Issue 3, Vol. 57 by highlights Newsmagazine

highlights \ Issue 3 \ Vol. 57 \ Nov. 2016 \ 450 Bird Road, Coral Gables, FL, 33146

Contents 2

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Nov. 2016 \ Pg. 2

Features

Sports

6 | Junior Melanie Wu

enters into the world of film with GablesLive, an internship at Borscht, a week-long camp hosted by the GRAMMY Foundation and a potential scholarship from YoungArts.

Advisory Board Editor-in-Chief: Olivia Field Copy Editor: Dylan Carol Business Manager: Amanda Pallas Social Media Manager: Sutton Payne Adviser: Melissa Gonzalez Features: Leila Iskandarani News: Vanessa Vazquez Opinion: Benjamin Estrada Sports: Jack Band The Scene: Sarah Galt Insight: Sydney Scanlon

19 | Falling just short of

the district football title, the Cavaliers faced off against rivals Columbus Explorers. They lost by just one touchdown in the third quarter of the game, dissapointing fans.

The Scene

Audrey Weigel/highlights

24 | Located near

News

10 | After years of

Wynwood, Sweat Records is known for its antique style and welcoming environment.The quaint shop offers a variety of records as well as a small selection of coffees.

Opinion

14 | After Homecoming

was cancelled, it became evident that the class of 2017 was coming close to killing school spirit. If seniors do not begin to embrace the Cavalier pride, we may lose it forever.

Natalie Viglucci/highlights

renovations in the heart of the financial district, the Brickell City Centre opened its doors on Nov. 3 to provide residents with a variety of restaurants, businesses and shops.

Staff Writers

Insight

28 | In the midst of a rise

in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;foodiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and technology, highlights decided to explore the use of social media` to promote healthy eating habits and provide recipes and tips for mindful consumption.

Nicolas Burniske, Tatiana Campos, Estelle Erwich, Angelle Garcia, Dan Leiferman, Kevin Monjarrez, Alejandra Orozco, Alejandro Prida, Shirley Ramirez, Cecilia Rodriguez, Luis Toruno, Mariam Vela, Natalie Viglucci, Sofia Viglucci, Audrey Weigel, Alfredo Wolfermann, Ana Wolfermann, Karina Wu.

Contributors The Cavaleon highlights is the official student-produced news magazine 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 on 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.

In memory of

Janet Reno By Leila Iskandarani FEATURES EDITOR

Janet Reno, alumna and valedictorian of the class of 1956, died on Nov. 7. She was 78 years old. During her time at the school, Reno was a member of the Girls Athletic Association and a “debating champion” in the Speech and Debate club. After high school, Reno attended Cornell University and, upon her graduation in 1960, attended Harvard Law School. She was later appointed to the U.S. Attorney General’s Office under the Clinton Administration. Reno is the first woman to have served as Attorney General. Under Reno, the Justice Department dealt with issues like the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and the government’s seizure of Elián González. According to the New York Times, “her political and personal style clashed with the president’s” and she “was never a natural fit in Washington’s backslapping, competitive culture.” Prior to becoming the U.S. Attorney General, Reno served as the Dade County State Attorney.

Features 4

The perks of being a club member Some of the school’s most popular clubs offer senior members thousands in scholarship money By Tatiana Campos & Karina Wu STAFF WRITERS

ROM ORGANIZING PET supply donations for animal shelters to making pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness, members dedicate a seemingly endless amount of their time to clubs. Combined with constant deadlines, part-time jobs and after-school sports, students who abide by the demanding “club life” may feel as if they cannot catch a break. Though tiring, the time and dedication could pay off in senior year, when members may qualify for various scholarships provided by Interact, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), National Honor Society (NHS) and Key Club, among others. Interact Since 1986, the Rotary Club of Coral Gables has been providing scholarships to the school’s seniors that have excelled in leadership abilities, academic performance and community service. Seniors who regularly engage in the community are qualified to apply for these scholarships. The Rotary scholarship is the most well known of the awards, providing a total of $20,000 in aid. Applicants must compose an essay with the guidance of Rotary Club of Coral Gables Scholarship chairperson Terry Long. “Depending on how many people apply for the scholarship, everyone gets a sum of money. Most of the Interact board last year applied and won a little bit over $1,000,” Interact Club president Luciano Simonetta said. Each national winner received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 last year, including alumni Gladys Ruiz de Leon, Joseph Villafañe, Evan Caldwell and Lady del Castillo. The application for the 2017 scholarship is available at rotary.org. Key Club Key Club, sponsored by Kiwanis International, encourages members to participate in the club’s mission to aid different communities on a global scale. “You have to be involved in the

community. It really reflects the amount of effort a student puts in. They really take that into consideration. It is not just about grade point average and test scores, but on the changes you’ve made in the community,” Key Club president Julian Perez-Hernandez said. It offers four scholarships that are exclusive to its senior members. The international level scholarships, which commemorate past Kiwanis members, include the Linda Canaday Memorial Scholarship, Harry S. Himmel Scholarship and the Cunat International Scholarship, which offer awards of $500, $2,500 and $2,500, respectively. The applications for the scholarships each require a 200-word essay, an official transcript and two recommendation letters from either a Kiwanis or faculty advisor. Applications will be available online on keyclub. org on Feb. 1, 2017 and must be completed and mailed in by April 15, 2017. NHS Along with Interact and Key Club, NHS encourages students to not only volunteer and earn community service hours, but also to leave the club with a sense of responsibility in the community. “Our main goal is to not only have academically driven students, but also students who are well rounded, help their community and go out of their way… to better the world around them,” NHS co-president Sabrina Fiske said. Under history teacher Kathryn Landsea’s supervision, NHS has provided members with various opportunities and scholarships, the most important being the National Honor Society Scholarship. Founded in 1946, the scholarship program is available to dedicated senior in the club with a total of $1,000,000 shared among 400 winners. 375 semifinalists will be awarded $2,325, 24 national finalists will be awarded $4,500 and the national winner receives the full $20,125. Applications will be available as of Nov. 1 2016 on nhs.us.

“

It’s not just about grade point average and test scores, but the changes you’ve made in the community.

-Julian PerezHernandez, Key Club president

FBLA FBLA educates students on the skills needed to succeed in a businessrelated career. Members of the club may compete all the way up to the national level in competitions like Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure and Mobile Application Development. To qualify for scholarships offered by FBLA, members must go on the national FBLA website throughout the year and register their community service hours. A student’s eligibility for the scholarships is determined by his or her online results. Scholarship programs include the Knowledge Matters Scholarship and the LifeSmarts Safety Smarts Scholarship, among others. “Completing the community service hours are important because we want future business leaders to be socially conscious and be aware of their community, and also be giving back because business tends to be a greedy, self-fulfilling area,” FBLA co-president Maria Ordoñez said. “We encourage the members to start learning that you are not just getting but also giving back.” The most popular among the scholarships is the FBLA Distinguished Business Leader scholarship. The scholarship was designed to recognize stellar graduating members for their commitment and involvement in the association. To qualify for this scholarship, one must have already achieved the Leader or America level of the Business Achievement Awards (BAA) along with the logging in volunteer hours online. Additionally, they must complete a one-page letter summarizing both their business and community activities and fill out the Distinguished Business Leader Interactive scholarship form. The number of scholarships given, as well as the amount granted, is dependent on yearly contributions to the FBLA scholarship fund, with the minimum award being $500. Members must submit the application before April 1 2017 to qualify.

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Club Cash

With graduation day fast approaching, college and scholarship application deadlines are closing in quickly. Be sure to apply for scholarships offered by Interact, Key Club, NHS and FBLA.

National Honor Society

NHS $20,000

1$20,125 sponsored by

national winner earns

375

national finalists each earn national semifinalists each earn

Source: nhs.us

$4,500 $2,325

Knowledge Matters sponsored by

FBLA

requirements: nomination, interest in business, 11th or 12th grader

$2,000 application deadline:

Source: fbla-pbl.org

Rotary

awarded annually

April 1, 2017

in aid awarded every year

sponsored by Source: keyclub.org

Club

Features 6

Spotlight: Melanie Wu

Junior Melanie Wu’s pursues her passion for film through a Borscht internship, GablesLive and more By Audrey Weigel

ELANIE WU, A JUNIOR IN the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, has pursued her ever-growing passion for film since her early teenage years. At as young as 13 years old, Wu felt the first spark of enthusiasm for video production as she played around with software. As a part of the GablesLive production team, Wu focuses on the creative aspect of the news outlet. She comes up with different ideas for GablesLive announcements, and dedicates most of her input toward the creative aspect of videomaking. Apart from GablesLive, Wu further explored her interest for film through GRAMMY camp, a week-long camp hosted by the same organization that hosts the acclaimed GRAMMY Awards. Wu was one of 20 people accepted into the camp, out of a pool of thousands of applicants. During her time there, Wu met high-ups in the industry— including Beyonce’s art director and the publicist for The Weeknd and Ariana Grande— and created a film that was broadcast to all campers at the end of the week. Although Wu was not chosen to film at the GRAMMYs— an honor that only a single camper received at the end of the week— the experience proved invaluable. “If you want to pursue a career in the music industry, film or anything in the arts you have to learn how to network and build connections,” Wu said. “I met a lot of people my age that share the same interest

DID YOU KNOW?

as me.” Following her participation in GRAMMY camp, Wu began her internship at Borscht, a local semi-annual film festival. The event is sponsored by students at New World School of the Arts, with a vision to give filmmakers the opportunity to come together and create artistic content. Wu was one of the first people to be chosen as an official intern out of a throng of hundreds of applicants, and is currently the only one representing the school. Wu’s experiences with GablesLive, GRAMMY camp, and Borscht have qualified her to apply for YoungArts, a program which rewards young artists based on their educational and professional development. On average, there are 11,000 applicants, and winners have the opportunity to win financial awards of up to $10,000. YoungArts recipients can also take classes with accomplished artists, be eligible for nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, and perform at the White House, Kennedy Center and Smithsonian. “My passion for film all started essentially because I was an only child and my parents would work,” Wu said. “My primary source of entertainment was just watching movies, but Grammy Camp has helped me seek out more opportunities like applying for the Borscht internship. I currently finished applying for YoungArts.” Wu is currently looking into the University of South Carolina, New York University, Fordham University and Pratt Institute, among other universities, to further pursue film. ts

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Audrey Weigel/highlights

STAFF WRITER

FILM FANATIC: Junior Melanie Wu hopes to further pursue her passion for film at the collegiate level.

•Wu is one of the first interns at Borscht. • At the end of GRAMMY camp, Wu was selected as a finalist to film the GRAMMY awards. • Wu is a self-taught filmmaker. Comp

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highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Nov. 2016 \ Pg. 7

A grad’s guide to college apps Alumnus Cole Scanlon, with a team of college students, created a free guide to the college application process By Kevin Monjarrez STAFF WRITER

VERY YEAR, A NEW WAVE standardized testing and developing of burnt-out seniors must face resumes, to applying for scholarships. the unavoidable, arduous trial Among the CEOs, directors and college of applying to college. The burdensome students behind the project is alumnus task often leaves seniors scratching their Cole Scanlon. heads, wondering how The idea for and where to even begin. the project first hit Students scramble to Scanlon’s team when compile every detail of they discovered the last four years of that oftentimes, first It’s a problem generation students their lives, ranging from that some students were having some community service to outside academic miss out on difficulty in making endeavors to anything on the college application progress that could boost their application process. financial They were further chances of admission. and Troubled students often aid information troubled by the fact seek guidance from other than the because they can’t that their school’s college one-third of collegecounselor (otherwise pay for it bound seniors who known as a College hire private college -Cole Scanlon, Assistance Program counselors, high alumnus [CAP] advisor) but a school students— single counselor usually particularly those is not enough for the without financial whole school, and students may not resources— have no access to have access to one. Fortunately, a free, valuable information regarding college new student-oriented resource known as applications and scholarships. the Fair Opportunity Project has become “A lot of the team at the Fair available as of September this year. Opportunity Project, like myself, think The Fair Opportunity Project is a it’s a problem that some students miss digitized book that seeks to aid seniors out on college application and financial through the college application process. aid information because they can’t pay The 66-page document covers virtually for it,” Scanlon said. every aspect of applying to college, from With this in mind, the team set out

“

HALL >> talk The highlights staff records what students are talking about in the hallways during passing between periods.

DID YOU KNOW? The American School Counselor Association recommends (ASCA) a ratio of 1 counselor to 250 students. Gables has one CAP advisor. Source: ASCA

to cover every aspect of the college application process that students may not be familiar with. The guide is not restricted to those about to enter college. In fact, the book stresses that the formal college application process starts during sophomore year, when students interested in attending a college or university should begin to look into standardized testing, a major requirement for most universities. The guide recommends that underclassmen should use the time at their disposal to prepare for the SAT, ACT and other standardized tests, work on their high school resumes and become familiar with their school counselors. The guide has already been distributed to 40,000 public school leaders and shows no signs of waning in popularity. It has even proliferated outside the US borders, having been downloaded in 19 other countries to date. This has given rise to a new idea within the Fair Opportunity Project team of potentially creating student guides for international universities in the form of a video series, or even expanding the original paper guide. Whatever the result, this is clearly not the end for the Fair Opportunity Project team, as they continue to strive towards their goal to provide quality and free information to prospective college applicants.

BLOCK 1

BLOCK 2

“I didn’t do my math homework because I was making pasta until 10:30.”

“Physics is not emotional.” “My mom threw a pickle at me. What’s up with that?”

“Oh my God, it’s happening again. I can’t feel my big toe.” “You know what I saw today? A giant toad. It looked like a puppy.” “You look like Elmo.”

News 8

Students fly to Boston

Sofia Viglucci/highlights

From Oct. 30 to Nov. 5, a group of sophomores and juniors toured colleges in the Boston area including Harvard University and Northeastern University

COLLEGE CRAZE: Students explore the campuses of Wellesley College (Top Left), Bentley University (Top Right) and Boston College (Bottom).

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Briefings Winter formal

Seniors fundraise for Haiti By Audrey Weigel

By Alfredo Wolfermann

STAFF WRITER

N RESPONSE TO THE DAMAGE caused by Hurricane Matthew, students at the school are doing their part to help victims. Hurricane Matthew, a category four storm, hit the Caribbean and parts of the United States’ eastern coast. In Haiti some entire towns remain completely inaccessible. According to the United Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2.1 million people have been affected throughout Haiti while 546 are dead and 128 missing as of October 2016 in Haiti alone. Various organizations have shifted their focuses to helping victims of the storm. Additionally, several students at the school have been combining efforts to help Haiti through donation drives. Senior Neila McNally is hosting a drive to collect medical supplies, baby food, dry foods and hygiene products for both men and women in Haiti. McNally was born in Haiti and still has family there, so she said she feels strongly about helping the island. The supplies she collects will be donated to Florida Memorial Baptist Church and then taken to Haiti. Similarly, senior Juliette Bouchette volunteers for an organization called Flying High for Haiti and she started a drive to collect supplies. The drive is Bouchette’s Creativity, Action wand Service project for the International Baccalaureate program. Immediately after the hurricane, the organization’s first move was to raise funds through GoFundMe. Their priorities

had to immediately change from collecting toys such as: bubbles, art supplies and beads to make bracelets, as the need for supplies in Haiti has become more urgent. Now Flying High for Haiti is collecting first aid kits, water filters and other necessary supplies. “On the next volunteer trip, we will build houses, in order to help encourage the islanders to do so as well. We are just trying to help raise as much awareness as possible for the needs of the children on the island, whether that’s through social media or events like Bridge for Peace,” Bouchette said. Another foundation raising funds is the Foundation for New Education Initiatives (FNEI), a private, non-profit organization working with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) to help receive donations for the victims. They are holding drives to collect supplies such as: baby food, dry food, medical supplies, hygiene products, batteries, flashlights, backpacks and school supplies. Additionally, FNEI and M-DCPS are working with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami and Father Reginald Jean-Mary of Notre Dame d’Haiti Catholic Church, as they did in 2008, to provide aid and supplies to Haiti’s citizens after the four catastrophic storms had hit the island. Lastly, local public schools in the county are individually offering different options to help collect non-monetary donations. Collectively, efforts by students and others have helped those affected by Hurricane Matthew. h

N IDEA FOR A WINTER FORMAL event was proposed to compensate for the recent cancellation of the school’s homecoming dance. The original event was canceled this year because the minimum goal of 300 students attending the dance was not reached. The 60s themed homecoming dance was scheduled to take place on Oct. 1 in the school’s gym, for a price of $30. However, only 57 students signed up to attend. With the proposal of a new winter formal, two polls went out, one on CavsConnect and one on Twitter, to estimate the amount of students that would pay to attend. On both polls, a yes or no question was asked, showing that a large number of students would be willing to attend a winter formal. Six hundred thirty one students voted yes and 74 voted no, a 90 percent to 10 percent margin. “[The proposed winter formal] would most likely be in January,” senior and Student Council President Albany Muria said. “We are currently looking at venues for it since most students wouldn’t attend one at school.” The dance may include decorations like snowflakes and ice crystals, a “Snow Queen” and an “Ice Princess.” The school, however, has not officially announced the event’s approval or collection dates. Until then, students must wait for an announcement from Student Activities. According to Muria, news regarding whether the event will take place and details of collections should be expected in December. h

Upcoming Events Dec. 2 Club Picture Day Nov. 22 Fall Frolics

Dec. 21 Senior College Forum Dec. 6-7 Cap and Gown Orders

Dec. 22 Mr. Coral Gables

Source: CavsConnect

News 10

Miami’s financial district unveils new mall

Brickell City Centre, a new luxury shopping center, has opened various high-end stores, businesses and restaurants to the public By Mariam Vela & Cecilia Rodriguez STAFF WRITERS

N NOV. 3, BRICKELL CITY Centre opened their doors to the public. Located in the heart of Miami’s financial district at 701 S. Miami Avenue, the $1.05 billion new mall complex is home to a variety of retail shops and high-end restaurants, and was the single largest project underway in all of Downtown Miami. This attraction has over 5.4 million square feet of office, residential, retail, entertainment and even hotel space, as well as a two-level underground parking garage with over 1,700 spaces available that span seven acres below the property. Along with its opening, there are several experimental events taking place that are supposed to welcome the majority of retailers opening their stores in the complex in these next few weeks. Plans for the complex began in 2008 and construction began in 2012. During its four year construction, the Brickell City Centre general contractor collaborated with South Florida Workforce to host job fairs in order to attain the widest possible outreach for job recruitment. In turn, the project created over 1,700 jobs per year, and

“

I can already tell it is going to be extremely popular among locals and even tourists. -Jocelin Mora, senior

16,000 jobs in total after its completion. Despite this, some students who live in Brickell and Downtown Miami said they are expecting an increase in noise pollution and traffic because of the new complex, and many, like senior Lisbel Martinez, said the new complex is not vital to the community at all, and only adds to the crowdedness of this urban area. “There are already other established malls in Brickell, such as Mary Brickell Village, so the construction of this new one seems kind of pointless,” Martinez said. On the other hand, some students disagree and believe that the construction of the mall was not a dissipation of resources at all. Public transportation is also being redeveloped because the mall is expected to add immensely to the congestion already present in the crowded city. Features, such as metromover entrances, are going to be modernized soon in order to accommodate the new shopping center. “There might be a little extra traffic but it is definitely worth it,” sophomore

Axel Rodriguez said. According to the Miami Herald, the complex’s target audiences are primarily foreign tourists and Brickell condo dwellers, as well as residents of suburbs like Pinecrest and Coral Gables. “Like many other malls in this city, this one is really modern and outdoor based, but I think the way they’ve implemented different forms of lights and shadow castings is really cool and definitely competes with the buildings near it,” freshman Juliana Bonavita said. The complex includes multiple hotels, two 390-unit luxury residences, two class-A office buildings and signature rooftop bars like Sugar, among other venues. Additionally the complex has a framework of glass and steel bar known as the Climate Ribbon. It connects all structures of Brickell City Centre over three blocks, and was used instead of a conventional air conditioning system in order to conform to sustainability practices. According to The Miami New Times, the $30 million dollar environmental management system is intented to provide shade, breeze and water collection.

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MALL MADNESS: Shoppers explore the newest addition to Miami’s financial district, Brickell City Centre, on opening day.

Cecilia Rodriguez /highlights

According to the Real Deal, an outlet for South Florida real estate news, Brickell City Centre is expected to be a world-class destination and environment where shoppers will want to stay for extended periods of time and make a day out of their visit. In 2017, the mall will also welcome the first ever Italian food hall in Miami, which will occupy three entire floors of the complex. “I think this mall will be a great addition to the many buildings of the area. I’ve only been once, but I can already tell it is going to be extremely popular among locals and even tourists,” senior Jocelin Mora said. The luxury shopping center has unveiled a dozen stores. Additionally, approximately 50 shops are expected to open by mid-November and over 100 more by December. Visitors can expect to see stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Victoria’s Secret and a dine-in movie theater. The renovations of Brickell City Centre have provided thousands of jobs throughout its construction. It serves as a resource of shops, restaurants and businesses to the Brickell population. h

News 12

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Trump becomes president-elect

After receiving the necessary 270 electoral votes, republican nominee Donald Trump wins election By Amanda Pallas BUSINESS MANAGER

ESPITE ALL THE MEDIA controversy present throughout the 2016 campaign, Donald Trump won the presidential election with 279 electoral votes as of Nov. 10. On Election Day, the first polls closed at 8 p.m., and electoral votes began to be distributed throughout the night. Even though Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, she gained 228 electoral votes, which led to Trump receiving enough to claim the presidency. Trump won battleground states such as North Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin, and received many votes from white males without a college education in the industrial Midwest according to the New York Times. On the other hand, Clinton took votes from large metropolitan areas in states such as New York and California. According to the New York Post, Trump “reshaped” the whole election map. He was able to flip many swing states in his favor, even those that have usually been blue for the past few

“

No one expected him to win, because something unprecedented happened. -James Dunn, history teacher

cycles such as Iowa, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. “I think it really came down to Florida, who was going to win Florida, and for me, thank God Hillary didn’t win, but Trump did, and ultimately I think it led to a victory for him when the odds were against him, so I’m pretty happy,” junior Brandon DeFusco said. According to NBC, all national polls and forecasts were incorrect during this election, as they put Clinton in the lead by a small margin. The New York Times noted that Clinton was ahead in all of the polls in the Midwestern states that ended up voting red. “I didn’t think [Trump] was going to win at all, because lots of projections saw Hillary winning, and I just didn’t think that so many people actually supported him,” freshman Julianna Goldfarb said. Apart from the presidential election, Republicans gained control in the Senate and kept it in the House of Representatives. With Trump as president and a Republican majority

in Congress, there will be new policy changes expected in the United States. This includes changes in the Affordable Care Act, immigration policies, financial reform, trade and the appointment of a Supreme Court justice. The last time there was a Republican president and a Republican majority in Congress, was in 2008 during George Bush’s presidency. After eight years of a Democratic president, Trump, a Republican, will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2017. “The people voted, and that decision’s final, we can’t really change that, we just need to find a way to limit what [Trump] wants to implement,” junior Kelly Hanley said. Students said they expect to see changes as soon as Trump begins his presidency at the start of next year. Some of the school’s students identify with a specific political party but would have voted in a different direction. Above all, students’ views range from completely disappointed with the election results to being excited for the start of Trump’s term. h

2016 Electoral Map VT

*As of Nov. 10 the following states have been predicted to be given electoral votes of the party shown. **The state of Maine divided its electoral votes as follows: 3 electoral votes to Clinton and 1 electoral vote to Trump.

MT ID WY

CA AZ*

Donald Trump

KS OK

NM TX

Hillary Clinton

NE UT

NY MI

PA OH

NH* MA RI CT NJ DE MD

TN AR

ME**

SC GA

FL Source: AP Vanessa Vazquez/highlights

Opinion 13

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STAFF-ED: Budget complexities

The school budget, which controls almost every aspect of the campus, is more intricate than what students may think

HERE IS A LOT OF BEHIND the scenes work that goes into almost every aspect of the school, from lunches to sports programs. Ultimately though, the deciding force of what happens and what does not happen at the school is the budget. Understanding school funding is crucial to understanding how the school works, and with no idea how money flows around the school, students often begin to make their own assumptions about how the administration decides to spend it. Thus, it is important for all students to understand that, when the school is given money, there are hefty strings attached. The state of Florida and MiamiDade County give the school funding, expecting it to be used in a multitude of different ways. The money it receives comes from a formula called the Full-time Equivalency program that dictates a certain amount of money for the amount of students enrolled. The school receives both programmatic and discretionary money through this program. Plan programmatic money is given for specific categories, like salary, and these funds cannot be mixed with other expenses; if the school needs more money for a certain category, they cannot extract money from different funds to help it. Discretionary money is a budget given to the principal and it is their responsibility to decide what to spend it on. Discretionary and programmatic money make up all of the schools’ budget, which accommodates all of the students needs and their different programs. The school’s budgeting cycle begins on July 1st of every year and with that money, they decide how they are going to spend it throughout the entire school year. With all these different types of funding though, the school is still required to spend them in certain ways and it is important to understand that there are not boundless financial freedoms that many students assume exist. Extra curriculars like clubs, sports, field trips and activities are all selffunded. For this reason, the school and private activities are always fundraising, so that more people can afford to

DID YOU KNOW? Through 2017, the school board’s proposed budget of $5.1 billion extends to over 355,269 students spread over 465 schools. Source: Miami-Dade County Public Schools

participate. Students pay out of pocket and fundraise for activities because the budget cannot be allocated towards extra groups and events. Many students complain about the lack of supplies in the bathroom, like toilet paper and paper towels. The common misconception is that the school just does not have enough of these items. In actuality, the school does have enough supplies to accommodate the demand of toiletries and it is actually a matter of the custodians being able to accommodate all of the students. Hypothetically, the school would not even be able to spend more money on supplies because that is not the root problem, it is the lack of personnel available to replenish those supplies and clean up the school. With a population of 3,400 students using 22 bathrooms around the clock and only three custodians working during the day, it is a matter of them just being able to keep up. As far as supplies go, to continually stock the necessary items the school spends about $12,000 a month and that includes all the supplies and maintenance. With all this money being spent on maintenance and the keeping up of the school, that leaves the rest of the programmatic budget to be spent on salaries, classroom supplies, teachers’ requests, and other needs. Principal Adolfo Costa, along with the rest of administration, take in all the teachers requests about the allocation of funds. When it is time to spend money, the administrators review what all the teachers suggested and try to assist everyone. “The important part that you guys need to understand is that there is nothing out there that makes sense that is needed, for educational purposes, that this school doesn’t have,” Costa said. “My job is to provide everything that teachers need in order for students to learn in class. So, if it’s a certain book, if it’s a certain type of desk, chair, light bulb, board, technology, whatever it is, it’s my job to get it and there’s not one teacher in this building that can say that they’ve gotten the answer of “no” for an educational item. They never get a no; here, they always get a yes.” Another common complaint students

are talking about are the six new TV’s found at the entrance of the school. These TV’s were, in fact, bought with school funding. Many students have expressed their dislike because they do not believe the TV’s have a true purpose. According to Principal Costa, the TV’s do benefit the school. He explained that the TV’s were purchased because of the need to communicate in the school, a need to communicate with the parents and to highlight student work. On top of that, the TV’s play an “Introduction to Gables” video and other projects created by TV production. Basically, the school funding went to those purchases specifically to share the work of students in film and TV production classes. This is only one example as to how he accommodates school funding to everyone in the school. Along with paying for the fundamental aspects of the school and funding certain special projects, the administration also uses the budget to handle various miscellaneous problems. For example, Principal Costa is working on improving the access to printing in the school, as many students do not have anywhere to print. Teachers have an unlimited amount of paper and copying ability, and pretty soon, students will also have access to the same resources. The administration is planning on installing an automated machine in the media center as a place for all students to go print. It is projects like these that benefit the students, and are as well an example of the administration using the discretionary budget to respond to a common problem around the school. Overall, school budgeting has been misunderstood by a lot of the student body, leading to many students making assumptions about how the administration deals with budget. As Costa explained, he and the rest of the administration use the money to its full potential, in an effort to get every student at Gables what they need. Overall, the school’s budget does help provide students with a better learning experience and all students need to understand that, with minimal funds, the school is doing the best it can to meet the needs of students and teachers alike. h

Opinion 14

Rest in peace, school spirit

After the cancellation of homecoming, seniors need to reevaluate what it means to embrace cavalier spirit Commentary by Olivia Field EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

HEN I WAS a freshman, I marveled at how much passion the senior class felt for the school. Whether it was how loud they screamed at pep rallies or how they showed up to football games slathered from head to toe in red paint, the class of 2014 embodied school spirit. I had always thought that my class was pretty uninterested in the whole “Cavalier pride” thing, but I just assumed that we would eventually evolve into spirited seniors like every other class had. Now, I think about my class and I actually feel a twang of disappointment. As sad as it is, most of us are either apathetic about having school spirit, or only superficially bleed crimson and gray at the senior pep rally or Columbus game. This is a dire situation: the class of 2017 is on the brink of killing school SAD SUPPORTERS: a lot of things. Homecoming was only spirit. Dissapointed $30 this year, but it has not changed a I have to admit, as we took our fans stand in lot,” senior class president Annie Farrell thrones as seniors, I was hopeful. Almost the rain with said. “I think students were turned off by everyone had crowns and anyone who dwindling spirit the fact that it was in the gym, but that did not was still as equally excited for and enthusiasm was the reason we were able to make the senior year. We talked about how crazy as the Cavaliers price so low. Students want a different it was to be the leaders of the pack, how suffer a loss venue, but they also do not want to pay excited we were for prom and how we against their arch extra for it.” hoped that everyone would get into the As one of the 57 students who turned rival, the Columbus colleges of their dreams. Soon enough, in cash for the ticket, I was devastated. I Explorers. though, we made a detrimental mistake: began asking my peers why they did not we cancelled homecoming. want to go, and I got the same answer Thirty dollars. We only needed over and over again: “Why would I to pay $30 for homecoming. Yet, the pay $30 to stand around in the gym?” historically traditional dance was I think we are all missing the point quickly canceled after only 57 students here. It is not about the money or the paid. The minimum amount of students location. Homecoming should be, and for the dance was 300, so that means was, about spending time with friends, that only 19 percent of those required getting dressed up and coming together paid. On top of that, if 38 percent of to celebrate being proud Cavaliers for the senior class had paid to attend, the another year. The cancelling of this dance dance would have easily continued. ultimately shows how little school spirit Even worse, because the dance is open has fostered inside of upperclassmen, to every single grade, only nine percent and how us seniors especially need to of the student body actually needed to put things into perspective; we only had be interested in going for it to take place. one senior homecoming, after all. Ultimately, only two percent of the entire Although the largest offense was 3,400-student body paid. canceling homecoming, the class of 2017 “I think it has a lot to do with has continued to lack heavily in school money. So we have cut down prices on

spirit. Often times during spirit week, for instance, it was not even discernible that students were dressed up for the respective spirit day. I remember walking into my last period during the Color War, seeing that only two of us were wearing red and hearing the rest of the seniors say, “They did not care about the pep rally.” “For some reason our class has not had a lot of spirit since freshman year. We have always had trouble filling up spaces for class trips. Even Grad Bash didn’t fill up this year and we cut down the amount of spaces available from last year,” Farrell said. As a senior myself, I am not trying to bash my entire grade. In reality, I want seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshman to take a second to think about what it means to be a Cavalier. Whether you define your experience at the school by what sport you play, what club you have membership in or just where you sit at lunch, it is still an important part of your life. We have approximately 129 days of school left, countless sprit events ahead and a whole lot of pride to make up. The challenge: resurrect school spirit and bring it back to its 2014 glory. h

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Nov. 2016 \ Pg. 15

Amendment 2: For the sake of health The overwhelming support for the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida will prove to be beneficial Commentary by Dan Leiferman STAFF WRITER

LT H O U G H many in the general public still hold some reservations on the widespread use of medical marijuana, it has become evident that most Floridians support it, with the passing of Amendment 2. Amendment 2 was designed to allow the use of medical marijuana and requires the Department of Health to regulate marijuana production and distribution centers. With concrete evidence of preference (86 percent of Americans support the prescription of the drug for medical purposes, according to Scientific American) and the bill passing by a wide margin of 71 to 29 percent, the use of medical marijuana will create a much healthier Florida. Due to the continuous increase in the number of people affected by chronic diseases, according to a research article published by fightchronicdisease. org, the passing of Amendment 2 in the state of Florida is a necessary decision. With this apparent increase, people are in great need of remedies to help them, or at the very least, alleviate the pain rooting from some diseases. Thanks to the cannabinoids contained in cannabis, the relief of excruciating symptoms can lead to an altered consciousness and perception. Moreover, cancer patients can relieve the pain associated with cancer treatment as dronabinols, a form of THC, can be helpful for reducing nausea and vomiting linked to chemotherapy. Alternatively, the chemicals used to treat certain conditions such as epilepsy are called cannabidiols. This marijuana chemical is reduced to its oil form for treatment purposes. In addition, these oils may be less appealing to recreational users as they are not intoxicating. Consequently, the passing of this amendment shows the open-mindedness of the public when it comes to making crucial decisions on controversial issues. In addition, medical marijuana is legal in 25 other states, some key ones including New

York, California and New Mexico. This shows that medical marijuana is a viable alternative to traditional medicine. The acceptance of medical marijuana can clearly be seen through the approval on similar medical marijuana initiatives this year in North Dakota, Arkansas and Montana. The fact that 28 states passed medical marijuana initiatives shows that citizens are becoming more cognizant of the benefits that medical marijuana provides. On top of that, the passing shows that the citizens have made a distinction between recreational use and the sometimes necessary medical use. Moreover, this wide acceptance will help to de-stigmatize this aspect of marijuana use. “I think medical marijuana should be legalized as long as there are limitations to who has access to it, because not only does it help people feel better in terms of health but it helps our taxes too,” junior Adriana Baumann said. On the other hand, attaining a medical marijuana license card is relatively easy as it is not necessary to have a medical record on you and the procedure is relatively speedy. To be more exact, all one needs to attain a medical marijuana card is a proof of residence, an eligible condition (cancer, glaucoma, depression and other diseases) and a doctor to sign some paperwork. Due to these factors, the legalization of medical marijuana can easily be manipulated by the people who do not really need it and those who are looking to abuse an easy system. Also, because there are no local restrictions of where a shop can be located, it may influence the mentality of many young people all across Florida. Meaning that more young people will be regularly exposed to it and it will normalize the drug. Due to this, it is now Florida’s job to make sure the public does not abuse the upcoming medical marijuana system. It is important that the state legislators impose extra scrutiny as the issue should not be taken lightly. It is of great importance that the contrast between recreational and medical

marijuana is explicit, and that there are no loopholes in the system. After seeing the ballot results, the passing of Amendment 2 is the one thing Florida can be proud of. Simply put, the use of medical marijuana will do nothing but provide for those in need and rapidly de-stigmatize the controversy behind the use of medical marijuana. The conflicted Sunshine State desperately needed this step forward in the right direction. h

BY THE NUMBERS

92%

of patients say medical marijuana alleviated their symptoms medical

1.2 marijuana users United million in the States

72%

of doctors approve of medical marijuana use

Source: New England Journal of Medicine Compiled by Benjamin Estrada

Opinion 16

Letters to the Editor

The following letters were submitted in response to the past issue of highlights

EVERAL GENERATIONS OF highlights writers and editors were profoundly disappointed in the editorial entitled “Black Lives Matter: A movement misdirected” that ran in the latest issue and is available online. The editorial decision to run a counterfactual, blatantly racist piece undermines the standard of journalistic ethics we have worked to uphold for our publication. Instead of offering a well-researched analysis of the Black Lives Matter movement, the editorial devolves into anachronistic, glib claims about Blackness, relying heavily on racist tropes about Black Americans and ignoring what is inconvenient for the author’s argument – facts that support the existence of systemic racism. It is tempting – and easily possible – to challenge each of the author’s arguments, line by line, but for the sake of brevity, only a few can be addressed. Most egregious is the author’s fundamental misunderstanding of how structural racism works. His treatment of “black-on-black crime” ignores the legacy of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and lasting institutional injustice like discriminatory housing law and wealth inequality that have resulted in segregated neighborhoods. The biggest predictors of violence are socioeconomic status and physical location, so it follows that almost all victims of crime are victimized by someone they know. On the topic of police shootings, the author cites data that shows that as of September 2016, 697 people have been shot and killed by the police and only 14 of those individuals have been unarmed black men. What the editorial fails to address is the issue of disproportionality – while those numbers may stand, only 14 percent of the American population is Black, and yet Black folks account for 41 percent of police killings. Also, the author argues that because all officers involved in the death of Freddie Grey walked without consequence, structural racism does not exist. Not only does this assume that the justice system functions perfectly and only catches those worthy of punishment, but it ignores the reality that the U.S. Department of Justice has investigated the Baltimore Police Department, along with other chapters nationwide, and found concrete evidence of implicit bias in policing. To bolster the claim that structural racism

does not exist, the author calls on tropes about “Black culture” -- a transparent standin for claims about Blackness. The author cites single-parent homes and children born out of wedlock as a source of violence in the Black community, which completely distracts from the conversation about both police brutality and Black Lives Matter. Moreover, it ignores the reality of the disproportionate incarceration of Black men for non-violent crimes. Mandatory minimum sentencing and ‘war on drugs’-era policy has forced Black people convicted for small amounts of marijuana or cocaine, which white people use at similar or higher rates, into long stretches of jail time away from their families. The editorial’s holding of absent Black fathers responsible for what the author calls “severe negative consequences” for “society as a whole” seems to imply that Black people are dragging this country down. And that is our fundamental problem with this column. In an editorial that purports to discredit Black Lives Matter as a movement, the author relies on arguments against Black people to explain why their voices do not matter. Taken as a whole, the editorial argues that because Black “culture” is inherently criminal and violent, Black men who are killed in the street on suspicion of minor crimes -- without a trial, jury, or conviction of guilt -- somehow have it coming. Of course, it would trouble any person of conscience that Black people are disproportionately killed by police for things like selling cigarettes and CDs. But if you believe that these people belong to a Black “culture” whose absent fathers and hatred of police is driving the racial strife that tears this country apart, then it becomes much easier to believe that their lives, and deaths, don’t actually matter that much after all. And then it becomes much easier to argue that Black Lives Matter is “a movement misdirected.” The Opinion section exists as an open public forum for students to voice their opinions about things which concern them. It’s what makes highlights great. What we expect of this section are columns and editorials that take facts, interpret them, and dole out a think piece that asks questions, talks nuance, and presents issues (especially race-related ones) as the multifaceted, complex, history-laden questions they are. Years of highlights staffers have worked hard to create a platform for tolerance, ideas, reason,

informed discussion, and debate, not a pulpit for writers to present arguments like these and go unchallenged. The word “Opinion” at the top of the page does not give a writer a license to make extravagant claims based on half-truths and slanted figures. Distributing this kind of misinformation disguised as a researched opinion piece isn’t what we do in the Opinion section. It discredits the reputation of the paper, the legacy we’ve left behind, and the hours of work every other editorial columnist does in making sure their positions are well-researched. Publishing this does more than obfuscate, dismiss and deny the racial injustices of America – it does highlights a disservice by allowing it to become a spigot for hateful, ignorant ideas that are not supported by history. More than doing highlights a disservice, this editorial does the community a disservice by elevating and providing a platform for misinformed ignorance. The paper has a duty to make sure that it isn’t lending legitimacy to harmful, untrue ideas. Signed, Ali Stack, highlights EIC ‘12, ‘13 Maggie Rivers, highlights Managing Editor ‘14, ‘15 Deanna Breiter, highlights Insight Editor ‘13 Brooke Donner, highlights EIC ‘15 Alexandra Martinez, highlights EIC ‘10 Stephan Chamberlin, highlights EIC ‘16 Jordan Payne, highlights Sports Editor ‘16 Nicolas Rivero, highlights EIC ‘14, Opinion Editor ‘12, ‘13 Sophia Aitken, highlights Managing Editor ‘12 Daniel Delgado, highlights Opinion Editor ‘16 Laura Acosta, highlights The Scene Editor ‘14, ‘15 *Edited for length

What’s your opinion? To review our policy and read full letters to the editor, readers can visit www. cavsconnect.com/highlightssubmissions/2016/11/10/ letters-to-the-editor-issue-3/.

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Nov. 2016 \ Pg.17

WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE of a recent Op-Ed that was published in highlights, “BLM: A Movement Misdirected.” I read the first page of the article because that what was included in the photograph (attached below), so if on the second page the article takes an extreme 180 degree turn (which I doubt), I wanted to address my concerns with you. I understand freedom of the press and freedom of speech. It allows this writer (Nicolas Burniske) to write what he wants. I think that’s fine, and that’s he’s 100% entitled to his opinion. However, this article is factually misleading to the readers in a way that I feel should have been corrected before it was allowed to be published. This article perpetuates the idea that police brutality is somehow connected to Black on Black crime instead of them being two separate, serious societal concerns. It attempts to discredit the racist implications of said police brutality by saying that a higher number of unarmed White people are killed than unarmed Black ones. When you look at the numbers, he’s not wrong. However, the writer never once adjusts these figures to make them proportional to the US population, instead implying that the Black Lives Matter movement has no foundation for its protests. Instead, he claims that the actual issue is Black on Black violence and rates of violent crime in the Black community. The writer states that we live in a post-racial America--which, contrary to his belief, is not

’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS for a while, how to approach the people of highlights, well a person in highlights, without offending him, but I just can’t find a way not to. When that article was written and published, feelings were disregarded and replaced by statistics. I’m just going to say this: when I first read the article I was actually in shock at the things that were said; they just weren’t clicking for me, and then I noticed the disconnect between the topic of the article and the person who wrote it. He is basing his article on pure statistics. He doesn’t understand the struggle of being an African-American in this day and age where it seems like just the color of your skin will reflect how you will be treated, especially with police officers. He is not considering one major fact in these

the case, according to statistical evidence of institutional racism--and seeks to blame the loss of life of members of the Black community on Black people themselves. According to the Washington Post, I am 2.5 times more likely to be killed by a police officer than my White counterpart when the adjustments for population are made, and there is no correlation between violent crime and who’s killed by police officers (at least, I haven’t found any studies that say so). This student says, blatantly, that “the real threat to Black lives are other Black people,” in his article. That is dangerous rhetoric to spread, especially in a high school setting, and even more so when it is supported by misleading facts and figures. Even more so when it’s an article that’s so relevant to such socially, politically, and even emotionally charged current events. I’m surprised it was published without someone checking to see if this person was making a credible argument. The writer claims the Black Lives Matter movement is a byproduct of biased media coverage of events. That’s not true. The BLM movement is there because I am seen as inferior to my White counterpart. My acceptance to New York University was seen by some as a product of affirmative action, and not a result of my dedication and intelligence. When I graduate from NYU in 2019 and attempt to go into the workforce, I will be less likely to attain a job than my White counterpart. If I do manage to get a job, I am going to be paid less than my white counterpart. If I decide to smoke marijuana with my white counterpart right now, it is more situations: that the officers were wrong as they are trained to handle situations in a different manner, not to just shoot first and ask questions later. How does an officer feel threatened by a man with his hands up? How does someone calling for help about his car get killed? How is a man getting shot in front of his girlfriend and child something that you can defend? How? The author states that black on black crime does happen, but of course black on black crime will occur because who in their right mind would travel to a new neighborhood just to kill someone? Statistics were cited from previous years, when in fact we are talking about now. More than

than likely that I will be incarcerated, while they get off with a warning or a fine. The Black Lives Matter movement is there as a result of me being designated as socially and biologically inferior, and by many (almost all) institutions treating me according to that designation. The Black Lives Matter movement is not just present to protest my death if I were to be murdered by the police. It is there because someone needs to be there to advocate for the idea that I am not inferior because of the melanin in my skin. I can’t stand for an article that tries to make this movement less critically important than it truly is. I don’t know if I’m overreacting (personally, I don’t think so), but I do think any attempt to discredit a movement that aims for racial and social equality shouldn’t be treated so lightly and published so irresponsibly. It’s implying to students at Gables, especially Black students at Gables, that it is their own fault that they-and people like them--are being murdered, whether they are being violent and belligerent, or unarmed and compliant. I think this is unacceptable and perpetuates negative ideas about African Americans in the minds of others. As an alumna of Gables, I always valued how open minded the school tried to be. It is in the hope that CGHS continues to try and foster that open-mindedness that I am voicing my concerns to you. Sincerely, Aliyah Symes

194 blacks have been killed this year and we are still counting since there are many cases that aren’t publicized. Publishing this article was like forcing that racist mentality into kid’s minds. It’s 2016, and with the Black Lives Matter movement we are taking a stand and no longer being silent, expressing our opinions just as freely as he is able to express his. It wasn’t his place to write the article and it was definitely wrong for him to speak as if he knew everything about the movement, when he has it all wrong. He’s the one misdirected. Sincerely, Trenise Francis

Opinion 18

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Nov. 2016 \ Pg.18

Local police equipped for war

As law enforcement continues to use military equipment, they begin to resemble an army rather than a police force Commentary by Alejandro Prida STAFF WRITER

VER THE last 20 years, the United States Department of Justice has transferred over $5 billion in military equipment to local and state police forces through the Pentagon’s 1033 program, this under the guise of public protection and for use in fighting the so-called war on drugs. The equipment is unnecessary, unsafe and overused by police forces nationwide. Weapons designed with the explicit purpose of fighting off enemies have no place in communities big or small. Nevertheless, materials like surplus firearms, ammunition and vehicles have trickled their way into police departments across the country, including those in South Florida. The city of South Miami is in possession of six M14 and 50 M16 assault rifles capable of fully automatic fire; Coral Gables Police Department boasts two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and a bomb-detecting robot. Most surprisingly is the on campus police at Florida International University which possess 50 M16 rifles and an MRAP vehicle. Cities and towns in the U.S. have never reached a level of violence and unrest great enough to warrant policing their residents as if they lived in a war

zone. In fact, violent crime nation-wide is down over 50 percent since 1991. Additionally, 2016 is on pace to be the safest year for police in the U.S. since 1949. 101 officers have died on the job this year, prolonging the trend of decreasing police officer deaths over the last half decade. It makes little sense then that police departments are arming their officers with gear designed for military use. Officers on the job behavior and is inevitably affected by their being outfitted and armed as soldiers. This is troubling because, despite their appearances, police officers and soldiers have two very different jobs requiring two very different sets of skills. Soldiers fight and occupy a country through violence. Police officers are supposed to carry a dialogue with their community, using discretion and reason to best protect and serve them. Dressing and equipping local law enforcement as occupying armies will only lead to them acting as such. Another facet of police militarization is the overuse of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) units across the country. Police officers perform tens of thousands of SWAT raids every year. These raids are hostile and designed to intimidate, with flash bangs and no-knock entries through the use of battering rams. In reality, SWAT teams were created to be used as reactionary units in the case of

DID YOU KNOW? 62% of SWAT raids were conducted in order to search for drugs. Source: American Civil Liberties Union

Opposable THUMBS Election Day 2016 “Imagine waking up from a four year coma to this.” -Alejandro Prida, Staff Writer

Thanksgiving Feast “Lettuce turnip the beet.” -Alfredo Wolfermann, Staff Writer

Art Basel “Today, I’m wearing Rembrandt.” -Sydney Scanlon, Insight Editor

dire emergencies like hostage situations and sniper or terrorist threats. Instead they are being used as a proactive component of the war on drugs, as the vast majority of these raids are performed to execute search warrants for low-level drug investigations. These are non-violent offenses that pose a threat to no one but the drug’s user, making SWAT team deployment excessive. Misuse of this technical gear is also a concern. The training that military personnel receive is extensive and essential to the safety of those involved in handling dangerous weapons. Police departments have neither the experienced staff nor the extensive resources required to properly train their officers to use this equipment, leading to an increased potential of mishandling. For example, the riots in Ferguson, Missouri where officers drabbed in camouflage, pointing rifles at civilians. This is an illustration of the aforementioned lack of proper training. Members of the armed forces are trained in a tactic called escalation of force in which a weapon is never aimed at anyone unless the person wielding it is prepared to fire. A police force that patrols using the threat of violence instead of communication and discretion sends the message that it is no longer there to protect and serve the community, but that the community is an enemy to be stopped at all cost. h

Subsitute Teachers “Hey son, meet your new stepdad.” - Dan Leiferman, Staff Writer

Sports 19

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Nov. 2016 \ Pg. 19

Cavaliers lose to district rival

Columbus hands Gables their first loss of the season, ruining their perfect record By Angelle Garcia STAFF WRITER

FINDING A GAP Senior running back Jonny Ford searches for a hole in the Columbus defensive line before plunging into the fray of players in the middle of the field.

charged back. The Explorers forced three turnovers, which ultimately led to a touchdown that gave Columbus a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Coming back, senior Gables quarterback Nick Galuppo and senior running back Jonny Ford were able to bring the Cavaliers into the end zone in hopes for a touchdown to tie the game before halftime began. After a fumble and a turnover near the Cavalier goal line, the first half of the game ended with a 14-0 lead in favor of the Explorers. With numerous lighting and rain delays, halftime seemed to stretch on for ages, the crowd anxious to get back to the game and come out victorious. Keeping up with the crowds’ anticipation, the cheerleaders and Gablettes put on impressive performances, both executing stunts and flips leaving the crowd in awe. Along with their performances, both groups had their senior night, with the cheerleaders getting sashes and crowns while the senior Gablettes received

their long awaited jackets symbolizing their lasting commitment to the decorated dance team. As the Band of Distinction began to play, both teams came back out onto the field to the chants and cheers of the electric crowd with the Cavilers ready to conquer the Explorers. As the third quarter went on, Gables senior Elyjah Felton intercepted a pass by Columbus’ quarterback and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter to make it a one-score game. Anxious to tie the game in the fourth quarter before time ran out, The Cavaliers displayed outstanding athletic performances not wanting to let their team or fans down. As the end of the fourth quarter drew to a close, the Cavs were unable to score again ending the game at 14-7. Even though Gables wasn’t able to clinch the district title, the Cavaliers are still heading to the playoffs where they will meet Columbus again hopefully conquering them there. h

Courtesy of Cavaleon

S THE CONSTANT SHOWER of drizzling rain came down over the bright lights of Tropical Park, the Cavalier football team jogged out onto the field with shouts of happiness coming from the sea of students dressed in red. Having been undefeated throughout the regular season, the team was hopeful about clinching the district title and defeating one of their biggest rivals, the Columbus Explorers. The two teams have made it tradition over the past five years to face each other for a district championship in late October and again in the playoffs. Along with the game it was also senior night for the cheerleaders and Gablettes, making the atmosphere even more electric on that Oct. 27 night. With both teams constantly going back and forth, each beating each other out for the district title throughout the years, the stakes were as high as the energy. As the game began, the Cavaliers made multiple advances towards the end zone, but soon Columbus’ defense

Sports 20

An open letter to Dolphins fans

A team, the definition of mediocrity, the Miami Dolphins try to reconcile anything they have left By Alejandro Prida STAFF WRITER

EAR LOYAL and abused Dolphins fans, we are sorry. Sorry about Ryan Tannehill, the guy is a mess. Sorry about making the playoffs once in the last 14 years. Sorry about blowing every decent draft pick since 1983. Sorry we have not won a Super Bowl since President Richard Nixon was in office. Sorry to beloved former coach Don Shula for sullying the name of your precious team. Sorry about our questionable efforts over the last couple of decades, it has seemed impossible to construct a winning team worthy of bringing glory back to Miami. Now, about this year’s team. We know that Tannehill is playing like the

backup on your dad’s weekend warrior squad, but we are paying him so much that it makes no sense to bench him. Then again it made no sense to pay him all that money in the first place, but that is irrelevant. His play has picked up as of late, so we can stop banging our heads against the wall, for now. In respect to our defense, we are in dire straits. Safety Reshad Jones is out with shoulder issues, defensive end Ndamukong Suh and cornerback Byron Maxwell seem to have lost interest in the whole “being a part of a team” thing and we made the Tennessee Titans look like Super Bowl contenders, something not done since the dawn of the new millennium. The only bright light seems to be running back Jay Ajayi. We hereby order 30 touches a game until his legs fall off. Maybe if

DID YOU KNOW? The Miami Dolphins went 1-15 in 2007, their worst record in franchise history. Source: Fox Sports

!@newagepiercing

!@Groveink

!@newagebodypiercing

!@Groveink

the defensive line keeps performing miracles and defensive end Jordan Phillips can keep hurdling opponents it will give Tannehill inspiration to throw on target for once in his life. Because we know how much this team means to you fans we are willing to work on things, but in all honesty, why would we? Attendance is up from last year and jersey and memorabilia sales remain steady. Things are looking good for our wallets; now it is time to make them look good for your souls too. Things have been going better as of late, and we strongly suggest you not contemplate the future of the team, enjoy the moment, because as we know all too well it could all go downhill in a couple of weeks. h

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Nov. 2016\ Pg. 21

UM and MDCPS combat concussions

Both Miami-based schools team up to spread concussion awareness and prevention By Shirley Ramirez STAFF WRITER

HE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (UM) and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) are working together in an effort to combat concussions among student athletes. UM has been able to reach out to many public schools and identify concussions among students. The initiative began in 2012 and has rapidly spread. Gables has successfully implemented the concussion prevention protocol and has identified and treated many concussions among student athletes. Athletic trainer Shannon Singleton said that they are able to educate the student athletes and coaches about concussion prevention by requiring them to watch videos and attend concussion-related presentations. The student athletes are also educated on properly wearing the protective equipment required for their respective sport. “Trauma to the head resulting in concussive symptoms like headache, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise and [the] inability to concentrate would indicate that the student athlete would have a concussion,” said Singleton. During a game on the sideline, to confirm that the student athlete has a concussion, the athletic trainers use a testing method called Sport Concussions Assessment Tool (SCAT) which consists of a combination of exams that evaluate injured athletes for a concussion. The exam can be used on students that are 13 years of age and older. Should the exam confirm that the student athlete has a concussion, a post injury impact test

must be completed, preferably 24 hours after the initial injury. Ultimately, for the student athlete to play again they would have to be cleared from a physician. When cleared, the player can then return to their designated sport. As protocol, the athlete is asked to complete exercises each day until they are free of any concussion symptoms. Senior outside linebacker John Smithies has previously experienced two documented concussions which led to a short departure from the football team. Smithies has been playing since he was seven years old. After a while of being apart from football and his teammates, he said he realized how difficult it was to be separated from the sport. Smithies has since made a return to the team, remaining extra careful to avoid further damage. Moreover, other sports like soccer, basketball and cycling are also prone to concussions. Football has the highest rate of concussions due to the harsh impacts that are caused by tackles. Junior midfielder Brianna De la Osa finds soccer to be her stress-reliever and a place where she can relax, exercise and enjoy the company of her teammates. However, soccer took a turn for her when unexpectedly she was flipped by the goalie and landed on the back of her head which caused her first concussion. At the moment, she did not realize she had a concussion and proceeded to play not one game, but three games that week. Her lack of awareness about her head injury most likely made the

33% of high school athletes report two or more sport-related concussions in a year.

Concussions represent 8.9% of high school athletic injuries.

4 to 5 million concussions occur annually, with rising numbers among middle school athletes Jack Band/ highlights Vanessa Vazquez/ highlights

situation worse. After a while, she began to have a feeling that she might have obtained a concussion and made her way to urgent care and was directed to Miami Children’s Hospital, where she would begin her clearing process. Although she said the concussion caused her frustration when she frequently suffered memory loss, it gave her a new appreciation of her physical boundaries. Her absence from soccer caused her to come back onto the pitch and perform the to the best of her ability. “My concussion made me feel very useless to my team and I was really upset that I couldn’t be out there on the field helping my teammates and doing what makes me happy, not to mention the fact that I was extremely bored and anxious to play. I really just wanted to be back on the field again to start helping them out again,” De la Osa said. The severity of concussions has been overlooked many times in the past. In some cases, concussions have even led to death. The risk of situations like these occuring explain how imperative the concussion program between the University of Miami and the school is. h

www.gablestutoring.com 1886 Southwest 57th Avenue Miami, Fl 33135

Sports 22

Gables athletes seize the season

Student athletes take fall sports to new heights by breaking past records and setting new ones Compiled by Tatiana Campos

Senior golf team captain, Marisa Urrutia places third at districts with the score of 89.

September 1

Gables girls bowling team places sixth at districts while the boys placed ninth.

October 27

October 25

Gables football bests Coral Park, 61-0. The most points scored in Gables history.

October 14

October 13

STAFF WRITER

Gables girls volleyball beats rival, South Miami, in a home match by a score of 3-0.

Gables boys varsity cross country placed 17th in state and 2nd out of the Miami-Dade contenders.

From left to right: Senior Kevin Romer, senior Marisa Urrutia, junior Summer Campagna, freshman Brauli Gonzalez and freshman Angelica Sorensen.

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Nov. 2016\ Pg. 23

End of an era: Miami Heat in dire straits The legendary “Big 3” dissipate and the Heat focus on rebuilding the legacy they established in 1988 Commentary by Sutton Payne SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

INCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1988, THE MIAMI Heat franchise has proved itself as one of the most successful organizations in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In spite of its recent formation, the team has claimed three finals championships and five eastern conference championships. They are arguably one of the most dominant teams of the last decade. Despite all this, they have been in major decline ever since the separation of the “Big Three”: Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. The famous trio was formed over the summer before the 2010-2011 season and had great success in their four seasons together. Revolving around shooting guard Wade, the Miami Heat acquired all-star players in James and Bosh to form a super team recognized as “The Big Three”. With a team like never before, each player averaged over 20 points per game from the previous season, and their expectations were set The Miami Heat went very high. These “three kings” answered 227-88 during the 4-year the call by winning two NBA finals in span of the “Big Three”. a span of four years for the city of Miami. With such a talented collection of players, the Heat demolished the rest of the competition of the league. However, particularly over the past two seasons, the Heat’s reign has been coming to a close with the major loss of NBA legend Lebron James. James’ decision to return and play for his hometown in Cleveland was easier to accept for Miami fans as he had already The Heat have contributed so much to the franchise. participated in every Nonetheless, many felt he abandoned the NBA season since their team after losing the 2014 finals to the debut in 1988. San Antonio Spurs. The Heat missed his presence on the court as they went from reigning eastern conference champions to missing the playoffs altogether the next season. Just this offseason, in a disagreement between Wade and the Heat’s President Pat Riley, Wade declared he was leaving the Heat to sign with the Chicago Bulls The Heat hold the NBA for a two year, $50 million deal. This record for most wins in was completely unexpected, as in the a month. past Wade has been loyal to the Heat and Source: has never let salary affect his decision. Forbes In an upsetting turn for Miami fans, the Basketball Reference face of their franchise, drafted back in

BY THE NUMBERS

DID YOU KNOW? The Miami Heat are currently the 10th most valuable franchise in the NBA. Source: Forbes

2003, was leaving for the same reason as James, to play for his hometown. After playing his entire 13-year career with the Heat, this Miami icon is unfortunately going to be seen wearing a different jersey this season. Finally, Bosh, acquired from free agency during the summer of 2010, has been battling life-threatening blood clots for the past two seasons, severely limiting his time on the court. After a failed physical, the Heat were forced to release him. Though it was a tough decision in letting him go, the Heat were wasting money on an injury prone Bosh who missed a total of 67 games in the past two seasons. Bosh is still at odds with the organization, as his determination is driving him to make a comeback, however, not with the Heat obviously. As for the Heat, they are currently in the stages of rebuilding their roster with young talent. With the return of starters Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside, the team can focus on sharing the shots, rather than having a superstar, like Wade, force up 20 contested jump shots. Also, new additions to the team like guard Dion Waiters and forward Derrick Williams should help Miami make a playoff run with their veteran presence. The Heat have joined a long list of teams currently in the rebuilding process. Also, the Heat need to be practical in the sense that they won’t be able to revolve their team around a player like Wade. Head coach Eric Spoelstra must organize a new offense based on team basketball and fast break points as the Heat haven’t been efficient in half court play. The Heat have been terrible from beyond the arc, shooting an average .336 percent from last season, so they need to penetrate the ball and work on getting easy layups. More importantly, they have to play team basketball. It’s important to realize that the Heat have a long road ahead of them. There is still hope for this young organization and with Pat Riley at the helm, anything is possible. h

The Scene 24

Sweat Records: bringing the heat

With music selections from hard rock to jazz and soul, Sweat Records caters to all music-lovers’ taste By Natalie Viglucci STAFF WRITER

Natalie Viglucci / highlights

N A NONDESCRIPT BLOCK, a colorful building sits muraled with music’s most influential faces. In the center of the wall is a small window next to David Bowie’s painted cheek, in which a neon sign reading “Coffee” hangs and a subtle bass is heard emanating from within. Two glass doors lead to the inside of the space, and time seems to rewind taking one back to the era of classic rock and soul, as shelves of timeless vinyl’s line the shop. Sweat Records is located on 5505 NE 2 nd Ave, Miami, Fla. 33137, down the street from Churchill’s Pub, a marveled live music venue in Miami since 1979. This shop offers new and used records and CDs, as well as a coffee bar that serves Panther Coffee and a selection of vegan goods. Beverages range from espressos to tea, $3 for a regular and $4 for a large. “My best friend and I knew there were tons of people in Miami with great taste in music and wanted there to be a store that specifically catered to the local audience,” owner and co-founder Lauren “Lolo” Reskin said. Lighting fixtures made up of vinyl records hang down from the ceiling, illuminating rows of classic album covers that have remained prominent even through the modern time innovations of iPods and Spotify. The subtle base of a techno song always sounds, acting as the beating heart of Sweat Records. “We truly have a mind-boggling variety of music available - everything from reissues of Thai commercial pop from the 60s to experimental piano to the best hip hop, jazz, rock, and electronic music of all time,” Reskin said. Sweat Records holds movie screenings and live music performances on a consistent basis, and the company has had dozens of artists make appearances at their events. One of the most memorable guests is Iggy Pop, who was the lead singer of proto-punk band The Stooges, and is well known for his unpredictable stage antics. “Our first location in Edgewater was sadly destroyed by Hurricane Wilma. It

ended up being a blessing in disguise as we moved to a space near Churchill’s Pub, a live music venue that’s been in Miami since 1979 and is a landmark. It’s been a great synergy to have both of our music-oriented businesses on the same block,” Reskin said. The establishment even includes a vinyl record-listening station that customers can use to decide which antique record to purchase. In addition to vinyls and beverages, Sweat Records sells clothing and other accessories designed by Miami artists, as well as

VINYL VARIETY: Shelves packed full of both classic past-time jams and modern-day musical creations line the interior of Sweat Records.

merchandise from local bands. The 21st century is one made up of screens, streaming and computer generated songs, unlike the preceding generation which fed off of the raw sound of a turntable and the energy of a Led Zeppelin concert. Sweat Records is one of the few stores that has truly kept the power of real music alive, both modern and not, telling stories through the spinning of a disc. “We want the future generations growing up here to have a record store they can call their own,” Reskin said. h

highlights \ Vol. 58 \ Nov. 2016 \ Pg. 25

Working Blue Collar Miami

MiMo District restaurant Blue Collar serves comfort-food in an old school setting By Alfredo Wolferman

ITH A UNIQUE INFORMAL diner vibe and an open kitchen, Blue Collar Miami stands proudly in the historic “Miami Modern” (MiMo) district. Next to an inn on 6730 Biscayne Blvd, the small 70s-inspired restaurant serves comfort-food favorites that according to them are “beefed up a notch”. Upon arriving at Blue Collar, the small site can be seen beneath the Biscayne Inn building. The inside is lined with white and circular modern chairs and wood tables. The right wall is dotted with old-school lunchbox decorations

“

“We like to think of it as ‘beefed up’ diner or comfort food, food that you can get a lot of at other places, but elevated.”

-Adam Simon, Blue Collar Manager

while the left features large glass panes through which customers can look out into the patio. Outside, customers can sit under a nice awning equipped with fans in an effort to fight the Miami heat. Adding to the scene, colorful plants inside modern metal containers separate the sidewalk from the restaurant setting. Both the inside and outside eating areas are very enjoyable, showing off their unique old school environment. Blue Collar serves comfort-food favorites such as baby back ribs ($23), chicken parmesan ($23) and even the classic grilled cheese sandwich ($15). The menu consists of brunch, lunch and dinner options, as well as a daily rotation of braised dishes and an unusual variety of vegetables, all starting from $23. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for brunch on the

weekends, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch on the weekdays, and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner daily. A special portion of the menu is dedicated to vegan options. These include anything from fruit salad to roasted potatoes and spaghetti squash. Blue Collar can get pretty full on the weekends, especially considering the relatively small seating area. Fortunately, customers can reserve a spot on the website through a convenient application called Open Table. The restaurant also has three chefs, each contributing their own special skillset to the classic menu and dishes of Blue Collar. Daniel Serfer, the owner himself, is the executive chef. Ervin Bryant is the chef de cuisine, he works as the executive chef when Serfer is not around, taking charge of the kitchen and all of its functions. The newest addition to the team, chef Olevia Natasha Williams began working at Blue Collar in April 2016. With a simple lunch consisting of a sandwich and a drink averaging a little over $15 and the usual dinner plate costing $20, Blue Collar is a little on the pricey side. However, they offer a wide selection of options to choose from and their prices are justified by the delectable taste of their food. One of the newer additions to the menu, the jambalaya, features juicy wild Florida shrimp, chicken, proper sausages, trinity, gumbo file and Basmati rice all for $23. The restaurant’s mission statement is to make every customer feel like one of their close friends, making sure they are served well and satisfied. They said that they pride themselves in keeping it casual and doing their best to provide exceptional food and service. Blue Collar opened on Jan. 13, 2012 and became one of the first restaurants to start up shop in the MiMo district of Miami, an area known for its modernist architectural style that developed during the post-war period in Florida. The story of the restaurant’s name is quite intriguing. “The owner Daniel Serfer was going

Alfredo Wolferman / highlights

STAFF WRITER

GROOVEY GETS: Blue Collar transports customers to a 70s inspired setting where waiters casually take orders. People go about their business chatting, studying and enjoying the great food.

to law school and his girlfriend’s sister overheard him saying that he wanted to go back to cooking,” manager Adam Simon said. “The sister said ‘Oh, you want to work blue collar?’ From that moment on the name stuck and Daniel decided that that’s what he would name his restaurant; Blue Collar.” Teeming with originality, the restaurant even has two official mascots: Henry “Steak” Serfer and Bacon the pug. The kid and dog duo is affectionately known as Steak N’ Bake. Blue Collar also uses some original titles for the sections of their menu, including “Eggy Stuff”, “Syrupy Stuff”, “Salady Stuff” and “Othery Stuff.” With a retro vibe that transports customers to an old-school era, Blue Collar offers a variety of traditional comfort foods as well as many unique contemporary dishes. The open kitchen draw in the customers as enticing, aromatic scents reach their noses. With a versatile menu, Blue Collar is the perfect place for a Saturday brunch, a casual lunch out or a dinner to end a night. h

The Scene 26

Fresh is Best: The Farmer’s Markets of Miami Organic farmer’s markets around the South Florida area attract the attention of Miami locals By Estelle Erwich & Karina Wu STAFF WRITERS

S CONSUMERS REALIZE the benefits of eating fresh and local food, many choose to shop at farmers’ markets instead of conventional grocery stores. Miami is home to an abundance of these markets, including those in Coconut Grove, Sunset Place and Pinecrest, that offer vibrant atmospheres and fresh, local products. Coconut Grove Farmers’ Market In the heart of Coconut Grove, hidden under a canopy of trees, lies the Coconut Grove Organic Market. Located at 3300 Grand Ave., the market consists

“Most people know you should have five or less ingredients in one product – and be able to pronounce it.” Just a few feet away from Maryam’s Tent is Paula’s Bakeshop, a familyowned business that sells homemade gourmet empanadas at both Coconut Grove Organic Market and Sunset Marketplace. Run by junior Bianca Gonzalez and her mother, the menu consists of over 10 different variations of empanadas, bringing a taste of Argentinian culture to Miami. According to Gonzalez, a favorite among students include the classic chicken empanada.

making it one of the most-visited in the area. A popular stop at the market is Lamoy’s Living Food. Lamoy Andressohn, the store’s owner, is a vegan “living foodist” and sells exclusively raw vegan salads and sandwiches. After selling at the Pinecrest market for six years, Andressohn’s stand is a favorite for many and customers line up with their own containers to be served high quality lunch medleys ($11) of their favorite raw food. Like many vendors, she is passionate about her products and selling at markets.

Estelle Erwich & Karina Wu/highlights

‘KEEZ BEEZ’ HONEY $9

CRANBERRY LEMONADE $5.75

of a variety of vendors and customers that thrive off of the lively community. Open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the market offers organic produce, prepared foods, handcrafted jewelry, herbs and aromatherapy products. One of the most unique and popular stands is the Orthodox Christian Nun’s Tent, run by Emahoy Hannah Maryam and her daughter. They have been serving up vegan Ethiopian food in Florida for almost three years. The pair sells food ranging from vegan banana coconut bread with flax seed ($6) to Ethiopian lentils ($5) to raise money in hopes of establishing an Ethiopian monastery in Homestead. Their cause along with their homemade foods attract a large crowd to the stand each week. “They get to see who makes the food, they know the ingredients... exactly what’s in it,” Maryam said.

‘LAURIE’S PANTRY GRANOLA’ $9

Though products at this market are fresh and handmade, they often come with a heftier price tag. “Buying produce here is more expensive than buying conventional produce… so you have to rely on the loyalty of the customer,” market employee Joey Brown said. Pincrest Gardens Farmers’ Market Located at 11000 SW 57th Ave., the Pinecrest Gardens farmers’ market is a Sunday staple for the Miami community. As one of the largest in the county, the market offers a wide variety of vendors and a diverse selection of products, making it a popular stop for clientele every weekend. Though markets typically only sell produce and organic foods, the Pinecrest Garden market incorporates an array of foods and products such as burger stands, fine cheese and baked goods,

‘SAPODELICIOUS’ SMOOTHIE $7

DID YOU KNOW? Many markets also have donation arrangements with local food banks, soup kitchens and other social service agencies. Source: farmersmarketcoalition.org

FRESHLY CUT PINEAPPLE $8

“The people just have such a good energy… you’re getting better quality food that’s been grown locally, and that’s supporting your local community,” Andressohn said. Sunset Marketplace Located at Sunset Place, the Sunset Marketplace is the smallest of the three farmers’ markets mentioned. Run by owner Laura Ramirez, the relatively new venue has enticed both tourists and residents of Miami with its peaceful atmosphere and high quality eats. Shower With Us, a stand run by owner Vanessa Echauri, offers an assortment of homemade vegan soaps and bath bombs, ranging from all natural mango and orange scented bath bombs ($6) to charcoal tea tree facial cleansers ($6). As a part-time employee at Shower With Us, sister Veronica Echauri promotes the local brand and works the

Estelle Erwich / highlights

highlights \ Vol. 58 \ Nov. 2016 \ Pg. 27

tent at the Sunset Marketplace. “The [products] are [homemade] and are a lot cheaper than those sold in stores,” Veronica Echauri said. “It’s all natural and organic so it definitely offers great benefits.” Another prominent tent at the marketplace, Baked Melissa, is run by Melissa Catra, who sells freshly baked, organic cakes, cookies and brownies at the market. Known for her decadent, glazed cinnamon rolls ($4) and carrot cake ($5), Catra maintains the quality and consistency of her pastries by baking them the night before they are sold. While the freshness of locally produced goods is ideal for quality, these products are more inconvenient to purchase. With differing outdoor locations comes temperamental Miami weather, which makes shopping cumbersome and discourages attendance at the markets. However, despite the weather, vendors continue to sell, so there is always a market open, rain or shine. Overall, the benefits of shopping at organic farmer’s markets outweigh the inconveniences of higher priced products and unpredictable weather conditions. The food and sense of community provided at farmer’s markets promote healthy living while supporting local businesses and the people who run them. h

FARMER FRESH: Products sold at the Coconut Grove Farmers’ Market are organic and local, such as these mango desserts from the vendor In Your Face Delights.

Insight 28

THE

FOOD ISSUE

When it comes to food, technology has allowed for ideas and trends to spread playing an important role in impacting peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health and dietary habits. Story by: Ana Wolferman & Sofia Viglucci

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highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Nov. 2016 \ Pg. 29

HE 50s WAS THE ERA OF steaks and martinis, the 60s and 70s were all-natural and organic and the 80s and 90s were the age of fast-food monarchies and their territorial expansion across the United States. When it became evident that greasy mystery meat slapped between carb-loaded sesame buns was inducing an epidemic of destructive obesity, society backtracked to the dietary regime of all-natural, farm-to-table foods. Today, it seems veganism is the new black, along with an assortment of other newfangled food trends. With almost as many diets in America today as there are McDonalds’s, coupled with the widespread use of technology, people have managed to spawn careers out of their laptops and recipes or restaurant exploration. Social media provides anyone with a creative outlet, and in 2016, there are many people who share their artistic instinct with the world by introducing their viewers and readers to the wonderful art of cooking, baking and eating. Take “Sprouted Kitchen,” for example; a

popular blog run by a husband and wife that focuses on all-natural recipes for people to cook at home. Vegan Cooking with Love is a channel on Youtube with over 36,000 subscribers featuring a woman completely devoted to providing her viewers with an abundance of veganbased recipes. Even Snapchat has joined the foodie furor, posting articles and videos from websites like Tastemade, whose homepage is veiled with bingeengendering photos of snacks that will leave your tastebuds pulsing. “I’m not a big fan of trends...I am a proponent for things that are a healthy habit for your life and I think for the most part students are becoming more aware of their health through current trends, which I think is a good thing. Your body is the only thing you’re gonna carry with you for the rest of your life and the choices you make today will affect you when you’re older,” Health Corps Coordinator Jamie Desrameaux said. Perhaps it is acceptable to credit the nation’s dietary movements to a general drive for an interest in health throughout the population, but

the influence of societal trends and technology cannot be overlooked. A DID YOU new wave of liberal views has swept much of the U.S., bringing with KNOW? through it a multitude of animal rights activists. This ideology is undoubtedly a motivator Vegetarian for the vegan, vegetarian and raw diets eating diffused throughout our community. patterns The publication of the food industries production cycle and preservation has have been given way to all-exposing documentaries, associated such as Cowspiracy and Food Inc., with lower that leave spectators questioning their entire dietary history with an levels of undeniable hint of queasiness. On the obesity, a same platform, aesthetically pleasing reduced photos of nutritious or fattening snacks are plastered all over the web. risk of heart Among social media and internet disease and sites that guide viewers and readers to lower blood pursue healthy eating habits, technology also provides us with ways to facilitate pressure. that process. There are many apps such as Substitutions, Fooducate, True food Source: and many more that help track calories, levels, food consumption Eat Right activity and heart rates, making eating and living healthy accessible to many.

Luxurious Lunches of Gables An

Estelle Erwich/hi

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ghlights

highlights explores student’s creative take on lunch hour

Estelle Erwich/hi

ghlights

Mediterranean Spread

Pasta Salad

Asian Cuisine

This balanced lunch is made of organic hummus, cucumber slices, raisins, a granola bar, a fruit bar, and whole-wheat pita chips. “My mom has always inspired me and I run cross country so need to eat well.”

This pasta salad is a toss of tomatoes, celery, vegan mayonnaise and whole wheat pasta served with a pear on the side. “I have been vegan for nine months... it’s a healthier and better way of living.”

Inspired by Indian cuisine, this flavor packed container has basmati rice, chickpeas, tomatoes, parsley and spices to stay satiated all day. “I put in more effort to eating healthy and I feel less tired and more energized.”

Annie Farrell, 12

Sofia Villarroel, 10

Laura Stieghorst, 12

Insight 30 The school itself is a microcosm of the numerous eating habits running rampant throughout the nation. While the all-too-familiar line snaking out of the local 7-Eleven is still commonplace afterschool on weekdays, students can also be found plodding through what seems to be a hallway marketplace of nutritional snacks, flashing their protein bars cloaked in glossy wrappers or taking generous bites out of their vegetable wraps. Lately, it seems that every student totes around a personalized water bottle and a prepackaged salad shoved carelessly into their backpacks and labeling their lunch as balanced. Whether or not this is the appropriate adjective for such a meal is debatable, but there is no denying that Publix salads are a step up from packaged meats on wonder bread. “If students eat more natural and organic foods they see will changes not only in their body but also in how they perform academically” sophomore Pablo Hanono said. Health Corps is a club in the school which promotes pursuing a healthy lifestyle through eating right and exercise. “[The purpose of the club is] to engage the student body to live healthier lives by providing them with the tools necessary to know what to eat for better nutrition to work their bodies properly to improve their fitness and to practice positive thinking to strengthen their mental health” Health Corps president, senior Paul-Donavon Murray said. Successfully concocting recipes that qualify as both healthy and visually appealing food is a skill that many strive to master, and finding the balance is an achievement worthy of reward. Sophomore Brianna Borras said she learned how to cook exclusively via Youtube videos and recipe websites. She feels indebted to technology, crediting it with her newly attained cooking skills. “I had no idea what I was doing until two years ago, when I actually started getting into the whole cooking thing, so it makes me really happy that now I know how to do so,” Borras said. Despite the increasing awareness of unhealthy dietary risks, as well as the positive impact that social media has on implementing more organic and nutritious meals, many people have not yet jumped on the “healthy” trend. The same way that veganism has sparked in popularity through social medi, unhealthy foods whose consumption are coupled with guilt, such as sugary

desserts and fried foods continue to thrive. Youtube, Snapchat, blogs and DID YOU other internet sites promote a current trend called “food porn,” which encourages the KNOW? idolization of mouth-watering dishes. The savory and enchanting foods If you took increase temptation among those who away all struggle to maintain a balanced diet strive to stay away from foods the sugar in and with high sugar and calories. The an average immense number of calories and fats American in restaurant foods coupled with their displays create a diet, you Instagram-worthy lack of emphasis on nutrition in lieu of would delicious looking. Many people focus on subtract 500 caloric limits in their diets and attempt be responsible by reading food labels, calories a to which are absent in most restaurant day. dishes and social media captions. The prevailing question among nutritionists on food overconsumption seems to be whether technology is the problem or the solution. In a country where super-sized is the norm, a bottle of water is replaced with a “Big Gulp” and desserts Source: are triple chocolate cardiac arrests, is it Alternet possible that this new health phenomenon is here to stay? To leave it simply, consider this question as food for thought.

SCREEN TIME Here are highlights’ top picks for shows and channels on YouTube: dy Nummies N er

Bakes pop culture themed food such as Harry Potter cupcakes and Lord of the Rings pie.

Hot for Food Specializes in vegan versions of decadent desserts and indulgent cuisine.

Bro

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Has recipes for the common cook such as college students, those on a budget, and vegan chefs.

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Oli via

AVOCADO TOAST WITH LEMON • • • • • •

1 slice of multigrain bread 1 lemon wedge 1/2 of an avocado salt pepper olive oil

one half. Preserve the other half for later. Cut the avocado into small strips. Either smash these pieces onto the toast, or make a “rose.” To make the “rose,” spread out the pieces of avocado, and begin to turn one end into the other. It should come together into a cirlce.

INSTRUCTIONS Cut the avocado in half and peel the skin off of the outside of

Top the toast with lemon juice,a drizzle of olive oil, freshly cracked pepper and salt. PRO TIP : Top with a fried or poached egg for a dose of protein.

SPICY BLACK BEAN BURGER • • • • • • • • • • •

1 can of black beans 2 chipotle peppers 1/2 cup of quinoa 1/2 cup of cilantro coconut oil 1/4 of an onion 2 cloves of garlic 1/4 cup mayo lime juice 1 tsp of cumin 1 tbl of cornstarch

• •

1/4 cup of flour Salt

fry on medium heat in coconut oil. Blend the cilantro, lime and mayo. Serve the burger on a toasted bun drizzled with cilantro mayo.

INSTRUCTIONS Use a food processor to blend half of the beans, peppers, half of the cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, cornstarch, flour and salt. Stir in the rest of the beans. Shape batter into patties and

Pro Tip: Top the burger with chopped red cabbage or shredded chicken for added flavor.

PUMPKIN PIE ACAI BOWL • • • • • • •

1 frozen acai pack 1 banana 1/2 of a 15 ounce can of pureed pumpkin 1/2 tsp of cinnamon 1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice 1 tbl of maca powder (optional) 1/2 tsp of

• • •

sweetener 1 cup of almond milk a handful of granola fresh fruit

INSTRUCTIONS Blend together the frozen acai, 2/3 of the banana, pumpkin, cinnamon, pumpkin pie

spice, maca powder and almond milk. Pour the mixture into a bowl and top with chopped banana, granola and fresh fruit. PRO TIP : Freeze the blended mixture for 1 hour and then use an ice cream scooper to serve it like ice cream.

Cooking key: tsp=teaspoon tbl=tablespoon

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www.cavsconnect.com/category/ highlights-submissions/ Questions? Email us at: highlightscghs@gmail.com What’s your opinion? Tell us your point of view on a topic published in highlights with an email titled “Letter to the Editor.” We reserve the right to publish any letters sent to this email.

LIGHTBOX During the senior pep rally, the class of 2017 was treated to Pitbull impersonator Jorge Hojas who got the crowd hyped with his renditions of the singer’s most popular songs. In order to get the audience going, “Mr.561” had help from the cheerleaders, Gablettes and color guard.