Issue 4, Vol. 61

highlights February 2021

stigma to glorification

IN THIS ISSUE FINISH THE LYRICS Page 4

ALL ZOOMED OUT Page 12

Issue 4, Volume 61 | Coral Gables SHS | 450 Bird Road, Coral Gables, FL 33146 Courtesy of Lilli Bonner

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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

Lilli Bonner Sarahi Acosta Melissa Chase William Hudson Kaylah Clethen Sheila Melgar

Sofia Rodriguez Alexandre Chevalier Alexander Bell Peter Kellogg Jasmine Morales Yoko Matcha

Bombay Darbar Atchana’s Homegrown Thai Leila Rodriguez Nicole Angela Martinez Lucrezia Basauri

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.18

Courtesy of Sofia Rodriguez

features 5 6

Master map maker William Hudson Cavalier chefs: one recipe at a time

news 9 De Santis’ new COVID-19 school plan 10 Miami’s construction updates

opinion 13 16

The fall of cursive writing in education Sia’s “Music” and the importance of inclusion

sports 18 22

Triathletes take on their next challenge Players’ double lives: can they be separated?

the scene 24 26

Meals on wheels: Miami’s food truck scene Take a trip around Asia with highlights

insight 28

The glamorization of mental illness

winter recap

Sara Ebrahimi / highlights

DRIVE BY: Student council officers distributed Senior Gear to students from the class of 2021 on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

Cristel Cantarero / highlights

CLEAN UP: National Honors Society members pick up trash at Hobie Beach in Virginia Key on Saturday, Jan. 9.

Hanna Ebrahimi / highlights

COLLEGE FORUM: Alumni from the class of 2020 advised the seniors on the college application process on Thursday, Dec. 17.

Marta Rodriguez / highlights

TIME OUT: Girls basketball coach Lisa Nanninga suggests new tactics in a game against Reef on Friday, Jan. 29.

pictures 3

Nataly Rabelo/ highlights

N I F

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Teachers try to complete the lyrics to trending songs with their personal interpretation of what comes next

BY ADDYS PLATA, STAFF WRITER

bellyache by Billie Eilish

Ad

dys

What an expensive fake My V is for Vendetta Thought that I’d feel better __________________.

Pla ta/ ts

ligh

high

“I’m a bedwetter”

- Roberto del Valle, physics

Ni Bien Ni Mal by BAd bunny Sin ti no me va bien, tampoco me va mal _________________________ Ya yo me quité, tú nunca me va’ a amar

“Despacito”

- Lauren Noval, social studies

Truth hurts by Lizzo Why men great ‘til they_____________?

Don’t text me, tell it straight to my face

“Leave you standing at the altar”

- Sandy Leal, social studies

4 features

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Scan above to watch teachers try to finish the lyrics.

Mapping it out William Hudson uses his imagination to create maps that show different endings to historic events

BY ALIA GAMEZ, STAFF WRITER

A

uds on

“Manatees are just organic speed bumps.”

*Uses raise hand feature on zoom* “Do you have a question?” “No I am just stretching.”

“You must have COVID-19 with that absolute lack of taste.”

“My excuse is now telling teachers my dog ate my computer.”

features 5 Courtesy of William Hudson

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ill

“For $1.64 a day, you too could sponsor an American.”

“Identity theft is fan behavior.”

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

starts working on the physical copy of his work. Draft after draft, his maps slowly gain depth and color, while explanations of what is happening in the map are written down and color-coded.

“Everyone likes a good story,” Hudson said. “A large part of history is creating this story. I’m creating a story that branches off from a moment in real history and explaining what happened.”

On his Instagram @risko789, Hudson showcases both his work and explanations of what he has created. With every photo posted, he writes out a detailed explanation of the lore: the situation that led to the borderlines drawn.

“I would not say that map-making is something I want to specifically put on my resume in the future, but I will continue using it’s aspects of digital design and the like ur in the future” tes y Hudson said. h

of

HOME TALK

Recently, he has decided to expand his visions from realistic fiction to completely fictional work. Video games have also become a second hyperfixation of his, leading to him outlining maps of lands from video games like Hearts of Iron IV and Europa Universalis IV. Hudson produces his graphics on online platforms such as GIMP, an image manipulation program. The option to go back and cut, paste and copy allows him to reimagine parts of history. For example, he chooses small battles to re-envision the course of a war, declaring a different victor than what is found in history books. His current focus is on the Cold War, visualizing a scenario where the United States took Berlin in place of the Soviet Union.

“I take smaller-scale moments and transform them into a big event,” Hudson said. “I like to think of it like the butterfly effect, changing something that [becomes] important in the grand scheme.”

Hudson’s ideas mainly stem from listening to his teacher, Kathryn Landsea, lecture in his history class. If a certain moment catches his attention during class discussions, he takes note of the incident for future maps.

Once Hudson has decided on his next project, he meticulously browses the internet for the correct information.

Hudson spends a substantial amount of time researching his fixation to ensure he does not leave out any information that would affect his maps. Once he gathers as much information as possible, Hudson finally

Co

S B O RD E R L IN E S A R E drawn and countries are set to scale, an alternate reality begins to take shape as sophmore William Hudson rewrites historical events through the art of map-making. In manipulating past events, Hudson explores the possible geographic locations of countries if the historical timeline had played out differently, giving a glimpse into worlds that could have been.

Three years ago, Hudson visited the Miami Map Fair — a congregation of sellers, creators and collectors — for the first time. Traversing the crowds of maplovers, Hudson was inspired by the unique approach to learning history. Taking charge of his passion, he began a cycle of works that would soon transform from a laidback pastime to an intricate collection of distinctive maps.

Focusing more on artistic style than research, Hudson made his first map in seventh grade. Playing out an alternate storyline of World War I, this map was a hypothetical creation of a world where the Treaty of Saint Germain en Laye and the Treaty of Trianon were lenient in their terms toward Austria and Hungary due to the involvement of the United States in the treaty-making process.

“Overall, considering it was my first shot at map creation, it was a key learning experience in learning what and what not to do,” Hudson said.

Over the years, Hudson’s work has progressed into highly-detailed graphics of historical scenarios from alternate realities.

Expressing their love for the kitchen, students and teachers use the culinary arts to build their own businesses

BY EMILYS GIL AND DANI PARRA DEL RIEGO, STAFF WRITERS

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E HI ND T H E S C E N E S O F picture-worthy food menus are often chefs with stained aprons and firstdegree burns that dedicate their time to share their craft with the world.

The kitchen is a place of cultivation, as individuals can express their creativity through a variety of different eats. With endless ingredient and spice options, cooking has become the refuge of many seeking to build their skills and test their latest cuisine concepts.

Hoping to spark a change in the culinary world, some chefs see their roles as opportunities to be leaders, who ensure their businesses are running smoothly by planning food and labor costs, scheduling current employees, as well as training new employees.

They further their culinary careers by mixing it with entrepreneurship, knowing that their food and hospitality are vital in sustaining happy customers.

Within our Cavalier community, chefs have embodied their passions in handmade

dishes in order to share a part of themselves in their meals. These chefs view food as an art form and a channel through which large groups can feel connected. Outside of the classroom, they draw inspiration from different cultures to create unique dishes for different food palates.

Whether it be through their own culinary creations or reviewing world-renowned platters, senior Sarahi Acosta and Italian teacher Melissa Chase have taken initiative to share their love for cooking and inspire others.

Inspired by her father’s love for the culinary arts, Melissa Chase draws on her own admiration of cooking to share recipes and review restaurants on a bigger platform.

Chase, the school’s resident Italian teacher, grew up reluctant to help in the kitchen. However, with a little curiosity and a lot of motivation from her father, she was able to learn the tips and tricks her father gained working in Italian restaurants. In her house, food was the conduit through which the culturally and

generationally diverse family could connect and find common ground through.

“I have very fond memories of cooking with my father, even though at the moment, I did not want to. My dad’s persistence paid off… [it was] a nice time that I cherish, ” Chase said.

Her journey as a food blogger began with posting pictures of meals from her kitchen and restaurants alike. Little by little, Chase began receiving questions on cooking techniques, restaurant recommendations and more. In an attempt to connect with a larger audience through food, she began a now archived blog named “The Foodie Teacher” where she shared different recipes and basic cooking techniques.

Her passion for food was no longer restricted to her personal Instagram page on which she would share pictures of her food; instead of constantly being asked by friends to share recipes and restaurant recommendations, this new platform allowed her to personalize her own corner of the Internet and combine her Italian influences with her constantly growing gastronomical knowledge.

The blog quickly went from being a relatively personal, small-scale place for her to share with friends to a large platform that landed her on the guest list to A-List restaurant openings around Miami. In exchange for Michelin Star-worthy meals, she would review dishes and experiences on her increasingly popular Instagram and Blog page.

“My goal was always to show easy, simple recipes that were easy to make and good,” Chase said.

As a mother to a three-year-old son and expectant mother to a second baby in March 2021, she has since traded nights out at Miami’s top restaurants for nights in with home-cooked meals. Chase and her husband make time to connect through their love of cooking and trying new meals.

Despite having archived her blog and stopping the constant Instagram posting, food and the connections it brings still play a major role in her daily life. Her husband, another ‘foodie,’enjoys Asian food with the same passion with which Chase enjoys Italian food.

Before having children, they took trips to their favorite culinary destinations around the world to bring their love for food to another level.

Now, as parents, the couple makes a conscious effort to include their son, Luca, in the kitchen as they cook in hopes that they can also pass on the love for cooking they both share.

“You are going to make terrible [dishes], you are going to mess things up. But the wonderful thing about cooking is that there [are] infinite possibilities to try again,” Chase said.

While Chase has no plans to revive her blog anytime soon as motherhood and her responsibilities as a teacher take up most of her time, cooking has played and will continue to play a major role in her daily life.

se

issa Cha

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Courtes

6 features

CHEF’S PICK

Pizza Margherita Ingredients: For pizza dough:

A natural born chef, senior Sarahi Acosta will stop at nothing to reach her goal of sharing culinary traditions. For her, being in the kitchen always felt natural as she watched her mother and other adults cook around her.

Acosta has always felt connected to the art of cooking, even from a young age. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she uses cooking as a way to engage with and inspire others. Cooking has proved to be an effective way to stay in touch with her Dominican culture when she moved to the United States at the age of two and to remember her time in the states when she moved back to the Dominican Republic at the age of nine years old.

“I honestly think [Acosta] has a gift. Even if she hasn’t studied it, she has the gift of being a creative business woman,” Acosta’s mother, Arisleyda Valentin, said.

Not only did Acosta love the kitchen, but she also had an entrepreneurial spirit. As one of her earliest memories related to the kitchen, she notes making her own cupcakes to sell.

Neighbors commended her initiative and she remembers feeling successful because she was able to share her creations with others.

Acosta first decided to start her own business selling food when she was 11. She tried to begin a business through which she could share her love for cooking and baking while simultaneously making profit.

While initially unsuccessful with her first two attempts,

Acosta was determined to pursue her passions and begin her own small business. When she tried to sell Dominican dishes and desserts such as arroz con leche, Acosta found that customers valued convenience as they preferred to buy dishes from restaurants and bakeries they were already familiar with, forcing her to find a new style of food.

Nonetheless, her determination and passion led her to create her current business that uniquely fused Asian and Latin flavors: Melao Delicacies.

“I learned that determination is key and when you want something, fight for it. [I had] thousands of accounts and all of them failed and when I saw that this one was successful, I realized that all the failed ones led up to this,” Acosta said.

Inspired by Asian cuisine, Acosta began selling handmade dumplings through her Instagram page, @melao.delicacies. Aside from having traditional fillings such as shrimp and pork, she decided to embed some of her culture into her recipes by making dumplings with fillings such as guava and cheese and other latin flavors.

“I want to have a place to have my products that I can be creative with, where I can sell everything I make, where it doesn’t have to be a set menu, where I have different things and offer new things to people,” Acosta said.

For the 2020 holiday season, Acosta was able to bring in new creations such as carrot cakes, brownies and Dominican-style Meringues. In the future, she sees herself chasing her passions in the kitchen, one unique flavour at a time. h

Courtesy

of Sarahi

• 1 1/2 c. hot water • 1 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast • 1 tbsp. olive oil • 1 tbsp. salt • 1 tbsp. sugar • 3 c. all-purpose flour • Oil for greasing the bowl For the Margherita topping: • 4 cloves sliced garlic • 2 large ripe tomatoes • 3/4 c. grated mozzarella • 1/4 c. grated parmesan • 15 large fresh basil leaves Preparation: 1. Make or buy your own pizza dough as the base of your pizza.

2. Prepare your toppings: Slice the tomatoes, mix together the parmesan and mozzarella and wash the basil.

3. To prepare for baking, preheat the oven to 500 °F. Roll out the dough and layer on the toppings. Bake on a pizza stone or a baking sheet.

Acosta

features 7

NEWS

highlights

BRIEFS

BY CRISTEL CANTARERO, STAFF WRITER FRONTLINE WORKERS RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINE

PARKLAND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

GABLES PRESERVATION POP-UP

FRONTLINE WORKERS AT Memorial Regional Hospital have began receiving the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. With cases increasing daily, healthcare workers are receiving the vaccine in hopes of eventually stopping the spread. Vaccinations are starting at 500 a day and will slowly transition to 1,000.

“If we do not have the front line protected from the disease, we are ignoring those we go to when we need them the most,” sophomore Nicole Bohlmann said.

It is recommended by health experts to continue following COVID-19 precautions after receiving the vaccine. h

FOLLOWING THE MARJORY Stoneman Douglas shooting on Feb. 14, 2018, the Parkland grand jury began advocating for mental health services.

An issue that the grand jury discussed was that Florida provides the least amount of funding per capita in the country for mental health resources. The grand jury also argued for more coordination between local, state and federal agencies to help students in need of mental health services.

“If our system took the time to find treatments and therapists who could bring some [aid]..., it would be a great relief,” sophomore Cindy Lop said. h

A POP-UP IN THE CITY OF CORAL Gables has been put in place with the goal of showcasing art and historic preservation. Located on the Northside of Miracle Mile, The E-Tail window’s installation has displays of vignettes — a small artistic design — that showcase Coral Gables’s history, as well as a quilt.

Additionally, there is a display with quilt-like patterns that symbolize the city’s diversity.

“It helps bring this society together, showing acceptance in each other’s cultures just overall bringing happiness within gables,” freshman Isabella Barros said. h

FOLLOW US ONLINE THE KEY TO YOUR CRAVINGS The Empanadas at Key Biscayne is ideal for sweet and salty treats.

FROM A FAR HOPE TO A REALITY The newly developed COVID-19 vaccine has recently been released to hospitals.

Instagram: @highlightscghs Twitter: @highlightscghs Facebook: highlights cghs

Scan to visit our online content!

7 15 19

FEBRUARY, SUPER BOWL

FEBRUARY, DEADLINE TO APPLY TO HIGHLIGHTS

FEBRUARY, IB PINNING CEREMONY A REAL ROCKSTAR ROOKIE Patricia Passwaters expresses joy in winning Rookie Teacher of the Year.

CANDLES OUT, DIFFUSERS IN Trending alternatives to candles have proven to be a safe and simple way to enjoy aromas.

THE RETURN TO SPACE The Falcon-9 rocket launched to space with four astronauts on Nov. 6.

8 news

UPCOMING DATES

CONGRATS One hundred sixtysix students have been nominated for the school’s Elsa Glazer Academic award.

Senior Samantha Correa, senior Leah Ullman and sophomore Kai Guin have won the first Parent Teacher Student Association COVID-19 essay contest.

Alma Martinez/highlights

DeSantis mandates schools stay open Schools will remain open amid the pandemic due to the new executive order proposed by Governor Ron Desantis

BY NATALIA PALLAS, BUSINESS MANAGER

A

FTER A TWO-MONTH LONG standstill on how to proceed with education, Governor Ron Desantis issued an executive order on Nov. 30, 2020 regarding Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (MDCPS) future school plans. This order detailed that schools are to remain open for the spring semester and provided guidelines to assist students falling behind through virtual instruction. Ever since its release, it has sparked conflicting opinions due to its circulation amid the pandemic.

While physical learning will continue, this executive order will not force students to return to school. An objective of this proposal is to return students who are failing courses to in-person teaching environments. According to WPTV, Desantis said in a broadcast that parents will still have the opportunity to keep their children in virtual classrooms by contacting their respective schools. This order was meant to be more directly focused on students failing their online courses because of the perceived ineffectiveness of virtual learning.

The Miami Herald reported how failing grades and absences have risen to higher levels compared to previous years. Conversely, it was also reported that more students have earned an ‘A’ rating this school year as opposed to last year. These conflicting statistics demonstrate the disparities of this year’s teaching methods which has begun to worry parents and administrations alike.

Many still have criticized this order,

however, due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. As of Jan. 10, 2021, Miami-Dade County (MDC) registered 10,603 cases of COVID-19, according to Local 10 TV. With a significant number of cases in the Miami area, questions arise on whether schools staying open will do

DID YOU KNOW?

This executive order includes options for struggling students falling behind in their online courses.

Source: The Miami Herald

more harm than good for the general public.

“Though this executive order has good intentions because virtual learning has been difficult for many students and teachers, I think it is still very premature,” sophomore Lucia Chico said. “The governor must still respect [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention} recommendations for reopening schools so that students and staff members can go to schools when it is safe, not just because schools must remain open.”

DeSantis’ response to those who view his order as overly aggressive is that classroom teaching remains safe and that the premature closing of schools was one of the biggest mistakes that was made during the pandemic.

Desantis claims that in-person schooling does

not exacerbate the spread of COVID-19 and only hurts both students and parents alike.

Either way, this executive order asks schools to develop a plan about how they will proceed in the coming months that will eventually be reviewed by the state. This means each school is subject to their own process and does not have to abide by a universal mandate. MDC is said to have the highest percentage of students participating in online learning. According to the Miami Herald, in MDC, 55% of students are enrolled to learn virtually while in the entire state of Florida only 35% of students are online.

This emergency order also addresses funding. Funds from the previous Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that were untouched will be used to aid in school reopening. Another contributing factor to how much money a school receives is by the number of students enrolled.

“Twenty four counties will receive more funding because they saw growth in their student population,” the Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said in a news broadcast at Boggy Street Elementary School.

“Districts who are not seeing the same growth were placed into a pool where the school’s losses “were spread out” totaled around $17 million.”

Specifically, MDC’s enrollment is around 8,000 students short, which would mean they can face a major loss in funding.

Overall, the governor’s executive order has been met with divided opinions. h

news 9

Reopenings and new construction projects

Over the past few years, Miami-Dade county has been carrying-o improve the lives of all in the community all while COVID-19 restr

BY CAMILA AITKEN AND MAYA SHAH, STAFF WRITERS

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IAMI-DADE COUNTY (MDC) has developed new projects in an effort to improve the city and add more recreational spaces for its inhabitants to enjoy. These projects include the reopenings of popular outdoor malls, the addition of Little Libraries in Coral Gables and a lengthy park beneath the Miami Metrorail. Although COVID-19 has made recreational activities

and ventures more challenging for some, these three new sites will add on to the list of safe things to do in the Miami area, with two projects taking place exclusively outdoors.

After nearly two years of renovation, the Coconut Grove community has regained access to CocoWalk, which began its reopening in the summer of 2020. Similarly, by early 2021, certain sections of The Underline park will

soon be ready for residents. The long linear park will transform the unassuming land under the Miami Metrorail into an accessible destination for outdoor activity. Additionally, The City of Coral Gables is installing Little Free Libraries in partnership with the Community Recreation Department. The new updated locations and resources being added will allow for more places of enjoyment for the community.

LITTLE LIBRARIES Across Coral Gables, the Community Recreation Department has installed Little Free Libraries as part of a larger global literacy effort that gives people the opportunity to take a book, leave a book or both for free. Since parks attract young readers and families it makes sense to install the Little Free Libraries. Catalonia park, Majorca and Rotary Centennial Parks have chosen to participate in the global literacy movement.

“It’s just a nice experience having books so conveniently placed around the city,” senior Camila Fernandez said.

The Little Free Library movement has 100,000 mini libraries in all 50 U.S. states as well as in 108 countries world-wide. Aside from this, the organization has recently

Courtesy of CoralGables.com

launched a new effort to include books from a diverse community called Read In Color.

Read in Color will mean more books that reference racism, social justice, the LGBTQ+ community and Black, Indigenous People of Color will be available to readers.

The goal for this effort is to increase empathy, understanding and make reading feel more inclusive for all types of people.

The Little Free Library is always accepting donations via its website littlefreelibary.org.

Donations would go to creating more little libraries around the world and amplifying a variety of voices. Anyone is able to create a Little Free Library by donating to the organization, where the cases are created by the Amish Craftsmen in the United States.

students speak up sy of Kaylah

Cle th e

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I LOVED THE RETRO FEEL OF THE OLDER COCOWALK, BUT I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL MAKE OF IT.

esy of Sheila Me ur t lga r

urte n

10 news

Kaylah Clethen, junior

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MAKING [LIBRARIES] MORE ACCESSIBLE IN SUCH POPULATED AREAS REALLY HELPS OUR COMMUNITIES.

Sheila Melgar, senior

“

s take place throughout Miami-Dade

out several reconstructions and additions to the city in order to rictions ease and social distancing preventative measures are

COCOWALK

Courtesy of MiamiNewTimes.com

After two years of construction, CocoWalk is open to the public at 3015 Grand Ave, with a new selection of boutiques and restaurants for visitors.

Since the mall was first built in 1990, it reflected the taste of a different time period and over 30 years later, the mall has transformed into a modern structure with a glass wing for office space to be leased.

“Having lived in the Grove all my life, I used to visit CocoWalk all the time and am

so happy to get it back after all this time.

I think the new design is very sleek and modern,” sophomore Patrick Keough said.

The renovation was done to match the luxury apartments and condos that surround the area and border the waterfront.

Among the new restaurants are Planta Queen, Sushi Garage and Mister 01 Extraordinary. Some of the new boutiques added to Cocowalk are Free People Movement, Europann and Late Night Gypsy.

THE UNDERLINE

Courtesy of The Underline

Underneath Miami’s Metrorail is a 10mile linear park and trail set to be completed in upcoming years. The project aims to be a safe and innovative space for pedestrians and pets. It will cover a total of 120 acres from the Miami River station to the Dadeland South Station and will be completed in a series of phases, each with respective names and themes. Phase 1 is projected to be open to the public in early 2021.

“I think it is good to have outdoor areas for people to visit now ... they are easier to social distance in and can help to relieve stress,” senior Carla Aragon said.

Phase 1 includes The River Room, The Urban Gym section, The Promenade, and the Oolite Room. These landscapes will feature

a dog-friendly walkway, different ball courts and fitness equipment, meditation areas, a sound stage, and four butterfly gardens.

The ultimate goal of the project is to help increase accessibility to public transportation for citizens and help connect communities.

“I believe that The Underline will positively shift the aesthetic of the Metrorail and bring the people of South Florida closer together,” junior Aracelli Ross said.

While COVID-19 has stopped in-person gatherings, their website, theunderline. org, hosts virtual events and meetings where people can voice their concerns and suggestions about The Underline with members of the Department of Transportation and Public Works. h

h

quick facts

100,000 registered mini-libraries have been built across 50 states.

Source: CoralGables.com

63%

8

of CocoWalk is already pre-leased.

phases will take place before The Underline is constructed.

Source: MiamiTodayNews.com

Source: TheUnerline.com

news 11

STAFF-ED: Zoom fatigue and ethics

With online school being the new reality of education, the legal rights and comfort of students must be taken into consideration

A

FTER SEEMINGLY ENDLESS nights of studying, students frantically rush to their computer in the morning to join their Zoom meeting on time. However, they are soon removed by their teacher because of one small issue: their camera is not on. Requiring them to do so — as mandated by Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) — violates their ethical and legal rights as a pupil.

With the Zoom and Teams platform now being used on a daily basis, one would think that MDCPS would often allow students to have their cameras off during class. However, that is far from reality. Students are expected to have a camera watch them for more than seven hours a day, regardless of their living situation.

Although MDCPS stated in a release on Aug. 28, 2020 that students must have their cameras on when attending their virtual classes, as per the U.S. Department of Education, such regulation goes against the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which aims to protect students’ privacy in a physical and virtual classroom and applies to all schools that receive applicable funds from the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA emphasizes acceptable practices for utilizing instructional video and audio recordings. Furthermore, when relating this to online school and Zoom, forcing students to have their cameras on goes against the security this law attempts to ensure in a classroom. Although simply showing one’s face during a Zoom meeting may seem completely harmless, the video or audio recordings that are documented can easily be released into the Sharon Florez/ highlights general media when lectures are posted, which is exactly what FERPA aims to prevent.

In addition to students turning off their camera because it is their right to do so, many individuals may be in an environment that would make them feel uncomfortable if their

12 opinion

entire class saw via Zoom.

“Teachers forcing students to turn on their cameras during class can negatively affect the student’s learning,” freshman Elle Kardatzke said. “Many students may feel anxious while their cameras are on and it could distract them from paying attention to the lecture.”

Understanding the various reasons a student may turn their camera off during a virtual class is something that teachers frequently fail to do, especially when they

DID YOU KNOW?

Nearly half of U.S. students are attending school virtually.

Source: USA Today

are removed from a meeting that they are genuinely trying to learn from. However, this issue may not have stemmed from the teachers themselves, but the protocol they were given.

In a statement released by the district labeled “MDCPS Distance Learning Roles,” it is specified that it is the duty of students to “identify a comfortable and quiet space to learn and study,” which again, may not be a realistic standard for many of these learners.

However, for teachers, the roles set for them only identify

the

learning aspect of online school, instead of also addressing the different circumstances students may encounter.

“Online classes this year have been challenging for everyone; forcing students to turn their cameras on is frustrating. Although it may help certain students pay attention in class, it should be optional for all,” senior Alanna Perez said.

Moreover, if this issue of understanding both the legal and ethical conditions of teaching virtually is addressed, it should be the duty of MDCPS to accurately portray the ways a teacher can navigate through this new era of learning. Although many administrators and teachers may not agree with students keeping their cameras off, federal law goes above all else, especially personal emotions and interests.

Even if it may seem reasonable to ask students to keep cameras on, such as during an online exam, this nonetheless violates the rights of students. If this problem is ever encountered, MDCPS should encourage teachers to directly contact their parents and guardians to ensure that they are comfortable with having their cameras on, rather than forcing them to comply.

In a regular teaching environment, if a teacher wishes to engage their students, they call on them and ask questions. To ensure both teachers and students are respected in virtual settings, MDCPS should give teachers more leeway as to how they wish to manage their classrooms. If not, then at least leave it up to the school to implement their own policies according to the input of those participating in online learning.

In order to have an efficient school year in the midst of a pandemic, it is important to realize that everyone is going through a different situation. Online schooling can be a difficult time for many students and by creating a fuss over something as small as leaving a camera off, MDCPS is failing to prioritize the wellbeing of students and their educations. h

Can you read this?

With cursive becoming an extinct element of the modern educational system, its downfall turns out inevitable COMMENTARY BY RAFAEL SANS, STAFF WRITER

H

ANDWRITING has become increasingly avoidable as digital resources offer a more convenient alternative to documenting information.

Given that cursive is a useful form of writing with many applications, it is concerning to see it slowly be erased from schools across the country. While some argue cursive is a useless and inherently complex form of writing that should be removed from the English curriculum, there are nonetheless benefits that are undeniable.

Children ages five to seven are at a point in their lives where they need cognitive reinforcement. According to a series of interviews with professors and therapists conducted by The New York Times, learning cursive allows kids to obtain this reinforcement with the development of motor skills at an early age, which is contrary to the idea of children’s minds dramatically degrading at the fault of cursive writing. Additionally, through the repetition of letters custom to cursive, children attain more advanced writing abilities given the increased cognitive challenges that print writing cannot offer.

“Cursive writing needs to be taught in elementary school. Children gain a needed understanding of a convenient writing method,” freshman Manuel

Espinoza said.

Cursive also helps with ease of learning in many students.

Print can be more difficult than cursive for younger

Sharon Florez/ highlights

children due to the frequent stopand-start motion when forming letters, according to Iris Hatfield

who is an expert in cursive and author of the book New American Cursive.

She explains that some printed letters look similar and can be reversed, like the ‘b’ and ‘d,’ which can be confusing to kids when learning.

Knowing cursive allows kids to advance and maintain their proficiency in writing, rather than falling into the societal chaos that cursive has been portrayed to lead up to.

Cursive is further beneficial because it enables fast writing. Faster than anyone could realistically write in print. The University of Tennessee Health and Science Center conducted a study that found that children on average who wrote in print, wrote at 75 letters per minute (LPM) compared to the cursive writers writing at 95 LPM. The cursive writers in the study also had higher legibility in their writing.

“Cursive is extremely useful if you want to write quickly and diligently. It helps you take notes with purpose,” sophomore Eugene Francisco said.

While cursive may be a daunting task for children, there is too much evidence that demonstrates its positive impact on development. Cursive is an irreplaceable aspect of daily life, with its benefits improving America’s educational system. What some may consider to be the ultimate nuisance and most useless aspect of writing that will destroy the minds of children, is actually a useful and advantageous skill that should remain a part of our educational system. h

opposable thumbs Ratatouille

Twilight

Chicken Wing

“Remy is not a ratatouille; he is a rat.”

- María José Cestero, Staff Writer

“Where have you been, Loca?”

- Penelope Acevedo, Staff Writer

“Chicken wing, hot dog and balloney, chicken and macaroni, chilling with my homies.”

- Cristel Cantarero, Staff Writer

opinion 13

TWO VIEWS: The ambiguous phrasing of a

The symbolic “Defund the Police” motto has come to re misinterpretations over its actual meaning. Would changing th COMMENTARY BY GREGOIRE WINSTON, CO-ONLINE EDITOR

A

S DECLARED by Abraham Lincoln during his speech on June 16, 1858, “A house divided cannot stand.”

A l t h o u g h the “Defund the Police” movement has brought together the masses in search for greater equity among races, it has been met with fierce criticism due to its misinterpretation, and as a result, progress has failed to occur at the federal level.

United under the slogan “Defund the Police,” protestors and activists may be drawing attention away from their movement simply because of its phrasing.

Opponents to the movement were quick to point out the ambiguity surrounding what the movement actually stands for. Between completely removing law enforcement to reallocating funds to other public sectors, the goal of the movement is unclear.

The “Defund the Police” movement has been influential in polarizing both political parties. Indeed, some rightleaning figures of society — most notably former President Donald Trump — have openly criticized the movement.

“Without police, there is chaos.

Without law, there is anarchy. And without safety, there is catastrophe,” Trump said in a speech on June 16, 2020.

Statements like these

YES

14 opinion

not only demonstrate the most radical interpretation of the movement, but also deepen the rift between Democrats and Republicans.

In an interview with Good Luck America’s Peter Hamby, former U.S. President Barack Obama attempted to clarify the meaning.

Obama claimed that “snappy” comments ultimately hurt Democratic candidates, as “[they] lose a big part of the audience the minute [they] say it.” U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush reacted to Obama’s comments,

“

UNFORTUNATELY “DEFUND THE POLICE” HAS GOTTEN SUCH A BAD REPUTATION FROM REPUBLICANS THAT A PROPER SOLUTION IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT REFORM. DERRICK MARTINEZ, JUNIOR claiming, “It’s not a slogan, it’s a mandate for keeping our people alive. Defund the police.”

By his logic, Obama prefers rewording the term in a more bipartisan approach, as a way to achieve lawmaking change. In unison with him, President Joseph Biden argues the police funding should only be supplied “based on whether or not they meet certain basic standards of decency and

honorableness.” Both of these public figures grasp the idea that the phrasing appears to be causing more harm than good, for its meaning prevents the goal of the movement from actually occurring.

“Any controversial issue seen throughout [American] history could only be solved with the majority of Congress agreeing on a solution,” junior Derrick Martinez said. “Unfortunately, “Defunding the Police” has gotten such a bad reputation from Republicans that a proper solution is not possible without reform.”

Furthermore, the term “Defund the Police” is not the best at fulfilling its objective due to the misinterpretation surrounding the term. From “rebalancing police funding” as suggested by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to Biden claiming he supports “conditioning federal aid to police,” ultimate success can be ensured using less aggressive wording.

According to Christian Davenport, a political science professor at the University of Michigan, all of this additional funding has not increased or decreased crime rates. Although it is clear that allocating funds to other public sectors is a necessity, its phrasing prevents many Americans of different political backgrounds from approaching the issue with an open-mind.

“It is important to make the distinction about the naming of it, because for a lot of people it means getting rid of the police, but the majority want to see funds redirected to key community programs,” history teacher Frank Cipriani said.

The Black Lives Matter movement stands front and center of a country struck by racial inequalities and injustice. As one of the largest social movements in American history, minorities eager for change must decide whether they want their fight to be effective and achieve impactful conclusions or keep a divisive and misinterpreted slogan at the forefront of their efforts.

Rephrasing the slogan into more neutral wording will allow for both Democrat and Republican lawmakers to find common ground and a solution to the issue. Words such as ‘reallocate,’ ‘redistribute’ or ‘rearrange’ come off less crude than “defund” and can possibly open the doors to future laws concerning the problems at hand. h

a renowned movement

epresent the push for racial equality, but has resulted in he phrase serve as the best method in clarifying its definition?

A

COMMENTARY BY DEEANNE MONTERO, STAFF WRITER said. “Changing it would only cause more confusion because most people do not have a general understanding of what it constitutes.”

The defunding movement does not mean that police departments will cease to exist, it simply means that police officers are not suitable for every scenario, especially handling those with mental illness.

Reported by the New York Times, a successful attempt at providing beneficial programs occurred in Dallas when the local police and fire department collaborated with

“

THOUGH IT COMES OFF AS HARSH, I THINK [THE PHRASE] IS MEANT TO BE THAT WAY BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF HARM THAT THE POLICE COMMUNITY HAS DONE. IMGARD BONHEUR, SENIOR Parkland Hospital to dispatch social workers to 911 calls that are prone to handle the situation better than police officers. The results show that dispatching social workers rather than police in mental health emergencies leads to patients receiving better care afterwards compared to the care in jail.

While the movement’s name should not be changed to ‘police reform,’ changing the phrase should be up to those directly impacted by police brutality. Even though the word ‘reform’ implies change, police have proven to not be the most efficient in de-escalating situations properly, as seen from the constant news reports showing police mishandling tense situations.

The word ‘reform’ does not entirely represent the movement nor is it promising in being effective to cause change.

Under the

Justice in Policing Act introduced to the House of Representatives on June 8, 2020, the Minneapolis police attempted various reforms including deescalation training of police officers which failed given that officers remained involved in various deadly encounters.

Reforming has not worked in the past; therefore, other areas should be given opportunities because they are trained to handle situations better.

“People shouldn’t determine the fate of others [and the phrase] shouldn’t be altered until change has been made to prove that individuals who stand for the ideals behind it won’t stop until they get what they are fighting so hard for,” sophomore Matteo RochaChaves said.

A different phrasing would fail to capture the true essence of the movement. Although there are some negative stigmas surrounding the movement, it is an endeavor to explore various solutions and deviate from police violence. Becoming educated on the phrase can lead to more Americans realizing what the movement behind the phrase stands for and contribute to the unification of every race. h

NO

Sharon Florez/ highlights

COUNTRY OF CHAOS, PANIC and rage has resulted from the twisted interpretation of a presentday reform movement. Originally aimed at communicating the demand for redirecting federal funds towards government agencies other than the police department, the phrase “Defund the Police” has become known as a term equivalent to abolishing the police — not at all the movement’s intentions.

Just days after the video of George Floyd’s murder went viral in May 2020, the concept of defunding the police became popular among activists protesting against police brutality and systematic racism.

According to 10 Tampa Bay WTSP, this movement originated in the 1800s as a result of white patrollers who used to capture runaway slaves. The abuse of slaves from white patrollers developed a habit of viewing people of color (POC) in a degrading manner.

Despite slavery being abolished, police officers continue showing aggressive behavior toward POC, which many believe pertains to there not being enough funding for other deparments more equipped to handle tense situations.

According to research by the Urban Institute, 87% of the police’s funding in 2017 came from the government. Although their role is to protect all citizens from danger, the movement’s followers believe that current training has shown to generate unqualified officers incapable of handling crimes. This movement works towards making the government re-evaluate the role police have in society and the amount of money being invested towards the police departments.

To understand the definition of the term, people must begin to educate themselves on the true concept. Many people misjudge the phrase primarily by incorrectly relating the word “defund” to abolish. In this context, “defund” simply means to redirect funds from the police department to help other government agencies such as grant programs for low-income students and social workers. To abolish would mean to eliminate, not at all the aim of the movement.

“Though it comes off as harsh, I think [the phrase] is meant to be that way because of the amount of harm that the police community has done,” senior Imgard Bonheur

opinion 15

Turn off the Music

Sia’s upcoming film, “Music,” faces backlash aiding to the misrepresentation of the ASD community in the movie industry COMMENTARY BY MARÍA JOSÉ CESTERO, STAFF WRITER

L

ACK OF representation is no stranger in the entertainment industry.

Throughout cinematic history, hundreds of movies have casted actors due to their popularity rather than their talent.

While people are beginning to recognize how demeaning misrepresentation is, it continues to be a problem. Most recently, pop singer Sia’s upcoming film “Music” has sparked controversy due to the offensive casting of neurotypical actress, Maddie Ziegler, as someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

After the film’s trailer was released in Nov. 2020, it quickly received backlash as Ziegler is a former reality TV star with no accurate grasp of the struggles of someone on the ASD spectrum. Originally, an autistic female was casted as the lead, but according to Sia’s tweets, she was dismissed due to the high levels of stress on the set. Rather than adjusting the environment to accommodate her main actress, Sia simply gave up on working with ASD actors and casted Ziegler, who is not autistic, and therefore unqualified for the role.

“It is ableism … but it’s actually nepotism because I can’t do a project without her [Ziegler],” Sia said in an interview with The Sunny Project. “I don’t want to. I wouldn’t be able to make art if it didn’t include her.”

Sia’s film can be easily seen as just another example of how modern media highlights the idea that fame is valued more than authentic roles. According to a report made by the Ruderman Family Foundation, 95% of disabled roles are played by non-disabled actors. Sia’s film is upholding this number by taking away a major role from countless autistic actors that could provide an accurate portrayal of the ASD community. Not only does this aid in the misrepresentation of disabilities everywhere, it also discourages other disabled actors from pursuing their dreams due to lack of role models.

In hopes of getting the movie canceled, Hannah Marshall, an autistic girl from North Carolina, began a petition titled “Cancel the film “Music”’ in response to the release of the

16 opinion

film’s trailer. The petition has already reached 10,300 signatures out of the 15,000 she is hoping to gain. In her reasoning for making the appeal, Marshall describes Ziegler’s role as the lead character as “nauseating” and “extremely offensive to [herself] and other autistic individuals.”

This petition is one of many actions that have been taken in order to get the film canceled or simply recasted, however Sia has not shown any signs of changing her decision in making Ziegler the lead.

Sharon Florez/ highlights

In addition, Sia consulted one of the largest non-profit autism organizations, Autism Speaks, during the development of the film.

Though this may seem as a step towards representation in the movie, Autism Speaks is notorious for promoting ASD as a force that robs both the parents and children of their dreams and lives.

In 2009, Autism Speaks released an ad

titled “I Am Autism,” where the disorder is portrayed as something that burdens some afflicted people just as effectively as other incurable diseases such as cancer. Although Autism Speaks markets themselves as an organization that helps people with ASD, they have once again proven their hypocrisy by stating how they care about representation while blatantly supporting and aiding Sia in a movie that has a lack of it.

“Representation matters, and we believe autistic actors should always be given opportunities to play autistic characters,” Autism Speaks’ Director of Communications Mackienzie Dougherty said.

Perhaps the worst part of this situation is Sia’s disrespectful response to the criticism she received. Sia began replying harshly to people, suggesting talented neurodivergent actors to take part in the film.

In one of the many interactions via Twitter, Helen Zbihlyj — an actress with ASD — reached out to Sia stating that she and many others would be willing to participate in the film on short notice. Zbihlyj also denounced Sia for making excuses as to why no one with ASD was included in the cast. Instead of responding with empathy, Sia instead told Zbihlyj “well maybe you’re just a bad actor.” Not only was this response incredibly unprofessional, but also contributes to the humiliation of people with ASD. “Responding to anyone in a negative and insensitive way is inappropriate,” co-sponsor of Best Buddies, Yvette Camacho said. “Our biggest mission is kindness, being understanding of people’s feelings is number one in our book.”

Ultimately, Sia is not just releasing a movie, she is taking away opportunities and misrepresenting people with ASD everywhere. When looking for someone to portray ASD, Sia and others should be looking no further than the hundreds of autistic actors waiting to expose their talents, instead of aiding in the degradation of their community. Hopefully, by the film’s release, “Music” will become the catapult of ASD representation in media, instead of just another stolen role and opportunity from the autism spectrum. h

The ignored abuse of men

In a society that expects men to be incapable of being abused, stories of abuse remain unheard *Trigger warning: this commentary contains mention of sexual assault and abuse

Sharon's Shenanigans Human egotism

COMMENTARY BY PENELOPE ACEVEDO, STAFF WRITER

A

B U S E things will be turned against them.” against men has The workplace can also be a location where been overlooked people face abuse. The “Me Too” movement, for decades due to a which shined a light on the abuse women face societal stigma that men in the workplace, resulted in several highare only perpetrators of profile cases. According to Bloomsberg, at such crimes, not victims. least 425 prominent people have been publicly The double standard that exists when it comes accused of sexual misconduct due to this to male victims is detrimental to survivors as it movement. often jeopardizes their mental health and selfAlong with many other men, Actor Terry image.

Crews shared his story during the movement.

The idea that men are incapable of being The actor received substantial backlash for victims of abuse creates a barrier where men speaking out. According to NPR, in interviews feel they cannot speak about their stories, in Crews has said people have called him a turn, often pressuring them to stay in abusive coward, weak and nothing for telling his story. situtions. For example, men may fear being This demonstrates the lack of empathy that seen as weak or feel concerned about how exists when it comes to male abuse. others will view them.

Further, the goal of creating a world where According to the 2017 “Man Box Study,” men can speak up about their abuse should out of 1,328 men within the ages of 18 and never be done in attempts of silencing women.

30, 72% said they have been told that “a In some cases men will bring up male abuse real man behaves a certain way.” The same by saying “well, it happens to men too” when survey found that 59% of men agreed with women speak on assault and abuse, yet fail to bring up the issue any the following statement: other time.

“Guys should act strong This can send the even if they feel scared DID YOU KNOW? or nervous inside.”

About one in 10 men in the message that male abuse should only be Men’s mental health U.S. have experienced sexual acknowledged to silence and how they view their and physical violence by an female survivors. This masculinity is a major intimate parner. back and forth motion problem that American Source: CDC of trying to place one society often fails to gender’s struggles recognize. The notion above the other’s is not that masculinity is men’s most important attribute is often inscribed into conducive to growth for either men or women.

Instead, trying to compare abuse between their minds as children.

According to The Know, a child is most both genders creates an environment in which impressionable during the first five years neither feel comfortable speaking up.

“People fall victim to these ideologies of their life. Therefore, when caretakers encourage being emotionally reserved, the because they — especially men — are taught that the foundation of masculinity is the male child will likely do what he is told.

Given that many men try to display their ability to suppress emotions. Thus, overtime masculinity to their friends and family, when it becomes the norm in society for a man to men are abused or sexually assaulted, they assert dominance over his emotional sphere, may feel as if other people will view them as making abuse towards a man seem like an less masculine. This should never be the case absurd concept,” senior Leandro Sierra said.

Society has recognized that male abuse is because assault is wrong regardless of whether extremely disregarded, whether it be emotional or not the victim is a man or a woman.

“The stigma makes men feel like no matter or physical. Yet, just knowing about the fact what happens, they will always be considered does not change anything. Instead, a collective guilty if the other side of the story is being effort must be made to not discourage told by a woman,” freshman Gerald Escobar conversation and reject the experiences male said. “It makes most men feel like they have to victims, but instead do better at recognizing keep their mouth closed about everything that when we ourselves are seeing or displaying happens because if not, they will be judged or toxic masculinity. h

COMMENTARY BY SHARON FLOREZ, OPINION EDITOR

The diameter of the observable universe is 93 billion light-years — and that is just what is observable. This fact, along with my limited conceptual understanding of string theory, make up my daily existentialist dread. To think that most humans go on with their day believing that no other life forms exist in this unfathomably vast universe is, to say the least, baffling. And vain.

My overactive imagination enjoys interrupting my day with scenarios of what other life forms observing Earth must be thinking of humans. They laugh at our paper money and its imaginary value; our inability to stop going to war with each other and the concept of separate nations.

Realistically, they probably do not like us. They may talk bad about us to other alien life forms about how they wish to never associate with such an underdeveloped ape-descendent life form (which is elitist).

But can we blame them? Humans are probably the galaxy’s embarrassment. The ugly duckling that never gets included. The family member that never gets invited to anything. And we deserve that title.

For centuries, the possibility of alien life has been a fun concept to debate and laugh about. However, I am not too sure we are going to be laughing much longer. The recent COVID-19 relief bill gives the U.S. government 180 days to release everything they know about UFOs. Additionally, the former Israeli space security chief publicly announced that a galactic federation exists and is in contact with the U.S. government.

He went further to claim that there was an underground base in Mars with both American and alien life forms working together.

Conspiracy theorists around the world are surely excited, myself included. The years of rewatching Men in Black and E.T. have prepared me for this moment. I even have a list of so-called humans I am suspicious of being aliens, including but not limited to: Mark Zuckerberg, Ariana Grande, Lil Uzi Vert, Elvis Presley and Jeffree Star. There is simply no way that we are alone in this universe and for believing so, there is surely one thing all humans have in common: the audacity. h

opinion 17

TRIATHLETES

Sharing a love for competition, the school’s athletes dive into the positive influence of participating in triathlons

BY ALEXANDER BRAZDA AND FERNANDO LARGAESPADA, STAFF WRITERS

M

OTIVATED TO CONQUER the finish lines ahead, triathletes across the country combine swimming, biking and running to complete their triathlons. The availability of flat surfaces and optimal weather give the city’s

inhabitants the ability to fully compete.

Through the versatility of triathlons, students at the school have maximized the popular sport to spend time towards physical and mental self-improvement. With competition in mind, the school’s athletes

explore the city’s outdoors while putting time into developing various athletic skills.

Hoping to promote healthy lifestyles, sophomore Sofia Rodriguez and senior Alexandre Chevalier share their experiences as young triathletes.

SOFIA RODRIGUEZ

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brother,

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Inspired by her younger sophomore Sofia Rodriguez began competing in triathlons in seventh grade. Visiting his practices allowed her to envision the team dynamic and understand the lifechanging benefits of joining a triathlon team.

“My sister has a strong work ethic and that can be shown through the effort she puts into excelling at triathlon,” brother Luis Rodriguez said.

Although the school does not have a triathlon team, Rodriguez trains and competes with Tri4Kidz, a triathlon team in Key Biscayne. Ever since she has become friends with

her triathlon teammates, Rodriguez has felt even more excited and dedicated to spend her time playing the sport.

Remaining aware of her athletic strengths, her favorite portion of the race is swimming because she has been doing it the longest and the variety of swimming strokes makes it more entertaining for her. By gaining a lead in the swimming duration of the race, Rodriguez tries to maintain an advantage throughout the rest of the competition. However, since she has the least experience with competitive running, she focuses the most on running training so she can overall improve her race time.

Combining her intense training and athletic skills, Rodriguez has used triathlons as motivation to maintain a healthier lifestyle. In order to prepare for a race, she eats more nutritious foods to keep her energy levels up and stay hydrated.

“Triathlon has helped me better my mental health especially with COVID-19 and online schooling,” Rodriguez said. “I get to clear my mind for about an hour a day, allowing myself to be away from my laptop and stress.”

Rodriguez typically competes in six races a year, her best

time in a race being about 30 minutes.

While COVID-19 has prohibited the availability of races, she has maintained her athletic routine by training five days per week, from Monday through Thursday during the afternoon and on Saturday mornings. Her team dedicates one day every week to each segment of the race during the weekdays while they practice all three skills during the weekend.

“Sofia is a good triathlete because not only does she enjoy doing it, but she is always focused during her practices,” mother Lucia Ruiz said. “The best part is seeing her be happy while racing and spending time with her teammates.”

Rodriguez’s most notable wins were the Daytona challenge two years in a row in 2019 and 2020. Due to the high number of competitors, Rodriguez was excited with her accomplishments at the race, especially because the Daytona racetrack.

In addition, she won multiple local triathlons and placed in the top five in the Meek and Mighty race in St. Petersburg in 2019.

“I really try my best to stay on top and give it my all so that I am happy with my results,” Rodriguez said. “The most important part for me is to enjoy racing and being with my team as well as doing the best that I can.”

ALEXANDRE CHEVALIER

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is able to build more endurance when running.

“I love triathlons because of its diversity. It is nice sometimes to not go running or cycling, but to go swimming instead.

It gives you a choice,” Chevalier said.

Every week, Chevalier completes 25-30 miles running, 125-150 miles cycling and 3.5 miles swimming. Although he has only competed in one full triathlon — the Bill Bone Tropical Triathlon in Lake Worth, Fla. in October 2020 — he placed 3rd overall as a result of his rigorous training.

“Placing 3rd in my first competition ever was amazing.

Everyone was shocked that a teen was on the podium, o n

es

“

THE FEELING OF EXHAUSTION, THE ADRENALINE OF COMPETING AND THE SATISFACTION OF WINNING ALL MAKE PUSHING MYSELF ENJOYABLE. ALEXANDRE CHEVALIER, SENIOR

his first race,” Chevalier said. “I was honestly shocked as well. I did not expect to be on the podium either. I was very pleased and happy with my result. [It was] something [that] I will never forget.”

All races have been canceled due to COVID-19 but Chevalier hopes to compete in an Ironman, a triathlon race which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and 26.22 mile run, during his lifetime. He plans to continue participating in triathlons after it is safe to participate in one.

Viewing it as a way to destress, Chevalier enjoys the silence and peace of swimming, despite it often being considered the most difficult of the three disciplines. During a race, Chevalier’s best time was one hour and two minutes, with a breakdown of seven minutes swimming 750 meters, 33 minutes biking 20 kilometers and 18 minutes running five kilometers.

“The feeling of exhaustion, the adrenaline of competing and the satisfaction of winning all make pushing myself enjoyable,” Chevalier said.

Hoping to expand upon his healthy lifestyle, Chevalier will continue to develop his skills as an athlete as a hobby throughout college.

Living a balanced life is a priority for Chevalier as he is excited to continue to work on both his mental and physical health as a triathlete. h

urt

triathlons, Chevalier is the captain of the cross country team, as he leads and organizes team practices. By being a part of the team Chevalier

Co

Maintaining his athleticism senior Alexandre Chevalier runs, swims and cycles all in one sport. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 quarantine in March 2020, Chevalier has displayed his athletic talents as a triathlete by training intensively and competing locally.

Chevalier’s cross country coach, Calvin Fotso, encouraged him to get into the sport because of his experience with competitive biking and running. Chevalier’s inner circle has continued to push him to take on triathlons. His father, who further signed him up for swimming competitions, motivated him to train in all three disciplines to build his skills as a triathlete.

Beyond competitions, he uses triathlons as a way to make memories with his closest friends. By training with senior Antione Hernandez, Chevalier has someone that makes practices more enjoyable and less lonely.

Having people training with him and having fun while doing it is what motivates Chevalier to continue to thrive in the sport.

“I have been friends with him for very long, [and] it has always been my dream to do a triathlon. I asked him if he wanted to do a triathlon one day, [then] we trained together during quarantine and competed in a triathlon recently,” Hernandez said.

Receiving help from his close ones has led Chevalier to enjoy building his adrenaline and developing his techniques as a versatile athlete. On average, Chevalier trains about three hours a day by focusing on two disciplines per day — swimming and biking or biking and running — followed by foam rolling and stretching routines every night.

Emphasizing the importance of maintaining balance in his daily routine, a consistent diet is a significant portion of his training routine. Incorporating carbohydrates in the form of fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice and bread into his daily diet, he is energized enough to go out through his day and train.

When Chevalier gets tired of running, he either bikes or swims to get some rest and peace from running. As a triathlon athlete, Chevalier wants to overcome overtraining.

“Having variety in the practice is something that makes [the] sport even more enjoyable. Pushing myself to the limits and going fast is something [that] I enjoy,” Chevalier said.

Additionally, sleeping is also a vital part of Chevalier’s training. By sleeping eight to nine hours per day he makes sure he does not overtrain or get injured during the process. While the school does not have

sports 19

CAVALIER

CAPTAINS With a desire to guide their teammates to success, the school’s team captains share their motivations to lead

BY NATALIE FALLS, STAFF WRITER

T

AKING THE INITIATIVE TO guide their peers to championships, team captains are committed to helping their teammates. As team captain, one strives to guide their teammates and motivate them to press on towards another win, while upholding team traditions and bond through activities both during and after

sporting matches. For seniors Alexander Bell, Peter Kellogg and Jasmine Morales, being varsity team captain is much more than a title. It is a role that grants them the opportunity to instill in others the same grit and tenacity that has driven their individual passions. Taking the initiative to guide their peers during a global time of uncertainty due

to the COVID-19 pandemic, these studentathletes keep their teammates motivated to conquer their matches. From football to soccer to cheerleading, these team captains work towards the same goal: to push their teammates and ensure that they have the training to be victorious both on and off the field.

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Bell

BELL ALEXANDER BELL

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Through his devotion to football, wide receiver Alexander Bell has dedicated himself to the game since the age of five.

He has poured his time into perfecting his leadership skills and overall performance through countless hours of practice and patience. In hopes of improving the legacy of the football team and pursuing athletic scholarship opportunities through his activity on the field, he enthusiastically took on his role as captain.

Knowing how demanding leading a team of over 35 players is, Bell finds that it is crucial to maintain a balance between staying focused on the game and bonding with the team by destressing. By keeping his team energized and mentaly prepared, Bell believes that leading by example is most effective when attempting to get his teammates on the same page as him.

“I know when it’s time to play and have fun and when it’s time to be serious and lock in,” Bell said. “You must be able to take control when things go left and lead by example.”

Apart from leading his teammates and teaching them his techniques on the field, Bell finds that his experience as captain has taught him a few valuable lessons as well. As team captain, he has learned the importance of

communication and how it is a key component when striving to keep the team on the same page. In addition, his teammates have taught him what it truly means to be a part of a team and how, at the end of the day, they can always rely on each other.

“He always tries to push the tempo and energy whenever he can. He has contributed on the field and has given the team momentum as well,” senior outside linebacker Troy Fredrick said.

Despite the roadblocks that this season has endured as a result of the global pandemic, Bell strives to ensure that the players continue to put in the same amount of hardwork and effort, regardless if their training over Zoom or in-person on the field.

As captain, he has also taken precautionary measures to guarantee the health and safety of his team members by dividing the players up into groups of ten.

By doing so, Bell hopes that the sense of comradery and being a team remains with each player as they train, while still remaining in a safe environment.

His determination and commitment to playing the sport and serving his team, have led Bell to instill in his teammates the dedication necessary to excel in football and in life.

KELLOGG PETER KELLOGG will allow his team to grow in order to make sure that everyone is just as strong off the field as they are on the field. “[Being captain has] taught me a lot so far.

It’s definitely been harder than I thought, but I learned that as long as there is mutual respect between myself and my teammates there will always be effective communication and support,” Kellogg said.

To help his peers, Kellogg ensures that there is a sense of organization among the team so that each player is well aware of the game plan for each game, especially amid such a challenging and unprecedented season. He encourages every player to wear their masks at all times and to attend school online as a way to ensure the safety of the entire team.

“Soccer is like a car; everything needs to be functional for it to run. That’s the same with the team on the field, everyone needs to be in it with 100%,” Kellogg said. “To be a good player you need to communicate, have passion and know when to persevere.”

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With the goal of winning district finals set in sight for this season, senior Peter Kellogg works to lead his team to victory as the boys’ varsity soccer captain.

Serving his fourth year on the school’s team, Kellogg embarked on the role of captain to share the skills he has refined for nearly 15 years. He strives to teach his teammates critical tactics to use when in a tough spot on the field and how to trust their individual judgment and capabilities as athletes.

“Peter Kellog as a captain helps to make everybody focus and to take their job seriously,” senior striker and midfielder Samuel Avellenada said. “He has helped by even giving us gear for the season so we can look more organized on the field.”

While working alongside his teammates, Kellogg has not only learned about the dedication, patience and commitment it takes to be a team captain, but also the vital role communication plays in maintaining a united team. He views these qualities as necessary components to build a healthy foundation that

MORALES JASMINE MORALES

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In efforts to continue motivating her teammates and remaining consistent with their practices and performances at games, Morales aims to ensure that safety of each team member is of top priority. She makes sure to uphold safety guidelines and enforce social distancing during practices and at games. In light of COVID-19, she has implemented a contact tracing system, in which each cheerleader is assigned to a specific stunting group and not allowed to have contact with the members from other groups as a way to facilitate tracing in the event of a possible positive case.

Apart from working to create a safe environment, she works to create a safe space for her fellow cheerleaders to grow alongside each other. With the dedication and commitment that she has poured into the sport and her time on the team, Morales hopes she will take with her wherever her path in the future may take her.

“Jasmine Morales is an amazing captain.

She is dedicated to the team, she is at every practice and game giving it 100% effort every time,” cheerleading head coach Megan Aridas said. “She works outside of practice to create cheers, dances and workouts for the team. She knows how to be a leader while also being fair and respected by her teammates.” h

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Since the age of 10, senior Jasmine Morales has channeled her desire to spark joy in others into performing routines. As the captain of the varsity cheerleading team, Morales has used her passion to inspire her teammates by bringing out both their individual and team potential.

Upon entering high school, Morales knew she wanted to put her love for performance into something that would allow her to creatively express herself. Expanding on her prior experience as co-captain of her middle school’s dance team, she joined the school’s cheerleading team at the end of her freshman year.

Through after-school practice and teambonding exercises, Morales grew with the team and eventually earned the title of varsity cheer captain. She works to instill confidence in her squad by praising members when they excel in certain choreographies and pushing her teammates to work hard even when they are struggling.

“I have always seen the potential each individual girl had. I knew that with the right leadership, goals and inspiration the team could do greater things and that’s what I aspired to do [as captain],” Morales said. “I wanted to and still want to bring out the best in each individual girl and the team as a whole.”

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Separating the player from the crime

With the influence of the sports industry across the world, can you separate the player from the person?

COMMENTARY BY DANIELA CALDERON, STAFF WRITER

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MID THE political division across the globe, athletic events continue to raise nationalistic pride.

From sporting their favorite jerseys to social media commentary, the emphasis on sports culture has caused fans to begin over-idolizing athletes.

Paying attention to both the major

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victories and serious mistakes players make, sports fans do not separate players’ athletic lives from their personal lives. Athletes’ criminal records involving illicit drug use, domestic violence, and other infractions heavily impact the opinions of their audience.

Due to their high viewership and statuses as role models, athletes should be held to a higher standard in their personal lives.

Born in Argentina during a sociopolitical and economic crisis, soccer midfielder Diego Maradona rose from the dirt-cemented street matches of his childhood to the World Cup stage as a 22-yearold. Despite being idolized by people who hoped they would one day escape impoverished conditions, Maradona portrayed detrimental messages to his fans as he became heavily addicted to drugs and alcohol and had numerous reports of abuse towards women filed against him. Shortly before his death in Nov. 2020, Maradona discussed the impacts of his mistakes and emphasized his personal actions should not stain his soccer career.

According to The New York Times, although Maradona was aware of his actions, he emphasized that there had to be a distinction between him as an athlete and as a person.

However, sticking to these wishes results in ignoring a notable portion of his reputation.

Disregarding Maradona’s crimes would result in ignoring all of the victims to his malicious actions. Thus, dismissing his actions would emphasize the discrepancies in the justice system for people with fame.

Apart from Maradona, distinguishing the ethical concerns behind different influencers’ actions is an issue that has risen across the sports industry. Star goalie of the United States Women’s Soccer Team and two-time gold medalist, Hope Solo, quickly became a role-model for women around the world upon leading her team to championship in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Yet, in 2014, she was arrested for two counts of domestic violence towards family members. Regarded

as a warning, all legal charges towards Solo were eventually dropped. Yet Solo did not make a statement regarding the importance of presenting herself in an appropriate manner until she received hate for her several unsportsmanlike comments in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Solo was ultimately released from her contract with the U.S. National Team, conveying the important message that one could not separate her personal identity from the gold medals that she won. Her career was impacted by her actions as a whole person, fully conveying the importance of being professional as an international influencer. “[Solo’s] decisions and behavior off the field could greatly affect her performance on the field. I think it is a good idea to keep the player separate from the person until it reaches the point where the person off the field starts to affect the player on the field,” sophomore varsity center right defender Ariana Alvarez said.

In an article published by The Harvard Crimson, student journalist Stuti Telidevara, questioned how we can follow several aspects of athletes’ lives and refuse to take their actions off the field into account. The problem with drawing the line between the player and the person is the acceptance of impropriety that comes with doing so; the idolization of a person who, without their athletic skills, would not be accepted into society, contradicts not only the idea of sportsmanship but what it means to be a role model. Thus, being followed by not only adults but children who look up athletes on the tabloids and find more media coverage on their unacceptable behavior rather than their athletic career may lead to desensitizing the issues at hand.

Maradona, Solo and other athletes with a significant following are at the core of the public eye. Their ability to influence people is why athletes should be held to a much higher standard. Ignoring the actions of popular figures only desensitizes the moral issues that society is trying to tackle. Professional athletes are often forgiven for their malconduct because of their career achievements. These excuses are not in accordance to the progressiveness and pace of the generation to make a change in society; they only hold back progress. h

Showfields department store

With the tagline “the most interesting store in the world,” it is no wonder that Showfields is becoming popular in Miami

BY GRACE RODRIGUEZ, SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

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STAIRCASE FULL OF BLUE Takashi Murakami flower art welcomes visitors to Showfields, a one-of-a-kind department store that combines online small businesses with local artists.

Established in 2017 by Israeli entrepreneur Tal Zvi Nathanel, Showfields started out as a small store in New York City. In May 2020, Showfields expanded their market by adding a location in Miami Beach. Located on 530 Lincoln Road, Showfields is open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Visitors of Lincoln Road stroll in and out of the store, attracted to its vibrant colors and museum-like atmosphere.

Showfields was established by Nathanel in partnership with Amir Zwickel and Katie Hunt to give online businesses an opportunity to open a physical store that people can visit.

This allows these online stores to branch out from the digital to the real world, which in turn brings in prospective customers who may have never heard of such a brand if they were only sold online.

“About 95 percent of the brands in Showfield’s never had a physical presence before,” Nathanel said.

The establishments partnered with Showfields offer diverse merchandise, including gym wear, skin care and purses.

Brands such as Maison de Sabre, Inkbox and Akalo are featured at the Miami location.

Maison de Sabre sells handcrafted phone cases, wallets and mini tote bags made of leather. Inkbox offers do-it-yourself temporary tattoos that last long, which appeal to people

Grace Rodriguez / highlights

TATTOOED STATUE: A replica of the Venus de Milo, this blue statue wears some of the many temporay tattoos avaliable at Inxbox.

interested in tattoos but who do not want the commitment to a real tattoo. Akalo wearable vitamins are topical vitamin patches that deliver the benefits of vitamins through the user’s body within a 24-hour period.

“We are living in a time where there are more brands, more art, more innovation. The last decade was like heaven for creators,” Nathanel said.

In addition to being an artistic marketplace, rooms are available towards the back of the department store for private events. One room features a seating area with a podium, usually for a speaker or a singer and another larger, wider room features a reception-type area with a full kitchen and bar.

A lot of the art used in the center is brought in locally and also nationally. Design and Architecture Senior High School has partnered with Kartell and Showfields to display chair art created by ten select students.

This art was created in 2020 and the chairs are made of sustainable materials, each with its own style.

Additionally, the majority of the art featured at the store is brought in by local artists. Recycled cardboard sculptures of words, geometric shapes and body limbs by artist Philip Lique line the walls of the second floor of the store. Wall sculptures by Miamibased artist Alissa Alfonso are showcased on the first floor. Alfonso’s art is made up of found repurposed materials, such as cloths and fabrics to reflect on the waste made by humans on a daily basis.

On another end of the store, yoga balls made by textile artist Laura Marsh are located in their own exhibit created with the fitness enthusiast in mind. These yoga balls are made up of different cloths and textures ranging from a variety of colors to create a patchwork-like design, distinctive to each yoga ball. Marsh’s art is made with the mindset that an immersive environment in order to seperate the viewers from a world that is becoming more and more consumed by technology and social media.

In addition, Perrier has also partnered with Showfields to showcase their own art, a fusion between the brand and an art piece.

The Takashi Murakami flower art on the staircase is part of a partnership with Perrier, where the flowers are lime, lemon and bright pink colored: the colors shown on the typical Perrier bottle, with a splash of pink to add dimension.

Showfields also partnered with many fashion brands, such as Club Casual, Nessy Khem and Gaala.With trench coats, dresses and jumpsuits, Gaala is particularly focused on reducing their environmental footprint and they make their clothing out of fabric remnants that would otherwise be sitting in landfills.

Showfields is a unique place that brings together an array of many kinds of local art along with online stores of all different types to create a home for these products to be sold. Given that the only physical locations are located in New York City and Miami, Showfields lives up to the tagline “the most interesting department store in the world.” h

Grace Rodriguez / highlights

BLUE BEAUTY: A beautiful blue art installation stands at the balcony of Showfields, falling on top of a metal slide.

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FOOD TRUCK FRENZY

Located all over Miami, food trucks are making an impact with their quick and easy meals avaliable on wheels

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AKING OVER SOUTH Florida, food trucks have become the latest craze. Generating nearly $1 billion nationwide since March 2019, according to The Balance Small Businesses, 23,000 food trucks in the United States have established themselves as renowned restaurants, maintaining the idea that portable food is inexpensive and delicious.

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Food trucks offer customers an extensive list of menu items, selling cuisine from all over the world. With innovative ideas incorporating foods from all backgrounds, food trucks are connecting the cultural diversity in Miami’s population with a vast array of cuisines.

A sweet treat is right up the street when visiting Santo Dulce, a food truck that takes

on the classic churro by experimenting with new delicious yet unconventional flavors. Similarly, at Mr. Pepito customers get to sample traditional Venezuelan food combined with the flavors of Colombia and Peru.

Authentic meals are incorporated to entice their customers to satisfy any craving for a fresh, traditional meal.

SANTO DULCE When looking to satisfy any sweettooth’s cravings, Santo Dulce is the place to go. Uniquely offering hand-crafted and intricate churros that incorporate a deliciously elaborate design, Santo Dulce blends creativity with originality. Catering towards convenience, Santo Dulce does so by traveling from multiple locations across South Florida, offering customizable treats on-the-go.

With a permanent location in the Doral Yard, located on 8455 NW 53rd St Suite, 106, Santo Dulce also opened up a second truck that changes locations on a daily basis. Customers are able to see when the truck will move to a location nearest to them by viewing Santo Dulce’s Instagram, @santodulcechurros.

Santo Dulce’s creativity lies in their haloshape churros. To create this effect, they curve their churros to give them a rounded shape.

This not only differentiates them from the competition, but also makes an aesthetically pleasing dessert that will satisfy anybody’s sweet cravings. If churros are not one’s cup of tea, Santo Dulce also offers decadent ice cream, including their “Heaven on Earth” that integrates chocolate drizzle, chocolate chips

and brownies into vanilla ice cream, as well as their “Santo Teresa con Fresa” that combines fresh berries, peanuts and a Maria cookie into vanilla ice cream.

“The inspiration behind Santo Dulce is from the churro and its significance in Latin America. Churros are a dessert that characterize Hispanic heritage,” owner Yuel Nunez said.

Setting themselves apart from the rest, Santo Dulce has built a name for themselves through their unconventional take on flavors, prompting hundreds of customers to approach their truck.

“In Miami, we felt that we did not have a place to make justice for this dessert,” Nunez said.

With a build your own “Santo Sunday,” customers are able to choose from a wide variety of mouth-watering churros that they would like to place on top of any of the six “Santo Bases” available, all for the price of $8.65.

On a more traditional route, Santo Dulce presents a classic cinnamon sugar churro for $4.65 that has truly been done to perfection.

Santo Dulce’s take on another classic, made for any Oreo lover, the Oreo dust churro’s rich chocolatey flavors pair perfectly with the Cookies n’ Cream “Santo Base,” in which vanilla ice cream is topped with a chocolate drizzle and Oreo crumbles and topped with the signature halo-shaped churro.

When in a more adventurous mood, some flavors to satisfy that desire include Santo Dulce’s award-winning dulce de leche and cheese churro. They also offer dulce de leche and coconut, fruity pebbles, guava and cheese and Nutella almond churros, for the price of $4.65.

With customers gravitating towards them, Santo Dulce received the validation that their innovative idea was a hit.

Courtesy of Santo Dulce

MR.. PEPITO From a classic burger to a savory tequeño, Mr. Pepito Miami brings traditional Venezuelan food to the streets of Miami. This unique twist on Venezuelan cuisine has been serving delicacies straight from their food truck since 2016. With its bright yellow truck, iconic logo and outdoor seating, it is hard to miss this one-of-a-kind food spot on 2731 NE 2nd Ave. Open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. for anyone who wants a late night snack, Mr. Pepito is known for their unique “Perros’’ or hot dogs. These are not your ordinary hot dogs; they come in different variations such as the Hot Dog Colombiana consisting of sausage, cabbage, potato sticks, cheese, pineapple and pink sauce which is $3.79. Recently, a breakfast menu was added for the weekends only offering Venezuelan classics, like eggs with ham, to brighten one’s morning. Much of the menu is influenced by Venezuelan, Columbian and some Peruivian cuisine.

“My favorite arepa has to be the ‘Pepito’,” customer Christina Diraimondo said.

Mr. Pepito’s menu also includes dishes such as a “Pepito” which consists of bread, meat and one’s preferred toppings such as bacon, potato sticks and cheese. The Pepitos go for $10.99 to $12.49 and can also be topped with Mr. Pepito’s original sauces, including a tangy garlic sauce. The Pepito Tradicional or Traditional Pepito consists of chicken, bacon, mayo, ketchup, potato sticks and pecorino cheese for only $11.49. The potato sticks used in most dishes served at Mr. Pepito are chiplike sticks which add a crunch to every bite.

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Pepito is the Peruvian original “Salchipapa.”

This dish sells for $6.99 and consists of french fries topped with hotdogs and pink sauce, made up of your classic mayo and ketchup.

At Mr. Pepito there are six variations of the classic arepa all sold for $8.99 which consist of the “Arepa Pelua,” the “Arepa de Reina Pepiada,” “Arepa Llanera,” “Arepa Cantira” and the “Arepa Tropical,” which is a vegetarian option.

Mr. Pepito also brings many classics to the table with an American twist. One of these dishes is a burger called the “Venezolana.’’

This burger contains a black angus beef patty, ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, egg, potato sticks, mayo, ketchup and garlic sauce sold for $9.99.

Although Mr. Pepito is small in size, they offer a large variety of foods. From Columbian-style burgers to a traditional Venezuelan Arepa, anything can be found to please one’s palette. Customers can enjoy this delicious food in the wonderful outdoor seating under the stars or in the comfort of their homes via UberEats. h

the scene 25

Taking a trip around Asia

Miami is a melting pot of cultures, Indian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine have become popular in the city

BY MARCELA RONDON, STAFF WRITER

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IAMI HAS BEEN A stronghold for Latin cuisine for years, reflecting the city’s largely Hispanic population. However, as Miami’s food scene begins to diversify, Asian food has been on the rise. Ingredients such as

matcha are increasing in popularity in foodie culture, with its many health-benefits and natural taste. Other restaurants that have contributed to this surge in recognition aim to deliver delicious and traditional home-like dishes with an artisanal spin.

Restaurants such as Yoko Matcha, Miami’s first specialty matcha shop, Atchana’s Homegrown Thai, a welcoming bistro, and Bombay Darbar, a bursting Indian restaurant all offer Miami citizens a delicious meal they do not have to travel far for.

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Yoko Matcha Originally a Chinese tea, matcha was introduced to Japan in 1911. High in antioxidants, the drink helps promote health in the liver and heart and assists in weight loss.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Yoko Matcha, a small but bursting cafe in Wynwood at 2211 NW 2nd Ave., has perfected the art of matcha as Miami’s first specialty matcha shop.

Yoko Matcha owner Chie Dambara grew up splitting time between Japan and Madrid, exposing herself to both very different cultures.

Dambara first learned about the health benefits of matcha during her battle with breast cancer; matcha helped improve her immune health and fight away the cancer. This blend of cultures inspired the creation of Yoko Matcha, with which she hopes to educate Miami food patrons of the many health benefits of matcha.

Another cause for the creation of Yoko Matcha was Dambara’s grandmother.

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“My grandmother Yoko [was my inspiration]! She was a tea ceremony teacher in Japan,” said Dambara.

Yoko Matcha was a pop-up cafe around Wynwood before finding a more established location at Dasher & Crank ice cream shop, Upon walking in, customers are immediately drawn to the whimsical rose wall with the words “Loca for matcha.” The cafe bar, Yoko Matcha’s focus center in the store, is decorated with a beautiful blush pink tile and cake stands containing Yoko Matcha’s dessert items.

With a unique menu ranging from matcha specialty drinks to matcha infused desserts, Yoko Matcha caters to everyone’s tastes.

Dambara makes sure to use authentic matcha, imported from Shizuoka, Japan, to guarantee her customers are receiving the best quality of matcha money could buy.

Specialty drinks such as the Matcha Rosa,

a traditional matcha tea sweetened with rose syrup and garnished with dried rose petals are available for $6.00. Their menu also has a coffee section with standard, non-matcha infused items, such as their latte and cold brew, both $4.00.

Yoko Matcha also features a matcha infused dessert menu combining Japanese and Spanish cuisine, such as a matcha brigadeiro, a Brazilian chocolate truffle cooked with matcha, sold for $2.00. Another popular dessert is the matcha vegan cookie, sold for $4.00 and baked with matcha powder.

“My personal favorite item on the menus is definitely the classic matcha con leche with oat milk and the matcha pastelito,” Dambara said.

With matcha being an unfamiliar ingredient for many Miami natives, Yoko Matcha has a distinctive menu for all to enjoy.

Atchana’s Homegrown Thai Atchana’s Homegrown Thai, located at 3194 Commodore Plaza, brings Thailand’s diverse flavor palate to Miami.

Atchana’s is owned by Atchana Capellini, whose family owned many successful Thai restaurants in Miami shortly after their arrival in 1978. Capellini grew up immersed in the service business as she balanced school and work at her parents’ restaurant, Thai Silk.

She took over her uncle’s restaurant, the Siam Lotus Room, located in South Miami and later went on a new venture and opened Atchana’s East West Kitchen at the Mutiny Hotel in Coconut Grove. With determination to carry on her family’s legacy, Capellini opened Atchana’s Homegrown, a more permanent namesake for her family’s legacy.

Dishes such as ginger chicken — a $15 chicken dish covered in tangy ginger sauce — and Gang Pak — a $14 tofu and vegetable

dish covered in red curry — are found in the Rice Plates section. The noodle bowls section features a total of seven different dishes to choose from, such as Thai beef noodle soup, composed of Thai meatballs and beef in a rich broth and Pad Woon Sen for $14.

What makes Atchana’s menu stand out is their “Random Goodness” section, featuring Thai dishes unique to Atchana’s, such as their Jumping Shrimp Salad, a $17 salad bowl containing shrimp, onions, chili and lime on a bed of fresh greens. Also included in this section is their Thai Trio, a customizable dish where customers can choose their choice of soup, veggie egg roll or summer roll and Atchana’s signature salad for $12.

“One super unique item is Khao Soi Gai. This noodle based dish comes from the Chiang Mai region in northern Thailand and many Thai restaurants in America do not carry

it. It features a rich curry-based broth, chicken, red onion and cilantro. It is avaliable for $16,” Capellin said.

Atchana’s strives to maintain authenticity while still making sure to make Thai cuisine approachable to the majority Hispanic and American population in Miami. Atchana’s also makes sure to use locally sourced ingredients in their dishes, maintaining authenticity and freshness.

“Incorporating locally sourced ingredients is important to us because we are close personal family friends with the people who own the farm in Homestead that grows much of the produce for the Thai community in South Florida,” Capellini said.

Atchana’s unassuming exterior makes for a pleasant surprise as customers enjoy flavor packed dishes in a setting that feels like a home away from home.

Courtesy of Bombay Darbar

Bombay Darbar Walking into the beautifully-decorated Bombay Darbar, a one-of-a-kind dining experience eagerly awaits customers. Inside the brightly colored restaurant, large flat screen TVs playing Bollywood music videos help set the scene and ornate details decorate the ceilings, making customers feel as if they are dining in a palace. Located at 2901 Florida Ave., Bombay Darbar is an authentic Indian eating experience in Miami, with a vast menu filled with traditional dishes.

Upon opening its doors in 2010, Bombay Darbar has established itself as a hallmark for Indian cuisine on the Miami dining scene. Its flagship location in Coconut Grove has a solid clientele and serves an estimated 5,000 dishes weekly. Due to its popularity, Bombay Darbar expanded, opening a new location in Fort Lauderdale in March of last year. Having been open for a little over a decade, Bombay Darbar

has made a name for itself with its extensive menu filled with mouth watering dishes.

“Indian food is one of my favorite cuisines and it took me a while to find a good Indian place in Miami, but after I ate at Bombay Darbar, I knew I had found it,” customer Dalia Calero Although the variety may seem daunting to those inexperienced with Indian cuisine, Bombay Darbar makes this new cuisine feel familiar. With lively music blaring in the background, customers get an immersive and welcoming experience while dining.

Bombay Darbar has a meticulously organized menu with brief descriptions of the dishes in that section. The chicken entrees section features dishes such as chicken tikka masala — a $17.95 chicken dish cooked and served in a rich tomato sauce and mango chicken curry — a chicken dish cooked in

cashew sauce, mango puree and spices, sold for $17.95.

“Their tandoori is delicious and their menu is reasonably priced for the quality of food you’re getting,” Calero said.

The menu also has a vegetable entrees section, including vegetarian options such as “Saag Paneer,” spinach cooked with onion, tomato, ginger and garlic with homemade cheese, valued at $17.95 and dal tadka, yellow lentils cooked with garlic, curry leaves, mustard seeds and cumin.

For those that prefer smoky dishes, Bombay Darbar features a tandoori menu with menu items such as smoky tandoori shrimp, shrimp marinated in yogurt with spices and cooked in a tandoori oven, priced at $22.95.

Bombay Darbar’s lavish decoration is quite fitting for their extravagantly delicious meals and generous servings. h

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Glorification and desensitization of Mental Health

By Marta Rodriguez, Content Editor

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While Mental Health awareness has increased some have begun to over normalize it, thus reducing the severity of mental illnesses

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be hurtful and harmful to those who actually suffer from such diagnoses.

Although it is true, it is being portrayed by some as more of a joke than an actual illness. This could then cause teens who are actually suffering from a mental illness to overlook s y m p t o m s , attributing them to everyday

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HOUGHTS a r e continuous words, memories and phrases that often cause people to overthink and fall into seemingly endless battles with the devastating effects of mental illness. Yet, as conversations surrounding mental health become increasingly normalized, some people have begun glorifying the diagnoses, causing the severity of these illnesses to be devalued.

Historically, mental illness has been a taboo topic that individuals and families hide from the public eye. Given Bilchik that one in four Americans suffers from a diagnosable mental health disorder and m e n t i o n e d selfeven more experience symptoms according that to the National Institute of Mental Health, diagnosing based many members of Generation Z have begun on a simple internet search destigmatizing the can cause battles millions treatable face everyday by and curable sharing their personal ”SOCIETY VIEWS conditions to not experiences. While this only be missed is a step in the right MENTAL HEALTH AS but for the treatment direction because it A TREND BECAUSE OF to be delayed. helps those suffering SOCIAL MEDIA. IT IS “Society views know they are not alone, it also opens EITHER JOKED ABOUT mental health as a trend because of social media. the door for some to OR BELIEVED TO BE A It is either joked about or praise mental disorders, HYPERBOLIC EXCUSE believed to be a hyperbolic using phrases like ‘depression’ or INSTEAD OF GIVEN THE excuse instead of given the space it deserves,” ‘anxiety’ to describe SPACE IT DESERVES,” junior Jana Faour said. their everyday JANA FAOUR, Social pressure has emotions. This has led led some people to believe people to self-diagnose JUNIOR that they have mental themselves based illnesses and used that on symptoms that everyone experiences, which can be dangerous as a way to become more popular. 1p2.4 In an interview with Girlboss magazine, when dealing with such complex illnesses.

During an interview with CBS News, clinical psychologist Dr. Lauren Harb Chief of Medicine and professor at John explained that when people use words like Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica Anton bipolar to describe a mood swing, it can

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“I think society has gotten better in comparison to the previous decades in accepting mental health as an issue of concern and compassion, but we still have lengths to go to provide real help,” chemistry teacher Elizabeth Kiely said.

Over time, people have debated the effects of the open conversation that has since become a part of mental health culture. Whether spreading more awareness is beneficial and if these benefits ultimately outweigh the negatives, causes the controversy to deepen.

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Courtesy of Lilliana Bonner

According to the American Psychiatric Association, a mental illness is a condition that causes changes in emotions, thinking or behavior. Although most cases do not entail physical impairment, mental illnesses can restrict people’s abilities to perform daily functions by causing headaches, fast heart rates and brain damage, among other things. With more people being affected by these disorders due to the pandemic and isolation, mental health awareness helps those who are too scared to reach out for help.

“With people being locked down at home and limited contact with people, a demand for therapists has grown since the pandemic began.” therapist Ryan Allen said in an interview with Local12.

In recent years, mental health awareness has risen substantially, inspiring many psychologists to come up with resources to accommodate those in need of help.

Therapists have begun expanding their offices to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter, offering free advice as an extra aid to those who may not be able to afford it.

Organizations like Mental Health America created activities such as selfscreenings and Instagram Lives with guest

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speakers throughout Mental Health Month to demonstrate the importance of having good mental health. Psychologists have also found that hashtags and viral videos on social media platforms have a massive impact by reaching a lot of people in a short amount of time. During the loneliness and isolation of the pandemic, these resources were easier to access for those in full lockdown.

“I’ve been creating videos about how to manage the worry and anxiety that can come with everything going on in the world,” psychologist Dr. Julie Smith said in an interview with CNN. Further, people who are currently battling with mental health and those who have suffered in the past are sharing videos online, hoping to motivate those feeling defeated.

According to the CDC, about two-thirds of people diagnosed with mental disorders do not pursue treatment. Additionally, given that resources such as medicine or therapy can be hard to access for those that cannot afford it, sharing medical advice on free platforms can help those who may otherwise suffer in silence.

Schools are beginning to raise more awareness about mental health by providing students with educational videos, activities

and speakers. New York mental health experts believe that by recognizing these mental illnesses earlier on and helping, is more likely to have a positive outcome for the students. “Employees are being encouraged to take mental health personal development workshops, and positions within the school system such as Mental Health Coordinator have been created to bridge the cap and connect students with resources in the community,” school counselor Stephanie Nuñez-Moreno said.

John Green, a well-known author and educational content creator, has opened up about his Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, explaining how it has affected his dayto-day life. Feeling as if their emotions are validated, fans felt more connected to him and were able to obtain a better understanding of what their disorder entailed.

“I feel that everyday there are more outlets for help which can be useful for teens that do not have support from people they know personally,” junior Alexa Torres said.

By spreading more awareness on mental disorders and challenging people to talk about them, those who do not battle with these diseases have become more aware of the struggles others face as well.

by the numbers

highlights surveyed 253 students in January 2021 regarding mental health

62.1%

56.1%

of students believe that mental illness is portrayed accurately on movies or television.

30 insight

79.4% believe that mental illness has become less taboo in recent years.

of students feel that social media has negatively affected views on mental illness.

73.5%

of students feel that mental illness has been glamorized in the media.

compiled by Isabella Villarroel/ highlights

69.6%

of students feel that society has dealt with mental illnesses negatively.

While increasing conversations about mental health have facilitated help for many who struggle with conditions such as depression or anxiety, the coinage of these terms has also led to the glorification of such diagnoses.

What is not shown from behind closed doors is that those trying to overcome these illnesses cannot perform the tasks often taken for granted such as getting out of bed, taking a shower and eating. According to Mental Health America, “it can feel like something is psychically preventing you from moving, like there’s nothing worth getting out of bed for or as if the world is too loud.”

For example, Euphoria, a show that depicts the lives of high school students, was intended to express the reality of mental illnesses and drug abuse, not only the symptoms that are considered “trendy.”

It was made to give people a better understanding of mental illnesses and for them to see how important mental health is.

The first season’s glorification of mental disorders and using drugs as their gateway, resulted in Euphoria becoming a trending aesthetic on TikTok and a viral theme for parties. Although this was good for the show’s spotlight it undermined its purpose, changing the

CONS

way people now viewed the episodes.

The first of two premiere episodes released before Euphoria Season 2, however, entailed a deeper look into the main character Rue’s battle to remain sober.

Some viewers were apathetic towards the sorrowful nature of the sneak peak, as they were greeted with the reality of what mental health entails. These reactions proved that society has expectations for the mental illnesses that come with a myriad of side effects and hardships, all of which may not be very glamorous for the public to enjoy. Additionally, others have taken these illnesses portrayed in movies or social media and turned them into characteristics they aspire to have in the future.

“I think social media lends towards the abuse of using mental illnesses as identities for individuals who are not truly suffering from such issues,” Kiely said. “It breeds social media attention, meaning it takes away from many who are truly suffering.”

As a way to spread more awareness of mental illnesses, social media platforms have turned to tribal marketing, a strategy where people share posts about common interests such as political tendency and celeberty drama. The downside of tribal marketing is that although extremely influential, it can be known as one of the

most dangerous tactics. The common use of names of mental illness when referring to human emotions ultimately finds a way into the daily vocabulary of those people.

In some cases, the wide range of definitions for these illnesses have confused society and led people to not understand the seriousness of these disorders. As a result, family members have often dismissed the less severe conditions. Harvard Health stated in 2008 that anxiety has now been tied back to some chronic physical illnesses such as heart disease and respiratory disorders, proving that it is much more than just stress.

“Mental Illnesses are portrayed somewhat accurately, but only tend to show the more obvious cases when there are a variety of uncommon ones, making it harder for those suffering to relate,” senior Gianni Guirola said.

Struggling with mental health is never easy and although society has done a better job at acknowledging these illnesses exist, it has caused some to glamorize them. In order to keep spreading awareness about mental health, people need to familiarize themselves more with the topic and use caution when having a discussion about them. Even though this might seem like an insignificant step, it is one that will have a great impact in generations to come. h

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“I FEEL THAT ALTHOUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS CREATED A FEW PROGRAMS, THEY NEED TO... CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH WILL BENEFIT STUDENTS ON A BETTER LEVEL.” -Leila Rodriguez, sophomore

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“THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL ILLNESSES HAS LED THOSE IN AUTHORITY TO FAIL PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM THESE DISORDERS,

BY NOT TAKING THEM SERIOUSLY AND BRUSHING THEIR SYMPTOMS OFF.” -Nicole Angela Martinez, junior

“[SOCIAL MEDIA] GAVE PEOPLE A VOICE TO TELL THEIR STORIES IN A WAY THAT WILL HELP OTHERS THROUGH THEIR JOURNEYS.” -Lucrezia Basauri, freshman insight

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lightbox Freshman Isabella Barros gets her photo taken for Picture Day. Picture Day took place on Tuesday, Jan. 12 and Wednesday, Jan. 13 for underclassmen PHY students during their English classes with the help of the Cavaleon staff.

Addys Plata / highlights