Issue 3, Vol.61

highlights

December 2020

IN THIS ISSUE THE ART OF COSPLAY Page 6

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS Page 20

THE EDUCATIONAL DIVIDE

Issue 3, Volume 61 | Coral Gables SHS | 450 Bird Road, Coral Gables, FL 33146

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highlights editorial board Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor Adviser Business Manager Social Media Manager Content Editor Features News Opinion Sports The Scene Insight Online

Alexandra Torres Hanna Ebrahimi Aya Hamza Melissa Gonzalez Natalia Pallas Grace Rodriguez Marta Rodriguez Nataly Rabelo Alma Martinez Sharon Florez Sara Ebrahimi Arianna Peña Isabella Villarroel Isabella Morales & Gregoire Winston

staff writers Penelope Acevedo Camila Aitken Alexander Brazda Daniela Calderon Cristel Cantarero María José Cestero Natalie Falls Alia Gamez Emilys Gil Fernando Largaespada

DeeAnne Montero Alexa Orozco Dani Parra del Riego Addys Plata Olivia Rebull Alexandra Roa Marcela Rondon Rafael Sans Maya Shah Austin Yagoda

contributors Scan to see all of Issue 3’s contributors!

publication policy 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 by 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 priorreview by administration or district personnel and as such, all content is determined by and reflects the views of the student staff members only. highlights welcomes reader feedback. All letters should be addressed to highlightscghs@gmail.com with the subject line “Letter to the Editor.” highlights reserves the right to publish any letter sent.

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In this issue

pg.27

Olivia Rebull / highlights

features 4 5

Unique cultural celebrations Pilot Jose Gonzalez reaches new heights

news 9 Miami unveils affordable housing plan 11 How has COVID-19 affected extracurriculars?

opinion 12 16

Labeling in the LGBTQ+ community Dangers of Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation

sports 20 22

The Darcangelos: like mother like daughter Noa Belehssen: kicking it Capoeira style

the scene 25 26

Get your selfie on at Miami’s Selfie Museum highlights’ holiday guide

insight 28

The educational divide: STEM vs. humanities

fall sports

Courtesy of Mia Crabill

ONE ON ONE: Varsity basketball players Shamary Contreras and Mia Crabill practice their ball handling skills.

Isabella Morales / highlights

SENIOR NIGHT: Senior Madeline Cohen receives her flowers and crowns after a victorious volleyball game on Nov. 19.

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RIGGER WARNING: THIS commentary contains mention of trauma that may be distressing to some.

Trauma is like a low buzz in the background — sometimes we don’t even notice it, but sometimes, it screams in our ears and we don’t know when it will be quiet again.

For those living with trauma, it’s the seemingly random, common things — a song in a coffee shop, the smell of rubbing alcohol, the purple hoodie collecting dust on the top shelf — that convince our brains and body we’re in danger and there is no way out.

These things can be unavoidable; we often can’t escape the daily things that bring back memories of trauma. However, sometimes we can.

As mental health becomes increasingly valued by Western societies, the implementation of trigger warnings — a message presented to an audience to warn them that something contains potentially distressing material —

Isabella Morales / highlights

THRILLED TEAM: The school’s varsity volleyball players cheer on their teammates in their game against MAST Academy.

Courtesy of Karla Martinez

TIME OUT: Coach Aaron Miller talks to the school’s football team in their game against South Dade on Friday, Nov. 13.

from the editors has become more mainstream. Those opposed to trigger warnings sometimes argue that people need to face their trauma and warnings simply allow them to avoid coming to terms with the events that occurred, whether it be sexual assault or abuse, death or returning from war. While this argument holds some truth, a survivor should be able to heal from their trauma at their own pace and trigger warnings allow them to do just that without heedlessly thrusting them into the deep end.

Additionally, survivors should be able to think back on their trauma when and how they choose to. On the popular social media app Tik Tok, many users have begun sharing their trauma through satirical videos as a form of coping with their experiences. Although there are different ways to process one’s trauma, the absence of trigger warnings on these videos and other social media platforms can in turn create more trauma for others. Furthermore, according

to the American Psychological Association, vivid memories of trauma are more distressing if they happen without any warning than if the survivor intentionally thinks about the event.

This is not to say that conversations surrounding topics like sexual assault should be completely halted. In fact, I urge you to talk about mental health and trauma, but in a way that is mindful of everyone’s experiences.

While it is virtually impossible for everything to come with a trigger warning, the things that can, should. Giving a trigger warning, whether it be verbal or written, takes less than 10 seconds, and although seemingly inconsequential and overly sensitive to some, can make a world of difference for survivors of trauma.

Sincerely, Alexandra Torres, Editor-in-Chief pictures 3

CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS Students to their

explain the holidays that are unique culture and what they mean to them

BY DEEANNE MONTERO, STAFF WRITER

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HE REKINDLING OF ONE’S heritage through folktales, native dishes and decorations are just a few ways to get ready for the

holidays. While the phrase “holiday season” often refers to Christmas and Thanksgiving, many people celebrate their cultures through different ethnic

traditions. Freshman Melody Abbassi and sophomore Samuel Sommer share the celebrations they take part in and the significance they hold to them.

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As flowers bloom and nature begins to revive, freshman Melody Abbassi celebrates the Iranian New Year, ‫زورون‬, or Nowruz, which marks the first day of new beginnings. Originating from Iran, Nowruz begins on spring equinox — the first day of spring — and lasts a total of 13 days which Abassi celebrates alongside her loved ones.

During these 13 days, Abbassi celebrates the tradition of Eid Didani that consists of visiting loved ones. Other traditions that Abbassi and her family celebrate include buying and wearing new clothes along with cleaning the house. These traditions represent starting fresh and adding to an individual’s happiness.

The traditional dish eaten is sabzi polo ba mahi, which is fish and rice, that manifests prosperity for the new year.

“To me, Nowruz is like a new chapter of my life each year. I get to think about

the things I want to change and the things I want to do,” Abbassi said.

The most significant tradition Abbassi participates in is creating a sofre haftsin — a symbolic table which includes seven elements whose names start with the letter S. The sofre haftsin is believed to bring good luck as each item symbolizes a hope for the new year.

If it were up to Abbassi, she would like the holiday to last beyond 13 days because she values the quality time spent with her family and friends. Abbassi hopes to keep the same positivity and traditions alive by passing down traditions through generations.

“Nowruz plays an important role in uniting families and friends. Even if we do not get the chance to see each other, when we call each other just to say congratulations, we are somehow building a bond or a connection once again,” Abbassi said.

Hanukkah: Samuel Sommer

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Sommer and his family play unique games such as poker and Texas Hold’em, which he claims adds a fun twist to the traditions.

Additionally, there is no forgetting the delicious traditional foods such as latkes or potato pancakes, which are Sommer’s favorites because of their unique shape.

Although Hanukkah is not as widely celebrated as Christmas in the United States, Sommer deems it the runner up of the season.

“I see that it’s really about spending time with your family, as I [witness] everyone around me growing up with me,” Sommer said.

He holds high respect towards the Hannukah traditions and wishes to continue its importance through his own lifetime. h

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As blue and white decorations are taken out of the closet, sophomore Samuel Sommer and his family eagerly prepare for Hanukkah. As the only cousin to live in Miami, Sommer values the time spent with relatives during the holiday, where special memories are made.

“When you celebrate with [family], it gives you the full feel of the holiday,” Sommer said.

Sommer learns about the history of Hanukkah on the first night, gathering to pray and the lighting of the Hanukkiah. The Hanukkiah consists of nine candle holders where the middle candle lights up the eight candles that represent the eight days of celebration. Families tend to follow the traditional spinning of the dreidel, however

New Altitudes

Senior Jose Gonzalez’s love of flying has led him to obtain his own pilot license and fly across Florida

BY ALEXANDER BRAZDA, STAFF WRITER

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LUE SUNNY SKIES AND SMALL white clouds encompass the airplane as it soars through the air at thrilling speeds. This is a comforting view for senior Jose Gonzalez while he sits in the cockpit, hands on the controls. For Gonzalez, a combination of skill and dedication helped achieve his life-long goal of getting his pilot’s license.

Gonzalez first began taking flight lessons at 15 years old but took an interest in flying when he was eight. He vividly remembers going to the airport with his father, where they would watch airplanes fly through the air. When they would go on flights, Gonzalez would eagerly ask to explore the cockpit and speak to the pilots.

Gonzalez learned to fly for the first time with a private flying instructor who taught him the basics of how to fly a plane, including how to get the plane into the air and how to land it. He believes one-on-one lessons were a

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HOME TALK

The highlights staff records what students are talking about during online class sessions.

more effective learning method considering he could go at his own pace and focus completely on improving his abilities.

After a hiatus of a little over a year, he started receiving lessons from a new instructor at Miami Executive Airport this past summer and he practiced every day. He has flown to places all across Florida such as Marco Island, Key West, Cape Canaveral and Naples.

“I do not think flying comes naturally.

Once you start doing it and practicing it, you can feel like you are really good at it, but there is always room to improve,” Gonzalez said.

“I would never have been the pilot I am today with all the stuff I have learned If I did not practice.”

When he flew by himself for the first time, he was thrilled to see his dreams take off as a pilot, but also nervous to be up in the air completely by himself. When he flies, he is able to experience the world from a different angle — both physically and metaphorically.

Gonzalez’s only bad experience while flying so far was when he got caught in bad weather, forcing him to reroute from Miami Executive Airport to the Opa-Locka airport.

However, he turned this negative experience into a learning opportunity, teaching him that safety is the number one priority before he takes off.

Gonzalez has decided to pursue his dreams of piloting further. As a senior, he has already applied to colleges, many of which are aviation schools where he can focus most of his time becoming a pilot. Subsequently, Gonzalez hopes to be recognized for obtaining his

private pilot’s license at such a young age compared to everyone else. He has already begun preparing for the long-term future of becoming an airline pilot.

“I am very proud of this accomplishment because I know first hand that flying a plane is not for everybody and that it takes a special dedicated individual with nerves of steel to do this,” Gonzalez’s father, Jose Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez’s biggest inspiration is his father who he believes to be his number one supporter. Like his son, Gonzalez’s father had an interest in flying at a young age and earned his pilot’s license. However, he thought of flying as more of an interesting hobby than a career choice. His father has aided him throughout the long process of dedication and hard work towards getting his license.

Through the constant encouragement of his friends and family, he was able to reach his goal and believes anyone can do the same.

“Flying an airplane is like strapping on your own pair of wings and you can go almost anywhere in the world,” Gonzalez said. “It is all about safety, dedication and perseverance.”

While Gonzalez has practiced nonstop and made plans for the future, he acknowledges that this is a very difficult career choice and he will have to prove his abilities to become a pilot. As a 17-year-old who seems to have his career path already planned out, he hopes to inspire the younger generation of curious minds similar to how his father inspired him. h

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“I ain’t ever heard of two good presidential candidates, it’s always one of ‘em got to be bad.”

“I put the cow emoji next to his name in my contacts to remind me that he’s bad for me, like dairy.”

“LinkedIn is the dating app for Type-A people.”

“I get more likes on the GroupMe app than on Instagram.”

“The inside of my brain sounds like TV static.”

“Mom, can you please be nicer to me? This is my first pandemic.”

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The Art Art of OF Cosplay Cosplay THe Students cosplayers share their experiences in cosplay, from their original inspirations to the preparations of their costumes

BY ALIA GAMEZ, STAFF WRITER AND ISABELLA MORALES, CO-ONLINE EDITOR

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FTER HOURS OF PUTTING ON makeup and meticulously deciding what to include in the perfect outfit, it is finally time. Walking out the door with their costumes, cosplayers are proud to display their passion for dressing up.

Cosplay — being a combination of the words “costume” and “play” — is an act of individuals wearing costumes and accessories to represent a certain character of their choice.

Although the most common cosplay characters are from the anime and Marvel universe, many

individuals use their individual interests as inspiration for their costumes.

The final costume brings a sense of satisfaction to cosplayers because of the overall experience that is brought with it, making their adoration for this activity even stronger.

Finding inspiration in elements of life as well as their own personal interests, many cosplayers dedicate time to putting together costumes since it often provides a personal platform to carve their individuality.

Additionally, participating in cosplay brings together a welcoming community of individuals who have similar interests and encourage one another to continue dressing up.

Escaping to a world of their own, seniors Carolina Blanco and Emellie Ferrer have developed a passion for cosplaying, where they express their love for portraying their favorite fictional characters by using their inner creativity to create costumes that are uniquely their own.

Rushing to put on a blonde wig, a green dress with white puffy sleeves and a large bow, senior Carolina Blanco no longer looks like herself. Instead, standing in her place is Sonia Nevermind, a character from the multimedia story “Danganronpa.” Fueled by her fascination with Japanese media since her preteen years, Blanco shares her individuality by cosplaying her favorite fictional characters.

When Blanco completed her first cosplay as Nevermind — a character she often comes back to — she tried to keep this pastime a secret from those around her. Now a senior, she has mastered the art of disguise, spending the last four years practicing how to better her work; letting cosplay motivate her to push forward.

Blanco first picked up a

costume in middle school after seeing it often on social media and thought it would be a fun way to practice her makeup skills and grow her confidence.

Labeling herself a “casual cosplayer,” Blanco uses budget-friendly materials to transform herself from a typical student at the school into a selection of characters from all sorts of storylines.

“At first I just did it because it looked super fun, but as time passed, I saw myself growing more passionate about cosplay; which has made me slowly gain professionality,” Blanco said.

Putting numerous hours into her costumes, she has improved her skills tremendously. She watched dozens of tutorials, interacted with others in the cosplay sphere and practiced consistently. Blanco has promoted her skill set and engaged with the cosplay community through Instagram and by attending conventions. She posts the costumes she puts together on her Instagram @_pastelcaro.jpg_.

Her interest in characters is only a part of what motivates her to perform.

If a character becomes popular, Blanco will cosplay them if not for herself, for her fans.

“Through social media, I am able to share something that has allowed

me to grow into the person I am today; I want to inspire others just like I was inspired years ago,” Blanco said.

With dozens of character portrayals under her belt, she can bring to life a more accurate version of her desired persona. She has learned that to not break the bank, she should buy versatile pieces. Whether it be wigs, skirts or shoes, Blanco believes these staples be worn while depicting more than one character.

Blanco gets the ideas for which characters she will portray through her many hyperfixations, anime, videogames and Japanese comic books called mangas. Blanco meticulously plans her cosplay weeks ahead.

In an action called “cosplans,” she chooses the character that she wants to bring to life and goes on to see what pieces she will need.

Blanco searches her closet for accessories similar to the character’s and if she does not have any, she will order from online sellers or ask her friends to borrow pieces. Given that Blanco wants to do the character justice, she searches for the closest copy and is not afraid to experiment with hand-making her pieces.

Cosplay may be a portal to another world for Blanco, but that is not its only purpose.

The confidence she has garnered through makeup as well as ensembles, originally done by others, have helped Blanco become a person of her own. She plans to continue with her passion as she graduates from the school next year by crossing off cosplays from her dream list.

Carolina Blanco

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experience wonderful and leaves Ferrer feeling satisfied.

“When people compliment my outfit or just encourage me to continue doing cosplay, it leaves a warm feeling in my heart. It is amazing to see people with happy expressions telling me that they love what I did,” Ferrer said. “I truly appreciate all of it because sometimes people do not realize how long or how much effort is put into cosplay.”

For Ferrer, cosplay goes beyond just dressing up as a fictional character, but the experience that is brought with it. Using this hobby as a way to express her admiration for these characters, Ferrer hopes to continue doing cosplay for as long as she desires. h

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allows Ferrer to expand her options of who she can dress up as. Additionally, it allows for less expensive costumes and a wider variety of stores she purchase from.

Regardless of the expenses, Ferrer still devotes a lot of her time and dedication toward making these costumes and putting them together to see the best end-product.

Whether it is choosing the right color-scheme or creating hand-made parts of her costume with colored cotton fabrics, it takes hours and often days to prepare for a cosplay.

“The preparation time really depends on the costume I am doing. The most difficult cosplay I have ever done was Mary Poppins.

It took my mom and I over a week to find the right skirt and shirt,” Ferrer said.

In addition to taking pride in cosplaying, Ferrer also dedicates a lot of her time to the makeup aspect of cosplaying.

“I love doing my makeup; it is a huge part of my life. Whenever I dress up and put everything on, I feel so much happier in my cosplay outfits. It truly does make me joyous,” Ferrer said.

Ferrer’s happiness when cosplaying is not only fueled by the cosplay itself but also the community that is consequently brought together. On many occasions, Ferrer is complimented for her cosplay, which makes the overall

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Inspired by Disney and Marvel characters, senior Emellie Ferrer combines her creativity and deep admiration for fictional icons in designing her cosplays. From Peter Pan to Captain America, Ferrer has dressed up as many fan-favorite characters and hopes to continue dressing up as many more.

Since starting cosplay four years ago, Ferrer has used the creativity forum as an outlet to express and understand more of herself as a person. By dressing up as a character, Ferrer sees this as an opportunity to portray her favorite personas all while finding pleasure in feeling like another individual.

“Cosplay to me is being able to express myself and overall just be happy in my costumes and outfits. I am able to dress up as whoever I want, which I just absolutely admire and I find much enjoyment in it,” Ferrer said.

Unlike many cosplayers, Ferrer prefers to participate in Disneybound cosplay, which is a form of cosplay that involves incorporating certain aspects of a character into regular outfits, rather than fully representing a character with a costume.

“I really like cosplaying using cuter outfits and since I am not really one to cover my entire body with a costume, I just Disneybound a version of the characters. I wear clothes that, when combined, are a good representation of who I am cosplaying,” Ferrer said.

Using the Disneybound style of cosplay

How to to cosplay CosPlay How 1. Choose a character and create a plan.

2. Gather the staple pieces to the outfit.

3. Wear it out and enjoy yourself!

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NEWS

highlights

BRIEFS

BY AUSTIN YAGODA, STAFF WRITER UPCOMING MONORAIL EXPANSION

FLORIDA’S MOBILE DRIVERS LICENSES

COVID-19 CASES LEAD TO CURFEW

A PLAN FOR A NEW MONORAIL route connecting Miami and Miami Beach along the MacArthur Causeway was recently voted upon by Miami-Dade County (MDC) commissioners and passed 10 to 2.

The county entered a $14 million deal with the investment firm that also funded the Port of Miami tunnel. This deal calls for 18 months of planning, after which it will be finalized and construction will begin.

“I think the monorail would be a great addition to our city and would greatly alleviate traffic along the few bridges leading to Miami Beach,” sophomore Diego Gomez said. h

STARTING IN 2021, FLORIDA WILL allow digital driver’s licenses on phones and mobile devices. The licenses will feature special security measures that can be validated by officials. The mobile license will also function as identification in other states and foreign countries.

An official release date for the final product has not yet been announced by the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.

“If the new licenses are really able to be verified by officials, then it would be a much safer and harder to lose alternative than physical licences,” sophomore Andrew Lee said. h

ON OCT. 12TH, A NEW CURFEW was put into place, after recent spikes in COVID-19 cases, which is set to last from midnight to 6 a.m. every day. For those under the age of 17, the curfew extends from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Sunday night to Friday morning.

There are some exceptions to this rule which include having written permission to be out by a legal guardian or returning from an event which began before 10 p.m.

“I definitely think a county-wide curfew is a necessary step to take in order to ensure the safety of the county. It would just be something that we need to get h

FOLLOW US ONLINE FALLING INTO FUN Fun activities that can be done socially-distanced.

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DECEMBER, PEARL HARBOR DAY BOBA BITES AND ASIAN DELIGHTS Explore a traditional Vietnamese restaurant with bear-shaped boba and good vibes.

DECEMBER, HANUKKAH CELEBRATIONS BEGIN

DECEMBER, FIRST DAY OF WINTER BREAK

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NO PERFECT BODY Common body shaming in world of social media.

Scan to visit our online content!

POWERFUL WOMEN IN HISTORY Crucial women in American History and their important roles in the government.

TEACHER FRIENDSHIPS Between classes, teachers have a hidden world of their own.

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UPCOMING DATES

CONGRATS Carlos Diaz and Patricia Passwaters have respectively, received awards for Teacher and Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Democrat Daniella Levine Cava has become Miami-Dade County’s first female mayor, after running against Republican Steve Bovo.

Miami’s new affordable housing plan

The county takes millions in losses in order to create incentive for developers to invest in this new housing deal

BY MAYA SHAH, STAFF WRITER

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IAMI-DADE COUNTY (MDC) commissioners have voted on which developers will be a part of the no-bid deals regarding the $10 transfer of acres surplus county land.

The land will be used to create affordable housing for members of the community.

Many MDC jobs are centered on hospitality and tourism, thus the lack of travel due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has harmed the economy. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity reported a 14.5% rise in unemployment in May 2020 and an estimate of 1.4 million additional Floridians out of work. This has created a housing insecurity problem in MDC. According to the Aspen Institution and the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project, 28.9 to 39.9 million Americans in rentedhouseholds are at risk of eviction in 2020.

The Housing Advocacy Action Committee and other housing advocacy groups for MDC are pushing for the county to have a plan to transform excess land into low-cost homes for years.

“The government is taking a necessary step in the right direction to better the community and help lower-income families,” junior Gloria Reyes said.

Habitat for Humanity and Elite Equity have secured multiple acres of county land outside of Homestead. Habitat for Humanity is a non-governmental organization that brings resources and volunteers

together to build homes for impoverished families. Both have begun generating projections for the housing they will build.

Habitat for Humanity has planned on converting a 10-acre plot of land

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THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING A NECESSARY STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO BETTER THE COMMUNITY AND HELP LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES. GLORIA REYES, JUNIOR into 70 townhouses and duplexes.

Elite Equity will partner with the Housing Trust Group to construct a 200 unit apartment complex on five acres of land. MDC has regulated that for this development program home prices must stay at or below $205,000 and must be sold only to buyers who meet income criteria. Both Habitat for Humanity and Elite Equity have agreed to sell all of their homes under the $205,000 limit.

“This is our mission; to assist lowincome families reach their dream of

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IT IS A GREAT THING THAT UNINCORPORATED LAND ... WILL NOW BE INHABITABLE, THIS IS THE RIGHT CALL FOR THE COUNTY.

homeownership,” Chief Executive Officer at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami Mario Artecona said. “To date, we have built close to 1,400 homes in [MDC].”

The county’s $10 no-bid deals often transfer more modestly valued, smaller plots of land; however, exceptions were made in this circumstance. No-bid deals allow developers to go directly to the commissioner and deliver their pitch for land inside their district, thus allowing for a less competitive procedure.

Commissioners then sponsor legislation that goes along with the deal, such as clauses that allow MDC to seize back land if it is not used for affordable housing. Commissioner and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is the only member on the board to set up a competitive process for developers seeking surplus land in District 8.

The processing of the larger plots being transferred in the $10 development deals has not been completely free of obstacles.

Unanimously, on Oct. 6, 2020, Miami-Dade commissioners approved the $10 handover of 32 lots to the Palmetto Homes Urban Development Group, however, three of the land parcels given up required federal clearance because they were former public housing properties .The board is working on legislation that will remove those lots from the deal with Palmetto Homes Urban.

MDC’s development program and $10 development deals have the potential to create housing stability for many members of the Miami-Dade community. h

How COVID-19 is impacting school-based

Due to the recent pandemic, numerous school clubs, sports and and repercussions including low attendance, decreasing particip

BY PENELOPE ACEVEDO, STAFF WRITER

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THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS significantly altered the course of the school’s extracurricular activities and events given the restrictions placed on physical interactions. While some fall sports have managed to operate in-person under CDC regulated guidelines, all clubs are holding their monthly meetings and events virtually.

Many students depend on school clubs as a source of community service and personal growth. Therefore, club sponsors as well as student leaders are creating opportunities for engagement among members.

“We have been hosting interactive meetings where members can talk to officers on the board freely and include smaller Zooms so that we can have a more personal connection with our members,” junior Jasming Senel said.

To promote virtual participation, club leaders have worked together to find creative and entertaining activities for members. In doing so, some clubs have created Quizlet lives, online contests where people try and complete a series of questions in order to win a game against fellow club members.

Key Club, in particular, is continuing to give community service hours through different opportunities such as making cards for veterans, as well as attending yoga sessions led by chemistry teacher Elizabeth Kiely.

“I would say the positives of running a club online is that it’s easier to keep events organized, as it is all online so you don’t have to worry about going anywhere,” sophomore Carla Nunez said. “The negatives however are that you can’t really meet as many people because it’s all limited on Zoom.

Due to the fact that students are both online

and physical, most clubs are now pushing their start times to 4 p.m. to accommodate students who are attending school physically. This ensures that everyone can make it to club events on time. Clubs are also using Microsoft Teams to communicate with their members and

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WITH THINGS ONLINE, IT’S MORE DIFFICULT BECAUSE WE’RE NOT ABLE TO TALK TO PEOPLE MORE INFORMALLY AND WITHOUT THE WHOLE GROUP ISABELLA RODRIGUEZ, SENIOR disclose club meeting dates and community service opportunities. Along with that, almost all clubs have a form of social media accounts where they can promote their club and show off the benefits of being a part of that club.

Unlike clubs receiving funding from their members, sports teams often rely on ticket sales to provide necessary funding for their respective teams. The limitations on in-person attendance at sports games restrict ticket sales and the future dealing with teams being able to afford new equipment. The athletic department is going to stream games for the students to watch instead. Additionally, due

students speak up

to low funding this year, parents will have to pay for equipment that would otherwise be covered by school funds. This can become a problem for low-income students.

“For the most part, participation has been equal to years past. Some students have elected not to participate, which has had a negative impact on the bowling team,” the school’s Athletic Director Louis Romero said. “Lack of participation for that particular sport has forced us not to participate this year as a school. We will see moving forward into the winter and spring.”

Strict guidelines are set in place for the students currently participating in fall sports.

For the most part, these sports have been able to carry out their practices safely. However, one major concern is transportation, as the school district has limited how many students can ride together in one bus due to the pandemic. With only 24 students allowed on one bus, transportation poses a financial concern to the extracurriculars looking to travel, as funding has lowered.

Many school events are being compromised, including prom and the junior ring ceremony.

Events like these would be difficult to do due to lack of space and CDC regulations.

“We just finished Senior Spirit Gear and we are planning a drive-thru pick up when the order arrives. We do not have anything planned for Prom, Gradbash and Graduation. I am also planning Bridge 4 Peace with IBHS,” senior class and IBHS sponsor Lauren Noval said.

Class events have been notably modified due to COVID-19. Furthermore, upcoming events will most likely be changed and impact students and teachers alike. h

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COVID-19 HAS NOT AFFECTED MY HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE THAT MUCH, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, I CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN [SCHOOL ACTIVITES].

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GOING TO SCHOOL, SEEING FRIENDS [AND PARTICIPATING IN] EXTRACURRICULARS [AND] STUDENT EVENTS PROVIDES A SENSE OF NORMALCY IN MY LIFE.

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Sienna Fakiri, freshman

extracurriculars, sports and their futures

school-wide events have all faced a great deal of challenges pation and the inability to host in-person events and meetings

quick facts IBHS

has modified their Zen garden activities to virtual Zen alternatives, like baking.

15%

is the decrease in fall football participation among students.

$20

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club, Speech and Debate, was forced to end after low enrollment.

members have gotten ill, so the team has implemented social distancing and safety protocols.

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clubs have had to turn to virtual meetings instead of physical.

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of the bowling team’s participation has declined.

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STAFF- ED: Call me queer

Gender and sexuality’s inherent fluidity has led to less of a need for constraining labels in the LGBTQ+ community

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T THE CORE OF THE language process, categorization and labeling are necessary to standardize rules and organize. Without them, learning would be virtually impossible.

However, when considering the abstract and subjective nature of human sexual and gender identities, labels can be harmful because of their power to misidentify and misrepresent human identity — most specifically, members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The pressure associated with coming out can be partially blamed on the search for a label that fits. A 2013 study executed by researchers at Princeton University suggests that the brain learns through subconscious mental categorization, naturally grouping every aspect of its environment based on the similarities between them. While labeling is naturally unavoidable, little efforts a r e being made to reduce its negative consequences. Labels pose a problem for those attempting to come out, which is not always easy — especially if they are not sure what to come out as.

“I have definitely noticed that gender queer, non-binary, trans and gender nonconforming people have a harder time coming out of the closet because of the pressure associated w i t h finding labels, due to s o c i e t y ’ s constraing gender roles,” Gables alumni and LGBTQ+ activist Josh Weiner said.

When looking at queer history, it is clear that there has been extreme oppression, discrimination and hate. It has only been until 2015 that same-sex couples were allowed to marry in the United States. Although society has made efforts to create a safer space for members of the LGBTQ+ community, discrimination and microaggressions against members still exist, such as the stigmatization of the label “gay.” People often use gay as an insult, most common among men, to imply they are not acting masculine enough for society’s standards.

“I think any time you create labels, you have the possibility of marginalizing someone

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who does not meet the [expected societal] standards for those labels,” psychology teacher Scott Nelson said.

It takes an effort from a cisgender straight person to understand how other non-straight or non-cis people could identify as such; however, this effort is not only the decent thing to do, but also necessary.

A study by YouGov, an international data analytics firm, found that 25% of people identified as something other than straight, a percentage that has grown by 5% since 2015. This recent trend demonstrates a rise in people who divert from society’s mainstream sexual identities and emphasizes the need to prmote openmindedness

and acceptance within society.

“I feel like some young sexual fluid people want to be labeled and some do not, it can be very liberating to settle with a sexuality you feel you identify with, but at the same time you could very well also never come to a conclusion, and that is perfectly okay,” Weiner said.

An inclusive term that is used to identify

one whose sexual orientation is not exclusively heterosexual or “questioning” is “queer,” which is what the Q in LGBTQ+ stands for.

While this is inherently a label, many see it as a less restrictive term for those whose gender identity or expression is not exclusively heterosexual or cis-gender. It does, however, have an unpleaseant history.

Up until the nineteenth century, “queer” was used to describe anyone who seemed odd or did not fall into societal norms and was used as an adjective to insult others. Because of this, some people refrain from using this umbrella term.

The stigma towards people who fall out of the cis and heterosexual norm remains very strong and for some people in the LGBTQ+ community, it is not easy to reclaim previously homophobic slurs.

Today, many use “queer” to refer to any individual or group that is sexually or gender fluid. This label is an example of how damaging slurs have been and the power they can hold even after being reclaimed by whichever group, person or community they were directed towards.

“Though labels often fail to properly identify people who are questioning their gender or sexuality, they allow people who do Sha ron fit their Flor ez/ high labels properly ligh ts to identify each other,” Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) club president Miguel de la O said. “Counterintuitively, though, labels also can bring more confusion than clarity; many people do not understand certain labels such as “pansexual” and it confuses those people in particular.”

A person’s identity is not something to be trifled with. Mislabeling and misgendering can trigger unwanted perceptions of oneself such as body dysmorphia. It is time to cease forcing labels on people who do not want them. To ensure fair treatment of one another, respect and tolerance must be learned. Sexuality is not as cut and dry as some people may think; it lies on a spectrum and forcing a label on someone who does not identify as that only invalidates LGBTQ+ people’s experiences and identity. h

The art of fauxpologies

As the pressure for celebrities to apologize for past actions increases, genuine apologies become less and less common

BY GREGOIRE WINSTON, CO-ONLINE EDITOR

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VERYONE LIES. IN FACT, people lie so often that that society has become accustomed to deceitful behavior. Public figures and influencers commonly issue public apologies; however their authenticity is often questioned. Claiming to feel regret is the easiest way to please their audience.

On July 8 of this year, Tik Tok star Addison Rae Easterling issued a public apology through Twitter for reposting an “All Lives Matter” video four years prior. In her apology, Easterling acknowledged the existence of systemic racism and wrote that “all lives cannot matter until Black lives do.”

While her apology seemed convincing to some, according to Insider, during her week-long break from social media, she was spotted hanging out with the Kardashian family on multiple occasions. Rather than apologizing, she chose to socialize with highstatus celebrities instead. This eight day gap was the basis of the public’s anger. HITC news reported that comments from her followers criticized the celebrity for not acting promptly once the issue resurfaced.

Without a doubt, celebrities often deceive their followers for approval and a chance at redemption. However, many fail to realize the immense public pressure that exists for celebrities to behave as role-models. Behind their public facade, they are flawed and human.

They may not always believe in what they apologize for, but instead do it out of fear of losing followers and fame.

“I truly think people should be more lenient about celebrities who lie because most of the time they are pressured into expressing opinions they do not really support,” junior Camilo Gil said.

More recently, on July 24, 2020, Representative Ted Yoho experienced a tense exchange with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the steps of the Capitol.

Following the heated discussion, Ocasio-Cortez revealed Yoho reportedly used derogatory terms, claiming that she was “disgusting” and “way out of line,” for concerning herself with issues such as crime and police reform. Five days later, Yoho presented himself on the floor of the House of Representatives to apologize for the “abrupt manner of the conversation” he had with Ocasio-Cortez. An apology that at first appeared to be genuine was ultimately deemed useless when he concluded by stating

I’m so sorry...

Alexandra Torres / highlights

“I cannot apologize for my passion or for loving my god, my family and my country.”

Yoho’s apparent change of heart emphasized not only his flawed argument but his evident lack of care for the topic at hand.

The next day, Cortez delivered a final response stating that Yoho was only there to “make excuses for his behavior.” On Twitter, Cortez proclaimed Yoho’s statement to be “verbal assault, not an apology.” Instances like these go to show that not all people take their apologies to heart, but instead apologize because it is what is expected of them.

Fauxpologies, or fake apologies, are becoming

so typical that people are no longer shocked at these declarations. Since these untruthful comments are now considered the norm, people have a natural inclination to doubt public apologies.

“Regardless of who is lying, it is pretty sad that they feel the need to fake an apology just to keep up with their fans and not fall under the map,” junior Joshua Jackson said.

A more well-known fauxpology scandal was that of Ellen DeGeneres, who was recently in the midst of multiple workplace accusations, including sexual harassment, racism and sexism. As reported by NPR, the allegations led to the firing of three producers, as well as a significant blow to DeGeneres’ own reputation.

In order to repair the damage, the TV star opened her 18th Season acknowledging her mistakes, and taking“responsibility for what happens at [her] show.” According to psychologist and body language expert Bruce Durham in The Mirror, the apology could not be farther from genuine. DeGeneres’ multiple jokes and humor were understood by Durham as a way to distract the audience in an attempt to “bring [them] back on board.” Durham stated that her use of comical diction served as a means of diverting attention away from the allegations.

While public apologies might not be all conspicuously false and ill-intentioned, in a world where image comes over authenticity, it is no surprise that celebrities actively apologize for matters they have little concern for. These many attempts to regain public approval might seem sincere, but their ambiguous appearance only worsens public trust and genuine feelings.

At the end of the day, the sincere apology is dead. h

opposable thumbs Travis Scott Burger “A mediocre burger with a famous name.”

- Camila Aitken, Staff Writer

Something I’ve never seen “Two pretty bestfriends.”

- Marcela Rondo, Staff Writer

Birds “Do birds fly for fun or are they always on a mission?”

- María José Cestero, Staff Writer

opinion

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TWO VIEWS: Problems with the presidentia

The position of president is viewed as the ultimate examp elected president does not reflect this model citizen. Shou COMMENTARY BY MARÍA JOSÉ CESTERO, STAFF WRITER

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S THE s u p r e m e leader, the President of the United States of America should be a person of distinction from the rest — one who represents, exemplifies and surpasses representative characteristics of a U.S. citizen. Though the American dream emphasizes individuality and achievements through hard-work, the president should meet certain obligations and demands for the people of the United States to feel confident in their leader.

Aspiring to be president is more attainable than perceived, as the Constitution only has three requirements for the position: the candidate must be at least 35 years of age, a natural-born citizen and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. These specifications do not require any education-based merits, allowing anyone without experience or knowledge in the world of governance to run for the position.

Political science, or politilogy, by its dictionary definition, is a branch of social science which deals with systems of governance. Political scientists concern themselves with basic questions about the law, government, morality and humanity, all globally important concepts. Yet, to become president, it is not necessary to have a political science degree, despite the fact that it teaches the principles that the president must encounter on a daily basis.

YES

“Experience at the federal level in my opinion should be a must,” government teacher Frank Cipriani said. “Ideally, a candidate would have legislative experience, be a current or former governor and have diplomatic and international experience as perhaps the Secretary of State or an ambassador.”

The seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, was known as a “representative of the common man,” and was distinguished from previous presidents because he came from poverty and founded the Democratic Party. However, his past actions showcase how education and experience should be inexorable specifications for candidacy.

As reported by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Jackson came to be known among the public as “King Andrew the First” as he continuously acted without congressional approval and exceeded the president’s constitutional power on several occasions.

His presidential cabinet also acquired the nickname “The Kitchen Cabinet” because he perpetually confided and sought political advice from friends, which later became known as the corrupt “Spoils System.”

Unfortunately, the lack of education needed to run for president has foiled other countries’ views of the United States as a nation. After the performance of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential debate, many countries have frowned upon the candidates’ nearly childish behavior which has effectively made the United States’s international image look like a dysfunctional joke, as per the Chicago Tribune. What was once the image of prosperity and greatness,

students speak up

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THE STANDARDS FOR PRESIDENT ARE GOING TO DECREASE IF WE KEEP LETTING UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE RUN FOR THE POSITION. Jose Sanchez, senior

the U.S. has slowly lost its auspicious reputation due to aspiring representatives not being fully prepared or knowledgeable enough to campaign for the position.

“An election debate in the States last night, where interruptions and quarrels were allowed to fill up way too much,” D a n i s h Prime Minister M e t t e Frederiksen s a i d on Facebook.

“Fortunately, this is not the case in Denmark. And I never hope it will be like that.”

The U.S. Constitution has brought the United States an abundance of success and triumph, but it could also be the cause of its demise if a person that is unfit to lead obtains the position of president.

It is time to amend the current Constitution so the requirements reflect the model citizen who is ready, qualified and capable to undertake the pressures and needs of the American people in a dignified, educated manner. h Sharon Florez / highlights

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ayanis Perez

INEXPERIENCED CANDIDATES COULD CAUSE HARM TO NOT ONLY THE GOVERNMENT, BUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. Dayanis Perez, junior

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ntial prerequisite

xample of American distinction, but conflict arises when an Should there be more requirements to becoming President?

COMMENTARY BY DANI PARRA DEL RIEGO, STAFF WRITER

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MART, METHODICAL, regulation-loving bureaucrat: ask anyone and most will say these are the characteristics of lawyers and politicians.

Every field of work has stereotypes of what constitutes someone fit for the job, b u t sometimes, breaking the mold is necessary for growth.

Because a president is meant t o represent t h e views and experiences of the nation as a whole, increasing restrictions on who can become president in America would stunt the nation’s growth.

According to a Pew Research Center study, 91% of Americans believe that electeds should be honest, ethical and representative of the population.

These are traits that are not exclusive to those with an education in law or politics.

Requiring that

a potential president have a degree and experience in the field does not only exclude potential qualified candidates, but it allows for the government to be even less representative.

Additionally, according to a 2015 report published by the Census Bureau, 59% of the general population had received some college education, and only one in three adults currently hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

“Requiring that [presidents have these degrees] is elitist and prevents qualified, patriotic individuals from serving their country,” freshman Myréa Ghetti said.

America’s commander-in-chief undeniably faces many stressors, as having to lead the world’s largest economy is no easy task. John F. Kennedy not only led America through many tense moments during the Cold War, but also enacted economic policies that ended the recession of 1960 and expanded both America’s economy as well as our foreign influence, as per a 2020 article published in The Balance. Kennedy’s degree was not in a political field as he graduated with a degree in business from Stanford University, yet he is often still recognized as one of the greatest presidents in history.

If the phrase “natural-born leader,” — that applies to most presidents — truly holds substance, then a formal degree and experience in these two particular fields is not a requirement to lead a country. Even those that believe that a leader is made, not born, can understand that there are still many other degrees and career opportunities where one can develop skills to become a leader fit for managing the world’s greatest economy.

“American citizens must have the

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THE VERY ESSENCE OF A DEMOCRACY SHOULD ALLOW ANY REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE TO BECOME PRESIDENT. Eugene Francisco, sophomore

freedom to run with any educational background,” senior Sarahi Acosta said.

“The current democratic system ensures the election of a qualified leader.”

G e o r g e Washington, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were all leaders that varied in their political ideology and became presidents without studying law or politics.

By requiring that a potential candidate have educational training and an established career in law or a similar field, countless veterans and patriots that have dedicated their lives to the advancement of American beliefs and ideals are stripped from the possibility of serving their nation at a greater level.

Additionally, if someone unqualified were to be voted into the highest office on Earth, then checks and balances embedded into the constitution should serve as a safeguard to prevent hasty and uninformed actions on the president’s behalf.

Studying law or political science has been the norm for presidential candidates, but it should not become the rule. By adding yet another restriction to the requirements for presidency, our democracy will continue to serve an increasingly narrow portion of the population. America is for the people, by the people, regardless of education status.

It is time to end the elitist air of mystery surrounding politics and keep politics as inclusive as possible. h

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ELECTING OFFICIALS THAT ARE EXPERTS IN OTHER FIELDS ALLOWS OUR GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF ITS CONSTITUENTS.

Briell Robinson, junior

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opinion 15

The marriage of church and state

With the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett as Supreme concept of Separation of Church and State proves to have COMMENTARY BY CRISTEL CANTARERO, STAFF WRITER

F

OLLOWING the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s in September 2020, President Donald Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett for the newly open Supreme Court Justice position. As with most nominations, a great part of the country celebrated this decision while another strongly opposed it.

Concerns over the newly nominated justice’s abilities to separate her religious beliefs from her rulings arose — and with good reason.

The Separation of Church and State was established to prevent the government from ruling and passing laws in favor of any religion.

Unfortunately, it is no secret that Christian teachings are advertised by influential politicians. Although there is no problem with exercising one’s freedom of religion, the power held by these high-status government officials obstructs the representation of those with differing religious and cultural beliefs.

Christianity, time after time, continues to be a part of policymaking, its values being forced upon U.S. citizens despite changing beliefs. The recent political atmosphere in the United States, including Barrett’s nomination, has clearly demonstrated how this “separation” has been ignored in selecting her as justice primarily for her religious beliefs.

Barrett is an established conservative w h o s e selection has everything to do with how she implements Alexandra Torres/ highlights her religion in her political decisions. During nomination, President Trump chose to overlook an important aspect: her judicial history and political position on the rights of marginalized people.

Barrett has ties to the religious organization People of Praise. According to the Associated Press, Barrett’s father was the principal leader of People of Praise and her mother was an

16 opinion

active member. This organization is known to have expelled members for identifying with the LGBTQ+ community. Craig Lent, the head of People of Praise, told the South Bend Tribune that members who did not acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community as “ongoing, deliberate, unrepentant wrongdoing” would be removed from the group.

Although Barrett claimed during her second confirmation hearing that she never has or would discriminate against anyone because of their sexual preference, People of Praise i s the religious environment she was brought up in and whose beliefs she has not publicly denied following.

The New York Times acquired a membership directory of People of Praise in which she was listed as “handmaid,” or community advisor, for the group’s geographical divisions.

Unsurprisingly in 2015, Barrett signed the “Letter to Synod Fathers from Catholic Women,” which states that “marriage and family founded on the indissoluble commitment of a man

on Roe vs. Wade and whether she agreed with late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s opinion that legalizing gay marriage was wrong. Barrett fails to be transparent about where she stands about controversial issues, therefore it is no surprise that members of the LGBTQ+ community are afraid of what her confirmation as Supreme Court justice means when their rights are in question.

During her confirmation, Barrett used the term “sexual preference” to describe sexual orientation. Senator Maize Hirono contended that this phrase is used against the LGBTQ+ community to infer that sexual orientation is a choice. It is understandable how Barrett’s lack of knowledge about communities outside of her own beliefs raises concerns about how qualified she is to serve as a justice that represents an entire nation.

“I think she is ill-informed and needs a very patient person from the LGBTQ+ community to educate her so she does not continue to make ignorant comments,” senior and member of the LGBTQ+ community Julia Illanes said.

In 2006, Judge Barret told the graduates of the University of Notre Dame that they should view their legal careers “as but a means to an end ... and that end is building the Kingdom of God.” Barret’s advice is not only a clear indicator that she rules with her faith, but also demonstrates her desire for others pursuing legal careers to do the same. This is dangerous for the American people because not every American shares the same beliefs, and if all Christian

Sharon Florez/ highlights

and a woman provide sure guide to the Christian life.” This, along with her hesitance to answer questions regarding her stance on LGBTQ+ rights during her confirmation hearings, raises the concern of where she stands on the matter.

During her second confirmation hearing, she refused to answer if she had any agenda

practitioners began ruling with their faith, then the American people would have to conform to teachings they do not necessarily follow.

As the U.S.’s highest judicial entity, being appointed as a Supreme Court justice is a great honor, therefore candidates must prepare thoroughly for questions regarding the U.S. Constitution. However, during her

preme Court justice, the once respected have always been an unattainable illusion

Sharon's Shenanigans The Benefits of Barking COMMENTARY BY SHARON FLOREZ, OPINION EDITOR

As the U.S.’s highest judicial entity, being appointed as a Supreme Court justice is a great honor, therefore candidates must prepare thoroughly for questions regarding the U.S. Constitution. However, during her third confirmation hearing, Barrett struggled to remember the first five freedoms granted by the First Amendment: basic civics knowledge that is required to pass the American citizenship test. This quickly raised concerns that she may be unqualified for the Supreme Court seat — one that requires her to protect citizen’s civil rights and liberties.

Barrett, a relatively new and inexperienced judge, was clearly not chosen for being remarkably

knowledgeable on the Constitution. There is no denying that her religious stance played a significant role in her selection, as it would help accomplish a long-term goal of President Trump. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump vowed to appoint justices that would overturn Roe v. Wade, a Supreme Court decision that ruled that it was a woman’s

right to have an abortion. So far, it can be said that that President Trump has nominated Barrett to meet his promise to the nation.

It seems the only qualifications Barrett has to be qualified as President Trump’s Supreme Court nomination is her alignment with Trump’s religious and political ideologies.

Otherwise, Barrett would be considered unqualified and uneducated — not at all fit to be Supreme Court justice. She has served as a judge since only 2017, and until she was nominated by President Trump, she had never worked as a defense lawyer, solicitor general or a prosecutor, according to newsmagazine Mother Jones, all jobs that would prepare Barrett to defend civil rights, liberties and those seeking justice.

In 2018, The Atlantic wrote that “evangelical leaders across the country point to [Vice President Mike Pence’s] record on abortion and liken him to a prophet restoring conservative Christianity to its rightful place at the center of American life.” Christians are continuing to push to pass more Christian legislation, completely disregarding the aim of the separation of church and state.

“I feel like politicians just pull on the most attentive subject and sensitive topic, which is religion, just to get their identity as a candidate to matter and hopefully in this case be given the opportunity to be elected,” junior Saryá Erlyne Dany said.

Faith cannot continue being a consistent part of legislation because it promotes the discrimination of marginalized people, whether intentional or not. Already, LGBTQ+ members and women face enough discrimination. Whether or not the respective candidates are religious, citizens should not have their rights threatened by Christian beliefs.

Barrett’s nomination disrespects the honor held by the Supreme Court Justice title. The separation of church and state has been set aside to appeal to the majority Christian population in the United States, setting Christianity as superior to other religions, In matters of law, religion should stay a personal matter, not a public one, for the well-being and progression of this great nation. h

Do you suffer from social anxiety?

Do you feel an overwhelming amount of pressure from societal expectations?

Luckily for you, barking is the ultimate solution to your deep-rooted fears of inadequacy.

For the record, barking is not for everyone. The edgier kids prefer to roar like beasts and act deranged in the late hours of the night — for safety reasons, of course. However, those who do choose to partake in this experimental idea will soon realize that barking is a great form of communication because it sends a clear message. Everyone around you will know that you are a force to be reckoned with.

Let’s say you are walking down a dark alley and a strange man cat-calls you — you are only three barks away from scaring him off. Without a doubt, he will be caught off-guard and think twice about messing with you. If you are in class and feeling inferior, a few barks will instantly declare you as the alpha, a superior being worthy of the utmost respect. By the end of the day, everyone will know you for the immense power you carry.

Additionally, barking offers phenomenal spiritual and mental health benefits. Guaranteed, barking releases you from all societal expectations, deepcleanses your chakras and opens your third eye. Forget meditation. Legend says that in some cases, people report experiencing major glitches in the matrix, astral projection and quantum jumping. Social anxiety? Gone. Stress? Non-existent. Panic attacks? Missing in action. How, you ask?

The answer is simple: social dominance — all for only a few barks a day.

Once you declare to others that you will not partake in their fragile perception of reality, you free yourself from set expectations. The world is all yours to take.

The system no longer compels you and you are instantly granted complete freedom and control over your life. You become the main character.

So whenever you are feeling uncomfortable or awkward, bark like a dog.

If someone is being racist or acting like a Karen, growl and snarl for extra points.

Only bite if threatened. It is your world and everyone else is just living in it. h

opinion 17

Cavaliers serve their way to victory

Securing a close victory, the girls’ varsity volleyball team defeated MAST Academy on the school’s senior night

BY MARTA RODRIGUEZ, CONTENT EDITOR

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PIKING THEIR ENERGY towards overcoming a close match, the school’s girls varsity volleyball team had a victorious senior night against the MAST Academy Makos on Thursday, Nov. 19. After starting their preparation later in the school year because of COVID-19, the school’s team excitedly took on the beginning of their season.

With family and supporters cheering on the players through a Zoom meeting and teammates motivating the girls from the bench, the game began at 5 p.m. Prepared to step on the court and put their skills like diving for the ball and overhand serves into action, the school’s team got ready to receive the other teams serve, while MAST Academy got the ball first. The school then made three touches and spiked it over, scoring the first point of the game.

“The practice before we worked as if our life depended on it, spending time working on our skills and more,” senior co-captain Deborah Eusebio said.

With a dominating first set, the school scored every point, which motivated the Makos to take their game to the next level and match the game 25-22. However, the schools’ flawless passes and serves led them to gain more points, winning the first part of the game. When the second set rolled around, the school’s team started off strong, finishing their passes with perfect spikes and blocking

HIGH HOPES: The school’s volleyball team block the MAST Academy Makos, the opposing team.

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the incoming passes from the Makos. Towards the middle of the set, the Cavaliers secured a 2 - 0 lead against the efforts of the Makos.

“Aside from the energy being displayed

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THE PRACTICE BEFORE WE WORKED AS IF OUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT, SPENDING TIME WORKING ON OUR SKILLS AND MORE DEBORAH EUSEBIO SENIOR on the court, we worked well as a team and got several amazing saves,” senior co-captain Madeline Cohen said.

MAST dominated the third set of the game, breaking the alignment of players that the school’s team had set up and forcing strong spikes through the hands of the blocking Cavaliers. Confused with a few calls made by the referees, the girls were back and MAST seized the opportunity to score even more points on them. The set finished 2 - 1, with MAST winning their first set of the game.

Coach Monica De la Vega used the break between sets as a way to motivate the players

and give them new direction. The school served the ball but lost it when MAST spiked it back, giving MAST the first point of the fourth set.

After several competitive plays, the Makos were up 11- 4. Motivated to stand her ground, Eusebio scored a couple of points, blocked two incoming passes from MAST and lifted the spirits of nervous teammates. MAST then came back, hitting the ball with stronger spikes and defensive skills as the school trailed 13 24, as the Makos secured tied the sets at 2 - 2, taking both teams to the fifth set of the game.

The last set was full of excitement and adrenaline. Both teams were close in score throughout, making one point after the other.

Outside hitter Emma Hardie served a few times, scoring a point each time she did, making the score 7 - 5. After eight quick minutes, MAST caught up, with the score being tied 12 - 12 as both teams were three points away from winning. The final point came as MAST tried to spike the ball but the school’s defenders quickly blocked the ball and sent it back to the Makos. Cheering was heard everywhere from the court, as some seniors got emotional and the whole team was relieved to win.

“I was ecstatic because people tell you that you will always remember your senior night win or loss, with the game being so close it felt amazing that I would remember it as a win,” Cohen said. h

Isabella Morales/highlights

Most valuable tunes

The school’s varsity baseball players share the stories behind why they chose their high school walk-up songs

BY NATALIE FALLS, STAFF WRITER

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motivational lyrics and high energy beats, they represent important people and experiences that drive and inspire the athletes to play baseball. Although some players see their walk-up song as a mere “hype song” or a way to get that last-minute energy boost before taking on the game, these songs

highlight the player’s individuality and help them focus. In this pre-season, highlights explores the meaning behind the walk-up songs of varsity athletes: sophomore pitcher and first baseman Justin Bohanan, junior third baseman Justin Moriña and senior catcher Andrés Arzola.

Justin Bohanan

Justin Morina

Andres Arzola

Sophomore pitcher and first baseman Justin Bohanan #22 enjoys the thrill of the game and adrenaline that accompanies walking up to the pitcher’s mound or home plate. Bohanan stays motivated to be energized and confidently take on his opponents as the song “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osborne plays in the background for all those on the field to hear.

He views his walk-up song as the perfect energy boost right before taking on the full nine-innings of the game. As he steps up to bat, Bohanan’s walk-up song calms his nerves and gives him a quick boost of confidence before taking on the opposing team.

“Crazy Train from Ozzy Osbourne was a song I picked because the song is out of the ordinary and nobody really chooses those types of songs. Crazy Train also gets my blood pumping and gets me ready to go before the games,” Bohanan said.

When stepping up to the plate, junior third baseman Justin Moriña #3 uses his walk-up song to both mentally and physically prepare for the nine-inning game he has ahead of him. Striving to keep his head in the game, Moriña’s walk-up song, “Centuries” by the Fall Out Boy, helps him focus on the ball and get motivated to do well.

Moriña sees the concept of walk-up songs as a way to express himself to his teammates and opponents alike, because some may prefer an up-beat and playful song while others lean more towards a song that instills motivation.

“It’s also just a fun unique thing they allow the players to do which we have a great time doing. A lot of thought goes into the walk-up songs,” Moriña said. “I chose this song because when choosing your walk-up song, you want something that’s going to get you in a certain mood or focused enough to be ready for your at-bat.”

Facing the stress of a new game, hearing his walk-up song inspires senior catcher Andrés Arzola #23 to play in honor of his family. Hoping to stay in line with his familial roots, Arzola’s walk-up song, “Juana La Sin Goma” by Fernando Lavoy was composed by his grandfather, a musician in the orchestra that conducted it. Arzola views the song as motivation to play the game with passion and connect to his grandfather while playing on the field.

“My grandfather plays the bongos in that song and hearing it before I step up to the plate to hit makes me feel so motivated and prepares me to play through him and through my God to ensure success on the field. He makes me proud and I just genuinely think it is very cool to hear my own grandfather’s music out loud,” Arzola said. h

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HETHER THEY ARE stepping up to the batter’s box or taking on the pitcher’s mound, varsity baseball players hear their walk-up song blaring through the speakers of the field as they get ready to play. Walk-up songs are more than

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Following in the foots

As one of the few families of multigenerational Gablettes about their love of dance and experiences in the school’s

BY ADDYS PLATA AND ALEXANDRA ROA, STAFF WRITERS

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AKING ON THE PHRASE, ‘LIKE mother, like daughter,’ alumnus Diana Diaz Darcangelo and senior Demi “Gabby” Darcangelo bond over their shared experiences as members of the Gablettes Dance Team.

Going beyond synchronized routines, precise kicks and balanced movements, the Gablettes create a long-lasting impact. Since

the establishment of the Gablettes Dance Team in 1975, team members have prided themselves on passing down their vibrant history and unique traditions. These traditions include ‘big’ and ‘little’ pairings –– when upperclassmen choose underclassmen to guide through both gifts and motivations during events.

Teammates dedicate five to six hours of

practice everyday after school. Alongside hard work not only comes rewarding success, but lifelong friendships and tools to be applied throughout life. Hoping to share her journey as a Gablette, Diaz Darcangelo looked forward to passing her passion for the team to one of her children. That dream came true when her oldest daughter took an interest in the team that helped define her high school experience.

DIANA DIAZ DARCANGELO Thirty years seems like just the other experience you could ever have the day to mother Diana Diaz Darcangelo as she privilege of doing,” Diaz Darcangelo said. is reliving her high school moments through Diaz Darcangelo has never been a her daughter. As a former Gablette and stranger to hard work. The same discipline alumnus, Diaz Darcangelo was a member that drove her to be a national award-winning of the dance team from 1988 to 1991. dancer for the Gablettes was applied to Growing up in South Florida, Diaz working tirelessly upward to her successful Darcangelo dreamed of becoming a career as a news anchor for Channel 7.

Gablette. With an esteemed reputation “Gablettes gave me the confidence, in the dance world, hearing the high skills and a lot of other qualities to go after regards towards the team, Diaz Darcangelo something,” Diaz Darcangelo said. That, I excitedly joined the Gablettes during give full props to Gablettes for because if her sophomore year of high school. it were not for the things Gablettes taught Being a Gablette meant forming a part of and instilled in me, I do not think I would a very close-knit team to Diaz Darcangelo. As even be on television today. All the things a teammate, she not only focused on bettering I learned at Gablettes helped me to reach her dancing skills but also herself. Discipline, the point that I am at now in my career.” determination and drive are all priceless As a role model to her daughter, Diaz lessons that Diaz Darcangelo is a firm believer in Darcangelo has carried hard work and maintains a rigorous with her throughout work schedule. Recognizing her entire life. how Gablettes continues to As a Gablette, Diaz instill these core values in her Darcangelo learned daughter, Diaz Darcangelo how to deal with reinforces the importance of criticism and overcome maintaining that discipline to disappointments as they be applied throughout the have come and gone rest of Darcangelo’s life. throughout her life.

As a motherCourtesy of Diana Diaz Darcangelo In college, daughter duo, sharing STRIKE A POSE: Alumus Diaz Darcangelo such a similar Diana Diaz Darcangelo continued dancing experience poses for group photo for the University of has only with her teammates.

Florida Dazzlers. With caused Diaz hundreds of women Darcangelo a n d trying out and only fourteen making the team, Diaz Darcangelo Darcangelo to become credits the Gablettes for her making the cut. closer. Bonding over “Gablettes is the most amazing team their parallel high school

lives, the consistency of the Gablettes has brought instant connections for one another to relate to. When Darcangelo will be showing Diaz Darcangelo a dance or routine, Diaz Darcangelo will recall moments when she was a Gablette and they used similar moves.

Not only have some moves of the Gablettes stayed the same, but also have the values and traditions.

As the Gablettes have shaped Diaz Darcangelo to the person she is today, she extends her legacy through her daughter.

Not only have some the Gablettes’s moves stayed the same, but also the values and traditions.

20 sports Courtesy of Demi Darcangelo

teps: the Darcangelos

Diana Diaz Darcangelo and Demi “Gabby” Darcangelo open up legendary competitive dance team

demi “gabby” DARCANGELO In the past four years, senior Demi “Gabby” Darcangelo has embraced the Gablette traditions passed down through generations. As a second-generation dancer and teammate, Darcangelo has followed in her mother’s footsteps since she was a kid.

Growing up, Darcangelo admired a house full of her mom’s memories as a dancer for the UF Dazzlers. Darcangelo hoped to one day be in high ponytails and sparkly outfits as a dancer on a close-knit team. As a result of their shared interests, her mom introduced her to dance by enrolling her in a program at the studio Dance Gallery at the age of three and a cheerleading program at Top Gun at eight years old.

After several years of playing sports like lacrosse, Darcangelo decided to go back to her roots and continue more acrobatic activities like cheerleading and dancing.

Upon entering high school, she hoped to join the

school’s dance team. By the end of her eighth-grade year, she began training with the Gablettes as a Gablette “Candie” — a brand-

high school.

“My freshman year I got most improved and after I got it she told me that her freshman year she got most improved as well so that kind of made me realize that we are kind of similar,” Darcangelo said.

I THINK DANCE Looking at pictures of her mom motivated HELPS US BOND. WE Darcangelo to continue perfecting her skills and bonding with her mom. Throughout the DON’T HAVE MUCH IN years, kicking has become Darcangelo’s COMMON BUT DANCE favorite activity as she proudly executes HAS DEFINITELY strong, high kicks to represent her team.

Having her mom as a role model and BROUGHT US CLOSER mentor has helped Darcangelo better BECAUSE IT’S herself as a dancer. When she initially made SOMETHING THAT WE the team her mom helped her in learning the grandstands, the cheers that the BOTH ENJOYED DOING Gablettes present on the sidelines of DEMI DARCANGELO football games since they had stayed the SENIOR same after she was a Gablette.

Darcangelo also films her routines and new member of the Gablettes. her mom views them after practice and she “My mom always said that as a Gablette advises her on things she can work on to im she learned how to be responsible and prove.

She is grateful for learned how to manage many things at her mom’s support towards her passion, once,” Darcangelo said. “I didn’t as having her really believe it made such a big present at all of her difference until I started on the performances has team and learned how to organize helped them bond school, Gablettes and other things about something that I do during the day.” her other siblings During her first year on the do not do. team, Darcangelo struggled “I think dance to learn kick-dancing, a helps us bond. We skill known for its intricate don’t have much in formation changes common but dance Courtesy of Demi Darcangelo accompanied by long kick has definitely brought CHECKERED VEST: lines and unique kick us closer because it’s Senior Demi Darcangelo sequences.

While she something that we proudly wears her team’s practiced her kicking both enjoyed doing,” classic uniform skills, her mom helped Darcangelo said. My her get accustomed whole family knows to the movements that Gablettes is a big by practicing with family thing and they love what Gablettes her and showing her pictures of her stands for and how much it teaches you how kicking while she was a Gablette in to manage time.” h

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Fighting the beat

Combining her passion for acrobatics and music, freshman Noa Belehssen shares her journey pursuing capoeira

BY FERNANDO LARGAESPADA, STAFF WRITER

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IGHTING THE RHYTHM OF the beat, freshman Noa Belehssen combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music through her passion for capoeira –– an Afro-Brazillian martial art created by slaves in the early 16th century.

At nine years old, Belehssen started capoeira at Miami Sol e Lua when her friend from elementary school suggested the sport. Having recently moved from Paris, Belehssen struggled to continue her passion for dance because of the financial expenses of the activity, so she pursued capoeira, a more affordable option.

Hoping to connect her French roots to the Afro-Brazilian sport, she was driven by her curiosity for the language involved in the activity. Although the songs she dances to are in Portuguese –– a language she is not fluent in –– she can still interpret the meaning of the song through the rhythm and beats.

“I got really attached to [capoeira] because I had never seen something like that and it is kind of my way to forget about everything else going on at the moment,” Belehssen said.

Starting every class with warmups such as straight splits, bridges and kicks, Belehssen quickly gets into her momentum

and capoeira spirit. Her favorite move in capoeira is the “Vengativa” — a takedown — when two partners are standing side-byside, both facing the same direction and one

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IT IS FULL OF CULTURE AND IT IS A WAY OF EXPRESSION; EVERY MOMENT IS A WAY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF AND THERE IS SO MUCH FREEDOM IN PLAYING CAPOEIRA NOA BELEHSSEN, FRESHMAN person hooks their back leg with the other’s foot while hooking their elbow on the other person’s waist and then pushing their hips to the side while pulling in the other person’s foot.

“First, the focus is not about taking down the other person or winning, you’re playing with your partner more than

being against them,” Belehssen said. “It takes a lot of strength and flexibility and capoeira is really good at having a balance. [I] never stop learning because there are an infinite amount of moves.”

Belehssen’s biggest inspiration is her instructor Joseph “Tubarão.” When capoeiristas reach a high level, they receive animal names in Portguese Tubarão means shark. Belehssens has still not received her animal name in Portuguese, but would like to be called “Raposa” or fox.

Capoeira has taught Behelssen patience — both mentally and physically — above everything she experiences and has helped her become even stronger than when she was a dancer in France.

“You cannot do a move perfectly after just learning it, I would get mad but [capoeira] has taught me to be patient over time,” Belehssen said.

In addition to movement, capoeira also involves musical instruments such as the pandero, a common Portuguese drum and the agogo, two coconut shells used to make a beat when hit against one another. However, Belehssen’s practice of capoeira is mainly focused on the physicality of the sport.

“It is full of culture and it is a way of expression; every moment is a way to express yourself and there is so much freedom in playing capoeira,” Belehssen said. h

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Chicken in a Cone This restuarant has found a new home in Wynwood, giving a new spin on a classic southern dish: chicken and waffles

BY EMILYS GIL, STAFF WRITER

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compared to everything else. It is not like your typical hamburger and it is not like your typical pizza. It is more of a novelty food item.

I felt like with this type of food and Wynwood being very artsy, that it would be different for this area,” owner Jonathan Almanzar said.

Located on 2039 NW 1st Pl., Chick’nCone is sure to attract wandering eyes within the Wynwood scene with its neon orange coloring.

Chick’nCone is open seven days a week with various opening and closing schedules.

From Mondays to Wednesdays, they open at noon and close at 9 p.m. From Thursdays to Saturdays, they are open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and close an hour earlier on Sundays at 9 p.m.

With flavors ranging from sweet to mild to spicy, anyone can enjoy their fork-free chicken and waffles for the price of $8.50.

Customers can also purchase a combo meal, which is a total of $12.50 for a cone, side of fries and drink.

“I went to Chick’n Cone last month for the first time and I loved the Traditonal BBQ flavor,” customer Diana Todd said.

Chicken is not the only food item that distinguishes Chick’nCone from other restaurants. Their waffle cones are swiftly made upon ordering to ensure that customers receive the freshest quality cones. Using their own recipe, they make the batter and pour it onto the waffle maker once a customer orders a cone. This is why the sweet smell of waffles is one of the first things you notice upon entering.

Their Cajun fries can definitely be considered competition for other franchises.

Their crispy shoestring-style fries with cajun seasoning retail at $4.50 and are the perfect side for their popcorn chicken.

The franchise has multiple locations in the U.S. and a few others across the Atlantic Ocean. Owners Jonathan Almanzar and Josh Lanier co-founded the company in 2011. They began offering their interpretation of chicken and waffles at a food truck in Poconos, a

city in northeastern Pennsylvania, before expanding to New York City. The owners of Chick’nCone have placed their business in a few of the most expensive cities to live in from Miami to New York to Dubai.

Their high social media following and devotion to advertising on popular platforms, such as their Instagram @chicknconewynwood boosted their popularity in Miami among teenagers and influencers. They often show appreciation to their customers on social media by just simply re-posting pictures and videos customers share on their Instagram stories and thanking them for stopping by.

Interactions like these are sure to leave a longlasting impression on customers and keep them coming back for more.

“I hope that [Chick’nCone] just brings people together, inspires more unity and brings a whole different type of light to this area,” Almanzar said. h

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RIGHT ORANGE ACCENT colors and the smell of sweet and savory chicken entice customers as they wait for the staff to hand them a waffle cone — but there is a twist. One may assume this waffle cone contains a cold, sweet treat but the reality is some of the tastiest, crispiest fried chicken Wynwood has to offer is found at Chick’nCone.

Chick’nCone has provided another revolutionary trend in the Wynwood food scene. The classic chicken and waffle combination now comes as the perfect onthe-go snack, eliminating the hassle of using utensils. For $8 to $12, one can enjoy tender, well-seasoned popcorn chicken that is fried, chopped and tossed with a choice of sauce from the six options offered: Cinna-Maple, Traditional BBQ, Yella BBQ, Kick’n Ranch, Buffalo Blue and Peri Peri.

“The concept was completely unique

CHICKEN OUT: This dish, fried chicken in a waffle cone and topped with house hot sauce, is both delicous and picture perfect.

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CASA FLORIDA

Casa Florida in Downtown Miami is serving patrons a taste of vintage Miami with their pastel pink decor and palm trees

BY DANIELA CALDERON, STAFF WRITER

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Eduardo Suarez found the ultimate parking space in the historic “Miami River Inn.” They rebuilt the inn and transformed it into Casa Florida. They took the building’s original elements and 1898 floor, made with Floridian pine trees and restored it to keep its uniqueness while rendering it to their taste. Inside the van, wooden floors and furniture were installed to expand seating options and add a pictureperfect spot. Outside, pink tables alongside plants and palm trees create an aesthetically pleasing contrast of colors that set the tone for a memorable afternoon.

Gonzalez and Suarez found it to be a notable experience to travel around the state looking for antiques, visiting cocktail bars and breweries as well as understanding Florida’s roots through the culture, food and drinks. Via their journey, through the chaotic but beautiful culture of Miami, they partnered up with Avra Jain and Selina Hotels and put together a place that spoke for itself. Whether its a sunny day playing ping-pong along the courtyard or a dark night circling a bonfire, beauty is all around the venue.

“Being by the river of Miami, gives us a perfect excuse to be a seafood-oriented restaurant,” Gonzalez said.

Their concept, not only mirrored in the physical appearance of the location but in every other detail as well.

Casa Florida offers a wide variety of seafood choices, while also incorporating vegetarian and vegan options into their carte — leaving room for all types of foodies. The

$13 Golden Avocado Toast is made of turmeric sourdough and topped with avocado, mixed greens and eggs, making it the ultimate choice for brunch. When it comes to the main menu, the finger-licking Corvina Ceviche, sold for $15, is set up with coconut, pineapple, lime, red onion and fresh herbs. For dessert, Casa Florida’s menu includes a traditional Calle Ocho flan with dulce de leche, for $7.

“I loved sharing the Miami River Raw Bar Tower with my family, it was the perfect amount for each of us and did not disappoint.

It is definitely the perfect fit whether you want to go with family or friends, you will have a great time,” senior Valentina Orejuela said.

Apart from food, they have their own merchandise consisting of custom face masks, hats and pins with their flamingo logo and house brand. Located at 437 Southwest Second St., they are open to private events and require reservations before walking in.

In regards to COVID-19 they are adapting and prepared to move forward, enforcing safety measures like social distancing, mask usage and keeping their site sterilized for the well-being of their employees and customers.

With 30,000 followers on Instagram, the combination of inviting food options, a friendly environment and awaiting cultural experiences make Casa Florida a go-to place on any Miamians bucket list. Prideful of Miami’s culture and their product, they are set on expanding to other cities inside and outside of Florida, bringing seafood, multicultural music and refreshing drinks with them. h

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N AN EMPTY SEA OF BLACK AND white creatures, a single flamingo stands out with its pink and red feathers that reflect summer in the tropics. With tropical decor, along with fresh coconut water and a vintage venue, Casa Florida is the epitome of Miami culture all in one place.

Whether one seeks a 1970’s Miami getaway, drinking a virgin cocktail or in the 1990s eating brunch at home, Casa Florida’s radiant venue is the perfect reflection of the city’s past and present cultures. As the oldest recorded hotel and a groovy spot for mouthwatering eats, Casa Florida not only renders a good time but also has a great story to tell with its select menu items and thoughtfully placed decorations.

As founders and co-owners of a vintage van, Gaston Gonzalez and

Daniela Calderon / highlights

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VINTAGE VISTA: Casa Florida has an old bus kept on the property where patrons can sit on vintage-styled couches.

Selfie Museum of Miami

Located in Wynwood, this museum is giving visitors the perfect opportunity to spice up their social media feeds

BY ALEXA OROZCO, STAFF WRITER

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11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. There is no limitation or any sort of restrictions as to what device a visitor can use to take photos.

“The Miami Selfie Museum is like nothing I have ever seen before, all my expectations were met. The backdrops really added flavor to my selfies,” visitor Isabella Silva said.

During these uncertain times, the Miami Selfie Museum has implemented social distancing measures, as they follow a strict rotation every hour. Sanitization is also practiced. Masks are enforced at the museum.

“We have a cleaning crew working every morning before the shifts [and] every night after every shift. We do cleaning during the shift as well.

We make sure everything’s sanitized,” Timothy said.

A visit to the Miami Selfie Museum with their eye-catching backdrops and gives visitors all the resources needed to achieve the perfect selfie. h

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museum are approachable and are happy to take pictures so coming as a party of one is nothing to worry about. “[The Miami Selfie Museum] is like a gigantic photo studio where everybody plays the role of their own photographer. All of this was created so that everybody can actually use these creative backdrops, created by different artists across the U.S.,” general manager Michael Timothy said.

Opened in September 2020, the Miami Selfie Museum is the only location to offer its unique services.

Located on 179 NW 25th St. in Wynwood, the admission is reasonable.

On weekdays, the cost of an admission ticket per visitor within the ages five to 12 is $22 and the adult admission ticket for visitors ages 13 and older, is $29. On weekends, the cost of an admission ticket per adult is $34. Children under the age of five enter for free. It is important to note that reservations online are recommended by the business since physical tickets at the door are subject to availability.

The museum is open from

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TRIKE A POSE AT THE Miami Selfie Museum, a newly opened hub of lively backdrops and aesthetically pleasing rooms.

In north Wynwood, the Miami Selfie Museum has over 20 different photo-backgrounds and installations ready to use at their guests’ disposal. All are welcome to the interactive selfie wonderland to capture their creative visions through selfies and photography alike.

The Miami Selfie Museum offers various themed rooms including the banana swing, blue-light, green screen, mirrors and bathtub room.

Other parts of the museum that are not enclosed rooms have backgrounds that visitors can get creative with.

Some of these backgrounds include different color angel wing options, a smiley face collages and bamboo forests. There are also tripods positioned throughout the museum to help visitors take pictures from their desired distance.

In addition, selfie lovers will enjoy the ring lights, offered upon request, to achieve picture-perfect lighting. Workers at the

Courtesy of Selfie Museum Miami

PINK PICTURE: One of the many rooms avaliable at the Selfie Museum of Miami is a bright pink room with the neon words “I Can’t Control Myselfie.”

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Holiday To-Do List This holiday season, highlights visited two local buisnesses that offer affordable and unique gifts along with a recipe for a festive pizza dish

BY MARCELA RONDON AND OLIVIA REBULL, STAFF WRITERS

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S THE HOLIDAY SEASON approaches, homes and shops are slowly being decorated with twinkling lights and the welcoming holiday spirit fills the

air. Warm gatherings will not happen with the rising COVID-19 pandemic. With limited options as to how to have a fun and safe holiday season, highlights has found plenty of fun and

unique venues to visit. Luckily, Miami has a variety of unique spots, such as a customizable candle making experience to make this year’s unconventional holidays feel closer to home.

highlights Guift Guide

Coco Bella

When customers wander into Coco Bella — a small boutique in Coral Gables — during the holidays, they are greeted by vibrant red and green decorations. Every holiday season Coco Bella stocks up, selling festive gifts at an affordable price.

When searching for the perfect stocking stuffers customers do not have to venture far. Located on 305 Alcazar Ave. this small business is the perfect place to get holiday shopping done.

While seasonal products like their Hanukkah themed tote bags or “Merry” wood and marble cheese boards are only offered in December, Coco Bella sells

Candle Land

Candles are a staple for every Holiday celebration. Their warmth and light is both physical and symbolic, bringing friends and family closer together with lovely scents and colors. What better gift to give this season than a candle made at Wynwood’s Candle Land. Located at 2311 NW 2 Ave., Candle Land is an immersive experience for craft lovers who seek an aromatic getaway.

Upon entering, customers are greeted with scents ranging from white orchid to sandalwood, blending in the air, creating an entrancing aroma. The focal point of the shop is the organized crafting stations,

26 the scene

products that loved ones can cherish all year round.

Know an animal lover? Look no further than the adorable sticker pins.

Featuring otters, snails, frogs, cats and more these miniature pins are certain to bring a smile to anyones face.

Since opening in 2012, Coco Bella has focused on providing the public with items to make their home smell and feel ready for the holidays. They offer various candles ranging from $7 to $105, depending on the size, which are a favorite of employees and customers alike.

Coco Bella sells some of their

equipped with all the tools to make a perfect candle.

Candle making is a hands-on experience with reservations to join a class costing $50 per person, but the experience outweighs the price. Each guided class is one hour long and by the end customers can take their candle home.

Their soy candle wax is FDA-approved and cruelty-free and more than twenty oils are available to make a unique aroma. The candles are completely customizable — they can be decorated with dried flower buds and petals — and serve as a perfect personalized gift this holiday season.

signature adorned jars — recycled bottles used for decorative or gifting purposes.

Another extremeley popular option are the holiday-themed cookie jars for $13.50, stuffed with the perfect bite-size chocolate chip cookies and tied with green ribbon.

Coco Bella also offers hand towels that come in different holiday patterns such as green and red plaid, these can be purchased for $12.95.

Coco Bella offers nose-enchanting candles to fit everyone’s holiday mood and aroma preference.

Coco Bella is the perfect place to get last-minute holiday shopping done.

“I went to a candle making session with some friends and needless to say it was a delightful bonding experience,” customer Briana Sanchez said.

Gift giving brings as much joy as receiving gifts does and Candle Land is the perfect place to make customizable candles for loved ones.

Having opened in March, Candle Land owner and manager Stephanie Kokoszka keeps her business safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kokoszka has established procedures such as mandatory mask-wearing and limited class sizes to properly enforce social distancing. h

Holiday Recipe Candy Cane Pizza Ingredients • One 8-ounce tube of rolled crescent dough • 1/3 cups of prepared pizza sauce • 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella • 24 slices of pepperoni • Two tablespoons of white sesame seeds • A handful of fresh basil leaves (optional)

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Steps 1. Preheat the oven to 400 °.

2. Overlap two pieces of parchment to make a 24-inch-long piece.

3. Unroll the crescent dough and separate the triangles along the perforated lines.

4. Cut the triangles in half lengthwise so that you have 16 triangles.

5. Arrange the crescent triangles lengthwise in a long row on top of the parchment, with the pointy ends upright and the flat ends overlapping just slightly (the row should be as long as the parchment paper).

5. Gently press the overlapping pieces of dough together to seal.

6. Spread the pizza sauce over the thickest part of the strip of dough (about 1 ½ inches thick).

7. Sprinkle the cheese over the sauce and top with a layer of pepperoni.

8. Fold the pointy ends of the dough over the top of the pepperoni tucking them under the dough to enclose the filling.

9. Gently curve the top end of the dough to the left to make a candy cane shape that is the length of the back of a baking sheet.

10. Transfer the parchment onto the back of a baking sheet.

11. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top of the dough.

12. Bake for eight to 10 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

13. Tuck the basil leaves into the candy cane to make a bow.

14. Serve with more pizza sauce for dipping.

15. Serve and enjoy!

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Do you want more winter recipes like Pecan SnowflakeCookies, Spiced Cashew Brittle and Chocolate Crunch Bark?

Scan the QR code with your phone and visit our website. There you will find instructions to create delicious desserts! h

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HUMANITIES VERSUS THE NATURAL SCIENCES

BY NATALIA PALLAS, BUSINESS MANAGER

highlights explores the constant comparison of the two evermore contrasting career paths that are so often pinned against one another.

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HE RECURRING DEBATE concerning the choice of one’s career path has, is and probably always will be, a thorny decision many students confront. This largely stems from the stark divide between science and humanities studies and what the pursuit of either path will likely bring in terms of employment and financial success.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are a set of subjects and disciplines used for solving complex problems in society.

The rise in popularity in STEM, however, is not only due to its real-world application but also the increased marketability and wellpaying jobs that are created from it.

According to Vital Signs, STEM professions are projected to increase by 13% while humanities-related jobs will increase at a lower rate of 9%, at least until 2027. Thus, schools and societal pressures alike are pushing the STEM agenda to ensure job security and financial success in an increasingly uncertain economy.

Earning a four-year college degree or higher statistically improves one’s chances of securing employment, by 87%, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. With STEM, these chances substantially increase, thus making this course of study so appealing.

The other contributing factors to

Isabella Villarroel/highlights

the shift towards STEM include female students leaving these subjects to pursue more math and science-based careers and the decrease in funding world-wide for humanities courses. The National Humanities Alliance reports that nearly

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“THE ARTS/ HUMANTITIES HAVE A NEGATIVE CONNOTATION BECAUSE THEY SEEM LIKE HOBBIES, [AND] PEOPLE ONLY THINK OF THE HUMANITIES AS JUST ART,” SKYE POOLE, JUNIOR every federal fund for humanities has been reduced by 7.7%. Yet, with this decline, there are several consequences to this on a humanities-related curriculum. In contrast to STEM, a humanities curriculum encompasses subjects like history, political science, language, literature and the arts.

This is viewed by many as the more creative and philosophical type of study and by some as a useless curriculum. As

a result, many students are less inclined to pursue a major in those fields, as demonstrated by the 8.7% decrease in bachelor degrees, according to Inside Higher Ed. For one, unemployment in such careers is at a higher rate and consequently, starting salaries are significantly lower.

“The arts/ humantities have a negative connotation because they seem like hobbies, [and] people only think of the humanities as just art,” junior Skye Poole said.

This is not to say that pursuing STEM is necessarily a guarantee for success.

Many have benefited enormously, financially and otherwise, from humanities degrees. These areas of study could not be any more different yet are compared so often. Certain stigmas can have lasting effects on not just the workforce but also the educational system, starting from primary schools.

Recently a trend called Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, (STEAM), has emerged, seeking to combine those critical thinking skills, as well as creative and artistic disciplines, for a more inclusive type of learning. This could ensure that students will have equal access and availability to each course of study. Schools like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Duke University are trying to fade the dividing line between STEM and humanities by putting the same amount of emphasis and resources into each subject.

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STEM STEM professions range from healthcare workers, architects and engineers to physical and life scientists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in STEM, approximately 45% of careers are computer-related. The least prominent professions are those that are mathematics-oriented, such as cartographers, statisticians and surveyors.

With this in mind, the average wage for STEM professions is around $87,000. This is about 40,000 dollars more than the average wage of an American, which is to say most STEM jobs provide a comfortable living.

Although there are exceptions, such as jobs that deal with mapping, agricultural or conservation technicians, these make up less than half of jobs in this field.

Since this margin is low, many are encouraged to choose this field even though it might not suit their interests and they may very well excel in a humanities field.

For one, about half of those pursuing STEM majors switch their major , at proportionally higher rates among minorities, either due to its rigorous nature or to a change in passion. This is less likely to occur, however, if there is a larger emphasis on the undergraduate study programs at a certain school.

The Pew Research Center reports that 36% of students who had some time in college or less did not pursue STEM as a career because of the time commitment and cost. This decreased significantly to 11% for students who were college graduates and postgraduates.

Surprisingly, though, students who had only some education in college or less were more likely than not, to pursue a different path. 17% of these students with an education of some college or less confirmed they changed their interest, while for graduates and postgraduates, a significantly larger 26%, said they found another passion too. This could mean a lot of things, such as the more education one receives, the higher probability they have of going into STEM but a smaller probability to continue pursuing. While this might seem contradictory, one thing is for sure, certain types of education impact enrollment and pursuit in certain subjects.

“People do not want to commit to the time and effort it is going to take to be successful in STEM,” physics teacher Roberto Delvalle said.

Ufortunately, minorities are still underrepresented in the STEM fields. As a result, this, many face roadblocks due to gender and race discrimination in the workplace. In hopes of combatting STEM stereotypes, there has been an increased emphasis to encourage minorities, particularly women. Whether it be funding or providing more opportunities for women, there has been a noticeable difference in the demographics of STEM, some of which will likely contribute to better representation. According to the Census Bureau, about 23% of the workforce were female for STEM in the 1990s. By the early 2000s, this had increased by 3%. Even though this may seem low, this is a slow and steady trend that has risen in recent years. According to Statista, 48% percent of female students received a STEM degree in 2016.

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students speak up

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by the numbers 65.3% of students believe that the school system prioritizes STEM courses over Humanities courses.

65.7% of students are aware of what the Humanities consist of.

82.5%

Isabella Villarroel/highlights

of students believe that pursuing STEM will lead to a more successful career.

EVER SINCE I WAS YOUNGER, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD AN INTEREST IN ART AND THE HUMANITIES BUT WHENEVER I TALK ABOUT POSSIBLY PURSUING A CAREER IN THAT FIELD, I NEVER RECEIVE POSITIVE REACTIONS.

Mariam Aguilar, sophomore

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highlights surveyed 303 students in November 2020 regarding the dichotomy between STEM and the humanities.

55.8%

of students feel that there is a societal pressure to pursue a career in STEM.

51.5%

of students feel that there is a negative stigma against the Humanities.

67.3% of students have felt discouraged from pursuing their passions because of fear that it may not be profitable.

The humanities are often regarded as a lesser course of study but can be easily argued to have as much significance in everyday life as STEM. Music, literature, art and philosophy are just a few disciplines that directly and indirectly affect our daily activities.

The careers in this category of study include authors and artists to lawyers, politicians and marketing executives, which are often overlooked when speaking of humanities.

Humanities degrees most often lead to the management and education sector. The sales and occupation sectors are the second most prominent.

The most infrequent type of employment from this type of pursuit are in construction or military-related.

The biggest deterrent causing a decline in this course of study is said to be, ultimately, the lack of money. Some of the lowest paying jobs in this field are found mostly in education, drama or the performing arts and theology. For example, teachers in Miami are said to make a mere $40,000 annual salary, while those in theater are even lower, starting at an average of $26,000 a year, according to Indeed. Employment is harder to find with these types of degrees, which contributes to this decline, according to PBS. Nonetheless, those who succeed in those types of professions, like actors, could make millions, although it is rare. That is to say, exceptions exist to the conventional wisdom that humanities professions are not lucrative, that they are less challenging than STEM professions and that professions in the humanities only consist of artistic pursuits. As mentioned before, lawyers are part of the humanities realm. SimplyHired states that the average salary for that occupation is around $70,000 with judges earning a comfortable $90,000.

Politicians can earn over $150,000 a year. In other words, those who claim humanities cannot lead to a financially rewarding career are simply mistaken.

“Some may have a negative connotation towards the humanities because they see it as boring or difficult. What is important to recognize is that there are all kinds of people with all kinds of interests. Some genuinely enjoy humanities and some do not. People simply need to understand that different people have different interests and rightfully so,” junior Jose Fernandez said.

The most apparent difference in this downturn comes from the type of schools one attends. Prestigious, private schools have faced the largest amount of students not pusuing STEM. This is quite different for public schools, likely due to the cost. also throough the declines in majors it is noticeable how much the interest in humanities has dropped. Data USA mentions how as of 2017, only around 500,000 degrees in humanities disciplines were awarded. They also discovered that, coincidentally, Miami-Dade College is one of three colleges in the United States that rewards the most degrees in humanities. h

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Saraya Erlyne Dany, junior

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SCHOOL SYSTEMS NOW DO NOT FEEL [OBLIGATED TO HAVE] STEM PROGRAMS AND OFTEN MASK OVER WITH THE EXCUSE THAT HUMANITIES ARE MORE IMPORTANT MOSTLY BECAUSE OF LITERATURE AND HISTORY.

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The humanities

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Varsity running back Jayden Cordero avoids being tackled as he rushes to the end zone in a game against the South Dade Senior High School Buccaneers on Friday, Nov. 13. The Cavaliers won the the game 14-3.

Courtesy of Karla Martinez