Issue 5, Vol. 52

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F e b r u a r y 2 012 , V o l . 5 2

Soccer takes sidelines at semi-finals

By Eylin Martinez STAFF WRITER

sports

After a triumphant season, the Cavalier boys’ soccer team has earned its spot as District Champions, last attained in 2006. The team continued to the Regional Semi-Finals for the first time in over 30 years and, despite a loss, has made a name for themselves in the county.

The team started the season with a face-off against Ferguson Senior High School. The match ended in a tie, but Ferguson rose to the challenge and beat Gables in the Regional semi-final match last Friday, Feb. 3. The boys ended the season with a 10-2-4 record and the team’s captains, seniors Julian Ginori and Fernando Franco, are very proud of the team for doing so well. The captains feel that what made the difference this year was the “unbreakable bond” between team members and coaching techniques.

“I am very proud of the team this year. Thanks to Coach Hudak, we made it very far,” said Ginori, one of the two seniors, along with stopper Joseph Nelson, to be offered a full soccer scholarship to Broward Community College. Nelson and co-captain Franco are in talks with St. Thomas University.

Senior and goalie Christian Game said that although it was a challenge, the team was able to reach Districts because of Hudak’s “impact on [the team’s] training and discipline.”

Coach Joey Hudak is looking forward to working with his players in the hopes of making it even further next year. Training will begin shortly for the 2012-2013 season.

“Hopefully we’ll work hard all summer and fall so by next year it pays off,” said Hudak.

Scarlett Perez/highlights KICKIN’ IT: Senior and co-captain Julian Ginori runs to win the ball from a Killian Cougar at the Regional semi-final match on home turf. “I am very proud of the team this year,” said Ginori. “These guys are my brothers and I will never forget the 2012 team.” Ginori will be graduating in June and hopes to play soccer recreationally in college.

FUNDRAISER FALLS SHORT

Event a success, student donations disappoint news

Bridge 4 Peace (B4P) marked its four-year anniversary with another successful walk-a-thon held to fundraise a promised $10,000 for the Orange Bay Elementary School in Portland, Jamaica.

The proceeds will go toward building a place for students to eat lunch and a principal’s office.

Although the event itself was a success, a decrease in student participation made the total amount raised disappointing. Unlike other years, B4P did not reach its projected goal. This year’s was $14,000 ($4,000 was to be sent to last year’s Peruvian sister school). The estimated cost of the additions for the Jamaican school is $10,000 and by the end of the walk-a-thon, when the inflatable obstacle courses were taken down and the food was all eaten, the event had pocketed roughly $12,220. With costs for the event racking up at $5,500, the event could only allot $6,720 to the cause. While still an impressive amount of money, it is not enough.

International Baccalaureate (IB) and B4P co-coordinator Sylvie Cuesta admits that “a decrease in student donation initiative is largely to blame,” with only 18 percent of IB students fulfilling their requested $25 pledge, a dramatic drop from the 28 percent who participated last year.

In past years, the cost of putting on the event was covered by student pledges. Last year, the sales at the event were able to produce a solid $5,236 in profits and this year even with an

opinion

PG. 5 Should the school allow students to leave campus for lunch?

additional two weeks of collection time after the event, only the team of student coordinators who went above the call of $4,216 came in. duty to pull off the event.

The drop in student pledges can very well be attributed A final verdict on the overall success of B4P cannot be to the marketing campaign of the event. By given because money is still being accepted, moving the walk-a-thon date up to t-shirts are still being sold and pledges Jan. 21, all preparations seemed are still being collected. Cuesta last minute, with less than three stresses that it is imperative that weeks of planning as opposed to students continue to bring in the usual two months, according their $25 pledge requirements. It to Cuesta and the B4P team. is in the best interest of IB students T-shirt sales, another moneyto do so because the required maker, were sold too close to C.A.S. hours are only awarded the day of the event because of an for donations, not walk-a-thon unforeseeable fire at the t-shirt company. attendance.

Despite all of this, the B4P walk“If every IB student would ask at a-thon can be considered largely least five people for a donation, they B4P t-shirts are still on sale successful and Cuesta positively said, could easily meet the expected $25, Fridays after school or in “We’re very happy with the attendance granting us a projected $17,000 just in on that day and its vast teacher, student, student donations,” said IB teacher and the IB office and general community turnout.” event coordinator Jessica Roman.

Committee heads proved to be IB student or not, make a donation excellent movers and shakers, contracting towards the “Bridge 4 Peace” initiative. more food vendors, more entertainment, and more inflatable Students can pass by the IB office during school or make a fun than previous years. t-shirt purchase on Fridays after school in front of the new “Even though we had a shorter planning time, I feel that building. The goal has yet to be reached and the commitment this year was much more organized than the past fundraisers,” to the children of the Jamaican sister school depends on the said IBHS President Olivia Bibilonia, giving infinite credit to pending contributions.

Continue to page 2 for more Bridge 4 Peace.

PG. 12 Pulitzer Prize-winning author and humorist Dave Barry interviewed

the scene

MANAGING EDITOR & STAFF WRITER

features

By Sophia Aitken & Leslie Ramos

PG. 16 Campsites and bug bites reviewed by The Scene writers

news NEWS

highlights

Khan’s Korner

BRIEFS

NAEP test update

By Leslie Ramos STAFF WRITER

Edited by Andy Fernandez

Senior Iqra Khan channeled her culture and talent to raise money at the annual “Bridge 4 Peace” walk-a-thon on Jan. 21, turning an ancient tradition into cash. This was part of the effort to raise $14,000 for a sister school in Jamaica.

Khan has been practicing the art of henna for about a year. Her Pakistani relatives exposed her to henna at a young age, and over the past few months she has been fine-tuning her skills by practicing on friends free of charge. At this year’s fundraiser, Khan, along with juniors Manuel Marcial and Eduardo Moreno, used their drawing talents to raise money by selling personal henna designs. Although Marcial admitted, “it was my first time using henna and I was a little nervous that I would mess up,” he proved to be exceptionally skillful, satisfying customers throughout the day.

“Khan’s Korner” attracted interest with the intricate designs advertised on a large sign by the set up. Students, parents, and young children waited in line for their turn,

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Select students will be receiving hall passes excusing them from class on Tuesday, Feb. 21 as they have been chosen to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the largest national assessment representing all high school students across the country. The government and educators use NAEP results to make decisions about our educational system. Participation takes 90 minutes during which students will be assessed in several subjects. Information is available at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard.

By Giulia Heyward STAFF WRITER

Students began choosing their classes for next year on Jan. 24; selection will continue throughout February for International Baccalaureate (IB) students. There will be a new social media class that will be taught by English teacher Melissa Nieves. Several new electives are available virtually, including creative photography and forensic science. Dual Enrollment classes such as College Algebra and Aerobic Fitness & Weight Training will also be expanded. Classes may be removed if there is low enrollment.

“Only if a class is under the amount of students needed will it be cut and those students will instead go to their alternative choices,” said IB co-coodinator Diana Van Wyk.

Building bathrooms STAFF WRITER

On Feb. 7, the school began renewing the fire alarm system and constructing two new handicap accessible bathrooms on the side of the gym facing the auditorium.

“There is not a specific date the renovations are going to be finished, but there will be weekly meetings about the progress,” said Assistant Principal Joseph Evans.

The school board maintenance department allocated funds to the school. Funds have been secured for renovating all the bathrooms in the old building, beginning with both the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms in the 100 halls, and then continuing with the 300 hundred and 600 hundred halls. If there is enough money left over the bathrooms in 750 halls will also be renewed according to Evans.

Although students have expressed excitement over the new bathrooms, many lament that the gate by the auditorium will be indefinitely closed.

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choosing various designs ranging from $2 to $5.

Requests could be made as well, as senior Emily Prince-Ralby opted for a Star of David henna.

“I love doing henna on my friends and it felt great to be able to incorporate something I love doing into this great cause,” Khan said.

The brown ink designs have become a frequent sight at school, adorning the hands of so many people many find it hard to believe that they are all the product of one student’s passion.

Even some teachers have been stamped by Pakistani culture.

Traditionally used to ornament the arms of women for ceremonies and celebrations, the designs take about five minutes to draw, twenty minutes to dry, and last for about a week.

Recently, henna has spread to guys and more modern designs in the school. Senior Christopher Silvera got a henna of his mother’s name, Jennifer, on his arm.

“Henna’s are pretty awesome for guys who are scared of commitment,” said Silvera.

With the help of “Khan’s Korner,” Bridge 4 Peace was able to raise thousands of dollars, and hope to hit their original goal before the end of the year. Khan’s booth fit in perfectly with the variety of cultures represented at the event by the ethnic food stands and the ideal of global awareness.

VERMIN

SUPREME

At last, a presidential candidate who stands for something important — dental hygiene, time travel and zombie preparedness

By Brooke Donner STAFF WRITER

Dressed in a neon-yellow tiger-striped blazer, multiple ties, and a navy and green jumpsuit, wearing a rubber boot on his head, and sporting a full-grown gray beard, is 2012 presidential candidate Vermin Supreme. Yes, his legal name is Vermin Supreme, and yes, he really is running for President of the United Sates of America, or “Emperor for the New Millennium” as he says.

Supreme’s mother, whom he loves with all his heart (and kidney), did not intend for her son’s name to be Vermin Supreme.

It originated from Supreme’s claim that all politicians are rats, and that he is the biggest of them all.

In April of 2006, Supreme donated one of his kidneys to save his mother’s life. He encourages other Americans to “consider giving the gift of an internal organ this holiday season.”

Supreme refers to himself as “a friendly fascist,” and “a tyrant that you should trust.”

Junior Ring Ceremony PUT YOUR HANDS UP

THE PERFECT BLING

BRINGING IN THE RINGS

RECEIVING THE RINGS: After months of anticipation, juniors Lorelle Jock-Fernandez (far right) and Jennifer Rodriguez (center right) are given their rings by junior class president Gabriella Gonzalez (far left) and vice president Liz Arza (center left).

Courtesy of Foxmar Photography

Courtesy of Foxmar Photography

Courtesy of Foxmar Photography STEP TO SENIORITY: Arms up in celebration, Juniors Brian Baro (right), Kevin Arizandieta (left) and friends walk across the stage, excited at the prospect of sporting their school pride on their fingers.

He has unique positions on many political issues (and non-issues), some of which include mandatory tooth brushing laws (with funds for gene splicing to create a race of winged monkey tooth fairies), time travel research (to go into the past and kill Hitler before he was born), better zombie preEYES ON THE ELECTION: Presidential hopefully Vermin Supreme paredness and free ponies aspires to win votes with his eccentric campaign platform. for all Americans.

These policy views away” is unknown. landed Supreme a spot on Supreme continues his presidential the 2012 Democratic Party primary ballot in campaign in Florida, where many of his New Hampshire. According to the Huffingsupporters hope he will come in second ton Post, he received a personal record-high place, behind President Obama, as a write-in of 831 votes (out of 60,966), as opposed to candidate. the mere 41 votes in the 2008 New HampSo go ahead, Google “Vermin Supreme.” shire Republican Party primary, or the 149 Watch videos of his interviews, repost pictures votes in the 2004 Washington DC Presidenof his fashion choices and read his speeches, tial primary. Whether or not the voters truly agreed with Supreme’s ideals or if they were but always remember: “Effective use of tartar just following his motto that “a vote for Ver- control now will prevent the need for crowd control later.” min Supreme is a vote completely thrown Courtesy of MSNBC

By Scarlett Perez

Nicole Sielsky/highlights

Subject selection

February 2012

PUT A RING ON IT: Junior Astrid Hurtarte admires her new ring. “I was stoked when I first got my ring!...Herff Jones did an amazing job. Now I flash my ring everywhere, wearing my Gables pride,” she said.

highlights February 2012

Seniors take over teaching

By Brooke Donner STAFF WRITER

“I learned that the idea of having the school. everything work out perfectly didn’t “I thought it was a great work, so I had to change the lesson experience to learn what the leader until it was finally perfect at the end of our school does everyday,” said of the day,” said Suarez.

Abreu.

Most students think that the day Seniors who took over for was a teachers refreshing had varying I had to change the lesson until break objectives it was finally perfect at the end from the for the monotony of the day, day. Some, of class. like senior Vanessa Suarez, “Regular Vanessa school Senior Suarez, had days are set lesson extremely plans, while boring, but Senior Takeover Day is others just went along with the day way more fun because the seniors as it passed. plan fun activities for us,” said Suarez, who took over for sophomore Sebastian Jimenez.

English teacher Preston Scanlon, Although Senior Takeover Day created a pictorial scavenger hunt is exciting for the entire school based on two novels being taught population, its effectiveness is in Scanlon’s classes. Students questionable. It may have not been split up into small groups, and had the most educational day, but it was 40 minutes to take 15 photos of generally well received. Potentially, materials that related to a given it is an event that offers seniors the topic. They then had to create captions for the photos using quotes chance to teach and other students SENIORS IN CHARGE: Seniors Armani Abreu (top left), Thomas Alberts (top the chance to learn from them. from the novels.

‘‘

right), and Emily Shabby Sedaghat (bottom) enjoy a day as faculty.

Ethics on the slide

SAT fraud revealed

By Gretel Sanchez STAFF WRITER

Juniors are already purchasing small fortunes worth of SAT workbooks and study tools, in preparation for the SAT tests which are used by most colleges during the admission process. It seems, however, that despite how well students perform on the exam, the possibility of a cheater taking one’s admission slot for their dream school is very real.

Nineteen-year-old Emory University student Sam Eshaghoff, arrested in September for charging money to take SAT exams for other students up to sixteen times, recently opened up to CBS News about his criminal deeds. An exceptional student, Eshaghoff was the ideal candidate to approach by those who could not perform well on their SAT exams. His remarkable scores earned him an incredible track record, and large clientele base, and payment of up to $2,500 per test.

Unbelievable as it sounds, this is not the first occurrence of cheating on the SAT exam. There were approximately 150 known cases of SAT cheating in 2011, not

including the many that go unacknowledged.

Indeed, this issue affects those students who are honest and work for their grades and scores.

“I think it’s unfair because students who cheat [...] possibly eliminate honest students’ chances of entering their dream schools,” said junior Victoria Cela.

Occurrences of this kind of fraud at the Coral Gables Senior High School testing center appear to be minimal.

“The biggest problem we’ve had is the use of electronic devices causing test invalidation.

We keep a yearbook on hand in order to properly identify students and always turn students away if their ID and test ticket information does not exactly match,” said Lazaro Hernandez, Testing, Technology, Advanced Placement Coordinator & Student Services Department Head, “We’ve had no reported incidents of identity fraud of this type. However any time that cheating is suspected, it is reported, documented and analyzed by SAT administration.”

While the investigation on these students continues, it seems that it is now up to the SAT to respond to the issue of increasing security measures and preventing this conduct.

Scarl e

tt Pe rez/h

ighl ig

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STAFF WRITER

It begins every year with chocolate hearts and candy Ring Pop proposals — Valentine’s Day. Along with the rest of the world, our school clubs capitalize on Valentine’s Day from the candy grams to serenades to the impromptu civil weddings at the marriage booths. Considerably one of the most exciting parts, these marriage booths have become a staple in the school for the past five years and this upcoming Valentine’s Day will mark the sixth year.

“Last year, I got married to my friend who was a girl. Although we were not going out, it was still fun to pretend to be married. I got home that day and told my mom I got married. She almost fainted,” said sophomore Jorge Medrano.

The wedding booths are generally just a podium with a veil for the bride and hat for the groom.

Each person signs a certificate citing their

:

Essays

By Andy Fernandez PUBLIC RELATIONS

The workload in high school may often seem unfair to students, especially when in-depth research papers and essays become more common. Sensing a viable business opportunity, there has been a sudden growth of businesses offering to do student essays. For the price of $10-13 per page, these websites complete student essays in full and presumably of good quality.

This approach appeals to a variety of teenagers, including those who feel overwhelmed by their workload or those who simply do not have the drive to write an essay.

After giving a brief description of the subject matter, a team of writers (allegedly experts in the subject matter of the essay) get to work.

Depending on the service and workload, it may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days for customers to receive their completed

Calling dibs on marriage booths

By Scarlett Perez

Nicole Sielsky/highlights

Senior Takeover Day— an opportunity for seniors to walk in the shoes of their educators and for other students to learn from their elder classmates. On Friday, Jan. 20, 43 seniors each replaced a teacher or administrator for the day.

Among these 43 seniors was the entire senior class student government board. Six of the seven members took over for school administrators, including principal Adolfo Costa, assistant principal Joseph Evans, and athletic director Louis Romero.

Senior class president Armani Abreu acted as Costa for the day.

Abreu’s undertakings included filling out an 80-question survey for principals, calling an ambulance for a student who had an asthma attack, performing uniform sweeps (with the chicken dance as a consequence for not following the uniform policy), and to the envy of many students, riding in a golf cart around

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undying love and loyalty for one another and receives a candy and voila, they are married for the price of $2. However, the struggle behind who controls these booths is never mentioned.

Until this year, the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) had been running the booths. However, once the club was terminated, the fundraiser was up for grabs and ended up being given to the Interact club. Although the club will not change anything in particular about the ceremony, Interact will now profit from an idea that GSA has been sponsoring for years.

“As long as they give us a little credit or ask us for help and tips on how to set up I do not have a problem with it. I’m just glad they are keeping the tradition alive,” said former GSA president senior Raquel Rottman.

The idea of equal marriage that the GSA was trying to promote might morph into a platform the Interact club stands by.

Nonetheless, the majority of students agree that the excitement and frenzy the booths create during the lunch block definitely will not stop.

Companies sell personalized school assignments

assignment.

“I think it’s very unfair for the kids who have actually done their work. It definitely happens here, you’ll know jocks who never come to class yet they are scoring really high in classes... That doesn’t make any sense,” said sophomore Aaliyah Roberts.

While less complicated than spending several hours on a paper, many students and most members of the faculty believe the use of these services is unethical and condemn the trend. Additionally, some of these sites have garnered a reputation reliable as they seem and may not deliver the high-quality essays they promise. Ultimately, the outcome is the students decision.

“We live in a competitive world where right and wrong are misconstrued.

Education is not grades but what you have learned. I can reassure you that if all I did was have papers written by some third party then I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said varsity football coach Roger Pollard.

CONGRATS

Isaac Andino, Madeline Cowen, and Alexa Langen won Gold Keys at the Scholastic Writing Awards The Gablettes received the highest score overall at the ADA State Championships The Cavalier Battalion won 2nd place overall at their meet at Northwestern Marjorie de la Cruz won two Gold Keys at the Scholastic Art Awards The Band of Distinction had three individuals awarded Superior Ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Evaluation FBLA earned numerous 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards at their competition

news

highlights February 2012

4

A&M STUDENTS TRANSFER

Frustrated with lack of books, schedule confusion, high teacher turnover rate and friends leaving, several Academy of Arts & Minds students have transferred out, choosing Gables as their next high school

By Suzette Wanninkhof

like photography not offered at Gables, may be without other options. Other arts schools in Dade county, like Design and Troubles with the Arts & Minds Architecture Senior High (DASH) and Academy (A&M) in Coconut Grove are New World School of the Arts, are the nothing new. The school year kicked off first choice of many students looking to without homeroom classes, schedules, or a leave A&M, but these schools accept full staff of teachers and continued with a very few students after their freshman scandal over misappropriation of funds, so year. New World lead teacher Ralph naturally, several students decided to seek Remis and DASH magnet secretary an education elsewhere. Gables, being the Rina Rodriguez spoke of how difficult it home school to many of the attendees of is for sophomores to be accepted.

A&M, received many of these transfers.

“We have about 1,300 requests for Since the start of the new school year, auditions from both incoming ninth and over a dozen students have switched into tenth graders. Of these, we accept about Gables, but the influx has been accom10 tenth graders,” said Remis. modated well according to Assistant Because of the difficulty in securing Principal of Curriculum Nestor Diaz. a spot elsewhere, many students end up He said that the school is accustomed to at Gables. According to many transfer handling transfer students, so fitting them students, the change has been rough into classes was possible. However, with in terms of the increase in academic certain arts classes already full, many difficulty and social adjustment, but A&M transfers could not continue their beneficial. arts-focused curriculum.

“The small setting [of A&M] made “While we have space in music and it more intimate and more like home… drawing, both dance and theater are full,” but Gables is so much better in terms of Diaz said. teachers, class organization, even food,” Additionally, Gables lacks some of said freshman Natalia Sabino, who the arts classes that other arts schools switched from A&M to Gables halfway feature. Those students frustrated with through her freshman year.

A&M, but still looking to continue an art Sophomore Hadley Stringer also NEWS EDITOR

reported her contentment with her switch.

Dissatisfied with the A&M theater program and “slack” classes, Stringer was pleased to come to Gables, especially since she was already familiar with the school from playing soccer here last year.

But Gables has not pleased all A&M transfers. Freshman Ryelee Lebowitz noted that she loved the academics at Gables, but said that socially and academically the school “wasn’t for her.”

Some students, like freshman Annalisa Cardinale, even transferred back to A&M after leaving A&M for Gables.

“Leaving A&M seemed like the best thing to do at the time, but once I got there [to Gables], I regretted ever leaving.

It was just too big, too bureaucratic…it just wasn’t my cup of tea,” Cardinale said.

Although some students say the issues why they left A&M persist, the rumors that the school may close are false. Dade County Public Schools Chief Communications Officer John Schuster addressed the concern.

“There are no plans to close A & M as they have addressed all of the issues that were held against them including submitting an audit and addressing the performance standards of special needs students,” he said.

Transfer Students

SPEAK

“Teachers here don’t know your name, but at A&M, they knew your life,” -Arantza Martinez, sophomore

“I’m taking a break from drama now, but I do want to get back into it,” -Ryelee Lebowitz, freshman

“A&M is a place to slack off. If you want to learn, it’s not the place to do it,” -Natalia Sabino, freshman Compiled by Suzette Wanninkhof

VOGUE VISITS GABLES

Websites protest anti-piracy bills

By Ali Stack EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Melissa Nieves/highlights

FAMOUS FACES: Renowned fashion photographer Annie Leibovitz (middle left), supermodel Karlie Kloss (middle right), and Olympic medalist tennis players Bob and Mike Bryant visited the school on Thursday, Feb. 2 to shoot a spread for the June issue of Vogue fashion magazine. Leibovitz shot her subjects in the boys’ locker room - an unsightly location for a high-fashion photo shoot to most, but Leibovitz said she “liked the look” of the school. The Vogue team shot around Miami for a week with other celebrities and athletes like Miami Heat player Dwayne Wade.

In response to a controversial bill proposed in the United States House of Representatives, the “Stop Online Piracy Act” (SOPA), popular websites like Wikipedia and Google “blacked out” portions of their domains on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The bill, along with its counterpart in the Senate, The Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011 (PIPA), was shelved indefinitely on Friday, Jan. 20 to avoid further uproar.

SOPA, or House Bill 3261, was initially proposed “to promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property, and for other purposes,” according to Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), the sponsor of the bill, but according to Wikipedia’s question-and-answer page on the issue “does so in a way that actually infringes free expression while harming the Internet.”

Both bills would allow copyright holders and the United States Department of Justice to obtain court orders against websites accused of allowing copyright infringement, and would require search engines and Internet service providers to block access to these sites.

Originally backed by Hollywood music and film producers, both bills have lost support by

representatives, senators and their constituents on the grounds that the bills would inhibit the ability to have free, anytime access to information on the Internet.

“It would make it harder to get the information we need for school,” said freshman Daniel Regalado.

Drafters of the bills also received complaints about the vague language used in the clauses of the bills (the bill is available online for the public). It states that the government can take action against websites if “the owner or operator of such Internet site is facilitating the commission of [copyright infringement].”In theory, any website that allows for open forums, comments, or any material from people not affiliated directly with the website (i.e., Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Wikipedia) is in danger.

According to the Huffington Post’s survey of the protests, 7,000 websites, including Wikipedia, openly denounced the bill on Jan. 18. The ‘Google doodle’ was a black rectangle blocking the site’s normal logo and trending topics on Twitter included the ‘hashtag’ #IfTheyShutDownTwitter and “Stop SOPA and PIPA” posts.

“Now [that the bills have been shelved], we will just go back to normal and continue using the websites like we always did,” said sophomore Janelcy Angulo.

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opinion

highlights February 2012

5

OPEN-CAMPUS LUNCH

the long lost privilege

STAFF

Editorial

Just imagine being able to leave school, drive to a local restaurant, and chow down on a great meal. Except this would not be skipping—this would be lunch. It would be every day. And it would be allowed.

Open-campus lunch gives students an alternative to long lunch lines, low-grade meat, and (let’s be honest) time in school.

Nobody enjoys school lunch anyway. The biggest complaints from students are always the same: lunch and toilets. With an open-campus during a certain period, both problems are solved.

“An open campus lunch would offer us more variety and healthier choices,” said sophomore Nana Trujillo.

Administrators, as always, are weary about granting students any form of liberty between school hours during school days. They fear that most students will not return as they prefer to be out of class as it is. This stereotype of irresponsibility is typical amongst administrators: trusting students would be like trusting convicted felons.

What they do not realize is that students who would be prone to skip when the doors open for lunch skip school as it is. Truancy does not require a warrant and never has.

Another fear is a student leaving school to do drugs, and then coming back to class highly unproductive.

School security does not need the extra burden of responsibility to make sure drugs are not being used while in school. They have too much on their plate: making sure students wear the appropriate lanyards based on their academy to ensure the safety of the school, of course.

An interesting misconception is that all students would leave school as a result of this policy change,

“Got the same one at Gameworks.”

-Ali Stack, Editor-in-Chief

Strawberry Picking “Beeerrrry overrated.”

-Orso Raymo, Staff Writer

S#!* Miami Girls Say “Pero like, so accurate bro.”

-Deanna Breiter, Staff Writer

Someone Like You

by Adele “Now that Power 96 made a house remix...”

-Aj Ziv, Business Manager

our only beverage choice; for fried chicken being a luxury; for styrofoam plates; for sporks; for cleaning up after ourselves. The time is now for a reformation on our school’s lunch policy.

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Students benefit from debates with teachers Commentary by Orso Raymo STAFF WRITER

Generally speaking, teachers are subject to a vow of silence when it comes to politics, under the belief that their opinion is one too many in the classroom. But is this vow of silence necessary? I believe not. Obviously, extremism has no place in the classroom but with a youth increasingly geared towards the left, taking a course with a conservative teacher is beneficial to developing more balanced opinions.

I took a social studies elective class with a conservative (although a funny one). I appreciated his class specifically because I did not always agree with him, especially in regards to foreign policy. So, like any pseudo-activist would do, I voiced my opinion and had numerous friendly discussions that helped me reevaluate my view and question my leftist opinions.

Some students, I assume, are not as lucky as me and did not have an opportunity to have such an awesome conservative counterpart, and to those students I offer a pat on the back and my condolences.

I hold my doubts in regards to teachers becoming more politically open. Most teachers do not have the luxury of teaching a class that implicitly demands an opinion like the social studies course I took, and frankly I would not risk my job I if was in that position either.

Unfortunately, this allows our generation to grow unchallenged and remain stubborn in their biased views. We as thinking individuals need to have our underdeveloped opinions challenged to grow and become well-informed voters.

It is imperative that students have experiences like the one I had in my social studies classroom. We must challenge our teachers, parents and anybody else who tells us what to believe.

If we do not challenge the integrity, morality and reason behind our views and decisions then we have essentially destroyed the beauty of the democratic system, and that is the worst tragedy of all.

Charting teacher’s political inclinations

2

3

(teachers rated themselves)

Compiled by Audrey Fernandez and Scarlett Perez

“ ” “ ” I don’t think teachers should talk about their political views but they should talk to students about politics so they become well-rounded.

I will not compromise my views on some issues but in very controversial issues I can understand the view point of other people.

4

CONSERVATIVE

Class rings

SPEAK UP

ts

highligh Giulia Heyward/

LIBERAL

Opposable THUMBS

which is ridiculous. The only students leaving are those who have cars or friends with cars.

Some students bring lunch from home and do not mind eating it at school or have free lunch and leaving school to eat does not make any financial sense. Leaving school everyday to eat at a restaurant or even fast-food is too costly too keep up on a daily basis. With an open-campus policy, these individuals will enjoy a much less-occupied cafeteria to eat peacefully.

There would be no requirement for students to leave and pay more for better quality food. That would obviously be unfair. But to ask students to stay in school and eat mostly poor-grade food is a crime against humanity.

Our school is conveniently located in prime real estate for a midafternoon meal. US-1, Coconut Grove, and Miracle Mile are all within reasonable driving distance from the school. Instead of the entire student body congregating to two cafeterias, there would be an endless list of choices with places to go eat at.

Yet, the school board, the administration and school officials are still worried about the prospect of allowing open campus lunch.

We as a school can no longer stand for milk being

1 Griselle FreijoCantrell, Spanish

2 Porsha Smith, History

5

3 Rebecca Reinoso, Mathematics

4 Maria Fernandez, French 5 Juan S. Pasteris, Mathematics

opinion

SOPHOMORE

SLUMP

Commentary by Avery Budin STAFF WRITER

Does the middle child syndrome apply to sophomores as well?

Sophomores are not the babies of the school or the soon-to-be graduates awaiting a journey into the ‘real world’.

In other words, being a sophomore just ‘is’. Moving from freshman to sophomore year does not yet include the upperclassmen benefits.

“Finally I was recognized, being a junior hits like a bomb, but we get similar privileges to the seniors,” said junior Lorena Fernandez.

As freshmen approach a soon-to-come second year of high school, they tend to have mixed feelings toward their grade.

They regard the year to come as either boring or enjoyable, having time to relax before intense academy programs take priority. While it seems as though present day sophomores are not big fans of the year’s boredom, they also appreciate the ‘slack year’. Many students are willing to accept the idea that not only do they receive less attention, but less work.

The lack of institutional attention is an effect of assuming that sophomores understand how things work.

They also receive fewer warnings about dos and don’ts because of the attention shift to the new incoming class.

Sophomore students often find their GPAs to suffer as well, because of their lack of motivation and harder courses. The expectations are higher and when failing to meet criteria they tend to be held more strictly accountable for their actions.

Latin translation of sophomore tends to fit perfectly: it means “wise idiot”. While all students can blame their lack of school interest or participation on something, sophomores find themselves especially prone to blaming the school system for that disinterest in their class level.

As an upcoming sophomore, the lack of watching eyes may as well be considered the year’s privilege. As for the mid-year attitude towards being ignored, you can not really argue unless you are living it.

Laptops:

highlights February 2012

STUDENTS & SCANTRONS

Students deserve better feedback on tests Commentary by Orso Raymo STAFF WRITER

When it comes to testing, we know what to expect from teachers: they write exams and prepare students for them, but what happens after the test varies from teacher to teacher. Many teachers use the traditional practice of dumping used Scantrons into filing cabinets, and some tests make their way to the trash can just days later.

The material we learn after the questions on the test is just as vital to our success as the material we study to pass the test. No one wants to fail an exam, and not knowing why you failed it just adds salt to the wound.

The problem, though, is not an easy one to solve since teachers detest being bombarded with questions, emails, and, possibly, insults after any exam. Swarming the teacher after a test so he or she can clarify a question just adds unnecessary stress to the situation, stress that can turn a situation from a mild nuisance into a serious problem.

So what is the solution? Like all problems there are numerous pathways to problem-free and productive testing for both parties. Time willing, half a class could be dedicated solely to reviewing the exam, answering questions and discussing material, benefitting everyone.

Teachers pressed for time can publish online test guides that review all the questions in depth. Another solution is an after school seminar. Several teachers regularly hold workshops oriented towards class content, so why not a test one dedicated to the test? Whichever solution a teacher decides to adopt in order to resolve this pressing issue will surely have an outcome in which the benefits greatly outweigh the cost.

Math department head Sherry Furnari knows the importance of teacher feedback and always reviews tests the following class making sure students realize their mistakes and are prepared regardless of the grade.

“I make sure students get their grades the class after they take the test because I realize the importance of feedback and I know what I have to review after the test,” said Furnari.

As students we don’t ask for much (actually we do), all we want is for a healthy compromise between teachers and students so we can review the test and not waste each others time, so what’s to lose?

Out of 100 students surveyed:

>> 68% >> 80%

of students believe that reviewing a test is an efficient use of time. of students say they have teachers who do not review tests in class.

Out of 15 teachers surveyed:

>> 40% >>

100%

of teachers say they believe that reviewing a test is helpful for students. of teachers say they do not review tests in class.

Expensive electronics do not belong at school, they should stay at home

Commentary by Nico Rivero STAFF WRITER

After winter break, many students came to school with the shiny, new laptops and iPads their parents had probably just bought them over the holidays, and I applaud them.

These electronics have countless uses in a classroom setting, like showing off how cool your new MacBook is, playing solitaire while you pretend to take notes and making sure everybody knows just how cool your new MacBook is.

Sure, some students still write things with pencil and paper because they accomplish the exact same task and they “aren’t a thousand dollar liability,” and “will still be in the PE locker room at the end of the period.”

But can they play Minesweeper?

Besides, there are hundreds of great programs that students can and should be using in the classroom. A foreign language student might be seen installing Rosetta Stone in his French class or using his iPad to download Temple Run in World History.

Laptops are conveniently portable, and can be carried in many fashionable varieties of satchels. Alternatively, they can be swung around out in the open because, after all, there are

New rule cleans new building

Commentary by Nico Rivero STAFF WRITER

At the beginning of the year, climbing up the new building stairs meant picking your way through a minefield of popped milk cartons, spent ketchup packets, and abandoned trays of food.

“Just about everything they serve here ended up on the floor,” said custodian Alex Bello.

As a result, students are now banned from the second and third floor of the new building during lunch and cannot

6

3,000 students out there who still don’t know that you have a laptop.

Don’t think for a second that a school computer can even compare to your own laptop. There are all kinds of things the school’s computers just cannot do. Forget that they all come equipped with Microsoft Office and basically every program you could ever need for a school project. As sophomore Julian Mitat points out, programming on a school computer is a “suspendable no-no.” And, for the other 3,000 students who are not involved in programming, I’d like to see you try Googling “how to crack your knuckles” on a school computer.

Naysayers like security guard Thomas Hardy might point out that “you’re not supposed to have electronics in school” or that bringing your laptop is “asking for a problem” and that if it gets stolen “there’s nothing the school can do.”

However, students like Mitat don’t need school security to solve their problems. His laptop is protected by LoJack, a service that can locate lost or stolen items. It’s as easy as calling the Miami-Dade county police, asking them to stop investigating the roughly 70 crimes that have been committed that day, and asking them to track down and return his laptop, assuming it hasn’t already been tampered with, sold, or stripped for parts.

If you brought your laptop to school today, find an excuse to bring it again tomorrow; and if you’re still writing with pen and paper, I can only assume that you’re Amish. leave the new cafeteria with their trays.

Security Guard Ana Camejo says the relatively unobtrusive new policy has been “tremendously” successful. The staircases are cleaner, the custodians’ jobs are easier, and my shoes can make it to the third floor without becoming disturbingly sticky or ketchup stained. The only people really affected are the ones who used to spend lunch figuring out a way to smear one tray worth of food over three flights of stairs. The administration got it right.

The problem is that school wouldn’t even be in this situation if its students knew how to pick up after themselves.

It’s not that there are a few bad kids who go around trashing the school. The student body as a whole just has trouble with putting their trays in the trash.

If we only learned how to clean up after ourselves, security guards could go back to keeping students safe, not keeping them out of the new building.

highlights ADVISORY BOARD:

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

BUSINESS MANAGER

ADVISER

Ali Stack

Aj Ziv

Sophia Aitken

Melissa Nieves

SECTION EDITORS: NEWS

FEATURES

Suzette Wanninkhof

Remy Fuentes, Audrey Fernandez

OPINION

Sophia Aitken, Ali Stack

SPORTS

Gene Liu

INSIGHT

Chris Cowen, Jorge Galavis

MULTIMEDIA

THE SCENE

Mary Koehnk

COPY

Casey Breznick

Nicole Sielsky

Public Relations Coordinator: Andy Fernandez Staff Members:

Deanna Breiter, Avery Budin, Brooke Donner, Audrey Fernandez, Remy Fuentes, Lukas Georgatos, Giulia Heyward, Andrea Martinez, Eylin Martinez, Scarlett Perez, Leslie Ramos, Orso Raymo, Nicolas Rivero, Maggie Rivers, Gretel Sanchez

Contributors:

Rick Herrin and Ian Murdoch highlights is the official publication of Coral Gables Senior High, 450 Bird Rd.,Coral Gables, FL 33146.

Call (305) 443-4871 ext. 2383, email highlights@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

insight

highlights February 2012

7

LOOKING BACK at the

insight

highlights

8

Nineties Culture February 2012

T

SCRIPTS & CAMERAS

Switching back the channels

Commentary by Sophia Aitken MANAGING EDITOR

ie Rivers Compiled by Jorge Galavis & Magg

/highlights k en Ait

“Do I have a favorite 90s movie?

It would have to be The Lion King, definitely,” said senior Guiliano Wright.

P O L L

p

a hi

Combat boots reflected a tough and defiant image reminiscent of the Gulf War earlier in the decade.

hlights

Not unlike today, distressed jeans were trendy among those who wanted a rugged look.

/hig

A staple in the ‘grunge look’, flannel shirts were popular among followers of Nirvana, a leader in the messy style.

So

Ge

Liu

Wardrobe reflections: Grunge

Students reveal their favorite movie from the 90s: ne

The 90s was a simpler time when the Internet was a novelty; people stopped worrying about combing their hair in the mornings and women adopted the traditionally male flannel shirt into their everyday wardrobe. During this decade, bands that would never have been signed during the Reagan era for being ‘too alternative’ or on the Parents’ Music Resource Center’s hit list made it to the Billboard Top 100. Television and movies understood teenage angst, valued witty banter and depicted believable romance more so than the 00s.

Disney Channel used to air shows like Boy Meets World that showed tween audiences what real friendships were and teaching life lessons in a non-vomit-in-my-mouth Hannah Montana way. This past decade, television has taken a turn for the worst, Disney and Nickelodeon being the biggest offenders. These television networks are making millions off of nearlyadults posing as young teenagers who enjoy the rockstar life while promising they are just like you. What happened to networks airing shows like The Amanda Show or All That?

They featured 14-year-old Amanda Bynes and co-stars perfoming comedy skits in a Saturday Night Live fashion. They were not written by middle-aged men attempting to relate to teen girls with daddy issues and low self-esteem; they were written by the actors purely to entertain and showcase the many talents of the cast members. Nickelodeon woke up this past year and listened to persistent Internet demands, so TeenNick is now showing old 90s shows in a special called The 90s Are All That airing from

12-4 a.m.

The postmodern paradigm that 90s movies followed is also dearly missed. Quentin Tarantino worked a lot with unconventional narration, irony and self-reflexivity to create cult classics. Tarantino made the gory Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs American staples.

Audiences appreciated the clever dialogue and unconventional structure that was atypical of past crime films, which exposed viewers to a new way of storytelling. The movies ran in discontinued narration with parallel plot lines that did not meet until the very end, and through the characters’ interactions we were better able to understand the dynamics of the characters more so than in the past.

Kevin Smith was part of a completely different genre of filmmakers from Tarantino.

He captured a facet of the 90s teenager in his View Askewniverse films Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back that other 90s movies missed. Clerks was his first installment and was made with only $27,575. It was filmed in a convenient video rental store and centered around two long-time friends who did little more than have hilariously clever banter.

The coming-of-age genre was at its prime during this decade. Among the best were Clueless, Reality Bites, Empire Records, Dazed and Confused, Ten Things I Hate About You, Heathers, Cruel Intentions, Rushmore and Bottle Rocket. They did not have the same prefabricated plot line that most of the coming-ofage movies from the 00s do.

Television producers and teen movie filmmakers, do your audiences a favor and take a hint from your 90s predecessors.

“Kids because it reminded me of me and my group of friends,” said junior Tyler Verner.

What was your favorite childhood TV show? a) Boy Meets World b) Buffy the Vampire Slayer c) Beavis and Butthead d) The Amanda Show e) Seinfeld

43% The Amanda Show (out of 100)

Courtesy of Nickelodeon

Breaking down the trending fashions of the nineties

By Maggie Rivers STAFF WRITER

The decade of the 90s brought on a whole new decade filled with some of the most totally rad and fly fashion seen in the past few decades. Some of the trends were just plain atrocious and others may just be worth staying for a while.

Grunge The popularity of punky grunge bands such as Nirvana brought along a wave of trends that embodied a “I couldn’t care less” look. Oversized plaid shirts, distressed stonewashed jeans, combat boots, dark colors, and messy dyed hair dominated the style.

Hip-Hop Rappers like Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dog, and Tupac Shakur brought on the 90s epidemic of sagging. Baggy shirts and big loose pants were a must have for any hip hop fan. Finish it off with some Timberlands or Lugs and a bandana, and you’re ready to go.

Bright Funky The early 90s was a continuation of the 80s in terms of fashion. Oversized bright sweaters, high waisted jeans, bright neons and pastels, leggings, and out there prints was what it was all about.

Hypercolor shirts and Zinka sunscreen were all the rage. Think “Full House”.

Prepster When popular 90s comedy movie Clueless came out on the scene, Cher’s preppy look became the next big thing.

Key pieces include plaid mini skirts, baby tees, blazers, over the knee socks, and tight little dresses.

Raver The ever-popular raver culture of the 90s brought some of the most well-known and ridiculous trends that can even be seen in party scene today. Ravers often donned bright hair, glow sticks, pacifiers, candy jewelry, glow in the dark face paint, over the top wide leg raver pants, and no outfit was complete without those fuzzy legwarmers.

These days, more than a decade later, 90s fashion is finding its way back into modern day wardrobes. Popular stores such as Forever 21 sell clothing reminiscent of such trends. Vintage clothing shops and second hand stores are also rising in popularity.

“I think that fashion from the 90s is vibrant and expressive. In my opinion, the dresses and jeans commonly worn in the 90s show a lot of artistic creativity,” said sophomore Codee Vogler, a fashion student.

With it’s classic and quirky pieces, the 90s will most likely live on forever in our closets, whether it be through the flannel shirts, oversized sweaters, or Timberlands.

e in Review

highlights February 2012

9

Just over twenty years ago we entered a new decade that would bring us grunge rock, flannel shirts, Kevin Smith movies and real television shows.

We now look back at the trends that defined the 90s and reminisce about a decade that brought us so much.

The playlist of days gone by

By Deanna Breiter

By Deanna Breiter

THE SO H C NG AT M

STAFF WRITER STAFF WRITER

The 90s was widely known for the emergence of old-school rap and underground hip-hop and is arguably the “golden age” of the two.

The decade served as a transition from progressive rock into more upbeat and urban sounds, beginning with the integration of the new sounds on the radio and bringing them into the mainstream. The new music was refreshing and greatly accepted and technology improved, electronic and mastered music became more popular as well.

“Now everything is exactly the same, abiding to a certain formula for success and is all auto-tuned and contains zero emotion and barely any musical content,” said junior Dylan Lopez.

The decade’s music is also distinctive in terms of lyrical merit, centered around more personal issues like successes and struggles and were filled with more soul rather than the gripe about materialism and popularity like the music of today.

“It was art like how it’s supposed to be,” said Lopez, “Rap was pretty much poetry.”

Grunge music was also a popular genre towards the beginning of the decade, originating in Seattle and sweeping the nation with bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots. Grunge was inspired by more heavy metal and hardcore rock and was characterized by angst and raw emotion.

The music industry has completely transformed overall. At the end of the decade, the explosion of boy bands and mainstream pop stars set a new standard for the quality of music accepted today. Because we have been exposed to the over-processed music of the 2000s for most of our lives, 90s music has become but a pleasant memory for the majority of our generation.

Compiled by Chris Cowen & Jorge Galavis

A. M.C. Hammer U Can’t Touch This B. R.E.M. Losing My Religion C. Billy Ray Cyrus Achy Breaky Heart D. Nirvana Smells Like Teen Spirit

G 8. H3.

E. Sheryl Crow All I Wanna Do

4, ,F

F. R. Kelly I Believe I Can Fly

7

Aiight All right; okay

Bling-Bling

Flashy jewelry

Bomb Really cool; awesome

Bugg’n Freaking out

Chill out

Calm down; take it easy

Dawg

Friend; buddy

Dope

Cool

Duh

Obviously

Fly

Cool; good; fun

Fresh

Original; cool

Psych

Just kidding

Trippin’

Being overly critical

Word

Agree

s: Answe r

6, B A

5 2, C

, D 1, E

Recounting the slang of the 90s with Staff Writer Eylin Martinez

G. Celine Dion My Heart Will Go On

1. With the lights out, its less dangerous.

2. That’s me in the corner.

3. Outside, inside out.

4. I think about it every night and day.

5. Don’t break my heart.

6. With a mind to rhyme, and two hype feet.

7. ...Is have some fun.

8. Every night, in

my dreams, I see H. Ricky Martin Livin’ La Vida Loca you.

#90sgirlproblems

Fads change, technology improves, but girl problems persist Commentary by Avery Budin STAFF WRITER

While girls’ problems have and will always continue to exist until the end of time, they do not just come and go; they simply change and evolve over time. Nowadays, many people recognize the common, often hilarious dilemmas that girls experienced in the 90s through a popular twitter hashtag, #90sgirlproblems.

In the 90s, M.A.S.H. never led to the perfect future, moms did not allow cassette tapes to blast in the car, the solar system revolved around the unattainable Leonardo DiCapprio, and not having the newest boxy electronic was a popularity contest that hurt the reputations of many. Heart throb celebrities were romantic (Lance Bass), as opposed to girlie (Justin Beiber).

One of the biggest decisions in the morning was your earring selection, stick-on or clip-on; oh, and you could not forget the tattoo choker. Let’s not even get started with who had the best lunchbox goodies, because without a Lunchables mini pizza pack, you might as well have “Recess Reject” pasted on your forehead.

In all honesty we know that Britney Spears was the demon of the decade when she stole Justin Timberlake away from his many admirers, and then went from “Hit Me Baby One More Time”, to telling her defense attorney not to let the prosecution take her children (was that the effect from all the hitting?). The 90s began with the must date “frosted tip” haired guys, which has evolved into the JB hair flip epidemic. And, were it not for today’s hit TV series Glee, girls would still be pining over Full House’s Uncle Jesse (John Stamos). Girls’ first exposure to the all the time-consuming obsession with technology began with the Tamagotchi, and later on, AIM statuses were quite the gossip: if you did not post something that was completely fetch, forget you.

“If you were not on AIM, you were not cool, and having the perfect username was critical,” said Camile Betances.

While not having the newest Tamagotchi caused many parents Target embarrassment, they might find that they prefer that over chat rooms and twitter. Choosing between the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC practically defined your fate, since you could be either one or the other, no change-backs; causing many BFF breakups. The 90s was a trend setting era, it was a decade of Beanie Babies being sacred, bedazzling becoming a newfound practice, and the quality of your easybake oven deciding which friend you were spending your play date with.

The never ending torture of whether or not Topanga and Corey would get back together broke your heart, and the reality that you would never be as hot as Rachel from Friends (Jennifer Aniston) was a clear indication of a 90s born teen.

“While TV shows still produce relationship-based series, the ‘pregnancy outburst’ of the late 90s was an epidemic of the time,” said Jenny Lopez, English teacher.

Plus, Christmas was ruined if you did not get all the Bop-its, Polly Pockets, and Mary Kate and Ashley video tapes you put on your list.

While parents today insist on alarm systems and locked doors, 90s girls had the ability to have their sweethearts visit them at their windowsill without it being considered trespassing: just look at Amber Cole. Oh girls, I am sure the memories of rewinding the VCR tapes before returning them to Blockbuster, waiting for the next Spice Girls tape to come out and needing to buy every Lisa Frank design still ruminates in your mind.

But the new millennium has girls wasting their time window shopping at Merrick and complaining about late Netflix DVDs. So much has changed that I often find myself wishing it was still the 90s, #2012girlproblems.

features

highlights

February 2012

10

Love is in the air Time to celebrate S.A.D.

By Maggie Rivers STAFF WRITER

Together forever

By Remy Fuentes FEATURES CO-EDITOR

Several Valentine’s couples are happy Day is a day to be spent with their significant others. Sure, with one’s significant other and the there are the occasional downs, but every perfect opportunity to declare a hidden love. mature couple has to endure those episodes of However, those who lack a special someone view pure chaos if they wish to share good times in the this day as a ringing affirmation of how sad they future. Our school has its own trove of couples who have consider their lives to be. For them, February 14 is stuck together for a significant amount of time.

Single’s Awareness Day. Sophomore Kimberly Perera has been in a relationship with Not a single day passes by prior to this her boyfriend, junior Santi Saavedra. She believes that the secret celebration in which one is not bombarded with thought to their long lasting relationship is the atention they place on of baskets filled with teddy bears and heart-shaped candies. one another. Rather than focus on thei age difference, Perera In school alone, upon request, the Cav Singers chorus serenades and Saavedra think about how much they care for each students with love songs requested by secret admirers or longtimwe other. They will be celebrating their ninth month of being lovers. Come the day of love, while couples drag around bouquets and together on Saint Valentine’s Day, which will make their gifts, most singles are left empty handed celebrations all the more commemorative.

“I’m going to buy myself a serenade and go home to watch “We say ‘I love you’ every second of the day and every ‘The Notebook’ by myself,” said junior Maydli Almanza, who ‘monthaversary’ we have dinner and lay out underneath the still lacks a special someone. stars at the park where we met one another,” said Perera.

Let’s not forget those that have recently endured a Even though some couples may attribute their heartbreak. On this day, they tend to undergo more pain in longevity to being able to see each other on a daily the presence of lovey-dovey couples. Thus, the day of love basis, there are those who carry on just as long a leaves several feeling depressed. relationship without seeing each other as often.

“All I need on Valentine’s Day is a tub of ice cream Junior Gabriella Gonzalez has mantained a strong and a fluffy cat,” said sophomore Natalie Pacheco, relationship with her boyfriend who attends who recently went through a breakup. a different school. At the beginning of their Other people warmly embrace relationship she doubted whether he would be Valentine’s Day regardless of their single able to give her the support she needed. status. Valentine’s Day to them is a reason As time progressed, they learned to enjoy friends’ company. Oftentimes, that they just need to make time for friends will have dinners to celebrate each other. the freedom that comes with being “I learned that he doesn’t unattached. love me less because we go Strangely enough, to different schools,” said a great Valentine’s Gonzalez.

Day does not secure It seems that the a relationship. So a real secret to warning to all couples: these couples hold your breath, is plain old for the chance commitment. to join the singles still

Dishing out dating advice Welcome my peers, to the last true bastion of romantic advice in Miami, the highlights Love Box. Does a possible lack of the necessary social skills needed to engineer the perfect date leave you feeling intimidated? Are you unaware of which ethnic restaurants to bring your honey bunny in order to spice up your relationship? Andy Fernandez, Love Guru, spills all.

By Andy Fernandez PUBLIC RELATIONS

The first date is the most important of the human courtship ritual. However, when things take a turn for the south, an effective last date proves just as vital. Here is our advice on how to optimize a blossoming relationship on the first encounter or how to end a disastrous duo without sending the wrong message.

First Date “First dates aren’t like Lays: you can only have just one because otherwise, that’s numerically impossible,” said junior Robin Carcasses when asked about his take on the first date. Carcasses and others agree: several effective procedures must be carried out on the first date.

Take your date to a relatively cheap restaurant, preferably one that serves Chinese food, the most romantic cuisine of all time.

Fiscal conservatism is an important part of the dating strategy, so saving money on cheap takeout will come into play later on. Feel free to utilize coupons. Hire your friends, perhaps with some of the money you saved on wontons, and have them act like rambunctious pighuman hybrids in order to highlight your good qualities. Preferably, they should scream out highly exaggerated facts about their personal lives while threatening to steal utensils and

harassing passersby with offensive comments For conclusions to not-so-spectacular about their fashion sense. Once your friends relationships, cheap pizza places, such as have effectively created the atmosphere of a Chuck E. Cheese are preferred. Pretend you circus, you should nobly volunteer to remove left your wallet at home and tell him/her to pay these ruffians from the establishment with for the food. When the food comes, refuse the carefully planned witticisms. As you, the heroic food because you “don’t eat greasy American knight of Asian cuisine, return to your table, pizza.” Say how disappointed you are at his/ you will be absolutely basted in the praise of her very low standards for food, and how your your date. Take the opportunity to compliment previous date could make a soufflé with only a your date’s can of condensed milk, a toaster luminous eyes and a quart of orange juice.

You can only have just one and luxurious [first date] because otherwise, Expect the worst: true feelings hair. As you of romance. Parry the love that’s numerically impossible. leave the with the only thing you know Robin Carcasses, establishment, how to do: disappoint. Explain take your you never really loved him/ junior date to his/ her and how it was just a ploy her house on to get him/her to pay for your a thrilling and novel form of transportation. food, but he/she could not even do that right.

Monster truck or water buffalo are perfectly Tell them you are joking and that you really valid methods. Upon arrival at the house be love him/her. Tell him/her that you are going sure to deliver a kiss, whether it is against their to play hide-and-seek in the ball pit. Let him/ will or not, as this is clearest expression of her go first. Walk away and leave them in the romance. This plan is foolproof and cannot fail, ball pit. Get some friends to say how they think and it will ensure many more dates to come, that your date is a little too old to play in the although not necessarily with the same person. ball pit in the loudest voice possible. Finally, in the awkward car ride home, while your date Last Date is inevitably raging about your horrendous “The real goal of last dates is so both of (yet righteous) abuse, ask them if you can milk you can come out with the understanding that him/her because they are having a cow. Now you really, really hate each other,” said senior embrace your freedom, and venture out into the Sergio Bustamante on the role of the last date. world my Cupid!

‘‘

Keeping out of the “friend zone”

By Andrea Biondi STAFF WRITER

The dreaded Friend Zone: an infinitely deep pit of loneliness and despair. It may seem that there is almost no way out, and that is because, unfortunately, there is almost no way out. If you have fallen into this trap, you may be experiencing symptoms such as: delusional thoughts that this “close friend” of yours is into you, rapidly depleting finances due to pointless purchasing of gifts for this “close friend,” and sexual frustration.

“It’s a point of no return,” said junior Josh Henkel, who has found himself caught in this trap quite too often.

What puzzles Henkel the most is not why he is put in the friend zone, but why a girl would want to put any guy through the torture of The Friend Zone.

“Either go out with a guy or let him go, but don’t put him through THAT,” said Henkel, sympathetic for his fellow inmates, such as senior Hector Lombillo.

“I’ve been stuck in the friend zone for a year now,” said Lombillo, but he seems to be displaying signs of recovery.

“At first, I cared about being stuck and it would drive me crazy, but I’ve come to realize that it’s beyond my control,” said Lombillo.

Although these guys are too far gone, it might not be too late for the rest of you. In ancient high school mythology, tales have been told of heroes who were able to escape this pit of doom and defeat the Hydra of the Friend Zone, even with all the odds stacked against them, and one of these heroes still stands among us: senior Arthur Leforestier.

Leforestier says that besides proper technique, “it takes a lot of luck,” but if you lack luck, not to worry. You will simply have a much harder time winning over the girl of your dreams.

He said that the most important part is to “let [him or] her fall for you before you show her that you’ve fallen for her.”

As one might suspect, it sounds much easier than it is. Getting him or her to fall for you in the first place is an arduous task, but nonetheless, achievable.

“Go out on some ‘non-dates’ with him. Arthur did that, and I got to see a different side of him that I didn’t even know existed,” said senior Melissa Ochoa, Leforestier’s ex-girlfriend, from whose friend zone he escaped.

For females who claim to be stuck in the friend zone, you are probably just under the illusion that your male companion is not ‘into you.’ In reality, he might be very ‘into you’, but is unsure as to how you feel about him. In that case, just try and drop some hints to him. However, if he clearly asserts that he is not interested, it is not because he is shy. You are simply doomed.

I hope this was of aid to you on your quest, but be warned. Before departing on this journey, make sure that you are sure that this is what you want, and be prepared to accept failure if worse comes to worst, because once the first step has been taken, there is no going back.

highlights

February 2012

Thespians lead school in matchmaking survey

By Andy Fernandez

will set up in front of the new building. Out of the $3 dollars, Matchmaker takes only $0.69 per purchase and the remaining sum goes to the thespians.

Saint Valentine’s Day is once again upon Coral Gables “The matchmaking service is not only really cute for Senior High and those in love (or the ones just looking for Valentine’s Day, but if enough people buy their results the it) plan to spend the day filled with flowers and chocolate. drama department will be able to get new curtains for the However, some have grown tired of mainstays such as the theatre,” said Troupe member and junior Claire Levis. marriage booth or serenades offered The mastermind behind the idea at school, saying the fundraisers have was senior Lauren Ruiz. She hopes lost the charm they once had in earlier Questions on the survey: to raise money to fund the basic years. Sensing an opportunity to bring HOW TO ‘FIND YOUR MATCH’ necessities acting classrooms need. in profits and entertain the student body, “Our main goal is our new When someone says ‘bite the school’s Thespians, Troupe 0476, curtains. The drama classes need me’ you: have introduced a rather novel idea to new curtains just like the Advanced

1) ignore them the festivities that go on in school.

Placement (AP) classes need new

2) slam them back Looking for an innovative way books, and we really hope to get them

3) their wish is your to raise money to renovate the Little this year,” said Ruiz.

command Theater, the school’s Thespians have The idea is certainly setting up organized a match making service. to be a success: over 740 surveys Life would stink without: Students fill out surveys with a total of have been filled out. With a majority

1) a cell phone 34 questions, ranging from students’ buying the results, the profits would

2) high speed internet willingness to go ‘parachuting’ to

3) mp3’s be large enough to buy the new

4) credit cards what students’ best qualities are. The curtains and fund any other project questionnaires themselves come from a

5) deodorant the troupe might have in mind. company called Matchmaker, and over The Thespians are hoping that 3,500 were ordered for distribution. the fundraiser is a success so that After the surveys are delivered back they can buy the new curtains as well to the company, Matchmaker partners the survey-taker with 16 as turn the matchmaking service into a new Gables tradition. people in one’s grade level, and 16 people in the whole school, Drama and theatre teacher Tracy Barrow-Schoenblatt notes that for a total of 32 people. there are more than just material benefits to the matchmaking However, while taking the survey is free, seeing one’s game. results is not. Those who are interested in finding out who “It’s great fun to go and see who might be your match. I their perfect match is can purchase back their survey with their like the possibility that true love might be a Scantron away,” results for $3 on Feb. 13 and 14 at a booth that the Thespians said Barrow-Schoenblatt.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

f e o r nne Uniqu rd. i W ost wa “M ue” A iq t u Bo

Westchester Store Plaza 87 890 sw 87 ave 305 553 4416

Miami Lakes Store PSN Town Center 1790 NW 78 ave 305 512 9122

11

#Gables

highlights takes a look into what Twitter would look like if every Gables student tweeted.‘Hashtags’ are forums for people to share a general thought in a couple of simple words.

#ibproblems

When due date actually means “do” date.

#sorrynotsorry

Just bought the last slice of pizza. I skipped.

#FML

Why is the gate around the auditorium always closed?!

#PeroLike

This morning it was raining and now it’s not...

#improudtosay

Just got two Poptarts for the price of one.

#sincewhen

Saw four guys wearing TOMS today.

SiFrenchBelle Boutique We welcome all students with a 15% discount on your prom dress and will guarantee no dress will be sold twice!

Si Belle Boutique 5780 sunset drive Miami, Fl 33143 Phone: 305 669 6144

features Accepted: Early decisions announced

By Eylin Martinez STAFF WRITER

College preparations can be a worry for both students and parents. Before dealing with the troublesome process of scholarships, loans and financial aid, students have to go through a rigorous process of deciding what college to apply to. All in all, the challenges that senior year sets for seniors have become more stressful and difficult to handle.

Because of the stress caused by the application process, colleges have implemented what are known as the Early Decision and Early Action alternatives, where students who know what their top choice is can apply early to that college early during the school year. Students hear back from the schools before Christmas break, and consequently, students feel less stressed since the chances of being accepted into the school of their choice increases and they do not have to worry about the whole application process to other schools.

Early Decision (ED) is binding, meaning that if the student is accepted into the school he or she applied to early, they must attend. Because of this, it is recommended that only those students

4

Mapping out ED acceptances: 1

Ivan Shapiro, Vassar College

2

Pauline Schriebmaier, University of Pennsylvania

3

Eddie Alsina, Franklin and Marshall College

4

Nicole Cuervo, Brown University

who know exactly which school they want to go to apply ED. Early Action (EA) has earlier deadlines than regular decision but is not binding.

“I think a lot of people do not want to do Early Decision because they have not decided where they want to go, but if you are passionate about attending a school you should apply ED,” said senior and Posse finalist Pauline Schreibmaier.

Schreibmaier was accepted to University of Pennsylvania through The Posse Scholarship. She feels very comfortable knowing that she has already been accepted into the university of her choice. Since she applied ED, she is now able to get in contact with future and current students of the university who have helped her feel more comfortable for what awaits come next fall.

ED and EA is not for everyone, but it can be a stress reliever for a lot of the students. Because ED is a binding process, students should carefully consider which college they want to attend before applying. EA may be a more suitable option for many, and most Florida schools have EA deadlines. Florida State University, University of Florida and University of Miami recently released EA decisions—congratulations to all those accepted.

1

College Bound

2 3

Other schools where our seniors were accepted: De Paul University, Drexel University, Georgia Tech, University of Illinios, University of Indiana, Lake Forest College, Loyola University (Chicago), Loyola University (New Orleans), Mount Holyoke, Penn State, Stetson University, University of Virginia

highlights

February 2012

12

highlights HUMOR this month’s topic:

Shy Pee-ers

An empathetic writer illuminates the much ignored demographic, provides solutions to the problem and reveals the shy pee-er sanctuary (in this very school!).

By Mary Koehnk THE SCENE EDITOR

High school is a time for adolescents to discover the many challenges that accompany the real world.

Throughout these four years, students learn to think critically and maturely through personal experiences.

Some challenges are harder to overcome, though. The 2 percent of the school that has yet to speak up (no, not the white people)—the shy pee-ers.

Being “pee shy” is defined as the inability to urinate (or the other thing) in public places or in the presence of others. This may be due to mere germophobia, or simply embarrassment; either way, it makes the most basic biological process a struggle. Every day is a battle for shy pee-ers, as pulsing bladders make it difficult to concentrate, and more importantly, not pee on yourself or your peers. Desperation leads to attempt, and attempt leads to tardies as you sit waiting for fellow bathroomgoers to disperse.

“It’s awful. I have to avoid using a bathroom all together if I don’t want to go through a hassle,” said senior Leni Casares.

This may be irrelevant to most of you, as you were blessed with the ability to urinate (or the other one) in the presence of, or even on, others. Public urination may not faze you, but careful, some consider this illegal.

Students are not the only victims of this vile condition, as teachers are never seen in the student restrooms. However, this is mainly due to the availability of teacher’s bathrooms to the staff. Only once have I been in the mysterious abode for biological functions, and I have never felt such tranquility while doing my business in school. In addition to soap, the private, clean bathrooms offer a safe haven to shy pee-ers— unfortunately I had to fake an emergency to be granted this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Perhaps the solution is sucking it up—after all, using the restroom is one of the only things that is constant in this topsy turvy world. Or adult diapers are an option, although if you are concerned of being stigmatized, you should probably revert back to the initial solution.

IB Pinning Ceremony hosts writer Dave Barry

By Mary Koehnk & Ali Stack

worried about that?” In the great scheme of life, where you go to college is not really a whole lot more important than what car insurance company you choose.

THE SCENE EDITOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Q & A

highlights: How was the PTSA able to get you?

Dave Barry: My wife told me to do it. As you’ll learn one day that whatever you tell your husband to do, they’ll do. You guys had to come listen to me, and I had to come do it. Nobody was volunteering in this situation. highlights: How would you describe the impact you’ve had on the students?

Barry: I think it was huge. I think a lot of the kids who came in here tonight had no motivation, nowhere else to go— they were LOSERS, these kids. They’re walking out of here HUGE successes and I’m going to take full credit for it. And I will expect them to pay me at some point – maybe immediately upon graduation from college. highlights: How many do you think actually know who you are?

Barry: None. Most people who know me are older people.

Some of them are dead.

DAVE BARRY ON...

Valentine’s Day Well, I hate it. I think all men hate the following things: Valentine’s Day, birthdays, and anniversaries. If it were up to men, we would not observe any of those things, ever. But it’s not. It’s up to women. It’s kind of like Mother’s Day. Women

Courtesy of Rick Herrin Photography

On Tuesday evening, Jan. 31, highlights editors sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning author and humor columnist Dave Barry, the keynote speaker at the International Baccalaureate (IB) Pinning Ceremony.

VERY BARRY: The Scene Editor Mary Koehnk and Editor-inChief Ali Stack sit down with Dave Barry at the International Baccalaureate (IB) Pinning Ceremony after his speech to the IB junior class.

love Mother’s Day… But men hate Father’s Day because it’s really Mother’s Day. You ask men what they really want to do on Father’s Day, and they say, “Nothing, just lie around in my underwear and drink beer.” But no, it’s really just Mother’s Day. All these days suck – that’s really my opinion.

Republican Party Hideously depressing things. All these ads just really want to make you slit your wrists.

Getting Into College I feel really sad for you guys. It’s expensive and annoying.

If you want to know the absolute truth, and nobody will believe this, but it really doesn’t matter which college you go to. Decades after you’re done you’ll think, “Why did I get all

Five People to Reincarnate Robert Benchley. Jimmy Hendrix. Buddy Holly… You guys don’t know who they are… God, I should have picked Lincoln or somebody… Lincoln, Albert Einstein and Plato. That’s six people. I’m not good at math. Let’s eliminate… Ah, to hell with Plato.

The 99 percent I don’t even know what that means. But I’m all for them because there are so many more of them.

Journey (the band) Wouldn’t it have been great if they started [the ceremony] with LMFAO? “Sexy & I Know It”? That would’ve been good with the saxophone quartet.

The Zombie Apocalypse All for it. Especially here in Dade County. They’ll drive better than we do, they’ll vote – we might have some more responsible government. I can’t wait for the Zombie Apocalypse.

Vermin Supreme Google Dave Barry and Vermin Supreme. You’ll find that my relationship with Vermin Supreme goes back at least to the nineties. New Hampshire’s where I ran into him. When I see Vermin Supreme, we hug. He once rescued me from a mob.

We’re good buddies. I would, in a heartbeat, vote for him to run the country.

Advice for Students I’ve thought long and hard about this. Tell them, “The future lies ahead.” The guy who spoke at my high school graduation actually told us that the future lies ahead, as if it was like “Oh! We thought it was behind us!” It seemed pretty wise when he said it but I don’t actually know that it does [lie ahead].

sports

highlights February 2012

13

TWO VIEWS

Should on-field celebrations be allowed?

STAFF WRITER

YES

Sport is no different from man’s primal functions: mating, hunting, and warring. All are fun and competitive, and the celebration of victory is the best part. Sport without celebrations is like war without pillaging – something is missing.

The primary aim in sports is not to simply defeat the opponent numerically, but to crush morally, obliterate mentally, and annihilate physically (if allowed). So what motivates an individual to a greater extent than witnessing his or her ability or team’s ability put to shame?

Sport is about redemption and revenge.

The victors' celebrations make the loser have a greater yearning for both. It makes sports more interesting, and keeps up the competitive spirit.

It's no surprise that after the Soviet Union’s ice hockey team – the world’s best with four straight gold medals – lost to the United States in the 1980 Winter Olympics, they returned in 1984 with a vengeance and went undefeated to win the gold.

Forbidding these celebrations, from the minor ones such as the infamous football spike, to the more elaborate ones, such as bowling the ball and knocking down pins (fellow teammates), damages the spirit of competition so important to sports. If the victor must remain solemn after scoring or winning, then whatever physical activity just occurred was not a sport but some sad mockery of it.

It must be assumed that most athletes flamboyantly dance in the end zone or rip their clothes off on field knowing they could incur delay of game or misconduct penalties if their celebrations are elongated or explicit.

This should be as far as in-game celebration rules go. As soon as the greater powers are allowed to control primal human behavior, then there is no stopping their twisted, clawing reach.

Soon, sports, which are normally adrenaline-driven displays of sheer physical ability, mental stamina, tactic and strategy, will become nothing more than board games – the cavalry charges, dogfights, and maddashes through no man’s land will become as exciting as Chutes and Ladders.

"It's the adrenaline. There should be no limit to celebrations," said junior Ryan Francis of the varsity football team.

Despite my irrevocable conviction that the idea of in-game celebration is sportsmanlike, it can be judged with a sliding scale. The top point-getters in professional basketball average about 25 to 30 points per game, so their minor celebratory acts are appropriate. In contrast, since solar eclipses occur more often than soccer goals, I can forgive the histrionic and sacrificial displays of gratitude towards the sky.

It is just a guess, but I say this extremely pressing issue has been rousing controversy for fewer years than I have been alive. That is not surprising, considering I will probably live to see the day when the loser takes the bigger trophy than the winner does.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Scarlett Perez STAFF WRITER

Are scholastic athletic leagues going too far in penalizing individuals and teams for showing an excessive and emotional expression of pride and elation?

Generally, when the individual celebrates, it is not about the fact that they defeated the opponent but usually about the pride in overcoming an obstacle.

Usually, during those celebrations, the teams are thinking solely about themselves and are not necessarily aiming to make the other team feel bad. Despite the lack of intent, feelings of despair will surface. In an effort to become more socially correct and avoid causing the opponents to feel too miserable, leagues are beginning to instruct their referees to penalize athletes for their on-field celebrations.

"It depends on how extreme they take the celebrations. An occasional celebration is fine, but excessive showboating can become unsportsmanlike and may even cause a fight to breakout," said senior Guiliano Wright.

This is a step in the right direction, but might have been too great of a step. As previously stated, players do not necessarily wish to inflict emotional pain upon their enemies, but instead congratulate themselves for scoring a goal or leveling the opponent.

Sure these actions are a result of the player’s hard work and are deserving of a reward, but should that reward be at the expense of

NO

By Casey Breznick

another?

The internal gratification and knowledge that others recognize the talent should be reward enough. There is no doubt that it is fun to watch someone dougie in the endzone or pretend to be a sniper at center ice. However, unlike professional leagues, where the sole purpose is to entertain the drunken crowds with showy moves, amateur sports are more directed towards enhancing athletic ability in students, not discouraging them.

“I definitely think that celebrations are unsportsmanlike and are just shows that don’t really benefit anyone,” said sophomore Daniel Moreno.

The goal of sports is to defeat the opponent by gaining more points, not by taunting or crushing their morale with flamboyant celebrating. Even if it is not with malice or evil intentions, on-field celebrations usually squash the jovial atmosphere of the game, causing the losing team to feel inferior when that might not actually be true.

It is a matter of respect towards the other team and the game itself; there is such a thing as sore winners. Any act that is directed toward an opponent in a derogatory manner or that is focused on the failures of an individual player or team is unsportsmanlike and should be called as such. Celebrations are not necessary in any sport: there are no points or perks that a well executed celebration will merit. When an athlete scores a goal, everyone watching is completely aware, especially the team on the receiving end. There is no need to point it out; doing so will only be salt in the wound.

Playing pick-up

By Lukas Georgatos STAFF WRITER

>> Phillips Park

Lukas Georgatos/highlights

Every soccer lover knows that this is the place to go to play a great game of pick-up soccer. The hoard of players, composed partly of Gables students, usually warm up for about an hour before teams are picked. The amount of people that attend these pick-up games varies each week, but there tends to be around 30 people.

The usual group of Gables students, along with some newcomers, rushes to the first trolley stop at the Metro Rail in order to get there as soon as possible. Though these students attend this sports gathering for the fun, many of them say that the games are equally competitive.

“It gets my mind off a week of school and I get to hang out with friends," said junior Kevin Lopez.

This event only happens on Friday because the attendees do not need to worry about school the next day.

The gathering usually lasts until the sun goes down, allowing for Gables students and others alike to play a decent number of games.

DUELING: Among many others, junior Kevin Lopez battles for possession of the ball during a Friday game.

>> Coral Gables Youth Center

Lukas Georgatos/highlights JUMP SHOT: Junior Ryan Kaufman makes a three point jump shot during one of the many after school basketball games.

The Youth Center is the destination of choice for all those basketball players looking for good pick-up games.

The games are played on an outdoor court, are well organized, and usually start as soon as everyone arrives. Students say that the courts and hoops equipped with nets are in relatively good condition. “[I like to] to play sports and hang out with friends in a good atmosphere," said freshman Fausto Rivero.

Students often play several games that last well into the evening.

“We usually stay 'til about 5:00 p.m.,” said junior Daryl Bustamante.

Whether you are looking to sharpen skills, have fun with friends, show off flamboyantly, or train for Miami Heat tryouts, Friday pick-up games at the Youth Center are considered by their frequenters as a great place for anyone looking to join a friendly yet competitive game of basketball.

sports

highlights February 2012

Basketball season success

CAVALIER STAT BOX

By Orso Raymo STAFF WRITER

Boys Basketball League Record 17 - 6

JAN 11 Reagan/Doral @ CGHS

JAN 18 Gables

JAN 20 Miami Beach

LAYUP: Students look on as point guard sophomore Mark Wymm goes up to score during a JV basketball game.

make a layup, but the game ended 42-41 in our favor,” said Webber.

With nearly a dozen seniors leaving the varsity team, next year’s squad will see the addition of a batch of this year’s JV players moving up. Expectations and pressure are now built up for next year's teams to have a repeat season.

vs

@ CGHS

Senior High

46 - 56 L High vs Gables 66 - 78 W

JAN 25 Gables Cavaliers

vs

Gables Cavaliers

vs

JAN 27

Gables Cavaliers

47 - 69 W Cavaliers vs Miami

@ Miami Senior

Courtesy of Cavaleon

Perhaps inspired by the success of the Miami Heat last year, the school's varsity and junior varisty basketball teams have been on a winning rampage.

With a total of 17 wins under the team’s belt, no one is complaining. The last game of the season against Homestead resulted in a victory. After a well played game, Gables won with an impressive 30-point lead, successfully ending their regular season.

“We played well, but we want to come back stronger next season and achieve more,” said varsity basketball coach Glenford Hyatt.

Unfortunately, Gables was not so successful at the next level and at the Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC).

Gables lost against Hialeah Gardens, marking their third year reaching the conference.

“The referee made some pretty horrible calls,” said senior and Cavs forward Jerome Ziv. The junior varsity (JV) team, on the other hand, has had a phenomenal season, winning every game, including those in the GMAC championships.

The key to JV’s success was not a magic formula but simply a result of “how good the team was,” and “having faith in our ability to win,” said sophomore Brent Webber.

The last game of the season was a hard-fought battle between two excellent teams.

“We were tied until I made a three pointer. Hialeah did

14

Cavaliers

Miami Palmetto

@ Palmetto

55 - 58 L

@ Homestead

75 - 36 W

Homestead High

Girls Soccer League Record 9-6-4

DEC 13 Gables Cavaliers @ Southwest

DEC 15 South Miami @ CGHS

JAN 5 Lady of @ CGHS

JAN 13 Felix Varela @ CGHS

Southwest Miami

V: 0 - 8 W Lourdes vs Gables

JAN 6 Miami Sunset @ CGHS

vs

V: 1 - 1 T High vs Gables

V: 8 - 0 L High vs Gables

V: 1 - 8 W High vs Gables V: 2 - 2 T

Cavaliers Cavaliers Cavaliers Cavaliers

Working out during the off-season

By Andrea Biondi STAFF WRITER

During the winter season, while some students chose to simply bask in the delights of their flamboyant holiday meals and sloth around for the entirety of winter break, others decided to remain active and stay in shape for the upcoming spring sports season, which really is not such a difficult task contrary to popular opinion.

In Miami, we are fortunate enough to lack a true winter. Void of any snow or extremely cold temperatures, students can get away with wearing a long sleeve shirt and a hoodie, which at times might even be too much. These ideal conditions make exercising outdoors easy and even pleasant at times.

With the beautifully fresh weather that Miami had over this

winter break and during the month of January, lack of access to a gym is not a valid reason to not have done some exercise. A set of dumbbells would have sufficed, and if you are deprived of even that, working out using one’s own body weight is just as efficient if done properly, and much more enjoyable when done outside.

Rather than developing muscle strength and increasing muscle mass at the gym, try doing circuits of abdominal, back, chest, and leg workouts, which can tone your body without the use of any machines or weights.

My personal routine is a timed circuit that involves all of these muscle groups: start with a 30 second set of crunches, a 30 second set of push-ups, a 30 second set of wide grip pull-ups, and a 30 second set of squats. Continue this circuit for 25 to 30 minutes, alternating the type of abdominal workout, push-up, and pull-up

Sports Branding:

By Lukas Georgatos

Every sport has its required equipment, from football pads to soccer cleats, and every athlete has his or her favorite brand that they buy that equipment from. Needless to say, all athletes have their reasons and superstitions for deciding which brands to buy.

Everyone can recognize Nike’s legendary checkmark on all the merchandise they make for a variety of sports, from basketball shorts to running shoes.

“The shoes look nice, they are durable, and they have good foot support," said junior Kevin Arizandieta about Nike shoes.

Companies like Nike and Adidas are fiercely competitive and have many loyal customers like sophomore Joseph Paz, who likes that they have a full line of soccer cleats with something for everyone, ranging from cheap to expensive prices.

Although Nike is a well-rounded company and manufactures equipment for a variety of sports, some people prefer to choose brands that are dedicated only to the sport they play.

Asics makes running shoes specifically for cross-country runners. Freshman Nicolas

1. Nike

2. Adidas 3. Puma 4. Umbro Viglucci of the cross-country team opts for this specialized production because of their knee support and lightness.

Of course, sometimes it is the flamboyancy or popularity that wins over teenaged athletes.

Friends and celebrities are usually more of an influence than sporting necessities.

"I like Michael Jordan’s brand because he represents who I want to be," said freshman Nadir Perez.

Preferences will always surface when athletes choose their equipment, whether it be from superstition or logical comparisons.

Varsity

“

[My favorite brand of running shoe is] Brooks. They’re comfortable; they help me run faster.

My steps are consistent and the shoes look nice.

”

-Allison Pena, freshman

5. Lotto

MARK THE DATE February

Brands attempt to make their mark on student athletes

Soccer Cleats

STAFF WRITER

grip for every set. This circuit has been approved by head football coach Roger Pollard.

Besides circuit workouts, a long run in the winter air would not have done any harm either. In fact, most of the school’s athletes, including seniors Joey Nelson and Zachery Howell, claim to have run at least two miles a day over winter break, and recommend that other students do the same next winter, if not in preparation for their coming sports season, then for personal fitness.

“It didn’t take much time out of my day, and I was still able to go to parties and hang out with my friends,” said Nelson.

Though winter is coming to an end, and the free-time students have is limited with the dawn of a new grading period, it is not too late to make up for lost time. If you have access to a gym, take advantage of this and burn that lingering Christmas break fat.

Running Shoes 1. Brooks

2. New Balance 3. Asics 4. Nike 5. Mizuno

Cav baseball at Marlins Ballpark

By Ali Stack EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On Tuesday, April 10 at 12 p.m., the Cavalier varsity baseball team will have an opportunity to play on the same field as professionals. The newly constructed Marlins Ballpark will host a game against the Killian Cougars.

Ticket sales will begin on Monday, Feb. 13 and proceeds will go towards the $12,500 cost of playing in the Marlins Ballpark.

The price of a ticket will be $25 and will include a t-shirt, entrance to the game, an additional ticket to a future Miami Marlins game, and transportation to and from the event. Because the game will take place during school hours, students attending will receive an excused absence from all classes missed.

Due to the Florida Comprehension Assessment Test (FCAT) schedule for the week of April 9, juniors and seniors who are not testing are encouraged to purchase tickets to the game.

Rankings from listmyfive.com

to support our athletic teams and cheer them on!

Varsity

Girls Varsity

Varsity

20 21 23 4/10 Baseball vs. Coral Reef

Mon. at 7:00 p.m. at Coral Reef Senior High

Softball

vs. Miami Beach

Tues. at 3:30 p.m. at Coral Gables Senior High

Tennis

vs. Miami Senior

Thurs. at 4:30 p.m. at Country Club Tennis Courts

Baseball

vs. Killian High

Tues. at 12:00 p.m. at Marlins Ballpark

the scene

highlights

reviewing

Zen Village, Coconut Grove

By Sophia Aitken MANAGING EDITOR

Sophia Aitken/highlights OHM: A sanctuary of prayer and meditatation, the Zen Village is Miami’s only Buddhist Temple. The founder, Master Chufei Tsai, hopes to promote eastern culture through classes in yoga, meditation, eastern philosophy and more.

The temple has spearheaded a lot of community outreach projects through its Habitat for Humanity organization.

Sophia Aitken/highlights

In Coconut Grove, hidden by Banyan trees, lies the Zen Village, a humble Buddhist Temple where Master Chufei Tsai hosts a number of programs promoting cultural consciousness, social responsibility and holistic wellness through intimate classes in yoga, meditation, gentle forms of martial arts, Eastern philosophy education and lifestyle training. These classes strive to teach how to care for yourself and others.

Master Chufei Tsai, a native to Taiwan, is the founder of the Temple and is an appointed Master in the Inner Practice of Ancient Taoist Tradition, Confucian and Buddhist philosophies.

Her Guru, His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, sent her to the United States to serve the community and train more teachers. In addition to founding the only Buddhist Temple in Miami, she started a non-profit organization for educational programs called Heart for Humanity.

“We have to recognize the value of our lives and use that to benefit the community. We are stressing the sense of consciousness to bring about a better world. Our community has great needs that we need to serve,” said Master Tsai.

The Zen Village is a community made up of about 20 volunteers and roughly 30 members. From attending events like the Chinese New Year’s Celebration, speaking with the volunteers and going to some classes, I found that the Village has managed to attract very friendly people dedicated to its philosophies and in full support of its continuing success as a service to the community.

Because the Temple runs entirely on donated funds from its members and time from its volunteers, Master Tsai can never have enough help from the community and encourages anybody interested to come by and inquire about classes, the Village’s philosophy and outreach projects.

The Zen Village is located at 3570 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL and can be reached at 305-567-0165 and info@ zenvillage.org. Their website, zenvilage.org, has all schedule information and a volunteer form.

the classes (rated out of three stars-for stress relief) I recently attended a Hatha Yoga class—my fist yoga class ever. It took place on the Temple’s second floor in a room smelling of burnt incense and decorated in Zen fashion. The class was intimate and was taught by an apt and patient certified yoga teacher with a very soothing voice.

I had been told about the relaxing properties of yoga and always thought it was psychosomatic, but after a few Sun Salutations and Downward Facing Dog poses, I could feel my stress melting away, my muscles loosening and my thoughts focused only on my breathing pattern.

It is a very good class for all levels of yoga; the teacher works individually with everyone’s body and skill level during the hour and a half class. Call beforehand to confirm attendance.

Vinyasa Yoga

The Vinyasa Yoga class at the Zen Village was much more challenging then its Hatha counterpart. The class requires students to maintain a certain breathing pattern and buttock-muscle clenching technique through all poses.

The speed of the Sun Salutations was rather upbeat—making it a borderline cardio workout. We were most impressed with the flexibility of more advanced students, but glad that our teacher helped the less flexible to modify positions to fit their bodies.

Students are encouraged to ‘take child’s pose’ at any time—a ‘recovery’ position after a difficult sequence.

At the end of the class, the yogi turned off the lights for ultimate relaxation. The teacher sprinkled lavender oil on each students’ forehead to finish the class on a soothing note.

>

Ali Stack/highlights

Hatha Yoga

15 Festival Season Februrary 2012

Meditation Much like the yoga class I attended, this meditation class completely cleared my mind and allowed me to relax all my muscles.

Every word in the mantras has a meaning that meditating brings to life.

For example, I found that chanting om mani padme hum over and over cleared my chest and allowed the energy of the mantra to reverberate throughout my body.

>> Winter Party Week February 29-March 5 14th Street, South Beach

Serving as a benefit to the local gay community, Winter Party Week is a week-long party with music, art, dance film and comedy at South beach hotels and clubs.

International Film >> Miami Festival

March 4-13 Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 E Flagler Street, SE 1st Avenue, Downtown, and other locations

Run by Miami Dade College, the Miami International Film Festival showcases dozens of films of artistic value at a series of locations.

Miami/Calle >> Carnaval Ocho March 3-27 Miracle Mile, Little Havana, and other locations

Miami flaunts its Latin flare with a series of events around Miami, including beauty pageants, sports activities, food and concerts. The grand finale is a 23-block street festival (the largest in the world) on 8th street. More than a million come out to enjoy live music on 30 different stages featuring salsa, merengue and Caribbean music.

Beach Wine & Food >> South Festival February 23-26 Various locations on South Beach

Sponsored by Food Network, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival comes to Miami with tastings, culinary seminars and parties. Celebrity chefs are expected to come too, including Bobby Flay, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver and Emeril Lagasse.

>> Ultra Music Festival

Compiled by Sophia Aitken, Maggie Rivers & Ali Stack

You know when it is.

You know where it is.

You know what it is.

Compiled by Mary Koehnk

NEW WORLD SYMPHONY:

By Maggie Rivers STAFF WRITER

The New World Symphony of Miami Beach is putting a new spin on a night at the orchestra with its innovative concert formats they have been rolling out.

One main feature at the New World Center is the new state of the art Wallcasts projected onto the center’s 7,000 square foot projection wall. Audiences can come together in the center’s park to view concerts in the Wallcast series or movies in the Soundscape Cinema Series completely for free. Visitors can bring their own blankets and a picnic and enjoy the fresh air.

The Wallcast series features the symphony’s classical music concerts or ballets that are happening simultaneously with the

show inside. Although the interior of the center fosters a formal feel to it, the exterior of the center provides for a more relaxed feel. This informal mood given to the Wallcasts makes classical music seem more accessible to a larger audience.

Yet, for those who are looking for something to do with friends in the middle of the week, the Soundscape Cinema series offers a way to fill those boring Wednesday nights.

Old movies like Oceans Eleven and From Russia With Love are often shown.

The symphony has received two $500,000 grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to create events that make classical music more palatable to the public, instead of being perceived as an art of the upper classes. The success of these events is going to be shared

Maggie Rivers/highlights

Live on screen

WHEN ART COMES ALIVE: The New World Symphony Center hosts many changes this year from the new garden structures to the innovative shows to attract a younger audience.

with other orchestras across the country to renew the image of classical music to a shrinking audience.

The architecture of the center itself incorporates the idea of it being available to the community. The center’s public park, projection wall and glass walls give the center the feel of being open and approachable.

Besides, the building designed by architect Frank Gehry has become a landmark on the busy and popular Miami Beach.

The New World Center has something for everyone, with events like its PULSE: Late Night at the Symphony, mini concerts, and the Wallcasts, making it the new weekly hotspot for people of all ages.

the scene

highlights February 2012

16

Mary Koehnk, Chris Cowen & Jorge Galavis/highlights

CAMPING:

By Mary Koehnk & Leslie Ramos THE SCENE EDITOR & STAFF WRITER

Tent Sleeping Bag Campsite Water Friends Lumber Matches Flashlight S’mores necessities Bug repellent

>> Everglades National Park 40001 State road 9336, Homestead $16.00-Up to eight people and two tents per campsite Bathroom facilities available

Book reservations at (305) 242-7700

REAL GATOR NATION: (Above) An American Alligator suns himself in the Florida marshes. (Below) In the early hours of the morning, campers awake to the imminent sunrise over Biscayne Bay.

Ian Murdoch/contributor

CHECKLIST

ultimate cliché of camping: campfire songs.

The soundtrack consisted of more clichés, including Journey, Oasis, Shakira, and Miley Cyrus with a select few providing the acoustics and every one of us providing vocals. Though completely stereotypical, it was perhaps the cutest thing we have ever experienced.

As the night progressed the ground proceeded to get damper—something we should have anticipated being in the epitome of all Florida marshes. Our 10 p.m. curfew had long past and of course, the uncaring teenagers continued. Some disappeared into their prospective tents, while others scavenged for more firewood as the temperature continued to drop. At about 2 a.m. a very polite fellow camper came to remind us that normal people come to campsites to sleep. Shortly after, Mother Nature struck Little Tent.

“Little Tent took the brunt of the storm, so I took refuge in my sleeping bag as the flood waters rose in the tent. But during the whole ordeal I really felt at one with the elements,” said senior Alejandro Bonilla.

Sunrise and battle cries from Little Tent awoke those who were actually sleeping and eventually, all of us were wandering around our campsite as zombies surveying the remnants of an obliterated ecosystem. The buzzard joined us in the effort to restore the natural balance we disrupted, enjoying an early morning breakfast of raw hot dogs and plastic.

Granted, we did not enjoy the Everglades as it was meant to be enjoyed, but we did get a glimpse into one of the most distinctive aspects of South Florida.

Ian Murdoch/contributor

Despite possibly permanent mosquito bite scarring, lack of sleep and rain assault, our camping experience is one that will be treasured for years to come. Bringing the average age demographic significantly down with nearly twenty minors inhabiting their wildlife preserve, the rangers seemed concerned with our intentions—as they should have been.

Initially we did not know exactly what to expect from a 24-hour excursion into the primitive unknown (the Everglades).

We seemed overly prepared for irrelevant situations and under-prepared for vital ones.

We did not have enough fire wood, but we had an abundant supply of toilet paper; even though our campsite came equipped with fully stocked bathrooms.

It was apparent we were from metropolitan Miami with our posh Romeo Britto inspired mini tents and demi-camping tents made from the canvas covers that display tents for food at events like Relay for Life. Thankfully, three solid camping tents were successfully pitched, code named: big tent, medium tent, and little tent. Once the sun set, we kicked it into high gear—as we thought it was midnight when it was actually 7 p.m. Our nutritious dinner consisted of all food groups: Doritos, s’mores, and bananas.

In the absence of sky scrapers and street lights, the stars illumined the land, and the mosquitoes seemed insignificant with the constellations and the cicadas singing. Though true campers would scoff at our pusillanimous attempt at roughing it, we felt completely out of our element—away from cell phone reception, Facebook, and Drizzy. The forced disconnection allowed us to bond through the

A personal experience in the outdoor world of Florida

>> Boca Chita Boca Chita Island, Key Biscayne $20.00-Up to six people and two tents per campsite Bathroom facilities available

Book reservations at (305) 247-1216

& Penny >> Larry Thomson Park 12451 SW 184th St., Miami $16.95-Up to eight people and two tents per campsite Bathroom facilities available

Book reservations at (305) 232-1049

Compiled by Mary Koehnk

BOY SCOUTING

It’s not just for toddlers

By Mary Koehnk THE SCENE EDITOR

Being a member of Boy Scouts of America as a child is a distant memory, seemingly full of life lessons and valuable experiences. For some though, this experience has yet to become subject to reminisce. About a dozen teens in the school continue to participate in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Granted, these kids have come a long way since the badges earned in elementary school.

To understand this, one must first understand the evolution of a Boy Scout.

Let’s use a token example: Billy. Billy begins as a Scout, lead by a trooper of higher authority—the Senior Political Leader. With the proper requirements, Billy will be able to advance to Tenderfoot.

Moving up the Boy Scout ladder, Billy will then be granted Second Class, where the troops are subdivided into patrols, each led by a patrol leader. Then, First Class, followed by Star, Life, and finally the most prestigious position Billy could ever imagine: Eagle. Billy has to have earned 22 merit badges for excelling in a particular skill; be it swimming, cycling, hiking, camping, emergency preparedness, personal management, physical fitness, wilderness survival, electricity, archery or others.

Billy has also planned and performed an intricate service project independently.

Being granted this position, by the way, is equivalent to two promotions from the lowest rank in the Army.

Junior Angelo Pis-Dudot has been participating in the program for five years now.

“In my troop we have monthly campouts. Our last was a 34 mile overnight hike called the Barefoot Mailman Hike.

We also have monthly patrol leaders’ conferences and weekly troop meetings,” said Pis-Dudot.

Freshman Boy Scout Pedro Beltran is a member of Troop 76, and reflected on how his experiences will help him in the future.

“Boy Scouts helps me for college and it’s fun. It’s encouragement to be a better person and builds responsibility,” said Beltran.

Misunderstood, sharp and more likely to survive the zombie apocalypse than you, these select students show immense dedication and passion to excel. Join or make a Boy Scout friend for 2012—you will need one.