// j an ua ry
vol. 12
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‘cirque’ goes 3d Teacher of the year Gun control debate heats up
artists of Varela
n i t e l l bu rd a o b
View p oints F rom th e E d itors
Hits and misses Varela being named an “A” school yet again. Our third year in a row!
Vice President Joe Biden’s press conference on gun control being interrupted by yet another school shooting.
The Twilight Saga is finally over. 2012 marked the end of an error.
The fact that the world did not end and we still have to get up way too early each day.
The @varelacat twitter documenting the life of one of Varela’s resident strays.
Editorial Board Pro-gun Libertarian Alex Jones losing it in his interview with Piers Morgan. Civility - learn it.
The Editor Says: staying honest
By the time we had finished distributing our November issue, we were already receiving feedback. It was not positive. Without our realizing it, the phrasing of our editorial (the collective editorial board opinion, traditionally presented without a specific name) and Hits and Misses (a new feature poking fun at each month’s occurrences in a snarky, candid fashion) offended members of our community. In retrospect, our phrasing was problematic. We’re a group of snarky teenagers with a sense of humor that is sometimes more cutting than we intend it to be.
volume 12 November ‘12
The way we articulate ourselves will not always translate well on paper, and this was one instance of just that. We apologize for this - the phrasing - but not the opinion. We understand why people - athletes, in particular - were offended. Our intention has never been and will never be to offend anybody. But the very nature of journalism means that, for every piece published, somebody will be offended. To apologize for the result (offense) is to apologize for the cause (opinions), and we feel that this is fundamentally outside of journalistic integrity and a basic respect for free speech. And while we may be a student publication for Felix Varela High School, it is no more our duty to be the school’s PR than it is for the Miami Herald to be Miami’s. As long as the Viper Vibe is an open forum for student expression, you will find the truth within its pages. Sometimes the truth means our candid perception of the school’s abundant flaws. We are committed to never giving you anything less. Happy new year and DFTBA, Claudia Morales Editor-in-Chief @ravenclawdia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Claudia Morales MANAGING EDITOR/ PHOTO EDITOR Janelle Malagon LIFESTYLE EDITOR Giovanna Navas SPORTS EDITOR Suzanne Pontillo
Staffers
Katie Ewald Shiloh Hayes Raquel Palacios Kristian Quincosa Ciro Salcedo
Adviser
Elizabeth Cardenas
Editorial Policy The Viper Vibe is the student newspaper of Felix Varela Senior High (15255 SW 96 St. Miami, FL, 33196). It is an open forum for student expression. The opinions expressed in the publication do not reflect the official opinions or policies of the school. The Viper Vibe welcomes letters to the editor, but requires that they be signed and reserves the right to reject, edit and condense letters. The staff and davisor can be contacted at 305-752-7900 or thevipervibe@gmail.com
Ads The Viper Vibe solicits advertising but reserves the right to reject any material deemed obscene as to minors, defamatory or materially and substantially disruptive of school activities.
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View p oi nt s F rom the Editors
We Say: gun culture must be dismantled
In Memoriam
A deafening silence resonates in the wake of gunshots. The time has come to break it. Between its 16 mass shootings and, according to the Daily Beast, a daily national average of 87 gun fatalities, 2012 in the United States was the year of gun violence. Mass shootings are now being called an American epidemic, and officials are scrambling for some miraculous solutions while abiding by the staunch code of silence that gun culture has enforced. It’s become routine: a tragedy will unfold, the media will quickly be slighted for covering the story too deeply, and somebody behind a National Rifle Association podium will remind us that “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” The statistics, however, suggest otherwise. In 2011, the World Health Organization reported an annual 0.25 gun-related deaths for every 100,000 people in the UK. This statistic comes after strict gun laws were introduced in light of the 1996 Dunblane school massacre in Scotland. That massacre accounted for 16 children and one teacher murdered. Legislation was swiftly introduced. Meanwhile, there was Columbine in
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1999 (15 deaths), Virginia Tech in 2007 (33 deaths), and - most recently - Newtown (28 deaths, 20 of them children). The World Health Organization reported an annual 10.2 gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2009. No substantial federal legislation has been introduced. In fact, whenever this is even suggested, deafening argument breaks out: “Second amendment!”
”A deafening silence resonates in the wake of gunshots. The time has come to break it.”
“Constitutional rights!” “Imminent dystopia!” The conversation can never even begin. As Jon Stewart put it in a recent segment on gun control, we are a nation that overreacts to everything but guns - a nation that has “step by step, childproofed America.” So what makes guns different? Is it the historical sentiment? The glamour?
The element of self-given safety? Here’s the thing: the excuses don’t matter. To even begin to prevent these tragedies, we must nip the problem in the bud. This means enacting substantial gun control policies and moving towards getting rid of such weapons altogether. This means putting a stop to excuses founded in distant possibilities - tyrannical takeovers among them - and doing some reflection on real, current events. This means finally prioritizing innocent lives above outdated ideals. Despite our adolescence, we’re not naive enough to believe guns are the only problem. We don’t expect America to become one big Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood as gun regulation increases. But we are hoping that we will never have to see a year like 2012 again. The assumption of relative safety is a human right, and it’s preposterous that we are losing that - especially in our sanctuaries of education and entertainment. Pass federal anti-gun legislation. Regulate bullets. Up the restrictions. Do whatever it takes. Just do something.
The Viper Vibe and its staff extend their condolences to all those affected by the Newtown tragedy. We would like to dedicate this space to the victims of the shooting, listed below. - Charlotte Bacon (6) - Daniel Barden (7) - Rachel Davino (29) - Olivia Engel (6) - Josephine Gay (7) - Ana M. Marquez-Greene (6) - Dylan Hockley (6) - Dawn Hochsprung (47) - Madeleine F. Hsu (6) - Catherine V. Hubbardfemale (6) - Chase Kowalski (7) - Jesse Lewis (6) - James Mattioli (6)
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- Grace McDonnell (7) - Anne Marie Murphy (52) - Emilie Parker (6) - Jack Pinto (6) - Noah Pozne (6) - Caroline Previdi (6) - Jessica Rekos (6) - Avielle Richman (6) - Lauren Rousseau (30) - Mary Sherlach (56) - Victoria Soto (27) - Benjamin Wheeler (6) - Allison N. Wyatt (6)
Viewp oints Op in ions
Face off: shootings
early intervention is imperative they are influenced. And while adults can be impressionable as well, we as a society tend to excuse that kind of behavior just because adults are expected to have the maturity to make their own decisions. And because of that, they would hold more, if not all, of the burden of that sort of thing.
by Giovanna navas
lifestyle Editor @gioomaria
What causes shootings and who should be held accountable? There really isn’t a single thing that “causes a shooting.” When a person decides to grab a weapon and use it against innocent people, there is never going to be a simple and concise answer as to why they’re doing it. But those reasons definitely vary on the individual. Suffice it to say, the accountability also varies upon circumstance. When a kid in high school picks up a gun there are so many different factors that can go into that. Not to say that they shouldn’t be held responsible. But what needs to be understood is that minors’ minds work differently. They are far more impressionable. A lot of what prompts their actions has to do with their home life and how
What can be done to prevent shootings?
Does violence in entertainment contribute to real-life violence? Violence in entertainment has been been around since the beginning of time. The only thing that has changed is its evolution. And yes, it’s obviously easy to get a weapon and mimic what is portrayed on screen, but at the end of the day, what you see on the screen is fiction. The blood is fake. The corpse on the floor is a living, breathing actor who is pretending. As far as the action performers that had filmed an anti-gun PSA, I don’t think it’s fair to call them hypocritical. Actors are not their characters. They are going on set to do a job and get paid for it. I can’t say this enough: movies are fictional. And if you can’t handle that, you shouldn’t be watching them. Period. How should these tragedies be covered? Should the shooter be covered less? While I do understand that having a well-rounded view of the shooter will make the media coverage more complex, it doesn’t feel right to give the shooter so much attention. Giving the shooter that coverage almost glamorizes it. One way or another, the shooter “Every teacher should get weapons, like bazookas. No one is going to mess with a teacher with a weapon that big. I’m serious.”
Leandro Reyes Junior
becomes a household name after mass media coverage. Whether famous or infamous, they are well known. And sometimes, that’s what the shooter wants. Why feed into that when it isn’t necessary?
What can be done to prevent future tragedies? Although one can’t always tell who will execute this act of violence, there are always at least subtle signs that a person is in a delicate state of mind. These people need and deserve to be helped. Whether it be as a result of bullying, mental health problems, or anything else that may warrant these violent tendencies, prevention is most effective when it’s addressed before anything tragic happens as a result of not preventing it at all.
In conclusion. I think the possible solutions are aforementioned. Aside from that, there is a regulation that needs to be put in place Looking at other countries outside of the United States that outlaw guns altogether, like the UK, for example, their violence rate is significantly lower than ours. I’m not saying to revoke our Second Amendment rights. But something needs to be done. The process by which one attains a gun needs to be more complex. And the fact that people are able to purchase guns at gun shows without a license, legally, is something that needs to be outlawed. “More security all around the school. Less Republicans.”
Daniella Benitez Senior
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Viewp oi nt s Op i n ions
Face off: shootings
society at epicenter of violence
by claudia morales editor-in-chief @ravenclawdia
What causes shootings and who should be held accountable? American society is constantly letting itself off the hook rather than atoning for its mistakes. Aspects of the Columbine case epitomize this apologism. In the years that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold attended Columbine High School, Rocky Hoffschneider was the stereotypical “alpha male” figure there. Extensive police reports reveal that Hoffschneider, star of the school wrestling team, more or less terrorized the school. His tirades often targeted Harris and Klebold-- two students who found themselves at the bottom of an actively vicious high school food chain. The Washington Post went so far as to call Columbine a “cult of the athlete” where faculty encouraged the situation. Thirteen years later, little has changed. Zero tolerance bullying policies as they stand today are a joke. Bullying culture thrives. Similarly, little has been done to improve mental healthcare even after a majority of shooters have shown signs of treatable illness. The vicious cycle continues-- with our blessing, at that.
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Does violence in entertainment contribute to real-life violence? No matter how taboo, we can no
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longer deny that violent media propagates violent culture. According to the 1998 National Television Study, American youth will have seen “16,000 murders, and 200,000 acts of violence” on television alone by the age of 18. Since the study first-shooter games have become wildly popular and far more realistic than anything Doom had to offer. I’m not suggesting that we all join the My Little Pony fandom and swear off violent media. At this point, I’m not sure I could bear to live without a weekly The Walking Dead fix myself. But I have to wonder-- why are our attention spans only ever torn from our phones when gunshots ring out on screen, lives are taken, and the shooter looks stunning doing it? There is no better way to send the message that violence is anywhere from okay to totally awesome than to have Sixpack McSwoon star in his sixth movie where he’ll receive acclaim and awards for, yes, killing people. Television, film, video games-- it’s all art. Being that art is a vital part and reflection of any culture, it seems it’s high time to reevaluate our entertainment. If nothing else, media should be used as a platform for introspection and discussion. Somewhere down the line, it would be great if all violence in art were present only as subversive.
How should these tragedies be covered? Should the shooter be covered less? Many outlets are criticized for covering the situation - or, at least, the shooter - too deeply. Anderson Cooper famously took steps not to say James Holmes’s name or show his mugshot throughout CNN’s coverage of the Aurora shooting, and this attitude returned with the Newtown coverage. While Cooper is one of my role models, I have to disagree with his philosophy. It is not journalism’s job to regulate reaction. Coverage should not be dictated by what the shooter did or did not want, and it is preposterous to suggest we sacrifice the smallest bit of information to prevent distant possibilities. Journalism is not a reward. It is not public relations. It is the presentation
of information, the telling of stories, the promise of accuracy. And if a tragedy occurs where it is another human at the epicenter, we need to know everything. Change cannot happen until we find it in ourselves to grasp the sheer personhood of everybody involved, from shooter to victim. To minimize coverage of the shooter is to minimize the causes and stagnate the possibility of progress. We need to know if a shooter was bullied (like Harris and Klebold) or if they expressed mental health concerns (as has been the case with a majority of perpetrators) because we need to work to weed these problems out. It is no longer sufficient to dab our tears away, say a half-hearted prayer if we’re so inclined, and move on. Until we work as part of an active solution, we’re part of the problem. Change begins with journalism. What can be done to prevent future tragedies? Prevention begins with admitting how deeply flawed we are. It’s pride that has prevented substantial gun legislature, gluttony that’s kept us glued to screens showcasing hundreds upon hundreds of murders each year, and a steadfast commitment to the violent status quo that reinforces a vicious social stratification. But it’s imperative that we sacrifice the faux comfort of social norms. We must stigmatize guns and destigmatize mental illness. We need to minimize the glamorization of violence. And if I hear one more claim that “something is being done about bullying” before we actively educate every citizen on every type of abuse out there, I will scream. We need to stop making excuses and start somewhere. Start here.
Synthesize the problem and the possible solutions. For my criticism of America, I do believe that we are a nation that can. Right now, I believe we’re a nation whose basic responsibility is to prevent these tragedies before any more happen. That’s not going to happen without a conscious effort to change.
News
What are you looking forward to in 2013? “New high school events.”
Stephanie Cardentey Freshman
“Another endof-the-world scenario.” Xavier Quinones Junior
“The trip to D.C.” Jennifer Lopez Sophomore
“Graduating and going to California for college.” Luigy Penaranda Senior photo by Janelle Malagon
News A ro u n d V arel a
The Sitch AGAIN: For the third year in a row, Varela has earned an ‘A’ grade from the district. This grade is determined by factors such as standardized test performance, Advanced Placement statistics and graduation rate. The Miami Herald reports that not one public school in the county received anything less than a ‘C.’
PAGEANTRY: The fifth annual Mr. Varela competition took place on December 19 after weeks of preparation. Each boy represented a Varela club. After the initial dance number and introductions, they were narrowed down to 10, These 10 then performed their talent - usually musical, though there was a poet and a humor sequence. Javi Alaya, Mr. Band, won. His talent was a trumpet cover of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean mixed with dancing to the same number, sequined glove and all. 8
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students withdrawn conflicting stories raise questions by Janelle Malagon Managing Editor @Janbydesign
When Sixto Montano, 18, was called down to Assistant Principal John Galardi’s office, he did not expect it would be the end of his public school education. Two meetings later, Montano would no longer be enrolled at Varela. This was not by his choosing. This school year has been characterized by word of students being withdrawn from school. Explanations of the process vary significantly. The Compulsory Law of Education in Florida dictates that, beginning at 17, students who are not on track for graduation can either be withdrawn, sent to Adult Education Centers (AECs) or sent to programs that offer General Education Degrees (GEDs). According to Galardi, he waits until the student turns 18 and, even then, does not withdraw. He hopes that, given this extra year, students will progress towards graduation at a steady pace. When this does not happen, other measures must be taken. Counselors file a credit history report for each student and then send Galardi a list of students that are 18 or older and behind in credits. These students are then called down to meet with Galardi. He says he presents the options. “At the AEC, they can earn credits every four months,” Galardi said. “So they’ll take four credits in the spring, four in the summer and another four in the fall. It’s a way to accelerate them because they’ve fallen behind. If the kid can’t do well on it or doesn’t like virtual school, then really they’re stuck with six classes a year and, mathematically, that sometimes slows them down in terms of graduating.” This was Montano’s situation when he was called down three months ago. He was told he did not have enough credits to graduate. Montano had been working on recovering credits through
night school and Virtual School, but he said this was not taken into account. The following day, his mother was brought in. “He said I didn’t have a chance anymore,” Montano said. “He told us I can’t stay in school anymore and that I had to leave.” Montano said he was given no further option whatsoever. He is now pursuing a GED of his own accord. GEDs are high school equivalent diplomas granted to students who take a preparation course and pass a series of five exams. In 2006, TIME Magazine reported that 60 percent of high school dropouts return for a diploma equivalent, but less than 10 percent of those returning students go on to pursue and obtain a college degree. The necessity of such pursuit begins at withdrawal. As more and more students are withdrawn from Varela, its morality has been brought to question. “These people do not appreciate the work that the school is putting towards them, not the work that the teachers or administrators or students put into them,” social studies teacher Raisa Garneff said. “If they’re just here to wreak havoc and to eat, at eighteen, they need to be doing that elsewhere.” Despite the process being legally sound, some students find it questionable. “You have to see if maybe something is going on at home,” sophomore Anelise Castillo said. “Maybe they’re just having a bad year. That happens to tons of kids and the school can’t really get in the middle of that, but they have to ask, especially if they’re going to the next step.” In an interview with the Vibe, Galardi explained the withdrawal process as a road to options for students incompatible with high school. Despite this, former students like Sixto Montano are evidence to the contrary. Several anonymous sources on file report similar stories> When asked to comment on this, Galardi declined.
What is Art? Art at varela goes beyond the classes. From the iprep building to the physical education department (Below), murals of all mediums beautify the school. the art hallway (above) is lined with students’ art. varela’s art is by, for and about the students. whether they create it or appreciate it, vipers’ lives are defined by such expression.
“Easily, it’s a good release for most students.” Zoraida Haibi-Figuera Art teacher
“It’s a stress reliever. It’s a way to connect with the world.” Fernando Feroni junior
photo by Janelle Malagon
Connor patrick Nelson
by Claudia Morales
Editor-in-Chief @ravenclawdia
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From playing in a band to editing for the Vox Vipera and writing novels on the side, senior Connor Patrick Nelson lives and breathes art. He’s been playing guitar since sixth grade, writing since he knew how to put pen to paper, and commanding audiences since the age of 12. Nelson is also strong academically, ranking in the top 3 percent of his class. He’s been part of the iPrep Academy since its inception. Before then, Nelson attended the Academy of Arts and Minds, a small charter school with a focus on the arts. “The people and the environment were unparalleled,” he said of A&M. “Everybody is so open and free and artistic. It was a small student body, so everybody knew everybody—both a good and
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bad thing.” But when the long commute proved too strenuous, Varela became an option. “After two years, I told myself—if I’m not doing this and being happy every second that I’m doing it, it’s not worth it,” Nelson said. “It was exhausting. At least here, if I’m miserable, I’m miserable five minutes away from home.” Nelson finished his sophomore year at A&M, then came here for his junior year. “[Transferring] was the hardest time of my life so far, honestly,” Nelson said. “Varela’s not as free as A&M was. It’s not that I was worried about what people think of me here [at Varela], but at the same time it’s not an environment where you can walk down the hall in the craziest outfit and not be scrutinized. It was accepting. It was artistic. Here... not so much. And there was much more negativity.”
As junior year drew to a close, Nelson says it became easier. In retrospect, he’s glad he transferred to Varela. In his senior year so far, Nelson has joined the boys’ swim team, performed and won at his second Varela Battle of the Bands and participated in Mr. Varela as Mr. Quill and Scroll. After competing in 2011 and not placing Nelson returned to the Battle of the Bands competition in 2012 with West End. They emerged the winners. The band has been together since 2009. Their influences range from Cage the Elephant to Arctic Monkeys, and their genre focus has shifted from punk to alternative over time. Nelson’s interest in playing music began in sixth grade. “I’ve always thought that performing was the coolest thing in the world,” Nelson said. “I took guitar in sixth grade. That one choice ended up defining a big part of my life. Domino effect.
“Art is therapy for the mind, our second voice. Without it I’d be even more insane.”
Connor patrick nelson
favorites Connor Nelson sings into his signature microphone. “I use it because it’s cool,” Nelson said. “I love the iconic look. I think it’s beautiful. I got that microphone as a gift from my parents a few years back and it’s been permanently attached to my hand ever since.”
Had I not chosen that one class, I don’t know where I would be right now.” At A&M, where Nelson’s strand was guitar, he took courses specifically geared towards the instrument. He also took courses like music theory and music appreciation. He says classes like these contributed immensely to the musician he is today. At the end of his sophomore year, Nelson was asked to sign to a small, local record label. His band had auditioned for the label, but only he was called back. “I was basically being asked to choose between my band and the opportunity,” Nelson said. “In the end, I chose my band.” As graduation approaches, the future of West End is in discussion. It’s “expected” that some band members will go away for college, though Nelson hopes to stay in Florida. Nelson is optimistic, however - if nothphotos by Janelle Malagon
ing else, they’ll get together and “jam” whenever the chance presents itself. In the long run, Nelson hopes to follow another passion - writing. “I’ve been writing since I could write,” Nelson said. “I’m always coming up with plots and stuff. I’m working on my third novel right now and I wrote my first script over the summer. I’m planning on maybe studying journalism in college, but I’d love to be a novelist. As long as I’m writing I’ll be happy.” Nelson is also the writing editor for Vox Vipera, Varela’s literary magazine. “Connor’s has very strong creative vision,” Vox Vipera Editor-in-Chief Giovanna Navas said. “He’s very skilled when it comes to imagery. I really enjoy working with him as an editor.” Nelson is by turns infectiously positive and humbly intellectual. It’s his quirky, personable disposition and unique worldview that set him aside.
(band) Green Day
(artist) Salvador Dali
(author) L. Frank Baum
(superheroes) Fantastic 4 th evip er vib e.tu m b lr .c om 11
fernando feroni Junior Art: music “When i was in the fifth grade my dad taught me how to play the saxophone and showed me jazz. Jazz means everything to me. I live it and breathe it. It is something i cannot live without. It is more than music for me - it’s almost a way of living.”
Nicole Visent Senior Art: theatre “I really wanted to become that type of performer that was an allaround performer, that didn’t just act but was able to perform, act, dance, tech, lead, everything. Theatre is my passion. It’s what I want to do in life. It’s second nature to me. This is my escape.” photos by Janelle Malagon
New s Aro u n d Varela
dr. vichot named teacher of the year
by Giovanna Navas
Lifestyle editor @gioomaria
Named the 2012-2013 Varela teacher of the year, Dr. Roberto Vichot is the school equivalent of a household name. His focus is twofold: philosophy and politics. In addition to this, he teaches world religions and economics courses. His teacher of the year title came after the traditional peer nomination and voting process. “I was awed [when I found out about my nomination],” he said. “Actually, I suppose the correct term would be disbelief. I think my initial reaction was to think ‘is this a joke?’ But yes, I was nominated alongside two other teach-
ers. There was then a voting process, which narrowed it down to two of us, and another voting process through which I was chosen.” Despite having classes bursting with students, Vichot’s regard for the individual is consistent. He aims to educate the individual, not the test-taker. “I highly respect him as a teacher for all the mentorship he provided me,” Varela alumnus Nicole Dasneves said. “He is an educator every student should have at least once.” Vichot’s insistence that every student is capable of greatness makes him the educator that he is. His views on education and the importance of his students is what sets him apart. “You learn what you teach,” Vichot said. “You learn from students and you learn from research.”
scan this with a smart phone app to see more of our stories. photos by Janelle Malagon
When asked about what got him into education, he thought for a moment and ultimately decided that there was not a single, defining event. It was something innate. “I’ve been involved in education all my life.” Vichot said. “I was involved in a club for future educators, or I tutored. Then I got into academia when I realized that it would help me do all the reading and research associated with my path.” This passion for education manifests itself in his teaching, which in turns inspires his students. “A genuine teacher gets you to come to his or her class with an anticipation to learn and come out feeling a little smarter,” senior Juan Barrios said. “I consider Vichot to be that type of teacher.” Vichot approaches teaching with a humanistic philosophy. “I believe that every student wants to know and do what is good,” Vichot said. “But I don’t believe knowledge is virtue or that students’ worth is defined by their intelligence.” Vichot’s dedication to his students is reflected in his teacher of the year title. He is an educator that goes out of his way to present his students with every option, combining textbooks with unique, impactful lessons to drive topics home. “Dr. Vichot is one of the most passionate educators I have come across during my high school career,” senior Maria Chicuen said. “His dedication and exemplary ethics in the workplace make being his student an honor. Whether he’s joking about his days teaching in Texas or lecturing on federalism, there is never a dull moment in room 155. I hope I encounter more teachers as genuine and knowledgeable as Dr. Vichot when it’s time to say goodbye to Felix Varela Senior High.”
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New s Beyon d Varela
tragedy escalates gun debate gun control and armed guard proposals in newtown’s wake by claudia morales
editor-in-chief @ravenclawdia
The tension rises. As President Barack Obama pushes for tighter gun control legislation, the National Rifle Association denounces his hesitance to back armed guards at schools. The nation finds itself just as divided. The night before Obama signed 23 executive actions not requiring congressional approval, the NRA launched a television ad in favor of introducing guns to schools. They drew a comparison between Obama’s daughters and the nation’s children, asking why the former could be protected by armed guards when the latter could not. Armed guards in schools have been proposed more and more since the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in December. Currently, Florida’s concealed carry permits exclude school campuses. Meanwhile, the Montepellier, OH school board has approved armed janitors. Some students are in full support of similar motions coming to Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS). “Today, the rationale behind school security in both public and private institutions sounds something like this: prepare for any and all dangerous situations and hope nobody gets hurt,” sophomore Justin Carrasquillo said. “By arming employees we may rephrase that to something like this: prepare for any and all dangerous situations, and if any threat arises that jeopardizes anyone’s life, take the necessary action to terminate the threat.” While employees were unarmed, there were armed guards present during the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings-- both of which ended in the shooters committing suicide.
“It wouldn’t make me feel any more secure,” senior Sarah Figueira said. “If anything, I’d feel less safe. Being that the majority of school shootings end in suicide, the prospect of death would not stop anybody. All more arms would do is introduce the possibility of crossfire.” Mother Jones reported that 36 of 62 shootings they analyzed ended in suicide. Other assert that MDCPS need not change. “Our county’s schools are extremely safe,” social studies teacher Pablo Gomez said. “We have very ef-
“I agree with the second amendment on principle, but how do you apply that and have a civil society?”
Richard Lapworth Science Teacher ficient systems of electronic surveillance and security systems and a full police department. I don’t think Dade schools have to change anything.” The county’s five-level code of conduct plan includes 29 acts of violence. Ostensibly, they are arranged by severity-- Level I includes confrontations between students while Level V includes homicide. Bullying, harassment, and possession of simulated weapons are all Level III offenses-alongside vandalism and disorderly conduct, but below Level IV’s theft offense. Offenses perpetrated against students are treated as less severe than equivalent offenses against MDCPS employees. The police do not get involved until Level V. The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence gave Florida a D- for its gun
policies in 2012. They cited its threeday waiting period as one of the saving graces. Its failure to license firearm owners, require registration or require background checks in private deals as some of its most prominent pitfalls. While the NRA stands by its “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” philosophy, some argue that guns are at the heart of the problem. “The thing about guns. with just one shot, you can kill somebody,” science teacher Richard Lapworth said. “With other weapons, at least you have to stab them a bunch of times. But you get the argument that guns don’t kill people, people kill people. That’s true but guns make it so easy to kill people that I do think there needs to be tighter controls.” The same day as the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, there was a mass stabbing in a Chinese school that left 22 injured but nobody dead. While the executives order that Obama signed fall short of gun control, such propositions are being put back on the table. Not everybody agrees with this. “The broader push for gun control is useless and ineffective,” Carrasquillo said. “[It’s a] response by opportunistic lawmakers in Congress. They see the mass shootings and how they affect everyone so deeply, especially when children are involved. What better way to push for something that recently expired?” An obstacle for those who support gun control is the idea of circumventing the second amendment. “As a country and a society we have to protect the rights given to us in the Bill of Rights,” Gomez said. “Whether we like them or not. We have to preserve one of them because if not, we could lose all of them.” Others believe the problem has escalated beyond that. “I agree with the second amendment on principle,” Lapworth said. “But how du apply it and have a civil society?”
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Th e V i p er V i b e A d s
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lifestyle
Lifestyle E nter tain m ent
‘TWILIGHT’ COMES TO A CLOSE by KATIE EWALD
SOCIAL MEDIA editor @c4lkatie The fifth film installment to the paranormal romance franchise Twilight marked the end of a phenomenon that had captivated its young fanbase for years. Dedicated fans of the epic romance made sure the saga ended on a high note. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, adapted from Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling series raked in $141.3 million during its opening weekend according to studio estimates. The conclusion to Breaking Dawn was quick paced and exciting. Director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) continued his vision presented in the first half of Breaking Dawn in this thrilling conclusion and did so in a way that was suspenseful, romantic and unexpectedly action-packed. The story continues right where Part 1 left off. Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is relishing her new life as both a vampire and a mother to little Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy). But her bliss is short lived after the story’s newest vampire antagonist Irina (Maggie Grace) strives to destroy the child as she believes it possesses immortality and poses as a threat to reveal the nature of vampires to the human world. With photo courtesy of Summit Entertainment
the help of vampire covens around the world, Bella and Edward (Robert Pattinson) will do whatever it takes to protect their daughter from Irina and the malevolent vampire coven, the Volturi. The film had a little something for every type of audience. Bella and Edward’s coveted romance was a central plot point, giving the audience ample scenes of the newlyweds together. Meanwhile, the action sequences satisfied in a more gripping way. Between the training sequences between the convergence of vampires fighting for Renesmee to the brutal and bloody twist at the apex of the movie, an added decision of Condon’s in order to give a crescendoed climax to the five-part story. Of course, between all the romance and action, there was comic relief that gave the characters and story a gentled realism. The relationship between Bella and her new vampire family, the Cullens, is at times just as lighthearted as it is intense as shown, for example, during Bella’s arm-wrestling fight with brother-in-law Emmett (Kellan Lutz). In addition, the many new characters of the story came together with wonderful chemistry. The casting for these characters was done brilliantly, embodying the Meyer’s characters with an almost identical physical description as seen in the novel. Amazon vampires Zafrina (Judith Shekoni) and Senna (Tracey Heggins),
for example, were brought to life with stunning accuracy, depicting the wild women for what they were in their derivative story. But the most satisfying cast choice was definitely newcomer Foy who portrayed Edward and Bella’s fast-growing daughter, Renesmee. Unfortunately, the effects of this film were not as well made as the casting decisions. In the film, there is a point in which a horribly animated CGI infant Renesmee is shown. This was done so poorly that it rendered its respective scenes awkward and unrealistic. This is not to say that there weren’t strong suits in the special effects department - Edward and Bella’s fast running and electricity emanating from Kate’s (Casey LaBow) hand - but, it was still a thwarting hindrance. However, that being said, the makeup was a significant compensation for this. For the first time since the franchise’s first movie adaptation Twilight, the vampires actually looked like pale skinned vampires rather than zombies. Overall, Breaking Dawn Part 2 does not disappoint. It was the thrilling conclusion audiences were craving and can be enjoyed from both fans of the franchise and non-fans alike.
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L i f est y le E nt er tai nment
Cloud Atlas
villains prevail in new film by Suzanne Pontillo
The screen adaptation of David Mitchell’s bestselling, convoluted novel Cloud Atlas was a visually stunning and multi-dimensional aggregation of narratives woven together. The small cast showcased stellar performances as they played a wide range of characters reincarnated across time, made possible by the groundbreaking makeup that was able to change both races and genders of the actors until they were unrecognizable until the end credits. Cloud Atlas’ diversity granted audiences a story to become immersed in and profound characters to root for.
Argo
Ben Affleck’s third major directing gig Argo is his best to date. With a compelling story set in revolutionary Iran, a CIA director devises a seemingly insane plan of extracting American hostages by creating a fake sciencefiction film and scouring Iran for “filming locations” while actually making their way towards an escape route. Affleck’s direction showcased the mercilessness of 1970s Iran without voiding the story of genuine human characters. The clever script and jarring direction of Argo may possibly give Affleck his first Oscar nod.
reviews by Giovanna Navas // Lifestyle Editor
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Sports Editor @smariepont
Disney’s new animated movie, Wreck-It Ralph captivates children and adults alike with a seemingly cliche story about a “bad guy” attempting to redeem himself. Ralph (John C. Reilly) is the villain in a Donkey Kong-esque arcade game entitled Fix It Felix. On the eve of the game’s 30th anniversary, Ralph grows tired of being a villain and crashes the townspeople’s party to show them that he can be just as good as the game’s hero. Despite Ralph’s benevolence, he gets rejected and decides to leave his game. Unfortunately, when he leaves, he doesn’t come back when the arcade opens because he is trying to find a gold medal that will prove his heroism. The way Disney had characters from different games travel and interact is probably one of their most brilliant ideas, putting a twist on New York’s Grand Central Station. During Ralph’s travels, he enters a typical first person shooter game and meets a soldier by the name of Calhoun (Jane Lynch), a woman with a tough exterior whose backstory is predictably sad yet funny. So basically, Jane Lynch was casted as the same character as always. He also meets a hyperactive little girl called Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) in a game that resembles Mario Kart. If Mario Kart took place in a world made of sweets and had painfully cute characters, that is (Sorry, Toad). Original characters aside, the movie is full of other characters from classic arcade games such as Street Fighter, Pac-Man, Q*bert and many others which had the 20-30 something year olds in the audience grinning from ear to ear along with the children.
Other than the myriad of characters that make the movie entertaining, the style of animation is another. Usually, I would frown upon Disney’s use of computer animation without the help of Pixar but this time around, it works well. Each world Ralph enters has different graphics and the way they work with it is so clever. For example, in the world of Fix It Felix, the graphics are pixelated and this is seen in the characters’ intentional choppy movements. However, the movie wasn’t perfect. The storyline was extremely predictable but c’mon, what Disney movie isn’t? Yet even with this, Wreck-It Ralph’s lovable characters, breathtaking graphics and easter eggs spread throughout the movie makes it worth watching and one of the most creative Disney movies out there.
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Photos courtesy of Cloud Atlas Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Walt Disney Animation Studios
Lifestyle E nter tain m ent
l i e l o S u D e u q r i Hits the big screen C by Giovanna navas
lifestyle editor @gioomaria
The visually enchanting show that extracts the acrobatic aspect of the circus and exploits it for the beautiful artform that it is, is now no more expensive than a film ticket. That is, if we’re talking about Andrew Adamson’s (The Chronicles of Narnia) 3-D film, Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away. In this film, a young unnamed man (Igor Zaripov) and woman (Erica Linz) are separately tossed into a Cirque Du Soleil dreamworld where the two will travel to find one another. The Worlds Away cast is devoid of any “actors,” consisting solely of Cirque performers, as the movie is comprised almost entirely of live footage from various shows in Las Vegas. This includes the film’s female star Linz who is a seasoned acrobat as well established Cirque performer. “There was a debate on whether [the producers] should use a Hollywood actress with a big name,” Linz said. “But it was important for them to be authentic.” As a result, the stars were able to perform intricate aerial routines without stunt doubles. Although these acrobatic numbers were nothing new for these performers, having 3-D cameras capturing their every move was something they needed to work around. “There was one scene where were Photos courtesy of Reel FX Creative Studios
we were flying through the air and I crashed into a 3-D camera and I bled on it,” Linz said. “And I think I might be the first aerialist to bleed on a million dollar camera but it was cool. I came down and got a Band-Aid.” The demand for transitioning from stage to film had an audition process not necessarily as intense as the regular Cirque auditions - which Linz describes as “the weirdest thing you can ever do” but, it was serious nonetheless. It was done through a series of phone calls and blind competition between the other contenders.
“The 3-D technology used for this film worked ideally and didn’t feel like a cheap visual gimmick.”
“They did the auditions all separately. We never met nor did we know that we were in the running against each other and those videos were sent to Andrew Adams in New Zealand,” Linz said. “He created the narrative and directed the film and eventually they decided on Igor Zaripov and I. Then, the next thing you know, we are performing in front of a bunch of 3-D computers.” The 3-D technology used for this film worked ideally and didn’t feel like a cheap visual gimmick the way most 3D films would. The whole idea of Worlds Away is to make the audience feel as if they are in the middle of a Cirque Du Soleil show. So
the aerialists and gymnasts jumping off of the screen really showcase that and make it less like a film and more like a live event. The fact that there are cameras capturing everything grants the show a precision that it wouldn’t have had otherwise. The audience is able to catch small things that wouldn’t normally be noticed while watching it from a distance. “Theres a moment when you see the girls run on the four-inch wide beam,” Linz said. “I’ve seen that show a thousand times and did not notice that. And that’s what is cool about the movie. It gives you a chance to see that.” Between the myriad of Cirque performances, there were additional scenes filmed in which Linz and Zaripov wander through the visually stunning dreamworld of Cirque, allowing them the chance to perform as actors rather than acrobats which was something new, but enjoyable for Linz. “I like the pace of life on set,” she said. “It’s very, very different from, like, in theater where live theater is totally linear. On stage it’s beginning, middle and end, while on a movie they might do end then middle.” Worlds Away epitomizes everything a live Cirque Du Soleil show demonstrates. It’s dazzling and enrapturing while depicting the beautiful world of Cirque in a multidimensional perspective.
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L i f est y le E nt er tai nment
What we saw from the filmore’s seats regina spektor’s ‘what we saw from the cheap seats’ tour comes to miami by Janelle Malagon Managing Editor @Janbydesign After nine years of only accessing recordings of the music that influenced me both as a person and musician, I got the opportunity to see Regina Spektor live when she came to Miami for the first time on her Fall tour. Spektor had what seemed like a full house. Within a half hour of the show’s set start time, all of the seats in the Miami Filmore were filled and the front half of the auditorium - set for standing room - was crammed with fans. Spektor’s opening act was her husband, Jack Dishel, whose stage name is Only Son. Dishel was not up to par, or even close to it. A definite lull in what was an otherwise stellar evening, his mellow songs lacked passion and energy. In turn, the audience’s attention drifted between Dishel’s lackluster vocals and the far more appealing stage set. Throughout Dishel’s thirty minute set, the mood in the auditorium shifted
What was a bit of a disappointment, though it was to be expected due to her general reservation, was Spektor’s lack of interaction with the crowd save for her performance of “Hotel Song.” Rather than merely going through the song by herself, she motioned towards the audience with a big grin to clap on beat with her as she sang. But despite her small, shy stage presence, she powerfully commanded the stage like she owned it. And she did. Seeing Regina Spektor for the first time, live, was an experience I won’t likely ever forget. Yes, the long intermission with a mediocre DJ or, what is more likely, a mixtape, was frustrating at best. Yes, Dishel’s performance was less than up to par. Yes, I would have done anything to have her acknowledge my tiny existence among the sea of people twice my size blocking my view. No, I would not trade the memory of hearing one of the most spectacular voices in the business for the world.
Claudia Morales
Janelle Malagon
Editor-in-chief
managing editor
editors’ picks:
Best albums of 2012 20
from mildly interested to bored. Though Dishel tried and interact with the crowd, we weren’t having much of it. Spektor took the stage after a very prolonged intermission with no explanation or apology. Despite this, I would be lying if I said my eyes didn’t well up the second she shyly stepped onstage, hands behind her back and head tilted down. After a brief introduction, Spektor straight into her setlist. It was comprised of at least one song from every one of her six studio albums, save for her debut, 11:11. The beauty of Regina Spektor and her music is most evident in her live performances. Though she is not a multi-platinum artist whose music is overplayed and ultimately destroyed by popular radio and remixes, her fanbase proves to be insurmountably loyal. Though many of the songs performed were over a decade old, there was not a corner in the room not filled with the voices of her fans, joining her as she sang. At some times, the crowd’s collective voice was louder than Spektor’s.
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Safe Travels
Jukebox the Ghost
Jukebox the Ghost’s third album is an artistic triumph, evoking everything from infectious happiness to somber introspection. With stellar lyrics and the band’s signature melodic genius, Safe Travels is worth every listen.
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What We Saw From the Cheap Seats
regina perfection spektor
Regina Spektor’s latest album is a great summary of the evolution of her music throughout the last decade, reflecting the various tonalities and genres her music encompasses.
Regina Spektor photo courtesy of Shervin Lainez, album photos courtesy of Yep Roc Records and Sire / Wea
Lifestyle E nter tain ment
‘RED’ IS BLAND BUT TOLERABLE by Giovanna Navas
Lifestyle Editor @gioomaria
In all honesty, Taylor Swift’s Red was not nearly as bad as it could have been.
If it’s any consolation, it’s probably the best record Swift has put out to date. Unfortunately, that doesn’t say much when the precedent set by her past work is so easily surmountable. Lyrically, Red is everything expected from a Taylor Swift album. A balance between the petty first-world problems of a beautiful girl who goes through men like she goes through underwear yet can’t seem to find “the one,” and sweet, magical love that conquers all. While the lyrical redundancy of the record was predictable, credit must be given to the attempted melodic and mu-
sical risks taken in some of the “edgier” tracks like the heavily auto-tuned “I Knew You Were Trouble” and the fastpaced title track “Red.” In addition to those, Red also offers an assortment of ear-assaulting pop tracks including “22” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” which could have just as easily been carelessly composed by a twelve year old schoolgirl with a rhyming dictionary. If it is possible to get past the abysmal lyrics, the musical aspect for a good 40 percent of the record is actually decent. With a slight indie pop-rock influence, she has taken advantage of a rich combination of sounds in order to give the instrumentals a climax that her work hadn’t really offered before. It may be a stray from the bubbly country-pop listeners are used to, but a lot of these sounds are nothing new. There isn’t a track on this album that hasn’t been heard before. There really
Giovanna Navas
Suzanne Pontillo
Lifestyle editor
Sports editor
isn’t a clear way to distinguish one song from another. While some, like “All Too Well” and the radio single “Begin Again,” are moderately listenable, the languid melodies are still familiar and predictable. Because I cannot completely dismiss the positives of this album - believe it or not, there are positives - I must make mention of Swift’s brilliant decision to collaborate with Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody. His clear instrumental influence in “The Last Time” created a lovely blend of various sounds, enriching the song as a whole and making it one of the record’s stand out tracks. And a few tracks later, listeners are given the treat of an Ed Sheeran collaboration with “Everything Has Changed.” As the apex of the record, the song is catchy, fun and just an overall pleasing listen. Ultimately, Red actually is a step forward. While the music and melodies are, for the most part, exhausted, they’re still miles better than her previous work. It’s not a lyrical stunner by any means and the music isn’t groundbreaking, but her fans will be impressed and non-fans might be able to tolerate it while walking through American Eagle. For her standards, it’s a valiant effort that should be commended. But as a stand-alone album, it leaves a lot to be desired.
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neck of the woods
My Head Is An Animal
With this new record, cohesion is at its height. Neck of the Woods manages to maintain musical sublety through its full instrumentals that do much for its emotionally-charged lyrics.
With a sound that’s all their own, it comes to no surprise that when Iceland’s six-piece indie-rock band, Of Monsters and Men made their way to the U.S.
silversun pickups
Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Bryan Mitchell/Detroit, albums courtesy of Dangerbird and Universal Republic
of monsters and men
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L i f est y le E nt er tai nment
west end debuts with ep Battle of the Band winners off to rough start
by Janelle malagon
managing Editor @janbydesign
West End’s freshman, selftitled EP can be best called a beginning. A start.
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Ultimately, it sounds like a group of talented musicians decided to play together on a whim. There are instances of the band playing as a cohesive group, but they’re rare. “Lonely Girl” is a weak track, especially for an opening song. It reveals the band’s youth a bit too well. The lyrics are unrefined and underdeveloped with phrases like “what separates her from the crowd” and “when her loneliness will descend.” The song itself tries to cover all the bases of teenage angst. This, however, was strong in comparison to “Big Happy Business Man.” I for one forgot that “crappy” was an appropriate word with which to rhyme. The musicality is also questionable with a trill at the end of the song that has no business being more than two seconds long. And yet it is. The instrumentals are not much better. Frankly, it sounds as though the lead guitarist took his five favorite techniques and crammed them into a four minute song. An ongoing issue with the album, especially prevalent in “Sad Little Clown,” is lead singer Connor Patrick Nelson’s clean-cut voice when the band
t hevi p er vi b e . t u m b l r. com
seems to be going for a rugged, Yellowcard-like tone. The two do not mesh particularly well. The levels on the album are inconsistent, to put it lightly. At some points, the instruments overpower the vocals. Other times, it’s the other way around. This is, unfortunately, the work of the producer rather than the band but it is the band’s burden to bear. “Soft Words and Sweet Stares” would have been a great song were it not for the overbearing guitar riffs as a result of bad levelling and repetition. I commend the band for experimenting with a filter on this song, but it didn’t quite work out. The highlight of the album is probably “What We Know,” which the band performed at Varela’s Battle of the Bands. Sure, it’s a bit safe in its composition, starting off with what sounds like a pre-produced, repetitive introduction and it lacks any experimental transitions between verses, but it’s the indubitable saving grace of the album. Overall, despite its blatant shortcomings, West End was better than expected. For a freshman EP, it is more professional and put together than many other bands’ initial works. West End has potential. By listening to one another and working together rather than exhibiting their own talents, West End could become a force to be reckoned with. And hopefully, once they pick up experience and learn the ways of the business, they can work more closely with the producer to ensure a consistent, stable album with an ongoing theme. It’s this flicker of potential that gives me the hope that this band will become all that I know they can be. It’s just going to take a little work along the way.
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Who’s on the soundtrack to your life?
“Zac Brown Band.” - Daniel Aldana, 11
“Buddy Rich.”
- Sebastian Ramirez, senior
“Disturbed.”
- Jonathan Donat, junior
West End photo by Chelsea Taylor
Lifestyle E nter tain ment
bEST books OF 2012
THE EDITORS’ PICKS Giovanna Navas
Claudia Morales
Lifestyle editor
Editor-in-chief
Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
The Fault in our stars by john green
City of lost souls by cassandra clare
struck by lightning by chris colfer
What separates Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series from its predecessor Percy Jackson and the Olympians is that there is simply so much more. Mark of Athena might be Riordan’s best book to date. It’s quickly paced and filled with likable, relatable characters that will make you laugh as often as they’ll consume you with feelings.
The fifth installment to Cassandra Clare’s gripping series follows several different characters as they strive to take down a rogue Nephilim hellbent on creating a demon-led Shadow World. It’s a fast, darkly humorous, jagged page turner that will more likely than not prompt readers to throw the book at a wall and scream every fifteen pages.
After spending almost all of 2012 atop the New York Times Bestseller list, The Fault in our Stars has such a community behind it that it sold out an anniversary show at Carnegie Hall and prompted dozens of bookstore screenings around the world. This is beyond justified: the book is a work of stunning power, emotion and beauty. It should be on every reader’s list.
Despite periodically cringe-worthy writing and a protagonist with all the harsh judgements of a middle schooler, Colfer’s second novel is striking. It is a story told with such sincerity and simplicity that it hits home with any student journalist, any aspiring writer, any high school student. Struck By Lightning proves to a wider audience what fans already knew: Chris Colfer is everything.
Pizza Bagels Instructions 1) Cut the bagel in half.
ingredients
1) 1 bagel 2) Tomato sauce 3) Shredded cheese 4) An oven 5) Spices 6) Any other toppings you wish to put on your pizza
2) Spread the tomato sauce across the top of each bagel half. Sprinkle cheese on top. 3) Now it’s time to customize your very own pizza. If you’re just a casual, stick the pizza in the oven for around 10 – 15 minutes or until the cheese looks melted. However, if you like living on the dangerous (it’s really not dangerous at all) side of life, feel free to add any spices or toppings.
recipe by Suzanne Pontillo // Sports Editor
Book photo by Janelle Malagon; pizza photo by Franco Pontillo
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S port s | I n V arel a
SPORTS SCHEDULE
sports
Girls’ Soccer:
1/10: vs. Coral Gables @ Kendall Soccer Park 4:30 p.m.
Boys’ Soccer:
1/7: vs. Mast Academy @ Varela 3:30 p.m. 1/8: @ South Dade 4 p.m. 1/11: vs. Coral Reef @ Cutler Ridge Park 4 p.m.
Girls’ Basketball:
1/7: @ Miami Beach Senior 5 p.m. 1/7 JV: @ Miami Beach Senior 3:30 p.m. 1/9: @ Miami Killian 7:30 p.m. 1/9 JV: @ Miami Killian 6 p.m. 1/11: vs. Hialeah Miami Lakes @ Varela Gym 6 p.m. 1/14: vs. Coral Gables @ Varela Gym 5 p.m. 1/16: vs. Coral Reef @ Varela Gym 7:30 p.m.
Boys’ Basketball:
1/7: @ Braddock 7:30 p.m. 1/7 JV: @ Braddock 6 p.m. 1/8: @ South Dade 7:30 p.m. 1/8 JV: @ South Dade 6 p.m. 1/10 JV: vs. Coral Park @ Varela Gym 6 p.m. 1/14: @ Ferguson 7:30 p.m. 1/15: @ Miami Killian 7:30 p.m. 1/17: vs Coral Reef @ Varela Gym 7:30 p.m. 1/25: vs. Miami Sunset @ American Airlines Arena 2 p.m. 1/30: @ Belen Jesuit 7:30 p.m.
Wrestling:
1/9: vs. Miami Beach Senior @ Varela Gym 7 p.m. 1/15: vs. Miami Sunset @ Varela Gym 7 p.m. 1/22: vs. Southwest Miami @ Varela Gym 7 p.m.
For more sports and schedules: http://47289.digitalsports.com 24 thevipervibe.tumblr.com
Taking on the American Airlines Arena by suzanne pontillo sports editor
On Friday, January 25, the boys’ basketball team will be going against Miami Sunset High School, but what makes this game so different is that they will be playing in the American Airlines Arena. Tickets are $35 and include transportation via “fan bus” and a ticket to the February 24 Miami Heat game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Varela-Sunset game begins at 2 p.m. and the fan bus will be leaving the school at noon. The Viper Vibe: When was this event first planned? Coach Cesar Lacaci: The event was planned in late August, early September.
TVV: How did you organize it with Sunset and the American Airlines Arena? CL: Coach Jicha, the basketball coach at Sunset and good friend of mine, asked me if I would like to take on this special game. I said, of course I would. The Heat determines for what days and games the Arena is available. TVV: Are Varela and Sunset the only schools that are going to have this opportunity? CL: Anyone can do it, but a lot of schools don’t because it requires a lot of work on the athletic directors’ and coaches’ part. TVV: How do you think the venue
will impact the game? CL: It will impact the game in different ways. The players will be awestruck that they are playing on the same court that so many great players have performed on. There is a huge difference between shooting in a gym and an arena, your depth perception is affected because of all the space behind the baskets. The court is also 10 feet longer than the high school court. These are just some of the things that will have an effect.
TVV: What are some of your expectations of this game and what do you think will be the turn out? CL: My expectations are the same as every other game; I will expect my players to be focused and ready to play hard. I think the turnout will be good. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, not only for the players, but for their family and friends as well. TVV: Will the team be able to interact with the Heat? CL: The team will not be able to interact with the Heat.
TVV: The tickets for this game include tickets for a February Heat game, where are these seats exactly? CL: The seats for the February Heat game are in the 400 level. However, there is not a bad seat in the house!
photo by Foxmar
S p or ts | I n Varela
Fall Wrap-up Girls Volleyball The girls volleyball season started on a low note but they persevered and avenged their early season losses. Determined, they became a West Palm Beach Invitational team and won the Silver Bracket championship title. The season ended with a score of 10 wins and 11 losses, though with the title of champions, the girls are walking away from the team confident that next year will be even better.
cross country
The cross country team faced tough losses this season but these were ultimately overshadowed by their wins. Some of the team’s best were sent to the state competition last month; four seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and one freshman. Their hard work was rewarded when they placed 21st at States out of 27 teams.
contributing writers: Suzanne Pontillo, Giovanna Navas, Alexa Jimenez, Kristian Qincosa // photo credit: Foxmar
swimming As the curtain closes for the swim season, they are able to look back on making it to Regionals. Sophomore Robert Matias qualified for the 100 fly and the 4x100 free relay, despite a subsequent injury, while freshman Andrea Gutierrez qualified for the 200 individual medley. Coach Cindy Uribe feels confident that her freshman-heavy team will grow even closer together throughout future seasons and improve their times.
football With a record of 5-5, the football team experienced a series of highs and lows this season, the most memorable of which being the Homecoming victory and the loss of Districts. Despite their loss, the team moved on to the playoffs to go against Sunset. This time, the game ended with a score of 29-16, kicking Varela out of the playoffs. However, this did not dampen their spirits-- the season ended on a hopeful note due to all the adversity they faced and how they managed to overcome it as a family.
thevipervibe.tumblr.com 25
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