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THE RESULTS ARE INAND SO IS OBAMA
After over a year of unusually negative campaigns and fluctuating poll results, Barack Obama was elected into his second term as President of the United States on Tuesday, Nov. 6. highlights revisits the results and the election’s impact on the country as well as our local community.
By Casey Breznick
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BY THE NUMBERS TOP CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS President Obama Mitt Romney
MOST VISITED STATES President Obama Mitt Romney FL
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SPEAK UP!
WHY DID YOU VOTE? Camila Madero, senior
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By Brooke Donner
Unlike some other countries, we have a say in who our leader is.
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Maxim Seitter, senior I wouldn’t be a good citizen if I didn’t vote. It’s my right.
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Compiled by Gaby Martinez, Mia Tolpin & Eleonor Bauwens
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PG. 2 The class of 2013 wins Cav Crash for the third year in a row
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COMMUNITY IMPACT Miami-Dade voters approve $1.2 billion bond for schools HEAD NEWS WRITER
On Tuesday Nov. 6, Miami-Dade voters approved initiative 222, a $1.2 billion bond referendum for capital improvements of county schools. The General Obligation Bond will be used to renovate facilities and update technology to meet 21st century standards. Security/surveillance enhancements, air conditioning repair, and classroom technology upgrades are amongst the list of improvements the school can expect to see as a result of the bond. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has promised that most of the renovations will be completed in six to seven years, and that the money will be managed properly, though the school district has yet to release an official timeline and budget for the projects. The bond will be paid for over the next 30 years. In 2013, the bond is projected to cost homeowners $5 per $100,000 of
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PG. 10 The school’s step team, Sistahs With Attitude, storms the stage
taxable property value. For the remainder of the 30 years, it will cost a projected average of $27 annually per $100,000 taxable property value. The first issue of the bond, $200 million, is expected in the summer of 2013. According to the Miami Herald, a political action committee called Building for Tomorrow raised over $1 million to spend on advertising for the initiative. On Oct. 30, the School Board held a town hall meeting at the school. Administrators and parents from schools throughout the county gathered in the auditorium, listened to Carvalho explain the bond, and were given the opportunity to ask questions. “The bond passing is a very good thing for everyone in the district, but especially Gables because we’re 62 going on 63. The students should be the happiest; it’s all for them,” said Principal Adolfo Costa. According to the Miami Herald, initiative 222 passed with a margin of 38 percent.
PG. 15 highlights reviews O Cinema, an independent theater in Wynwood
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THE CAMPAIGN
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Pennsylvania, and Colorado, while Romney took only North Carolina, where the Democrat National Convention was held in September. Obama’s mathematical victory is credited to his In what many have described as one of near-sweep of the swing states. the most important elections in this country’s While the state of the national economy was generally history, Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden recognized as the election’s most pressing issue, social issues were re-elected as President and Vice President like abortion and access to contraception have been credited by of the United States, respectively, defeating pundits as a major issue that pushed Obama ahead of Romney Republican challengers Governor Mitt Romney in key states like Ohio. In this election, and all those after and Representative Paul Ryan. Obama won both 1980, more women than men voted. Obama held an 11-point the electoral and popular vote, with 332 lead over Romney among women voters (Florida was not yet added until late according to nationally-averaged exit polls. Thursday) electoral votes to Romney’s ELECTORAL COLLEGE Romney held the majority of men and 206 and with nearly 50 percent of the whites, while Obama won by wide margins popular vote to Romney’s approximately the young adult, Hispanic, and black votes. 48 percent, the difference going to In congressional elections, all 435 independent parties. House Representatives and 33 Senators Though the Republican primaries were up for re-election. Republicans began over a year ago, the actual presidential campaigns managed to retain control of the House despite a net loss of 2 began this summer after Romney emerged as the Republican seats, while Democrats increased their majority in the Senate contender. Obama and Romney ran what have been described slightly. as particularly bitter campaigns, with each side promoting Florida-specific elections were also decided on Nov. 6, themselves as much as they attacked their opponent’s including the re-election of incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson personality, record, and vision for the future. as one of Florida’s senators. Three of the 11 proposed state All but one of the so-called swing states, those that were constitutional amendments were passed with the required described as “too close to call” by pollsters and pundits 60 percent approval necessary to adopt them. These include and have a history of switching between Democrat and Amendments 2, 9, and 11, which will put into place, Republican votes, went to Obama. These states included Ohio, respectively, tax breaks and relief for veterans, spouses of COPY EDITOR
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GOING GREEN: By Jordan Payne STAFF WRITER
Every year, the International Baccalaureate (IB) science department is required to create and work on a project that involves the three science disciplines, of chemistry, physics, and biology as requirements for the IB curriculum. Last year’s project involved interactive experiments dealing with plant growth in the school’s butterfly garden. This year, the science team, led by department head Iliana Gonzalez, is spearheading a new project—greenhouses. The department is going to purchase two greenhouses measuring six-feet by six-feet that will be located in a fenced in area behind the 700 hall. They hope to start working on the greenhouses within the next couple of months, and the experiments and labs will be able to commence by December. Students are now completing labs such as the
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The school’s science department is attempting to purchase new greenhouses to aid students in creative labs and other experiments that are not viable in classrooms.
observation of worms, compost, and natural “The greenhouse is sunlight verses artificial sunlight and how all going to make the school of these different factors affect plant growth more beautiful. Looking at the which will later determine what will be trees and taking in all of the nature grown inside the greenhouses. Students are around the school is like a break from also performing experiments to find which the stress of the day”, said senior and plants will be able to grow and flourish IB biology student Cristina Szyszko together. It is “We’re hoping estimated that I think it’ll help the science each greenhouse that all of our classes department immensely are able to eventually costs about because they’ll have a use the greenhouse and $300-$400. that all of them benefit hands-on project. So the science from its uses,” said IB department Adolfo Costa, biology teacher Eric has applied Principal Molina. for numerous Even though it grants, such as is geared towards IB the Fairchild biology students, IB chemistry and physics Gardens and the Lowell’s Building the students will also be able to participate. Future Grant. If they do not manage to Physics students will be able to do things get the funds, the science department like assess the direction of light or the will resort to fund raising. temperature in the greenhouses. Chemistry “I think it’ll help the science students will be able to take soil samples, department immensely because they’ll work on pH levels, and study the effects of have a hands-on project to work on,” fertilizers and pesticides. said Principal Adolfo Costa.
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Banners for Europe Computer donations By Rachel Ellis STAFF WRITER
World history teacher Stephanie Cosgrove is planning a school trip to Spain over Spring Break and is having students fund raise by selling banner advertisements to be placed around the school. The banners promote any business that has purchased an advertisement on it to advocate awareness about their company. Each company that purchases a banner has the ability to design and mandate ideas that will catch people’s attention. “It has to relate to what I like, and the banner has to be big enough for me to see,” said freshman Lucas Serau. Banners will be placed in the pavilion, around the cafeterias walls and in the third floor hallway. The fundraiser was approved by Student Activities as one of the main fundraising
By Francis Pérez
proposals sent to the school board. Banners will not be placed outside of the school since the school would need a permit from the City of Coral Gables. Banner sales are not only taking place at the school, but other schools around Miami Dade County. “It was a very creative idea, nobody has ever done it before,” said assistant principal Joseph Evans. Proceeds from the banner sales will help reduce the cost of the price for the students who have trouble meeting the cost. “Everybody has their own individual [financial] goal and some students will actively participate while others will choose not to,” said Cosgrove. The banners deviate from the traditional candy selling and are not as burdensome to students who would have to sell the candy.
STAFF WRITER
After Michael Van Dyk learned he was being surplussed last school year, he gave away the old computers and parts he used to teach his students. However, his classes have returned and in order to replace the lost materials, he is accepting donations. “We need to have computers to work on experimentally in our lab,” said Van Dyk. Students also believe that the lack of supplies affects their class. “We can’t be as efficient as we would be. If we had more computers we would be able to do everything in less time,” said junior Brayan Arritola. He is accepting any donation of computers, routers, switches, mechanical tools and parts for the robotics projects. Van Dyk and his classes use these supplies to build computers and robots. The students also enter
in contests, which require different materials that are not currently available to them. “Students enter the robotics contest and we always need parts for the robots like batteries and screw drivers,” said Van Dyk. Even though he is in need of more, Van Dyk has already received a donation of eleven computers from the A&A Mechanical Contractors. “Laurie Baad, a member of the High Tech Advisory Council, decided to […] help the program and arranged for the donation of the eleven computers,” said Van Dyk. Some of Van Dyk’s students have also donated some of the more easily attainable materials. Sophomore Thomas Mosser gave in CAT5 cable. “I donated because I felt that it would be easier for students to learn if they had a handson experience with the items we were using,” said Mosser.
ROCKIN’ THE HOUSE: CAV CRASH 2012
ONE-MAN BAND
TWO FOR WON
SENIOR THREE-PEAT
STRUMMING THE TUNES: This year’s Cav Crash seemed to be a year of repeats. Talent winner, junior Isabella Maldonado, won last year and managed to have her raw talent impress the judges once again with her guitar and vocal skills.
Brooke Donner/highlights
Brooke Donner/highlights
Brooke Donner/highlights CAV PRIDE: During the annual Cav Crash, all the grade levels have a class war to see which grade shows the most spirit. Third times the charm proved to be true for the senior who won the Spirit war for the third time.
KEEP CALM & DRUM: Senior Yadiel Sanchez shows off his drumming abilities as part of the senior skit which attempted to show all the different activities that rev up the school spirit.
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CONTROVERSY OVER EDUCATIONAL GOALS The Florida State Board of Education passed a plan that sets achievement goals in math and reading based on economic standing and mental disability but more controversially sets goals based on race. By Christina Parodi
if they actually apply themselves in school,” said senior Federico Mercado. By creating lower expectations On Oct. 12, 2012 the Florida State for minorities, some believe that the Board of Education passed new ethnic and Florida State Board of Education is racially based education benchmarks on discouraging students from striving to state proficiency exams which has many achieve their best. worried about stereotyping. On Oct. 18, the Florida State Board A lower percentage of Hispanics and of Education set up a conference call to African Americans are expected to be at or address these grievances and questions above grade level in reading and writing the public had. Pam Stewart, Florida than Caucasian and Asian students over Commissioner of Education, explained the next five years. that these new guidelines do not set By 2018, Florida aims to have 74 lower expectations for racial and ethnic percent of African Americans proficient groups but set higher ones for those in reading while 81 percent of Hispanic lagging behind. She summed up that in students are the end 100 percent expected to have of students should be Their race makes no achieved this same reading at or above difference if they pay goal. The same grade level and that attention in class or not. goes for 82 percent these strategy targets of American Fredrico Mercado a more rapid rate Indian students, of improvement senior 88 percent of for those already white students behind. and 90 percent of Asian students. For the “I think the idea of education economically disadvantaged and English moving towards a pure measure of a language learners, it is at 72 percent, student’s success or failure through for students with disabilities it is at 78 affirmative action is limiting their percent. success. Basing a student’s proficiency “These goals for different races and on one test is not fair to the student. ethnicities are extremely unrealistic. I This leads to the problem of setting know some of the most intelligent African different standards for different races American students in this grade as well on their success. It is discriminatory as intelligent white students. Their race and certain cultures could be offended makes absolutely no difference to whether by these standards,” said English or not they pay attention in class and Literature teacher Preston Scanlon. STAFF WRITER
Percentage of Students at/above Grade Level
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highlights November 2012
November
Rundown
Nine weeks into the school year, the school is implementing new initiatives and inducting new class officers, and Florida International University will now offer TEDx talks, open to any and all students.
“Stop, Drop, and Read” begins By Scarlett Perez NEWS EDITOR
On Nov. 8, the school’s Literacy Team implemented a “Stop, Drop, and Read” initiative to encourage students to become proactive in reading. At the beginning of any period, an administrator will come on the announcement system and announce that it is time to “Stop, Drop, and Read”. Students are then required to read anything of their choice (magazine, book, iPad, Kindle, etc.) for ten minutes. On Nov. 8, the first ten minutes of the second block were allotted to this initiative and it is unclear whether all teachers participated. “I think that if you read something for ten minutes you may not be able to finish, but if will kind of engage you enough to want to finish it at home or another time, which is essentially our goal,” said Assistant Principal Nestor Diaz.
Inaugural TEDx talks at FIU By Scarlett Perez
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Freshmen elections results By Phillip Aitken STAFF WRITER
On Oct. 2, the freshman class officers were elected after a long campaign process. Freshmen students voted Jordan Payne as President and Kevin Torgas as Vice-President. Sabrina Ochoa, Yara Contijoch, and Taylor Fay were elected as the Treasurers and Maria Estrada was elected as Secretary. The newly elected freshmen officers said they want to make their freshmen class standout and incorporate more treat days as upperclassmen expressed their regret at not having enough during their freshman year. “I would like to have more treat days for freshmen and make the Epcot trip for freshmen as fun and as cheap as possible”, said Vice- President Kevin Torgas.
Implementing new school bus policy By Gaby Martinez STAFF WRITER
The school is implementing a new policy that requires bus drivers to check students for identification cards (ID) in order to ensure student safety. Overcrowded buses have become an issue -- students are riding buses other than their designated bus. “Many students ride buses that aren’t theirs because they want to be on the same bus as their friends, or they just need a ride,” said Assistant Principal Jean Baril. Bus drivers now have a roster of students who are on that particular bus, and when a student arrives on the bus, the driver checks their ID to see if their name is on the roster. If a student is caught without an ID, an administrator will be called to verify who the student was, and the student would then be reminded to bring their ID.
New IB business teacher By Christina Parodi
NEWS EDITOR
On Nov 15 at 5:30 pm, Florida International University will be hosting a TEDx event, an independently organzied TED event that diverges from the original TED topics of technology, entertainment, and design but is based upon the same idea. FIU’s seminar will have about eight speakers discussing this year’s theme: Beyond the World You Know. The inaugural conference at FIU is intended to spread global awareness about different ideas that are changing the world. Some of the speakers at this year’s TEDx event includes student philanthropists and leaders in our community which encourage student involvement tobecome aware about global education. Students do not have to be an FIU student to attend.
STAFF WRITER
Joining our faculty staff this year is new business and math teacher, Eduardo Diaz. A recent University of Florida graduate, this is Diaz’s first teaching experience; he is teaching Business 1 and Geometry classes this year. “I believe that my age will give me the ability to relate to students and really connect with my students at a deeper level. I feel as if they can see me as a friend and will be more open to learn because of this,” said Eduardo Diaz. As a Gables alum, Diaz chose to come back because of all the good memories he once experienced at this school. He says he remembers having teachers that are still here such as Spanish teacher Grisell Freijo.
2012 Thanksgiving at CHOCOLATE FASHION Bakery Gourmet Thanksgiving menu Up to 12 people $320
Traditional Thanksgiving menu Up to 16 people $250
Organic Thanksgiving menu Up to 16 people $450
•Duck foie gras stuffed prunes •Celery bisque with Roquefort toast •Turkey breast roulade with crimini, porcini and pancetta •Orange glazed carrot •Creamy potato purée with goat cheese and fresh sage •Haricot vert, roasted fennel and minced shallots •Cranberry ginger chutney •Pumpkin and chocolate mousse cake •1 Raisin nut bread & 1 baguette
•Stuffed roasted turkey •Gravy •Yam casserole •Cranberry and ginger chutney •Roasted garlic carrot and potatoes purée •French green beans and pecan salad •House dressing •Pecan pie •Pumpkin pie •Apple nougat tart •1 Loaf of bread & 1 baguette
•Roasted organic turkey •Bread stuffing with tarragon and organic turkeys bacon •Organic green apple and turkey gravy •Organic Yukon gold potato & wild mushroom gratin •Roasted organic yam purée with brown butter and toasted walnuts •Cranberry and ginger chutney •Organic mixed salad with organic dressing •Pecan pie, pumpkin pie and apple nougat tart •1 Multigrain bread and 2 artisanal baguette
Coral Gables: 248 Andalusia Ave Coral Gables, Fl 33134
South Miami : 5868 Sunset Drive South Miami, FL 33143
Tel: 305-461-3200 Fax: 305-461-1062
Tel: 305-661-7200 Fax: 305-661-0044
5 opinion Piracy: taking artists hostage? highlights
November 2012
Many Internet users are turning to piracy because of its accessibilty and affordability, begging the question: is piracy a threat to artists?
Piracy only harms the label
Piracy a threat to artists
Commentary by Orso Raymo
Commentary by Stephan Chamberlin
HEAD OPINION WRITER
STAFF WRITER
Deemed as the beginning of the end for the average artist, internet piracy is a recent target of government crackdown efforts, such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA), to stop this threat to profits for the original artists and producers who created the pirated material. While the intentions of these actions may seem genuine, the artists aren’t the ones principally at risk; the publishers are. Furthermore, these attempts to crack down on modern-day pirates will inevitably be in vain. The fact of the matter is that piracy is here to stay. The convenience and relative cheapness of peer-to-peer music-sharing programs such as Utorrent, as well as current restrictive copyright laws on digital purchases, make piracy a very enticing alternative to teens and young adults seeking to satisfy their auditory and visual entertainment desires. The good people behind the anti-piracy movement aren’t only the artists themselves, but also the large media corporations. These corporations, that sign the artists whose work is illegally downloaded, would have you believe that when you illegally download an album you are depriving that artist of that full $10 iTunes would charge. In reality, an artist makes just 93 cents on average per $10 purchase; the rest of the money goes into the pockets of the big publishing companies. In order to accommodate the financial needs of artists while keeping music free, the pesky middle man – the publishers – need to be cut out of the equation. In addition to being extraneous leeches on the creative effort of the people who actually create the art, these corporate moochers are simply not a necessity in the age of free digital distribution. In years past, publishers were integral to artists because they allowed for the distribution of their work nationally and worldwide, the internet has made this role obsolete as artists can perform the same task at no extra cost to them. An artist can successfully self-publish on the Internet without a label and gain equal fame as if he or she were backed by a well-known, well-connected publishing company. In fact, a sizeable amount of new artists are moving away from corporate publishers towards independent distribution. A plausible solution to the problems of paying artists their due and keeping costs low is the creation of a file-sharing website where artists make official accounts and then get a check every month whose amount is determined by the number of downloads or views their songs get. The website’s revenue could be generated by ads on the webpage, all the while keeping the media itself free to the user. When it comes down to it, the real culprit is, without a doubt, big media. If it were not for their army of lawyers, flocks of lobbyists, and deep pockets there would be no discussion about piracy. Popular demand should be the sole determining force behind what the markets look like, but intrusive government efforts like SOPA and PIPA are preventing the financial and entertainment happiness of both the artist and listener, who most definitely outnumber the legions of big media special interests.
This teenage generation is no stranger to the Internet. We all listen to music, read books, and watch movies on popular websites like YouTube and Netflix. Some people have decided to bypass the middlemen who provide the websites with our entertainment by getting the media they seek straight from websites like Pirate Bay and BitTorrent. These websites don’t financially recognize the artists that produce the music they pirate. As people get fed up with buying music from iTunes for 99 cents per song, the popularity of pirating music is rapidly increasing. The problem with pirate websites is that they take away the revenue that comes from legitimate websites like iTunes – the same revenue that allows artists to create more music. An important part of creating music and being a composer is being financially recognized for the work that you do. The websites that pirate music are atrophying traffic from the websites that sell music legally, and making them less profitable. Why would anyone go to a website where they would have to pay for their music when there are websites that distribute music for free? The fact is, pirating music is much easier. We are also going to have to address the fact that piracy isn’t going away. No matter how low the prices for music are, it won’t be enough. People will always take the easy way out, instead of doing the right thing. The arguments in favor of piracy say that the record labels are already making enough money, and that websites that sell music are only benefitting the corporate entities that manage the music’s rights. Although these big record labels are making the bulk of the money off of websites that sell music, it is certainly a better alternative to the financial compensation that comes from only advertising. The proposed solution to paying for music is that artists should sign with websites that advertise, and then financially compensate the artists with the money from advertising based on downloads. The problem is that advertising doesn’t bring in nearly enough money to both support websites like Pirate Bay and pay the artists currently affected by piracy. Furthermore, getting every single artist to sign with every single website is impractical. A better solution would be to decrease the profits to the big record labels and give artists a bigger cut of the revenue. Pirating music is detrimental to the creative process. The big artists that we frequently hear played over the radio aren’t the ones being affected by piracy; the artists that are affected operate on a smaller scale, producing music with little to no help. Some examples would be electronic artists that don’t have publicists. Because they are lesser known, they don’t usually sell their music on CDs or in a hard physical format. Their only revenue comes from legal websites like iTunes that financially compensate artists. So what the industry really needs is a retreat of the big record labels, an increase in the profits that go directly to the artist, and the elimination of websites that illegally pirate music in order to support artists and allow them to continue making music.
TWO VIEWS
Opposable THUMBS Starwars 7
“It’s a trap!” -Orso Raymo, Opinion Head Writer
Election 2012 “Florida just likes the attention.” -Casey Breznick, Copy Editor
Jamaican Patties “Jamaican me fatty!” -Scarlett Perez, News Editor
Miami High “We’re better at vandalism than they are at football.” -Nicolas Rivero, Opinion Editor
Library usage hindered by excessive testing STAFF
the Internet. Some students do not have access to these technologies at home, and with the growing demand for digitized learning, students are finding themselves with more homework they cannot do at home. Although the library is open after school, many students who take the bus or do not have the opportunity to stay after school are at a disadvantage in completing assignments such as research papers or simply checking their homework if they do not have a computer at home. It has come to the attention – and chagrin – of many students on “It’s really inconvenient when the library is closed because campus that the frequent closure of the library for testing and other sometimes when I need to use the computer for work I end up not school-related purposes has made it nearly impossible for most students having anywhere to go,” said sophomore Julian Sanchez. to take advantage of what the library normally offers. What seems to be the most effective way in dealing with this Common sense dictates that a school library provides students with problem is actually having designated testing rooms, with the library a place to find and check out books, do homework, and use technology being used for only very large test-taking groups. With testing labs like computers in order to supplement one’s education or other learning serving smaller groups, the library would be open more frequently endeavours. to students who need it. The labs would provide The push for an increase in digitized test takers with a more suitable environment for It’s really inconvenient when testing requires the use of the library’s taking their tests. the library is closed because computers. So while the library could “In the past we’ve made arrangements with sometimes when I need to use be available for the entire student body the [business department’s computer labs] to the computer for work I end up to use, it is instead impractically only provide students with a place to go to during not having anywhere to go. being used for a small percentage of second lunch to do their assignments,” said Diaz. students. It is important to note that this Julian Sanchez, Unfortunately, Diaz admitted that a lack of effect is not the fault of the school’s Sophomore funds and space in the school makes it impossible administration, which must comply with for the addition of new computer labs completely testing requirements and simultaneously devoted to testing. deal with limited funding and school In the meantime, one possible solution would be to use virtual space. class labs for testing and give the displaced students the school’s “It is always a concern when the media center is not available at newly-received laptop carts to do their work. The laptop carts include a certain time because it is being utilized for a certain purpose,” said Wi-fi and enough laptops to accommodate a whole class. They also Assistant Principal of Curriculum Nestor Diaz. give the class the flexibility to work in any part of the school. The reasons for a fully available and open library are mostly For now, students can plan their library trips ahead of time by obvious: books, homework, etc. However, limited library access is checking testing calendars that can be found on the district website. creating a problem for students who need to use computers, printers, and
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Spirit on the rise
Commentary by Jordan Payne & Stephan Chamberlin STAFF WRITERS
School spirit is often thought of as being one of the less important parts of high school. There are already tests, homework, and teachers to worry about, so why spend time and effort to promote school spirit? Does waving pom-poms and wearing those crimson and grey shirts really make a difference? The truth is that it absolutely does. Spirit is what prevents school from crossing the near-inevitable line of boredom. Seven hours of learning can be extremely tiresome, as most students will agree. But pep rallies, football games, and spirit week offer us much-needed and exciting breaks from monotonous and stressful school work. Luckily for us, our school recognizes the important role of extracurricular school spirit. Fridays are the school’s official spirit days, and throngs of students proudly don their club shirts each week. The school also pushes other spirit-themed initiatives, like spirit week. The creative and crazy outfits show that school doesn’t have to be filled with unpleasant activity, and that it’s possible to be amusing from time to time. What is possibly the best part of school spirit is the fact that it’s diverse in nature. Members of the school’s various publications made an impressive showing at FIU’s Journalism Day on Oct. 20. At the awards ceremony, “Coral Gables Senior High” was uttered so many times that it practically became a cliché. Every time a Gables publication received an award, all of the students were up on their feet shouting, “Go Cavs!” Yet another element of spirit is attendance at football games. In movies, stands are filled with students, all donning their school colors, cheering for their team. Although we’re not quite at that point yet, clubs such as S.O.S. and people like Coach Pollard are working hard to improve game attendance. Recently, we have been shown that Gables is a culture of which we are proud to be a part. Administrators, teachers, and students alike want everyone who walks these halls to be proud to be a Cavalier. It is our hope that at the rate we are going, that day is not too far down the line.
November 2012
Students forced to stay after school
School policy states that teachers are not allowed to penalize students for not attending afterschool sessions such as lessons or reviews. Some teachers, however, do hold mandatory after school sessions, forcing students to make a difficult choice: give up their free time or sacrifice their grade. Commentary by Maggie Rivers
students to come and work individually on something they weren’t sure about,” said French teacher Maria Fernandez. For the typical Gables student, afterScience teacher Orestes Mayo said he holds school time is often filled with practices, club mandatory after-school sessions for his AP and IB meetings, bus-catching, or work. For some Physics classes because both have lecture and lab students, however, after-school time may credits, and by signing up to take the class, students actually include school. Some teachers have have to realize they are also signing up to go to aftermandatory after-school lessons or activities school labs. that interfere “In an eight period school day with the busy high school we lose 45 days of class and due In an eight period school day we student’s schedule and, as to the [AP] test being in May, we lose 45 days of class, and due to a result, students’ grades are trying to do a two semester the [AP] test being in May, we are sometimes suffer. course in a 100 something days,” trying to do a two semester course While after-school said Mayo. in a 100-something days. sessions are understandably While these considerations Orestes Mayo, well-intentioned, many are certainly reasonable, students students are torn between Science Teacher should be notified during class other obligations and their selection of the mandatory time grade. Most students have commitment many advanced extracurriculars and responsibilities which they feel are courses require. equally or almost as important as schoolwork. Some of these Additionally, making attendance at these sessions responsibilities, such as family obligations, cannot be negotiated. extra credit would reward students who make the effort Transportation issues, including living far from the school or to show up without punishing those who don’t. If these having to take the bus, simply make it nearly impossible for sessions are essential to obtaining class credit, allowing some students to schedule for after-school sessions. students the opportunity to come in during lunch could The primary reason teachers hold after-school sessions is help alleviate the strain. Some teachers, like Fernandez that they don’t have adequate in-class time to cover the material, and Mayo, have done these in the past. especially in more rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) or Compromise requires realizing both the educational International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. intentions of teachers and the sentiment that students “When you have a class of 35 it is hard to give the students should be allowed to use time after school at their the intensity needed for AP and IB. These sessions allow discretion. SCENE EDITOR
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Uproar over racebased testing goals Commentary by Nicolas Rivero OPINION EDITOR
Recently, the Florida state legislature approved a plan to raise the percentage of students who meet the bare minimum requirements of reading and math for their grade level from 57 percent to 82 percent by 2018. Public outrage followed the announcement of this seemingly harmless proposal, not because Florida only manages to educate just over half of its students, but because the plan set different goals for student populations based on race. I thought this was a little odd, too, until I read the plan for myself. The first thing I want to point out is the fact that the goals are not only race based. They address a variety of socioeconomic factors, like economic disadvantage and familiarity with the English language, that have obvious and proven impact on students’ scores on standardized tests. Race is only one aspect of the plan’s goals, receiving exactly one mention in 24 pages. Moreover, the fact that the plan breaks down goals by race is nothing more than an acknowledgement of reality. Currently, 76 percent of Asian students read at grade level compared to 38 percent
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of black students. The state legislature aims to cut this gap in half, from a difference of 38 percentage points to just 16 by 2018. The inequality cannot be completely eliminated in six years, but the state plans to make significant progress. Lastly, the only reason why the plan includes race-based goals at all is that the No Child Left Behind Act, a federal law, requires schools to report how different subgroups of their student populations are performing. Because Florida failed to meet the standards of that Act, it must now apply for a waiver to avoid penalty. Having a plan to improve student performance that addresses race is one of the requirements to get that waiver. And to top it off, if everything goes according to plan, 100 percent of all students, regardless of race, will be proficient in reading and math by 2022, according to Florida Education Commissioner Pamela Stewart. It seems to me that in their outrage over an imagined racial slight, critics have lost sight of the glaring problem here: almost half of the children in Florida do not meet the most basic requirements for proficiency in reading and math. Rather than quibble over the political correctness of our educational goals, let’s focus on fulfilling them instead.
highlights ADVISORY BOARD:
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ADVISER
BUSINESS MANAGER
COPY EDITOR
Ali Stack
AJ Ziv
SECTION EDITORS:
NEWS
Scarlett Perez, Brooke Donner
FEATURES
Yaremy Fuentes
SPORTS
Gene Liu, Lukas Georgatos
Melissa Nieves
Casey Breznick
OPINION
Nicolas Rivero
INSIGHT
Deanna Breiter, Audrey Fernandez
THE SCENE
Maggie Rivers
Staff Members: Laura Acosta, Phillip Aitken, Eleonor Bauwens, Andrea Biondi, Raquel Braun, Stephan Chamberlin, Anthony Concia, Rachel Ellis, Rachel English, Mariana Londoño, Gabrielle Martinez, Christina Parodi, Jordan Payne, Francis Pérez, Orso Raymo, Araceli Sanchez, Mia Tolpin, Cyrus Zeledon Contributors: Thalia Herrera, Léa Serrano highlights is the official publication of Coral Gables Senior High, 450 Bird Rd.,Coral Gables, FL 33146. Call (305) 443-4871 ext. 2383, email melissanieves@ dadeschools.net for ad rates. highlights accepts all legal advertisements. If a mistake occurs, the ad will be reprinted, free of charge, in the following issue. Subscriptions are available for $15 annually. Opinions expressed on the editorial page do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school. highlights is an open forum and welcomes readers’ opinions on all topics. Letters to the editor should not exceed 200 words and must be signed, but names may be withheld on request and with the concurrence of the editorial board. The editors reserve the right to reject, edit and condense letters. All letters should be turned in to the F237 mailbox. highlights strives to represent all groups fairly. Men and women of all races and nationalities will be represented with the same respect and dignity. This publication avoids racial identification except when it is essential to communication.
Press Affiliations: Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, NSPA Hall of Fame, Florida Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll
Thalia Herrera/Contributor
insight
highlights November 2012
T H E
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STRENGTH OF
W E A K TIES
THOUGH THE POPULATION IS STEADILY GROWING, THE WORLD IS BECOMING A SMALLER PLACE. THE WEAK TIES CREATED THROUGH THE SIMPLE CONNECTIONS WE MAKE WITH EACH OTHER EVERY DAY HAVE BECOME THE MEANS BY WHICH WE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF HOW FAR THEY MAY BE FROM US. highlights TAKES A LOOK INTO THE “SIX DEGREES” THAT SEPARATE US FROM ONE ANOTHER AND THEIR INCREASING IMPORTANCE IN FOSTERING AN INTERCONNECTED SOCIETY.
insight
highlights November 2012
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SIX DEGREES BETWEEN YOU AND ME larger than oneself. our ties, a web of free-flowing ideas, as Doubt is bound to arise when the strong as steel, available for tapping into network of connections becomes so at anytime. vast. One might question the actual human value of It’s easy to see Six Degrees in smaller a Facebook friend or Twitter follower. In the attempt communities such as our school. Though to close social gaps in society, these connections highlights cannot actually calculate an oftentimes bring those who don’t have anything in average degree of separation in our school, it common or don’t like one another together. is not beyond reason to say and recognize our “I don’t personally know all of my friends on school’s compartmentalized interconnectedness. Facebook, but having them there helps when it Noticeable cliques exist, but they allow for comes to being updated on school work and events,” inter-clique socialization which allow for said junior Ana Chacin, geographical, cultural, who realizes that all her and educational I don’t personally know all of my friends on Facebook are connections. However friends on Facebook, but having not all necessarily actual crude it seems, the them there helps when it comes friends. student body is not to being updated on school work No great societal composed of friends and events. change will come about via and strangers, but of status updates, retweets, nodes of particular Ana Chacin, junior or witty photo comments. importance to Yet, however frivolous the us whether it’s actual actions of our seemingly unimportant human for social interaction, education, or an connections, they show not the focus or the potential information source. of Six Degrees. Our increasingly shrinking world Many of these connections presents the opportunity of interconnectedness not remain after graduation, and each only in spending time on social networking sites for of our personal webs’ nodes will entertainment, but for intellectual growth as well. become part of new webs, all With at least a billion of the world’s people of which become part of the actively engaged on social networking and the ever-expanding web of Six Internet, it becomes apparent that the seemingly Degrees. The strength of unimportant links made between one’s friends and these weak ties will friends of friends can become the source of solutions prove to become to solve real world problems. All throughout history, our generation’s times and places of free exchange of ideas – the greatest source Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution - brought of growth and about improvements in incremental proportions progress. beyond what the world had ever seen. Such is the potential of
By Audrey Fernandez & Casey Breznick
OUT OF 100 STUDENTS SURVEYED
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We all know a guy who knows a guy, and that guy might know another guy who lives 3,000 miles away. Through connections like these, getting a hold of that one person becomes a matter of just connecting with two people. According to the theory of Six Degrees of Separation, we are all connected to one another by “six steps of connection or fewer”. It works as outlined above – one person knows one person, who knows another, etc., until two people of entirely different dispositions have been connected. This idea was first promoted in the 1920s, and proved, somewhat mathematically, in the 1960s, a time when email and social networking were just emerging into the daily lexicon. Technology, namely the Internet and social networking, led the way for the shrinkage of our world into an average interconnectedness of just 4.7 connections. A small world is now, it seems, even smaller. In the past, the needs of society shaped its course. Steel came about because we needed a stronger building material for bridges and skyscrapers, both of which were necessities brought about by transportation and overpopulation strains. Social networking, the engine behind Six Degrees, has no apparent value other than to satisfy, perhaps, an innate human desire to connect, socialize, and feel part of something
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FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES
100 Source: www.mdb.scout.com, www.wset.com, www.sciotocountysanitary.us
THOUSAND NEW TWEETS
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Source
highlights November 2012
THROUGH DIFFERENT LINKS THAT START HERE AT SCHOOL, highlights CAN EASLY FND ITS WAY TO THE MIAMI HEAT.
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FORMER NEWS EDITOR OF highlights FORMER SPEECH & DEBATE CLUB PRESIDENT CLASS OF 2012
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Compiled by Deanna Breiter and Audrey Fernandez.
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THE MIAMI HEAT 2012 NBA CHAMPIONS
NEXT-LEVEL NETWORKING By Deanna Breiter
IN 60 SECONDS ON THE INTERNET...
204 MILLION EMAILS SENT
e: www.scoop.intel.com
INSIGHT EDITOR
Humans are a dependent species. We naturally thrive off of each other, both biologically or socially. To be successful, it is our responsibility to work with others in order to maintain a solid network that we can carefully use to our advantage. Because certain aspects of life in the present have become progressively more competitive, forming a network and surrounding ourselves with people who have the tools to get us what or where we want is more important now than ever. The idea of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” might just be a wake up call to many, and your mom’s friend’s hairdresser’s brother could be your best bet for getting where you want to go. Networking plays a huge role even in something as fundamental as receiving an education. You may be one of thousands who meet the demanding standards of many colleges and universities, but what sets you apart from the rest? Networking and going after what you want gives you an extra leg up because colleges are aware of students that go the extra mile
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to take it upon themselves to get in contact and show their interest in the particular school. “If a student has contacts with any college, whether through their parents, siblings, advisors, counselors or parents’ friends, I think it’s very important to use those contacts,” said College Assistance Program (CAP) Counselor Liz Stack. “A lot of times people have positions where they can assist you in coming for a visit, getting to know administrators, or getting an interview, so it’s definitely important in networking in terms of being able to sort of find a way into the school.” College is like the purgatory of our youth; one big waiting room where we go to get what we need to figure out the rest of our lives and await the harsh reality of the real world: getting a job. “Colleges typically do have career centers and internship offices that are builtin, ready made programs where they have students who streamline into these positions and have had for years,” said Stack. “They have contact with companies, non-profits, or volunteer organizations where students can go on campus to these centers and talk to the counselors there about what they’re interested in and then those counselors will help them with the networking to get involved in those
opportunities.” Though colleges give us a basis of knowledge and the tools for our future, there is no guarantee of a successful career. We must be conscious of our resources and take initiative to get to where we want to go, using our networking opportunities to our advantage. That small job you get from your neighbor filing papers at her law firm could open you to connections to an alumnus of your dream law school and you may even begin to fulfill those visions of opening your own law firm. When it boils down to it, who we know could ultimately be the key to how we shape the rest of our lives. That is not to say we have to surround ourselves with big shots and celebrities, but keeping in contact with a variety of people could be key, and with modern technology, making these connections is nothing short of a breeze. “I think networking has always been important,” said Stack. “I think the difference is that now it’s easier because with technology has come ways in which students can get in touch with a lot of different people more easily.”
features
highlights
10
November 2012
&
BEATS RK BRUSHW>O > the art issue
By Maggie Rivers l a c Lo io Between the static, same Nicki Minaj song every ten minutes and the setup of most radio shows, stations like Y100 and Power96 seem all too similar, leaving radio with a uniform Rad ions hosts’ ubiquity that gets listeners tired fast. These local stations bring their raw style and flair. Stat Dance 99.5 THE SCENE EDITOR
WVUM 90.5
Rem e y Fu hts
hlig
/hig ntes
Broadcast and run by University of Miami students, WVUM radio features a lineup of different student hosts with diverse musical tastes. While most hosts tend to play a lot of indie and obscure music, genres like dance, rap, and pop is still integrated in their show times. This, along with their laid-back vibe and easy communication with listeners, allows for almost anyone to find a host they can relate to on WVUM. WVUM’s accessibility is great too. Besides being able to tune in to this station in the car, their online live stream is great while doing homework, making it easy to listen anytime. Listeners can request songs through the hosts’ personal twitters or the WVUM phone number. “I listen to WVUM every now and then; usually when I’m in need of new music or when I’m in the car,” said senior Sofia Murray. “The one host I listen to the most is Amber. She plays a lot of music I enjoy, like Yeasayer, LCD Soundsystem, Cut Copy, and Junior Boys.”
A new addition to Miami’s radio line-up is Dance 99.5 which provides a non-stop dance music station to build the sound track to Miami’s never ending party scene. The Weekly Mix is the regularly planned show which rotates among resident DJs: DJ LS, DJ Shagzz, and Gables’ own student Gabriel Castillo as DJ Sneakz. On Sundays, DJ LS hosts Slow Jamz, Throwback Sundays and Dance after Dark. Throwback Sundays are composed of classic hip hop and rap while Dance after Dark is a variety show with music from 80s, 90s, and today. DJ Sneaks has his own shows on Monday’s (Monday Madness) and on Wednesday’s (Sneak Attack) where he plays a variation on non-stop dance music. Dance 99.5 has a DJ for everyday of the week and never stops playing music, but as if that was not enough the station also streams live online and even has an application for smart phone users. To download the application just go to the Dance 99.5 web site to scan the barcode and you will have non stop music on your phone.
Coral Gables Gallery Night By Laura Acosta
Most residents of Coral Gables do not know the origin of its iconic Gallery Night, when the streets fill up more than usual. On the first Friday of every month, galleries in the area open their doors from around 6 to 10 p.m. for the monthly Coral Gables Gallery Night. Gallery Night started in 1980 (first art walk) when Virginia Miller, owner and director of Virginia Miller Galleries, noticed how beneficial it would be if all galleries were opened to the public on the same night, allowing those interested in art to view them all. “It took awhile, but eventually I was able to persuade the gallery directors to hold their opening receptions on the first Friday of every month, and the first Gables Gallery Night was launched,” said Miller. By 1985, the majority of the galleries in the Gables area had disappeared, leaving Gallery Night wounded. Miller “never lost sight of [her] goal”, and as galleries trickled in during 1990 she “encouraged them to open on the same night”. She spoke to the city council about linking all these galleries together, thus creating the Coral Gables trolleys for the rebirth of Gallery Night in 1991. “Clearly, the community was ready for a monthly cultural event like Gables Gallery Night because from the beginning it attracted thousands of people to the business area of Coral Gables,” said Miller. Currently, Gallery Night brings a substantial number of visitors to the Gables, and a quick glance into a gallery reveals crowds of people gathered to share the love of art, quite different from the Gables of 1989, which Miller describes as “virtually deserted after 6 p.m.” These galleries surround Ponce de Leon Boulevard, extending all the way towards Merrick Park, footsteps away from the school. Gallery Night is extremely different from the others art shows around Miami. It is formal, whereas the new hubs of art in places like Wynwood become fields for experimentation. Currently, there are other art walks everywhere in Miami: the Arts and Design Night and Wynwood Art Walk every second Saturday, the Bird Road Art Walk every third Saturday, and Little Havana’s Cultural Fridays the last Friday of each month, but none has as rich a tradition as the Coral Gables Gallery Night. STAFF WRITER
Laura Acosta/highlights GETTING ARTSY: Galleries display various pieces of art for guests to appreciate; while the Coral Gables trolleys can be used as an easy mode of transportation from gallery to gallery.
STEPPIN’ & REPPIN’:
Sistahs With Attitude
By Mia Tolpin
to get out of their seats during a random period and perform a routine in front of their class. Team captain, senior Deja Stephens thought of Only the sassiest girls are eligible to join the new the idea in her freshman year, but as a junior put the step team at the school, idea into action. Sistahs With Attitude (SWA), “When you come into I decided to start a step because they have to live up high school, you try to find team... I wanted to bring all the to the reputation their name yourself. I noticed that a lot girls together and help them has made. of African American girls find themselves, The new step team is weren’t involved in the hard to miss -- their beats and school’s activities. I decided Deja Stephens, calls reverberate through the to start a step team, since senior auditorium during practice step is drawn from African every Tuesday and Thursday roots. I wanted to bring all the to and at events like football games and pep-rallies. girls together, and help them find themselves,” said “It’s a great group of girls, they’re very lady like. Stephens. I knew I wouldn’t have to baby-sit them,” said social Even though SWA debuted this year, Stephens studies teacher and SWA sponsor Porsha Smith. hopes SWA keeps on steppin’ after she graduates. The team recently held tryouts for new members, The team’s founding members include four juniors, where SWA hopefuls were put to the test: as the final so the legacy is sure to continue. cut, potential members were asked, without warning, STAFF WRITER
Scarlett Perez/highlights
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STOMP THE STAGE: Sistahs With Attitude steppers perform at the Cav Crash showcase on Nov. 7. Their routine incorporated moves from other performances as well as new combinations featuring the team’s newest members, who were introduced at the show.
features
highlights
November 2012
11
College Application
Spotlight:
Homecoming royalty
Nightmares
By Raquel Braun
For those who attend one, a homecoming dance is an event that radiates the essence of the typical American high school experience. Stepping out from a limo (or your mother’s minivan) and walking past the well-guarded doors of SET Nightclub in South Beach, fellow seniors and juniors (and a few underclassmen) experienced a night of sweaty dancing and delicious mini-empanadas. For two students in particular, though, homecoming was more than just a dance -- it was a coronation. Seniors Carlos Baez and Yanet Del Campo were named this year’s Homecoming King and Queen, respectively. “It was a good way to start my senior year,” said Baez, who admitted to being doubtful of being voted king by fellow male and female seniors. However, it is not that surprising that Baez took the crown home, considering he is the much-loved Cav Man, president of the drama club, and one of the most spirited students in the school. Del Campo admitted to being equally surprised at the voting results, but received the crown and accompanying flowers with pride. “Through high school I never really thought about doing it [running for homecoming queen]. It was kind of unexpected [but] it will definitely be one of my best high school memories,” said Del Campo. Both king and queen said they decided to run because their friends were encouraging them to take the risk, knowing their popularity and school spirit were well-known. While Baez and Del Campo were certainly the highlight of one part of the night, it was a memorable evening for all the attendees.
highlights lish/ En g
STAFF WRITER
el
By Mariana Londoño
Just when the senior class think they are done having Ra nightmares about homework and project deadlines, the most important deadline of a student’s high school life begins to creep closer -- college applications. Although college applications are a necessary step in moving beyond high school, all students dread the exhausting, timeconsuming reality of pulling all-nighters to complete the applications to their dream universities by the prescribed deadlines. Sure, most students think that they will not be the procrastinators of their class, but social lives can and often do get in the way of better judgment. With every college appilcation to conquer, senior year gets worse. Once college applications start taking hold of the lives of hopeful applicants, nightmares having to do with monsters and murderers morph into fears of crashing computers and power outages. Imagine the relief of having completed all applications only to realize that all of your hard work had been erased minutes before the deadline to turn them in or your computer crashes or freezes. “What if when I apply, I send the wrong “I’m just worried that after I submit [my application], it address or phone number and [the college] will all get erased,” said senior Marcel Vera. ends up calling someone else who sent in the Some seniors simply fear that they will not get accepted same application, and I have to go home with into their desired college. Others, like senior William nothing?” said senior Nelson Delgado. Peralta, do not want to “settle” for just any school because their applications were not up to par. “What if when I apply, I send the wrong address or phone number and [the college] ends up calling someone else who sent in the same application, and I have to go home with nothing?” said senior Nelson Delgado. Some students dedicate their Friday or Saturday nights to applying to their dream schools, but most do not have the self discipline or restraint to sacrifice their social lives and resort to waiting until the night before to start working on their applications. Seniors would rather not spend valuable time writing and submitting college applications, but most are driven enough to acknowledge the gnawing reminder of college deadlines and face the fear of failure, or of simply getting a computer virus. “I’m worried that I’ll end up missing a really important detail in my application or I’ll write something wrong and I won’t be able to fix it,” said senior Frankie Enclada. Enclada also said that he hopes that he would be able to I’m worried that I’ll end up missing a “talk to whoever’s in charge” if something were to go wrong really important detail in my application or with his college app. The Nov. 1 deadline has passed. Until Jan. 1, students I’ll write something wrong and I won’t be can take a breath of fresh air and relax until decisions are able to fix it,” said senior Frankie Enclada. issued. ch
RemyBrooke Fuentes/highlights Donner/highlights CROWNED: Homecoming King and Queen, Carlos Baez and Yanet Del Campo, were crowned around 10 P.M. at the dance held at SET Nightclub on Lincoln Road.
STAFF WRITER
BACK AS CAVS
Gables graduates return as teachers
By Andrea Biondi STAFF WRITER
Andrea Biondi/highlights
ENGLISH
After nearly six years away from the school, Michelle Zaldivar has returned as a graduate from the Florida International University with Bachelor’s degrees in International Business and English. “The day of the interview, I received a call Michelle Zaldivar, English teacher, has replaced from Mr. Costa saying ‘Welcome to Coral Gables’,” Michelle Vidal. Zaldivar recounted. “Even though other opportunities have presented themselves to me, […] this is my home. It has made the awkward transition from student to teacher much more doable,” said Zaldivar. It was merely a matter of good timing for Zaldivar. English teacher Michelle Vidal went on maternity leave and left her class in the hands of Zaldivar. Coincidentally, Zaldivar did not arrive alone to snatch a teaching position. Two other Gables graduates have tagged along, all of whom were friends with each other while they attended the school as students, and who are happy to be here together now.
MATH
SCIENCE
Having graduated from the school in 2007, Eduardo Diaz has returned to his alma mater with a Master’s degree in Business Management from the University of Florida taking up the position as the school’s new IB Business and Geometry teacher. “Originally, I got my teaching certification just to have more credibility Eduardo Diaz unexperctedly as a tutor,” said Diaz, yet returns to the school as a somehow, he wound up back math teacher. here. “It was really just chance. Some months after stopping by the school to visit my old teachers, I received a call from Ms. Suarez offering me a teaching position here,” said Diaz. After five years away from the school, Diaz feels strange being back here as Cavalier once again and working alongside many of the teachers that once taught him. “It’s a weird feeling when I walk through the halls. It’s reminiscent,” he said. Thankfully, the math department has been very helpful in accustoming him to the bureaucratic process, which Diaz admits to not being very familiar with, and in accustoming him to his new place in the school.
Five years after graduating from this school, Kelli Fraga returned with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Florida to be the new Biology and Chemistry teacher. Although she originally came to the school with the intention of assisting the swimming and water polo teams, she eventually realized that teaching was her calling. Kelli Fraga, science teacher, “I taught summer school came to the school with the one year for Breakthrough intent to help with water polo Miami and I really enjoyed it, and swimming. and my passion is in science, so I just put two and two together,” said Fraga. Like Diaz, Fraga feels strange teaching at the school because the students sitting and learning in the same seats she sat in only a few years ago. “It’s a little surreal. I still can’t bring myself to call them by their first names,” Fraga said shyly. Despite the occasional awkwardness that these three new teachers must experience, they are all glad that they have found a home here at the school, just as they did some years ago. As Fraga puts it, “where better to help than my alma mater?”
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13 sports Badminton preps for next title highlights
Courttesy of Steve Campagna
November 2012
RACKETEERING: As the seniors from last year's championship varsity badminton team (center) move on to college and the juniors are promoted as the new team leaders, current seniors practice heavily to fill the experience void. Senior Maria Gutierrez (left) strikes the shuttlecock stragetically to continue the volley. Also a senior, Eugenio "Josh" Alvarez (right) practices smashing the birdie during a prior season's game. Not only are the seniors working on their skills, but are also mentoring incoming teammates.
They said that they want to “set the bar high” and “be better and junior varsity badminton teams the last school year. than before.” This upcoming season, the varsity badminton team said “Since the seniors left last year, I they hope to attract a crowd of hope to get a GMAC title once again prospective players ready to receive Since the seniors left last year, and prove that Gables badminton the current players’ knowledge of the I hope to get a GMAC title once is the best,” said junior badminton fundamentals of the game, which, again and prove that Gables player Julian Falconi. according the current badminton badminton is the best. The badminton team has already players, is grounded in precision had a meeting to recruit young footwork and shuttlecock-handling Julian Falconi, players and to inform returning techniques. junior badminton and new players about information Campagna’s goals last year were player regarding practice and open gyms. to “take over the reins”, but this year Campagna plans to have a few it is to be “at the top of their game”. more meetings and to recruit more The team said that they are looking members before the season starts. to continue the team legacy and to “give it their all” this season.
By Cyrus Zeledon STAFF WRITER
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After last year’s successful season, the varsity badminton team reports optimism and high hopes for the upcoming season starting late January. Last season, the varsity badminton finished as Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) Champions in Boys Singles, Girls Singles, and Mixed Doubles and received second place for the Boys and Girls Doubles. The team has been GMAC champions for 14 seasons. “We always expect to win it all. If we don’t, we feel like we’re selling the Gables program short,” said head coach Steve Campagna. Surprisingly, Campagna only started coaching both varsity
Breaking the athlete stereotype
Anthony Soto, senior Swimming
GPA: unweighted: 3.2 weighted: 5.0 Clubs: FBLA SAT Score: 1780
Alexandra Riesco, senior Soccer
GPA: unweighted: 4.0 weighted: 6.7 Clubs: NHS, IBHS SAT Score: 2210
Kevin Prado, senior Track & Field
GPA: unweighted: 3.0 weighted: 4.7 Clubs: Mu Alpha Theta SAT Score: 1740
“
“ “
STAT BOX
Varsity Football League Record 3 - 6
OCT 20 OCT 29 OCT 31
Most people think soccer players are primarily focused on athletics, but I’m academic, too.
People think of runners as decent athletes minus the upper body strength.
CAVALIER OCT 12
Most swimmers are thought of as mindless athletes. I’m different because swimming isn’t the only thing that defines me.
Ferguson
vs Cavaliers 20 - 7 L
@ Southridge
Cavaliers
vs Columbus 0 - 41 L
@ Curtis Park
Miami High
vs Cavaliers @ Curtis Park 13 - 10 L
Coral Park
vs Cavaliers 0 - 35 W
@ CGHS
Girls Volleyball
League Record V:4 - 10 JV:10 - 3
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For over half a century, opinions on high school athletes have been tainted by the classic image of the American jock; however, this stereotype seems to have lost its relevance in recent years. If anything, our school’s athletes are exemplars for the rest of the school, capable of excelling as scholars despite the countless hours they dedicate to practicing their sport and the physical fatigue that comes with it. “For some reason, people look at me and would never guess that I am anything more than a swimmer,” said senior Anthony Soto, captain of the swimming team. In reality, he dedicates
almost all of his time to his studies and to training for this year’s State Championships. Several other athletes follow similar schedules as Soto, yet it is unlikely that this behavior among athletes is a recent development. “I don’t think athletes have changed much. Only our perception of them,” said senior Kevin Prado, captain of the school’s track and field team. Female athletes have evidently avoided this stereotype of being dim-witted, as well. “I assume that people see me first as a student and second as an athlete,” said senior Alexandra Riesco, a member of the girl’s varsity soccer team.
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STAFF WRITER
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By Andrea Biondi
SEP 24
South Miami
Cavaliers
SEP 27
Cavaliers
Reagan
OCT 2 OCT 4 OCT 9 OCT 11
@ CGHS
vs V:0 - 3 L
@ Reagan
vs V:0 - 3 L
Cavalier
JV:0 - 2 L
JV:2 - 0 W
vs Miami High @ Miami High V:3 - 2 W JV:2 - 0 W
Miami Beach
vs Cavaliers V:2 - 3 W JV:0 - 2 W
@ CGHS
Cavaliers
@ M. Springs
B. Goleman @ CGHS
vs Miami Springs V:2 - 3 L JV:2 - 1 W vs Cavaliers V:3 - 0 W JV:2 - 1 W
November
Compiled by Andrea Biondi
MARK THE DATE Girls Varsity
to support our athletic teams and cheer them on!
Girls Varsity
Boys Varsity
Junior Varsity
14 14 16 17
Basketball
Soccer
Wed. at 6:00 p.m. at Coral Gables Senior High
Wed. at 3:30 p.m. at Coral Gables Senior High
vs. Miami High
vs. Lourdes
Soccer
Wrestling
Fri. at 3:30 p.m. at Columbus Senior High
Sat. at 10:00 a.m. at Coral Park Senior High
vs. Columbus
vs. Coral Park
sports
highlights
November 2012
14
Lukas and Cyrus on...
Water: the best thirst quencher? Commentary by Lukas Gerogatos
YES
When people think of hydration, most always think “Gatorade,” and how could you blame them when you see the best of the best athletes promoting it as some sort of gift from God that will guarantee victory in any physical activity. Water gets the job done and does so without all the unimportant ingredients in Gatorade. Even if Gatorade does taste great, I only feel thirstier and my entire mouth as dry as if I have been chugging a glass of sand, the opposite of what I want. Athletes like senior volleyball player Andrea Jaime also prefer water, noting that instead of quenching thirst, sports drinks usually just "make [her] thirstier." The whole campaign of Gatorade is based on claims that it replenishes your
Speak Up!
Commentary by Cyrus Zeledon mineral and fluid loss STAFF WRITER
After a long session of exercise, the body needs to replenish the electrolytes lost through sweat. The most effective solution is to drink sports drinks to meet your bodily needs. One of the biggest problems athletes face when exercising is dehydration and losing essential minerals. When athletes lose these essential electrolytes, some symptoms occur such as cramping, fatigue, and weakness. The loss of these electrolytes is caused by the low fluid level in the body of the athlete. Sports drinks replenish these minerals which act like electrolytes. These electrolytes are sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium which are all essential in the body and cannot be found in water. By drinking sports drinks, it buffers the effects of both
Water
Sports drinks
Vs. Convenience
- Andrea Jaime senior (volleyball)
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By Andrea Biondi STAFF WRITER
For two consecutive years, the girls varsity cross country team captured the FHSAA 4A District 14 Championship on Oct. 30 at Larry and Penny Thompson Park. “I’m very proud of our team this year. The Gables cross country team has come a long way since I was a freshman,” said senior Tori Convey, co-captain of the team. The girls will compete in the state championships on Nov. 17 after winning regionals.
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XC to States
2
HEAD SPORTS WRITER
At the beginning of this year’s swim season, the Gables team began practicing at the Ransom pools instead of at AD Barnes Park. This arrangement was made when Ransom approached the school to use its track field as Ransom does not have any space left on remaining campus for the addition of a new track. According to Gables Athletic Director Louis Romero, the school and Ransom have always had a relationship with the potential to facilitate an arrangement of the sort, but this is the first time a deal was pursued. “The Ransom Everglades swimming facility is of much better quality than AD Barnes,” said Romero. “Both the swim team and the water polo team will benefit.” Other than the better facilities, this arrangement will allow the school to save approximately $9,000 that would have otherwise been spent as rental fees at AD Barnes. Romero continued to say that these savings could then be spent in other areas of need. For now, the school and Ransom plan on continuing this arrangement for future years of swimming, water polo, and track and field.
Cost Electrolytes
Winner?
x
2
Varsity football team to playoffs By Cyrus Zeledon STAFF WRITER
Surging back from a disappointing start, the Cav varsity football team has successfully clinched a spot in the district playoffs, following a tie breaker. Seeding was decided in a multi-team game, including the Cavaliers, Miami High Stingarees, and South Miami Cobras. Gables beat both those teams on their road to the playoffs “We [made playoffs] by consistently worrying only about ourselves, not listening to the critics, having faith, and just
Ransom trades pool for track By Lukas Georgatos
x
Taste
Lukas Georgatos/highlights
x
Sometimes you need that sweet kick from Gatorade.
-Priscilla Rodriguez junior (soccer)
combined. “Gatorade has antioxidants, electrolytes, and vitamins. It helps me pick up my energy when I play and acts as my wakeup call when I feel fatigued,” said junior volleyball player Andres Castro. Besides dehydration and minerals lost, the body loses carbohydrates while exercising. The body burns carbohydrates as the muscles contract while exercising which creates a drop in the body's blood glucose levels. This causes a loss in energy, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and generally bad athletic performance. Fortunately, sports drinks have high fructose corn syrup which acts like a carbohydrate. Water, on the other hand, has no carbohydrates nor does it have any vital minerals. When exercising for more than an hour, be sure to drink sports drinks in order to replenish your bodily needs.
believing,” said head coach Roger Pollard. On Thurs., Nov. 8, the team will face off against Southwest High School, and will compete against North Miami Beach, both district champs in their respective areas. Pollard hopes to become the “district champ killer.” “We set out [...] to make it to the playoffs, and here we are,” said Athletic Director Louis Romero. According to Pollard, the seniors are the players to watch during the upcoming games as they may not participate in organized football in the future, motivating them to play to their full potential.
Resistance bands By Andrea Biondi STAFF WRITER
Dumbbells and barbells weights are not, by any means, low-cost products, nor are they easy to store. The general price range for a set of dumbbells of various weights is between $200 and $300. Given that many of us probably
Bicep Curls
After placing the bands under your feet, pull the bands upward as you would with dumbbells.
cannot afford to purchase nor have the allotted space to store a set of dumbbells, I suggest using a much more manageable alternative: elastic bands. Apart from being more economical, easier to store, and much less dangerous than dumbbells, using elastic bands allows for a more versatile workout. Here are some ideas:
Chest Fly
Wrap the bands around a pole at chest height and while the arms keeping the arms bent, pull the bands inward.
Pull Downs
Lukas Georgatos/highlights
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I prefer water because Gatorade makes me thirstier instead of quenching my thirst.
electrolytes, but it does this while also subjecting you to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the curse word of the nutrition world, linked to both heart disease and liver damage. With water you completely avoid that and feel more rejuvenated too. Also, Gatorade is not a beverage for pleasure, so if you do not plan on doing any sort of physical activity after drinking it, you should especially be drinking water instead. Gatorade is an expensive luxury and is completely inconvenient. If I am ever thirsty after any type of work-out there is always some kind of free water nearby; it can be from the tap or from a fountain for all I care. I do not have to search for a vending machine only to see Gatorade's price. This miracle juice may accomplish the same goal as water, but does not live up to the hype its commercials create. Water is clearly the better choice if you are looking for function over taste.
NO
HEAD SPORTS WRITER
Wrap the bands around a pole and with the torso bent parallel to the ground, pull the bands back.
the scene
highlights November 2012
Groove in the Grove O Cinema: STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
Nestled in the heart of Coconut Grove, former home of Ralph Munroe, pioneer of the Grove, The Barnacle has been perfectly preserved and made into a historic state park. The Barnacle Society, a volunteer, non-profit organization focused on preserving the property, was founded in 1985. Since the society was made, it has held many events on the estate, including concerts by local bands and screenings of classic movies. People setup across the lawn with chairs and picnics to watch these special events, and enjoy the evening under Miami’s moonlit sky. “In the late 1800s, Ralph Munroe discovered his paradise on the Florida frontier and sought to share it with those around him. It’s with that spirit we plan our special events and programs,” said Barnacle Park manager Katrina Boler. The concerts, known as “Barnacle Under Moonlight” are scheduled from September to May on the second Friday of the month. “Starlight Movie Classics,” take place only twice a year strictly for members only. During these special events the brick patio functions either as a stage or a custom made screen extending from the 2nd floor balcony, depending on which event is being held. The Barnacle hosts the events in an effort to raise money to help complete their mission to generate public awareness and financial support to preserve the Barnacle. The concerts are seven dollars for people ten years or older, three dollars for kids ages six through nine and free for kids under six years old. According to Boler, who has been the park manager since 2003, the concerts and movies are “well-loved and well-attended,” by both members and non-members.
Laura Acosta/highlights
Luara Acosta/highlights
Independent theater projects thought-provoking films
By Laura Acosta
By Araceli Sanchez
BUCKS FOR BARNACLE: The Barnacle’s monthly concerts were created to bring awareness and funds to the historic home.
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IN TECHNICOLOR: O Cinema’s eclectic exterior attracts patrons to the Wynwood space.
The typical Wynwood street consists of dull square warehouses lining the sidewalks with imposing fences and heavy aluminum doors, with the exception of a few upcoming businesses. Among these businesses stands O Cinema, with its outer walls completely covered in colorful murals and artwork, representing the overall feeling of the locale. Inside the independent theater, a food and drink counter shares a small space with a gallery displaying the artwork of local artists that patrons can view while waiting for their movie to begin. The back of the transformed warehouse consists of a viewing room, with roughly 100 seats – and four couches – facing a small screen, showing movies that typically do not make it to movie theaters, much less those in Miami. “Our goal was to bring movies that were otherwise not coming to Miami. We wanted to create a forum for independent, foreign and art films in Miami so that people didn’t have to miss what New York or LA or San Francisco has,” said Kareem Tabsch, cofounder and co-director of O Cinema. Started in Febuary 2012 with a grant from the Knight Foundation, O Cinema has given Miami the chance to view films that are rarely seen and appeal to a variety of audiences. Apart from screening films, the cinema hosts multiple events throughout the year. According to Tabsch, one of the most attended is OMG! Dinner & A Movie, with gourmet food provided by Harry’s Pizzeria. “We’re really lucky in having probably the youngest audience of any art house theater in the city. I think that speaks to our programing, which has broad appeals but certainly has a very current feeling, appealing to younger demographics,” said Tabsch.
the scene
highlights November 2012
Healthy livin’ Miami
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Earthy folks who prefer a plate of greens to one of pork and beans and biking to driving now have an opportunity to engage even more in their healthy lifestyle. highlights presents Miami’s vibrant green scene.
Miami vegetarian eateries: uncovered
Courtesy of My Choices Café
Courtesy of Mi Vida Café
Courtesy of Green Gables Café
ORDER UP: (From left to right) Green Gables’ salad special, Mi Vida’s tofu sandwich, and My Choice’s dairy-free cheesecake are all vegan options that do not lack delicious taste.
By Rachel English STAFF WRITER
Green Gables Café A mere one and a half miles away from the school, Green Gables Café prides itself in being one of Miami’s organic eateries. This family owned restaurant aims to provide its customers with “real food” at a reasonable cost. Although Green Gables Café isn’t completely vegan, it provides vegan dishes and alternatives for the hungry vegan. Among the organic food Green Gables Café serves, its vegan options include the “Vegan Burger” or the “Black Bean Veggie Burger”. In addition, they serve several artisan sandwiches and wraps as well as many other dishes. The café is open Monday through Friday until 4:30 in the afternoon, making it the perfect spot for an after-school snack.
Mi Vida Café Proudly devoted to animal welfare, Mi Vida Café is one of Miami’s few 100 percent vegan restaurants. The café, which is located on Biscayne Boulevard, aims to give Miamians a break from the common fast food and burger joints, Mi Vida Café offers dishes that avoid the use of animal products and other unnatural cooking processes such as microwaving or the use of genetically modified foods, not only doing the environment a favor, but your body as well. Patrons even have a view of the chef making each meal fresh to order. Mi Vida Café receives its ingredients from local farmers to provide its patrons with a meal composed of fresh foods variable to seasonal availability. It serves juices, smoothies and many other dishes such as vegan pizzas and sloppy joes, making converting to a vegan lifestyle an easy choice to make.
Planting an interest
Massive effort By Araceli Sanchez
By Francis Pérez
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
Home to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s collection of tropical fruit from all around the world, the Fairchild Farm, located in Homestead, is a learning environment for curious planters; offering various courses on growing techniques. It also serves as a fruit market on the weekends for those who wish to indulge in the delicious local and exotic fruits and their smoothies. The farm has various collections of tropical fruit. Some are familiar like the avocado and the mango, but the farm also has strange fruits like the jackfruit and canistel. The collections were obtained due to scientists’ willingness to travel all around the world looking for the most exotic types of tropical fruits in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The 20-acre property was donated by Frank Williams in 2003, but with the request that they use the space to help plant growers from all around the world. Resident and international growers are constantly flowing in and out, visiting the farm in search of the latest growing techniques. The farm offers intriguing courses, some of which are in conjunction with Miami Dade College, that are available for the enjoyment of anyone who is willing to pay a fee. Some interesting options when choosing these one-day courses include grafting, beekeeping, food preservation/canning, and drying fruits and herbs. The Fairchild Farm also offers educational programs where guests from the community can learn about the 350 different types of mangos, including their juicy flavors and uses, all of which are presented during the program. “I’d go to a course because it’s a good opportunity to learn about our natural resources and be healthy at the same time,” said sophomore Gretchen Villamil-Diaz. Guests may also visit a fresh fruit market every Saturday and Sunday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, when the Fairchild Farm opens its doors to the public. Visitors are invited to try delicious fruit smoothies and buy fresh tropical fruit from the farm’s very own unique tropical fruit collection.
Francis Pérez/highlights FRUITY INDULGENCE: The wooden gates of Fairchild Farm house a myriad of edible fruits and vegetables. The seasonal harvest is sold on the weekends to the public, as well as smoothies and specialized books.
My Choices Café Among the few Vegan restaurants in Miami, My Choices Café is one that will serve up your favorite American dishes with a vegan twist. Located in The Roads, the café’s laid back atmosphere defines the restaurant’s attitude. Not only does the restaurant serve meals, it sells take home snacks which you can sample while waiting for your meal. My Choices Café is a vegan heaven, serving all organic juices and their signature “Super Smoothies”. The café features a ‘make your own pancake’ breakfast, where you can choose what ingredients go into your pancake. For lunch and dinner, My Choices Café clearly did not lack in creativity when planning out their meals. Complete with variations on vegan pizzas, tacos, burgers, wraps, and sandwiches, the hungry vegan will never get bored when eating at My Choices Café.
Thousands of bicyclists stream by while cars stuck at intersections are either honking them on or cursing them out. These people are experiencing Critical Mass Miami, a worldwide biking event that happens every last Friday of the month, rain or shine. Critical Mass Miami is an organized group of local bicyclists, skaters, and skateboarders who seek to bring attention to the benefits of non-motorized transportation and promote sharing the road and the use of bicycles as an alternative to cars. Others are activists trying to get their city’s government to change their bicycling laws. To promote these events, Critical Mass organizers pick a date and time to meet and publicize it around a city. Originating in San Francisco in 1992, it has since spread to over 300 cities world-wide, from Miami to San Francisco to Hong Kong to Paris. The number of bicyclists participating in Miami has increased from about 12 people in 2007 to more than 2000 in the last few months. Always starting at Government Center, the 12-to-16 mile bike course takes between one to two hours, and goes either north through Little Haiti or south through Coral Gables. The group of cyclists functions as a mass, and do not allow any cars to disrupt the groups of bikes on the street, hence the name “Critical Mass”. The bikers do so by following a set of rules and using a technique known as corking. Corkers kindly explain what is happening to the people at intersections or just block the street with their bikes to stop the flow of traffic. The next Critical Mass will take place Nov. 30, and an estimated 2000 cyclists will show up at the Government Center at 6:30 p.m. for a bike ride. All people are welcome to join the mass and support the cause.