Issue 6, Vol.55

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Issue 6,

M a r c h 2 015 , V o l . 5 5

IB receives award of excellence program) and five other academies.

According to the Magnet Schools of America website, their National Merit Awards are given to “magnet schools that show a commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful desegregation and diversity efforts, and the consistent delivery of high quality educational services to all stakeholders.”

The school’s IB program had to apply for the award as a holistic magnet, meaning that the Magnet Schools of America looked at data for the entire school. This data included the analysis of IB grades in order to “identify how the IB students are doing within the context of [the] school’s dynamics,” IB Coordinator Diana Van Wyk said.

The application process took place over approximately three weeks in October. The application required demographic information about both the school in general and the IB program, student achievement data, past awards, letters from

By Jordan Payne STAFF WRITER

news

The school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program was honored with the Magnet School of Excellence Award by the Magnet Schools of America, a nonprofit professional education association, on March 9. The Magnet School of Excellence Award is the highest award given by the association. These awards vary depending on whether the particular magnet program is a whole school program or a Program-Within-aSchool (PWAS). The school’s IB Program is a PWAS because Gables is a home school that includes the IB Academy (a magnet

Jordan Payne/highlights

both parents and the community, an overview of the program, a PowerPoint presentation and a 20 second video.

While schools that only have magnet programs (meaning they are not home schools) can tailor all teachers, events, and budgets towards their particular programs, Gables has more than one need and focus.

“Generally, a PWAS is challenged by having to share limited resources with the greater needs of the school. In our case, however, it is an asset because it has also provided our students access to pursuing a diverse scope of interests,” Van Wyk said.

Six schools in Miami-Dade County were selected for this award. The school’s IB Program was the only one to be selected as a PWAS. The school has not received a Magnet Schools of America award since 2006, when it was selected as a School of Distinction, which is one level below a School of Excellence (this year’s award). Some high schools in the district that received the Distinction Award this year include Coral Reef Senior High, Design and Architecture Senior High, New World School of the Arts, and TERRA Environmental Research Institute.

“The Magnet Schools of America is a well-recognized award and will help publicize what we already know is true— our IB program is top-caliber and can hold its own against any other program in the district,” Van Wyk said.

A ceremony will be held in late April in Raleigh, North Carolina to honor the winning schools.

Brooke Donner/highlights

Courtesy of Fox Mar

Maggie Rivers/highlights

IB SUCCESS: (Left) IB students walk around the school’s track for the 2012 Bridge for Peace walkathon, an annual IB-organized fundraiser that raises money for global causes.

(Center) The IB Class of 2015 pose with IB Coordinator Diana Van Wyk and history teacher Daniel Blackmon for their senior photo. (Right) The IB class of 2012 participates in the annual IB Pinning Ceremony, the formal entrance to the program after two years of Pre-IB courses.

Screen Student lands role on Time: new HBO show

By Olivia Field

Aspiring to be an actor since sixth grade, it was not until two years ago that Varence joined Troupe, the school’s competitive drama team, and Gables Players, the school’s drama club. There Making the transition from the school’s Little he began to practice and entertain as a full-fledged performer.

Theater to Hollywood-sized sets happened in a day’s After high school, he wants to continue his theatre education by time for senior Jamary Varence. Just beginning his long- attending the New World College for acting. Varence said he hopes awaited acting career, Varence plays a small role in the to graduate and be able to work in movies, television shows and upcoming HBO series “Ballers.” live productions, as he said he feels extremely passionate about The show, which is a all three. With four years of acting class My favorite thing [about the comedy scheduled to air this and countless plays and competitions summer, takes place and is under his belt, Varence said he felt not show] has got to be how these filmed in Miami. It follows only comfortable with but also extremely football players have so much the lives of current and retired qualified for future parts. money and are basically living professional football players.

“Troupe has prepared me for the the high life.

Varence, who was an extra in show in so many ways. I feel like over Jamary Varence, multiple episodes, recently landed and the years I’ve learned to take on different played the role of a ticket seller for the character roles and also be able to bring senior series finale episode. the script to life,” Varence said.

“Being there, you don’t really get to Varence was able to communicate know what the show is about, but I have ideas. My favorite thing with the casting director and secure his spot on the show with the [about the show] has got to be how these football players have so help of drama teacher Tracey Barrow. Giving him the primary much money and are basically living the high life,” Varence said. contact, Barrow, who Varence said he considers a second mother, Even though his screen time may be only a few minutes, the has guided him throughout his acting career, inside and outside of long days on set were filled with worthwhile encounters with the the classroom. cast and crew. During his lunch break, Varence got to meet with “During [Varence’s] time, he has really challenged himself. actor Omar Miller to discuss Varence’s blossoming career in the He not only has grown as an actor but also as a playwright. I think acting world, as well as meet Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the his future is only limited by his imagination; he is someone that is star of the show. going places, so get his autograph now,” Barrow said.

features

STAFF WRITER

‘‘

Olivia Field/highlights

CALL BACK: With the help of drama teacher Tracey Barrow, senior Jamary Varence recently played a part in the upcoming HBO show “Ballers.”

P. 12

sports

Substitute teacher Vera Dragilyova brings a positive outlook to every class.

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highlights presents a review of our favorite taco restaurants in the area.

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The boys’ volleyball team faced the Florida Christian Patriots, winning 1-3.

APRIL SENIOR PICNIC, 2 SCHOOL FIELD TEACHER PLANNING 3 DAY BRIDGE 4 PEACE, 7 CORAL GABLES MUSEUM

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Angelika Menendez/highlights

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March 2015

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news

highlights March 2015

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New classes offered in 2015-2016 IB Higher Level Biology

Musical Theater

By Rachel Ellis

By Mia Tolpin

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

Next year the school will be offering Higher Level (HL) International Baccalaureate (IB) biology for students who completed the Advanced Placement (AP) Biology course this year. IB Biology teacher Eric Molina will teach the HL course next year.

“Students in the past have asked about the possibility of offering an HL biology class at school, since there currently is only one HL science option (physics), and as the interest continued to show in multiple students, it became more apparent that this option would be fitting for many students,” Molina said.

The HL class will have similar requirements as the standard level (SL) biology class, such as two Internal Assessments, and one Group Four project, but will cover a curriculum that is more extensive in each topic covered, and that will cover more topics.

IB Coordinator Diana Van-Wyk and IB Counselor Odalys Ochoa initiated the implementation of the class alongside Molina.

“I’m excited and nervous for next year. I’m encouraged by all of the kids who have come to ask me about the course, but at the same time I do know what HL means, and I know there is an added pressure there as well,” Molina said.

Beginning in the 2015-16 school year, a musical theater class will be implemented as an elective available to all students. The class was available until about four years ago, but was eliminated due to budget cuts. The class will be taught by music teacher Mary Morrow, rather than drama teacher Tracy Barrow.

Unlike the already available theater class, the musical theater class will cover the full musical component, including all the things that go into creating a show and onstage vocal techniques.

The class will focus on getting student actors to create the character they are portraying by acting and singing.

The students’ performances will reflect what was worked on in class, such as solo work and ensemble work. In past years, there was a musical revue, where students were assigned a play to write in the fall and perform it in the spring. Students are to incorporate all types of musical components and use it in the play.

“A reason I pushed for [this class] was that were was a lot of interest from students to get it back. Hopefully [Gables] will have a full time band director next year, and so my schedule will be freed up on some of my classroom responsibilities for band,” Morrow said.

Miracle Mile updated Senior Picnic taking place on campus

By Ali Band STAFF WRITER

The City of Coral Gables commissioners have ratified a major streetscape plan for downtown Coral Gables that will transform Miracle Mile and Giralda Avenue into an urban and pedestrianfriendly destination. Dozens of residents and business owners participated in a public meeting on Feb. 17 at the Coral Gables Youth Center to kick start the initial phases of a design process that promises to transform the heart of Coral Gables into an updated destination.

For more than a decade, city leaders have wanted to make the Mile a lively, walkable area in hopes of attracting new and diverse businesses.

The future design of the Mile and Giralda would feature improved urban lighting, wider sidewalks, a tree canopy, benches, kiosks, cleaner and more welcoming connections to garages, mid-block parks, and outdoor art—all of which is intended to encourage more foot traffic.

Part of the project is geared towards installing intimate public spaces and plazas for events and also towards fostering a better balance between pedestrian and vehicular traffic, with more parallel parking rather than angled parking and the installment of permanent valet stations. The use of a centralized valet parking system will be enhanced and expanded allowing visitors to drop off their car at any of the valet stations within the Business Improvement District (BID) and retrieve it from the station of their choice. The Streetscape Project will add pull-in and pull-out valet stations that will provide cover to people waiting when it rains.

Construction by the City of Coral Gables will be completed in phases, one block at a time, after evaluating the merchants’ needs and peak times for business. Nighttime construction is being considered as well to expedite the length of construction. To finance the project, the City of Coral Gables will issue a General Obligation Bond to fund the $20 million cost.

According to the Miami Herald, the BID’s executive director Marina Foglia is enthusiastic about the project and encourages the progress it will bring for the city.

“This is an opportunity to move forward. It’s been a long time coming. This is a growing city and we have to go through our growing pains together. However the return on investment is going to be incredible,” Foglia said.

Career Fair

By Rachel Ellis STAFF WRITER

This year’s senior picnic will take place on the school’s campus for the first time ever. For the past three years, the picnic has taken place at Dodge City Amusements, and in previous years it was held at the Miami Metro Zoo, both locations requiring an hour of travel time to and from campus.

“It’s more expensive to do [senior picnic] at Dodge City, or any location off campus, because of the pricey transportation costs. By having the picnic on campus, we have a lot more ‘play time’ and less travel time, which is ultimately making the event nicer and more cost efficient,” Senior Class President Allyssa Dobkins said.

Since there is more money available to put towards this year’s picnic, after eliminating the transportation costs that were accounted for in previous years, there will be more activities and food available than there has been before.

“For food, we’re going to have Shake Shack, with unlimited fries, as well as smoothies and brownie-cookies. There will also be a game master, who will be providing the planned activities for the day. I am personally very excited for ‘Melt Down,’ which is a six person jousting inflatable that has never been debuted in Dade-County Public Schools,” Dobkins said.

The cost of attendance is $30 per person, which will cover unlimited access to the games and events organized by the senior class board, senior class sponsor Margarite DePaola, and Activities director Ana Suarez.

The board members anticipated approximately 300 seniors to attend the picnic, with hope that the on-campus location would not serve as a deterrent. At the end of the collection period, 211 seniors purchased tickets.

“I think even though most people like leaving school, staying on our own field allows us to spend more money on having more activities and food,” senior Claudia Perez said.

Prologue Society initiates partnership

By Susana Rudin STAFF WRITER

Ali Band/highlights LEARNING FROM THE PROS: (Top) Students pose with members of the Coral Gables Fire Department in props provided by the firefighters. (Bottom) A student questions a member of the military about the qualifications necessary to succeed as an officer.

The Prologue Society is a historical club that is hoping to create a partnership in the near future with Miami-Dade Public Schools to engage young people who are interested and appreciative of history and litetature. The society has already begun trying to initiate this partership at the school by asking social studies teacher Stephanie Cosgrove to invite students to their luncheons.

The Prologue Society, which meets in Coral Gables, is a non-profit organization sponsored in part by Northern Trust, Miami Today, Books & Books and the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables. This society, whose name comes from William Shakespeare’s famous quote “What is prologue is past,” brings people with a shared love of history together for eight luncheons a year. Each luncheon hosts a key speaker of historical and/or literary prominence.

The partership with Miami-Dade Public Schools aims to get students more engaged in history and literature by having them listen and speak to successful authors.

Students interested in participating in the luncheons can expect lunch as well as a speech by the speaker followed by a question and answer session. All guests are welcome to approach the author afterwards as well.

At the most recent luncheon, author Mark Harris spoke about his latest book “Five Came Back.” Harris talked about the ways in which Hollywood shaped the American perspective of World War II, and how in turn, World War II affected the five renowned Hollywood directors the book focuses on. He also spoke about the inspiration for the book as well as the reasons for picking the five directors.

Cosgrove was invited to the luncheon with Harris and was told to bring a student who she thought would be interested.

“It was an honor to be invited by the Prologue Society and to be part of the historical lecture given by Mark Harris,” Cosgrove said. “The school has such a strong social studies department that focuses on national as well as global issues, so it would be extremely beneficial for our students to be able to be a part of such an engaging academic endeavor.

We have so many students with such a love of learning and history.”

news

highlights

December 2014 March 2015

B4P becomes international dinner

By Eleonor Bauwens STAFF WRITER

This year the annual International Baccalaureate global initiative will be a dinner on April 7 at the Coral Gables Museum from 6–9 p.m. The event is sponsored by the International Baccalaureate Honor Society (IBHS) and all funds raised will be used to construct a new well for Belsonda Aashram, an orphanage in India that houses 59 girls who are victims of attacks by the Naxolites, a terrorist group.

Junior Harleen Chawla connected IBHS with the orphanage in hopes that the club would be interested in working with her to provide for the cause.

“We hear so much about various terrorist organizations causing negative effects on the lives of innocents, but we are rendered helpless when it comes to helping. With this project the power is in our hands! We are giving the girls of Belsonda Aashram the means to grow and prosper [...] so that they may one day become strong individuals who can forget the negative impact the Naxalites had on their childhood and move forward by becoming independent working women!”

Chawla said.

Chawla will be going to India this summer to oversee and help with the construction of the well.

In the previous years, Bridge for Peace has been hosted

as a walk. According to IBHS President Marianna Babboni, it was changed from a walk to a dinner to add a new twist to IB’s global component, which deals with community service that aims to benefit communities around the world.

The event will include a fashion show, featuring students modeling traditional clothing from countries around the world.

A red carpet will be set up as the runway. Among them will be junior Francheska Fabien representing Haiti, senior Robert Levey representing Australia and senior Ines Hadj-Merabet representing France, among others. The school’s Bahangra team will be performing a traditional Indian dance at 8 p.m and a Henna tattoo artist will be present as well. The dinner will be buffet-style tables with food donated by restaurants, students and clubs.

“We wanted to make this a school wide event because that is what Bridge for Peace is all about. This cause is not just about sending money to the orphanage and providing them with a well. These girls have lost their parents to the Naxolites. We are also focusing on how prominent terrorism is in today’s society so this is a great direct link to an example of the horrors of terrorism,” Babboni said.

Twenty dollar pre-sale tickets were sold on March 10, 11 and 16. The purchase of a pre-sale ticket includes a t-shirt and 15 food tickets for the dinner. On the day of the event 10 food tickets will cost $20 and shirts will be available for purchase.

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Students

SPEAK UP “I like that its not just a run or walk like past years. I am really looking forward to it.

The cause is amazing, it opened my eyes to another problem in the world that goes unnoticed.”

-Griselda Lopez, junior

“I am representing Australia [in the fashion show]. I am going to use Australian wildlife as inspiration for my fashion design... I’m thinking some snakes and alligators.”

-Robert Levey, senior Compiled by Eleonor Bauwens

Chorus goes to Carnegie

By Kasandra Scholz STAFF WRITER

Members of the Cav Singers, Women’s Ensemble and Gables Chorale choral groups will perform at Carnegie Hall on March 22. The group leaves for New York on March 20, and will perform two days later at 8 p.m. This event was made possible by an earlier trip to Williamsburg, Va., where the chorus performed and was consequently invited to participate in the National Honor Choir at Carnegie Hall. Chorus director Mary Morrow said she has been trying to get a group to Carnegie Hall for the past three years.

“I have always wanted to perform there, but when we became connected with [the] Heritage WorldStrides Music program I saw the opportunity,” Morrow said.

The trip is being funded in part by the chorus’ lollipop and coupon book sales that took place earlier in the year.

“Several of the students got their own jobs to support the trip. We have done several fundraisers this year as well as last year. Coupon books, lollipops, car washes, gift wrapping at Books and Books, our concerts, and performances that get the word out often bring in donations, which truly help in our efforts,” Morrow said.

The group will be performing a variety of different types of music, all of which is classical in nature.

“There’s ‘Seal’s Lullaby,’ which is this really cool haunting piece, and there’s ‘American Hymn,’ which is a version of ‘America the Beautiful,’ and there are some pieces that are more like choral music,” sophomore Lucy Walsh said.

“I feel [that the ability to perform in Carnegie Hall] is a great honor…[and] I believe that this opportunity is well deserved by the chorus,” Walsh said. “The arts in Gables [are] not really recognized for [their] potential, so hopefully this will open peoples’ eyes to how great of a program music can be.”

Be Informed Be Entertained Read the Newspaper

highlights March 2015

M-DCPS changes boundary lines

By Savannah Payne STAFF WRITER

Controlled Choice, a program established in the 1980s allows Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) students from different areas in the county to apply and attend different public schools of their choice. Controlled Choice gives students the option to go to a school other than their home school.

Coral Gables is the only city in the county that still uses Controlled Choice, affecting Sunset Elementary, George Washington Carver Elementary and Coral Gables Preparatory Academy. There are new proposal plans to abolish the Controlled Choice program in the city. If passed, students would no longer be able to apply to their preferred school, but would be sent to one of the three named schools in the city, depending on the newly implemented boundary lines.

The Coral Gables Attendance Boundary Committee (ABC) is in charge of deciding whether the student and siblings at one school can be “grandfathered” in, meaning that they will be able to stay in

the school that they started in until they graduate from that school even though the boundary may indicate that they should be in another. This policy would also include a student’s younger sibling, even if they have not started attending the school that their older sibling attends.

Over the past two months, the policy has been widely debated in Coral Gables. Many parents now worry that their child will not be able to be “grandfathered” into their school. The city has been holding public forums allowing residents to speak freely about their personal opinion in regards to the proposal.

“My ideal result would be to have all the children grandfathered into [their] school,” Barbara Fernandez, a mother of a first grader and kindergartner at Coral Gables Preparatory Academy and an avid contributor to the public forums, said.

With the newly proposed boundary lines, her house lies in G.W. Carver Elementary’s range. If the “grandfather” proposal for the policy does not pass, Fernandez’s children would have to transfer to G.W. Carver Elementary. The decision is projected to be made by June of this year and put into place for the following school year.

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opinion

highlights March 2015

Miami’s debacle over unemployment

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South Florida is one of the most difficult places in the nation to find a job. Can our occupation troubles be blamed on rampant immigration?

Commentary by Danny Delgado STAFF WRITER

ON

Miami is just as known for being one of the nation’s largest cities as much as it is for having one of the highest unemployment rates. With Miami also being one of the most ethnically diverse places in the United States due to large influxes of immigration from neighboring Hispanic countries, it has become standard to blame the difficulties of finding a job in the city on immigration. While the basic, and rather shortsighted, analysis that an increase in competition for a limited number of jobs leads to greater unemployment may seem reasonable, it undermines other basic factors of labor economics.

Immigrants are willing to work undesirable jobs for less money. This is a reality that many employers as well employees are forced to face. This is a reason for why workers are seeing some of their jobs go to immigrants. However, something to

keep in mind is that the jobs that immigrants are taking are not the jobs that many native Miamians are looking for.

Immigrants have jobs that are not attractive to most people, and they do them for far less money than most would. Many of these jobs include intense physical labor, such as landscaping, construction and general manufacturing. These jobs would largely go undone if not for immigrants and their willingness to work, and if were being done by natives, would be at a greater cost to employers, leading to larger unemployment.

Research shows that immigration can actually positively affect worker wages and employment, contrary to many over simplistic theories and explanations of labor economics. This is the case with Miami’s immigration because in general, immigrants and native workers complement each other rather than compete. In many industries, particularly the manufacturing sector of the economy, immigrants are helping in decreasing the amount of jobs that are offshored. This not only

TWO VIEWS

Commentary by Joey Lancaster STAFF WRITER

YES

In the immigration debate there are several facts that we simply can’t get around. The first of which is that Miami, at 6.7 percent, has one of the most troubling unemployment rates in the state of Florida.

The second is that Miami has the most number of immigrants of any city besides New York. In this city it has become increasingly clear that high numbers of immigrants create more competition, which is not favorable for an economy dedicated to putting established residents back to work.

Because immigrants are willing to work for less money than native Miamians, employers prefer to hire them in lieu of natives. There is an important distinction to be made here, however. Immigrants don’t actively take the jobs of Americans, but they allow business owners to get away with

highlights ADVISORY BOARD: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brooke Donner

BUSINESS MANAGER Maria Ovalle

MANAGING EDITOR COPY EDITOR

Cyrus Zeledon

Melissa Gonzalez

SECTION EDITORS: NEWS

OPINION

INSIGHT

FEATURES

SPORTS

THE SCENE

Raquel Braun Francis Pérez

Stephan Chamberlin

Bianca Mangravite Laura Acosta

Staff Writers:

Ali Band, Eleonor Bauwens, Avery Budin, Octavio Castro, Daniel Delgado, Rachel Ellis, Olivia Field, Sabrina Fiske, Amanda-Victoria Gonzalez, Leila Iskandarani, Maya Iskandarani, Joey Lancaster, Angelika Menendez, Jordan Payne, Savannah Payne, Susana Rudin, Araceli Sanchez, Sydney Scanlon, Kasandra Scholz, Mia Tolpin, Vanessa Vazquez, Natalie Viglucci, Sofia Viglucci

Contributors: Hiroshi Sato, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Fox Mar highlights is the official student-produced newspaper at Coral Gables Senior High School published and produced by highlights staff members. highlights has been established as a designated public forum for student journalists to educate and inform their readers of issues of concern to their audience and dissemination of news and ideas to the entire school community.

As the producer of a scholastic publication, highlights subscribes to the responsibilities set forth in the National Scholastic Press Association Code of Ethics for scholastic journalists and advisers.

According to Miami-Dade County Public School policy, student media is not subject to prior-review by administration or district personnel and as such, all content is determined by, and reflects the views of, student staff members only. highlights welcomes reader feedback. All letters should be addressed to melissa_gonzalez@dadeschools.net Press Affiliations: Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, NSPA Hall of Fame, Florida Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll

don’t pay enough.

That has to change. The United Automobile Workers Union took manufacturing jobs that didn’t pay much and had few benefits and turned them into respectable, sought-after positions at automobile manufacturing companies. Recent strikes at fast food chains have attempted to do the same. Why bring in immigrants to work low-grade jobs, when you can put Americans back to high-quality work instead?

Understand that immigration is not the issue and the blame for the increase in unemployment in Miami should not be put on non-native born workers, but rather the employers. Our responsibilities lie with increasing the quality of work to meet the needs of our citizens, not granting work permits to those who will do the job for cheaper.

While part of the solution is to decrease immigration, immigrants shouldn’t be looked at as job stealers, or lesser people. Like most of us, they’re just trying to get ahead. While that is true, the harsh reality is the duty of the government is first to its citizens, and then to those who it can afford to let in.

Obama’s petition for war neglects middle east history Commentary by Danny Delgado

Maggie Rivers

ADVISER

Camila Lupi

what businesses do best: cut costs. There are ways to combat that. Giving tax cuts to those businesses who choose to hire natives at reasonable pay is one option. That gives business owners an incentive to provide meaningful work to the locally unemployed, and there are clear benefits to having more Americans with more money in their pockets.

Raising the minimum wage is another option. The reality is that the people earning a minimum wage are doing the jobs that no one else will. Working for minimum wage is not always a product of lack of education or motivation, but it is almost always a product of not having a better option. In most circumstances, when an immigrant in Miami is hired they are looking for a job because they need it, not because they have the luxury of picking one from a selection. They do the work that no one else wants to do because it pays so little, and we can’t put Miamians back to work when the positions available

allows for many native born workers to keep their jobs, but also helps maintain stability with many of the jobs and industries that are closely associated with the manufacturing sector.

There is also a positive effect in terms of wages for nativeborn workers when immigrants enter the labor market. This is due to many Miamians moving up the ladder to higher paying jobs because of immigrants taking up more of the less-skilled occupations.

The unemployment issue in Miami is not something that should be blamed on any particular brand of laborers. Too often have people made the mistake of persecuting immigrants with shortsighted accusations of taking jobs. This has only served to stifle economic and social progress. Laws that drive small businesses to success should be of priority and investing in infrastructure should be seen as a way to create jobs and improve the city. Encouraging immigrants to participate as workers, consumers and business owners will help the city’s economic well-being. Blocking out an entire group of workers is not smart for the economy, for employers or for consumers.

STAFF WRITER

Once again, the United States seems to be getting dragged into a military conflict in the Middle East with an extremist group. In this case that group of radicals is the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an extremist rebel group that controls parts of Iraq and Syria and proclaimed itself to be an Islamic kingdom with religious, military and political authority over all Muslims worldwide. President Barack Obama has asked Congress to formally authorize him to conduct the war. While the language of the proposal is more restrictive and seems to have been structured in a way that tries to avoid an open-ended crisis in the region, Congress must bear in mind the missteps and unforeseen consequences of efforts to fight insurgent groups of this type over the past decade.

Obama is seeking a three-year authorization in order to avoid leaving an open-ended mandate that his successor could interpret broadly, and wants to set limits on the use of ground forces. Obama also asked Congress to restrict the ability of the Commander-in-Chief to wage war against an overseas enemy.

The proposed war authorization that was sent to Congress by the White House, however, is very broad and dangerously vague

by the numbers 18

Charges of Iraqi civilian casualties from U.S. airstrikes under investigation

by U.S. Central Command

1/3

Portion of Syria that has come under control of ISIL since the start of the campaign

Source: Mother Jones

in other areas. It does not limit the warzone to Syria and Iraq, the strongholds of ISIL. Instead it asks permission to attack “associated persons” of the militant group, meaning that if Obama succeeds with this proposal, the White House would get almost unrestricted power to attack as long as there is a connection with ISIL, regardless of how insubstantial that connection might be. The President’s proposal clearly shows regard for the mistakes made in Bush’s wars and seeks to account for them, but still remains short of what really must be done to correct the mistakes of the past.

In reality, we should be against this war not only because of the lurking possibility of a repeated, unrestrained catastrophe, but also because we have seen what happens when the United States attempts to intervene militarily in this region. Past military action has destabilized the region in a way that has led to an expansion of militant groups such as ISIL. While Obama’s efforts to minimize and restrict the use of the military is commendable in comparison to his predecessors, this is a dangerous attempt to neutralize an overseas enemy that is not of immediate threat. The United States should be empowering and taking control of the situation through other means. Clearly dialogue is not a solution for dealing with ISIL, but diplomacy and cooperation with neighboring countries, which are threatened by the radical group, to control and suppress ISIL is plausible and necessary. The United States should not embark in another foreign military mission in the Middle East.

6,000

Number of ISIL fighters killed in battles according to US officials

2,140

Number of troops currently in Iraq from Coalition countries Compiled by Danny Delgado

highlights March 2015

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Drug dog searches necessary before field trips

STAFF

Editorial

The morning of Grad Bash, students lined their bags against the walls to watch a K-9 unit sniff every last suitcase, backpack, strappy purse, and clutch lying on the floor. Despite these scenes, it is best to keep in mind that dog searches are done in the interest of student safety and—so far—have not tampered with field trips enough to be bothersome. The searches end up being free of charge or inconvenience to students, and useful and effective for administrators. While controversial among students, there is no clear reason as to why the searches shouldn’t take place.

Student Activities Director Ana Suarez schedules free K-9 unit visits by contacting the person in charge of school police for Coral Gables through faculty members. Though Suarez

has held her position as Activities Director for 20 years, the searches have only this school year become customary before large trips. This behind-the-scenes negotiation is easy to criticize in a hypothetical situation where a student is caught with drugs by a dog that wasn’t contracted in the usual capacity. The K-9 units aren’t contracted by directly contacting the Coral Gables Police Department or a unit assigned to Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS).

There is no precedent for a situation where “volunteer” K-9 units catch a student with drugs before a field trip.

In spite of ethical doubts, students should acknowledge that administrators show resourcefulness and genuine concern for student safety by scheduling free K-9 unit visits. A formal dog search by a M-DCPS police unit would cost over $600 according to Suarez, though the cost would likely be covered by the school—something else worth appreciating. Also according to Suarez, Principal Adolfo Costa covers the cost of a police presence at school events like Homecoming, as opposed to increasing the cost of student attendance. If dog searches are going to happen anyway, then the best option is to charge students as little as possible.

The administration also does a good job of informing students in advance of dog searches: a student has yet to be penalized for possession in the four to five times searches have taken place. Administrators nevertheless recognize that passing a dog search does not guarantee that students won’t buy and use illicit substances during a field trip. That recognition relates to why dog searches happen at all: a chaperoning teacher or administrator cannot know every student on a field trip well enough to trust that one won’t bring drugs. Dog searches are a shortcut to a strong chance that students will be safe from the so-called dangers of drug use during a field trip.

The searches themselves don’t take long, and, at no expense to students, shouldn’t be complained about as a waste of time or money. Students who feel like they’re being treated like criminals should remember that high school students are notorious for breaking the rules, and these searches aren’t invasive or inappropriate. Administrators are responsible for keeping students safe and behaving appropriately on field trips. These searches are their best option.

Blurred lines in student- Journalistic ethics: murky in American media teacher relationsips Commentary by Stephan Chamberlin

Commentary by Avery Budin

OPINION EDITOR

STAFF WRITER

Teachers are educators, role models, confidants, and support systems for their students. Children feel comfortable with certain teachers, and sometimes establish close-knit friendships with them outside of the classroom. But like many relationships between adults and children, there is a fine line regarding what is and is not appropriate in those relationships.

“Teachers are not supposed to transport students without the proper documentation, they should never be alone in a room with a few students, or in isolated places during a parent/teacher conference in case tempers escalate. Anyone can accuse another of doing or saying something inappropriate, so it is important for teachers to take the necessary precautions and interact with students in more public areas like the library,” Principal Adolfo Costa said.

Misconduct goes beyond the stereotypical romantic relationship, and can occur by breaching the lines of respectable behavior. Teachers who add their students on Facebook or Twitter using their personal accounts or share their phone numbers for social purposes could be crossing a line. While there is not a mandated policy against sharing online information it seems obvious that students shouldn’t see the photos from their teacher’s weekend activities.

There is no doubt that a student’s relationship with his or her teachers changes as they get closer to graduation, or no longer have the teacher as their own. Establishing a good relationship with teachers is important for the school dynamic, but every teacher defines the line of “closeness” differently.

“I think that teachers who don’t form bonds with their students don’t truly care about their job, but there are lines to follow. I just go with what I, as a parent, would be okay with.

When in doubt, it is better to err on the side of professionalism,” history teacher Kathryn Landsea said.

As trusted adult figures, educators risk their reputations if they are not careful with how they conduct themselves with students. Anyone can accuse a teacher of misconduct; they are put under a lot of pressure and having to worry about their students having a bad day or desiring retaliation for a bad grade simply isn’t fair.

Teachers are some of the most involved adults in students’ lives and have a lot of influence on their behavior. It is the responsibility of adults, both teachers and parents to keep their children safe and secure, and to abide by the laws established by the school system.

At this school, we all know what it’s like to be surrounded by journalists and student-run media. The same people who work on Catharsis, Gables Live, Cavaleon, CavsConnect, or highlights go to class with you. Many of you count on us to bring you reliable, unbiased and straight from the source, honest news about our school. In the adult world it’s much the same. Journalists are the ones who expose corrupt politicians, who report from warzones or who give the average American citizen the inside scoop on developing crises. Generally, we trust them, but like recent events have shown us, they occasionally report stories which are untrue and embellished.

What we must remember in keeping journalists in check is being too heavy handed can discourage reporting on important issues; and that there is a fine line between vilification for deception and punishment for hyperbole.

Brian Williams has been in the public spotlight recently for exaggerating experiences they told to the public. While clearly wrong, it raises debate over the violation of journalistic ethics and to what extent journalists should be punished for falling victim to the very human temptation to tell captivating stories.

Because of their profession, when journalists and TV anchors make memory mistakes they’re inevitably accused of portraying events inaccurately. In the case of Williams, he shouldn’t be punished for distorting events that happened 12 years ago. Other helicopter pilots in the area, when asked by reporters, recalled the same events differently; each had his own account of what happened, but Williams was the only one who was punished for mistakenly recalling the events.

As much as what Willliams did was wrong, the greater issue is that entertainment value is beginning to eclipse credibility and the merit of truth. Williams should be held accountable for his actions, but the solution to the problem lies in the American public coming to the understanding that not every epic story is a necessarily true one, and that some of the most important stories aren’t as entertaining as being shot down in a helicopter or being in a warzone.

As a journalist and trustworthy figurehead, we hold Williams to a higher standard, as we should. When admitting he mistakenly misled the public and did not report the events exactly as they happened, punishment is justified and expected. What is uncalled for, however, is the public outrage and the mass movement calling for his resignation. Journalists are people; people make mistakes. Williams was in the process of reporting on a worthwhile story. He was doing the things we all expect journalists to do. Making a villain out of him for being human is the same type of action that keeps journalists in tabloids, instead of warzones.

Wynwood’s gentrification issue grows worse Commentary by Maggie Rivers MANAGING EDITOR

As the former editor of The Scene, this might be a sin to say, but I hate Wynwood.

A few years ago I loved the place.

Wynwood is home to Art Walks, cool cafes and restaurants, art theaters, local artists, and some amazing coffee. (Panther Coffee, I will always love you.) But as of late, the vibe of the area has died for me.

Wynwood’s culture used to be driven by local artists.

Born out of street artists’ need for a platform, away from the pretentiousness that surrounded Miami’s art scene (which was centered around rich dealers and galleries as well as Art Basel in Miami Beach), the buildings of the old warehouse district became the perfect canvas for murals, known as “the Walls.”

As Miami is wont to do, it capitalized on Wynwood’s burgeoning profitability through real estate. Under the direction of Tony Goldman, founder of Goldman properties, Wynwood gave birth to its staple favorites like Panther Coffee, Joey’s Pizza, and Wynwood Kitchen and Bar. Goldman strategically worked with the artists in opening these new places to make them feel like a part of the

community, and it worked. An increasing number of galleries set up shop in the area and it became host to the monthly Art Walk, an event where visitors get to enjoy the art, music, food, and people Wynwood has to offer.

Mainly due to the success of Art Walk, Wynwood has become just another stop on Miami’s endless list of places to party, except here you can do it while feeling cultured.

In my last couple of visits to Wynwood, the crowds seemed decreasingly interested in the art. Familiar locations that used to house places like the long-standing Lester’s Cafe felt worn and were replaced with a new cafes like “Mmmm,” unless they were indefinitely closed. Now Wynwood’s culture is driven by expensive galleries trying to support themselves and the artists they represent along with the ever-present real estate agencies.

Even worse, Wynwood’s gentrification has been a detriment to the community it was founded on. The majority of residents in the area are working class people with little means to buy themselves out of manipulative real estate deals, let alone afford to enjoy the attractions that made Wynwood so popular. Very few people who actually have influence in Wynwood are taking action to reconcile the local community with the arts community, as demonstrated by the 2014 short documentary, “Right to Wynwood”,

which explores the causes for and effects of gentrification in Wynwood. The most disgusting part of the documentary is an interview with another prominent Wynwood real estate developer, David Lombardi, who talks about how involved and “energized” the locals are by Wynwood. His interview is juxtaposed next to those with area residents who take a range of issues with Wynwood’s popularization, like not being able to park their cars outside their homes and feeling unwelcome from visiting the galleries by hired security.

“I had a building on 29 st. There were drug dealers. There were prostitutes… I decided I’m going to tear this building down. It was cheaper to have it as a lot than it was to continue the way I was going… And the morning I got the permit, [we] had the neighborhood policemen come and told them they had one hour to get out… And they all stood on the sidewalk with their belongings and their suitcases… I went by and of course I gloated and wished them all well on their future endeavors,” Lombardi said in his interview with “Right to Wynwood.”

Perhaps Wynwood was never really okay and I am only just realizing that now, but I can no longer rationalize supporting the area. While I occasionally miss Panther Coffee, I’m just counting down the days until they open their third storefront nearby in the Grove.

highlights March 2015

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insight

highlights March 2015

Growing up

The four-year journey through high school is a smallscale representation of the long-winded and looming approach towards adulthood. We have all tried to tune out this impending event out of fear of suddenly having to carry the weight of the responsibilities—both real and imagined— that accompany the 18th birthday. From the expectation of being politically conscious to the pressures of adult romance, highlights explores the disparity between the abruptness of legal adulthood and the ensuing development of financial and social independence that are the true hallmarks of maturity.

Compiled by Vanessa Vazquez, Natalie Viglucci, and Sofia Viglucci

9

insight

highlights March 2015

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Young adults pressured to fit the contemp Commentary by Raquel Braun INSIGHT EDITOR

As high school students, we are forced to face the responsibilities that often come hand-in-hand with reaching adulthood. Although adulthood legally begins once we turn 18, it is unclear whether or not we can be considered ‘real’ adults. There are many things that we may feel pressured to do or know before we leave home and become a real adult in order to meet the standards of adulthood, but ironically the things that are expected of us upon becoming an adult may be detrimental to the process of growing up. A ‘real’ adult in our society is expected to be financially stable, clear in his or her political and social views, thoroughly educated, and adept in various areas of knowledge associated with adulthood that many of us have never been exposed to, for example finances.

At school, we have been taught by many different teachers with different teaching styles how to learn, although, it can be argued that we have not learned correctly or enough. In high school we receive general education in various core subjects and have the opportunity to take a few elective courses to pursue subjects that we may feel more passionate about. Throughout high school, we are expected to develop learning and study habits that will follow us to college. In college, we are expected to put these learned methods into use and follow a course of study that we feel will aid us in future job pursuits. We are trusted with unstructured free time that we are expected to put toward studying. In college, students are expected to pursue internships that will help them succeed in the future. These internships are used both to pad our résumés and to learn how to participate in the workforce. During the transition from a college student to a working adult, students are then expected to continue learning and improving through experience. The pressures to continuously learn, and learn the right way, are those that come with growing up. When it comes to being categorized as an adult, it seems that we may be in limbo until we are out of college and integrated into the workforce due to our lack of familiarity in areas like finance and politics.

“I think near the end of high school, and possibly the beginning of being an adult without actually having the freedom of being one work will continue into college, because I love learning but school Although we may be considered adults by the time we are 18, v our parents and/or student loans to support our lives and educations debts. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the although if that is not possible, you can extend your loan, which als financial stability, some of us may not be adults until we are well in that. It is difficult to live on your own and be completely independ it is increasingly difficult to find a decent job. According to the Na among college graduates with at least a Bachelors degree in betwee student loans makes it difficult for college graduates to afford the c of living is higher than a rural town or city.

Everyday living tasks such as grocery shopping, doing laundry, consideration, but many young adults leave their homes without kn you will not have your parents to help you complete these househo before leaving home, it will be difficult and time consuming to com or home economics courses, we are responsible to learn these thing become financially literate and domestic.

“When I was young I thought 18 automatically meant adult. W 21 was that magical age, and then when I was 21 I still was extrem

What does it mean to be an adult? highlights asks toddlers, teens, and teachers questions about adulthood:

What is a grown up?

-My father.

Why? -Because he’s a dad. And a sister is a grown up because... because... they’re 18. My sister is 18. And when you’re 44. And 46. My father is 46, my mother is 44, and my sister is 40... um... I mean 18.

Dominic Cipriani, Little Cavalier

When do you become a grown up?

-For a long time. When you are five you are a grown up.

What is the best part about being a kid?

-Being a kid you get to play with toys, and do homework, and go on a bicycle and stuff.

What is the best part about being a grown up?

-The best part about being a grown up is to be going to school to take your kids and to drive and cook and stuff and to buy clothes.

Zoe Alvarado, Little Cavalier

What does it mean to be an adult?

-To be an adult means you have more responsibilities to take care of and it's when you've reached a certain level of maturity where you know what you want and your mindset is more built up and strengthened.

When do you become an adult?

-You become an adult after graduating high school.

What is the most worrisome thing about adulthood?

-Probably being financially unstable and not being able to pay or turn in anything that has to do with housing or schooling.

Jordan Shappard, junior Compiled by Leila Iskandarani, Vanessa Vazquez, Natalie Viglucci, and Sofia Viglucci

What does it me -An adult means to be more matu responsibilities a have to put other think adulthood maturity, it's not anymore.

What is the most about adulthood -Having too muc responsibility an not being able to handle it all.

You have to pay the bills, handle houses, and on top of that you have other peopl to look after not just yourself anymore.

Do you feel pressured to do anything before becoming an adult?

-No, because when you're read to know things, you'll know.

Melissa Rodriguez, sophomore

Defining adulthood differently: Through cultu

By Angelika Menendez STAFF WRITER

At the school there are many different cultures represented, all with their own ideas of adulthood. A child may become an adult through traditions that differ depending on his or her nationality, race, ethnicity, or religion. Seeing as the school is a melting pot of many different backgrounds, individuals in the student body may be seen as adults in different ways and at different times.

The United States begins to identify adolescents as adults when they turn 18. Upon becoming an adult, members of society are responsible for their actions. Being an adult comes with both privileges and responsibilities. Although some adult rights such as smoking, voting, and enlisting in the military are granted upon turning 18, others like the ability to drink and rent a car are withheld until the age of 21 and 25, respectively. Although all members of society are expected to follow laws, adults are held to higher standards and therefore sentenced more strictly in a court of law.

“Growing up as a quintessentially American child in the multicultural metropolis of Miami has allowed me to be cognizant of

the fantastic diversity that exists,” junior Howard Senior said.

Even though the law considers people adults at the age of 18, m a “quinceñera,” which signifies the right of passage from girl to wo house. Similarly, those who practice Judaism celebrate the transitio mitzvah for girls and boys, respectively. These new adults are resp spiritual maturity.

“I am Cuban and Colombian, and I think a quince shows that y an adult than a little girl,” sophomore Melissa Rodriguez said.

Just as Judaism regards adulthood uniquely, each religion main must go through the sacrament of confirmation, and by doing so, th becomes an adult when they understand their responsibility in the f boys and announce a girl’s adulthood to the community.

highlights March 2015

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porary definition of adulthood

g of college, young adults are asked to bear all the responsibilities e. I’m afraid that this laziness, boredom, and apathy for school just makes it boring,” senior Nicolas Viglucci said. very few of us will be financially independent. We must rely on s until we are able to make enough money as adults to pay off our e “standard repayment schedule” on college loans is 10 years, so means paying more in interest. If adulthood is defined by nto our twenties, and sometimes into our thirties or even beyond dent because of the high cost of living in the United States, and ational Center for Educational Statistics, the unemployment rate en the ages of 20 and 24 was 7 percent. Being unemployed with cost of living, especially in an urban city where the average cost

y, and other domestic responsibilities are important to take into nowing how to complete tasks like laundry. Being an adult means old duties. And, if you aren’t a quick learner or do not learn mplete these simple tasks. Without a required economics course, gs at home and tasked with the pressure to teach ourselves how to

When I turned 18, I knew I was not an adult, so I thought perhaps mely immature. Then I thought perhaps 30 I might be [an adult]. I

ean to be an adult? s to be responsible and ure. You have a lot of and a lot of times you rs before yourself. I d is more of a matter of t really a matter of age

t worrisome thing d? ch nd

le

dy

don’t think I was truly an adult until I was 35,” drama teacher Tracey Barrow-Shoenblatt said.

The social pressures involved with growing up include political and social education as well as drug and alcohol abuse, and encompass relationships, whether they be platonic, romantic, or sexual. As high school students bordering on adulthood, many of us have been in some sort of romantic relationship, while the rest of us may feel pressure to rush into one. For those of us who have never had a significant other, we may feel uncomfortable talking to or pursuing our potential boyfriends and girlfriends in the future due to lack of experience and therefore lack of confidence in the sphere of relationships. After, or even towards the end of college, peers and friends will be getting engaged, which is a serious milestone in adulthood. If you don’t follow suit, or have a significant other, you may feel as though you are lagging behind. There is also a stigma surrounding being a virgin in college. Many high school students rush to have sex before they graduate as if it is a right of passage from adolescence to adulthood. In reality, according to a highlights survey conducted in 2013, 60 percent of the student body is not sexually active.

Upon entering college, we are expected to be educated and experienced socially. As adults, we are supposed to be secure in our social and political stances. Picking our political parties is a major factor in determining our social scene in college. If you have not fully committed to a political party and unaware of current events and economic knowledge by the time you are in college, and sometimes even by the end of high school, you may be considered uneducated or ignorant. College students are generally involved in political and social issues on campus, and seeing as people with opposing viewpoints often butt heads, people in similar political parties often become friends in college and the adult world. Knowing your political stance is an important part of being an adult and an informed citizen, because it allows us to participate in our government, which is a privelege we gain upon turning 18.

Although we are legally adults once we turn 18, it is unclear when we actually become adults under the definition of adulthood that encompasses financial and living independence as well as social and political awareness. We feel pressured to rush into adulthood as soon as we turn 18, when in reality, growing up includes your college and early adulthood phase. It is important to shift into adulthood individually, seeing as the factors involved in adulthood are personal and require individualistic experience.

What does it mean to be an adult?

-I guess what it means to be an adult is you have a lot of responsibilities for which you probably should be responsible for. It's something that honestly I don't think is easy to accomplish, but I would tell kids to try to enjoy every moment they have and not let what might look lika a crazy drama really be treated as one because it's probably not that important. Time is not something you can go back and get a hold of and you’ll only be this young once. You are the age you are today not tomorrow.

What is the best thing about adulthood?

-I would say one of the best things is just the opportunity to become more independent and do things that you want to do and not necessarily always have to listen to a superior.

What is the worst thing about adulthood?

-Some of the worst things are losing the essence of youth, like being playful and forgetting what it is to just have fun without having to worry about a lot of responsibilities.

What does it mean to be an adult?

-An adult is somebody who realizes that all of the actions that we take in life have consequences; good, bad, or both.

An adult realizes the preciousness and the transitory nature of life, not just human life, but all life. Most children haven’t learned yet how to take responsibility for their mistakes. Many adults never learn how to take responsibility for their mistakes, but a true adult does.

What is the best part about being an adult?

-To realize that there are biological reasons that children, teenagers, and even young adults in their twenties have a tendency to be impetuous, to act before they think.

Adults also make the same mistake but there are very clear biological reasons why younger people, until you get out of your twenties, tend to be a lot more impulsive and impetuous than you will be as you grow older.

When did you become an adult?

-I'm not sure I am one yet. I think that is a very subjective thing. I think some people might become adults by the time they're 12 years old just based on the experiences that have occurred in their life and some people actually never accomplish adulthood.

What is the worst part about being an adult?

-The stakes are so high now because the job market has shrunk, because the world has shrunk, because the world economy is not what it once was when I was a student at Coral Gables High School 48, 49, and 50 years ago.

Elizabeth Kiely, chemistry teacher

David Kirsner, Spanish teacher

ure, ethnicity, religion, race

many Latin cultures celebrate the age of maturity by throwing oman at the age of 15. She is now expected to help around the on into adulthood at the age of 12 and 13 through a bat or bar ponsible for following the Jewish commandments and have reached

you are in the process of becoming an adult. I am seen as more of

ntains a different definition of adulthood. In Catholicism a child hey receive full rights to the church. Hindus believe that a child family and society. To celebrate this, Hindus throw a Dvija for

Other countries also have different rules to signify adulthood. In France a child becomes an adult and is allowed to drink at the age of 18 just like in Cuba.

“I am Venezuelan in my heart, but consider myself multi-cultural. I didn’t drive until the age of 30, and the first time I felt like an adult was when I went to Canada on my own at the age of 17,” French teacher Maria Fernandez said.

Since an adult must be able to sustain him or herself, the person must acquire a job. By the age of 11, many children are obligated to work over the summer on farms in Cuba. They then begin training for a full-time job at the age of 15. Therefore, by the time a child turns 18 and becomes a legal adult, they are theoretically financially independent.

A person is also eligible to join the military at the age of 18 in the United States and France, as well as other countries. In the United States, male citizens must register for the military when they turn 18, though they are not required to enlist, unlike in China, Switzerland, and Israel, where conscription is enforced.

Cultural aspects shape who a person is as an adult. People follow different rules and take on different responsibilities as an adult depending on their culture. Adulthood has no fixed definition, but each culture finds a way to signify adulthood in distinct ways.

features

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Students express individuality with style

By Leila Iskandarani STAFF WRITER

School uniform often gets in the way of students’ ability to express themselves through their clothing. highlights delves into the closets of the few students who do not feel constrained to discover their unique and individualistic styles.

Kelly Hanley

Brittany Fernandez

Similar clothing Flannel Shirt: BDG Obie Flannel Buttondown shirt $39 Urban Outfitters

Elena Cornelissen “[Students] think they can’t be individual with the [uniform policy], but they’re not thinking hard enough.

You just need a cute sweater or hair accesory.”

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Similar clothing Umbrella: Windproof Lacework Princess Lady Umbrella $12.74 Ali Express

Leila Iskandarani/highlights

“Everyone should just wear what they like and what looks good on them, not just based on how everyone else is dressed.”

“It’s selfexpression. I like older stuff, so whenever I go to my grandma’s house, there’s always old clothes that I think are really cool and it’s a good way to ‘express yourself.’”

TREND STARTERS: Freshmen Brittany Fernandez, Kelly Hanley, and Elena Cornelissen display their personal style and where to find similar clothing, proving that self-expression through dressing against mainstream style is always welcomed, even in a school with uniform.

A single student, one among thousands in oversized hoodies draped over identical skinny jeans, casually wearing a vintage, neon-plaid bolero jacket with the standard polo, stands out.

Students like these, who use fashion as a mean of self-expression and identification in a place where it is so easy to blend in with the crowd, constantly draw the eyes of passers-by wandering through the halls. Students’ conformity to mainstream fashion trends, while sometimes motivated by the school’s enforcement of the uniform policy, is not diverse enough to accurately reflect the variety of people and personalities that there is in the school. Students who use fashion as an open means of individualizing themselves break the dullness of conventional style.

“Everyone has their own style. [There are] people that would dress like me and not look good with it. They wouldn’t be comfortable with themselves, and I don’t think they should dress like this…everyone should do their own thing, as long as you’re wearing what you feel reflects you as a person, and you feel comfortable and happy,” senior Zachary Schoenblatt said.

HALL >> talk

For some students, the prospect of running into trouble with the school’s uniform policy deters them from flaunting their individuality through their fashion choices. The school has become increasingly rigid in executing the uniform policy, but the policy’s leniency towards the clothes students are permitted to wear gives students the sufficient amount of freedom they need to still express their style.

“I don’t think [that uniform restricts style].. I see some people that don’t wear uniform, and obviously they stand out… but I don’t think uniform restricts us. We wear colorful sweaters, and shoes, and buttons on our shirts, we have our hair in wacky colors or shaved heads.. [the uniform] is just a polo and pants,” freshman Elena Cornelissen said.

Tip: To gather an array of unconventional but creative pieces that are sure to stand out, make sure to shop at local thrift stores and collect vintage hand-me-downs from close friends and relatives.

Spotlight: Vera Dragilyova Bianca Mangravite/highlights

The highlights staff records what students are talking about in the hallways while passing between periods.

BLOCK 1 • “I get the feeling that Anne Frank was one of those girls with armpit hair.”

• “I don’t even know the difference between Republicans and Dominicans.”

• “I love being pocket-sized.”

• “How did Helen Keller find love? Was she like ‘wow this hand feels so nice. I love this hand.’?”

• “He actually slapped me with a bag of lard.”

• “I’m pretty sure my dog ate my debit card.”

SCRUPULOUS SUB: Vera Dragilyova, a new substitue at the school, has already made an impression on the school and her students with her uplifting attitude and adventurous view of life.

By Eleonor Bauwens STAFF WRITERS

Vera Dragilyova, known by students as Verushka, takes on her newly appointed position as a substitute with a smile everyday. Her previous college experience allows her to adapt to every class and help teach students, no matter the subject.

Despite the fact that Dragilyova began working at the school only this year, she has already developed relationships and become a well-known part of the school’s community.

“I love this high school. Students here are so smart. We can talk about many things. They make me look forward to going to work. I love coming here because it’s so diverse, there are so many languages and people here are very interested in things,” Dragilyova said.

For the past seven years Dragilyova has been teaching and subbing. She has taught at San Diego State University, Berkley High School and various schools in Oakland, California. She also taught mathematics for two years in colleges in New York.

She moved to Miami from California five months ago to pursue an MFA in Interactive media at the University of Miami.

“I love everything. I love to study. There is not enough

of me in this lifetime and this universe to enjoy and study everything that there is,” Dragilyova said.

Verushka has studied over 40 languages and she is fluent in seven; Russian, Ukrainian, English, Spanish, French, Italian and Arabic. She is currently working on becoming fluent in German Portuguese, Chinese, Malay, Tagalo, Thai, Hindi, Farsi, Turkish, Greek, Hebrew, Norwegian and Japanese. She has been to 71 countries.

“I waited for so long to travel. The first country I went to on my own was Egypt. I was so overwhelmed by how different the culture was. The food, the smells, it was a different world and different planet. Traveling is another reality, it’s like flying to another planet without flying off the earth,” Dragilyova said.

Dragilyova was born in Ukraine under the USSR. When the Soviet Union fell apart in 1989, she moved to Modesto, California with her parents. She came here as youth delegate as a part of a cultural exchange program created to loosen the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, but when it collapsed she had to stay in the United States because it was too dangerous to go back. She graduated from University of California Berkley with a B.A. in Cognitive Science and a Masters in Business Administration.

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Gables HONY Becoming a citizen

By Natalie Viglucci

By Sofia Viglucci

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

Whether they be miracles, tragedies, or anything in between, the stories produced from the lives of many students at the school have all become a part of them, defining who they are. In realization of this, juniors Cathryn Cordes and Isabella Izquierdo decided to relate some of these eye-opening stories on an Instagram account called “Humans of Gables High” through photos and captions.

One can find the account with the username “humansofcghs.”

“The idea came to me when I was laying in bed one night and I saw a Humans of New York (HONY) post on Instagram about this high-schooler, and it gave me the idea to start one for our school since there are so many students and each one has a story to share,” Cordes said.

Cordes said she shared her idea with Izquierdo and they decided to make it become a reality. The purpose of this account is simple: to share the stories of some of the individuals at the school that may not otherwise be revealed.

“Everyone has their own story, ideas, and beliefs,” Izquierdo said.“We go to school with almost 3,500 kids every single day and still have no idea who many of them really are or what they are going through, so we felt that we should have their story, whether it be good or bad, told, and we felt the best way we could do this is to use something as popular as Instagram to get them out there.”

Cordes and Izquierdo find time throughout the school day during first or second lunch to scope out eye-catching students, or pick at random, in hopes of finding an engaging story.

As for questions, Cordes and Izquierdo said they have a rather easy-going routine, asking open-ended questions in order to make the interview personal and unique to each student. Izquierdo said they take many of their questions from HONY, avoiding simple yes or no responses. Other times, they simply use funny phrases the interviewee states as their photo caption.

As for the future of the account, the duo said they plan on continuing to run it for the remainder of their time at the school, and then hand it down to someone worthy and willing to continue posting on it.

“I would like to pass it down to someone that way it can stay alive and keep going for years to come,” Cordes said. “If anyone is interested in taking it over after next year they should definitely approach me or Isa about it.”

Izquierdo described one of her favorite encounters - a touching story recently captured by her and Cordes as one of the first posts on their account.

“My favorite story that we have captured so far is the one of the boy in the wheel chair with the football player,” Cordes said. “It was such a good interview and it really shows how dynamic and amazing our school can be sometimes and it made me happy to think that people are still friends no matter the situation the other person is in. It was a real ‘don’t judge the book by its cover’ moment, and moments like that are why we started this account.”

Millions of people immigrate from places across the globe to start new lives in new locations.

Miami is the melting pot of cultures of the nation, filled with foreigners and new citizens looking to transform their lives. Senior Leonard Krause and freshman Ximena Puig decided to share their immigration stories of leaving their previous homes behind and entering an entirely new place unfamiliar to them.

Krause and his family decided to move to Miami from a small town in Germany when his father was offered a job here. He gained American citizenship in March 2014.

According to Krause the transition was a change as a result of the huge difference between American and German ways of life. Learning a new language and adjusting to the temperature change and different customs were some of the more prominent difficulties he said he remembers having to face when moving to America.

“It was all very different because I came from a small town in Germany, and all of the sudden I had to live in a big city [Miami],” Krause said. “I used to be able to walk to school every day because everything was very close together, and now I have to go by car. The schools here also have a lot more people than in Germany, and that took some getting used to.”

Krause said that when he first moved to America, he was also concerned about making new friends and fitting in with people because of where he came from, and due to the fact that he did not speak English very well.

“Everyone was really interested in me and where I was from, and people were always asking me to speak German which made me feel happy.

This definitely made me feel better about the move because I made friends quickly and never really felt left out by my peers,” Krause said.

Puig and her family recently gained American

citizenship in June 2014 after living in Spain for 7 years.

“My dad had been offered a really big raise to go from living in Madrid to Miami. I remember my mom and dad talking about the pros and cons about moving here, and I always noticed that the pros outweighed the cons, so we decided to move here for only three years, but we soon realized that this was a better life for us, and we decided to stay,” Puig said.

She especially remembers watching her mother every day as she recited the pledge to study for the citizenship test.

Puig said that initially the shift was difficult for her and her family.

“It was very hard at first for us. We had no family outside of Spain and we missed our friends,” Puig said. “But the hardest part was definitely having to learn a whole new language so quickly. It was like a whole other planet, and we had to start all over again.”

According to Puig, Spain and Miami are different in so many aspects that she would not be able to decipher if either country was better or worse.

“Spain and Miami are very different for many reasons. One thing that I have really noticed is people’s way of thinking in that it is very extreme.

From being complete conservatives or liberals to being very religious, it is very different from Spain where everyone’s way of thinking is very similar,” Puig said. “There is also a huge difference in methods of transportation. In Madrid, everything is very close together, and you can walk to most places and it takes no longer than thirty minutes, while here in Miami you need a car to get almost everywhere.”

Each person has their own story to tell of the ups and downs in starting fresh, and the experiences they have had in transitioning from one country to a completely new one.

Freestyle Battle: The Greatest v. Rooster KC the Greatest

Rooster

Versace linen Mean grillin’ Told her I could make money Said she wanna make a million

Where we at?

Where my Gs with the Cs and the Ds but the As and Bs in the beats?

Follow yo boy Take my dawgs to new heights Puff smoke take flight Reminisce about the old times

Sydney Scanlon/highlights

When I used chill on the corner in the night time, And get right, talk to my dawgs about the lifestyle And how if we don’t make it, we gone still live the high life It’s fate life won’t keep me in the same place Rearranged thoughts everytime we on the paper planes And now adays we all into gadgets, techs pray for a life better hope you and yo’ people, blessed

IMP[RAP]VISING: Freestyle rap has become a popularized trend, even on campus, as senior Michael Quarless (KC the Greatest) responds to senior Nick Duran’s (Rooster) on-the-spot performance.

By Sydney Scanlon STAFF WRITER

Freestyle rap is a style of music, usually containing a background instrumental beat, in which the lyrics are improvised. The roots have been traced back to tribes in Africa and South America. However, the pop culture term refers to an East Coast hip-hop scene circa 1970s. Now, with freestyle rapping becoming such a widespread form of music performance, many students at the school have expressed an interest in the genre and are gaining attention for their rhymes.

Seniors Michael Quarless and Nick Duran referred to as KC the Greatest and Rooster, respectively, are two students who have become known throughout the campus as freestyle rappers.

A prevalent theme of freestyle is taking on a persona to fit ones image. Micheal chose the name KC the greatest “cus

[he’s] the greatest.” He has been rapping for about three years, due to an interest in the music industry. He claims his interest has made him better and is leading him towards greatness with the end goal being an artist.

“You need to know how to freestyle, it is a staple in rap,” Quarless said.

His largest inspirations for the themes of his art are other rappers along with his own life and problems which tend to have parallels to more infamous artists.

“I just focus on myself, trying to get myself out there,” Quarless said.

Nick Duran, also known as Rooster, began writing raps in middle school with his friend, and biggest inspiration, Kleber Mendez. However, he started freestyling over a year ago as he became more serious about his art. He attributes his intensified interest of the “poetry” on surrounding himself by fellow

They just labeled us dumb so we flow with a sense of some greed, plate full of crumbs, so we swing from the trees, put the ink to the sheet, Reek from the steeze that I breathe in the bleeze Fam overseas getting shot for the shoes on their feet bodybags and gats steady floodin the streets, While we over here stressin over silly ass beef.

‘Stead of lovin what we got, we could grind in some peace, ‘stead of restin in it, ride for eternity, throw away the lease, Without burgundy on concrete there wouldn’t be police or the mobbin, or throbbin of the hearts of our sisters and brothers

rappers with similar goals of being an artist. He pulls inspiration from anywhere and anything with the hopes of just being happy with what he does.

“Rapping, in general, has made me more observant and reflective,” Duran said.

Freestyle originated from microphone controllers (MC) who would improvise raps to keep the crowd lively. The MC’s performance evolved into rap battles, further publicized with Eminem’s highly viewed semi-autobiography 8-mile, which showcased various organized rap battle events in Detroit.

Neither Duran nor Quarless frequently take part in rap battles as most of their work is written and then later performed.

However, both said they believe that the ability to drop rhymes on the spot is an essential aspect of rap and proves the seriousness of a rapper. Essentially, all a rapper needs to showcase their talents is their voice and brains.

highlights March 2015

14

Darab We buy antiques, jewelry & collectibles (786) 287-0630 Mariani Orthodontics Supports the Cavaliers!

highlights March 2015

15

sports

highlights

16 Bi c yc l e acci d e nts d ema nd l a w reformations March 2015

by the numbers -In 2012, the average age of bicyclists killed in crashes with motor vehicles was 43 -69 percent of bicyclist fatalities occurred in urban areas -Increase in bicyclist injuries between 2001 and 2011: 8.9 percent -A third of all bicyclist injuries are caused when they are hit by cars Source: www.pedbikeinfo.org

Commentary by Octavio Castro hit by a car on a two-lane road lacking a bike lane. Since June STAFF WRITER

In light of recent bicycle-related car accidents, it is evident that the current bicycle safety laws are ineffective and need to be reformed, including harsher punishments for violations of these laws both to bikers and drivers.

For the past few years, Miami has been the site of numerous bicycle-related car accidents. One of the first bicycle accidents which called attention to bike safety in Miami was the death of Christophe Le Canne. In late January 2010, Le Canne was run over and killed by a drunk driver on the Rickenbacker Causeway. Le Canne’s death led to the creation of numerous bicycle lanes throughout some of Miami’s neighborhoods and major roads. However, only 61 miles of bike lanes in the whole city have been added slowly over the past five years, according to the Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization. Furthermore, these bike lanes have been created in middle-to-high-class neighborhoods, including Brickell and Key Biscayne.

There is a glaring omission in the implementation of bike lanes; low-income neighborhoods are left without safe bike pathways and are at higher risk for bicycling accidents. Luis Meza is only one of the many working class immigrants who have died after being hit while bicycling. While riding to his underserved neighborhood within Coral Gables, Meza was

NCAA switches to flat-seamed baseballs

By Francis Pérez SPORTS EDITOR

Researchers have discovered that adjusting a baseball’s design from raised-seams to flat seams, the ball’s aerodynamics, and therefore its speed, are affected.

The raised-seam design has a height of .048 inches whereas the new flatter-seamed balls have a height of .031 inches. Researchers found that when using the new flat seamed baseball, there is less drag on the baseball and the ball travels 20 feet farther than the raised seamed ball.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has decided to switch over to these new balls this year and according to The New York Times, the teams have been hitting 40 percent more home runs this season.

For example, Eastern Michigan University’s Mitchell McGeein has hit five home runs in the past 13 games, which is already more than what he hit all of last season.

Besides giving the players more opportunities to hit far and score, students say that the increase in the distance the ball travels gives the audience a new reason to watch the sport.

“The game is now much more exciting. Baseball is a pretty slow sport, so having a few more home runs to cheer about makes the game much more interesting and thrilling,” senior Bradley Lee said.

Even though the number of home runs has increased, the flatter seams make it more difficult for pitchers to change their grips for the different throws. However, according to the NCAA website, coaches say that their pitchers will be able to adjust to the change over time.

In addition, by having college teams switch to the flatter-seamed balls, it mimics the balls used in Major League Baseball (MLB) which allows any prospective MLB players to become more comfortable with the new ball before making the full transition.

Miami sports lack support Commentary by Vanessa Vazquez STAFF WRITER

Sports teams demand a strong fanbase for support and motivation to reach higher rankings and attendance statistics. Having fans cheering helps the team’s motivation, increasing rankings and attendance. Fans show up for winning teams, and due to that, Miami baseball, basketball, and football teams’ fanbases have lost pride in their home teams because of high amount of losses.

The Miami Heat is playing the 2015 season without its former star player Lebron James because he left for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since James left, attendance and rankings have decreased. In 2013, the Heat was ranked No. 3, and later No. 4, currently the Heat rank No. 5. In addition, attendance in 2012 reached almost 20,000 people per game, while this year it is 19, 737.

Alternatively, the Miami Marlins have been playing for the past two years at Marlins Park. Attendance increased in 2012 (the year of the stadium’s opening), then decreased, and increased again. In 2011, the Marlins acquired manager Ozzie Guillén and hired more players. Under his management, they suffered their worst season since 1999 because they traded three of their best players and fired another player. In another trade, during the 2012 season, all but one major player was traded. Rankings have decreased and fans are less interested. The new stadium made attendance increase, but the Marlins lack the rankings needed to attract more fans. For the 2014 season, the Marlins attempted raising rankings by hiring more hitters, but still they ended the season badly, losing two players.

Football on the other hand has improved in Miami, although the Miami Dolphins have failed to reach the playoffs since 1973. Football is one of the country’s favorite sport, but as for Miami, it is not. The Dolphins stood at No. 18 in the league for the 2014 season, however, the previous season they stood at No. 19, and in 2012 at No. 21. Due to the higher rankings, attendance has increased in the last few years. For the 2012 season, the team was ranked No. 29 in attendance, the next year No. 21, and in 2014, it stood at No. 14.

Miami fans need to help support their teams in order to give them motivation.

Players do a better job at their game when they have fans looking out at them. Sports in Miami lack support from their fans. With better players, teams will improve, and give fans pride in their homes, motivating them to attend games.

All sports teams deserve pep rallies Commentary by Sabrina Fiske

the football team.

“The center of attention should not just be on the football team. Other teams and clubs should get the same support the In having only four pep rallies this year, football team gets because they’re part of Coral Gables too,” it is evident that other clubs and sports teams sophomore Shirley Lopez said. are excluded from the ‘elite’ pep rally nature Having more pep rallies would also allow performance that only supports the football team. Football groups, such as the Band of Distinction and the Gablettes, to is not the only sport have more opportunities to perform and or activity at the prepare for their respective competitions.

Other teams and clubs school that deserves to be recognized, should get the same support Money gained from pep rallies’ entrance and having pep rallies strictly for the fees can be used for other school activities the football team gets football team discourages other teams and redirected to the sport teams, treat Shirley Lopez, from doing well and being motivated to days, and can be used as fundraisers for sophomore carry on the Cavalier spirit. charity, as the money has previously.

While the school’s football team “It’s not my decision. It’s the was successful this year, finishing the season with a record of administration’s [to host pep rallies for the football team]...I 9-3, other teams such as cross country and swimming were don’t have a problem with [hosting other pep rallies during the equally, if not more successful, scoring higher and finishing the year for other teams],” activities director Ana Suarez said. season with better records. For this reason, they also deserve to The pros of hosting more pep rallies for not only other be recognized and praised for their achievements. sports teams but also for club and academic competitions Teams that did not gain as much success this school year and accomplishments would outweigh the nonexistent cons. deserve support too. That support could manifest itself into the Denying teams the support that they deserve is unjust, and team improving and rally school spirit year-round, instead of having more pep rallies throughout the year to support these just at the beginning of the year and only being directed towards teams and clubs helps the school advance as a whole.

STAFF WRITER

‘‘

2009, at least six working-poor immigrants have been killed or critically injured, four of which were hit on roads without bike lanes and by either intoxicated or distracted drivers, most of whom fled the scene after the accident.

To combat this trend of increasing bicycle accidents, the city must create more bicycle lanes, especially in low-income neighborhoods, where riding bicycles is not only used for recreational purposes but also as a mode of transportation to and from work for many of the residents. If the city cannot create new bike lanes, then it should create warning signs of shared roads between bikes and cars.

Enforcement of protective gear should also be implemented for bicycle riders. Many of the accidents mentioned earlier included bikers who were not wearing helmets or other gear.

Fines should be given to bikers who are driving on roads without wearing helmets; the fine should be enough to call attention to the issue, but not too excessive. Drivers should also receive higher fines for texting and driving, which is a large contributor to bicycle accidents. Lastly, overall attention to bike safety should be more widespread throughout Miami.

This could include a variety of methods to inform the public, including public service announcements on popular radio and television stations, sections on safety guidelines on local government websites, and fliers in locations where bikers gather (like government center, where Critical Mass participants meet every month for the event).

CAVALIER STAT BOX

Softball

MAR 3

Cavaliers

MAR 4

South Miami

MAR 5

Cavaliers

@ Coral Park

@ CGHS

@ Lourdes

MAR 10 Ferguson @ CGHS

vs 15-0 W

Coral Park Cavaliers

vs 1-18 W vs 14-15 L

Lourdes

vs 3-17 W

Cavaliers

Baseball

FEB 20

Coral Park

vs 1-11 W

Cavaliers

FEB 25

Columbus

vs 2-1 L

Cavaliers

vs 0-2 W

Cavaliers

@ CGHS

@ CGHS

MAR 4 South Miami @ CGHS

MAR 6

Cavaliers @ Braddock

vs 0-2 L

Braddock

highlights March 2015

17

Cavs defeat Florida Christian Patriots

By Angelika Menendez STAFF WRITER

Angelika Menendez/highlghts

Last Tuesday, the boys’ volleyball team played the Florida Christian Patriots. The game ended with a win for the Cavaliers, beating the Patriots 1-3.

The game started with the Patriots taking the lead, quickly scoring after their serve. After scoring their first point, senior setter Jonathan Losada scored an ace, bringing the Cavaliers up 1-2. After multiple spikes and illegal plays from both teams, the Cavaliers were trailing behind the Patriots 20-15. The Cavaliers called a time out, and right after, senior outside hitter Teague Scanlon and middle blocker Al-Wajid Aminu spiked the ball, bringing the score to 20-18. After a few rallies, the score was tied at 21. However, a spike from outside hitter and defensive specialist William Stephens and from middle blocker Eric Pena brought the score to 21-23 with the Cavaliers in the lead. The first set ended with the Cavaliers winning 22-25.

The second set began with the Cavaliers taking the lead, 0-2, after outside hitter Phillip Hall spiked the ball. The Cavaliers stayed in the lead, until the Patriots scored and tied the game at 8. The Cavaliers called a time out, and after, began to score again. The team kept their lead throughout the set, ending it with a score of 23-25.

The Patriots took charge in the third set, starting off with a score of 3-0 after hitting two spikes and an ace. The Cavaliers fought back with Losada killing the ball, bringing the score 3-1. As the game continued, the Cavaliers tried to block the Patriots’s hits, but they made mistakes with double touches and out of bound hits. This kept the Patriots in the lead throughout the third set, ending it with the Patriots tipping the ball over and winning the set 25-13.

The fourth set started with the Cavaliers serving and scoring, but in the next play Scanlon hit the ball out, bringing the score to 1-1. As the game continued, the Cavaliers took charge making the score 12-14 before calling a timeout. The Patriots then began to score, tying at 16. Outside hitter Justin Sanchez then spiked the ball and the Cavaliers regained their lead 16-17. The Patriots continued to make mistakes, hitting the ball to the net, which brought the score to 16-20. After winning a few rallies, the Cavaliers were one point away from victory and won after the Patriots missed a pass and dropped the ball.

“We played really well. I think it was the first time we played a complete volleyball game against a really good opponent, and for us every day is about getting better,” head coach Gaston Rodriguez said.

HIT IT TO WIN IT: (Top) Junior middle blocker Al-Wajid Aminu and junior outside hitter Justin Sanchez block a hit from the Patriots. (Bottom) Senior Jonathan Losada sets the ball for a hit.

Old professional athletes should retire Commentary by Cyrus Zeledon performing at their highest level of play, not while looking COPY EDITOR

After the fairly recent injuries of star athletes shooting guard Kobe Bryant and golfer Tiger Woods, it seems as if all the old talented athletes that sports fans have come to admire are slowly ending their careers tragically. When it comes time to retire, many athletes opt to retire when they are no longer capable of playing the sport at their best level of athleticism, which is not necessarily the best idea.

Naturally, every athlete has their own clock for aging and level of play, and the same goes for their time for retirement.

It is understood that different athletes have different retirement times, however, they should still retire while they are

miserably old. For instance, Brett Favre retired at the age of 42 amidst a minor injury and losing the 2010 NFC Championship.

Of course, he is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks to have played football, yet even Favre had issues staging a “comeback” to play during that season with the Minnesota Vikings. On the other hand, athletes like tennis player Bjorn Borg retired at the age of 26—professionals consider this age his prime— after losing in the finals of the 1981 U.S. Open.

In some cases, fast deterioration can lead to early retirement, such as in individual sports where there are no substitutes for a player. For players like basketball player Lebron James, there is doubt as to when he will still be at his highest level of athleticism since he started the NBA straight out of high school.

Yet, even in team sports players can still deteriorate (physically and mentally) rapidly and become obsolete on their team, which

bring up names like Kobe Bryant.

The one factor that determines whether an athlete should retire is inconsistency. In the case of Kobe Bryant, the recent injury to his rotator cuff only adds to the laundry list of problems that he and Lakers share. It is time for Bryant to call it quits before one of basketball’s elites becomes nothing more than a 37 year-old mockery amongst young up-and-comers.

On the same note, quarterback Peyton Manning is also on the list of players who should call it quits. Halfway through this season Manning looked as if he needed more than a short break from football after struggling to keep the Denver Broncos in the playoffs while injured. As for Tiger Woods and tennis player Roger Federer, both have been obsolete ever since the last time they both won a major (Federer in 2012 and Woods in 2008).

In the end, you either retire at your best or play long enough to see yourself become a mockery.

Cavaliers volunteer at Miami Open tournaments

By Maria Ovalle

March/April

As the Miami Open tournament approaches, senior Caroline Bauwens and junior Marco Garcia prepare to be a part of the tournament as ball persons. This year, the Miami Open will be held at Crandon Park Tennis Center from March 23 through April 5. This is a tennis event where professional players from all over world compete against each other to increase their world rankings.

In order to become a ball person, one has to sign up in November and, if chosen, attend training through the month of the February to practice for the actual tournament. Then the person waits to get chosen to participate in a match. Trainings are on Saturday mornings for five hours, when the ball persons learn and get evaluated on how they run across the court, throw and roll balls, and present themselves with the players. When in uniform, a ball person is not allowed to talk to the players, and players cannot touch them.

Bauwens said she first became a ball person her sophomore year because she knew friends who had done it before and she is an avid tennis fan. Garcia first became a ball person last year when he went through the process of training as well. Through this experience,

MARK THE DATE Boys Varsity

they both get to meet many people with similar interests, attend tournaments for free, have free meals during their assistance, and get 60 hours of community service.

“I became a ball person because it allows me to watch the best players up close,” Garcia said.

Being close to such big names in tennis, ball people have an opportunity to experience moments unlike any other. For instance, during Bauwens’ first year as a ball person, she was on a court when a player turned around and threw his racket out of frustration and it almost hit her. Another time, Bauwens was assisting on the main court, which she said could be somewhat intimidating. Bauwens said that when the ball she threw to Serena Williams bounced twice, as opposed to the one bounce rule in which the ball bounces once before it reaches the player, Williams did not pick it up and glared at Bauwens.

“If you are a really big tennis fan, it’s tough to walk in because all you want to do is say ‘hi’ to them, but it’s really exhilarating to be on a court with your icon,” Bauwens said.

Garcia is currently waiting to be notified to be accepted so he can be a ball person for a match this season. Now that Bauwens will be going to college, she does not know if she will do it again next year but she said she hopes to do it again sometime.

to watch our athletic teams rack up the points!

Varsity

Badminton

Girls Varsity

30 31 2

Volleyball vs. Columbus Monday at 5 p.m. at Coral Gables Senior High

Courtesy of Valerie Bauwens

Courtesy of Hiroshi Sato

BUSINESS MANAGER

vs. Southwest Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Coral Gables Senior High

Softball

vs. Florida Christian Thursday at 4 p.m. at Coral Gables Senior High

Boys Junior Varsity

4

Baseball

vs. Hialeah Saturday at 10 a.m. at Woodward Field

the scene

highlights March 2015

Cashing in the honor roll

By Olivia Field STAFF WRITER

Receiving honor roll is a high distinction at the school, meaning one can receive a sweet treat courtesy of Student Activities and the infamous sheet of supposedly miscellaneous and unusable coupons for Miami activities.

To make the most of your celebrated quarterly grades, highlights has meticulously reviewed these coupon cut outs to find the most worthwhile and all around enjoyable events and food deals that the Miami area has to offer.

Featured in the coupon sheet is a free airboat ride at Gator Park, located in the Everglades. With the purchase of one other regular ticket, one can hop onto a boat tour with a friend and get an up close look at Florida’s wildlife and natural habitats. Usually more than $20 per ticket, this deal allows for an inexpensive yet adventurous day at the national park.

Also offering a buy-one-get-one-free bargain is the Ninja Lounge, an obstacle course and trampoline park located on NE 20th Lane in North Miami. The warehouse has multiple attractions, including a trampoline area, dodge ball courts, a ropes course, and a bouldering climbing wall. The coupon lets the

participant use the trampoline area and two of the attractions listed above for free when someone else pays the entrance fee at the regular price of $50.

Most of the coupons offered do require some sort of payment to receive the discount. However, a handful of places scattered across the sheet give students a completely free pass to the particular endeavor. One of them includes a free game of mini golf at Monster Mini Golf. The indoor course glows in the dark and incorporates bright lights, thematic entertainment, and an overall monstrous atmosphere throughout the day and night. With the pass, one person can play an 18-hole game at the Miramar Parkway location.

The coupon sheet also offers opportunities to get deals on food and discounts at local restaurants. One of them includes a buy-one-get-one-free tour, worth $12 per person, of a family run farm in Homestead called the Fresh Gardens.

Specializing in the growth of tropical fruits, like dragon fruit and golden passion fruit, the tour includes a free “fruitsickle,” and a free piece of your choice of fruit. The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, also offers a free meal with the purchase of a regular meal at full price.

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Other coupons include...

Save 15 percent at Sports Authority

Get a free game of Bowling

Buy one get one free admission to the Zoo

Get 50 percent off roller skating admission

Get a free game of laser tag

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Join CAF&DM now!

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applications on cavsconnect.com

highlights March 2015

Fancy at Fairchild:

By Araceli Sanchez STAFF WRITER

Offering a collection of exotic teas served in proper porcelain cups and two-piece china sets with sides of scones, sweets and other savory side dishes, the Baobab Tea Garden is a place where people can sit and take in the natural beauty of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, while listening to live jazz music.

Known for its beautifully landscaped gardens and distinguished festivals, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden has become a designated landmark in Miami. For 10 years, Fairchild has been offering outdoor Tea Gardens at its annual Ramble Festival, but now Fairchild will offer the Tea Gardens during additional popular festivals such as

19

Tea time traditions take off at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

the International Orchid Festival and the Spring Garden Festival on April 11 and 12.

Tables will be set up under a tent in the shade, and volunteers will serve delicious tea and food to everyone who would like to take a break from the rest of the festival.

Anyone who buys their entrance into the Tea Gardens can also explore the gardens and enjoy the festivals, and is not limited to the Tea Garden event.

The fairchild Tea Garden can be found beneath the Botanic Garden’s massive Baobab tree, one of the most notable features of Fairchild. This tree was one of the very first additions to the gardens in 1938, and continues to remind visitors of Doctor David Fairchild’s original goal: to create a one-of-a-kind botanical garden for all to experience.

After paying for admission into the gardens, tourists and residents alike are invited to indulge in the wide selections

of teas blended together specifically for Fairchild in addition to snacks and sweets are available for an additional $15, which Coordinator of Tea at Fairchild Marnie Valent calls “typical tea fare.” The Tea Gardens start at 10:30 a.m. and lasts until 3:30 p.m. and accepts walk-ins during the festivals.

Afterward, vistors are more than welcome to explore the rest of the grounds and partake in any other events or tours happening, and enter the Gate House Museum, the very first building built on the grounds, located right beside the Baobab Tea Garden, and the Wings of the Tropics, the newest addition to Farchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Valent said that the event is “lovely” and that the garden setting adds to the ambiance of the event, and said that she hopes to see more people attend the Tea Garden events.

Courtesy of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden TASTY WITH A TWIST: A ravishing array of tea and bite-sized cupcakes and cookies are available on special occasions at Fairchild Topical Botanic Garden, served under the massive Baobab tree on the grounds of the gardens. For an extra fee, visitors can now enjoy a tea break during any of Fairchild’s many festivals and events.

Celebrating 100 years Movies at UM on Miami Beach

By Leila Iskandarani STAFF WRITER

By Amanda-Victoria Gonzalez STAFF WRITER

It is Miami Beach’s 100th anniversary and Miami is celebrating in a big way – with Miami Beach 100-Hour Centennial, a non-stop event featuring various kinds of exhibits and a free Oceanside concert.

The event starts on March 22 with a Concourse Car Show on the Miami Beach Golf Course, showcasing the most elegant cars of the century. There will also be a Celebration of Fashion later in the day with a 100-year retrospective from 6-11 p.m. On March 23, a documentary about Miami Beach will be played at the New World Center, which will show the changes and advancements that Miami Beach has endured to become the iconic landmark that we all know. Although there was a period of decline for the city, its Art Deco treasures, residents and tourists of different cultures made their way to the oceanside city and made Miami Beach what it is today.

On March 24, there will also be a World Class Tennis Exhibition taking place with appearances from internationally distinguished tennis players. The Miami Beach Food Truck & Music Festival will be on March 25 from 5-10 p.m. This music and food festival will feature performances from a Beatles cover band and the Miami Beach Senior High Rock Ensemble.

The festivities will come to an end on Thursday (March 26) with the Centennial Beach Party show, which will include artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Flo Rida and Gloria Estefan, who will perform to promote awareness about climate change and protection of the environment.

So make your way to the sands of South Beach and Ocean Drive this spring break to join the festivities and celebrate 100 years of Miami Beach.

Laura Acosta/highlights

Home to a plethora of foreign, classic, experimental and independent films, the Bill Cosford Cinema offers movie junkies the opportunity to view alternative forms of cinema. A small theater hidden in the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus, the Cosford attracts humble crowds of only 20 or so people, making its already cozy space even more intimate and creating a home-like atmosphere perfect for watching a film.

The theater makes it a goal to attract diverse audiences and provide the public with these films for an affordable price. So, not only are movie tickets $7 or less, but the movies themselves cover all kinds of genres, eras and cultures.

Showing new, popular pictures like “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” and older, classic films like “The Big Lebowski” ensures that the cinema brings in people of all ages, tastes and cultures.

“Our screenings are mixed from members of the community and students of the university,” director of the Cosford Trae DeLellis said. “I would say we really range in age from 18-80s. It’s an interesting collection of people coming to see independent cinema.”

The theater is currently hosting a film series titled “Cosford Classics” in an effort to preserve the timehonored cinematic experience and bring back forgotten pieces. Every film in the series, including “Scarface” and “The Misfits,” is screened using 35mm projectors, assuring moviegoers a vintage-like theater experience.

Aside from movie series like “Cosford Classics”, the theater also hosts noteworthy speakers— for example, Oscar-winning cinematographer Vittorio Storaro and “Avatar” and “Titanic” producer Jon Landau.

A cinematic escape for film lovers seeking to discover little-known movies, the Cosford guarantees moviegoers a homely and classic theater experience.

the scene

highlights

Best tacos in town:

20 the highlights guide to your Mexican cravings March 2015

By Laura Acosta THE SCENE EDITOR

While Miami is filled with Latin-American cuisine brought over to the city by waves of immigration, authentic Mexican restaurants are less plentiful and often overshadowed by popular, unauthentic establishments. However, this does not mean that there are not any authentic restaurants that can satisfy any taco lover. Inconspicuous Mexican establishments are scattered all over Miami, and highlights has found the best restaurants in town.

VIva Mexico 542 SW 12th Ave. Located on 12th Avenue, this Mexican taco shop is the definition of hole in the wall – with only a few seats available for customers, most order and eat while standing. The location specializes in cooking authentic Carnitas, a dish that takes the establishment days to create so it can be perfect for use in tacos and flautas.

Viva Mexico is exceedingly simple, only accepting cash and charging around $2 for each taco. For the more adventurous, Viva Mexico offers meats typically dismissed, such as pork offal and beef tripe. highlights recommends sticking to a simple carnitas taco, and making the most out of the outrageously affordable prices.

El Jacalito Taqueria mexicana 3622 W Flagler St. From the owners of Mi Rinconcito Mexicano comes this slightly more casual eatery, located on an inconspicuous strip mall on Flagler. The menu features a wide array of small, cheap dishes, allowing customers to pick and choose from all the offerings without spending too much. An order of three tacos costs $5 dollars, and customers can choose from 10 fillings, including chorizo, beef, chicken, vegetables and lesser seen options like tongue and cow cheek. highlights recommends picking a favorite from these 10 fillings ordering a side of rice and beans for $2 and a side of guacamole for $1.

Mi Rinconcito mexicano 1961 SW 8th St.

Laura Acosta/highlights TASTY TACOS: The Tacos Chorreados de Carne Asada from Mi Rinconcito Mexicano, topped with onions, cilantro, and fresh lime. Ideal with fresh guac and tortilla chips.

Nestled among the small establishments on Calle Ocho is Mi Rinoncito Mexicano, a truly authentic Mexican Restaurant. The restaurant is scattered with only a few tables and a few decorations, as the main focus of the restaurant is the food. Its menu is not only limited to tacos – Mi Rinconcito also serves moles, sopes, flautas and other offerings typically excluded from Americanized Mexican restaurants. The menu also includes vegetarian options, so all customers looking to indulge in a great taco can find something to suit their eating habits. highlights recommends ordering any of their many taco varieties, and paring it with an order of guacamole and a Jarritos soda of your choice.