Issue 4, Vol. 57

Fidel Castro 1926-2016

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Susan Fernandez/contributor

highlights \ Issue 4 \ Vol. 57 \ Jan. 2017 \ 450 Bird Road, Coral Gables, FL, 33146

Contents 2

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Jan. 2017 \ Pg. 2

Features

Sports

8 | On Dec. 22, the annual

Mr. Coral Gables Pageant took place. Senior Jake Paz took the stage as Mr. IBHS, performing an international dance routine and ultimately receiving the crown.

Advisory Board

20 | The National

Football League continues to condemn excessive celebration during games.

Should fans and players be questioning the consistency and severity of the punishment?

The Scene

News

12 |

Thanks to Gables Earth and senior Moira Meijaard, the school is set to gain a new recycling program that will distribute recycling bins in classrooms at the end of January.

Opinion

16 | The use of feminine

hygiene products is essential to avoiding potentially fatal infections and illness. Given women’s reliance on these products, should they be exempt from an additional sales tax?

Havana, Calle Ocho has become an iconic center of Cuban culture. Take a walk down the street where Tower Theater, Exquisito, Ball & Chain and Domino Park are situated.

Karina Wu/highlights

Olivia Field/highlights

24 | In the heart of Little

Insight

28 | The death of Cuba’s

Fidel Castro marks a period of transition for all Cubans. highlights decided to delve into his period of power and learn more about multiple Cuban-American perspectives.

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

Staff Writers 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, Andrea Munoz, Susan Fernandez 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.

Looking to advertise in highlights?

Get in touch with us for an ad contract at melissa_gonzalez@dadeschools.net

Features 4

The story behind substitutes

An insight into longtime substitute teachers Loretta Kedem, Emilio Cobas and Carlos Marin

By Angelle Garcia STAFF WRITER

Most times, when a student walks into a classroom and sees a substitute teacher, their day gets a little easier. The substitute spends the first 15 minutes of class going through mundane tasks like taking attendance (and managing to mispronounce almost every name), going over the sparse lesson plan and talking about their classroom rules regarding behavior and hall passes, hoping it will erase the thought of skipping from every students’ mind.

Generally, the day’s work is not collected, leaving most students unproductive, talkative and hopeful not to be the subject of a note left for the teacher upon their return. highlights took to the classrooms to profile three particularly notorious substitute teachers, namely Loretta Kedem, Emilio Cobas and Carlos Marin.

Courtesy of Cavaleon

Angelle Garcia/highlights

Loretta Kedem

Emilio Cobas

Before Teaching Loretta Kedem has been involved in the Dade County (MDC) school system for the past 25 years and before that had a myriad of jobs in the dance industry, including teaching ballet at the University of Florida, New York University and even outside of the United States. After retiring in 2000, Kedem took jobs with the Miami Beach Police, and on a research project at the University of Miami. In 2001 she began subbing at her alma mater.

Students’ Thoughts “Ms.Kedem is super nice as long as the students behave and are focused. She talks with students and even helps them with work.

She doesn’t allow slacking off though or being disruptive like most students act with substitute teachers,” freshman Isabella Carballo said.

The Verdict If students are working and the room is relatively quiet, Kedem will allow for conversation and use of phones, something most students appreciate. If students are being loud, however, she will make sure the teacher knows about it and the next time you find yourself sitting in Kedem’s classroom, she’ll definitely remember you as the troublemaker.

Before Teaching Emilio Cobas started teaching math and science to middle school students in Cuba in 1969. After coming to the United States in 1998, he learned English, got a certificate in teaching and took a job as a substitute teacher with MDC in 2000.

Students’ Thoughts “He’s pretty strict with behavior. After you turn in your work, he’ll let you quietly talk, but not loud enough to be disruptive.

Mutual respect is required.” junior Thomas Mikell said.

The Verdict If you thought you could skip out of class with a pass from another teacher, think again– there is no getting out of Cobas’ classroom. If he sees that students are slacking off, he will assign extra work to be collected at the end of class. “[Students’] behavior in class is the most important thing... some students take substitute teachers as someone who is just there to babysit, but I make sure they’re always on task,” Cobas said.

Angelle Garcia/highlights

Carlos Marin Before Teaching Before coming to Gables, Carlos Marin spent ten years teaching math and English at Ponce de Leon middle school. Now, he is a part-time substitute teacher, and a phone operator at American Airlines.

“I...loved to teach so I decided to keep with what I knew and started to work part time. I have a lot of fun with my classes. The students know me and know that I like to joke around with them, but also make sure they’re on task,” Marin said.

Students’ Thoughts “Mr. Marin is a great sub; he makes class fun and is pretty relaxed. He does enforce discipline but no students ever give him problems because he’s such a good teacher.

He kids around but creates a good learning environment with his rules,” sophomore Lauren Pettigrew said.

The Verdict It is normal for Marin to call students by their first names and say hello as he passes in the halls. As long as the noise level stays low and work is getting done, he is cool with mostly anything. If anyone starts being disrespectful, however, the period will not be enjoyable. h

Director and Miami native Barry Jenkins tells the coming- ofage story of Chiron in his profound new film, “Moonlight.”

Tatiana Campos/highlights

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By Tatiana Campos STAFF WRITER

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FEW MINUTES INTO BARRY Jenkins’s second feature film “Moonlight,” a 10-year-old boy is seen cowering inside of a boardedup crack house after being chased by bullies in the drug infested streets of the slum he calls home. The film chronicles the life of a gay black boy named Chiron growing up in Miami’s Projects, documenting three chapters of his life in which he struggles with his dysfunctional home life and his sexuality.

Chiron is first introduced with his demeaning nickname, Little, as he flees from a group of boys that want to beat him up. The altercation introduces the pain Chiron later undergoes as he comes in touch with his sexuality. As he ages, he is forced to deal with the homophobia of his classmates and his mother Paula’s addiction to crack at home. Ironically, Juan, the head of the drug trade in the neighborhood, becomes Chiron’s role model. Juan, along with his girlfriend Teresa, provide Chiron with the little guidance he has in his life. Despite Juan and Teresa’s help, his pain, misery and

regret are still present in his teenage years and ultimately up until adulthood.

As an adult, Chiron becomes a drug dealer and falls into the same place that he hated growing up.

Through Chiron’s evolution, Jenkins questions the true definition of manhood.

Chiron struggles to understand the concept and continuously doubts his ability of being this “man” that he is supposed to become. He does not know how to comply with the community’s standards of masculinity and toughness, being the neighborhood “gay” as the other boys labeled him. Juan advises Chiron with this issue and tells him, in a gripping scene, “at some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you gonna be. You can’t let nobody make that decision for you.”

As the film takes place in Miami’s impoverished Liberty City neighborhood, Jenkins does not only highlight the coming-of-age story of Chiron, but also explores subjects like drug abuse, school violence and mass incarceration. Set in the 1980s, at the height of the war on drugs era, the film

MAKING WAVES: In one scene, Juan teaches Chiron how to swim at a Miami beach, a pivoting moment in their relationship.

highlights the complex behaviors and relationships of people in the “hood.”

Giving the film a pragmatic feel and language, Jenkins accurately portrays the distinct looks and sounds of the area.

“The way the film portrays the Miami projects as a harsh area overrun by drugs where one has to be tough to survive was eye opening because 20 years have passed, and yet from what I see on the news the area still hasn’t improved,” sophomore Camila Castañeda said.

Across the three chapters, moving performances show Chiron being taught how to swim, getting harassed by other students, facing his drug-addicted mother, getting arrested, falling in love and later deploring his life decisions. With three different actors playing Chiron’s character, the film could have easily felt inconsistent and choppy. Nevertheless, Jenkins almost perfectly directs the performance and leaves the audience feeling as if they watched Chiron grow up themselves. h

Features 6

Spotlight: Mr. IBHS

Senior Jake Paz takes the crown after representing IBHS at Mr. Coral Gables

By Natalie Viglucci

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S THE CRIMSON curtains of the school stage rushed open, the anticipation in the auditorium was tangible. Five senior gentlemen dressed in black tuxedos stood nervously awaiting the results of the Mr. Coral Gables pageant, a show for which they had been practicing for months on end.

The spotlights focused in and a drum roll from the audience built up. The presenters, juniors Kelly Hanley and Samantha Lopez, calmed the crowd and opened the white envelope that contained the name of the one contestant deemed fit to follow in the footsteps of past champions.

Applause flooded the building as senior Jake Paz was crowned Mr. Coral Gables.

Paz entered the pageant as Mr. International Baccalaureate Honor Society (IBHS) with the goal to encourage others.

“I thought it would be a fun senior year experience to participate in Mr. CG and I also really wanted to represent my club, IBHS, in the pageant. I also wanted to show people that you could do anything, even winning a beauty pageant, so long as you put your mind to it,” Paz said.

Throughout the rehearsal process, Paz was on top of his performance and was motivated to leave a lasting impression on the judges.

“Jake was awesome throughout the whole process. I think he is really funny and works hard. He was especially great when we tried to get the guys to pay attention because he was already focused,” Mr. Coral Gables student coordinator Savannah Payne said.

After intense after-school brainstorming, Paz and his friends decided to relate his talent to IBHS by creating a skit that incorporated

international components. When it came time for the most important event of the night, Paz had a talent chock full of humor and questionable dance moves that triggered a harmonious laughter from the audience. From bhangra to ballet, Paz entertained the crowd with his variety and personalized additions to the traditional techniques of the various pieces he choreographed.

“I practiced the individual dances with my dance partners in school when we had free periods and we had fun making the choreography match the song. It was my decision to add the twerking last minute to get a reaction from the audience which I think helped out a lot,” Paz said.

Although Paz was determined and focused throughout the entire Mr. Coral Gables process, his humor and upbeat personality were qualities that were present all along.

“A few hours before the show, everyone was heading to the weight room and I was still at home eating ice cream on the couch which I found hilarious,” Paz said.

Confidence was a factor that Paz felt he lacked in the beginning of the pageant process and he said he felt especially apprehensive regarding the swimsuit portion of the show, but after his interview, Paz said he felt determined to win.

“The overall experience was definitely a fun one and I recommend people to participate if they have the opportunity to do so.

Also, don’t stress out about the beachwear part because you can have fun with it like wearing a realistic ab shirt, which is what I did, or strut around with a donut inflatable,” Paz said. h

Olivia Field/highlights

STAFF WRITER

ALL SMILES: Senior Jake Paz stands with a beaming grin after being crowned Mr. Coral Gables.

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A new kind of teacher’s pet Grissell Freijo-Cantrell and her dog Alondra take the world by storm, winning dog shows across the region

By Sofia Viglucci STAFF WRITER

awards at dog shows, and she has only just gotten started.

“She’s been going to school, shall we say ‘Harvard School for Dogs, since she was three months old. She’s been through level one, level two, level three, level four, and she’s passed them all,” Freijo-Cantrell said.

At just six months old, she entered and won her first competition, Rally, which is a dog sport based on obedience.

“She’s also in a type of dog show called Conformation...when they take the dog and they show the dog and the breed. She just entered into one of these competitions and she won Best in Breed around three weeks ago,” FreijoCantrell said. “She loves competitions, they call her ‘the little rock star’.”

Alondra is also a registered therapy dog, and spends her Sunday mornings visiting nursing homes to offer therapeutic assistance to the residents.

Apart from the comfort she provides through these services, Alondra is an amenity at home, keeping FreijoCantrell company.

“She’s excellent, she’s therapy for me, she’s therapy for my mom, she adores us both and she gets along with everyone.

She even sleeps with me, by the way,” Freijo-Cantrell said. “I think it’s so important to be able to give, and to be able to understand that having an animal companion will bring you joy in your life.” h

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

DECORATED DOGGY: The American Kennel Association has awarded Alondra various titles, including “Canine Good Citizen” and “Best in Show.”

Sofia Viglucci/highlights

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DOG IS A MAN’S BEST friend. While this phrase has become a bit mildewed from its monotonous overuse, it is undeniably true that humans and their canine companions have a remarkable relationship. Perhaps this is by virtue of dogs’ undying loyalty or simply the comfort and joy they provide to their owners. Take Spanish teacher Grisell Freijo-Cantrell and her Russian Toy Terrier, Alondra. The duo is as compatible as can be, spending eventful Saturdays competing in dog shows and tranquil Sunday mornings volunteering at nursing homes.

It was Freijo-Cantrell’s firm belief in dog rescue that provoked her to adopt Alondra. She said that dogs have a specific place in the world, and can provide invaluable support in society.

When dogs can be a source of therapy, Freijo says there is no reason to euthanize the animals.

“It really upsets me when I see people mistreat them, and they just give them away, it’s horrible. I just can’t understand that, I really can’t,” FreijoCantrell said. “Rescue as many dogs as possible, save a life. Do something for them, they’re wonderful. I mean, they can do so much to help.”

Put simply, if Alondra the Russian Toy Terrier had a resume, it would be brimming with more skills than most human beings. At her tender age of two years old, she has already won numerous

BLOCK 1

BLOCK 2

“I hate ear lobes, I hate ear lobes, I hate ear lobes...I mean, lizards.”

“Gangity gang. I got an A.”

“I think I may be a little Jewish.”

“Wow. He’s such a papa elf.”

“It’s perfect... for little pervert dwarves.”

“Croquetas are a gift from God... they’re like Jesus’s Hispanic cousin’s fingers.”

News 8

Brawns and Beauty at Mr.CG

Sofia OliviaViglucci/highlights Field/highlights

On Dec. 22, the 24 contestants showed off their swimsuits, talents and charm while strutting down the auditorium stage

PAGEANT PRIDE: Contestants pose together in their swimsuits (top), participants cheer on senior Holden Payne as he attempts to solve a Rubick’s cube on a bicycle (bottom left) and junior Gabriel Montecchi plays the guitar (bottom right).

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Briefings Homework Battle

Cavalier Credit Union relocates

By Alejandra Orozco

By Alfredo Wolfermann

STAFF WRITER

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STAFF WRITER

HE CAVALIER CREDIT UNION WAS relocated on Nov. 28 to Café 7 in order to help the school’s financial needs and provide students with access to banking.

Although the credit union has been an establishment at the school for over five years, they relocated in order to better serve the students and gain more members in the upcoming years. Previously, the credit union was located near the Main Office.

A credit union is a non-profit money cooperative that exists to serve who they work for. Credit unions are trusted more than banks because they are a smaller operation and focus more on the customers. The credit union that was set up at the school is not its own independent cooperative, but rather a smaller subset of the South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union (SFEFCU).

The purpose of the credit union at the school is for members to be able to borrow money at low interest rates. It also acts a safe space for funding, where members, students and teachers can trust where they are putting their money.

Students will be able to open accounts, deposit money, take out loans and more.

Senior Angie Mella, an intern at the credit union, said that the advantage of students setting up an account is to help them save up for school events like Grad Bash, class trips and other activities that cost money.

The people responsible for running the Cavalier Credit Union, and all credit unions, are a board of volunteer members. Student

interns work at the credit union during their lunch period. Because of this, the hours are limited, but students are still able to access their accounts online and at other branches and automatic teller machines.

The school celebrated the opening with a ceremony that included the board of student interns that will run the credit union, multiple administrators, a representative from the SFEFCU and Academy of Finance teachers.

The credit union can be visited by students during their lunch period. It is set to be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In order to become a member of the Cavalier Credit Union, all one has to do is create an account and deposit at least five dollars. Students must also present a few forms of identification. “[The benefit of owning an account is] mostly having the experience of having your own account, you don’t have to have to have your parent with you here and you get your own debit card with online banking,” Mella said.

Additionally, the credit union gives incentives to students who join. These incentives include reduced value movie tickets at specific theaters and, if any student has an account open for longer than a year, the opportunity to win a full-ride scholarship to a Florida college of their choice.

With the relocation of the credit union, students can use their time to save money for the future. h

I

N A MIAMI DADE COUNTY PUBLIC Schools (MDCPS) Board meeting on Nov. 23, both parents and teachers argued over and discussed the amount of homework given to MDCPS students. The meeting lasted over an hour and a half, in which parents testified about students having too much homework and no time to relax and socialize.

Parents demanded that MDCPS increase teacher’s knowledge of the district’s policy that homework assignments should range in length from 30 minutes of homework for kindergartners and first-graders to up to two hours for high school students. Teachers hinted that the real culprit behind the amount of work assigned is standardized testing.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho took note of the problem when he said that finding the right balance with homework is an ongoing struggle in modern education and that often times teachers are not aware of how much homework their students are getting in other classes and suggested the possibility of using a future “learning management system” that would allow teachers to view all the assignments their coworkers give out and be more mindful.

“I think that kids should have time for fun too,” history teacher Stephanie Cosgrove said.

Although administrators have agreed to raise awareness, no action has come out of the meeting yet. However, this debate has opened up the possibility for the district to take action in regards to mandatory homework in the near future. h

Upcoming Events Jan. 26 Junior Ring Ceremony Jan. 25 IB Pinning

Feb. 24 CAF&DM Field Day Feb. 16 Bridge 4 Peace

Feb. 22-26 Harvard Model Congress

Source: CavsConnect

News 10

IBHS hosts annual event to raise money for Best

Bridge 4 Peace, the student-run international fundraising dinner, will b raised will be donated to help build “Buddies Place” for the school’s s

By Karina Wu & Dan Leiferman STAFF WRITERS

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AKING PLACE NEXT MONTH, the 2017 Bridge 4 Peace (B4P) will be an international dinner at the Coral Gables Museum. The event, held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 16, is the International Baccalaureate Honor Society’s (IBHS) annual fundraiser event to raise money for a cause of their choosing.

This year’s cause is to help fund the special education program at the school.

It was proposed by sophomore Thomas Harley, president of Best Buddies, on behalf of the entire club and sponsor Alysia D’ Alemberte. Harley, along with the IBHS board, made the plans for this year’s B4P international dinner. Until 2015, the B4P even was a walkathon or 5k along the school field, when the IBHS board decided to host a dinner at the museum.

Best Buddies is an international organization that focuses on providing equal opportunities for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The organization was founded in 1989 and has helped to give people with disabilities opportunities.

According to Harley, the “Buddies Place” will be created in order to “have their own safe space where they can socialize.” Additionally, he said that the money from B4P will help create a place where the buddies can feel included and protected from bullies.

According to Moihdeen, the club

selected Best Buddies to collaborate with due to its direct connection to the school. Their goal is to raise $10,000 to create a ”happy space” for the buddies to call their own called “Buddies Place”.

“We chose Best Buddies through the application process because we felt that it was the cause that was most likely to be neglected… but it was also the most feasible and had the most direct impact in the school,” Moihdeen said.

The event is completely student run

by IBHS members and other volunteers with the supervision of teachers and IBHS sponsor Lauren Noval. With the exception of B4P secretaries, board members are assigned specific roles over different aspects of the event.

These roles include entertainment, advertisements or food donations, and board members form committees with the IBHS members to make the event come together.

Entertainment consists of a fashion show, in which student models wearing clothes from all over the world walk down a runway with a Buddy, a performance by a local band named Long Shore Drift, a henna artist (which is not offered with the admission ticket), a photobooth, a mural made by a graffiti artist throughout the night and a setup consisting of a variety of different international foods.

“I think Bridge 4 Peace will give Best Buddies more exposure as a club

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

DID YOU KNOW? IBHS raised about $12,000 at last year’s Bridge for Peace international dinner for Flying High for Haiti.

Source: IBHS

and encourage more people to join. I also think it will give the buddies an opportunity to make more friends and have fun,” peer mentor of Best Buddies junior Alyssa Lamadriz said. “All of the buddies love to dance so I think if it’s like last year they will have a blast at Bridge 4 Peace.”

Like previous years, the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) will be aiding IBHS with money collections. All of the donations will be handled by the PTSA, and then given to IBHS. The PTSA also helps with aspects of the dinner such as the tables for food and the wall for the graffiti artist to paint on.

“I think the funds from Bridge 4 Peace will benefit Best Buddies and the special education program in general because it will create a generally happy space for the students and it will also be a good place to just go and hang out,” sophomore vice president of Best Buddies Natalie Brenes said. “Often students might stray away from being around large groups of students and [they] would feel more comfortable in a public setting.”

“In my opinion, B4P will help the general atmosphere of Gables because it will give a platform for special education students to feel safe and welcome as well as promote inclusion between all students,” sophomore IBHS secretary Emily Simon said.

The B4P tickets cost $20, and will be available at the door upon arrival. They offer ten food tickets and admission to the event.

Apart from raising funds for a worthy cause, B4P fulfills the International Baccalaureate (IB) global component requirement. Additionally, several teachers at the school are offering extra credit in an effort to promote the cause.

The event extends beyond IB students to anyone willing to donate to the cause. Family members and friends are encouraged to attend and participate in this year’s B4P. h

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Buddies

be held on Feb. 16. Funds special education program

In collaboration International Baccalaureate Honor Society Sponsor: Lauren Noval President: Guneet Moihdeen

“It’s really cool to see the change that’s actually tangible.”

-Guneet Moihdeen, president

QUICK FACTS: Best Buddies was founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Silver IBHS actively works with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and a rural village in Honduras The IBHS vice presidents are Jake Paz and Yanik Ariste

Parent Teacher Student Association President: Haydee Polo

“We create a PTSA bank account to manage all the money that circulates around B4P.” -Virginia Ariemma, PTSA treasurer

Best Buddies has branches in all 50 states and its headquarters are in Miami

Best Buddies

Sponsor: Alysia D’ Alemberte President: Thomas Harley

“[B4P] will allow Best Buddies to expand as a club... [it will] set up more activities that the buddies will enjoy.”

-Alyssa Lamadriz, peer mentor Olivia Field & Vanessa Vazquez/highlights Compiled by Dan Leiferman & Karina Wu

In previous years, B4P was a walkathon on the school’s field and featured games and food stands.

B4P volunteers divide themselves into 9 committees: food, set up, entertainment, publicity and more.

Source: bestbuddies.org, coralgablescavaliers.org, IBHS

News 12

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Gables Earth initiates recycling program

The school gains a new recycling program because of efforts by Gables Earth and senior Moira Meijaard

By Amanda Pallas BUSINESS MANAGER

A

FTER MONTHS OF MAKING plans, Gables Earth has finalized a recycling program for the school. Club members will volunteer to gather recycled waste from classrooms at the end of the school day, and later dispose of it in new recycling bins. Before launching, Gables Earth is preparing by ordering new bins and training the volunteers.

The project was started by senior Moira Meijaard as her Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) project, a requirement for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

Meijaard had started a recycling program at her old school and when she saw that the school did not have a program, she decided to initiate one. Gables Earth co-president Laura

Stieghorst says the club has been trying to get a consistent program for a couple years. Meijaard finally wrote a plan of action and presented it to Gables Earth sponsors Elizabeth Kiely and Virginia Ansaldi. Now, Meijaard and the Gables Earth board are working on creating a successful program. According to Meijaard, Miami Dade Public County schools are required to pay for a recycling program, and the school was already paying for it, with no program in place.

“I’m really happy to have gotten this far with so much support, and I’m excited in general to see how the program goes,” Meijaard said.

According to Stieghorst, the club has been working on getting ready for the new recycling program by surveying

“

We are going to rely on teachers monitoring what goes in the bins so we need their support of the idea.

Laura Stieghorst, senior

around the school to see who already has recycling bins. They have been asking teachers to encourage students to recycle in their classroom bins.

Currently, a group of approximately 15 volunteers is interested in participating in the recycling program and expects more to join by the start of the program.

“It’s necessary to have a recycling program... it will provide a purpose for all the paper we use but I’m hoping teachers and students will start to realize just how much we waste in school,” Stieghorst said.

The recycling program will be active by the end of January because of all of the work Gables Earth members and Meijaard have put into the finalization of this project. h

Florida gains industrial design college

Wynwood prepares for Florida’s first industrial design institution, Miami College of Design

By Ana Wolfermann STAFF WRITER

F

LORIDA GAINS ITS FIRST college focused on industrial design, Miami College of Design, in Wynwood. The founders, Walter Bender and Franco Lodato plan on introducing science and engineering through designing offering tuition scholarships funded by Bender and Lodato’s Florida-based Industrial Arts and Method Foundation. The foundation already provides scholarships for industrial design education. According to the Miami Herald, the founders believe that the work the students will do post-graduation will be very valuable to the industrial design industry.

Students will learn skills related to strategic entrepreneurial business along with industrial lessons. The school will

DID YOU KNOW? Qualified students are capable of receiving up to a 90 percent scholarship.

Source: The Miami Herald

employ teaching strategies that highlight active learning, exploration, creativity and breakthrough innovation. Graduates will be prepared for careers such as industrial and product design, creative directors and more.

“I think that it is great that Miami will have a school that solely focuses on industrial design, rather than liberal arts,” senior Skylar Lingenfelser said.

Applicants must be at least 16 years old and have a high school diploma, verification of General Education Development (GED) completion, proof of graduation from a foreign institution similar to a United States secondary school or a Florida Home Education graduation. Additionally, they must provide a portfolio demonstrating

experience in design, attend a personal interview, sign an Enrollment Agreement and have their own laptop in order to run software like Linux or Mac OS. Lastly, the online application must be used.

Through this, aspiring students need to present transcripts from high school, write an evaluative essay and turn in at least two letters of recommendation.

The building will include three floors, as well as a rooftop garden.

Although the institution will not be open until the fall of 2017, the summer semester registration date is June 2.

According to the school’s website, the ultimate goal of the Miami College of Design is to nurture talent in order to develop future leaders in design and innovation. h

Opinion 13

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STAFF-ED: Student code of conduct

Florida’s scholastic disciplinary policy, Zero Tolerance, has been the cause of numerous issues since its introduction

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OR YEARS, SCHOOLS throughout Florida have had to endure an unjust system that can indiscriminately punish students for minor offenses and misdemeanors. Every year, more and more absurd stories of a student harshly punished for a minor offense, such as throwing a pencil, arise due to the Zero Tolerance Policy, a strict enforcement of regulations which mandates automatic punishment for infractions of any stated rule. At first glance, it may seem that there is no issue with the policy, as it appears promising in preventing crime by threatening potential perpetrators with harsh punishment. However, even if this were the case, there remains glaring issues with this form of disciplinary action.

Although the main appeal of zero tolerance policies is that they deter crime through the threat of harsh punishment, this could not be further from the truth. According to Zero Tolerance, Zero Evidence: An Analysis of School Disciplinary Practice, there is little evidence that the strategies associated with zero tolerance policies contribute to overall school safety. Furthermore, the American Psychological Association noted that zero tolerance policies have had no effect, with the average altercations on school property remaining unchanged since the initial takeoff of zero-tolerance policies in the 1990s.

Critics have often described zero tolerance laws and policies as zero logic laws, and for good reason. If followed, zero tolerance laws ignore circumstance and skip straight to the distribution of punishments. In order for an effective punishment to be determined, incidents need to be looked at on a case by case basis, with circumstance taken into account, the exact opposite of what zero tolerance entails. For example, if the policy were followed, a student would receive the same punishment for accidentally spilling coffee on a teacher, as throwing coffee at a teacher.

Because these policies turn a blind eye to all factors involved, they view two different contextual scenarios as the same offense, resulting in an unreasonable punishment given to the

DID YOU KNOW? Although zero tolerance policies were created to respond to students caught with a weapon, only five percent of serious disciplinary actions nationally in recent years involve possession of a weapon.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics

student who exhibited no malicious intent. If a physical altercation were to take place, zero tolerance’s system of automatic punishment mandates that all parties involved are to be punished, regardless of whether an individual was acting in self-defense. Due to this system of automatic punishment, students have become less eager and less likely to defend themselves if the need should ever arise.

A common issue brought up when proposing a case-by-case system is that in the scenario where an incident was not caught on surveillance and there were no witnesses present, it would be nearly impossible to handle the situation properly. Guilt is unable to be determined, due to the lack of evidence aside from information from those involved. However, this is no fault of a case-by-case system, rather it is the responsibility of schools, to have a proper and thorough surveillance system and security guards patrolling troublesome areas.

Another critique of zero tolerance laws is that they promote an unhealthy climate for students. In learning environments, the main deterrent of crime should be knowledge on how dangerous activity affects individuals, rather than fear of a harsh punishment.

This fear of harsh punishments, such as suspension and expulsion, turns schools into strict and stress-inducing environments rather than learning environments for frequently bullied students within a school, who must often act in self defense and face disciplinary action regardless. It is even debatable whether suspension, a punishment encouraged under zero-tolerance, is effective in correcting behavior. The Department of Education report titled School Climate and Discipline states that students should only be removed from the classroom as a last resort, as there has been no evidence demonstrating that maintaining order through suspension aids students or improves learning environments at schools. Not only does suspension fail to aid students, but may negatively affect them as well. As students are removed from the facility that is supposed to help him or her learn

from their mistakes, suspensions may result in lower academic performance, higher dropout rates and future exclusion.

As ineffective as zero tolerance is in practice rather than in theory, it is not something all schools in Florida endure.

The zero tolerance law in Florida was amended so that its harsh punishments do not apply to petty acts of misconduct.

However, the problem lies in that the policy does not define or differentiate between petty acts of misconduct and serious threats to school safety, instead allowing each individual school to define petty acts and serious threats, resulting in a definition that varies from school to school. While some schools act responsibly when determining what classifies a threat to school safety and what does not, others do not, resulting in an administrative board that rules with an iron fist. The policy also recommends alternatives to expulsion and referral of law in minor cases, but suspension is still regarded as perfectly acceptable punishment, further allowing it to be rigorously applied in many cases.

Fortunately, a solution is not far off. The policy from this point could easily be amended so that every public school must abide by a reasonable set of definitions of misconduct, mandatory training to all disciplinary officers as well as case-by-case consideration with a graduated system of discipline in which different levels of discipline are handed out according to the severity of the offense, with a bank of punishments corresponding to each level of offense for officers to determine. A uniform set of definitions of misconduct in every school would serve to eliminate the variance in definitions that causes some schools to be ruthless or overly lenient when it comes to administering punishment. These changes, coupled with case-by-case consideration and a graduated system of discipline would ensure that circumstance is taken into account, but subjectivity from an administrator is kept in check. These changes would lead to numerous issues facing students today to disappear, ending the reign of zero tolerance policies. h

Opinion 14

America’s holiday love affair

Consumerism has taken over the time of year that should be reserved for appreciating the ones we love Commentary by Alejandro Prida STAFF WRITER

A

MERICAN consumerism.

A frequent phrase which for a marketing director or economist has recently become something of a cliché.

Americans consume like no other, we spend more on fashion accessories than we do on higher education, there are more malls in the United States than high schools and we have gone so far as to redefine a time of the year usually spent appreciating family and loved ones as one of material indulgence.

There are many possible origins of such rabid consumer tendencies in the American market, many see the industrial revolution as the kick off point. After being brought over to the young United States from Europe in the mid-19th century, new factory techniques began to popularize because of their ability to produce products quickly and efficiently. However, the revolution in industry did not translate to a revolution in consumption. The real meteoric rise of consumerist tendencies in the United States took place after World War two, where an economy that less than 15 years prior had been devastated by the great depression was prospering with plentiful jobs, increases in wages and spending power and, due to the lack of consumer goods during the war, an eagerness to spend. This time period directly following the war marked the beginning of consumerism in the United States, and the ingraining of material values in American culture and way of life. In the new America, the consumer was no longer an individual filling a lowly material desire, they were a patriot devoted to the betterment of the American way of life.

It is this decision to prioritize material prowess that has allowed for many companies to succeed in the American market by advertising their products at more than face value.

Presenting an experience rather than a product allows companies to capitalize on the American consumer’s yearning

Alejandro Prida/highlights

GADGET CRAZE: Dozens of shoppers swarm an Apple store in hopes of purchasing a new device for the holiday season.

for a feeling of contentment that they have been taught comes from owning opulent goods. But rather than enjoying the company of loved ones, we remain entranced by the extravagant gadgets and redundant commodities waved in our faces.

This is never more evident than the holiday season when Americans flock to malls in droves in pursuit of the latest sale or clearance, searching with fervor for the chance to buy status items like jewelry, watches and handbags. Items like these have been made out to be symbols of not just overt affluence but of many traits we aspire to possess. Our focus on the superficial and material leads us to believe that products impart characteristics we would like to have, when in reality we are simply too nearsighted or unreflective to acquire them ourselves. Be it power, intelligence, or, most subjectively, taste, we have given importance to otherwise meaningless objects.

Consumerist societies are built on prioritizing the newer and supposedly better, perpetuating a vicious cycle of buying the newest commodities as a way of constantly validating ourselves

when, in fact, we can do it on our own, free of charge. Obtaining self-worth through non material means is not as insurmountable a task as it can be made out to be, many of us have already laid the groundwork. As psychologist Abraham Maslow theorized, humans have an innate hierarchy of needs.

Above basic needs like food and safety, intrapersonal relationships, whether romantic, friendly or familial bring us long term satisfaction and a sense of belonging. And a great majority of people already are in at least one intimate intrapersonal relationship. The ability to communicate openly with and trust others, especially when reciprocated, brings about a sense of community. This sense of community falls in the middle of Maslow’s hierarchy, and we can begin to move up the pyramid only when our most basis needs are met.

So, as holiday season comes to a close, let us focus on the things that bring us joy and contentment, and not just for the short stretch of the year when lights are hung and sales are plentiful.

Our self-worth needs to be quantified by something other than the things we own or can afford to give other people. h

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The death dichotomy

The end of a life is an impactful event, and whether it is met with sorrow or joy varies on the circumstances Commentary by Benjamin Estrada OPINION EDITOR

T

HE GREAT beyond, the afterlife, mortem. Death has many names, but its consequences are absolute. The passing of a life is often the cause for tremendous grief and agony. The bleak scene of a funeral procession, complete with sobbing loved ones draped in black garments comes to mind. In some cases, however, the end of someone’s life may prompt a grand celebration. In New Orleans, for example, it is tradition to send off a deceased person with a boisterous jazz band march. The reactions towards a death vary from culture to culture, and are influenced by the circumstances and context of the passing.

Glorifying and praising someone’s death may seem grotesque, but in some instances it is the best way to deal with it. For some people, a particular death may represent a symbolic weight being lifted off of a group’s shoulders.

It is no question that the death a figure who oppressed millions and destroyed lives, would be welcomed by the people so deeply affected by his or her actions. For example, in the case of Osama Bin Laden, Americans rallied in cacophonous cheer in front of the White House on the eve his death was announced. For the crowd, the end of Bin Laden signified the end to a dark chapter in both the country’s and their own history. Ever since the September 11 attacks, Americans were left scarred and traumatized by the worst terrorist attack in the nation’s history. Although the emotional and psychological damage inflicted by these events is largely permanent, Americans were able to find some closure in the Al-Qaeda leader’s eventual demise.

On the other hand, the death of a major figure has the ability to cripple and entire country with shackles of grief and desperation. Recall North Korea in 2011, when the supreme leader Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack. The people of the hermit kingdom were

heartbroken. Videos of their reactions show crowds of hundreds of men DID YOU and women weaping uncontrollably, KNOW? filled with agony and longing for their beloved leader. While the rest of the The average world perceived Kim Jong-il’s death as another passing of a brutal dictator, North North Koreans saw the tragic departure American of a revolutionary leader and benefactor traditional to their people.

This sort of response is the most funeral costs natural. As humans, we are expected between to grieve in the event of a death. Early $7,000 and on, we may experience the death of a goldfish or other pet and be filled with $10,000. our first feeling of true sorrow. Through Source: these early life lessons, we are taught Fox Business that death is an inescapable end to existence that is depressing, dismal and disappointing. We search for a way to deal with this newfound harsh reality.

In this pursuit, we discover mourning.

Mourning is an intrinsic reaction that is even present in various animal species.

Dogs, cats, geese, dolphins, whales and many others all have their own mourning coping mechanisms to deal with the death of a mate, offspring, or pack member.

When we celebrate a death, we are breaking the natural process of mourning instilled in us. We interrupt a natural course of emotions, defy conventions, and ultimately find an alternate solution to the problem of passing away.

Though rejoicing in a death may seem disrespectful, sometimes the deceased may not have been someone who deserved respect at all. In other cases, happily commemorating someone is the preferred way to honor a lifetime of accomplishments and experiences. The manner by which a people mourn or do not mourn is a result of their cultural and social backgrounds, and what the death meant to them. Through all of the intricacies surrounding the loss of life, one thing remains certain: death is not to be taken lightly. Happy or sad, relieved or pressured, the response to death is a cornucopia of emotions that demonstrates the human complexity of thought and attachment. h

Opposable THUMBS SAT Scores “The biggest upset since the presidential election.”

- Sofia Viglucci, Staff Writer

2016 “The good thing about hitting the bottom is that you can’t go any lower.”

- Benjamin Estrada, Opinion Editor

Mr. Coral Gables “Male objectification at its finest.”

- Estelle Erwich, Staff Writer

The New Year “It’ll be different, right?”

-Alejandro Prida, Staff Writer

Opinion 16

TWO VIEWS: The tampon sales tax

Throughout the United States, feminine hygiene products are categ attached to them. As some push for the tax’s repeal, it is debated w STAFF WRITER

T

HE “TAMPON Tax,” as some call it, has recently become an increasingly pressing topic among many young constituents in the United States and Congress. Often pinned as one of the prime examples of systematic misogyny in America, the tax has been under much scrutiny from campaign movements such as “Stop Taxing Periods! Period,” “#HappyToBleed” and “#FreeTheTampons.” The name “Tampon Tax” in itself is entirely misleading, simply because no jurisdiction has a tampon-specific tax, as it might an alcohol tax. In the United States, the “tampon tax” is just a sales tax that in most states applies to tampons.

The “Tampon Tax” is not an attack on women, nor is it a form of societal oppression on the female gender. The natural gas and electricity that keeps us alive is taxed, as are the apartments and houses we live in and the toothpaste we use to brush our teeth. All of these things are necessary for our well-being and health, and just like tampons, they are taxed. When it comes to menstrual supplies, and personal hygiene products in general, the state codes implemented are inconsistent and odd all across the board, but that does not mean that this is a state-sanctioned war on periods or women. The problem is not that the patriarchy is undermining the necessity of tampons, but rather that it is refusing to see tampons, toilet paper and all other personal hygiene products as necessary to food.

In fact, feminists and “Tampon Tax” opposers would have a better time focusing their energies on the more prominent and immediate matters at hand. Making feminine hygiene products more accessible to the tens of thousands of homeless women is a much more efficient and honorable endeavor than scrutinizing the sales tax on tampons so closely.

Essentially, exempting all items considered “necessities,” as these

movements propose, is not only absurd but also implausible. If the government exempted all “necessities,” then even things like toilet paper, which is taxed in every state except seven, would have to be exempt from the fee. Abolishing the tampon tax would only lead to lost revenue, which would in turn trickle down to increasing tax rates in order to compensate for that lost revenue.

According to a news release by The Washington Post, women in California pay about $7 per month for 40 years of tampons and other sanitary napkins, adding up to about $20 million in annual taxes. Most states, like California, simply cannot afford to lose over $20 million per year, and many social welfare programs would surely not survive the cuts. Another trade-off resulting from the eradication of the tax is that more and more interest groups would lobby for additional exemptions, or attempt to recategorize their products in order to dodge taxes. Consequently, rampant diminishing revenue for the entire US would ensue.

“Tampon Tax” opposers also claim that the tax unjustly targets and burdens the poor economically. This, fortunately, is not the case. If an average 16-pack of brand name tampons cost $4, estimating a woman spends $10 per month on tampons, the general sales tax would add up to approximately $12 a year. It is safe to say that the number of people flung into poverty by $12 a year is almost none, and most people campaigning against this tax likely have no problem affording it.

Eliminating the tax cost the government revenue, and would also undermine the ability for society to support the poor and fund the programs created to help women. Abolishing the tampon tax is an extremely marginal approach to boosting the financial wellbeing of the lower class, and the adverse effects of doing surmount the benefits.

This begs the question: is removing the tax to save women $12 a year worth collectively losing the entire country millions of dollars in revenue? h

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Commentary by Mariam Vela

I think that [the tampon tax] says a lot about the importance that [society] puts on the needs of women, as a whole.

-Annie Delao, sophomore

$20 million in tax reve is collected from fem hygiene taxes.

In 40 states, feminine hygiene taxes ranges from 2.9 to 7.5 perce

No tampon sales tax Minnesota, Pennsylva Maryland, Massachus and New Jersey.

$17.60 is spent annu menstrual products b American women bet the ages of 12-54.

500 million women who lack “adequate facilities” for menstruation management.

$1,800 spent on tamp and/or pads b average woma her lifetime.

Source: UNICEF, World H

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Jan. 2017 \ Pg. 17

ategorized as “luxury products,” and have an extra sales tax ed whether or not tampons should be treated as luxury items

“

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]

Putting a luxury tax on tampons is not only an effrontery to women, but it is an effrontery to people.

-Tracy Barrow-Schoenblatt, theater teacher

ax revenue m feminine

minine anges percent.

es tax in nnsylvania, sachusetts, y.

t annually on ucts by en between 54.

0 on tampons pads by an e woman in etime.

$3.1 billion spent by American consumers on pads and tampons in 2015.

EF, World Health Organization, NPR, Washington Post, Vocativ

Commentary by Estelle Erwich

“R

EGRESSIVE” AND “BIASED” would not be the words typically used to describe today’s economy. Yet these words have all been frequently used in news articles and speeches when referring to the “Tampon Tax,” the sales tax applied to feminine hygiene products because they are categorized as luxury goods. The Food and Drug Administration categorizes tampons as medical devices, yet they are not treated as such in the modern marketplace. In an obvious display of gender bias, these essential products are considered to be luxurious so that the money collected from taxing them is not compromised. Feminine hygiene products are a necessity, not a frivolous product, and should be tax-exempt.

The simple definition of a luxury product is, “something that is not essential,” and a sanitary product is blatantly the opposite of that. While lip balm and anti-dandruff shampoo are exempted from the luxury tax, tampons, a clear medical product, are not deemed to be necessities. Tampons are medical products that a woman must use if she wishes to remain healthy. Without proper feminine hygiene, women are exposed to serious bacterial infections that can prove fatal. The risk of these diseases occurring grows exponentially when feminine hygiene products are unavailable to the general public, due to price.

Proponents of this tax claim that the benefit of the tax to the overall economy far outweighs an apparently small effect on the individual buyer. It is claimed that the tax does not impede women from being able to buy hygiene products, but this is not true for women living in poverty. A box of tampons is usually priced around $7, and for the 50,000-plus women in the United Stat who live unsheltered or on the street, this price makes these products almost inaccessible, even without an extra tax.

For homeless women, this expensive cost can often mean choosing between their next meal and hygiene. Two basic human rights, health and dignity, are

STAFF WRITER

compromised when feminine hygiene products become more inaccessible, and saying that the economy is in need of an extra cash influx is no excuse for tearing these rights away from women in lower social standings.

As women have no choice when it comes to purchasing feminine hygiene products, the taxing of these products is an obvious form of gender bias in the marketplace. If, as some claim, the tax is present for economic benefit, then the government is taking advantage of something that a woman cannot control.

Simply put, this disregards health and sanitation under the excuse of monetary interest. A woman who is merely trying to maintain her well being is not responsible to support an economy which disregards her health and writes off her hygiene as a luxury.

This problem points to a fundamental issue deeper than one specific tax. Gender bias exists in the modern marketplace and takes many different forms, such as when products specifically marketed to women are significantly more expensive than similar products marketed to men. Women’s shampoo and conditioner can be up to 48 percent more expensive, and razor cartridges marketed to women typically cost 11 percent more than those for men. The free market already displays a price bias against women, and there is no reason that tax laws should do the same. This clear gender discrimination is archaic and is becoming increasingly prevalent.

“I think we’ve reached the point in our society, and in the modernization of our society, where we should acknowledge... that tampons inherently can’t be luxury products because they are a necessity,” sophomore Angie Lopez said.

The tax on tampons is an unfair fee against women who already suffer from a blatantly one-sided economy, and has no place in today’s marketplace. h

Opinion 18

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Jan. 2017 \ Pg.18

Mainstream media meltdown

With the high demand of faster news from the public, news has become increasingly inaccurate Commentary by Alejandra Orozco STAFF WRITER

manipulation is defined as a series of related techniques in which partisans create an image or argument that favors their particular interests. Although facts themselves should be presented without any sort of spin on their objective truths, it is understandable that certain news outlets are liberal or conservative.

However, the issue arises when they manipulate facts for their own personal benefit.

This issue was present frequently in the last election, as television networks such as CNN and Fox News reporters were constantly showing bias in their news. The faulty publishing of news is more uncommon in trustworthy networks like Fox News and CNN, but is still present as seen in the last election. As a result, the facts vary based on the reporter’s interpretation.

Another example is the famous “Hockey Stick Debate” where, based on where you read, climate change was seen in different ways. The graph depicts climate change as far back as it can be measured, but different news outlets use different images of the graphs. To benefit their ideas, climate change protestors cut off the graph before evidence of the increasing temperatures of the Earth is shown. This is not revealing the whole truth to the public, which is outright wrong and goes against the purpose of media.

Now, the media’s goal is to get the most amount of people

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-Eric Riedmiller, senior

Only 32 percent of Americans have trust and confidence in the mass media.

Source: Gallup polling

Alejandra Orozco/highlights

Alejandra Orozco/highlights

“

As a solution to the problem of spreading incorrect news, media outlets must pay more attention to the information they are spreading.

DID YOU KNOW?

to read their news, whether that means clicking a link or scrolling through the website. When the news just needs to be published and not factually accurate, this creates a lack of motivation from the media to find out and publish the truth.

The mainstream media’s audience is partially to blame for this new trend of inaccurate news, because there is an increasing demand for faster news. With unrealistic expectations like these, the news is published quickly from different outlets as a means of competition and not in the interest of the readers. This competitive atmosphere leads media outlets to publish their news first in order to get the most amount of readers.

The solution to the faulty publishing of facts would be a compromise between news outlets and the masses.

The media’s audience would have to pick between getting their news first and compromised or slightly delayed but factual or accurate. It is important that people recognize that a lot of the quick news they are receiving is likely untrue and that it is rare to receive factual news so instantaneously.

In order to resolve the issue, although media outlets should be publishing factual news, it is crucial that their viewers at least recognize the reality of the incorrect news they receive. On the other hand, the media would also need to delay on releasing incorrect news to create a truer media driven world. h

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N THE MODERN digital age, just about everybody is receiving their news through social media sites which can, in many cases, be unreliable. As we digest these stories and tweets, we perceive them as true because we believe that our news should be automatic and factual. However, this is not always the case. More and more of the news we are receiving ranges from biased and correct to blatantly false and fake. The purpose of media is to publish news and ideas in a new and more efficient way. It has become clear, however, that news sources have been incorrectly publishing information. So many people view and depend on the media, yet constant misinformation is being spread at the moment.

As a society, we need to ask ourselves, if the true purpose of media been lost over the years.

With the dependence people have nowadays with media, they believe just about anything they read.

This is ultimately how false information becomes so widely accepted, so quickly.

It is becoming evident that the public has lost their ability to think for themselves which aids in the spreading of false news.

“People say we live in a media environment where facts have become subjective,” Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales said.

If facts are being considered subjective, there is an obvious and increasing problem considering that truth should not include anyone’s thoughts or opinions. Media

There is definitely a bias in the news I read, I feel like a lot of networks have their opinions...depending on who is writing and how it benefits them.

-Nikita Leus, sophomore

Sports 19

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Jan. 2017 \ Pg. 19

Gables soccer works up to playoffs

Following six wins, the boys’ varsity soccer team is en route to seeing their two rivals at the playoffs

By Cecilia Rodriguez STAFF WRITER

G

Jack Band / highlights

FULL FORCE Right: Senior defensive midfielder Greg Fernandez pressures the opposing Southwest player in an effort to steal the ball.

Below: Greg Fernandez clears the ball downfield to avoid any attacks at goal by the opposing Southwest player.

Jack Band / highlights

ABLES HAS HAD A LONG history of achievement when it comes to its soccer teams. The boys’ soccer team here at Gables is one example of the school’s success in their athletic department.

This year, the soccer team has been doing well, with their record being 6-3-2, not including the pre-season, which places the team at 3rd in the district.

“We have a very talented team, like every position has a very good talented player. Also, we have a lot of depth, very good players that can come in mid game and change the game,” senior Alex Rabell said.

Our district happens to contain some of the most challenging boys soccer teams in the state.

Some of the teams competing in the district include Columbus and Miami Beach. Columbus won the state championship in 2014, as well as a Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) title, regional title and two district titles. Miami Beach has won an impressive amount of district titles, regional championships and in 1994 were state runner-ups. Like Columbus, the school has won more than one GMAC title.

One of the school’s top contenders, Miami Beach walked away with a 3-2 win over the

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Cavaliers, making them the #1 team for boys soccer in the district. On top of that, Gables tied Columbus 1-1 in their first matchup.

However, in their second matchup the school lost to Columbus by one goal, resulting in a 2-1 final score. So obviously there is some serious competition between teams in district 6A. The teams Gables has beaten are: Braddock both times, Southwest both times, Coral Park and South Miami.

“I do think that as a team we are going to excel in the playoffs, even though we have lost two games, they were against the highest ranked teams in our district. We did tie the two best teams so obviously we have the potential to beat them in the future,” sophomore Daniel Austudillo said.

With six wins under their belt, the team continues to practice and prepare for the playoff season. The two ties and nail-biter losses to these two top teams show that Gables has some serious potential when competing for districts this year. The boys soccer team practices daily and only gets better as they will be playing both rivals, Miami Beach and Columbus in the playoffs if they continue to win the rest of their games.

Sports 20

Two views: Is the National Football League (NFL)

As the NFL regular season comes to a close, there is an abundance behavior during games has made an impact. Players and fans alike Commentary by Angelle Garcia STAFF WRITER

L

AST SEASON alone, the National Football League (NFL) penalized and fined 29 different players for excessive celebrations and taunting after scoring a touchdown or successful play. In the 12 weeks of the 2016 season, nine additional players were added to that list for what the NFL calls “prolonged or excessive celebrations or demonstrations.”

NFL officials can penalize athletes for anything from dancing and mocking to handshakes they consider too long. Professional athletes train seven days a week for hours on end, restricting their diets and completing gruesome workouts to be able to compete at their full potential.

Professional sports, especially football are some of the most high stakes and competitive careers. Everyday atheltes jobs are on the line if they do not do well enough in games so the idea that they work so hard, score and then get punished for celebrating is ridiculous and counterintuitive.

Antonio Brown, a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was fined $11,576 after scoring a touchdown and jumping on the goal post. Another NFL football player, former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn was also penalized for “excessive” celebration, being charged $30,000 for pretending to make

“

You know that I know that we all know football is an extremely hard sport to play. And I think it’s a reward as a player.

-Cam Newton, Quarterback for the Carolina Panthers objective is to score more than their opponent.

The NFL’s anti-celebration rules have gotten out of control and players are fined for virtually any form of celebration after scoring. Sports leagues have every right to fine players for like those who perform hateful or vulgar gestures, but it should be obvious that celebations do not pose a threat to the nature of the game.

According to NFL bylaws, even a

celebration that is considered “pre-meditated” is grounds for penalties and fines. A quarterback who says he plans to run to the stands every time he scores is technically breaking these rules and can be fined. Choreographed dances are against the rules as well, meaning athletes would have to perform “spontaneous” dances to avoid penalization. After the excitement of completing a play successfully, players should not have to think about what celebration is legal or worry about being fined.

The punishment can also take a blow at the fans of the team. When a referee steps in and calls a penalty on a player, fans instantly lose enthusiasm. Fans have criticized the NFL, calling it the, “No Fun League,” and have raised multiple charges of inconsistent enforcement. Even players have spoken out about the ridiculous fines. Cleveland Brown’s wide receiver Andrew Hawkins explained that because everything is fined anyways, why not poke fun at the situation and celebrate? The league says it has not changed its rules, but has made excessive celebration a “point of emphasis,” essentially asking officials to pay extra attention when enforcing the existing ruled.

The NFL’s agenda should be more concerned about the health of its players and staff, as well as the scandals that surround it every season, rather than which player is celebrating too much after scoring the game winning point.

On Nov. 27 2015, Chad Ochocinco drew a $30,000 fine in a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens for picking up an official NFL endzone pylon and putting the game ball.

On Feb. 1 2015, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin received a fine of $11,025 when he mimed the act of defecation using the game ball.

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a call with a hidden cellphone after scoring in a game. Although these punishments do not exactly affect their multimillion dollar salaries, it is about the inconvenience of being punished.

Being fined is a flat-out punishment for the player’s enthusiasm following a successful play. No official should expect an athlete to stand stoically after scoring in a game where the

On Oct. 4 2015, former New Orleans Saints running back Khiry Robinson earned himself a fine of $8,681 when he imitated riding a horse.

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Jan. 2017 \ Pg. 21

ruling on excessive celebration too harsh?

ance of evidence proving that the recent lockdown on player alike continue to question the severity of the punishment.

Commentary by Dylan Carol

COPY EDITOR

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INES FOR EXCESSIVE celebration have been a point of emphasis throughout the National Football League (NFL) this year and has drawn much criticism from fans, the media and players alike. The NFL dubs excessive celebration as gestures that are violent, flagrant, sexual or drugrelated as well as a prolonged or premeditated choreographed dance, among others. If a player performs one of these acts in a game, they are flagged for a 15- yard penalty and later fined an amount in the thousands, in most cases.

Although there is room for improvement in regards to the letter of the law, fining players for excessive celebration is ultimately a step in the right direction for the league. These rules promote playing the game the right way and sets an example for kids growing up who aspire to be like the icons they see on their television every Sunday.

Sportsmanship and integrity are two of the most vital values that sports are built upon. It is what stars try to engrain in rookies, what parents try to teach their kids and ultimately what the NFL is trying to convey to their fans.

When players go around doing their dances and showing up the other team, it sets a bad example for those watching and brushes aside those values. Although some players who were fined, like Josh Norman, a Washington Redskins cornerback, who was charged $10,000 for a bow and arrow gesture, do not

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entertainment.

Players have been fined this year, and increasingly over the previous two or three seasons, for celebrations including throat slashing and other violent gestures. In fact, the National Basketball Association has also started fining players for these menacing movements as most major sports are trying to remove threatening gestures away from their

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respective games. On top of violent hand signs, the NFL also fines players for sexual movements such as repeated thrusting or suggestive hand motions.

To some the penalty may seem unnecessary, as it does not specifically hinder anybody for a player to dance to his heart’s content for a few seconds. However, this does impair the underlying message of a clean game that conveys respect for others, which, the league is trying to promote.

Many who disagree with excessive penalty rules point to dropping ratings as a sign of the negative impact the rules have on the league, including players who dub the NFL the “No Fun League.” NFL ratings are decreasing mostly because the pace of the game is a bit slow at times and because social media and fantasy football are taking over, meaning that people do not need to watch the game to know who scored. Additionally, players speaking out about concussions among other injuries, protests from players and their mishandling by the league have contributed to the falling ratings. Furthermore, 2016 was an election year which causes ratings to drop every time. Excessive celebration fining has little to no correlation with a drop in ratings and, in the end, might help shore up some of the bad image catalysts that do affect the NFL.

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deserve the punishment, the overall message that the NFL is trying to send is positive. This emphasis on sportsmanship and playing the game the “right way” may even go as far as mending the bad rap the league has gotten for its mishandling of domestic abuse situations over the last few years, which has obviously been very detrimental to football as a source of

During Week 1 of the 2016-2017 regular season, Antonio Brown received another $12,154 fine for suggestively gyrating after scoring a 47-yard touchdown reception.

On Oct. 2 2016, Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman earned himself a $10,000 fine when he fired an imaginary arrow from an imaginary bow.

On Oct. 16 2016, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. suffered a $24,309 loss after removing his helmet during a week 7 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Sports 22

Spotlight: Junior gets offers

Gilbert Frierson continues his family’s football legacy and earns 13 college offers doing it

By Shirley Ramirez STAFF WRITER

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UNIOR DEFENSIVE BACK Gilbert Frierson does not play around when it comes to football. In fact, Frierson has already received offers to play football from 13 colleges from around the country. A few of the most notable schools being the University of Alabama, Florida State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ultimately, however, he decided to commit to the University of Miami.

“It feels like home to me and with the great bond I have with the coaching staff it seems like the right move to make,” Frierson said.

He is very dedicated to the sport and has been playing since the age of six.

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Football to me is a way of expressing myself.

-Gilbert Frierson, junior

Frierson participated in his first game for the West Grove Redskins and has evolved into a skillful player.

As a young boy, he went to the school’s games to support his older siblings. Each of his three brothers have been successful enough to make it to state championships as seniors.

“With his senior year finally approaching, it will be fun to see which one of them can say they left Gables having the best senior year,” football coach Roger Pollard said.

His family and coaches have been great role models and have helped him get to where he is now. Frierson started out on the junior varsity football team during his freshman year and following

his rookie season, he joined the varsity team.

Frierson said that being a part of the team has developed his skill and has allowed him to create an unforgettable bond with his teammates and coaches.

“I learned a lot from Coach Pollard, he made me a smarter player so that I can make better plays,” Frierson said.

Many of his teammates and family look forward to his future in the sport and see success for Frierson in the big leagues.

With his impressive abilities and determination, Frierson has the chance to follow in his brothers’ footsteps and lead his team to states next year before he joins the Miami Hurricanes roster.

COLLEGE READY Junior defensive back Gilbert Frierson cracks a smile while representing his future home at the University of Miami where he will continue playing football.

Ramon Balladares V. Agent Allstate Insurance Company 2455 S.W. 27th Ave, Suite #210 Miami, Fl 33145

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

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Jan. 2017 \ Pg. 23

Spotlight: Mr. Fotso celebrates 52 years The physical education teacher and boys soccer coach celebrates his 52nd birthday with 52 laps

By Alfredo Wolfermann STAFF WRITER

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HYSICAL EDUCATION teacher and soccer coach Michel Fotso has been a distance runner, soccer player, track runner and jumper.

New to the school, he has gained special attention around the month of December.

Ever since he was 34 years old he has been running a track lap for every year of his life on his birthday. On December 9th, Fotso ran a total of 13 miles after running 52 laps on the school track.

“It represents how many years I’ve been on this Earth, all those laps. If I’m 15, I run 15 laps, if I’m 50, I run 50 laps, if I’m 45, I run 45 laps,” Fotso said.

Fotso says that his idea came from a lady named Emily, a friend who he had met with to run laps around the Coral Park High School track together.

Unfortunately Emily passed away from cancer many years ago. To try and honor her memory, Fotso began to celebrate

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life each and every birthday by running laps around a track. He says it is a way of not only celebrating the runs that he had with his friend, but also a way to celebrate his life on this Earth, and to celebrate the years that unfortunately Emily was never able to see.

As running has always been a consistent part of his life, Fotso hopes to instill this love for exercise and sport in the minds of the hundreds of students he sees every day. With multiple 5k’s, 10k’s and over 8 marathons under his belt, Fotso says that running has allowed him to stay fit and to this day allows him to go through his countless daily activities without the discomfort of fatigue. He says that in the days prior to his birthday he discloses to his students that he will complete a long run, and explains the reason why.

He encourages his students to celebrate with him and run with him; to

I want to be able to be an example, to motivate students to be able to achieve.

-Michel Fotso, PE instructor

do as many laps as they can, but to not cheer him on. In his mind the run is a personal celebration, not a competition, and thus, he is not a competitor that students should clap for.

“I just want to show them that it is possible. If at 52 I am able to do it and you are still 15, you could do a lot more than you think you can do,” said Coach Fotso.

He wishes to motivate his students to find something that motivates them and keeps them in shape.

Originally a teacher at Coral Park High School, he promised to go back to the school and run there. True to his promise, on the Saturday of that week he ran the same 13 miles all over again at the Coral Park track, inviting any students who wanted to run with him.

Fotso was delighted to run the 13 miles with former students and current athletes on the school’s cross country team.

Just put it through the uprights

National Football League (NFL) kickers struggle to accomplish the one task they are paid to do Sutton Payne

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

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HE PREVIOUS NOTION OF an extra point being a “walk in the park” has been thrown away by the underachievement of National Football League (NFL) kickers this year. Following the introduction of the extended extra points; from the 15-yard line to the 33-yard line, kickers have struggled to kick the football through the goal posts. However, their problems only begin there, as these placekickers have failed to make field goals too. With only one play to execute and one action to carry out, fans have been caught looking for answers.

Seemingly the most basic call in the playbook, the field goal has been a fairly easy way for teams to put points on the board. However, following in the footsteps of the horrid trend started last year, kickers continue to show a reccuring pattern of missed kicks.

The descent is believed to have started with a missed 27-yard attempt by former Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh last season, ending his team’s run during the playoffs. Continuously this year has brought even worse luck for kickers.

Week 11’s total of 12 misses through Sunday’s games is four more than the total number of points after touchdowns (PATs) missed in all of the 2014 season.

According to ESPN, since 1985 no more than 10 extra points have been missed during a single week of the football season.

Teams’ field goal percentages have also experienced a plummet from last season as the number of field goal attempts on fourth down, rather than punting, have increased. Although the number of field goal attempts have increased, this should not result in a failure for kickers to hit their mark.

DID YOU KNOW? Former Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas completed 8 successful field goals in one game, the most in NFL history.

Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Although it appears unique, this has happened in the NFL before. In 1974, the league transferred the goalpost from the goal line to the endline. The 10-yard transition may have not seemed drastic at the time, but evidence showed a decrease in kicking percentage that went well below 90%. It would take many years for the percentage to return to its normal state.

The current performance of kickers can be a potential indicator that the situation could arise again. If the pattern is not broken, it could be years before kickers become accustomed to the new kicking distance.

The placekicker’s reliability has been under serious speculation due to their inaccuracy this season and the extra point extension has also posed an answer to why they are having so much trouble putting the ball through the goalpost.

The Scene 24

Shred on over to Lot 11 skate park

Since it’s unveiling in April, Lot 11 has become the primary headquarters for local skaters looking for a good time

By Mariam Vela STAFF WRITER

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IAMI’S NEWEST CONCRETE metropolis, Lot 11, is perched right underneath an I-95 overpass in the heart of Downtown Miami. Opened last year, this not-forprofit skate park is the first of its kind in Miami since the Red Bull park beneath the I-395, which closed more than two years ago. Prior to its opening last year, partners Nick Katz, Danny Fuenzalida and Richie Effs went to city hall in hopes of obtaining a grant in order to initiate construction of the park. Shortly after, Miami commissioners

SKATE SKILLS: The Law 11 skate park is now home to skaters of all ages, allowing them to practice their talents in an inviting, open, skate-friendly location.

ultimately concurred to grant them $600,000 in city money for the project.

The asphalt paradise features a multitude of obstacles, from ledges and mini ramps to skate boxes and launch ramps. Lot 11 can appeal to the most experienced skaters, amateurs and even those who recently picked up a board for their first time.

The $1.45 million project now harnesses the attendance of the majority of the Miami skate community, and its location has proven to be the key reason for that. Prior to the opening of Lot 11, skaters like sophomores Alex Yelamos, Markel Valmana, Timothy Lamb and Adrian Flores had to travel all the way to West Kendall and skate at a local park, which was extremely inconvenient and put a strain on the frequency of their skating sessions. Now, however, they can easily access the metro right after school and head to the space for a long and productive session.

“I think it’s great they finally built a park near Gables…now we all have a place we can be at in less than 10 minutes to meet up and have fun,” Yelamos said.

The park’s location is ideal in terms of convenience. Adjacent to it and one block down is a Miami Dade County (MDC) Bus stop, and approximately 2-3 blocks away is the Government Centre, a station for the MDC Metro. Not only are both forms of transportation easily accessible, they are also extremely affordable, a major bonus, especially for high school students.

“Lot 11 has become our most frequent hang-out spot...because of the

really unique set of obstacle courses and the older skaters who are always offering some pointers to help us out,” Flores said.

Another perk of having a centrally located skate park close to various forms of public transportation is the newfound interest among locals in the sport as a whole. As a result of the opening of Lot 11, older members of the skate

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“Lot 11 has become our most frequent hangout spot...because of the really unique set of obstacle courses and the older skaters who are always offering some pointers to help us out.”

- Adrian Flores, Sophmore

community have noted a prominent surge in the number of attendees to the park.

“There are definitely more skaters from a younger crowd than there were at the Kendall skate park… I think that has to do a lot with the fact that since Lot 11 opened skating has become more popular in the area,” Lamb said.

At first glance, one may be intimidated by the steep concrete slopes and the seemingly professional skaters dominating each and every obstacle. However, once submerged in the environment itself, the tone shifts from frightening to welcoming and the atmosphere becomes almost completely relaxed.

“People there either have their headphones in and are focusing on their technique or they’re hanging out with friends and enjoying the afternoon…it’s a very friendly ambience,” Valmana said.

Dubbed the new neighborhood skate park, Lot 11 has finally provided a proper facility for Miami’s talented skaters.

highlights \ Vol. 59 \ Jan. 2017 \ Pg. 25

Savory Sechuan Chinese

A midtown offering of intriguing foods from various Chinese regions comes to Miami

By Cecilia Rodriguez STAFF WRITER

dishes. Hales incorporates these flavors into everything from egg rolls to noodles to fried rice. The assortments of “Dim Sum,” savory Chinese dumplings, is extremely popular among customers.

The price range of the cuisine varies depending on the dish. If one selects a small plate from the “Dim Sum” menu, such as the “Chicken Sui Mei” and the “Pork Sui Mei Dumpling,” the price is relatively affordable, falling between $8 and $12 dollars. If entrees or larger portions of meat or noodles such as the “Stir Fried Lobster” and the “Blackbrick Peking Duck” are ordered, the price will rise to the range of $12 to $26 dollars.

Desserts and tea are also available, ranging in price from $3 to $4. Desserts stretch from chocolate and fruity in flavor, each with their own unique Sichuan twist. Such as the “Chocolate

CHINESE CHOICE: An order of orange chicken paired with tofu wrapped shrimp and accompanied by the surrounding Blackbrick bar.

Brownie Trifle” and the “Bourbon Trifle.”

Blackbrick’s hours vary daily. On the weekends they are open from 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., but one should refer to their website, midtownchinese.com, for the rest of their schedule. Only a short drive from Coral Gables, Blackbrick offers a dining adventure for those yearning to explore Sichuan Chinese flavor, décor and culture.

Cecilia Rodriguez / highlights

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STAPLE OF DOWNTOWN Miami, Blackbrick Chinese Restaurant is located at 3451 NE 1 Ave. When one arrives, they should spot fluorescent lights wrapped around the trees surrounding the outside of the restaurant, which creates a path to the glowing sign that reads “Blackbrick.”

“There is nothing like this in Miami.

Everything on the walls, the paintings, the details is here to bring the essence of China to Miami,” supervisor Genevieve Van Gyte said.

The menu consists of a few classics, as well as numerous original dishes developed by Chef Richard Hales.

Blackbrick specializes in Sichuan food, a Chinese cuisine that employs flavors and spices ranging from the Sichuan region. This particular region is known for its enhanced flavor bases and spicier

Popsicle party at Morelia’s

Morelia Gourmet Paletas provides a quick and quirkey alternative snack for those trying to cool down

By Cecilia Rodriguez STAFF WRITER

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NNOTICEABLE AT FIRST, because of its quaint size and commercial location, Morelia Gourmet Paletas is a popsicle restaurant located on 76 Miracle Mile.

When one walks into the restaurant, the first thing one sees is the brightly covered array of paletas (freshly made Latin American popsicles). The flavors

JUICY DELIGHT: Morelia offers a diverse selection of paletas, showcasing flavors such as the CapuccinoChantilly and Banana-Nutella.

Audrey Weigel / highlights

range from “Kiwi” to “Cookies and Cream,” and everything is handmade with natural ingredients. Because of this, the price fluctuates depending on whether the paletas are fruity, creamy or filled.

The restaurant has been growing in popularity due to days dedicated to giving out free paletas, dippings or toppings. Social media and word of mouth have also contributed to the restaurant’s success, especially because of its unique concept.

Chef Michelle Valvuena, explained that this establishment is different from others specializing in the art of popsicle making.

“Not only is our logo different, but there are so many different variations of popsicles, aside from the fact that

there aren’t that many popsicle places in general,” Valvuena said.

Owner Gilbert Arismendi opened the store this past October bringing a new restaurant concept to Miami by showcasing fresh, new items. He already owns three other paleta locations in South America under a different name.

Paletas range from about $3.50 to $4.50 depending on the flavor. “Fruit” paletas are $3.50, while “Creamy” paletas are $4 and “Filled” paletas are $4.50. The restaurant also offers toppings and dippings, such as “Coconut”, “White Chocolate” and “S’mores” for 75 cents each.

Morelia Gourmet Paletas not only offers an inexpensive treat, but provides a friendly, calm atmosphere for all customers to enjoy.

The Scene 26

Take a walk down Calle Ocho

Step onto Calle Ocho and discover the music, food and past times of the Cuban community

By Tatiana Campos & Karina Wu STAFF WRITERS

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ALKING DOWN CALLE Ocho, the faint aromas of fresh brewed cafecitos and hand-rolled cigars linger, tempting both tourists and Miami natives to explore the place that transports one to an old-time Cuba. Celia Cruz’s “Guantanamera” can be heard from the bars, cafés and markets that are lined up along the street. Running from 12th to 27th Ave., Calle Ocho is located in the heart of Little Havana.

“To me, Calle Ocho symbolizes a place where Cuban culture can flourish,” freshman Ana Capiro said. “For those who have Cuban roots, it gives them a taste of what their ancestors experienced in their country.”

Viernes Culturales From Viernes Culturales to trendy cafés, Calle Ocho’s warm, inviting ambiance provides opportunities to check out historic sites and popular stops among locals. Taking place every last Friday of each month between 13th and 17th Ave., Viernes Culturales, or Cultural Fridays, captivates the large

crowd that visits. With flashy art exhibits, live music performed by local bands and domino games at every corner, the lively atmosphere brings Cuban culture to life. Beginning almost 17 years ago, the festival is a collaboration between Cultural Fridays Inc., the Latin Chamber of Commerce and the Little Havana Development Authority.

Domino Park The sounds of salsa and a bustling crowd shift into a calmer atmosphere past 15th Avenue. The Maximo Gomez Domino Park is a historical and cultural landmark that serves as a meeting place for domino players of all ages.

Upon entrance, the festive domino tile decoratives and welcoming attitude of the tight-knit community can be seen.

The spirited shouts and gasps from the players showcase the thrill of the competitive game. A tradition for over 35 years, neighborhood players gather at the park and play dominos for hours at a time. Open to the public from sunrise to sunset, the park provides the opportunity to immerse oneself into Cuban culture.

ROOSTER TUNES: The embellished rooster,the first of many that can be found on Calle Ocho, marks the beginning of Little Havana.

“Going to Domino Park with my dad and playing there brought me back to my roots,” sophomore Oliver Canosa said. “Because I was born in Miami, I can’t experience Cuban culture like I could in Cuba but [the park] lets me experience this.”

Exquisito Exquisito, a Cuban café-restaurant located at 1580 SW 8 St., was founded by the Coro family in the 1970s. The family-run establishment, open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., serves homemade dishes inspired by Grandmother Coro’s recipes. From their “Pan con bistec” ($6.75) to their “Colada” (75 cents), Exquisito offers hearty Cuban meals at affordable prices.

A favorite among students is the “Vaca frita”($10.50), made with fried and shredded steak marinated in onions and paired with rice, beans and plantains.

For dessert, popular dishes include their flan ($3), guava and cheese pastelitos ($3.75), “Buñuelos” ($3.95) and “Arroz con leche” ($3). Costomers can enjoy Cuban classics surrounded by the local

KarinaWu / highlights

highlights \ Vol. 59 \ Jan. 2017 \ Pg. 27 crowd.

Tower Theater Situated right next to the Exquisito, Tower Theater attracts the attention of passersby with its bright lights and statuesque structure. Established in the 1920s, it is one of Miami’s oldest and most famous cultural landmarks.

Offering a variety of films ranging from dramas to comedies, it is known for introducing American culture to Cuban refugees. Its lavish, 20s inspired interior entices moviegoers and creates a classic feel for its audience. Tickets cost $11.50 and are available online or at the box office 30 minutes prior to the scheduled screening. Films that will be screening in the month of January include “Jackie,” an intimate portrayal of the First Lady, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, “Julieta,” a melodrama depicting the story of a woman affected by the loss of a loved one as well as the Royal Ballet’s renowned interpretation of “The Nutcracker.”

Ball & Chain Across the street, Ball & Chain, a 1930s to 1950s inspired nightclub, comes to life with vivacious bachata and jazz music performed live by Cuban musicians. Serving up a variety of Cuban dishes, including “Mariquitas de Maduros,” “Chicharrones” and “Congri Fritters,” the lively bar has earned its spot as a favorite in Calle Ocho.

Founded in the early 1930s during the Great Depression, Ball & Chain began as a saloon until it evolved into a tavern in the 1950s, hosting upcoming African American performers every night. It currently holds karaoke nights, free salsa classes and Spanish plays presented by local entertainers. It is open everyday until at least midnight.

“I think the history of Ball & Chain really resonates with the Cuban community and brings it to life,” senior Kelsey Pacheco said. “The fact that they offered equality and opportunity during the 1940s is pretty amazing. Not to mention, it brings people together, whether they’re from Calle Ocho or not.”

In the heart of Little Havana, the people of Cuba thrive off the vibrant culture and dynamic atmosphere of Calle Ocho. The painted roosters that are scattered around the streets, painted and conceptualized by artist Pedro Damian, have become cultural icons among the natives. The appealing atmosphere and popular cultural spots attract both locals and tourists, bringing a taste of Cuban culture to Miami.

Calle Ocho

Dom ino Park

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Ball &

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Death of a Dictator highlights delves into the life and death of Fidel Castro along with the Cuba he controlled for decades

Andrea Munoz/Contributor

highlights \ Vol. 57 \ Jan. 2017 \ Pg. 29

Understanding Fidel Castro’s Rule: Hero or Tyrant?

Commentary by Nicolas Burniske STAFF WRITER

CUBA’s FIDEL Castro and his communist regime are held in both warm admiration and utmost odium in the United States (US). After 57 years of dynastic rule, the Castros have had a profound influence, rippling throughout the western hemisphere and affecting the lives of millions. Raul Castro has been at the reins of power since 2008, but has done little to differentiate himself from his brother. The passing of Fidel Castro allows for a period of of reflection to decide whether his legacy is that of a tyrant or a hero.

Among his supporters are cries of the benefits of improved education, racial equality and health care, but dissidents express abhorrence towards the prevalence of abject poverty, oppression and the atrocities committed by the administration.

Since Fidel Castro came to power, Cuba has had the second highest life expectancy in Latin America at 79.1 years and a literacy rate of 99.8 percent, as per the United Nations (UN) Children’s Fund and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) respectively. According to UN’s figures, Cuba’s infant mortality rate is 31st worldwide, besting the US. This is heralded as a big success. However what is often omitted is that in 1954, prior to Castroism, Cuba ranked 13th.

Healthcare is subject to much controversy. On the surface the program is positive; all citizens have free access to medical services. Nonetheless, in keeping with typical Cuban corruption, Doctor Jaime Suchlicki from the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies

Luis Toruno/highlights

DID YOU KNOW? The Cuban constitution prohibits private ownership of media outlets and allows free speech and journalism only if they “conform to the aims of a socialist society.

Source: Freedomhouse.org

at the University of Miami explains that healthcare is a tiered system where foreigners and governmental elites have access to state of the art facilities, while the rest of Cuba must rely on the wretched conditions of crumbling infrastructure and underpaid doctors.

However, the Cuban government claims that the commercial restrictions placed on the economy by the US’s embargo has cost Cuba $753.69 billion, and that it is the sole culprit of their state of economic ruin. The Cuba Policy Foundation, a self proclaimed non partisan organization, believes lifting the embargo would earn the US up to $1.972 billion per year in economic benefits.

What must be considered in regard to all government publication is censorship. Many claims point to the Cuban government adulterating statistical reports to present a mirage of a reality to the rest of the world. Thus, it is difficult to determine the reliability of the data due to the lack of freedom, the monopolization of information and widespread government censorship.

Cuba’s censorship occurs throughout all mediums of information, especially the Internet. According to The International Telecommunication Union’s Measuring the Information Society Report, Cuba’s ranking has dropped to 129th overall, placing it behind Syria (117), China (82) and Venezuela (72). This report is regarded as one of the most reputable sources of analysis on global access to information and communication.

Political arrests in Cuba are also of great concern. “Fidel Castro’s regime jailed political prisoners at a higher rate than Stalin’s during

the Great Terror and murdered more people (out of a population of 6.5 million) in its first three years in power than Hitler’s regime murdered (out of a population of 65 million) in its first six,” according to author Humberto Fontova, a child of a Cuban exile.

According to the Cuban Committee for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, there were a total of 8,616 documented political arrests in 2015 alone. In the first eight months of 2016 there have already been over 8,505 political arrests, and these are expected to top 10,000. This is the highest rate of political arrests in various decades, so it seems as though the regime is cracking down on those critical of the communist government.

Moving forward, the US US would like to see Cuba integrate truly competitive elections with candidates other than those from the Communist Party, the release of political prisoners and the freedom for dissidents to express themselves openly. As of late, President Barack Obama’s administration has restored diplomatic relations with Cuba as well as lessened commercial restrictions. What is left to see is how these relations progress or recede under President-elect Donald Trump’s term in the White House. Trump has not been too keen on the Castros, saying that Fidel’s death “marks the passing a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades,” so future headway seems improbable.

Cuba is an edifice of controversy, and Fidel Castro’s 50-year reign has left millions at the mercy of his will. Those who praise his authoritarian rule tend to have one thing in common, they are either not from, or have never lived in Cuba. h

Source/Frommers

Insight 30

Cuban Gables students reflect on Castro’s Death

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It’s sad that [Fidel Castro] died,...he’s a human being...but my family was kind of glad that he died...when a human like him dies you’re not supposed to be that sad...he wasn’t considered a human by many, but it was still sad to me. And people celebrated his death... it didn’t affect me a lot because I had a good life in Cuba Katherine Saladrigas, freshman

I’m first generation...after having so many of my family members endure so much pain and struggle because of the government Fidel enforced, our reaction to his death was to celebrate. Not a celebration to the end of what Cuba has become because...that’s not the case...[but] the end of the person who created this is finally gone.

Melanie Guiqel, freshman

/highlights Wu

For me, [Fidel’s death] came too late. I wish it would have happened 20 years earlier so my parents and my grandparents could have been present to see it...20 years sooner would have been better for Cuba, for the people that are there and the ones that are outside of Cuba. But now, its too late. It is too late for my parents, my grandparents, and for many Cubans that died outside of Cuba.

Mercedes Verazain, history teacher

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It was nice to see that the immigrants that came here, the people who struggled so much during his reign, finally have a chance to get a peace of mind knowing that the dictator that oppressed them is finally gone...Not much progress can be made unless a large group of people, or the majority, stand up against the government and his death...Fidel never paid for the number of crimes he committed.

Olivia Pelaez, senior

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To understand the different perspectives of Castro’s death, highlights asked Gables Cubans how they feel about his regime, death and its effect on the Cuban community

My family was affluent...they took away my grandfathers job and made him work in a sugar cane factory for about 3 years, making them dirt poor up until the time they could leave...I understand why people are celebrating, its the end of an era. It personified so many bad things... people that were imprisoned, jailed and tortured because of him.

Miranda Fernandez, sophomore

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A Cuban-American Perspective on Castro’s Death Commentary by Audrey Weigel STAFF WRITER

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HEN I woke up the day after the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro had died, the sounds of my family’s Saturday morning breakfast had an undercurrent tone of excitement; I could feel the energy pulsing through my home. Walking into the kitchen, orange juice had spilled all over the counter and a pancake was burning on the stove. My mother rushed around the room, eager to tell me about the news, as she waved her Samsung in the air. The dictator that had oppressed a nation for decades and forced my own family to flee to Miami had finally died. I struggled to grasp why my mother was so enthralled by a death when she had left Cuba before she could even remember the regime. My great-grandmother had tears streaming down her face as it transformed into a smirk. She had outlived the oppressor who had tried to take away any chance she had at a better future.

As the Fulgencio Batista was overthrown by the Cuban Revolution fueled by Castro in 1959, people filled the streets of their beloved country to honor the downfall of the man who had changed Cuba from a democracy to a dictatorship. The angry mothers who had been parading in the streets carrying signs blaming Batista for killing their sons were replaced by Rebel army forces holding their guns up in the air with everyday workers carrying Cuban flags to symbolize their love for their country. My grandmother’s sobs ended the usual merry household when my grandfather was taken away from the State without any notice. The strategic government imprisoned anyone who was not a wholehearted supporter.

They tortured my grandfather in only two days leaving an imprint of a shoe on his back, bruises and other marks on his body. He was forced to sleep on the cold cell floor and given minimal food. Now, like most Cuban exiles, we perceive Castro as another corrupt leader who utilized deceit to gain power for himself and his crony friends after he publicly announced that he was in fact Communist. Nonetheless, there are still Cubans who believe that Fidel really was a beacon of hope, given the

immense damage of Batista. There are some Cubans who feel indifferent to his death. To understand However, everyone I spoke to could agree that he has had an irrefutable effect on how Cuba functions, and it would not be in its current state without his influence.

Chemistry teacher Luis Bosch’s family had a similar reaction to my own. He was misled to believe that the Revolution was supposed to be Democratic, and that Cuba would hold elections. When Bosch spoke on how he felt about Castro, he called him a hero. Witout hesitation, he elaborated that since the age of 5, when Castro came to power, he has had to recognize a difference between the Castro of his youth, a savior, and the Castro who died, an oppressor. Jacob Forever employs an extended metaphor throughout his song, “Hasta Que Se Seque el Malecón [when the Malecón dries up],” to symbolize that until the five mile seawall dries up, Cubans will not stop having fun.

“We have been waiting for [his death] for years and years, right?

Everybody, every Cuban, says well, ‘cuando Fidel se muera, no? [when Fidel dies, no?]’ That’s like ‘Cuando Se Seque el Malecón’. To me, that is what that song means. That in that sense, that was a rap musician sort of putting in a metaphor for the end of the Communist regime,” Bosch said. “It [his death] makes me feel like I am old, because Fidel was the old man and I was the child when he came to power and now that he’s dead, that makes me the old man.”

Senior Hansel Caudales opinion regarding Fidel was strong, it was obvious that Caudales had a lot to say about his death. After interviewing him, I realized that it was because his great grandfather and his grandfather were held as political prisoners, tortured in a Military Unit to Aid Production (UMAP) in the early 1960s simply because they dared to speak publicly against Castro’s Communist ideals.

UMAPs were agricultural labor camps instilled to facilitate free labor for the State and to punish young people who refused to support Castro. These camps were known for their forced labor, lack of decent sleeping conditions and scarce food. Caudales’ great grandfather was heavily impacted by these tortures and eventually died, while his grandfather

was traumatized for the rest of his life.

“There is no doubt that the pain that [Fidel] inflicted in the Cuban people will never go away. As a proud Cuban that I am, I feel extremely happy that the beginning of the end has finally come after many years of suffering of the Cuban people.

His death represents a turning point in Cuban and Latin American history,” Caudales said. “His death gives all of us, lovers of freedom, hope that our country will be prosperous once again and free from those Communist absurd policies.”

After speaking with fellow Cuban Americans in an attempt to understand their perspective after Castro’s death, I begun to grasp my own family’s emotions towards Castro. I had never attempted to understand how my Cuban history altered my current life. While the United States is our home, our heritage lies in a dictator. I may have pancakes and orange juice for breakfast, but Cuban coffee and bread are remnants of my life, not forgotten but instead pertinent. h

Luis Toruno/highlights

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