Distraction Magazine Spring 2024

A new club drug is on the rise. Read on to see what’s popping.

spring 2024

TRAVIAN

An upcoming rapper and current UM Junior.

OUT OF OFFICE

How to look chic during your grueling 9-to-5.

the university of miami magazine of the students of the RUSH

This issue’s special section focues on the rush of life. Whatever you find it to be.

the university of miami magazine of the students of the

RUSH

This issue’s special section focues on the rush of life. Whatever you find it to be.

OUT OF OFFICE

How to look chic during your grueling 9-to-5.

HEADRUSH

A new club drug is on the rise. Read on to see what’s popping.

spring 2024

An upcoming rapper and current UM Junior.

the university of miami magazine of the students of the

Out of Office

How to look chic during your grueling 9-to-5.

RUSH

This issue’s special section focues on the rush of life. Whatever you find it to be.

TRAVIAN

An upcoming rapper and current UM Junior.

HEADRUSH

A new club drug is on the rise. Read on to see what’s popping.

spring 2024

RUSH

This issue’s special section focues on the rush of life. Whatever you find it to be.

the university of miami magazine of the students of the

spring 2024

A new club drug is on the rise. Read on to see what’s popping.

TRAVIAN

An upcoming rapper and current UM Junior.

OUT OF OFFICE

How to look chic during your grueling 9-to-5.

RUSH

This issue’s special section focues on the rush of life. Whatever you find it to be.

spring 2024

WHERE WOULD YOU GO FOR YOUR DREAM SPRING BREAK VACATION?

THE TEAM

Editor-in-Chief_Sal Puma

Managing Editor_Andrew McCleskey

Executive Editor_Matt Jiménez

PR & Social Media Director_Lex Kondratenko

Digital Executive Editor_Amanda Mohamad

Art Director_Marita Gavioti

Assistant Art Director_Julia Gomez

Assistant Art Director_Charlotte DeAngelis

Illustration Director_Rachel Farinas

Photo Director_Sharron Lou

Photo Director_Valeria Barbaglio

Assistant Photo Director_Ethan Dosa

CONTRIBUTORS

Raiya Khan_writer

Nicole Vedder_writer

Ariella Green_writer

Kaya Langley_writer

Grace Tylee_writer

Isabella Popadiuk_writer

Sabrina Catalan_writer

Zhangjiajie, China

e Guide Editor_Caleigh Russo

Happening Editor_Tamia McLean

Health & Wellness Editor_Veronika Valia

Fashion Editor_Victoria Fondeur

Social Media Manager_Morgan Black

Social Media Manager_Remi Turner

Events Manager_Devin ompson

Faculty Adviser_Randy Stano

Supporting Faculty_Tsitsi Wakhisi

Mariaregina Mendoza_writer

Steven Calcutt_writer

Charmaine Tatenda Mukurazhizha_writer

Uyanga Erdenebayare_designer

Luc Bennett_designer

Maya Armster_designer

Galina Dumov_designer

Mikhael Pivacek_designer

Constanza Ardiles_designer

Maya Gottlieb_photographer

Jared Lennon_photographer

Hunter Holstein_illustrator

Nic Faccina_designer&writer

Jay Moyer_illustrator&writer

Andrés Alessando_designer&illustrator

Melanie Bergunker_designer&illustrator

Carlos Sosa_social media team

Mateo Pérez_social media team

Gracie Herberholt_social media team

ABOUT US

e magazine is produced four times per year, twice a semester. City Graphics and Bellack Miami printed 2,000 copies of the magazine on 8.5 x 11 inch, 60-pound coated text paper 4/4. e entire magazine is printed four-color and perfect bound. Most text is nine-point Minion Pro with 9.8 points of leading set ragged with a combination of bold, medium and italic. All pages were designed using Adobe Creative Suite CC so ware InDesign with photographs and artwork handled in Photoshop and Illustrator. For additional information, visit distractionmagazine.com. Questions and comments can be sent to 1330 Miller Drive, Student Media Suite 202A, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, dropped into SSC Student Media Suite Suite 200 or emailed to distraction305@gmail.com. All articles, photographs and illustrations are copyrighted by the University of Miami.

When it comes to contributors, we’re not picky. Whether you’ve found your niche in a biology book, you’re notorious for doing “nothing” at the comm or business school or you’re halfway into your college career and still wave that “undeclared major” ag, we want to hear what you have to say. Distraction is an extracurricular/volunteer operation made for students, by students, and covers the full spectrum of student life here at e U. If you want to get involved or have any questions, comments or concerns email us at distraction305@gmail.com.

e gardens of Versailles

Kalokairi

Granada Spain

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Hello Distraction! We’ve had a recent changing of the guard in our sta , and I am honored to be our new editor-in-chief. Another thing to add to my long and weird resume. It still feels unreal, but I promise to keep the magazine in good hands. is issue , our special section is titled “Rush.” We unabashedly took inspiration from Troye Sivan’s song of the same name, but that’s what you get when your sta is chronically online. e rush is a state of mind, and we tried to encapsulate it in all of its glory. To do so, we covered everything from going out and shaking what your mama gave you to shaking your st in anger as you sit in Miami rush hour tra c.

Whether you’re an avid reader or just a co ee table collector, we are honored that you chose our magazine to be one of your distractions of the day. So, sit down, read a little and spread the news of the cute little indie magazine on campus. -Huzzah!

Welcome to your roadmap. From the how-tos to the bestofs , The Guide covers it all. Talk about which frat events you should be on the lookout for and what to expect. Learn all your investment essentials , ethical AI usage and how to unleash your inner critic with Letterboxd. Whatever you’re looking for, let us guide you.

THE GUIDE

Here at the University of Miami, Greek life has long been a staple of the social scene on- and o -campus. “UM frats have so many di erent social events: day parties, night parties, themed parties, there’s always something to do,” said freshman Preston Chazulle. And she’s so right.

words_raiya khan. design_charlotte deangelis. photo_ethan dosa.

Been There

If you come to the University of Miami and want to go to a frat party, you will always have options. And don’t worry, the frat guys don’t really turn people away, at least, that’s been my experience here as a girl — to the guys, sorry, I know it’s di erent for you.

Now, while frat parties can be fun, not every party you go to is a guaranteed good time. In fact, the only thing you’re guaranteed at a frat party is people stumbling around, something spilt all over the oor and someone inevitably being stupid enough to jump or fall into the pool.

Seriously, if there’s one thing you take away from this guide it’s don’t get in the frat pools at night. You’ve got no idea what lurks in those waters.

is article will lead you through what not to do and what to do when going to a frat — whether that’s what to wear, how to stay safe and which types of frat parties people prefer.

So let’s start with the most important part of this article rst: tips for how to stay safe at frat parties.

Nikki Albert, a freshman in the sorority Pi Beta Phi, shared three important tips about safety for when you get to the party.

“Stay with your friends, always have a way home and don’t take drinks from strangers,” Albert said.

It’s important to be proactive and aware of your surroundings, especially regarding your drinks. You’ve probably heard this before but don’t drink beverages that you did not pour or witness someone else pour, always watch your drink and never leave it unattended.

Chazulle also emphasized how you always have the option to leave.

“You should have fun, and if you’re not and, you don’t like it, you can always leave.

Don’t stay someplace when you don’t want to be there. If you feel uncomfortable go,” Chazulle said.

e UMPD also provides a safe escort service if you nd yourself on campus alone at night. is occurrence happens to students coming back from frats far more o en than you might think, and it’s important to remember you have resources provided to you that can help keep you safe.

e Rave Guardian Safety App is also a good way for students to feel more comfortable, as it allows students to preregister emergency information, utilize virtual trip safety escort and has a one-touch call button to the UMPD.

For many people, the most fun part about going out happens before you even leave. I’m

“You should have fun, and if you’re not and, you don’t like it, you can always leave.”

Preston Chazulle

talking about pregaming, and one of the best things about pregaming is the music. Albert’s favorite artist to listen to is David Guetta, while Chazulle likes a range of artists.

“I really like listening to early 2000s party songs like Usher and Flo Rida. ey all have really great songs to pregame to and get ready with,” Chazulle said, “Oh and Drake. Drake just has music for everyone, he’s just made so many di erent songs and has really good party tunes.”

Now on to what to wear — don’t wear nice clothes or clothes you care a lot about. If you do, be prepared for them to get dirty. At frat parties, you are shoulder-to-

Frats use Greek letters because, when rst created in the late 18th century, founders thought that Greek letters would only be decipherable to students who were “in the loop” and were cultured enough to recognize which language it was.

Done Frat

shoulder with the person next to you, so it can get gross with no personal space. People

party, tailgates and “darties” — that’s day and party mashed together for those of you who don’t know.

Chazulle’s favorite are the pool parties.

Before you even get to the frat remember to do these things:

Before we can begin to mention the abuses, it’s important to note what AI is. We hear the term all the time, and because of that, likely nobody has even bothered you with the question, “what is AI?” since we all assume we have basic understandings of it.

AI is more than robots and ChatGPT. According to Columbia Engineering, AI revolves around technology development that simulates human abilities and goes beyond what humans can do.

As humans, we inherently believe that no species is better than us, especially not more intelligent. So, how is it that AI can do more than we can, even if it’s created by us? Machine learning, ML, is considered a subcategory of AI. It’s the part of a system that recognizes the patterns from data inputted to improve the results it provides. ink of your YouTube search history. If you are constantly searching for cooking videos, more cooking videos will appear on the home screen without you having to search them. Any program with an

algorithm — TikTok, Instagram, etc. — that appeals to audience desire comes from the advancements of ML.

In the summer of 1956, computer scientist Alan Turing held a workshop at Dartmouth College sharing his research of what he called at the time “machine intelligence.” ose who helped to organize and attended the Dartmouth Summer Research Project on Arti cial Intelligence, such as John McCarthy and Arthur Samuel, are considered the founding fathers of AI. eir initial years of research, known as the “golden years” of theoretical AI, are the foundations for all AI and ML today.

Class in Session

Over the past year, the University of Miami has taken the potential misuse of AI systems into consideration. While clauses in syllabi regarding plagiarism clearly state that it’s prohibited and will result in school disciplinary action, there is no exclusive approach for using AI in the classroom.

UM computer science professor Ubbo

Visser, who has researched AI and robotics for over 25 years, believes that choosing to instill repercussions should be up to the discretion of the professor or department that creates the class. Visser does not believe in bringing higher school authority into the mix for the classes he teaches.

“You are all adults, and it is up to you to learn something or not. You hand in your assignments generated by something, and maybe you get enough points to survive the class. And then what? Did you learn anything? No,” Visser said.

Lewis Walker, a senior majoring in motion pictures, was previously prohibited from using AI in his lm classes. However, this semester, he is taking a photoshop class which allows him to use it.

“ChatGPT is one of the craziest search engines and tools I’ve ever seen. You can

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Artificial intelligence. It’s everywhere and on unstoppable rise. While news outlets find new reasons to make you fear artificial intelligence, there are several ways, especially for university students, to use it to enhance our lives in a practical way. Nonetheless, even practicality comes with an unsaid rule book, and ethics come into play. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. So where do we draw the line between helpful and hurtful?

words_amanda mohamad. design_sal puma&uyanga erdenebayar. illustration_rachel farinas.

seriously use it for almost any part of your life. I think when Google fails in one area, then using AI can help,” Walker said.

To Be or Not to Be Afraid

Disclaimer: is section of the article mentions sexual misconduct and abuse. Do not continue reading if you are uncomfortable with this topic.

Because AI technologies are gradually becoming a new normal, it’s become more challenging to establish boundaries. Deepfakes — a combination of “deep learning” and “fake” — have accumulated worldwide attention for their harmful uses and damages. ey are images or videos manipulated using AI to look like something else.

Chidera Okolie, a Nigerian writer and cybersecurity analyst, published an essay on deepfake use in 2023 for Bridgewater State University entitled “Arti cial IntelligenceAltered Videos (Deepfakes), Image-Based Sexual Abuse and Data Privacy Concerns,” which focuses on how its technology is used for sexual abuses, especially in the pornography industry.

Okolie’s essay mentions several victims of deepfake pornography, including Northern Irish politician Cara Hunter, who was running for the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022 when a pornographic video of what appeared to be her engaging in oral sex began to circulate the internet.

“I was at a family party, it was my grandmother’s 90th birthday. I was surrounded by family and my phone was just going ‘ding, ding, ding.’ I remember my cheeks ashing red and thinking: ‘who is this person? Did I have sex with this person?’ Two days a er the video started doing the rounds, a man stopped me in the street when I was walking by myself and asked for oral sex,” Hunter said.

Are there laws in place to prevent further situations like Hunter’s? Yes, but it has not entirely resolved the issue.

e U.S. Malicious Deep Fake Prohibition Act of 2018 has been criticized for its de nition of deepfakes being overbroad,

de ning them as “any audiovisual record created or altered in a manner that the record would falsely appear to a reasonable observer to be an authentic record of the actual speech or conduct of an individual.”

Why haven’t the laws been altered?

Okolie wrote, “a law is only an e ective regulator where there is a named perpetrator. In this instance, a law can only protect victims when the creators of the pornographic deepfakes can be easily found. And with the current technological tools that help to generate anonymity in the face of crime, it will be rather di cult to bring the abusers within the ambit of the law.”

anks to government action, it’s hard to ignore the harm AI has caused. Nonetheless, you hopefully know what’s inherently right and wrong without a law having to remind you.

Playing by the Rules

Where Do We Go from Here?

Let’s face the inevitable: AI is not going anywhere so, in some cases, it could be worth experimenting with.

Duncan MacLellan, a junior economics major, recently took a practical AI course, where he learned more about the future of AI.

“AI could be as intelligent or more intelligent than a human and a major support in research, innovation and learning. In this state, it could be dangerous if not controlled, but also it could signi cantly improve the quality of our lives,” MacLellan said.

Business technology professor Nina Huang also sees an optimistic future with AI.

“ e positive aspects of AI and ML can be multifold — these technologies can augment human capabilities, improve productivity, and possibly enrich humans’ life experiences. For everyday users, AI tools o er entertainment and help with interesting discoveries,” Huang said.

However, Huang acknowledges it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

“I believe awareness, understanding, and education are important to prevent technological misuse. We need to know what speci cally we are dealing with before coming to conclusions or seeking solutions,” Huang said.

To those of you who need an actual rule book, guess what? Someone wrote one. Union Network International, a global union representing over 20 million trade skills workers in more than 150 countries, published “Top 10 Principles for Ethical Arti cial Intelligence” in October 2023. UNI wrote in the introduction to their principles, “with an urgency of now, UNI calls on all companies and governments to engage with the union movement, to co-create a just transition to a future of decent work. From the design of new technologies, AI and algorithms to the impact on the end-user, ethical and social considerations must be made that put people and planet rst.” Before you dive head rst into the world of AI, make sure you know the facts and proceed with caution.

INVE$T IN THE BE$T

For many of us the only things we are invested in are the shows we binge watch after class. Though for the more business savvy there is a whole other world you can invest in, the stock market. To the outsider it may just look like a bunch of scary line graphs and numbers, but if you learn a little about what they mean and how to follow the trends you might be able to make a little money

words_charmaine tatenda mukurazhizha. design&illustration_andrés alessandro

With tips from YouTube and from listening to “what my guy friends were doing at the time,”

University of Miami junior Lauren Fernandez made her rst stock market purchase when she was still in high school. She also checked out online brokers that cater to beginner investors.

“I started investing in Robinhood, which I know is a starter one not really like for advanced people,” said Fernandez, a health major. “If you’re just starting out, that’s the one.”

Like Warren Bu et, one of the world’s most successful investors, Fernandez and many young people are not waiting for a degree, a full-time job and a steady paycheck to learn how the stock market works. Bu ett was 11 years old when he purchased his rst shares of stock.

“ e year was 1942, I was 11, and I went all in, investing $114.75 I had begun accumulating at age 6,” Bu ett wrote in his annual letter to shareholders in 2019. “What I bought was three shares of Cities Service preferred stock. I had become a capitalist, and it felt good.”

Young investors have the bene t of time, investment advisors say.

Robert Farrington, founder of “ e College Investor,” a personal nance site for millennials, says that a person who starts investing at age 18 has signi cant advantage over the person who starts investing a er college or a er entering the job market.

Walter O’Leary, a managing partner at South Pointe Capital LLC and an executivein-residence at the Miami Herbert Business School at UM, agrees.

“I think especially younger people, who have a longer horizon and perhaps a higher willingness to take on risk, should invest for their future in equities, as opposed to say, somebody who is about to retire and has less willingness to take risk and needs the income for surviving, paying rent and buying food,” O’Leary said.

While precocious investors like Fernandez and Bu ett couldn’t wait to get started in the market, others say they don’t think investing is something that they can or should do. It is estimated that 40% of 18- to 29-year-olds in the United States invest in the stock market, but only about 14% of college students invest, according to a 2023 national online survey of undergraduate students conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights.

“A lot of people are very intimidated by investing because typically, like nance, it is a very male-dominated eld and it feels like there’s no space for people that may not look a certain way or may not come from a certain background,” said Olivia Martinez, a junior chemistry major and a member of Canes Invested. e UM investment club teaches students of color and marginalized

communities’ methods of building wealth. She said intimidation keeps a lot of people out of the conversation. “ at’s part of why this club was even founded so that there is a seat at the table for everyone,” Martinez said.

Other students say they want to be more knowledgeable about the stock market and how it operates.

“Personally, I do not invest because I feel like investing without enough knowledge is, in fact, gambling,” said Zviko Vheriwa, a junior accounting major. “I like to put my money in things that I personally understand, and the stock market is something that I do not understand well enough to risk my savings and hard-earned money.”

at’s where investment apps, websites, stock market games, virtual trading, nancial planners and campus investment clubs can help. Determining which stocks are performing well requires analyzing various factors and learning the vocabulary of investing. It is also important to research a company’s nancial health, market trends and potential for growth.

Don’t know anything about stocks? First read this article, then watch e Wolf of Wall Street/ It’s like a guide to wall street for dummies (we think).

Understanding how stocks work can be confusing and seem daunting, but investing should be part of everyone’s nancial plans, said Jason D. Damm, an assistant professor of professional practice at Miami Herbert Business School, who oversees the Category 5 Student Managed Investment Fund.

“While many people hire professionals to invest for them, in the nance department, we believe our students should know how to manage their nances and understand investing,” Damm said. “We want to encourage them to make their own nancial decisions and teach them how to choose investments and manage their nances.”

e group invests as a team. e studentrun investment portfolio has more than $1 million in assets under management, providing students with investment management and decision-making experience.

“ e decisions on what goes into the portfolio are made collaboratively,” he said. “We have one analyst covering each stock or company, and based on their valuation, we decide as a team whether to invest. is collaborative approach mirrors how most mutual funds, hedge funds and pension funds make investment decisions.”

Carly Litt, a junior nance and marketing major, is one of about 100 undergraduate and graduate students in SMIF. Members, who must take an investment class (Finance 320) before joining, can choose to be on the analyst or the portfolio side of investing. On the analyst side, students research companies and decide which ones to add to the investment portfolio. e portfolio students manage the stocks already in the portfolio.

“When I got to Miami, I knew I wanted to study nance, but I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in nance,” said Litt, who is a portfolio manager this semester a er having done analysis last semester. “So, I thought that joining the Student Managed Investment Fund would be a good way to get exposure to the di erent opportunities within nance, and it has been.”

e campus hosts several other investment clubs, all of which give students a heads-up in stock trading.

An easy rst step for the truly fearful is to open a high-yield savings account, Martinez said.

“When we think of investing our rst thought goes to the stock market but there’s a lot of other ways that you can invest,” she said. “A high-yield savings account is usually where we tell students to begin because it’s lower risk than the stock market is and really easy way to multiply your money.”

O’Leary, however, says stocks outperform money market rates that banks o er on a savings account.

“In fact, many studies have shown that equities can actually double in value over a period of eight or nine years during a normal cycle,” O’Leary said.

Investment sites advise the new investor to start out small, even with $20-$30 a month. While speci c investment amounts are subjective, it’s crucial for individuals to invest only what they can a ord to lose.

In a 2022 video for CNBC’s “College Voices” series, personal nance expert Suze Orman advises students to adopt an investment technique called dollar cost averaging, where a certain sum of money is invested every month. She recommends putting money into a Standard & Poors 500 Index Fund and continuing the process “until you are old and gray.”

U-INVE$T

Dating back to at least the 1940s, college investment clubs help students learn the ins and outs of share trading. Here are some investment organizations at the U:

1. Alpha Kappa Psi - Mu Tau Chapter: While not solely focused on investments, this professional business fraternity o ers networking opportunities and events related to nance and investing.

Faculty Advisor: Dahlia Zohar

Student Organization Contact: Mitch Breen

Typical Recruitment Period: Fall & Spring

Instagram Handle: @UMAkps

2. Alternative Investments Club is a student-led organization dedicated to educating its members about alternative investment strategies. AIC’s mission is to provide a platform for students to learn and discuss alternative assets and provides direct exposure to well-respected investors across private equity, hedge funds, real assets, private credit and venture capital.

Faculty Advisor: Dolores de Goytisolo

Student Organization Contact: Kyle Pearson

3. Canes Finance Association seeks to provide and amplify basic and advanced knowledge of nancial-related topics to its members while also fostering intellectual and career development initiatives. e organization also promotes nancial literacy across campus, builds long-lasting relationships with members and established nancial experts, as well as helps construct a strong supportive community of young professionals. Students from all schools and colleges are welcome.

Faculty Advisor: Mario Perez

Student Organization Contact: Ananya Malhotra

Typical Recruitment Period: Open to All

Instagram Handle: @canes nanceassociation

4. Canes Invested proactively teaches people of color and marginalized communities methods of building wealth.

Faculty Advisor: MSA (Multicultural Student Association) Dr. Kennedy

Student Contact Email: canesinvested@miami.edu

Typical Recruitment Period: Fall and Spring

5. Student Managed Investment Fund o ers hands-on experience in managing a real investment portfolio, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world investments.

Faculty Advisor: Jason D. Damm

Student Contact Email: j.damm@umiami.edu

Typical Recruitment Period: Fall and Spring

Letterboxd

words_tamia mclean. design_sal puma, luc bennett

If music lovers have Spotify and Apple Music and bookworms have Goodreads, then what do cinephiles have? Letterboxd, which is among one of the most popular social platforms right now and has amassed over 10 million users as of November 2023. So how has a New Zealand-based app managed to outperform IMDb and what can you do to create the perfect profile.

5,372

Letterboxd, for lesser terms, began as a passion project in 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand, founded by two Kiwi-born lm lovers — Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow.

e idea was simple: create an app where users can list all their favorite movies and movies they wish to see in the future. To Buchanan and Randow’s surprises, their passion project manifested into a multi-million-dollar social platform and has even garnered the likes of Hollywood juggernaut Martin Scorsese, who joined the platform October in 2023 to promote his latest lm at the time, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and quickly became the most-followed account on the app.

But how exactly did an app currently run by a team of under 15 people rise to such prominence?

anks to the rising interest in consuming lm as a hobby outside the cinephile community, the golden opportunity for Letterboxd to reach their true potential has nally arrived on the scene.

Like any social media app, you can easily sign up for Letterboxd with an email address and password, as well as customize your own username. However, if you just want to get a tatse before commiting, Letterboxd allows you to dive straight into the app and explore all it’s expansive features as a guest.

On the menu screen, users can view the most popular lms at the moment, including the most popular reviews and trending lists. ere is also a journal section that highlights articles ranging from box o ce reviews to interviews with the lmmakers themselves, a self-titled podcast and “Year in Reviews.” Furthermore, users can even search for cast members, lm crew and production companies behind their favorite lms.

Speaking of reviews, as mentioned before, users can submit their own opinions on a lm and rate it on a scale of one to ve stars. With no lter, users can unleash their inner critic and have the freedom to write the most unhinged reviews if

they wanted. In addition, Letterboxd allows users to categorize their favorite lms into lists. Some people create lists based on genres, culture, notable producers and even based o the vibes alone. If you’re someone who is a bit indecisive about what to watch, you can literally search up anything, and there’s a 100% guarantee that someone already created a list based on your search.

In addition, if you’re interested in watching lms outside your usual media bubble, Letterboxd provides a colossal library of movies in over 10 genres from over 50 countries and territories, including their respective languages. Films like the critically acclaimed “Parasite” produced by South Korean director, Bong Joon-ho, and Brazilian cinematic classic “City of God” are among the most highly rated international lms by Letterboxd users.

Claire Meder is a University of Miami junior studying marine biology and ecology and is the current chair of the Cinematic Arts Commission — a branch of the largest student-run organization on campus, Hurricane Productions, that showcases both mainstream and indie lms at the Cosford Cinema on Wednesday and Saturday nights. As an avid cinephile, it’s without a doubt that she’s also an avid Letterboxd user.

“I do really like using [Letterboxd],” said Meder. “ ere’s a community, but I don’t really engage with them apart from liking posts and following people.”

Saba Azimipour is a junior studying neuroscience at UM who casually enjoys streaming movies either on her laptop or on the TV. Despite not using Letterboxd frequently, the STEM student likes the general purpose of the app.

“I feel like Letterboxd is a good platform, because I use Goodreads,” says Azimipour. “I haven’t found a mainstream site to nd regular people’s reviews on movies where people can go to instead of going to other sources like Rotten Tomatoes.”

Happening tackles today’s hot topics and inspiring innovators. Read an insight into the life and budding career of 2023 Homecoming opener, UM junior and rapper Travian . Didn’t know the SAG-AFTRA Strike is over? Don’t worry, we have all of the details to explain what even happened and how it impacted UM alumni. And of course, the latest addition to our newest poetry series: The Devil’s Tango . We bring you the latest and greatest Miami has to o er.

HAPPENING

Over the course of the past semester, musical multi-hyphenate and University of Miami junior Travian McNair has been making a splash in the hip-hop scene both on and o campus. From dropping multiple singles and projects to opening for Quavo at this year’s homecoming, McNair has been on a roll. But where does his love for his craft really come from, and where is he heading next? words_andrew mccleskey. design_marita gavioti. photo_sharron lou.

Sporting a black-and-white, owerpatterned knit bucket hat, a colorcoordinated knit sweater and glistening gold jewelry, Travian greeted the intimate crowd of 30 to 40 people watching his SkateBird Miami performance. Following the two openers of the event, the evening’s headliner, Travian, had nally stepped out onto the dimly lit stage.

Once the drummer, guitarist, saxophonist and two keyboardists were set up and ready to go, Travian moved the microphone to his mouth and began his 45-minute set. As the show progressed, audience members began to sweat out of their clothes as a result of cheering, dancing, jumping and singing along to Travian’s catalog of genre-bending, up-tempo records that fuse hip-hop with electronic, house and jazz music.

On the nal ursday evening of September 2023, SkateBird Miami, a 12,000 square foot skatepark nestled in the northside suburbs of the city, had became enveloped with the sound of lively music and the scent of mouthwatering food. e weekly “Sound Sessions” showcase, highlights rising talent in the Miami-Dade area, and attendees made their way into the skatepark for a night of entertainment away from the chaos of a

typical irsty ursday in Coconut Grove or South Beach.

On and o the stage, New Jersey native Travian McNair, a University of Miami junior majoring in economics and minoring in music industry and sports administration, has spent the last three years carving out his own lane in the hip-hop space under the mononymous stage name, Travian.

e 20-year-old DJ, producer and rapper has performed at several venues between South Florida and the New York City tri-state area and even received a shout out from the notable hip-hop, Chicago-based multimedia company “Lyrical Lemonade,” which is run by proli c American music videographer and producer, Cole Bennett, and boasts an audience of over 21.2 million YouTube subscribers. In recent months, most ’Canes have come to know Travian from his UM homecoming performance in which he opened for chart-topping Atlanta rapper Quavo. With two mixtapes, two collaborative EPs and a collection of other singles under his belt, McNair doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Ahead of the release, his latest intimate and sultry single “Your Love,” Distraction had the pleasure to sit down with McNair

at a tucked-away table amongst the colorful owers and lush trees of the Gi ord Arboretum to discuss what’s to come for the up-and-coming multi-hyphenate musician. Over the course of the conversation, he made one thing clear: he’s not doing anything but being true to himself and creating the music he loves, while painting poetry with his words along the way.

“People connect to the music when you as the artist are authentic,” said McNair. “At the end of the day, I really don’t like inauthentic people, so I have no choice but to be myself.”

“You’re constantly trying to prove yourself.”

Ahead of new material set to drop in the next couple of months and days before his headlining show at SkateBird Miami back in September, McNair dropped one of his latest singles entitled “Go Wrong,” a collaboration with 21-year-old London-based R&B singer Sophia Cortes. She met McNair at Pirate Studios a er being convinced by her close friend, British producer Cableknit, to attend the session, and she regards her collaboration with Travian as a standout amongst the rappers she’s worked with. Citing the so , groovy chorus of “Go Wrong,” which McNair

wrote, Cortes admits their studio session le her on a creative and spiritual high.

“I can tell Travian is a very introspective person, and I see that in his lyricism and his songwriting,” said Cortes towards the beginning of our FaceTime interview. “It was really refreshing and inspiring to see someone who has their own distinct style and ow.”

In spring of last year, McNair released two singles — “I Use 2” and “All the Time” — that featured samples of Lauryn Hill’s “I Used to Love Him” and e Stylistics’ “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart),” respectively. ese two tracks provided modern updates to these R&B chart-toppers, with “I Use 2” adopting a dance and house music twist and “All the Time” taking on an alternative hip-hop are akin to that of New Yorker Joey Bada$$.

Despite his innate talent and hard work, McNair hasn’t quite had his big break as a hip-hop artist; he hasn’t scored a feature on a chart-topping single with an A-list rapper or had an audio of his own song go viral on social media platforms, such as TikTok. Among the thousands of people trying to pursue rap careers every day, McNair acknowledges that it can be hard to stand out amongst the crowd and that he feels the pressure to succeed.

“Realistically, nobody has to care about my music. As an up-and-coming artist, you’re constantly trying to prove yourself,” said McNair during our Zoom interview back in December 2023.

“You feel like you’re not in the position you’re supposed to be in,” he later added.

Yet when Travian was asked where he saw his career going in the near future, he responded swi ly without hesitation or second thought.

“In ve, 10 years’ time, I will be one of the biggest independent artists in the world,” said McNair with an a rmative and con dent tone.

Expanding Horizons on the Internet

Toward the end of January 2023, McNair released a collaborative EP, “International Waters,” with 20-year-old London-based producer and photographer Jamie Salmons who produces records under the moniker Cableknit. Although thousands of miles and an ocean separate the two creatives, Salmons initially reached out to McNair over Instagram a er British rapper Niko B released his single “International Baby” in

February 2021, which featured a beat McNair produced during his senior year of high school.

In the following weeks and months, McNair and Salmons began sending beats back and forth, asking for each other’s input and providing each other constructive criticism. A er months of exchanging messages, the British-American producerrapper duo pair nally had the opportunity to meet up and record material for the “International Waters” EP at Pirate Studios in North London. Salmons says he enjoys working with McNair because of his vast array of musical in uences — which ranges from Kaytranada and Tyler, the Creator to Amy Winehouse and Marvin Gaye — and his openness to incorporating them in his music.

“It’s freeing as a producer,” said Salmons during our video call interview when asked about McNair’s sonic exibility. “I’ll send him a demo that’s not even rap-oriented, and he’ll go for it. He prefers that actually.”

e kind of collaboration that McNair facilitated with Salmons was not the rst time the rapper pursued the internet for musical opportunities. During the COVID-19 pandemic that sent most Americans into lockdown, McNair retreated to the con nes of his bedroom and began spending his days playing PlayStation video games with old friends from his time as a basketball player.

rough these hours of gaming, McNair became connected with 23-year-old, Los Angeles-based rapper Khari omspon, who uses the stage name kharikyoto, and they began developing a friendship.

Once the pair realized they both had an unrelenting love for creating beats and writing bars, they naturally joined forces and started releasing singles together. From

months of collaboration came the joint EP “Carte Blanche,” a six-track o ering released back in August 2022 that sonically explores old school hip-hop and soul. When re ecting on the experience of cra ing “Carte Blanche,” ompson recalls being impressed with McNair’s dedication to and expertise in his cra

“Travian has such a hard work ethic that it pushes me to do more,” said omspon in the middle of our over-the-phone interview. “Sometimes, I’ll hear his verse and redo mine because I’ll think to myself: ‘Damn, this 20-year-old kid is whooping my ass.’”

Returning to the SkateBird Miami stage, as Travian’s set concludes, his band began their big instrumental blowout. e drummer in the back ferociously beat his drumsticks on the drums and symbols. e keys players on the side briskly moved their docile ngers across the width of the keyboard, playing multiple notes at once. And at the center of the stage, the saxophonist ruthlessly blew into the mouthpiece, emitting a booming, snappy melody that ensured the audience wouldn’t go home and forget Travian’s name.

Before becoming a rapper and musical multi-hyphenate, McNair used to play basketball for his high school, Gill St. Bernard’s School in Gladstone, New Jersey.

118 DAYS

Following the renowned 2008 writers’ strike, 15 years later WGA members and the talent of SAG-AFTRA have found themselves in a labor dispute with AMPTP, demanding better working conditions, reasonable pay and protections against the inevitable rise of artificial intelligence. Hear the tales of creative UM alumni who were a ected by one of the most pivotal moments in film and television history. words_isabella popadiuk. design_galina dumov. illustration_rachel farinas

A er graduating in May from the University of Miami with a degree in motion pictures and creative advertising, Ryan Gus moved to New York City and scoured listings for jobs in production and late-night television. ink “ e Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “ e Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Night With Seth Meyers” and “ e Daily Show.”

But just days before she would take her last nal exam, complete her last project and don her cap and gown, the Writers Guild of America voted to go on strike. Beginning on May 1 and lasting for the next six months, the TV programs that perhaps could have o ered Gus her rst big-time opportunity ceased production. So, Gus, who had worked as a lifeguard since she was 16, settled for a job in aquatics as a swim instructor.

“It was a little rough. I went through little phases of me just breaking down a bit because I didn’t want to do it, and I had no choice but to go do it because I needed to make money until I found something else,” Gus said.

Last year was a di cult time for many lm college students like Gus who were desperately trying to nd jobs and internships in the midst of multiple strikes in the entertainment industry — Los Angeles and New York City were hit the hardest.

Geethika Kataru, a motion pictures and political science major who also graduated in May, received a summer internship at Starz in Los Angeles through the Television Academy

Foundation. Since many projects were shut down because of the strikes, her internship experience consisted mostly of simulating tasks she might have done if there had been an actual production.

“ ere wasn’t that much internship work to be doing actively at the time because a lot of the projects that Starz has are lmed domestically and couldn’t be lmed at the time,” Kataru said.

Cut the Cameras

While those seeking to break into the industry felt the impact of the strike, members of the WGA, also joined by the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, picketed across the country for a better contract. SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors. ese unions also include announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other media professionals.

As guild members and supporters fought for a better contract, the industry was halted, and most lm and television projects could not continue. It not only a ected guild members, but everyone involved in making movies and television shows from production assistants to temporary sta as well their audiences.

“ ere are certain things on the table people are really angry about or just felt it was time to change the deal,” said UM

The joint SAGAFTRA strike began on July 14th, 2023 and ended on November 9th, 2023, adding up to a total of 118 days.

Although she could not nd a job in the industry, Gus said she supported the work stoppage and the unions’ mission to secure broader protections for their members over fair pay.

“It needed to happen. It was a little scary while it was happening, but I think everyone was in it together and that’s what made it possible for as long as it did,” Gus said.

“As somebody who is breaking into the eld, I want to know that I’m breaking into a eld that cares about its workers and not only because I want it to treat my peers right. I want it to treat me right,” Kataru added.

Tom Musca, who has been teaching at UM for 14 years, was working on a lm, “Aguadilla,” — a tale about Dominican migrants in the titular city — in Puerto Rico when the strike happened. At the time of production, only the writers were on strike, however, a er four days, lming had halted because the actors went on strike as well.

“If you’re in the Writers Guild of America, you were on strike. You couldn’t work for a producer,” Musca said. “You’re dealing with the producers, and you know they’re going to push back. Now, in this case, it’s doubly weird because I’m the producer and director.”

Musca said a er ve days of sitting on their hands in Puerto Rico, they quali ed for an interim agreement that allowed them to continue lming. ey had to agree in advance to any new terms that would be included in the contract to be able to continue lming with their actors who were in the guild.

“ e pause was a dent in a car, not a collision,” Musca said. “ ey were able to nish lming Aguadilla.” e lm is currently in its post-production phase.

Returning to The Scene

A er months of picketing and negotiating, SAG-AFTRA members ended their strike. On Nov. 9, picket locations closed a er the TV and eatrical Negotiating Committee voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television

Writers. e AMPTP is a trade association that represents over 350 production companies.

e deal was a win for many guild members. It includes more than $1 billion in new compensation and bene t plan funding, new compensation models for performers in streaming and guardrails for the use of AI and other bene ts. e new deal is set to expire in June 2026..

Some say the strike was not a surprise, and they won’t be surprised to see more strikes in the lm industry in the future.

“From my observation of not only the guild and our industry, but technology and where and how the in uence of tech has been on the creative elds, I would not be surprised if we were on strike every three years at the end of every contract expiring,” said Alex Musca, a motions pictures alumnus who co-directed “Aguadilla” with his father.

Meanwhile, some UM lm alumni say they hope to reap the gains of the settled strike while they still wait to gain entry in New York and Hollywood.

Gus, who landed a full-time salaried position at a so ware company doing data entry, continues to apply for jobs in television and production in New York City. Gianfranco Key, another alumnus who graduated in May from the motion pictures business track program, said he plans to move to New York City in April.

Key, a Miami native, stayed in the area a er nishing school and is currently working as a front desk receptionist job at a gym near his house. He says there is a lack of a lm industry in South Florida, which made it even more di cult to nd jobs along with the rami cations of the strikes.

If he’s not able to land something in the Big Apple, he said he will work another job outside of the industry while he continues his search. Despite it being a scary time, Key said he is glad the strikes happened because workers need to be compensated, and the industry wouldn’t work without those players.

“ ere is a long history of these

studios abusing the workers and kind of milking them for all their work and not compensating them enough,” Key said.

Although the pay is not good, the studios are so big that everyone wants to work for them still, he added.

“Why do we have to be like one of the only industries where we still have to struggle for years and years to get somewhere and have to play into this game that has been set up for years since the golden age of Hollywood?” he asked. “It’s stupid and it no longer is feasible in today’s society.”

Kataru, who nished her summer internship at Starz, now Lionsgate Studios, said she is grateful but frustrated.

“Even having that [internship opportunity] or having a name that is recognizable as a company on my resume, I felt like it still wasn’t enough,” said Kataru, who has moved to Los Angeles with two of her friends from her lm program.

While she said she eventually wants to

nd work as a production assistant with the long-term goal of being a production executive at a studio, Kataru is working two part-time jobs as an administrative assistant for the non-pro t advocacy group Women in Animation (WIA) and at Trader Joe’s. She says the WIA job is work that is more adjacent to the industry rather than in the industry itself.

“I think that’s what a lot of people that are even fully working professionals in the industry had to do,” she said. “ ey had to take jobs that were adjacent or just completely di erent.”

Striked and Stopped

The strike brought many facets of the media industry to a full halt. Due to the unwillingness of executives to meet the union’s asks many projects have been pushed back. If you had a project you were looking forward too in the foreseeable future, you might have to wait a bit longer.

Blade

Original Release: February 5, 2024

Delayed Release: November 7, 2024

Deadpool & Wolverine

Original Release: May 3, 2024

Delayed Release: July 26, 2024

Euphoria Season 3

Original Release: Sometime in 2024

Delayed Release: Sometime in 2025

A Quiet Place: Day One

Original Release: March 8, 2024

Delayed Release: June 28, 2024

Snow White (Remake)

Original Release: March 22, 2024

Delayed Release: March 21, 2025

White Lotus Season 3

Original Release: Sometime 2024

Delayed Release: Sometime in 2025

Poetry Corner

There is a verse for everyone in poetry. Whether it’s a free verse or prose, poetry allows us to look through another’s perspective through their strung together cohesion of words and interpret them di erently depending on both the subject matter and who we are as people. For the poets themselves, their words can function as an extension of their experiences and thoughts in how they journal it onto paper. Distraction’s Poetry Corner hopes to facilitate the spotlight for local writers at the U and explain the meaning and intent behind each highlighted piece.

poem_kara hufnagel. interview nicole vedder. design_melanie bergunker.

Devil’s Tango

A breath: in, then out. Dark eyes stare, piercing. You wanted this.

Twist

A hand clutches yours, Strong and demeaning — But warm. Pull

ere’s life, everywhere, But in his eyes, ere’s death. Push

Distance- air, coveted with gasps, ere’s a moment, then — You breathe.

Duck

He moves — an exit. You stare. Only you have his attention, but You want to be free.

Swirl

You both know the movements, You can stop. You keep dancing. Step He winks, you can’t move. You love this. You never wanted it. rust

He invades, you’re on re. You made a deal, So, you deliver.

Flail

He leaves, the room stops. e lights dim, then shatter. You’re mid-dance.

Bow Your torn dress, your wobbling legs. e scars, the blood, the ashes. He was human.

Behind the ‘Verse with Kara Hufnagel

Q1: The structure of this poem really draws the readers in, especially the italicized verbs emphasizing the snippets of thought that directly follow. Could you elaborate on why you chose to do so?

“I wanted the poem to have some movement, so spacing out the italic verbs adds to the illusion of a ‘dance’ and contributes to an overall eerie feeling. Also, the verbs are shorter to make it seem more demanding, as if the reader is compelled to follow the instructions and imagine themselves in the poem. is idea is further emphasized by using the second tense ‘you,’ meant to startle the reader into realizing that this scenario, or at least ones resembling it, can really happen to anyone.”

Q2: The two-sided nature of the poem also lends itself to the strength of this writing. Is there anything you would like to point out about your piece?

“ e poem is meant to allow for two interpretations while reading it, hence its two-sided nature. It can be read as characters physically dancing together in a crowded room or as the characters having intercourse in an isolated, secluded room. e italicized words throughout contribute to both images, so either way the reader has a distinct image of movement, regardless of the setting.”

Q3: “He was human” really turns this man’s previous persona on its head, directly juxtaposing the reader’s first exposure to his character through “The Devil’s Tango” as a title. Could you elaborate on the second meaning of your poem further?

“ e nal line ‘he was human’ was meant to bring this idea of misdirection, as up until that point the reader assumes that only a dangerous, even monstrous, person could have put the girl in that position but in reality, it was a human all along. e line serves as a stark reminder that people are not always what they seem to be, and humans are entirely capable, and sometimes even willing, to perform monstrous acts regardless of who gets hurt in the end. It’s another attempt to immerse the reader into the poem and allow them to imagine themselves in that position as this topic becomes increasingly relevant in real life.”

Q4. Are there any poets of yours that inspire your writing or you would recommend?

“A poet that I tend to think of while writing is Edgar Allan Poe. I nd myself thinking of the darker themes he touched on and his use of the dead as having a tangible hold on the living. A more modern poet I would recommend is Ocean Vuong due to his unique imagery and creative way of incorporating his personal issues and in uences into his work, allowing the reader to learn more about the root cause of these events such as the Vietnam War, patriarchal relationships, homophobia, etc.”

Q5: If you were to translate your poem into a fashion statement what would those outfits entail?

“While writing I le the question of out ts an open-ended one. But if I were to imagine a fashion statement, I would most likely lean toward the masquerade route. e antagonist of the poem would be dressed in sharp, dark edges, such as a black suit with red accents to give the slight impression of danger and a hint of violence. e red accent would be subtle but noticeable, so at rst glance, it seems to go with the out t but when someone quickly glances it looks like blood. e mask would be dark, and the entire out t would look regal and expensive. For the protagonist, if they are imagined to be more feminine than they would wear a red, sort of owy dress and a white mask.

e color of the dress gives the illusion that any stains le by violence were intended to be there as they would be hidden in the color. e white mask symbolizes how the protagonist initially sees the world through their innocence, a fact remedied when it is removed later on in the narrative.”

Q6: And finally, how was it trying to translate your piece to an outfit, changing mediums on the basis of your writing?

“It was de nitely an interesting experience as I have never done something like it before. I was forced to actually think about my writing and the visuals I had created and nd a way to express them in real life. I really enjoyed the process of trying to decipher what I meant by using speci c word choices and imagery. One thing I struggled with was creative limitation, as putting an abstract idea into tangible clothes sort of felt like it was limiting the possibilities and imagination that come with visualizing words on a page. At the end of the day, it was something di erent to think about regarding poetry, and I really enjoyed myself.”

B T S EHIND HE CENES

words_sal puma. illustration_nic facchina.

In the late night of deadline, EIC Sal still finds a way to get the sta ’s input, even if it’s a little bit troubling. Whether its to give out magazines, a student photo shoot, or a little bit of both, our sta out to represent Distraction.

What the Fork is a foodie’s paradise stu ed with mouthwatering recipes and hidden gem restaurants. Learn the “when and where” of Miami’s best local food markets. Explore Soya e Pomodoro , a classic Italian restaurant with hints of Mediterranean influence and imagine you are “Rome-ing” through the streets of Italy. Find out how to health-up classic childhood treats like Little Bites and Cheez-Its. We are serving up the latest dishes, so grab a plate and dig in.

WHAT THE FORK

toMarket Farmers

With warm weather year-round and healthy eating habits at an all-time high, farmer’s markets have become a staple of Miami. We even have a weekly one on campus that has gained popularity. Farmer’s markets do more than support a healthy lifestyle, and the extra buck on thier prices goes towards more than you know. Shopping locally means shopping with love.

words_amanda mohamad. photo_merritt cherrer. design&illustration_marita gavioti.

e Local Love

While many of us heard the phrase “shop local” during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the number of struggling businesses hit a peak, the importance remains relevant.

Smorgasburg is a famous food market that travels to the biggest cities worldwide. In Miami, it takes place every weekend in Wynwood Walls. However, Florida foodies are beginning to opt out of the chaos of larger markets for the simplicity, calmness and convenience of smaller markets.

In the clamor and commotion of markets like Smorgasburg, local vendors can’t do what they love most: getting to know their customers and sharing what they love.

Andrea and Camilo, the owners of the Davie-based storefront Cra ed House which sells jams, jellies and spreads at local markets, said, “customers feel more comfortable knowing the producer or maker in person, and when they can picture in their minds a person they can contact for questions or support, it’s always better for all parties involved because there is a familiarity and a type of bonding trust already built into the transaction. In the end that brings more value to the product and the company.”

Andrea and Camilo started Cra ed House in 2010 a er their daughter, So a, was born with some medical issues. e proud parents describe So a’s recovery as “unexpected sunshine.”

“ e situation brought a blessing and an idea which became what today is known as Cra ed House,” the owners said.

Origin stories like Cra ed House’s and the hundreds of market vendors in Miami make local markets all the more worthwhile to explore, and their customers feel the love.

Sylas Anand, a sophomore here at UM said, “although it is more expensive, I always feel good about myself when buying local because I know the money is going to a meaningful place.”

Miami-Dade County has dozens of markets to explore, but not all are as conveniently located as close to the UM Coral Gables campus as others. Trust us, we hear cha-ching every time we get in an Uber that’s more than $15, too. e following markets run year-round and are convenient to get to with a quick metro ride, reasonably priced Uber or inexpensive if not free parking. Cue the angelic choir.

More Markets

Want to put some variety into your shopping experience? Check out these other local markets. Take note of the dates below, as only some of the following markets are open year-round.

• Farmers Market at e Underline

• Sat, Apr. 29: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Brickell Backyard Promenade

• Farmers Market at Zoo Miami

• First Sat and Sun of every month: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• 12400 SW 152nd St. Lincoln Road Farmers Market

• Sun: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• 744 Lincoln Rd.

e Aventura Market

• Sat. from 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Sun. from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• 19501 Biscayne Blvd.

John produced over 200 pounds of raw honey. A er positive encouragement from their friends, relatives and neighbors, the couple’s hobby became a full-time beekeeping and honey production business. Today, Keez Beez manages over 600 beehives.

What makes their honey di erent from others is that it’s sourced from the nectar of natural wild ora, including mangroves, sea grapes, wild owers, palms and other trees exclusive to the Florida Keys.

“ e diverse ora contributes to a distinct avor pro le, making our honey delicious, pure and natural, a testament to our commitment to quality and the environment,” Keez Beez marketing director Maria Fernanda Giron said.

Giron emphasized how, like many other vendors at farmer’s markets, believe in your health rst. Keez Beez received several certi cations in that regard, including the NonGMO Project, Fresh from Florida and Kosher Organics. But it’s not just customer health that vendors prioritize.

Giron continued saying “buying local is crucial for sustaining the economic health of the community. When customers choose Keez Beez honey, they are not only getting a premium product but also supporting local beekeepers, promoting environmental sustainability and contributing to the growth of

physiology and communications major, was introduced to the Coconut Grove Saturday Organic Farmers Market by her roommate, who is a raw vegan.

“ e environment is so calm, upli ing, spiritual, fresh and welcoming. Kids are picking up fruits to buy, parents are communicating with the vendors about the bene ts of these fresh foods, and the vendors are shining with smiles,” Crutch eld said.

e vendors love this market just as much as the customers. Yanni Moschos, better known to the local community as “Yanni Barista,” became a barista a er years of working in bartending. Born and raised in Greece, he tells his customers that “hospitality runs in [his] DNA, and co ee will keep us together.”

Moschos’ specialty co ees are the freddo — “iced” in Italian — espresso and freddo cappuccino, both signature co ees in Greece. Moschos said his specialty in life, however, consists of three words: passion, cra and “meraki,” a word used in Greek to describe when someone puts a part of themselves into a cra , such as food.

Moschos especially puts these words into his work at the Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market.

“I have a special bond with Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market because of its simplicity. It just feels more home for me,” Moschos said.

Colette Belzer, a sophomore motion pictures and public relations major and longtime Coconut Grove Farmers Market lover, wanted to explore further down US-1. She found the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market on TikTok and saw that next to the market, Vizcaya hosts a $5 yoga class, making it, in her words, a “great weekend reset.”

“I love the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market. It’s not too big, but there’s a good variety of vendors, and they’re super friendly and give out lots of free samples. I’d recommend the market to people looking for healthy or di erent alternatives to their regular food routines. You can stock up on some unique ingredients and foods you didn’t even know you needed,” Belzer said.

Belzer mentioned her favorite vendor is Grillo Greens, which grows all their food at their microgreens farm. Fan favorites include their cantaloupe and chives, which Belzer said are “unusual but delicious.”

Lychees are packed with copper and Vitamin C which are nutrients that allow for your hair to grow faster and healthier.

ID CU S NE

IAs college students, we’ve realized that we no longer have our parents preparing us yummy after-school snacks and homecooked meals each night. Certain foods can evoke strong emotions and resurface memories of their past. Some of our best memories can be associated with our favorite childhood snacks. As we’re on the brink of adulthood, who says we can’t embrace our child-like cravings and rekindle those feelings back then?

words_ariella green. design_marita gavioti. illustration_ andres alessandro.

The snacks and foods many children consume daily contain high volumes of sugars and dyes which can have a negative e ect on their behavior and their overall feeling. Children are more likely able to eat the foods they like and get away unscathed. However, for young children and college students alike, we should aim to get in proteins and nutrients whenever possible.

“For young children, we want to make sure that [their diet] is varied and it’s exible and they learn erence between growing foods and foods that we eat because they taste very good,” says nutritionist Ilyse Simon, who has over 20 years of experience working in disordered eating and body

Simon works as a nutritionist consultant for three colleges: Bard College, Vassar College and Marist College. Eating on campus can look a bit di erent for everyone because no two people have the same dietary needs.

“Part of it is about being creative. Most students hate the meal plan. Most students hate the dining hall,” Simon says. But she suggests that you look beyond each station and try to come up with a new combination based on what appeals to you. As you do this, aim to get in your protein, carbohydrates and fats. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a slice of pizza.

“Maybe you want pizza, and you want a salad. Or have pizza and some chicken for some good solid protein,” Simon explains. It’s all about moderation and fueling your body with what makes you feel your best self.

In American culture, snacking has been a staple in most households, and according to Bon Appétit the rise of “snacking” happened in the early 1900s. O en people snacked to curb cravings during Prohibition.

Freshman Ava Cherniss, who is majoring in media management and political science, found out she was gluten intolerant when she turned 10. For Cherniss, she’s had no problems nding snacks to t her dietary needs.

“Some of my favorite snacks growing up were string cheese, Gogo Squeezes and Cuties,” Cherniss states, and her favorite snacks haven’t changed since entering college. As a college student with a full meal plan, she explains how she’s been eating more meals, but still snacks — especially snacks which remind her of home like the Trader Joe’s Chili & Lime avored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips.

“My friends and I keep cheese and crackers in the fridge always in case of emergencies,” Cherniss said with a chuckle.

Freshman Hunter Rosensweig is majoring in neuroscience and grew up in a soda and sugar-loving household with snacks like Oreos, Funyuns, Doritos, Tostitos and Cheetos Pu s. Since coming to college, Rosensweig thinks his taste buds have changed as he’s aged since his snack palette has grown just as he’s grown.

“Being honest, I didn’t really like snacks like peanuts as a kid. I thought it was too strong of a taste. Nowadays, I actually like them a lot,” Rosensweig shares. “ e one that I know when it comes to kids and snacks is they have to be somewhat fun for them to be interested.” He describes snacks like popcorn as fun because of the popping sounds it makes in the microwave and Funyuns because you can stack them on your

Who’s to say snack time can’t be healthy and fun while in college? Here’s some recipes which can bring you back to the days of your childhood, while keeping it fancy:

Lunchables

You knew it was going to be a good day if your mom or dad packed you Lunchables for lunch. Whether you got a nacho with salsa and cheese dip, a pepperoni pizza or cheese and crackers Lunchables, you would still be the coolest kid at the lunch table. Sometimes, we just want to have a bento box-style lunch or snack — and why not?

is recipe is what you want it to be, and you can use any sort of ingredients you have on hand. Be sure to include a fruit or vegetable, protein and a carbohydrate to give you all the nutrients you’ll need for the day. Not only is the recipe portable and perfect on the go, but you can also prep these snacks in advance to grab them and go on your way to class or work.

Ingredients:

- Veggies: celery, carrots or peppers work great

- Fruits: grapes, apples, blueberries or strawberries are a great source of vitamins

- Carbohydrates: pretzels, crackers, pita chips, or any other chip/cracker of your choice

- Protein: any sort of meat or cheese

- Optional: hummus, ranch or any other dip/salad dressing you have on hand.

Directions:

1. Cut up all your fruits, vegetables and protein to your liking

2. Divide each section of your plate/bento box. Each category of ingredients should be about ¼ of your snack plate.

3. Once assembled, it’s ready to eat.

Air Fryer Cheez-It

ough Cheez-It are some of the crunchiest and tastiest cheesy snacks, unfortunately, they’re not the healthiest snack to munch on. is crunchy snack contains a high level of sodium, enriched our and tert-butylhydroquinone or TBHQ, an addictive preservative found in processed foods which can damage your immune system. However, if you have an air fryer or oven, you too can make your own healthy Cheez-It alternative.

Ingredients:

- 8 oz of shredded cheddar cheese

- 5 tbsp of unsalted butter

- ½ tsp of garlic powder

- ½ tsp of onion powder

- ½ tsp of salt

- 2-3 tbsp of water

- 2 cups of all-purpose our - 2 tbsp of our

Directions:

1. In a blender or food processor, add the shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Blend the ingredients.

2. Add the our to the mixture and blend.

3. Add one tablespoon of water and blend. If the dough is not beginning to form a ball, add a second tablespoon of water. Blend until the dough forms a ball and clumps together.

4. Take the dough out of the blender/food processor and divide it into three equal parts.

5. Cover the dough and place it in the fridge for 2 hours to make it easier to cut and shape.

6. Remove one of the pieces of dough and place it on a lightly oured surface.

7. Roll out and atten the dough into a long rectangle. Once at, cut the dough into squares either with a knife or a pizza cutter. Cut the dough into long strips and repeat the process in the other direction.

Healthy Mug Mu n for One

Entenmann’s got us hooked on Little Bites when they launched in 1999. We nd ourselves eating those four mu ns in a single pouch way too quickly, and the amount of sugar and calories in each mu n is alarmingly high. One mu n contains 45 calories and close to 4 grams of sugar. is recipe is a healthier alternative to x your mu n craving.

Ingredients:

- ¼ cup of oat our (blend oats if you don’t have oat

- ½ tsp of baking powder

- 3 tbsp of milk

- 10 fresh blueberries (do not use frozen)

- 1 tbsp of maple syrup

- Optional: you may substitute the maple syrup for any sugar of your choice, but if you do, add another 1 tbsp of milk to ensure the batter is smooth.

Directions:

1. In a microwave-safe mug, combine the oat our and baking powder and mix until it’s evenly combined.

2. Add in the maple syrup and milk and mix well until you have a smooth batter consistency.

3. Fold in the blueberries.

4. Place the mug in the microwave and cook for 1 minute and 20 seconds or until the mu n no longer sticks to the sides of the mug. Cooking time may vary depending on the wattage of the microwave.

8. Use a knife or toothpick to punch a hole into the middle of the Cheez-It to give it that signature look.

If baking using an oven:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 F

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

3. Place your cut Cheez-It on the baking sheet and bake for 15-16 minutes

4. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let the crackers cool down

Soya

Soya Pomodoro

Simple food made with love Pomodoro

Along the Adriatic Sea, in the port city of Brindisi, Italy, a 10-year-old boy rose early to help his mother in the kitchen. Together, they made bread and cookies for their family of five. This was the beginning of him realizing that food is made with love, the extra ingredient that makes it good. It’s a philosophy that would later inspire his restaurant, Soya e Pomodoro.

words_sabrina catalan. design_marita gavioti. photo_ethan dosa.

With an extensive menu, come hungry. e food is split up into a bunch of di erent courses. So, if your party wants to lock in and get the full experience, order a dish or two from each course and share.

The Miami cityscape is full of new and shiny buildings, but that’s not what Cristian D’Oria was looking for when deciding to set up his own restaurant in 2004.

Having trained in Italy to be a chef, D’Oria grew up surrounded by centuries old architecture. He wanted his restaurant in Miami to remind him of his home. at’s how he ended up on Flagler Street, close to the history of Miami, the beginning of it. He settled in the Shoreland Arcade, built in 1924 — once a bank, then an o ce and now a dining experience.

“I tried to do this artistic thing. From the food to the music to the paintings, and this old arcade is a plus,” D’Oria said. “Coming from Italy, we like history, old stu . So, we found this place, this little café, and made it a ‘Little Italy.’”

Soya e Pomodoro, located at 120 NE 1st St in Downtown Miami, harbors its own character, reminiscent of summertime Europe. As you step inside, the archway is sculpted with cherubs, vines and owers, all painted brightly in pink, green and blue. It’s a one story-building, but it feels grand, especially with its high ceilings.

True to the Roaring ’20s era, there’s no air-conditioning. Instead, the doors are le open to allow gentle breezes through. And funny enough, a clothesline hangs above the tables from what looks to be two windows, complete with laundry items, like soccer jerseys, undergarments and a hat.

“We tried to bring a little folklore,” D’Oria said. “Typically, if you are in small-town Italy or Naples, you see things hanging outside, since dryer machines are rare. And we love soccer.”

In case you’re wondering what Soya e

Pomodoro means, in Italian, it translates to soy and tomato. of cultures. When D’Oria opened the restaurant, he did so with his friend Armando Alfano, who was married to a ai woman. Soy is an essential ingredient in ai food, and tomato is a main ingredient in Italian food.

Alfano stayed at the restaurant for 10 years before returning to Europe. A erward, Rosario Magrelli partnered with D’Oria to run Soya e Pomodoro for ve years, before stepping down during the pandemic. At age 50, D’Oria is the sole owner of the restaurant now, and said he’s happy with how far it’s come, with the help of his manager, Gianni Festa, since the restaurant’s beginning.

D’Oria keeps his lunch menu a ordable — the highest priced dish is $20. During dinner time, menu prices increase, and dishes can range from $20 to $42. But no matter your budget, Soya e Pomodoro has classic Italian food that is sure to spark your interest.

For bread lovers, the bruschetta appetizer is a safe choice. It’s toasted bread, piled with chopped tomato drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with basil. e Mediterranean-style plate it’s served on is artistically pleasing, and the bread slices are displayed in the shape of a star for some added fun.

If you want to eat at Soya e Pomodoro they are open 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on ursday and Friday and only 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m on Saturday.

is is what many dishes at the restaurant are like, simple yet delicious. As the motto goes, the food is made with love. It’s meant to come from the kitchen of a friend.

“My pasta was really good,” sophomore Ximena Hidalgo said a er dining at Soya e Pomodoro for the rst time. “When I go to restaurants and they are serving pasta, I usually think I’m going to feel heavy a er. But it didn’t feel that way. I felt refreshed.”

Hidalgo never tried pesto sauce with her pasta before but said she was impressed by it. is should be expected — pesto sauce is an Italian staple. Another nutty avor dish at the restaurant is “ravioli in salsa di noci,” or ravioli in walnut sauce. It’s a great vegetarian option, since the ravioli is stu ed with cheese and spinach.

Junior Christopher Perez, who dined with Hidalgo, ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with mozzarella. He has traveled to Italian cities, such as Rome and Florence, and said his dish was similar to dishes he ate overseas.

While couple Hidalgo and Perez visited Soya e Pomodoro during the daytime, Student A airs executive assistant Jeanine Ocon checked out the night scene, which only operates ursday through Saturday.

“I loved the entertainment, the Italian songs,” Ocon said. “ e atmosphere was nice, like a romantic adult dinner.”

The decor of the restaurant is eclectic and cluttered, yet done so tastefully. e di erent chairs and tables surrounded by colorful art and pictures encapsulate the feeling of eating along a busy street in Italy.

e ambient lighting that takes over Soya e Pomodoro at night is unique. It’s comprised of charming, mismatched lamps and string lights. But Ocon’s favorite decoration was the bookshelves in the back. It was too dark for her to read in the restaurant, but she was curious to see them during the day.

As for her food, Ocon had “stinco d’agnello brasato ai carcio ,” or braised lamb with artichoke. Her dish also came with a side of mashed potatoes.

“It tasted like a homemade meal,” Ocon said. “ e lamb was very nice and juicy. It was lling. For dessert, I loved the cappuccino and the “panna cotta,” which is a kind of an.”

Another interesting detail Ocon noted was how, at night, if you order a Coca-Cola, it’s served in a classic glass bottle, whereas during the day it’s served in a can. She said it added to the old-fashioned look of the restaurant and could make a nice souvenir.

Fine art majors may also get a kick out of the colorful paintings that don the walls, mixing modern art with the historical building.

Graduate student Natalie Galindo found Soya e Pomodoro not from its food, but from its collaboration with Raw Figs Pop-Up, which hosts gure drawing events at various

locations across Miami, where artists of any skill can practice gure drawing with live models.

“I’ve been there twice. And it really felt like you were in Italy,” Galindo said. “ ere was this old feel to it. I’ve taken friends that are intimidated by it but, in this environment, they feel safe and it’s a big group. And the energy is good.”

Pursuing a master’s degree in ne arts, Galindo said she was grateful to practice her favorite subject at Soya e Pomodoro. Nowadays, she said she most enjoys drawing her friends and family because she learns to appreciate them more.

Singer Yamit Lemoine has been playing at Soya e Pomodoro for the past 12 years, performing 1920s through 1960s classic jazz. She sings in ve languages and learned one song in Italian especially for Soya e Pomodoro. It’s called “Guarda Che Luna,” which means look at the moon.

She said it’s a sad song about lost love, but it’s well-known to the Italian people.

“Singing there has always felt like home. It’s where I started singing jazz in Miami,” Lemoine said. “Cristian has always treated me and the performers like family.”

D’Oria said he welcomes new musical talent, new generations, to sing at his

restaurant too. He said he wants people to connect with each other, to appreciate the world around them and not get lost in their phones.

It has been 20 years since D’Oria opened Soya e Pomodoro and he’s proud of the piece of history he’s adding to the Shoreland Arcade.

“ ere is history in Miami, and where I come from, we don’t destroy the old. We renew the old,” D’Oria said.

Going to dinner in miami is 50% for the food and 50% for the pictures. Enjoy the food rst, but if you ever visit Soya e Pomodoro bring your Instagram A-game.

If you are always in a rush , or want to feel the rush, this issue’s special section dives head first into safe popping and how to get protective of yourself while out. Getting anywhere in Miami on time has become an issue, so learn all about Miami’s chart-topping traffic . If you can get past the tra c, get wet ‘n’ wild at some of Miami’s best water parks . And finally, find out which songs make our sta “feel the rush?”

RUSH

Poppers are a new substance that has stepped into the limelight recently. They have been around for years but have just recently reentered the mainstream. These small bottles are known for giving users a brief but intense head high when sni ed. While it sounds fun, you should never stick your nose somewhere it shouldn’t be. Before you start sni ng with reckless abandon, put your nosiness to use and read up on the new rush.

words&design_sal puma. photo_sharron lou

Due to recent exposure in the media, poppers are starting to become a more mainstream party drug. But what is inside these little bottles and where have they been before now?

Poppers have had strong roots in the LGBTQ+ community since the early 1970s.

ey were especially big in the underground queer clubbing scene and were colloquially known to some as “hippie crack.” Moreover, a contemporary queer popstar has brought poppers back onto the dance oor over the last few months.

Troye Sivan’s hit single “Rush,” which was er one of the most popular brands of poppers, have seemingly reignited interest in the drug amongst his fanbase and enjoyers of the single. e song and music video showcased scenes of the queer community in nightlife spaces as a means to portray the oating high poppers give. at imagery was enough to get more people interested in what these colorful little bottles had in store.

People of all backgrounds have started to become a little nosy and see what all the rush ough before you go sni ng where you shouldn’t, let’s nd out what is in these colorful little bottles.

What’s Popping?

If you’ve seen people passing around something that looks like a 5-hour ENERGY bottle, chances are it’s poppers. According to the Alcohol and Drug Federation, poppers are classi ed as an amyl nitrite inhalant.

It is a depressant, which means it’s a substance that slows down the messages sent from your brain and body. e e ect is described as a very intense head high that lasts for a few seconds. Hence the name “rush” being given to one of its brands, as the amyl nitrate literally rushes through you.

Poppers can be found near the checkout of many smoke shops in small colorful bottles. Even though it is legal to sell nitrates in the U.S., some brands aren’t marketed solely as poppers. Some have packaging that details them as “leather cleaners,” “nail polish removers,” or some similar cleaning product to avoid ak from the Food and Drug Administration, the regulatory body in the United States that oversees the creation and distribution of food, drugs and other related goods.

Poppers at one time were mainly used as a drug to enhance sex, as they are taken right before or even during to relax the body — speci cally the rectal muscles —and to heighten the pleasure experienced. is sense of bodily relaxation and the loosening of speci c muscles is why they rst became big within queer communities, especially queer men. e relaxation makes it easier for penetrative anal sex due to the momentary feeling of numbness caused by the drug.

Eventually, poppers became more widely used, making their way to non-queer social venues because of the quick and intense high they can give users.

While there are no immediate side e ects of popper usage, the FDA explains that excessive use can lead to nausea, headache and vomiting. Many bottles have warnings on them explaining that direct skin contact with the substance inside the bottle may lead to a rash.

Who’s Popping?

As mentioned earlier, poppers were big in queer communities, and still are. But when Troye Sivan’s released his hit single “Rush” it was like free advertising for poppers.

“I’ve known about them for a while from Twitter, like the concept of poppers. But this summer I seriously think Rush by Troye Sivan played a big role,” added an anonymous UM student — who this article will refer to as Chris — that just recently got into them.

As a gay man himself, Chris agreed that he had heard of them before across gay media, though only tried it a er their sudden surge in popularity.

He elaborated adding, “[poppers are] de nitely more mainstream now than they ever have been. Gay culture as a whole has been more mainstream than it’s ever been, too.”

e large scope and mostly accepting environment of the internet has caused facets of the queer community to be adopted by the public. Popular music artists, fashion and lingo, are some of the few which have made their way into staples of online culture. It’s because of this rise in queer culture that Chris attributes to more people using poppers, which was not something that they were expecting.

“Like, my straight girlfriends back home love doing poppers, and for what,” admitted Chris.

Another anonymous student — who this article will refer to as Kim — provided the answer, saying she likes the momentary high poppers give.

“

ey’re great when you go out because you can feel it for a little bit, but once it passes, you’re back to normal,” said Kim.

Kim said she saw a friend of hers using them on a night out and asked him to try it. A er enjoying the experience, she has sprinkled poppers into a few of her nights out since.

“It didn’t seem like something I would be interested in, but they’re pretty good and pretty cheap, too,” said Kim.

Chris recalled a time when he was hanging out with some friends of his, and a very straight friend of his asked for a hit of his poppers.

“I was just surprised,” said Chris. “It was funny, too. Some of his friends there said that poppers were ‘gay,’ but he didn’t think so. en, he handed it to them for them to try, and then there were like ve frat guys all taking poppers.”

“Poppers are definitely more mainstream ... Gay culture as a whole has been more mainstream than it’s ever been, too.”

For What Dost Thou Pop?

Currently, now that the poppers demographic is changing, how they’re being used is as well. However, there seems to be a strong connection between the present and the drug’s roots.

We interviewed another student — who this article will refer to as Blake — loves going to see live music, and they said that popper use was common in those scenes.

“When I went to Factory Town [Miami] the air pretty much smelled like poppers,” said Blake. “Anywhere where there’s loud music: raves, concerts, clubs, stu like that.”

ey added that especially for concerts and other performances you pay a lot of money for, you want to be able to remember it. If you get too drunk or high, you might only remember snippets of the show, whereas with poppers you only feel the high for a few minutes.

“Plus, they’re easier to sneak in,” added Blake.

Kim also mentioned that she uses poppers as a substitute on nights where she doesn’t want to party too hard. She doesn’t feel as quick on her feet the morning a er but feels less of a hangover than what alcohol or other substances cause.

Chris uses his poppers more o en than the two sources we spoke with, mostly because he uses them as a source of relaxation.

“ ey’re great, especially a er a stressful day,” said Chris. “I’d watch a movie and sni it a little here and there for a smaller buzz.”

However, he added that even as a gay man, he never once thought of using them for sex. “I know that’s what they were originally for, but I don’t know, [it] just doesn’t seem that interesting to me.”

Poppers are more versatile than they might seem a er being introduced to a wider market. However, stay vigilant. Just because you see people doing something doesn’t mean you have to jump on the bandwagon as well.

You should vet everything you put into your body no matter what hole it goes in, so this should be no di erent. If you nd yourself wanting to try poppers, get a trusted brand and some trusted friends around you in a controlled environment. Start o small, and make sure you react okay.

Feel the rush, but please rush responsibly.

Aside from the beach, Miami has a ton of creative ways to beat the heat. From thrilling drop rides to unique water sports opportunities, these local water parks are at the top of their game when it comes to providing a fun day trip and giving you the rush

WET `N WILD

Get ready for a truly unique immersive experience with this ecological-themed adventure spot. Known for live exotic animals, treehouses and a replica of the Florida Everglades, Jungle Island o ers much more than a typical water park. Guests can enjoy a private beach experience at Parrot Cove, complete with aquatic obstacle courses within a massive water playground.

Tidal Cove

Grapeland Water Park

Not far from the Miami International Airport, Grapeland Water Park is an attractive spot for lovers of art and adventure. Designed by famous pop artist Romero Britto, Grapeland is filled with whimsical cartoon murals and has a very vibrant aesthetic. Their park attractions, including Captain’s Lagoon and Buccaneer River, are family friendly, making this park a great place for the younger crowd.

Located in Aventura, Florida, this mega-park has something for everyone. Their attractions are geared towards all ages. Parents can let their kids explore the Kids Cove while relaxing at the Oasis Pool, Lazy River or one of several luxurious cabanas. For the more adventurous types, you can check out the Master Blaster, the world’s very first uphill water slide or drop rides like the Aqua Drop and Boomerango.

Castaway Island

This water park is uniquely situated in Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, a leisurely spot found outside of Fort Lauderdale. Surrounded by acres of picnic spots, nature trails and open

Caribbean-themed park also includes water cannons, giant buckets and rain curtains, all while overlooking a scenic lake nearby.

Rapids Water Park

This 35-acre site in West Palm Beach is the largest water park in all South Florida. With a 25,000 square foot wave pool and quarter-mile lazy river, bigger really is better at Rapids. Some of their attractions include the Black Thunder slide — a multi-rider raft ride through complete darkness — and the Big Red funnel ride. Something to look forward to in 2024 is the unveiling of a brand-new ride: Mega Mayhem. This water slide allows riders to race each other at up to 22 mph.

Miami Watersports Complex

If you’re looking to learn a unique and thrilling new skill, Miami Watersports Complex might have just what you’re looking for. The park is situated on the shores of a 90-acre lake in Hialeah’s Amelia Earhart Park. The complex has plenty of room for all kinds of daring water activities for outdoor sports enthusiasts. Here, they o er lessons in waterskiing, wake surfing, cable wakeboarding and much more.

words&illustration_jay moyer. design_charlotte deangelis.

Unlike the rest of Miami-Dade County, Coral Gables is unique in that it is a planned city, whose origins are traced back to the early 20th century City Beautiful movement.

IN A RUSH IN A RUSH IN A RUSH IN A RUSH

The time is 5:15 p.m. on a Wednesday evening, you’ve been sitting in your car on the same stretch of US 1 for about 30 minutes now, and let’s be frank — you’re probably running late for something. Since 2019, Miami has risen to infamous standing as the fifth worst city for traffic in the United States, increasing by an insurmountable 30%. While it might be easy to blame the COVID pandemic and Miami drivers’ a nity for breaking tra c laws, the cause of tra c appears to be a bit more complex. words_mary gorski. design&illustration_andrés alessando.

Miami: City of Vice and Leisure

Notably the only major city in the United States to be founded by a woman, Miami was originally founded by Julia Tuttle in the late 19th century. She moved to Biscayne Bay following her husband’s death and sought to develop the area, earning her the a ectionate nickname “the Mother of Miami.” Following the Great Freeze of 1894, all the orange groves within the state of Florida had been eliminated — except in Miami. A common myth says that Tuttle — foreseeing the potential of the area — gi ed a crate of oranges to railroad tycoon Henry Flagler, requesting he extend his Florida East Coast Railway into the region.

Either the oranges were delicious or her persuasion tactics irrefutable, as Flagler extended his railway south and built the Royal Palm Hotel where the Miami River met Biscayne Bay. A couple of years later, Miami was o cially incorporated as a city in July of 1896. It is, however, important to

Zoning Codes and Traffic Woes

Barely older than a hundred years, Miami is comparable to those of us in our early twenties — nding our place in the world, learning to be self-reliant and still making bad decisions. To facilitate productive conversations on Miami infrastructure and transportation issues, it is imperative that we not only acknowledge the city’s youth, but also recognize its strengths. Despite the suburban sprawl of the late 1900s, Miami has maintained a resilient grid network unlike cities such as Phoenix which has developed into a sea of interconnected cul-de-sacs. e bene ts of a resilient grid network are maximized through holistic zoning and intentional urban planning.

Miami 21 is a Form Based Code — which focuses on the size and form of buildings instead of their use — that was implemented in 2019 and has since governed the building and development for the City of Miami. It utilizes di erent building zones through transects — a gradient of zones based on their ratios of natural, built and social components from T-1 natural zone to T-6 urban core zone— rather than traditional segregated land use zones such as single family residential, commercial or industrial. Miami 21 was written

note that the Miami namesake is owed to the Tequesta tribe who occupied the region until the mid-1700s, for their word Mayaimi — meaning big water — was used to describe the area surrounding Lake Okeechobee and, by extension, the Miami River.

A er Miami’s incorporation, the city was ooded with tourists, looking to start anew in a city promising rest, recreation and luxury.

e city continued to ourish into the 20th century and experienced a real estate boom in the 1920s — not uncommon for Miami — which attracted business tycoons from up north such as James Deering and George Merrick who developed much of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables respectively. Up to this point, Miami had grown steadily with transportation and resources proportional to its density, despite the steady in ux of tourists and immigrants escaping to our tropical paradise. So, what changed?

“Following World War 2, it was a time in the United States where cities were decentralizing. People moved out to the suburbs where there was only one use and

by DPZ CoDesign, a planning, urban design and architecture rm, whose principals were also the co-founders of the Congress for New Urbanism or CNU, an organization concerned with promoting diverse neighborhoods, climate change conscious designs, and notably, walkable cities, towns and neighborhoods. Miami 21 embodies the values of CNU and promotes pedestrian walkability essential to combatting tra c issues.

e persisting issue, however, is consistency of implementation and changing a culture reliant on vehicle transportation. While Miami 21 is a great rst step for the City of Miami, it does not extend to the entire Miami-Dade County nor the extents of the major metropolitan region, meaning much of the colloquial “Miami” is still governed by land use zoning perpetuating vehicle dependency.

Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk is a practicing architect and urban planner, a founding principal of DPZ CoDesign, and a professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture. Well versed in the Miami infrastructure, Plater-Zyberk maintains that the primary reason we have so much tra c on the highways is due to zoning. Residents who live in suburban areas are forced to travel downtown for jobs, contributing to much of the rush hour tra c.

what connected them were highways,” explains Carie Penabad, a professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture and partner of CÚRE & PENABAD, a Miami-based architecture rm.

Additionally, Penabad hosts the podcast “ON CITIES,” which examines the complex forces shaping our built environment through discussions with leading experts on challenges facing our cities today such as climate change, infrastructure design, and urban policy. Rather than investing robustly in public transit, like older cities such as Boston or New York, Penabad says Miami responded to the trend in urban sprawl and invested in highways and suburban developments west of the city.

As a result, instead of densifying centrically as it aged, the city spread the footprint of its built environment, subsequently segregating uses to di erent areas of the metropolitan region and thus making transportation via highways a requirement to those who live here.

“I only spend 15 minutes driving to and from campus each day since I live nearby,” says Cameron King, a UM senior studying biomedical engineering who has a reasonable commute to campus. He amends however, “in the a ernoons I go gol ng in Palmetto Bay or on Key Biscayne, which means I drive home during peak rush hour tra c.”

Christine Lara, a sophomore biomedical engineering major, commutes daily to campus from her home in Homestead. “I spend around 10 hours a week in the car, driving to and from campus,” she says, explaining that the tra c is always at its worst in the morning, with particular congestion from Cutler Bay up to the University of Miami Coral Gables campus. Both of them agreed that they’re likely to abandon commuting by car, if other methods of transit — albeit Metrorail, campus shuttle or even walking — became more accessible, cleaner and safer.

Lara and King are just two examples of tra c woes, as 63% of the school’s population lives o campus and commutes daily, leading to the increased tra c in the area, expensive parking passes and the school’s parking spot scarcity. Ironically, our parking problems might hold the answer to combatting rush hour tra c.

Parking, Policies and Pedestrians

Astronomical parking costs, too small parking spots or complete lack thereof and haunting and daunting parking requirements have come to make parking in Miami a nightmare for some. e issues of parking, vehicle dependency, tra c congestion and public transportation are all intertwined and should be tackled as such.

Plater-Zyberk asserts that, “the federal budget for transportation is enormous, and it’s enormous at the state and local levels as well. However, most of that goes to xing roads or building new roads.” In the same vein, Penabad explains, “parking has to be made more di cult and more expensive for public transit to really take o .”

Despite Miami’s relative youth to other major cities across the world, the aging infrastructure of the city has posed signi cant challenges for mitigating tra c congestion. e worst culprits are I-95, 826 Palmetto, 836 Dolphin Expressway and US-1.

e cycle is as follows: we establish zoning that decentralizes uses and decreases density, which creates a dependency on vehicle transportation, which requires the existence of readily available parking, thus leads to the continuous maintenance and expansion of automotive infrastructure such as highways, interstates and streets due to tra c and road wear. How do we get o this dizzying infrastructure merry-go-round?

While we would like to fancy ourselves capable of ending the worldwide issue of tra c and vehicle dependent infrastructure in a single article, that’s not entirely feasible nor realistic. e solution to our tra c crisis is a continuously implemented, multi-pronged approach adapting in response to the future development of the Miami metropolitan region. It consists

of transitioning from traditional land use zoning in favor of a mixed used city, establishing policies discouraging parking, and creating enjoyable pedestrian experiences. ese three components are embodied in other places across the United States such as downtown Boston’s mixed use neighborhood development, Connecticut’s parking requirement decrease in residential zoning and Manhattan’s Park Avenue with wide sidewalks and neighborly front stoops, respectively.

For Miami to evolve from her collegiate stumbling into a fully grown, assured adult city, who is structured by resilient and sustainable infrastructure, we must continuously look towards innovative planning with curiosity.

Staff Picks

“What

songs make you feel the rush?”

All of us have that song that makes us feel the rush. Whether the song forces us to crank out a two-step or overcomes our bodies with a slight tingling feeling, we all know what that song is. In honor of this issue’s special section, we’ve compiled a list of songs and hopefully you’ll feel it too.

words_andrew mccleskey. design_melanie bergunker.

the Rules Charli

Murder on the Dance Floor

10 Things I Hate About You

Safari J Balvin Break

XCX

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

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Azealia Banks Shiver John Summit Where She Goes

VICE CITY VICE CITY VICE CITY S FETY S FETY S FETY

It’s no secret that Miami is the ultimate hub for all things nightlife. For many college students, an attractive party scene is crucial to their college experience. After all, libraries were never intended to be lived in, and tomorrow’s assignment could always be done, well, tomorrow. However, getting wild with your friends can turn into a complete nightmare if proper protocol isn’t put into place. Want to know how to stay composed amid the mania? Well, we’ve got the run-down on how to make your nights out equally safe as they are fun.

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Following the rules might come o as totally “uncool,” but staying safe is actually guaranteed to keep the fun a oat. In the midst of South Florida’s booze and glamour, protecting yourself is absolutely essential. Don’t sour your night out on the town by failing to follow simple safety precautions.

Keep an Eye on Your Alcohol

We all know that alcohol can lend itself to a multitude of mishaps and dangerous situations. e topic of “unattended drinks” is a relevant issue that all students should be aware of. Let’s keep it simple: never leave your drink unattended. A drink le abandoned is prone to maltreatment; sneaky substances can make their way into a drink without leaving any sign that your cup has been tampered with.

To ensure the full security while drinking, always keep your drink in hand. Never accept drinks from strangers, even if the situation or person seems completely harmless. If possible, watch the bartender make your drink so that you know exactly what your being served. Want to enjoy the night out sober? Even better. Chances are you’ll be much more aware of your surroundings and be saving a good amount of money, too.

Retain All Possessions

In addition to supervising your drinks, make sure to be aware of your belongings. ieves lurk everywhere, so always keep track of your items. University of Miami junior, Isabelle Fitzpatrick knows far too well about the unhinged stealing incidents in Miami.

“I’ve had personal items stolen twice in Brickell,” Fitzpatrick says. “One time my wallet was taken out of my purse at the Komodo restaurant. Another time my phone was stolen out of my purse in Socialista. When my phone was taken, I luckily had driven that night and wasn’t drinking so I was able to get home. If I would’ve been depending on an Uber to take me home like usual, I de nitely would’ve been in a tough situation.”

Get Protective

“I own pepper spray but always forget to put it in my bag before going out with my friends,” Fitzpatrick shares. “A lot of clubs in Miami actually check your bag anyways and don’t allow weapons. I’ve actually gotten in the habit of keeping a wine corkscrew in my bag since I work in the service industry, but I like to think that I could use that for selfdefense if I really needed to.”

If pepper spray con scations put a damper on your night, aim to keep a good distance from any potential danger and survey the scene for anyone who may be able to lend a hand, if needed.

Avoid Sketchy Affairs

In need of ultimate defense weapon? Pepper spray is the way to go. e state of Florida allows the possession of pepper spray in public areas, though no container should hold more than two ounces of spray. Pepper spray can cause quite the sting. Eye exposure to the gas can spawn sensitivity to light, redness and di culty opening eyes. While pepper spray is legal in Florida, make sure to get a heads up to see if the tool is allowed at your chosen venue.

Have you ever had that feeling where a certain situation feels a bit, well, o ? Avoid such spots at all costs. Certain places breed a dangerous and unhealthy culture that is best kept secret. High-tra c times of year such as the infamous “spring break” weekend welcome wild personalities and habits that can be unsafe and downright terrifying. If certain areas make your stomach turn, turn the other way around. Friendly PSA to all of the ladies out there: if there seems to be no other women present, look no further and exit the premises.

L ast year, Miami was voted the best city in the United States and the third best city in the world for nightlife, beating out other cities known for their nightlife scenes such as Ibiza Town and Las Vegas.

Ride Reliably

So you’re ready to go out, but how exactly how exactly are you getting there? Believe it or not, transportation to and from a bar, club or, frankly, any function is extremely important. e rules of drunk driving are loud and clear, but what about all of the ridehailing services such as Uber and Ly ? Don’t be fooled by a driver who simply “looks the part.” Adopt these four paramount tips when waiting for your next ride.

1. Match the License Plates

Does the license plate in front of you match the one provided on the app? If not, don’t accept the ride.

2. The “Name Game”

Always ask the driver to say your name before accepting the ride. Sure, you know their name, but to ensure that they are who they say they are, make sure they can accurately identify you by your name.

3. Use a Code

If you’re using Uber, make sure to turn on the code feature in the settings. is way, the

4. Spot the GPS

Do you know where you’re going? Make sure that the driver’s GPS is always visible. If you sense that something looks shy, let the driver know.

University of Miami junior Julianna Sondon makes sure to apply these helpful tactics every time she goes out with friends.

“If we’re taking a car like an Uber or Ly , and the car passes our destination, I’m sure to pay attention to where we are and tell the driver ‘you’ve missed our destination,’” Sondon says. “I also share my location with my family members or other friends that have stayed home so that if needed, they can get to me in case of an emergency.”

Intuition Always Wins

While self-defense tactics and acute attention skills are extremely important in ensuring a safe night out, there’s one skill that only you know best, and that’s trusting your gut. Listening to your instincts will never fail, especially if in the unfortunate presence of danger and uncertainty. When in doubt, listen to your gut. If your body senses that something isn’t quite right, believe it.

Don’t waste time trying to rationalize the situation at hand or excusing things that are completely unwarranted. Examine the scene, reassemble the group your arrived with and pinpoint the best course of action, that will guarantee safety and security apart from all of the danger. If you’re in the thick of a crime or emergency near campus, contact the University of Miami Police Department and provide them with detailed information regarding the nature, severity and location of the incident.

Now, before you embark on a thrilling night out, remember this one nal tip: “it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.” While nightlife is meant to take a weight o one’s shoulders, it can o en lead to serious distress when situations aren’t handled properly. Stay alert, be aware, and of course, have some fun.

Miami Beach, an area known for its vibrant nightlife, was ranked the third most dangerous city in the state of Florida, only trailing behind Daytona Beach and Homestead. So, if you ever nd yourself in Miami Beach, keep your eyes peeled and stay alert.

This section is your sanctuary to refuel your body and mind. Workouts, mental health, beauty, oh my! Straighten out your life with a how-to on maintaining good posture . The smoke alarms are going o around pot, as new research marijuana use has a ected the movement to legalize pot in Florida. Fitness apps are taking the reigns of how people are working out. Unleash your inner Peter Pan by upping your hydration and antioxidants and eating more “anti-aging” foods . Keep flipping for the best tips on tending to your health.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

straighten UP

Looking from an outside lense, an individual’s posture can be seen as reflection of one’s overall well-being and physical health — when in reality it goes deeper than that, playing a major role in our lives both consciously and unconsciously. So, sit up straight and let us here at Distraction tell you everything you need to know about posture.

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Posture directly in uences the way you are perceived by others. “It’s one of those things that subconsciously communicates a lot to people, so being mindful of your posture is a really good way to make a strong rst impression before you even speak,” says Fatima Navarro, a University of Miami junior majoring in public relations.

A nine-to- ve job is a massive hurdle to achieving good posture. With a large chunk of our day set in front of a computer, “we get into the habit of slouching,” mentions Navarro. According to Medline, a digital research tool ran by the National Instititue of Health, the dreaded slouch can be avoided by not leaning forward into your screen, and instead, using a lower back pillow to support your spine.

e virtual workforce is more prone to bad posture commonly due to a lack of a traditional o ce desk. Even at home, try to create a better ergonomic setup to make you feel like you’re at work, which leads to bettering your posture.

Dr. Torres, a physical therapist and professor at UM, gives her patients a checklist to check your laptop, chair, feet, knees and neck positions for optimal posture while working .

Being on your laptop, on a sofa or walking with your phone in hand gets you into the damaging forward head and rounded shoulder posture. It’s “harder to break those postures than it is to just form good postures to begin with,” says Dr. Torres. “It’s going to take more of a conscious e ort and really strengthening certain key muscles to x these bad habits,” Dr. Trorres later added.

With her clients, Dr. Torres focuses on strengthening the mid back as well as the core with attention to the transverse abdominus. Exercises such as reverse crunches or rows with a band are favorable.

“How strong your core is contributes to your posture,” says Navarro. With a weak core comes a greater tendency to cave in Navarro explains.

Many people who go to the gym focus their attention on forward work like biceps and pecs. With an unbalanced muscle distribution, the tendency to slouch forward increases according to Dr. Torres.

Laying on a foam roller, forcing yourself into that extension posture opens the pecs right away, giving you a good stretch and pushing you into proper posture. You can also add arm movements and focus on your breathing to further open up.

Dr. Torres recommends to patients to set a timer. For every two hours they spend on their computer, Dr. Torres says they should lay on the foam roller for ve minutes.

“You’re aligning the spine to get against that gravity position that wants to keep leaning you forward,” said Dr. Torres.

Dr. Torres says that the main bene ts of proper posture are increased respiratory functioning, reducing the risk of pain syndromes that can lead to an unhealthy cycle of inactivity, poor eating habits and potentially injury.

e position you sleep in also a ects your posture. Stomach sleepers are the worst, back sleepers are the best and side sleepers can vary. Dr. Torres recommends that side

sleepers should put a pillow between their knees to avoid crossing your legs and twisting your back. If you can’t comfortably change your sleeping position, stretch your back for a few minutes once you wake up, Dr. Torres recommends.

Unfortunately, crossing your legs is another posture don’t, as it’s not good for your lower back. Instead, try and make the number four with your legs, placing the outside of your ankle over the opposite knee, recommends Dr. Torres.

e key to better posture, in the long run, is becoming more conscious of making it more a habit. Only implementing two exercises daily can help battle bad posture, allowing this battle against the slouch to become a habit and not something that feels like a mission or a task.

When learning about good etiquette, women used to balance a book on their head because it was believed that it elongated the neck, made the eyes face forward and straightened the back.

With each passing year and each set of blown out birthday candles, most of us grow more keenly aware of a staunch reality — none of us are getting any younger. From Botox to retinol creams, there seems to exist an endless array of “quick” fixes to the aging dilemma. However, with simple additions to your diet and daily routine, you can avoid draining your bank account and seemingly achieve the same results. You shouldn’t eat away all your problems, but if you eat the right foods, you might be able to eat away some.

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“You are what you eat.” Most of us have heard this phrase growing up. Yet, it is especially applicable on UM’s college campus, overcome with limitless and seemingly never-ending food and dining options. From the greasy Panda Express in the food court to the mediocre, empty and sad-looking salad options in the dining hall, it can be hard to nd food options on campus that fuel both the body and mind. e freshman 15 is notorious for a reason, likely due to a plethora of causes. Moreover, with all the temptations of college life, practicing selfcontrol can be challenging.

For many students, college is the rst time they are making their own food choices — away from their parent’s cooking — and don’t know where to start. Choosing what foods to eat can be overwhelming, and it is important to start making healthy food choices and practices. To gain some insight on the best foods for anti-aging and to stay healthy, we spoke to a self-employed nutritionist and personal trainer Kelsey Conway.

“ e typical go to [anti-aging] foods are foods that hydrate you and foods that are high in antioxidants,” said Conway. Some common hydrating foods are fruits, fatty sh, avocado, dark leafy greens nuts and seeds. Conway emphasizes the importance of water, as she claims that water is the maintaining one’s personal health.

“Our skin and bodies need hydration to stay plump and stay functioning, just like your digestive system needs water to stay running smoothly, so anything that is on the juicy side, like fruits, that provide hydration is great: oranges, pineapple, papaya and fruits high in antioxidants such as berries assist in free radical ghting — which is a type of unstable molecule in our cells that can lead to more serious problems such as increasing the risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues,” said Conway.

Gym owner and dietician Melissa Kleinberg agrees, while also highlighting the anti-aging bene ts of lean proteins, ber, calcium, , whole grains, iron and vitamins A, C, B12, D, E.

“Some foods like sweet potatoes are super high in vitamin A which helps keep the skin and eyes healthy,” said Kleinberg. “Good quality fats that have omega 6 and 3 like avocados, salmon and nuts help reduce in ammation and are high in DHA that can help with our brain’s ability to remember and learn.”

We know that foods high in antioxidants and that provide hydration have a wide variety of health bene ts, but are they truly anti-aging? Can they actually help you live

longer? And going a step further — live a longer and more healthy balanced lifestyle?

According to Conway, “these foods de nitely help you live longer.” She continues saying that “it all comes down to in ammation. Foods that help our bodies stay low in in ammation lead to our bodies increased abilities for cell repair, and a healthy digestive system.”

“Proteins can also help preserve lean muscle and bone mass and can help lessen falls and fractures. So, yes, technically we could say some foods help our skin look ‘younger,’” added Kleinberg.

University of Miami senior Emelia Bercaw also mentions the health bene ts of bone broth and creatine, which is great for brain development and muscle recovery, especially if you go to gym or li .

But Kleinberg did want to note that “there aren’t miracle foods that make people ‘skinny,’ but good quality foods help people lose fat when paired with exercise. Getting enough water can also absolutely help with body fat loss.”

“Everyone feels better when things are running smoothly on the digestive tract,” added Conway.

However, both emphasize the importance of everything in moderation.

Unlike fad diets, such as the ones that see results extremely quickly but are ultimately unsustainable, both Conway and Kleinberg promote the importance of enjoying all foods in a healthy and balanced way.

“I don’t recommend things like keto, no carb diets, extreme ‘low’ calorie diets, the South Beach diet, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers etc., because most are not backed by science. Most simply cause unhealthy eating habits and relationships with food,” said Kleinberg.

On a side note, Conways explains that the only diet she “can somewhat get behind” is the Mediterranean Diet, also known as the anti-in ammation diet, which focuses on all of the foods you see eaten in Mediterranean countries. However, she explains that it can be a bit restrictive, which she disagrees with.

“If you can’t stick to it, don’t start it at all,” she said. “Everything you lost will go back to the way it was,” she explains. A rule of thumb — if you can’t stick to it and have it be a sustainable way of eating for the rest of your life, it’s probably not the best option for you.

Bercaw agrees. In her words, “if you’re craving a brownie, just eat the brownie. You don’t have to eat a million brownies, but if you try to replace it with something ‘healthier,’ you’ll still want the brownie, and you’ll likely eat a lot more than one.”

Not only alcohol can age your appearance, but alcohol can age your organs as well. e liver adapts to increased alcohol consumption over time by producing more enzymes to break down ethanol, the active ingredient in alcohol.

Conway explains how she tries to get all of her clients to implement all the foods mentioned above. However, she recognizes that not everyone will eat all of those foods. As a solution to this, she says that supplements and vitamins are a great option — yet she explains they are unnecessary if you are already consuming the foods rich in the desired nutrients. She also recommends blending these anti-in ammatory and antioxidant foods into a smoothie — a cold and delicious treat.

Besides weight loss, what are some of the bene ts of eating this way?

“ e number one thing people point out is their change in energy levels — they tend to feel less fatigued throughout the day with a lack of headaches and that dreaded drained feeling,” said Conway. On a physical level, she points out how the skin may look brighter and glowier, as well.

Let’s go a step further — changing your diet is simply a stepping-stone to making some signi cant lifestyle changes.

Conway emphasizes the importance of getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night — no fewer.

“It is also important to maintain healthy stress levels. Life is stressful,” said Conway. “And nding ways to manage it is so helpful for the way the body runs. You don’t want

your body to function harder than it does on a day-to-day basis.”

Exercise is also crucial, as Conway explains “Just getting in some movement — walking — just not sitting all day, and weight training is especially good for the body, especially for women.”

Although it is hard as college students, Conway also emphasizes the importance of limiting alcohol intake. Alcohol does nothing for your body except dehydrate it. When you can, avoid sugary mixers and opt for something lighter, like a club soda

In addition, both Conway and Kleinberg say to limit processed foods, unhealthy fats and added sugars.

“ e more processed the food is, the worse it is. Instead opt for whole foods,” said Conway. “If you can name the ingredients and don’t question the ingredients in a particular food, it’s much healthier than foods with more ingredients, which tend to have more chemicals [that] your body has a hard time processing,” she says.

Although they provide short-term grati cations, foods like sodas, sweets and fast food can seem appealing in the moment. But most of us don’t feel our best a er downing a large coke and a Big Mac.

“Our bodies don’t know how to break them down,” Conway says. “ ey are not

good for your gut health.”

On a biological level, it all comes down to gut health, and even further — cell health.

“Every inch of our bodies is made up of cells, and when we eat, the food goes through our stomachs, then pancreas, then liver and then are broken down even further until it is absorbed into our bloodstream, which is broken down into fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, sent to do jobs that make us feel good. ese help with cell growth, cell repair, and ghting infection and sickness,” Conway states.

“I don’t like to call any food ‘bad’ and a serving of a not so nutrient dense food isn’t going to make or break your health or take years o your life. Food is absolutely fuel but it’s also ok to eat food for pleasure. It connects us to di erent cultures and family and simply can taste amazing,” says Kleinberg.

Living longer and healthier won’t come down to eating magic foods that will radically reverse the aging process. Yet with a few simple steps, all of us can maybe add a couple extra years onto our lives and cancel out aging caused by one too many nights going out and eating out.

Let’s add a little chemistry into the mix. Antioxidants prevent free-radical tissue damage by various pathways. According to the National Library of Medicine, free radical damage contributes to cardiovascular disease, in ammatory disease and cancer.

Fitness at Your Fingertips

As 2024 begins and people start setting New Year’s Resolutions, going to the gym and exercising more usually starts to creep up to the top of the list. Some people may have no idea where to start in the gym, is cardio or lifting better? How do I use these machines and do I need to set a diet for this? Millions of questions may be swirling as a first time gym-goer but, in fact, there are many tools for those who are starting out such as a variety of fitness apps out there.

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Apple Fitness

Firstly, a very useful app would be the Apple Fitness app. Many use their Apple watches or iphone’s to track their workouts daily as well as the speci c types of workouts they did. ere is a range of options such as outdoor and indoor walking, stair stepper, cycling, rowing, and swimming. e app then logs this onto your phone so you can see your weekly and even monthly progress and consistency.

Christie Hugget, a Freshman at UM, loves to use Apple Fitness as to track her workouts. “I also use this to track my sleep and connect with friends to see what workouts they might be doing,” said Hugget. It is truly a multi-faceted app that is widely popular due to the ease of having access already on an apple device.

Trainerize

Nike Training Club

Additionally, another popular tness app is Nike Training Club. is app has personalized workouts, professional feedback, nutrition tips, and even low intensity training. e Nike Training Club app is widely applicable to those who prefer yoga, or those who want to li heavy; there truly is a path for every user.

ese workout programs are speci cally tailored to the users needs and their schedules. No matter where the user is at in their tness journey, the online trainers will tailor their training to the user’s level of comfortability. ere are not only workout tips, but also post-workout recommendations to continue a healthy lifestyle outside of a dedicated workout time.

Another popular tness app is Trainerize; this one can be especially useful for those who use a personal trainer and can work with them to achieve their goals. Personal trainer and tness professional Holly Cleckler uses Trainerize for her clients as she “can brand this to her business and upload exercise videos of herself with proper forms and cues to create workouts for her clients”.

ere are many bene ts to this app, as this can act as a hybrid program to use in person as well as to follow along with workouts individually. “I can help them one-on-one with form and educate them in person so that they can integrate it into their own workouts when using the app,” said Cleckler. e app also allows for clients to track weight, reps, sets, rest, and also can sync to tness watches.

As well, there is a food tracking feature that allows users to use this to accompany their tness journey. Yet, there are also disadvantages as it is very important to meet with a trainer and not just use this individually. “ ere’s value in seeing someone’s limitations in person so that I can give them speci c exercises to address those limitations when reaching their goals,” said Cleckler. ere are a variety of tness apps on the market but Trainerize provides very good programs and education.

MyFitnessPal

Lastly, another option to use is MyFitnessPal. MyFitnessPal is an app based on tracking food and tness to reach a certain goal. is app tracks calories, BMI, types of workouts, and nutrition but all of which raises a lot of concerns with many users. Freshman, Mion Smith, said that the app has features such as “under 500 calorie meals, weight tracking, caloric distribution between meals”.

is may be helpful for some who want to achieve their tness goals, but for others this can be considered restrictive in nature. ere is some apprehension with the overuse of this app as many track their calories in a negative light, restricting themselves and underestimating their caloric intake.

Many “ t-in uencers” may be promoting new and trendy apps or just some may have a good following online, but necessarily may not provide the best and most helpful aid in a personal tness journey, so it is best to choose a personal t to achieve your health and wellness goals.

Smoke Alarms

The legalization of weed has been a topic long debated in many state governments. Here in Florida, there has been many di erent pushes and pushbacks on the notion from the various parties in the state. However, according to new research, pot might not be as hot as it’s been talked up to be, and these new findings might slow the roll of these motions.

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In January, Gov. Ron DeSantis made headlines when he said he expects the Florida Supreme Court will approve the ballot initiative for adult-use marijuana initiative.

“I think the court is going to approve that,” DeSantis said at a campaign event in New Hampshire, “so it will be on the ballot.”

In 2016, voters passed Florida Amendment 2 with 71% of the vote, which legalized medical marijuana. Florida became one of 38 states that have legalized it for medical purposes, the rst being California in 1996. It is notable that this passed without support from the Florida Republican Party, which had, and still has, control of the legislative and executive side of the Florida state government.

If Florida voters do vote to legalize marijuana recreationally, it would become the 25th state to do so, pushing the percentage of Americans who live in a state with legalized recreational cannabis from 0% in 2012, to over 60% in 2024.

Many, including DeSantis, remained opposed to legalizing recreational marijuana use. “Drugs are killing this country,” DeSantis said in 2023. “I would not legalize. I think what has happened is this stu is very potent now.”

However, even with the executive and legislature against legalization, it will ultimately be up to voters. e Florida Supreme Court appears poised to approve Florida Amendment 3 for the 2024 general election, which would put the question of recreational marijuana on the ballot. To pass, the amendment would need 60% of the vote.

Even with recreational legalization appearing imminent, some researchers are trying to pump the breaks.

Research into the e ects of marijuana has been hamstrung by federal law, as marijuana is still classi ed as a Schedule 1 drug by the federal government, therefor making it ineligible to be researched in many lab settings. e federal government must grant special licenses to study marijuana, which can be a lengthy process requiring background checks, inspections, special security and record-keeping procedures.

Dr. Yuguang Ban is a professor and researcher at the University of Miami who studies the impact drugs have on the body. “Research into the long-term impacts of marijuana use cannot be con rmed yet,” Ban said,

highlighting the di cult process it is to study marijuana in the lab.

“Until we get more concrete data, I would not be comfortable with marijuana being legalized recreationally,” Ban said. However, this does not mean research has found no evidence marijuana can be used in a safe and e ective way. “Preliminary research has shown marijuana to be e ective in helping people recover from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), as well as helping people battling anxiety, certain cancers, glaucoma, ALS and MS,” Ban said.

Moreover, medical marijuana has been approved in 6 states to help recovering addicts who are su ering through OUD.

“No other intervention, policy, pharmacotherapy or treatment paradigm has been as impactful as cannabis legislation has been on the rates of opioid consumption, overdose, and death,” was the conclusion of a 2018 study at the University of Missouri—St. Louis into the e cacy of cannabis’ impact on the opioid crisis.

One of the biggest concerns regarding marijuana use is long-term damage to the lungs. Dr. Carol Boyd from the University of Michigan School of Nursing conducted a study in 2021 that found vaping cannabis is the most harmful form of smoking to your lungs even more than cigarettes or vaping nicotine.

“Our data challenges the assumption that smoking cigarettes or vaping nicotine is the most harmful to the lungs. However, if we control for vaping cannabis in our analyses, we nd there is a weaker relationship between e-cigarettes or cigarette use and respiratory symptoms when compared to vaping cannabis,” Boyd said in 2021.

Alexis Valle, a medical marijuana user in Coral Gables, says she developed pneumonia in the spring of 2022 that landed her in the hospital. “Doctors said that the pneumonia most likely developed because of vaping,” Valle said. She said this came as a shock to her as she had only been vaping for ve months. “Doctors told me vaping was destroying my lungs,” Valle said.

“Our lungs are designed for oxygen, pure clean air, so anything that isn’t oxygen is going to be bad for you,” said Isaac Cordero, another long-time user of medical marijuana in South Miami.

Lung issues are not the only problem when it comes to the e ects of marijuana.

According to the Mayo Clinic, medical marijuana use can lead to increased heart rate,

dizziness, impaired concentration and memory, slower reaction time, increased risk of heart attack or stroke, hallucination or mental illness, and potential for addiction.

“I do know of people who are predisposed to underlying mental illness and that using marijuana can trigger episodes or worsening symptoms they already had,” Cordero said, “I don’t think this is discussed enough in the discourse about marijuana.”

Research backs up Smith’s concerns about memory loss and marijuana use. According to a 2016 study at UC San Francisco, “ ose who used marijuana for more than ve years cumulatively have worse verbal memory in middle age than do their peers who have used marijuana less o en.”

Noah Siegel, 24, a freshman at the University of Miami, started smoking marijuana four years ago due to chronic illness when Florida voted to legalize marijuana medicinally. However, he did voice concern for the unregulated illicit black-market where people are forced to buy marijuana if they do not qualify for a medical card. “ ere needs to be more regulation,” Siegel said, “what’s coming in and what people are getting, you have no idea what is in it when buying o the black-market.”

Gio Cipriani, who has been an associate at Fluent Dispensary in Coral Gables since it opened in 2020, emphasized that while vaping marijuana can lead to lung issues, smoking

marijuana ower does not open yourself up to the same health problems that smoking cigarettes or cigars creates.

“When you have a cigarette you have the nicotine, you have the chemicals it is coated in, you have the lter that all of this passes through and a combination of all of that burning up creates tar,” Cipriani said. “Tar creates black lung and all of the nasty inhalants cigarettes create.”

While you can add substances to marijuana ower to make it more dangerous, Cipriani said their data shows that average marijuana smoker is not adding such substances. “ e average marijuana smoker is not adding exorbitant stu to what they are smoking, they are usually sticking with bongs, bowls, or hemp paper.”

“ e bene ts of alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, outweighs the downside of possible lung issues for me,” Cordero said.

“Medical marijuana has helped my insomnia and appetite, as well as helps her general anxiety and social anxiety,” Valle said.

“We have found marijuana has helped people with sleep, muscle aches, anxiety, lack of focus, among many other ailments,”

Cipriani said of her time working at Fluent. “It helps everything be a little bit more manageable.”

Cordero, Valle and Cipriani all highlighted alternative ways to ingest marijuana from smoking. is mainly included taking marijuana via edibles, whether it be in the form of a chocolate bar, gummies or tongue tinctures.

Research into the e ect of edibles is still in its infancy. Most research done on health concerns with marijuana have focused on the impacts of smoking ower or vaporizers.

What we do know about edibles is they do not harm the lungs, and for many users this is all they need to make edibles their ingestion of choice.

Marijuana has also already become a point of contention in the sports world. With many leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, and collegiate athletics having strict policies against using marijuana, players are rolling the dice that they will not have a random drug test a er using marijuana.

“ e main bene ts of marijuana for athletes are muscle rehab and general relaxing of the mind,” said a UM athlete who requested anonymity for fear of being

targeted for possible rules violations. e athlete also discussed the impact smoke has on the lungs. Players who smoke marijuana regularly have seen their on- eld production drop. To combat this, most athletes who use it take it in either pill form or as an edible, the athlete said.

e last 10 years have been a whirlwind when it comes to recreational marijuana legalization across di erent states. In 2013, no American lived in a state with recreational marijuana fully legal. is number has ballooned to over 50% of the country living in a jurisdiction with legalized recreational marijuana as of Feb. 1.

e process has been streamlined to such an extent that research has not been able to keep up due to restrictions at the federal level.

“We need more research,” Dr. Ban said. “Until we have more concrete data it will be di cult to make an informed decision on the legality of recreational marijuana.”

The Fashion section is showcasing the best in style, perfect for those looking to make a statement. Upgrade your favorite game-time wear with CrystalRags . Hear Distraction’s best predictions for the most anticipated star-studded event of the year: the Met Gala . Find looks that take adulting to the next level with disheveled officecore , great for a 9 to 5 or a night-out. And before you check out our last Distraction, see what students on campus are wearing from printed jeans and mini-skirts to denim and suit jackets.

FASHION

MET Gala:

The MET Gala. A simple name for a not so simple evening. Every year, designers take on the challenge of interpreting the designated theme and dressing the invited celebrities accordingly. With the 2024 Met Gala theme, “Sleeping Beauties: The Reawakening of Fashion,” a wide door of predictions lay open, with guesses ranging from archival fashion to princesscore. words_remi turner. design_julia gomez. photos_valeria barbaglio. illustration_hunter holstein.

Part of the Reawakening theme is 17th-century Elizabethan fashion, whose staples included linen stocks, stockings, corsets, hooped skirts, bumrolls, petticoats

MET Monday: Hollywood’s most anticipated night of the year where stars are invited to push the limits of fashion by exploring their wildest concepts, mingle with other A-listers and refrain from using their cellphones — besides the annual e, of course.

For those who need a little e MET, the event is er the iconic space where the fundraiser is hosted, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, that proudly stands in New York City’s Central Park along 5th Avenue. Every year on the rst Monday of May, the museum shuts down the streets of Manhattan and hosts a gala, infamously known as the MET Gala, where the uential celebrities are invited to witness the reveal of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit. ose who are lucky enough to land a very er invitation are expected to match their fashions to the theme of the new exhibit. And when I say celebs go all out each year, I

Whether it’s wearing a chandelier as a dress, having both butt cheeks out, arriving with a replica of your own head or simply being carried in like a Pharoah, the steps of the MET have seen it all. Designers spend months preparing the looks their attendees will strut across the red-carpet in. Maggie Dobra, the president of LUX fashion club at the University of Miami, described e MET Gala in these three words: archival, intentional and artistic. So much focus centers around the clothes worn that viewers o en forget the real purpose of the event: to raise funds for e Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

One would think that deciding on an out t could pose a challenge for those attending e MET Gala. ankfully, every year, designers are provided a little direction with a speci c theme that is chosen by directors of the museum as well as the queen of e Met Gala herself, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

emes we have seen in the past include “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and e Catholic Imagination,” “China: rough e Looking Glass” and, most recently, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.”

Princesscore or Pulling from the Rack?

e theme chosen for this year’s MET Gala is titled: “Sleeping Beauties: Reawaking Fashion.” e initial details were announced on Nov. 8, 2023, and ever since, bloggers, brands and all MET-lovers have been predicting what this theme will entail. Some predictions revolve around the idea of archival fashion and reworking old items. Celebrities who choose to go down this route have an opportunity to demonstrate sustainable dressing — an option which could pose as the perfect platform to inspire the public to take more sustainable e orts when it comes to fashion.

“Fast fashion takes the majority of resources, but the luxury fashion world sets the standards by which fast fashion operates,” said Jennifer Jacquet, an environmental science and policy professor at the University of Miami.

I mean, who doesn’t love a good upcycling moment?

On May 6, 2024, the Costume Institute exhibition at the MET will showcase approximately 250 pieces drawn from the Institute’s permanent collection, many which have rarely been seen by the public eye. ese hidden gems if you will, will be featured physically, via

video animation, CGI, AI and other forms of sensory experiences. Head curators of the Costumer Institute, Andrew Bolton and Wendy Yu, mentioned that the items featured in the exhibit will represent themes of nature. According to Bolton and Yu, the exhibition will be based on the three main “zones” of the Earth: land, sea and sky. Some predict that the fashion seen at this year’s MET Gala will take on a more elemental approach to pay tribute to the natural world.

Although we might see a lot of reworn or reworked pieces especially this year, the MET Gala is not foreign to archival fashion. We all remember when Kim Kardashian decided that Marilyn Monroe’s sparkly “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” gown was the perfect t for the 2022 Met Gala theme, “In America: An Anthology of American Fashion.”

Kim’s use of archival fashion on the red carpet inspired other celebs to also take on the challenge of putting your own twist on an out t that has been seen before. Dobra explained how this year we hope to not have any archival controversies like Kim’s in explaining, “ideally, we won’t be seeing anyone ruining old garments. I think we are going to see a lot of damaged garments being incorporated into something new.”

Don’t Mind My Predictions

At the most recent MET Gala, numerous celebrities honored Karl Lagerfeld by pulling pieces from the Chanel archives. Dua Lipa, Nicole Kidman, Kristen Stewart and Margot Robbie are just a few of the well-known celebs who wore archival Chanel at the MET Gala 2023. is recent spark in pulling pieces from the archival rack will most likely continue to be a trend in the upcoming MET Gala.

As a new ambassador for the Balenciaga campaign and a lifelong supporter of the brand, I expect Kim Kardashian to take on a vintage look sourced by Balenciaga at this year’s MET Gala. If Harry Styles chooses to bless us with his presence on the MET Gala carpet in May, I suspect Gucci to dress him in an archival suit with an exposed chest, leaving us a little peak at his sculpted pecs and ne-line tattoos. Emma Chamberlain will most likely make an appearance in a vintage Louis Vuitton dress with a spunky hair accessory, looking perfect and put together while interviewing all our favorite celebs on their way in. I could also see the reimagination of classic designs or a certain style that a celebrity is known for.

With any MET Gala, there is always the chance that you will run into a handful of celebrities who interpret the theme quite literally. Arguably one of the masters of the MET Gala, Jared Leto, is known for taking the theme at face value. Last year, Leto arrived as Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, in a head-to-toe costume with pearly white fur and so blue eyes. Doja Cat and Katy Perry also tend to take a MET Gala theme very literally, so don’t be shocked if they arrive in full sleeping beauty glam.

One thing I know for sure is that we won’t be disappointed this May. Pretty soon, guest lists will start to emerge, highlighting those who dare to strut across the MET steps. For those interested in reacting to Hollywood’s best, the Vogue team will be streaming the red carpet on their o cial website, as well as live-blogging reactions to the looks. If I were you, I would de nitely take advantage of tuning into the only Monday of the year that everyone looks forward to.

While this is a literal interpretation, its possible we might see some sleep themed out ts. Just pray we don’t see the dreaded plaid men’s sleep pants.

RAGS CRYSTAL CRYSTAL RAGS

Crystal Rags is an upstart fashion brand that combines the nostalgia of vintage pieces with the excitement of college sports culture. Born in The THesis Hotel after being launched by two UM alumni, now everyone — from celebs to students — seems to be rocking this rags-to-riches style.

words_ mariaregina mendoza & communitywire. design_charlotte deangelis. photo_sharron lou.

TikTok’s “It Girl” Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Patrick Mahomes, and singer Jennifer Lopez all have iconic pieces by CrystalRags, a company started by a pair of sisters here at UM.

While pursuing their respective degrees in public relations and advertising, Raquel and Alexandra Cueto launched their business in 2020, when Raquel was a sophomore and Alexandra was a freshman. e sisters take previously owned vintage sweatshirts, t-shirts, jackets, belts and baseball caps and rework them into new fashion pieces adorned with Swarovski crystals.

“We started CrystalRags unsure of what it was going to turn into,” said the Cueto sisters.

What CrystalRags has turned into is an online fashion success story; their entrepreneurship journey began as middle schoolers when they launched the bracelet brand, Beadle.

“It started as a hobby. We wanted cute, beaded bracelets but didn’t know where to get them. So we started making our own,” said the Cueto sisters. “[For CrystalRags] we made a piece for ourselves and got compliments from our friends, which encouraged us to sell the pieces.”

ey attribute their love for fashion to their mother, Lourdes, an interior designer.

“Growing up with a fashion-forward mom and being around her led us to form our own love for fashion,” said the Cuetos.

With a goal of diversifying and expanding college-wear options, the Cueto sisters launched their fashion line

with an inaugural pop-up shop at e THesis Hotel, featuring Miami sports teams and college apparel in honor of UM’s family weekend.

On their website, the sisters showcase hundreds of products, about 538 displayed as of February 2024. Prices range from $125–$284 for sweatshirts, $498–$848 for jackets, $184–$215 for vintage tees and $194–$208 for belt buckles. CrystalRags also o ers customers the option to personalize their products, including selecting crystal designs, colors and sizes.

e apparel has caught the attention and patronage of customers who range from college students to celebrities. Fans include fellow ’Cane and social media personality Alix Earle, who as a freshman at UM started her TikTok career the same year the Cuetos launched CrystalRags. Earle has a custom CrystalRags Miami Dolphins jacket that she wore to the Dolphins and New York Jets game in November at MetLife Stadium.

e Cuetos collegiate and professional sportswear o erings cater to many sports franchises, including fans of the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB.

“Our most popular products are de nitely our NFL line, speci cally our sweatshirts and jackets,” said the Cuetos. “We began with college pieces and then shi ed into pro sports. is transition occurred later in the rst year of CrystalRags, and it was then that

CrystalRags’ most popular pieces are their crewneck sweatshirts and varsity-style jackets studded with Swarovski crystals.

we truly began to establish our identity in the fashion market.”

e sisters say the top ve teams for merchandise are the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers, the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brittany Mahomes sported the brand in a team-colored jacket paired with black pants and knee-high boots during the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers game in December. Her stylish appearance alongside Taylor Swi and Lyndsay Bell, wife of Blake Bell, a Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end, garnered attention across various platforms, including People Magazine, E! News, Page Six, USA Today, Daily Mail and the NFL’s o cial TikTok.

Jennifer Lopez also has worn a CrystalRags customized black sweatshirt adorned with Swarovski crystals. In addition to a pink crown and “Queen” inscription, the sweatshirt included the number 13, the number of former New York Yankee Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez who Lopez dated for three years.

“ ere is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone wear our pieces,” said the Cuetos. “To see someone with a following post and support your brand is such a rewarding feeling because it shows they like the product enough to share with their audience.”

CrystalRags stocks stylish pieces for fans of professional and collegiate sports teams across the country, including Miami’s Dolphins, Marlins, Heat and Hurricanes.

According to CrystalRags’ website, their “vision is to rede ne fashion by o ering a diverse range of attire that e ortlessly embodies glamour.”

One of the most simple, cute and casual ways to style a CrystalRags piece is to pair it with your favorite jeans and pop on some cute sneakers.

In 2022, Sports Illustrated featured CrystalRags in the article, “Get Game-Day Ready With ese Insta-Worthy Looks for NFL Playo s.” e article showcased selected femaleowned small businesses. “Call us bandwagoners, but we’re suddenly a fan of any team that CrystalRags is selling,” the article stated.

Celebrity customers and Sports Illustrated mentions aside, the CrystalRags brand receives lots of social media praise.

“From the moment I received my order, I was impressed by the attention to detail and cra smanship evident in each piece,” said Sam Roy, girlfriend of Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins. “ e clothing quality is outstanding, with durable fabrics and meticulous stitching that ensure longevity.”

“ ey really don’t make starter jackets like they used to, so it’s incredible to be able to purchase one that looks brand new but has that vintage feel,” said Cynthia Sanchez, wife of Indianapolis Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez. Sanchez purchased a custom, oversized Indianapolis Colts CrystalRags jacket.

Although social media posts helped grow the business, the Cueto sisters encountered a signi cant setback when their social media account was hacked during the rst two years of the product launch. Le to rely on the hope that their loyal followers would discover their new account, they persevered with the unwavering support of their dedicated customers. is support not only helped CrystalRags reclaim its previous following but also attracted even more followers. Currently, CrystalRags has an impressive presence on Instagram, with 10,000 followers.

Raquel and Alexandra Cuetos generate an abundance social media talk, cra ing content that shapes the desired brand image they want to convey. But they say their most important marketing strategy begins with wearing CrystalRags wherever they go. e sisters’ future plans include expanding their product line and featuring more professional teams, they said.

Meanwhile, as they continue to grow their business, Alexandra is nishing her studies at UM and will graduate in May with a major in advertising. Her sister, Raquel, graduated last year with a Bachelor’s of Strategic Communications in public relations.

ey said they are grateful for the experience they gained at UM.

“Our education at the University of Miami has played an in uential role in how CrystalRags is advertised, marketed and communicated,” said the Cuetos. “With a combination of our education, we are able to implement the skills we have learned in class through case studies, class discussions and projects.”

CrystalRags’ Recs

Here’s how CrystalRags suggests e ortlessly combining popular items to achieve a chic look that embodies the brand’s essence.

Leather Pants Magic

CrystalRags sweatshirts and jackets seamlessly complement the edgy charm of leather pants. Opt for a bold contrast – pair a CrystalRags sweatshirt with sleek black leather pants. This combination e ortlessly merges comfort with a stylish edge.

Mini Denim Skirts for a Flirty Twist

For a playful and flirtatious look, elevate your style by pairing a CrystalRags vintage tee with a chic mini-denim skirt. The tactile contrast of the rugged denim against the delicately adorned tee creates a dynamic and stylish ensemble.

Knee-High Leather Boots Elegance

Elevate your CrystalRags outfit with the timeless charm of knee-high leather boots. Whether you team them up with a sweatshirt, jacket or the unique tees, these boots infuse a touch of glamor to your overall look.

Accessorize

Elevate your style by pairing the CrystalRags Swarovski crystal hat and a customized belt with denim jeans and a simple black tank top. This chic combination perfectly embodies the essence of CrystalRags style, o ering a timeless yet trendy look that exudes a modern aesthetic.

Explore more distinctive styling ideas for your pieces by visiting CrystalRags’ Instagram highlights under Style Guides.

OUT OF OFFICE

Much to everyone’s chagrin, Gen Z is entering the workforce soon. If you thought waking up for your 8 a.m. was hard, the 9-5 won’t be much easier. If you find yourself working for “The Man,” it can be a crushing experience. To deal with the quick turnaround from sickly bum to serious business, there are a few ways to make yourself look at least slightly put together. words_sal puma. design_marita gavioti. photos_valeria barbaglio.

Comfy Shoes

For o ce jobs where you sit down for most of the day, comfort is key. While you might not be able to bring a spare change of sweatpants, you can maybe bring a di erent pair of shoes. No one should have their dogs out in their cubicle, but it’s not a crime to keep a pair of slippers behind your desk.

Add a Jacket

Any good out t has some layers to it. For the o ce take advantage of this tactic and throw a blazer over practically anything you own. T-shirts, blouses or even a sweater for colder days.

Button-Ups

A simple out t can always be dressed up with the addition of a simple button up shirt. Put it over any pair of pants and it can immediately make the out t look more professional. ey are great for layering as well. Putting a button shirt under a crewneck or sweater can give a corporate addition to a comfy t.

The Messy Bun

e good old faithful of hair styles. Even though the messy bun is known as a quick and easy way to get your hair up, paired with some business attire it gives you the aura of “business woman on the go.” And no one wants to mess with a woman on the move.

Silhouette

While the fad of oversized shoulder pads has been gone for a while, it doesn’t mean you have to stop playing with your silhouette. e most simple way to do this would be using a belt to accentuate your waist. Another way would be wear a smaller top with straight legged pants to break up the boxiness.

Dark Denim

Sometimes your good slacks might be in the wash or you just can’t be bothered to put them on. For a change of pace you can wear a pair of dark denim bottoms instead. Deep blue or black denim ts well with the colors usually found in o ce attire.

FIT CHECK

Whether its for class, a quick co ee, or even just a leisurely stroll around campus, UM students never fail to look good. We wanted to capture some of these amazing fits so we set up a backdrop right in the heart of campus. Take some inspo from these stunners and make your class crush jelly! words&design_sal puma. photo_sharron_lou

Brian Mulvey Freshman

Charmaine Mukurazhizha Graduate

Aris Montero Junior

Sierra Straker Junior

Julianna Sondon Junior

Carlos Amaro Freshman

Alex Barrowclough Freshman

Uyanga Erdenebayar Freshman

Kat Hernandez Junior

Dina Hermawan Junior

Michela Tjan Graduate

Ruby Waterman Junior

Leslie Diaz Junior Leah Castañeda Senior

Eva Hochhaus Senior

Danila Laikin Senior

Valeria Barbaglio Junior

Noelle Grant Senior

Morgan Parodi Freshman

DISTRACTIONS

In the spirit of getting distracted, we’ve decided to create our new version of the classic New York Times game “Connections” for this issue — with a little Miami twist. So, go ahead and try to crack this puzzle without giving your head too much of a rush. words_andrew mccleskey. design_charlotte deangelis.

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