincoces, who immigrated from Cuba in 2020, is a sophomore studying biology in the Honors College at Padrón Campus.
The 19-year-old serves as the treasurer of PTK’s Iota Chapter. She also created volunteering opportunities for students and led an Honors in Action project to raise awareness about neurodiversity.
Last summer, Quincoces was a part of an internship program at the University of Miami that allowed her to do research on the effectiveness of cell culture systems for neural stem cells.
“It was an amazing opportunity,” Quincoces said. “It gave me the idea that I really like research.”
She hopes to transfer to the University of Miami or John Hopkins University in Maryland to pursue a career as a surgeon.
“All that I did and that I’m doing, and what I want to pursue in the future is just helping people [and] my community,”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEOVANNY MARCOS-PEDRO AND LUCA LAUSELL OF THE REPORTER
Liethof, Isabel Paz
Chabeli Quincoces, who
AXIS Magazine Awarded Gold Crown By CSPA
The creative arts magazine at North Campus, AXIS, was awarded a Gold Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in March.
By Pietra Romano pietra.romano001@mymdc.net
For the second consecutive year, AXIS , the creative arts magazine at North Campus, won a Gold Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
Two other Miami Dade College publications— Café Cultura and Miambiance , the literary art magazines at Hialeah and Kendall Campus—earned a Silver Crown
The recognitions were announced on March 21 at CSPA’s 101st Annual Spring Convention in New York City.
They recognize overall excellence in student print or digital mediums.
This year’s competition featured work produced during the 2023-24 school year.
“It’s an honor to be awarded such a prestigious award,” said professor Eric Cornish, AXIS ’ graphic design adviser. “It’s great to give the students that opportunity to have that on their resume.”
Volume 21 of AXIS included Editor-In-Chief Bianca Jules, managing editor Richemonde Israel, lead
STAFF PROFILE
graphic designer Jeanna Chery and cover artist David Davenport.
They created the latest volume, which launched in October. It features a mosaic theme, including poetry, illustrations, photography and film.
Since its launch in 2003, AXIS has been named the top literary arts magazine in their division by the Florida College System Publications Association in 2018, 2019 and 2024, a CSPA Silver Crown Award winner in 2021 and Gold Crown recipient in 2023. They also have five magazine Pacemaker Awards from the Associated Collegiate Press (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024).
Miambiance ’s Volume 34 explores themes of growth, community and interconnectedness. Its green cover with a black silhouette of a tree symbolizes the way people are linked.
This year’s Silver Crown is the publication’s sixth.
“We are really proud to get it again,” said Megan Carrion, who served as Miambiance ’s editor-inchief for the past three years. “Every year, we set expectations for ourselves. Any sort of win makes us really happy, but knowing that we hit that mark again and again was really satisfying.”
The Kendall Campus literary magazine, which launched in
“
It’s great to give the students that opportunity to have
that on their resume.
Eric Cornish, AXIS' graphic design adviser
1989, has won Pacemaker Awards in 2009, 2018 and 2022 and more than 100 FCSPA awards.
Café Cultura ’s Volume 17 showcases (Re)evolution , a theme focused on interpersonal and scientific changes.
The edge of each page features drawings that create a stop-motion effect when flipping through the book.
Café Cultura , which launched in 2007, has earned four Crown Awards and nearly 50 FCSPA awards.
Victor Calderin, the publication’s co-adviser and co-founder, said the magazine is a point of pride for the community it serves.
“Hialeah has a lot of talent, a lot of genius inside of it and should not be underestimated,” said Calderin, who was born and raised in the City of Progress.
He’s The Man Behind The Music At North Campus
Manuel Dominguez, better known as DJ Manny, pumps up the bass at North Campus events. He has worked as a media services technician at the College for more than 20 years.
By Andrea Briones andrea.briones001@mymdc.net
You might not know his name, but you definitely know his sound—Manuel Dominguez transforms ordinary afternoons into vibrant campus celebrations with his curated list of throwback beats.
DJ Manny has worked as a media services technician for more than two decades at North Campus, setting up sound equipment—and the mood—at events such as Children’s Holiday and Club Rush.
The 51-year-old comes armed with a portable DJ booth that includes a laptop, floppy headphones and his trademark 80s freestyle and pop/rock music. His look is accented by a dangling neck lanyard with his work ID and a black media services polo shirt.
“He’s always been the life of the party,” said professor Elio Arteaga, who was Dominguez’s graphic design professor more than 20 years ago. “He always brings a smile to people’s faces.”
Dominguez’s passion for music traces back to his childhood. His late mother, Maria Remedios, would listen to Mexican singer
Vicente Fernández or balladeer José José while cleaning.
“There’s been times I’ve done events, and a song comes on and I remember my mom,” Dominguez said. “I [think], ‘man, this reminds me of when my mom was
alive, listening to the song [and] dancing.”
Dominguez first set foot at North Campus in 1980 as an elementary school-aged student while competing in a judo tournament at the old gymnasium, which
has since been transformed into the School of Justice.
“Miami Dade [has been] home for me since I was seven years old,” Dominguez said. “Coming back to work here and giving back to the community [and] the students, it’s
priceless.”
After earning his vocational degree from Miami Lakes Tech in 1996, Dominguez enrolled at Miami Dade College to pursue an associate degree in graphic arts.
However, in 1999, he began experiencing problems with his vision and he underwent a corneal transplant. The health issue forced him to rethink his career path, ultimately leading him to media services.
“I’ve had other surgeries. [I’ve run] around with crutches, going up ladders and my director goes ‘Manny come down’ and when he’s not looking I’m up again with my crutches, so it doesn’t stop me,” Dominguez said.
He credits co-workers like his former supervisor, Johnnie Sutton, for encouraging him to grow.
“Through perseverance, he made it through most of the hard things, and not only did he learn some stuff, [but Manny] was an individual that really [works] well,” Sutton said. “He was a blessing in a lot of cases.”
By 2004, Dominguez’s persistence drove him to a full-time job as a technician at North Campus. He enjoys crafting playlists of 1980s hits, ballads and feel-good music to brighten an audience’s day.
“Some people come from broken homes, and I show them [that] there’s music out there to inspire them and to make them better,” Dominguez said.
Golden Moment: The Columbia Scholastic Press Association awarded AXIS Magazine its second-ever Gold Crown in March.
Sharks' Season Ends In Niceville
A 64-50 loss to Pensacola State College in the semifinal round of the State Tournament in Niceville ended the Miami Dade College men’s basketball team’s season.
By Charles Stemmer charles.stemmer001@mymdc.net
The Miami Dade College men’s basketball team’s season ended with a 64-50 loss in the semifinal round of the State Tournament in Niceville on March 14.
They finished the season with a 19-13 mark, their best record in 10 years; the Sharks were 21-11 during the 2014-15 season.
Miami Dade College proved to be tough at home, finishing an impressive 12-3 at the Theodore R. Gibson Health Center and 9-7 in Citrus Conference play.
“I’m just thankful to be around a good group of guys who I can call my teammates,” said sophomore guard Faheim Saintleger Meran.
“We did a lot that people thought we couldn’t and I’m so grateful for it.”
In the first round of the playoffs, the Sharks upset Chipola College, 73-67, in the quarterfinal round to get their first tournament win in 10 years. Chipola College was ranked No. 11 in the nation at the time. Forward Hassan Belkhaddar led the Sharks with 17 points and
Building Block Season: The men’s basketball team finished with 19 wins this year. The win total represented the squad's best season since the 2014-15 campaign when they were 21-11.
guards Randy Smith and Jamaal Morris added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
“The first round of our playoffs was probably the best basketball we played as a team,” said forward
Amar Lane, who contributed eight points, six rebounds and three blocked shots in the contest.
The following day, the Sharks fell to Pensacola State College in a 14-point loss, but three Sharks
scored in double-digits. Meran led the team with 13 points, Smith added 12 and Belkhaddar had 11 points.
“[The] second round didn’t go our way,” Lane said. “We didn’t
execute and play well when we were down, but I think we proved a lot of people wrong and finished the season better than we started.”
Meran, who was selected to the Citrus Conference First-Team by the Florida College System Athletic Association, led the team in scoring with a 13.9 average. Belkhaddar was second on the squad with 11.6 points per game. Morris led the team in rebounding with six per contest while adding a 10.5 scoring average.
“We definitely grew through what we accomplished,” said Sharks head coach Jorge Fernandez. “I want to be a state champion, that’s our goal and that’s what we’re going to keep driving for as far as next year's team.”
Two freshmen guards who could help next year’s squad are Randy Smith, who averaged 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, and Ernesto Rodriguez, who averaged 7.4 points.
“We’re out recruiting. We want to get a couple of wings, point guards and big guys. I want to get more physical,” Fernandez said. “Recruiting is a process. It’s not something that’s going to happen overnight. You want to make sure you bring in the right guys that fit with what we’re trying to do at Miami Dade.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF CRISTIAN LAZZARI / KENDALL CAMPUS MEDIA SERVICES
Sophomore Spearheading Sharks' Offensive Attack
Outfielder Michael Petite has energized the Miami Dade College baseball team’s offense with a .366 batting average, 11 home runs, 40 RBI and 22 stolen bases this season.
By Charles Stemmer charles.stemmer001@mymdc.net
Miami Dade College’s baseball team has won 17 of their last 23 games, rebounding from a 9-11 start.
The winning spree pushed the Sharks record to 30-21 as they head into the state playoffs.
Much of the team's success can be attributed to sophomore outfielder Michael Petite’s breakout season.
The hitting star leads the Sharks in various offensive categories, including a .366 batting average, a .683 slug percentage, a .543 on base percentage and 22 stolen bases.
He ranks second on the squad with 11 home runs and 59 hits and is third with 40 RBI. Petite has also proven to have a sharp eye, walking 47 times this season.
Petite has already surpassed his season-ending statistics from last year when he hit nine home runs, added 35 RBI and had a .291 bat ting average.
Michael has been the transition
Big Bopper: Michael Petite is having a big season offensively for the Miami Dade College baseball team. The outfielder has 11 home runs, 40 RBI and a .366 batting average.
from being a good player as a freshman to much more than that as a sophomore,” said Sharks head
Influenced by his mother’s affinity for softball, Petite started playing baseball at the age of 4.
Baseball Academy and the A Rays, a nationally-ranked travel team in Georgia.
I’ve developed, meeting people through baseball is the reason I have liked it so much.”
Petite remained with the Rays until he was 16. That summer he joined the Florida Travel Baseball Philadelphia Phillies scout team.
“I played with them for a while,” Petite said. “They had a bunch of big names such as Drew Jones and Elijah Green, all future first-round picks.”
After high school, Petite committed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, but he de-committed before joining the Sharks.
At MDC, despite the team’s 2826 record last year, Petite soaked in all the knowledge he could from team leaders such as D’Angelo Ortiz—the son of baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz—who was drafted in the 19th round of the 2024 Major League Baseball draft by the Boston Red Sox’s.
“D’Angelo was a big leader for our team because he’s been around such a high-level of baseball his entire life,” Petite said. “When he spoke, I listened.”
Petite is now applying the wisdom he learned.
“Just trying to be consistent coming out and being the same team every day is something we need to focus on,” Petite said.
SOPHIA MASSIE / THE REPORTER
More Than Two Years After Its Debut, Noah Kahan’s Stick Season Still Sticks
Nikole Valiente analyzes Noah Kahan’s third studio album, Stick Season. Released in 2022, the 14-track album dives into themes of love, loss and mental health.
By Nikole Valiente nikole.valiente001@mymdc.net
Last summer, Stick Season , a song by folkpop artist Noah Kahan, became a staple in the newsroom after our adviser shared it with us.
I couldn’t see what was so special about the track, until I gave it a closer listen.
In the song, Kahan uses driving as a metaphor to illustrate how quickly things ended with a lover. Though they promised him forever, they missed his “exit sign,” “kept on drivin’ straight and left [their] future to the right.”
Left with unresolved anger, guilt and loneliness, Kahan channels his feelings into a catchy chorus that makes you feel like a passenger riding through the pain with him.
That vulnerability compelled me to listen to the entire Stick Season album. Eventually, I was walking into the newsroom every day with a new track to dissect.
Kahan—who grew up in Strafford, a town in Vermont, listening to artists like Paul Simon, Cat Stevens and The Lumineers— entered the music scene in 2017 with his single, Young Blood . He signed with Republic Records; the label is home to giants like Taylor Swift, James Bay and Ariana Grande.
Two years later, he released his first album, Busyhead , followed by I Was/I Am (2021). Both projects have a pop-indie vibe and touch on failed relationships, loneliness and mental health.
But it was Stick Season (2022) that introduced him to bigger audiences. According to an interview with Canadian broadcaster Tom Power, Kahan teased a snippet of the song on TikTok in 2020, but almost took it down because he didn’t see people liking it or commenting. When he woke up the next morning, the video had garnered thousands of likes, fueling Kahan to complete the song.
During the 14-track album, the 28-yearold returns to his folk roots. His lyrics explore emotions like love and depression, while also conveying nostalgia for his hometown.
The album’s name refers to a Vermont phrase that describes the transition between autumn and winter, characterized by barren trees, cold, gloomy weather and less daylight.
Several songs on the album have two parts: a beginning laced with Kahan’s soft vocals and guitar/mandolin, followed by an intense, sing-your-heart-out chorus, where he belts out raw emotions like sadness, frustration and yearning.
Tracks like All My Love and You’re Gonna Go Far, a song on the Forever edition, explore the idea of letting go of someone you love and wishing them the best.
Lyrics such as “you burrowed in under my skin, what I’d give to have you out from
me,” contrasted with lyrics like “there ain’t a drop of bad blood,” allows listeners to visualize how attached Kahan still feels to his ex-lover.
In Homesick , Kahan paints a picture of a mundane, antiquated Strafford. Using exaggerated statements such as “I’m tired of dirt roads named after high school friends’ grandfathers” and “time moves so damn slow I swear I feel my organs failing,” Kahan conveys his desperation to leave. The song’s fast-pace, dominated by electric guitar and drums, is a stark contrast to the slowness of his hometown.
Kahan’s punchy lyrics climax in an angsty chorus that has you belting, “I would leave if only I could find a reason/I’m mean
because I grew up in New England,” even if you’ve never stepped foot in Vermont. Though the track puts a play on the word ‘homesick,’ the song embodies pride for the place that made him who he is.
Other songs on the album highlight Kahan’s gift for storytelling.
Come Over invites listeners into Kahan’s isolation. The singer describes his home with human qualities—“the sad house on Balch Street” that “was designed to kinda look like it’s crying,” where “the eyes are the windows” and “the garage is the mouth”— that allow you to picture him living in sadness.
In the hook, he asks his lover to “come over” through a heartfelt wail, later adding “you don’t have to tell the other kids at school.” Kahan’s child-like plea for company speaks to the innocence and vulnerability in relationships.
Orange Juice tells the story of two friends who reunite after a deadly car accident. One friend left town, found God and got sober, while the other stayed.
Feelings of resentment and insecurity surface through verses like “but it made you a stranger/filled you with anger/now I’m third in the lineup/to your Lord and your Savior,” where Kahan’s voice seamlessly fluctuates between tenderness and restrained bitterness, demonstrating the control he has over it.
No Complaints and Growing Sideways zero-in on Kahan’s struggle with depression.
Using satirical descriptions, like a conversation with his “sad-eyed middle-aged” therapist about Jesus on his “overpriced new leather couch,” Kahan walks you through the frustration of therapy.
Graphic metaphors such as “keep the bad sh*t in my liver” (a reference to his dependence on alcohol) and “filled the hole in my head with prescription medication” allow you to understand Kahan’s suffering.
At its core, Stick Season is an ode to anyone going through grief, loneliness, heartbreak and mental health hardships.
Although his songs are packed with deeply specific details about New England and his struggles, Kahan’s specificity and transparency helps people feel seen.
His lyrics invite listeners to confront the parts of themselves they’re uncomfortable with, knowing they’re not alone.
The Rising Popularity Of Vinyl Records
Despite being replaced by CDs in the late 1980s, vinyl records have become popular once again.
By Gabriela Bribiesca gabriel.bribiesca001@mymdc.net
Despite their popularity in the 70s and 80s, vinyl records sales dwindled to near obscurity when CDs were invented. However, vinyl records have recently increased in popularity, even outselling CDs in 2022.
Vinyl record sales have continued to surge, increasing by 14% in 2023.
This rise in popularity is partly attributed to the release of multiple versions of vinyl records. These
versions, also known as vinyl variants, are pressed in various colors and designs. The switch from the classic black vinyl to colorful designs helps appeal to younger audiences and further increase album sales.
A great example is Taylor Swift, who has begun to sell multiple vinyl variants for the same album.
For her album Folklore , Swift released eight different vinyl variants with colors ranging from dark green to light grey.
Most recently, Swift has included exclusive songs on her vinyl records, further encouraging fans to buy and collect them.
For her album The Tortured Poets Department , Swift released four vinyl variants, with each one
containing an exclusive song. This strategy has proven to increase album sales, with Swift selling more than three million vinyl records just in 2023.
Multiple artists have followed Swift’s lead, including Charli XCX who released more than 20 variants for her album Brat
These variants are often exclusive to one retailer, with stores like Urban Outfitters and Target selling their own variants of vinyl records.
However, not all artists are on board with vinyl variants. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Billie Eilish criticized artists releasing multiple vinyl variants: “It’s very important to some artists to make all sorts of different
vinyl and packaging … I can’t even express to you how wasteful it is.”
On top of the environmental concerns, many fans have expressed frustration with the increasing price of vinyl records.
Consumers can expect to pay upwards of $30 for an average vinyl record, not to mention the cost of shipping.
For reference—even though the album fits on one disk—the vinyl record for Sabrina Carpenter’s album Short n’ Sweet retails for $40 at Target.
The rising prices are partly due to issues with supply and demand as pressing plants struggle to keep up with the increasing popularity of vinyl records. Despite the rising prices, the
shortage often leads to vinyl records quickly selling out—especially for mega-artists like Taylor Swift.
Despite those issues, vinyl records continue to increase in popularity. Events like Record Store Day, where independent record stores sell limited edition pressings of vinyl records—encouraging fans to support small businesses.
Last year’s Record Store Day included exclusive releases from artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan and The Beatles.
This year’s Record Store Day took place on April 12. Fans can look forward to releases from Gracie Abrams, Charli XCX and more.
ALBUM COVER COURTESY OF REPUBLIC RECORDS
Still Kicking: Noah Kahan’s third studio album, Stick Season , chronicles his struggle with love, loss and mental health. Although it was released in 2022, its introspective lyrics and melodies continue to resonate with audiences.
VINYL
Ariana Grande Releases Deluxe Version Of Eternal Sunshine
GLOBAL ICON ARIANA GRANDE CLOSES HER ETERNAL SUNSHINE ERA WITH A BANG, GIVING FANS A DELUXE ALBUM AND A SHORT FILM THAT PAYS TRIBUTE TO HER OWN STRUGGLES.
By Melissa Martinez melissa.martinez074@mymdc.net
Pop star and actress Ariana Grande stunned audiences in March with a deluxe version of her album Eternal Sunshine
The project, Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead , is accompanied by a short film that is directed by and stars Grande. Both mediums serve as an ode to her most cherished and haunting memories.
The film titled Brighter Days Ahead centers around the character Peaches, played by Grande, at the memory clinic, Brighter Days Inc.
During the 26-minute film we are introduced to the clinic in the music video for We Can’t Be Friends , where Peaches gets the memories from her last relationship erased.
The performance is Grande’s most vulnerable and personal work of art. Both the album and the film are a heartfelt reflection on the singer’s marriage and its aftermath.
During the film, we get a look at four core memories during Peaches’ life.
The first memory navigates
Grande’s childhood and includes her parents, brother and grandparents. In the second memory, we dive into her life as a pop star as the images of screaming fans are displayed on screens while she performs Dandelion , a sensually beautiful track.
In the third memory, Peaches walks through the ruins of a destroyed home. As she walks through the house, Twilight Zone , a song about a failed relationship, plays. When she steps outside, the track switches to Supernatural , a song about accepting new love.
During the fourth and final memory, Peaches lays on an operating table while being stitched back together as the doctor, played by Grande’s father Ed Butera, tries to revive her. The song Hampstead plays in the background, giving the scene a Frankenstein feel.
Despite previously hinting at a tumultuous relationship with her father, the film implies that he played a crucial role in helping Grande recover from moments of emotional ruin.
A sentimental and beautiful film, Brighter Days Ahead not only highlights Grande’s struggles, but also serves as a mirror for those who have suffered similarly.
The Music Industry’s Obsession With Charting Hurts The Art Form’s Quality
The mass consumption of media and the obsession with charting has led to a decline in music production and quality.
By Melanie Bello melanie.bello002@mymdc.net
Everyone seems to be chasing a hit single, but music has always been subjective, completely dependent on each individual’s preference. Today’s music landscape is obsessed with charting and mainstream success.
A lot of this madness is due to the constant bickering between fans online, on platforms such as Twitter—now X—and TikTok. Fans over equate the impact of an album with chart placement—often invalidating other factors that contribute to cultural influence. This obsession with established success has caused a change with how people consume media and their satisfaction with it as a whole.
Record companies have clearly noticed as well. Songs have grown exponentially shorter to increase the chances of them going viral on TikTok. Essentially, the shorter a song is, the better its streaming potential. While TikTok has opened a pathway for independent artists to blow up, it has also pushed companies to resort to remixes as a way to boost streams. These remixes
contain sped-up, slowed-down, and even extended versions of currently charting songs to encourage fans to buy multiple versions of the same music.
The K-pop industry has also been directly affected by TikTok , resulting in unoriginal songs that have lost any form of substance. Songs have become run-of-the-mill, following the same uninteresting structure: verse, pre-chorus, chorus, repeat.
The music industry has become oversaturated by constant trend chasing, as companies notoriously imitate what’s popular in the west.
For example, when Water by Tyla was doing immensely well, artists began to put out similar sounding songs to replicate the award-winning record. Recently, there has been an uprising in the electronic dance genre due to the success of Brat by Charli XCX.
Furthermore, musical eras don’t exist anymore—at least not to the degree that album cycles once embodied a musical era. Albums are a growing rarity due to the popularity of singles.
The promotion period lasts a few months at most, and it’s only a few weeks before artists jump to prepare for their new release.
Before, there was a protocol when it came to selling an album. Artists released music
videos for multiple tracks and took the time to tell a story. Now, visuals are increasingly rare as music labels hesitate to invest in them unless the single is doing well. If they are released, the views tend to be inflated by inorganic practices such as mass streaming by fans and paid ads. Ultimately, the art of a proper era is nonexistent.
This shift in the music industry has caused a decline in the overall quality of music as artists focus more on producing hit singles rather than cohesive bodies of works. The emphasis on streaming numbers and instant gratification has led to a lack of appreciation for the artistry and storytelling that albums used to provide.
Gabriela Bribiesca A&E Editor
PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIANA GRANDE AND CHRISTIAN BRESLAUER
Musical Decline: Melanie Bello discusses how music has become unoriginal and uninspired due to record labels and artists prioritizing going viral.
Opening Up: Ariana Grande's latest deluxe album, Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead, and her film, Brighter Days Ahead , highlight the singer’s storytelling abilities and vulnerability.
DELUXE REVIEW
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN HULT/UNSPLASH
Does Romanticizing Life Help Us Or Fool Us?
Amanda Hernández explains the concept of romanticizing life—being present, productive, improving habits and boosting selflove—and the importance of balancing the lifestyle.
By Amanda Hernández a.hernandezgarcia003@mymdc.net
A few years ago, a new word entered my life: romanticize. At first, it felt amazing.
I felt like the main character in a movie. I listened to my favorite songs, checked off my goals and dressed up to feel good.
However, as I worked to make everything look beautiful, my body and mind begged for a break.
One day, “I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” My anxiety was through the roof, I cried about everything, and suddenly, romanticizing life felt like a burden.
That’s when I realized that
MENTAL
HEALTH
everything has a light and dark side.
The idea of romanticizing life took off on social media, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to SELF, it helped fill people’s routines with comfort during uncertain times.
While everything outside felt chaotic, platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube were filled with peaceful morning routines and aesthetic coffee-making videos.
Hashtags like #MainCharacterEnergy or #RomanticizingMyLife
exploded, and by 2021, the latter had more than five billion views.
Romanticizing life became a tool for boosting self-love and improving habits. But it grew into something with two dimensions: psychological and cultural.
Psychologically, it helps us be present and appreciative. Whether it’s a sunset, the smell of coffee, a skincare routine set to a Taylor Swift song, small moments can be grounding.
According to NiceNews, romanticizing can offset daily stress and promote a more optimistic outlook.
But, as with everything, there’s a darker side.
Critics warn that romanticizing can turn into a form of escapism.
In an article for Psychology Today, Phil Reed states that the “main character” mindset can be about avoiding reality instead of embracing it.
Over time, romanticizing can affect mental health and blur the line between what’s real and what’s not.
Still, the appeal remains. You know that moment on a road trip, when you are listening to music on your headphones, staring
out the window like you’re the lead in a 2000s movie? That’s romanticizing.
Today, teenagers are comparing themselves to social media influencers, who seem to have everything figured out, viewing their depression as something poetic instead of seeking help.
For Gen Z, the behavior becomes part of our identity. Telling a friend they have “main character energy” is now considered a compliment.
While this trend isn’t free of criticism, it has been adopted as a positive aspirational norm.
As The Guardian put it, romanticizing encourages finding joy in the ordinary, instead of flaunting luxury or constant productivity.
In a post-pandemic era filled with anxiety and economic stress, romanticizing has sparked optimism, creativity and encouraged people to see daily life as an adventure.
Even authority figures like parents and educators have noted that, at its best, this trend can help youngsters practice gratitude and distance themselves from the social media negativity that dominated the early 2020s.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Social media influencer Emma Chamberlain said it best on her podcast—Anything Goes With Emma Chamberlain: “Nothing is ever 100% good or 100% bad.” We simply need to find balance.
The Silent Student Mental Health Crisis Can No Longer Be Ignored
Nicolas Ramos discusses the importance of mental health for students, the gaps in campus support, the impact of budget cuts and the role of student-led mental health initiatives.
By Nicolas Ramos nicolas.ramos002@mymdc.net
For students, mental health isn’t just a trending topic, it’s something that we carry every day.
College life is more than lectures and exams. Many students have to balance jobs, family responsibilities and social commitments, so it’s no surprise that so many feel overwhelmed.
What’s surprising is how often these struggles go unnoticed.
It’s about learning how to manage life, including mental health challenges like anxiety and
depression, burnout and isolation.
As anyone who has faced mental health challenges can tell you, the issues don’t just fade. They pile up if not taken seriously.
Our mental health not only plays a role in our emotional wellbeing, but it directly impacts our academic success.
The overwhelming symptoms and constant stress from untreated conditions makes it very difficult to stay focused and meet deadlines. In time, that can lead to failing classes and in some cases, dropping out entirely.
And the consequences impact the families, communities and future of students beyond the classroom.
While many colleges offer mental health services, there are still significant gaps in the system. Some students don’t know where to find help. Others struggle overcoming feelings of embarrassment and the stigma of asking for it. And even when they do reach out, they’re often met with long wait times and limited counseling staff.
Colleges sometimes refer
students to community providers to assist with the overflow. However, that’s not always practical for students with limited funds and transportation.
Historically, funding has played a crucial role in the availability of mental health services.
Today, it’s no different as the United States Department of Education is dismantling and hindering programs designed to help students navigate mental health challenges in the process.
So, where do we go from here?
Colleges need to ensure
students know what services are available and how to access them. That means routine announcements in class, visible signage on campus and staff dedicated to guiding students through the process.
Institutional efforts aren’t enough, student-led initiatives are critical.
These grassroots movements create peer support systems to promote connection and reduce stigma. They provide safe spaces where students can talk openly about their struggles and realize they’re not alone.
Peer support and community engagement through these initiatives have shown to improve mental health outcomes, especially when other services fall short.
Ultimately, mental health is not tomorrow’s issue, but today’s emergency.
If we want to see students thrive, it’s imperative that we support them mentally and emotionally. That means building awareness, fighting for funding and fostering community.
And to anyone who’s struggling, you’re not alone. Help is out there, reach out and speak up.
For more information on the mental health services offered at Miami Dade College, visit https://tinyurl. com/yc8rh534.
LISA SUAREZ / THE REPORTER
JESUS GARCIA / THE REPORTER
// FORUM
I’m A First-Generation American With Ukrainian Roots
Sean Yakobson reflects on growing up with Ukrainian parents, navigating the complexities of heritage, identity, and a war that feels both distant and deeply personal.
By Sean Yakobson sean.yakobson001@mymdc.net
The Soviet Union officially collapsed on Dec. 26, 1991. Fifteen former Soviet republics became independent nations, one of them was Ukraine—the country where my family is from.
Living in a newly formed nation was chaotic. It was a time of lawlessness, corruption was rampant. My family had seen enough. In 1996, my mom, dad and grandmother moved to South Florida,
Left, Right And
Amanda Hernández discusses the thrill of matching and sting of ghosting, as dating apps replace spontaneous connections, impacting the self-worth, mental health and relationships of users.
By Amanda Hernández a.hernandezgarcia003@mymdc.net
Not long ago, I joined Tinder and entered the world of swiping. I chatted with guys who seemed interesting—until one of them, after just three messages, sent an unsolicited graphic photo.
All I could do was laugh.
That laughter led to the realization that meeting someone spontaneously is almost as rare as witnessing a solar eclipse or finding someone who still uses a flip phone.
Dating apps have transformed how users connect, creating a culture of swipes, matches and ghosting. But what impact does that
making me a first-generation American.
The politics of discussing my family’s motherland is a rather interesting predicament. Anyone who was born in Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union says they’re Ukrainian, but what about the previous generations?
Back then, Ukraine wasn’t considered its own country; Ukrainian was frowned upon so everyone spoke Russian.
Growing up, people around me were proud of their heritage. However, I never felt prideful or thought I had an identity beyond being American. As I got older, I found out why.
My mom’s side of the family was Jewish, and with antisemitism existing in the communist regime, she never had the chance to openly keep any of her practices.
On the other hand, my dad wasn’t Jewish, but he was honest about his disdain for his family’s homeland, which raised cruel individuals and was filled with corruption.
Both came to the United States fully embracing their new identity with pride.
My parents were very clear that they had no love for their former
home, however, there was pride in the city they grew up in, Odessa, a port city just off the Black Sea. It’s the same sort of pride you see from New Yorkers when they boast about the borough they’re from.
At the end of the day, I’m very grateful to be here and not in the current Ukraine-Russia war, but I feel as though I’m missing something that many of my peers have.
The Ukraine-Russia war began on Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia launched a large-scale military invasion to take control of more Ukrainian territory and topple the nation’s government.
While my mom and dad don’t share feelings of “national pride”
for their former home, it pains them to see it ravaged by war and so many lives lost on both sides— people who are not so different from each other.
Currently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seeking more international support, including mineral partnerships with the U.S.
Meanwhile, there is skepticism revolving around the U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion about possible negotiations with Russia.
In short, the conflict remains intense, and there’s no clear resolution in sight even with ongoing military and diplomatic efforts.
Ghosted: The Reality of Modern Dating Apps
have on them psychologically and their relationships?
In 2012, dating apps took off with the arrival of Tinder, which remains one of the most popular platforms.
According to a study by Pew Research, most couples meet online rather than through mutual connections or chance encounters.
About 30% of American adults have used or currently use a dating app and half of them are under 30.
These platforms are designed for a generation that values instant, algorithm-driven matchmaking, bringing users bursts of serotonin while affecting their mental health and social habits.
Dating apps are a double-edged sword, especially in terms of self-worth. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want a match? That moment of excitement when we say: “They like me? No way!”
However, a study by the AltaOma Living Center found that users often fixate on match counts rather than remembering why they downloaded the app in the first place—to form meaningful connections.
Another issue is when matches don’t happen and self-doubt creeps in. It’s like expecting a stranger to stop you on the street and say, “I like you.”
Rejection isn’t processed rationally. Most people internalize it, often feeling like failures.
The addictive nature of dating apps is also hard to ignore.
Scientifically, getting a match triggers a flood of dopamine in the brain’s reward system.
Anticipation—the what if— keeps users hooked, creating a cycle of swipe-and-reward that can lead to hours of scrolling and chasing the next hit of excitement. That dopamine loop may explain why it’s difficult to put the phone down. We are always searching for the next match.
Ghosting—the act of disappearing without explanation—has also become the norm. A simple “I’m not interested” is often replaced with silence.
Many of us have ghosted someone at some point, but that doesn’t make it right. It remains an act of immaturity and a lack of emotional accountability.
Despite all of this, dating apps have at least expanded users’ social circles.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, they helped people stay connected, form friendships and build relationships.
They’ve provided sitcom-worthy moments like my unsolicited photo incident or a friend who chatted with someone for weeks, only to meet a completely different person on their date.
In the end, dating apps have shifted how people interact and perceive themselves. They’ve made users addicted to match counts and swiping, played with their self-esteem and normalized ghosting.
Yet, like any tool, the issue isn’t the app itself—it’s how it’s used.
Striking a balance is the key. We should enjoy the convenience of dating apps while still valuing eye contact, unfiltered conversations and the magic of spontaneity.
Editorial Board
Arce
Gabriela Bribiesca A&E Editor
Andrea Briones Social Media Director
Issue Staff
Sophia Arenas, Melanie Bello, Andrea Briones, Angelina Cabrera, Brendan Chuy, Emily De Los Reyes, Jesus Garcia, Sofia Garcia, Ivette Gomez, Yazid Guelida, Amanda Hernández, Luca Lausell, Geovanny Marcos-Pedro, Melissa Martinez, Sophia Massie, Isabel Paz, Ninette Portero, Nicolas Ramos, Pietra Romano, Charles Stemmer, Lisa Marie Suarez, Samuel Torres, Nikole Valiente, Benjamin Vera, Sean Yakobson
