Issue 7, Vol. 52

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She was not alone in her upset.

“Soy Cubano y el mató a mi familia. Amando a Fidel Castro es lo mismo que decir ‘Yo amo a Hitler’,” said Most Miami residents acknowledge protestor Andres Candela, a retired physician. this simple unwritten rule: do not voice In response to sentiments such as these, Guillén pro-Fidel Castro remarks in Little Havana, apologized profusely at the press conference. seeing as the area is composed primarily of “I’m against the way [Castro] treats people and the exiles from the Castro regime in Cuba. But way [he has treated] his country for a long time,” he said. one Miami resident, new Marlins manager The apology was met with mixed responses. While Ozzie Guillén, seems to be oblivious to Commissioner of the City of Miami Francis Suarez said this unspoken truth. Guillén publicly said that “the Marlins seriously need to punish Ozzie”, othhe respected Fidel Castro, and the people of Miami ers, like Wisser and history teacher Daniel Blackmon, responded in protest at the noted that the Marlins manager Marlins stadium—on the is entitled to free speech like [Ozzie Guillen] is a sports manday of the Gables v. Killian everyone else. ager, not a politician, baseball game.

Many felt that the entire reBaseball coach Phillip Antonio Rodriguez, sponse to Guillén’s protest was Wisser and activities direcan overreaction. Guillén has senior tor Ana Suarez organized a been manager for under a year, field trip for students to atand could not anticipate such a tend the game, but when students arrived at the venue, fervent response for a remark about respecting a leader they were met by protestors rather than an empty, new who has survived numerous murder attempts. Many stadium. The game coincided with the press conferalso note that Guillén does not have a political role, and ence held at 10:30 a.m. on April 10, and to show their therefore should not be expected to have polished, public outrage at Guillén’s inflammatory comments, about relations-friendly comments.

200 Miami residents gathered to hold up picket signs “He’s a sports manager, not a politician,” said senior and shout chants against Guillén and his alleged proAntonio Rodriguez, a Gables baseball player.

Castro sentiments.

Other students visiting the stadium seemed rather Guillén’s comments should not come as a surprise indifferent to the controversy. Although excited to be though—the Venezuelan manager has a reputation surrounded by action on the day of what was already a of having a loud mouth, making similar provocative unique field trip, many do not have personal ties to the comments about Chavez in the past. To protesters at matter and thus demonstrated little interest in the impact Marlin’s stadium, however, this could not be excused of the protest. as mere word slip.

“Baseball is my favorite sport; I just wanted to watch “He loves Castro. Castro killed my grandfather. the game,” said senior Amanda DeCanio.

I’m paying $7,000 for season tickets — I’m part of Ultimately, Guillén was suspended for five games, those $10 million that he’s being paid,” said protestor but the hatred from the residents of Miami is likely to Ileana Fajardo. resonate long past his return to the field.

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OZZY GUILLEN

CUBA LIBRE: Protesters at the new Marlins stadium in Little Havana hold signs calling Marlins Manager Ozzie Guillen a ‘hypocrite’ and an ‘idiot’. Gables students witnessed this protest firsthand - the demonstration took place on April 10, the day the Cavalier baseball team played Killian Cougars at the stadium. “The protest was appropriate. I wouldn’t be surprised if they fired [Guillén],” said junior Javier Aleman.

NEWS EDITOR

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CITY OF MIAMI

Protest sparks at stadium on day of school field trip

By Suzette Wanninkhof

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HIGH PROFILES: All-Dade Cavs

By Gene Liu SPORTS EDITOR

Think of “dream team” and household names such as Dwayne Wade and Eli Manning immediately come to mind. These athletes are considered the best in their professional leagues, but every year the Miami Herald assembles three ‘dream teams’ of high school student athletes from Miami-Dade and Broward counties. In addition, over 800 academically and athletically inclined students are presented with All-County Athletic Awards.

The school sports a multitude of students who are to receive awards, are in the running for scholarships, and have earned spots on one of the dream teams.

With a season record of 11 goals and 14 assists, senior Fernando Franco was chosen as a First Team midfielder for the All-Dade 5A-4A boys soccer team.

“It’s an honor winning All-Dade first team, especially having never won anything of that [esteem],” said Franco.

The Third Team’s roster in 5A-4A boys soccer included senior midfielder Julian Ginori and senior defensemen Joseph Nelson. The 5A-4A girls soccer Third Team, on the other hand, featured a younger player— sophomore forward Danielle Riesco.

“I am very proud to be the only girl representing Gables with All-Dade honors,” said Riesco.

The soccer program was not the school’s only recipient of athletic awards: Franco, Ginori, Nelson, and Riesco are joined by senior guard Xavier Cruz for basketball’s Second Team, senior Adam Johnson for cross county’s Second Team, and junior Anthony Soto in both the 50 and 100 meter freestyle for swimming’s Second Team. The school’s basketball, cross country, football, golf, and soccer teams also include players receiving Honorable Mention awards. “[Those who have won All-Dade] have done an outstanding job of continuing the Cavalier tradition of excellence in athletics,” said Athletic Director Luis Romero.

Ginori and volleyball outside hitter Sophia Torrents are nominees for the 2012 Scholar Athlete Award, given to a student athlete who excels both in school and in their sport.

The school’s nominated and awarded athletes along with those from other schools are invited to the All-County Awards Banquet where they will not only represent their schools, but Miami-Dade County as well. They will be rewarded for achievement for their excellence in sports as well as in school as a whole.

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It’s an honor winning All-Dade first team, especially having never won anything of that [esteem],

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-Fernando Franco, First Team

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Courtesy of FoxMar Photography

preview

highlights

the scene

news insight

Students share their deepest secrets with an anonymous forum

MAY 2 11 24 JUNE 1 5 18

FIRST DAY OF AP & IB TESTING (THRU MAY 25) GABLETTE REVUE 6:30 P.M. FOOTBALL PRE-SEASON NEW PLAYER SHOWCASE

GRADUATION, BANK ATLANTIC CENTER, 9 A.M. FRESHMAN ORIENTATION 6:30 P.M. IB CAV CAMP BEGINS, RUNS THRU JUNE 22

want two free WARPED TOUR tickets?

Stop by highlights (F237) before May 25 to enter the raffle!

Outstanding students at school rewarded

P. 20

Rogelio Morto’s doll-dances at Versailles Café a big hit among patrons

Leslie Ramos/highlights

P. 9-12

upcoming events

P. 3

2 Eliana Waldman/highlights

Chris Cowen & jorge Galavis/highlights

May 2012

a letter

FROM THE EDITORS Running highlights this year was a challenge, as always. Every Editor-inChief/Managing Editor duo of the paper is forced to face the realities of a room full of self-governed teenagers, and we are proud to say we think we’ve done so successfully. highlights 2011-2012 overcame many obstacles: an usual amount of testosterone on the staff, a junior as EIC, smaller butt sizes, constant changes in editorial positions and of course, Orso Raymo (our favorite doormat-turned-Opinion Editor). The fear of immaculate conception constantly plagued room F237, along with the ruckus that was DJ Aj Ziv, Manager of Zivness. It is easy to say that the staff has become quite a cult – when the newsroom was locked during lunch because Nievs was scoring oral exams, there were 30 lost souls wandering the staircases in search of their highlights peers. When the network was deleted, our ancient printer began to act up – clearly, the highlights stars were not aligned. Luckily, each section editor and the many personalities on the staff kept us smiling until the end of this production cycle. Chorge successfully Photoshopped each of our faces onto our respective spirit animals while Gene kept the memes flowing, even on final drafts of layouts. David successfully irreparably terrorized lil’ Maggs, Mary constantly entertained us with her rants on all things from peeing in public to troublesome teachers, and Suzette became an InDesign prodigy while making all of our tummies happy (we’re all looking forward to seeing her do big things at UPenn ☺). Casey was a silent but deadly force on the staff, catching (almost) every copy error except that fateful day when even C-Brez himself confused ‘your’ and ‘you’re’. Audrey and Remy rescued Features from its awkward mideditor limbo along with Nico (Das Funs) and Orso with Opinion - slowly but surely injecting their section with juuuust a little more sarcasm than issues past. And of course, our parting seniors: Andy F.’s headlines, creativity, and general lack of social skills brought smiles to all of our faces and will surely be missed, along with Gretel’s consistent reporting, Sielsky’s awesome photos, and Leslie and Eylin’s inescapable but incredibly infectious Latin flare. To rising editors: good luck. We look forward to seeing your own eccentricities shining through your pages, and as always, remaining true to Panther One. We love you all!

ALI STACK

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SOPHIA AITKEN MANAGING EDITOR

news

highlights May 2012

GPS FOR YOUR FUTURE

By Brooke Donner STAFF WRITER

Nicole Sielsky/highlights

New to this year, the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and the College Assistance Program (CAP) created “GPS for Your Future,” a program to help students who will not be attending a four-year college to find alternative options for post-secondary education or employment.

Career Fair On April 20, over 25 organizations, companies, and craft schools with post secondary educational and employment opportunities set up in the school’s gym for the Career Fair.

Juniors and seniors filled the gym throughout the morning, speaking to various representatives. Among those present were the US Air Force, Mary Kay, The English Center, Baker Aviation, City of Coral Gables Fire Department, and Miami-Dade College Hospitality. Students of the Robert Morgan Culinary Academy demonstrated knife skills on peppers and handed out cupcakes, while a representative of Educating Hands Massage Therapy gave free massages.

“The students were amazed that a person who didn’t graduate from college could own a $25 million business,” said Johana Duenas, human resources manager of Tuuci, a high-end umbrella company.

Duenas told students how Dougan Clarke, owner and chief executive officer of Tuuci and Coral Gables Senior High alumnus, did not go to college, but he had

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a vision and a plan that he eventually accomplished.

“Everyone seemed really honest, not like they were trying to sell something,” said senior Kevin Kuchenbaur.

Next Step Conference On April 18, Academy of Business, Management, and Information Technology leader Lucia Benchetrit hosted the Next Step Conference in the Little Theater.

The event, sponsored by the PTSA, was meant to educate students about business etiquette.

Benchetrit spoke to 38 juniors and seniors, giving them tips on how to behave in a job interview, fill out an application, create a résumé, and dress appropriately. She repeatedly told the students to take pride in themselves, and that “it’s not what you know, it’s whom you know.”

“I really need this right now to help me move on to bigger and better things,” said senior Daniel Keary about the Next Step Conference.

Students were encouraged to ask questions, and many shared their own stories about working and job hunting.

Pep Rally As the first step of “GPS for Your Future,” the PTSA hosted a motivational pep rally on Apr. 5. Two hundred seniors listened as guest speakers Marlene Bryan, Charles Monroe and Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinker Mendez told their stories.

Bryan, a life coach and motivational speaker, recounted her struggles as an immigrant from Jamaica to the United States. She told the students how perseverance gave her the opportunity to start her own business.

“When we use our mind to imagine and dream big we can go further. Don’t be blinded by what you see.

You are capable of doing so much,” said Bryan.

THE VOICE OF VOCATIONS: Several dozen technical schools and employment agencies set up booths at the career fair organized by the PTSA. Miami Dade Culinary, Educating Hands, and Robert P. Morgan Center were some of those present.

Construction not expected to interfere with testing

By Scarlett Perez

The main structure and plumbing of the bathrooms have already been completed and workers only need to finish building For the past few months, the gate the roof. The school’s administration by the auditorium has been closed expects to have fully functioning outside because of ongoing construction of bathrooms, but the restrooms inside of new bathrooms outside the gym. the gym will not be renovated by the time Students and AP/IB testing teachers have begins.

Technically we are done with the expressed “Technically bathrooms. All that is left are just concern over we are done some minor touches, the possibility with the Joseph Evans, of the bathrooms. construction All that is Assistant Principal conflicting with left are just the several some minor upcoming Advance Placement touches,” said Evans.

(AP) and International Baccalaureate Having the bathrooms completed (IB) tests that are usually administerd will make going to the restroom during in the gym during the first two weeks testing breaks much easier as students of May. will not have to roam the school in search If everything goes according of open bathrooms. to schedule, the bathrooms will be If the bathrooms are not finished in finished and perfectly functioning time for testing, construction workers by the time AP/IB testing in the will come after school hours to complete gym commences, according to the roof.

Assistant Principal Joseph Evans.

“I think it is really good that the STAFF WRITER

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SENIOR SPIRIT WEEK

school is fixing the bathrooms because it was so gross going into really old bathrooms that did not even function properly. Who knows how old the school’s bathrooms are,” said freshman Raquel Braun.

Additionally, the school is undergoing renovations of all the bathrooms in the old building, starting with the bathrooms in the downstairs 100 hall. These bathrooms have been closed for several weeks, causing inconveniences to students. Once the 100 hall bathrooms are finished and pass safety inspections, the school will continue with renovating the bathrooms in the upstairs 100 hall and the 600 hall throughout the summer and into the next school year. Simultaneously, the school has been remodeling the boy’s bathroom in the 300 hall, which causes conflicts to students who now have to find a new route for their classes in the 300 halls.

The school will also be installing a new PA system and fire alarm system in the old building.

A new science museum is expected to open in 2015

By Giulia Heyward STAFF WRITER

Miamians can expect another addition to Museum Park in downtown Miami. The museum, The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, currently advertises that it will feature a planetarium, aquarium, and both indoor and outdoor exhibits.

The museum is named after Philip and Patricia Frost, who donated over $30 million to both the museum and Florida International University (FIU).

“There are students who wouldn’t be necessarily interested in science who will want to go. It’s definitely going to generate new interest,” said junior Elizabeth Gonzalez, who plans to work at the Miami Museum of Science at Vizcaya over the summer.

It is not just students who are excited for this project, as workers at the museum are also excited for what this could bring for Miami’s science community.

“We’ve wanted to expand for around two years. We wanted to give a better, more interactive attraction for the community,” said Roselind Romero, Visitors Services Department worker.

The museum is expected to open in early 2015.

ROCKING OUT 80s STYLE ELDERLY AND EAGER

BACK TO 2000

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN: (left to right) Seniors Pauline Schreibmaier, Maria Hernandez, Larissa Weinstein, Michelle Jimenez, Nicole Cuervo, Enrica Ferroroti and Isa Parra bust out their best 80s dance moves in celebration of 80s dress-up day.

Nicole Sielsky/highlights

Nicole Sielsky/highlights

Nicole Sielsky/highlights IN TOUCH WITH HER INNER CHILD: Kindergarten dressup day kicked off spirit week and gave the opportunity for students to revert back to the fashions of their youth.

Senior Olympia Reboll’s tutu perfectly fit the child style.

REAL ‘SENIOR’ CITIZENS: Seniors Vanessa Galdeano and Anilcia Garcia strut around with patterned dresses, gaudy glasses, tacky accessories, and walker in character for Senior Citizen Day.

news

highlights May 2012

By Brooke Donner

Nicole Sielsky/highlights

STAFF WRITER

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awards given

On April 25, students, parents, teachers, administrators and presenters spent their evening in the auditorium for the school’s annual Awards Ceremony.

Starting on time, the event was kicked off with welcome speeches by senior and Awards Ceremony planner Yubisan Ventura, principal Adolfo Costa, student council president Isabel Parra, and senior class president Armani Abreu. Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members performed the Presentation of Colors before seniors and Masters of Ceremonies (MCs) Suzette Wanninkhof and Christian Ortega were introduced. Throughout the evening, the MCs ran the show, introducing presenters who then called up students to receive their awards.

The Awards Ceremony began with freshman awards, and continued with senior, junior, sophomore, department, athletic, Silver Knight nominees, CGHS

Andera Martinezy/highlights

OUTSTANDING STUDENTS

REWARDED

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Scholars, and Summa Cum Laude seniors (top five percent of the class) awards.

In total, 153 awards were given.

Presenters included THE BEST OF THE BEST: The Summa Cum Laude recipients smile on stage to receive teachers, academy leaders, their prestigious award for having a grade point average in the top five percent. administrators, and representatives from universiorganizing the little details that made the night a ties and community organizations. Each presenter success. briefly described the accomplishments of the recipient “The day of the Awards Ceremony was really before giving him or her the award, which was usually overwhelming, with all the checklists and last minute a plaque. Costa presented the Principal’s Award to a changes, but at the end of the day it was super rewardmale and female student from every class, and spoke ing. Not just receiving awards, but the night itself,” said multiple times at the event.

Ventura.

“The Awards Ceremony is the ‘who’s who’ of Among the many students receiving awards was Gables and of the world,” said Costa, who repeatedly senior Jieyi Wu. Wu, a Silver Night Nominee for busicalled the event “the most special night of the entire ness and winner of the Suzanna B. Tweed Scholarship, year.” was beaming at the end of the night, along with almost Behind the scenes of the Awards Ceremony, everyone at the event. and receiving two awards of her own, was Ventura.

“I feel very honored and surprised to have won Ventura has been planning the event with the Awards these awards. I’m very thankful to my teachers and parCommittee since September, contacting schools for ents, because without them I wouldn’t be who or where book awards, writing scripts, creating invitations, and I am today,” said Wu.

NEWS BRIEFS Pickup truck ban to be lifted

Science Subs take over

By Brooke Donner STAFF WRITER

In the science department, substitutes have taken over two teachers’ classes for the rest of the school year. The substitutes, Stephen Mayer and Kelli Fraga, are both first-year teachers in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system, though Mayer previously taught in private schools for over 20 years.

Mayer took over David Odom’s six physical science classes in January after Odom retired due to illness.

Fraga graduated from the University of Florida last year, and returned to her high school to begin her first year teaching.

After spring break, she took over Laurice McKoy’s six chemistry classes and one anatomy class. McKoy took a leave of absence after a car accident.

“I’m actually responsible for students learning now, not just putting on a movie,” said Fraga.

Interdisciplinary Fair

By Brooke Donner STAFF WRITER

The Academy of Design, Education, and Hospitality (DEH) teamed up with the Academy of Health Science, Public Service, and Law (HSPSL), and the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) to create an Interdisciplinary Fair featuring specialties from each academy .

English teacher Margarite DePaola’s fourth period senior English class was inspired by the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, a novel about racial struggles in the early 20th century Florida. Her class and classes of other subjects shared projects and talents related to the novel using skills taught in the different classes.

On April 27, culinary arts students served a dish based on the food of the novel’s time period, fashion classes designed clothes based on the book, and VPA dance students choreographed and performed a dance inspired by the book.

“Interdisciplinary teaching is a new trend in education because it creates collaboration between many subjects,” said DEH teacher Daneisy Chaviano.

After decades, pickup trucks may finally be allowed to be parked on the street

By Gretel Sanchez STAFF WRITER

After over 50 years, Coral Gables may lift the ban on pickup truck parking on residential streets. Laws dating from the 1960s dictate that pickup trucks are prohibited from parking on city streets or residential driveways and can only be kept in enclosed garages. If the law is modified, pickup trucks can park on residential streets if the front faces the street and the back has a covered bed, according to the Miami Herald.

While many Coral Gables residents are pleased with this policy change, others feel that the current laws set in place protect the city’s beauty and value.

“I’m definitely okay with the ban being lifted. While there is a balance between individual rights

Carlos Fernandez, D.M.D., M.S.

By Ali Stack

The Miami-Dade County Public School (MDCPS) Board has developed a new initiative for introducing free campus-wide wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) to students and faculty at all MDCPS schools. $70 million dollars from the district and federal government was allotted to this project, which according to the district’s Chief Communications Officer, John Schuster, should be implemented in all schools by September 2013. Gables has offered password-protected Wi-Fi to teachers’ registered school devices since early this year, and is working on expanding the amenity to students in accordance with the district mandate.

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Nicole Sielsky/highlights

School to set up Wi-Fi EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

decision to allow personal pickup trucks and social order, I don’t necessarily seems practical to many who feel that believe parking pickup trucks on the these laws are outdated. street leads to anarchy or anything,” “I think it is definitely time for the said English teacher Preston Scanlon. laws to be changed. My dad used to The change was initially brought drive a pickup truck and he would have up during the Coral Gables Planto park two ning & My dad used to drive a pickup truck blocks away at Zoning a convenience and he would have to park it two Board store. He ended Workblocks away at a convenience store, up having to shop Claudia Anderson, buy a new car. on Feb. senior Coral Gables 15. Acis already cording beautiful and to the people should feel free to drive whatever Gables Homepage website, much car floats their boat,” senior and Coral research went into this discussion Gables resident Claudia Anderson said. and the board members and residents A definite decision is expected in the were said to be objective and factual upcoming Planning and Zoning Board in their evidence and statements. The Workshop.

Practice Limited to Orthodontics

3735 S.W. 8th Street Suite 104 Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 444-8969

highlights

In celebration of nature and in promotion of environmental awareness, Gables Earth organized a week full of fun activities

Thursday, Recycled Wardorbe

Tuesday, Bug Day On Tuesday, students with an affinity for insects dressed up as their favorite bug for “Bug Day.” Students found themselves in class among peers wearing fake antennas, face paintings, and colorful tops and leggings.

“I dressed up as a butterfly and bee. I tried to incorporate both insects by painting a bee on my cheek and my antennas were for the butterfly. It was cute to see all of my friends dressed up,” said sophomore Leah Botton.

Not only did students get to dress up as bugs on Tuesday, but there was also a scavenger hunt. Students got into several groups in order to compete in this activity throughout the school.

“I thought the day was very cute,” said junior Noelcy Amador. “I wish I had known in advance because I would have definitely participated. If they have it again next year, I am definitely going to plan for it in advance.”

Wednesday, Tree Day

Monday, Animal Day Nicole Sielsky/highlights BRANCHING OUT: Along with picnics in the field during lunch, students also dressed up as trees on Wednesday, incorporating leaf headbands and earth-tone colors such as brown and green.

Switching up SAT policies

100 bottles Who won?

Freshmen: 9 percent Sophomores: 4 percent

Juniors: 60 percent Seniors: 27 percent

Compiled by Madeline Cowen

12th

11th

9th 10th

“Students weren’t as involved as we had hoped, but we definitely saw an increase in participantion from last year. Baby steps,” said Gables Earth co-president Larissa Weinstein.

By Scarlett Perez STAFF WRITER

highlights

Due to recent cheating controversies, the SAT has enacted several security changes involving the submission of photo identification when signing up for the exams. This picture is then inputted into a database and printed on the admission tickets. Results will also have their photo attached when they are sent to the students’ high schools and to them.

These changes have been put into place because of a recent cheating scandal that occurred in Long Island, New York. Several students offered thousands of dollars to fellow high school students and friends who had graduated to take the tests for them. The impostor test-takers were able to sit in place of others by creating fake IDs and taking the tests in locations far from

the customers’ schools.

The students received extremely high scores, which led to an investigation that ultimately revealed the scandal.

When the scandal was uncovered, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice called for tighter security measures to be put in place for the SATs. These tighter measures will minimize cheating that is enabled through the creation of fake IDs. The new measures may further complicate the application process for the SAT. “If they implement the changes, I imagine that registration will become more complicated. Students already forget to bring their picture identification and are turned away,” said Testing Coordinator Lazaro Hernandez.

With this year’s new security measures, test takers will have to

Total amount of recycled material collected:

Epilepsy Walk NE ANYO

Suzette Wan ninkhof/

STAFF WRITER

Friday, Color War

Week-long Recycle War

STAFF WRITER

By Andrea Martinez

THE BEST KIND OF TRASHY: Sophomore Daniela Karaki-Suarez dresses in a garbage bag to show the fashion of recycling. This was a part of an initiative to promote the week-long recycle war.

On Friday, Earth Week concluded with a school-wide competition, the “Color War.” On this day, the grade levels participated by wearing the color assigned to their specific grade level. Seniors wore green, juniors wore blue, sophomores wore brown, and freshmen wore white. Some teachers also wore the color corresponding to the grade level they taught.

By Giulia Heyward

Earth Week began with students wearing animal costumes, face paint, and clothes with patterns of their favorite animal for the appropriately titled “Animal Day.” There was no limit to how simple or extreme students could get in what they wore.

Some students wore animal ears to accompany their school uniform, or even went as far as incorporate props to look as realistic as possible.

“It was really interesting to see how creative everyone could get,” said junior Daphne Zapsas. “I thought it was really cool to see what everyone wore.”

The few students who were able to scrape together a costume for the day received praise from their friends and classmates.

5 Guilia Heyward/highlights

EARTH WEEK

May 2012

WHOEVER WILL PAY

ME $1,000

NO MORE FORGED IDs: In effort to stop cheating that has been taking place with the help of fake IDs, stricter regulations are being put in place

make sure to accurately fill out their applications. There have been several instances at this school in which students were not allowed to take their tests due to incorrect applications.

Next school year’s SAT takers will be the first to need to complete these new aspects of the application.

With the huge variety of charity organizations available, students are now supporting a cause that they can have some personal connection to: Team Sara. Junior Daniella Ramirez started the Gables chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation during her freshman year after her younger sister, Sara, was diagnosed with the disease. The Epilepsy Foundation, which aims to find a cure and help affected individuals and their families cope with the disease, had its annual walk-a-thon on Saturday, April 14 at Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park. Many Gables students participated.

“I know people who have suffered from epilepsy and I thought that it was great cause to contribute to,” said junior Miguel Sandoval, who attended the walk.

With the help of social studies teacher Stevie Cosgrove, Daniella Ramirez was able to begin the appropriately dubbed Team Sara, along with the sponsorship of community service clubs such as Interact and Key Club.

“During my freshman year, I knew that Ms. Cosgrove did the Team Luke walk, and I got inspiration from that because I wanted to do something for my little sister,” said junior Daniella Ramirez.

This year, Ramirez focused on raising student and teacher awareness through advertising on the morning announcements, selling Team Sara shirts and even having speakers from the Foundation come to the school.

This year the Epilepsy Foundation raised about $33,400 in donations from the walk-a-thon. All proceeds go to help find a cure for epilepsy.

Vivian Gray,

Formal Wear Alterations

-Specializing in Evening, Wedding, & Prom gowns -Professional experience: Over 40 years Coral Gables / 786-362-5461 / v.gray@mindspring.com

opinion

highlights May 2012

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IN DEFENSE OF THE TEST

Why I love the FCAT (and why you should, too!)

Commentary by Nicolas Rivero OPINION EDITOR

Let me just come out and say it: I love the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Whenever I mention it, I feel like I’m Ozzie Guillen standing on a table at Versailles trying to explain how great Castro is. No one understands me.

But before you pass judgment, try to look at things from my perspective. Here are three good reasons to love the test everyone loves to hate.

It takes up a lot of time. And I mean a lot of time.

Whether it’s the days eaten up by testing, the minutes that tick away while pencils are carefully distributed one by one in alphabetical order, or the weeks that fly by while mindlessly drilling from FCAT workbooks, one thing is for certain: you won’t be thinking. It’s a nice break from all the hard work and academic rigor most schools like to promote,

and I welcome it.

It teaches valuable life skills. I’m not talking about things like how to read or add fractions. You should already know that. My favorite part of the FCAT is the question “What would be another good title for this passage?” Someone already put a lot of time and thought into choosing the best title for this story, but hey, let’s look at these four other choices they rejected and give one a silver medal.

The FCAT also taught me how to identify a simile.

It uses “like” or “as.” Why did the author use that simile and what purpose does it serve in the story? What am I, a psychic? They handed me a pencil with “Do your best on the test” printed on it, not a crystal ball.

It legitimizes a Florida high school diploma. Before the FCAT, a Florida grade point average or high school diploma wasn’t worth very much because there was no standardized test to prove anything was actually being taught in Florida public schools. Thankfully, the FCAT is

TRAYVON MARTYR:

here to make sure that all of our graduating twelfth graders can read and add at a tenth grade level. Now there is no doubt in anybody’s mind that Florida students are two years behind their grade level.

Because the FCAT demands so much from us, it is very important that our teachers spend the entire year teaching directly to the test. Even more important is that every single one of our school’s 3,200 students continues to sacrifice their Saturday mornings to attend absolutely mandatory (not actually mandatory) FCAT workshops. This is the only way to make sure they get a quality education.

Since I began writing this story, I’ve learned the disturbing news that the FCAT now faces elimination in favor of its flashier, computerized cousin, the FCAT 2.0.

It’s just like the regular FCAT, except now you have to stare directly at a computer screen for seventy minutes. I can’t say I’m not saddened by the loss, but I will always look back fondly on all the good times we had together.

FCAT, you will be missed.

What we can learn from the tragic shooting death of Trayvon Martin Commentary by Orso Raymo

“There was no justified reason for killing him, it was not fair,” said sophomore Melanie Monzon.

All a hand gun gives is a false sense of security and The untimely and unfortunate death empowerment, and when it falls into the hands of someone of Trayvon Martin has shed light on the with compulsive tendencies like Zimmerman the results are controversial issues of gun control, selfalmost never pretty. defense laws and racism, that have all Unfortunately, humans are destructive by nature, and come together in this tragic scenario and granting virtually uncontrolled possession of arms is asking has gripped the nation for weeks. for trouble. Guns shouldn’t be banned entirely, but at the George Zimmerman, the infamous same time they have no business in the hands of some, man single handidly responsible for the especially people with pre-existing criminal records like death of Martin, is simply a product of his environment.

Zimmerman.

On a basic level, Zimmerman should face the full force of Whichever way you look at this case you will find the law for second degree murder, but in the greater picture something that bothers you, whether it’s the racism, or gun the real culprit is the second amendment. control, or the initial lack of prosecution.

The right to bear arms is the absolute demonstration Now that Zimmerman lies in custody awaiting trial, we of freedom; it grants the undisputable power to defend must let the court of law, decide his fate (which looks grim oneself, but the abuse of this civil liberty can be anyways) and make a verdict on the basis of compelling devastating. evidence presented in court, and not questionable claims The overly relaxed gun control laws, that just about the media has been stirring up. There is much to be learned every state upholds, are as much at fault in the death of from this case, but one thing we can all agree on is that Martin as Zimmerman. Had the “watchman” been unarmed Trayvon Martin left us all too soon. he would have thought twice before pursuing a suspicious looking individual.

OPINION EDITOR

The death Opposable of the party THUMBS

AP English Exam “I ain’t even scared.”

-Orso Raymo, Opinion Editor

New Bathrooms “All I wanted was some soap.”

-Nicolas Rivero, Opinion Editor

Opinions “I don’t really have any.”

-Chris Cowen, Insight Editor

Earth Week “I live on earth every day.”

-Casey Breznick Copy Editor

Courtesy of The New Yorker

ON TRIAL: Although he may already have been condemned in the court of public opinion, George Zimmerman faces second degree murder charges in a Sanford courtroom for the death of Trayvon Martin.

Commentary by Avery Budin STAFF WRITER

Off the big screen and into communities of party-going teens, Project X has inspired a new generation of spin-off parties, which include the events and antics borrowed from the hit movie.

Without the professional stunt team and special effects, however, their real-life renditions have led to real-life consequences.

“I’m not surprised people are trying to remake the movie,” said sophomore Alex Micieli.

Project X may show some of the effects of the wild night, but kids have obviously been blinded by the rest of the excitement making them unable to understand the severity the situation may actually cause. New York and Texas teens have already hosted parties causing over $620,000 in property damage. While the movie itself disregards the law in exchange for a fun night, reality has not been able to do the same. The longer the parties are tolerated, the worse the effects may be on the community.

Noise disturbances and overcrowded driveways are the least of the concerns for nearby neighbors. For parties that have attempted accurate renditions of the movie, flamethrowers and drug busts should be the bigger issue.

Community leaders have rightfully argued that further destruction or corruption of public facilities for the use of these parties will lead to crippling punishments for the youth.

If every movie inspires teens to take movie making into their own hands, an epidemic may take place. The movie itself, while entertaining seems to have given party-bound teens an excuse for their actions. Kids try new things, get in trouble, and suffer the consequences on a daily basis; but getting busted for sneaking out of the house is not nearly as risky as defying federal and state laws. With kids

Melissa Perez/ Contributor

so engrossed in the fantasy life on a high school party gone haywire, reality has not kicked in for all participants. Consequences have included community service hours, arrests and even death.

“I would not want to get arrested; a party just is not worth it,” said junior Christina Morales.

With the increasing popularity, law enforcement officers have had to turn to Facebook to warn parents about the neighborhood “clubs”. Officers are shocked with the turnout of the events, claiming it is an effect of all the new age technology that has caused the widespread exposure. For most teens, being raided at a friend’s “ghetty” is the worst that could happen, but for guests of Project X parties law enforcement is not being that lenient. If being put on house arrest sounds harsh, it is still far from spending the night locked behind steel bars.

If fatalities continue to occur as a consequence of the movie being aired to the public, the production of other fantasy night excursions may be withheld from public viewing. Either the parties become less illegal, or the hosts cease to attribute the “fun” to ideas from

opinion

highlights May 2012

7

Last month of school lost thanks to the elimination of final exams STAFF

Editorial

After 27 weeks of stress, agony and anticipation, the final grading period has, once again, finally shown its face. This bittersweet quarter is always highly anticipated and extremely dreaded. At this point students can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Summer is only nine short weeks away but those nine weeks are filled with students frantically trying to finalize their grades and get in last minute assignments, while teachers begin to prepare themselves for an influx of assignments that should have made it to their desks months ago. Although this quarter marks the winding down of the school year, it is also a harsh reminder of what is yet to come: exams, exams, exams.

April is usually filled with last-minute lessons and pointers. By now, teachers should have pretty much gone through the majority of textbooks and run out of

exams in the first place. With the elimination of finals, material to teach. Come the last month of school, students what was once a period of review and final preparation are rudely awakened by rigorous cramming sessions and for exams, will now amount to little more than mounds of review books and are given ample “study time” supervised nap time. Many would agree that this time by their teachers to prepare for IB, AP and end of course is being wasted and everyone would benefit from doing exams. away with the current wasteful schedule. Unfortunately, More often than not, teachers will allow for quiet study schools are required by the time but what does this really mean for county to meet a standard students? Instead of a generous gift of After all the tests, school number of days: 180 to be exact, time to squeeze in those last minute is practically over. Most and doing away with extra cramming sessions, students look teachers syllabi end there “wasted” days would not help forward to this time to catch up on all and the rest of the year is that cause. the movies they have missed and make dedicated to watching movies.

Back in the day, students up for lost sleep.

Lorenzo Babboni, were only required to come to Walk into any classroom on any school for testing. After their day during the last month of school. If junior final exams, they were permitted someone gave you a nickel for every to leave once and for all to head down, deck of cards, open file begin their summer vacation. cabinet, or class scene from Ferris Bueller, you would likely have enough money to buy a bagel every morning for Why this is not practiced in our school today is beyond comprehension and only continues to add emphasis on the rest of the school year. the valuable time that is wasted away, sitting in a dark Students become antsy as they are consumed by the room watching movies, slapping cards and endlessly anticipation for another summer, raising the question of dreaming of summer. why there is even another empty month of school after

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charities may seem legitimate, but think twice Kony 2012: Many before donating your money without doing your research Commentary by Scarlett Perez On March 9, 2012 the non-profit activist group Invisible Children released a video campaign called Kony 2012, designed to increase awareness and drum up U.S. support assisting the Ugandan Army in capturing warlord Joseph Kony, head of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Within hours of its internet release, the half-hour video garnered millions of views and went viral on Facebook and Twitter feeds. In the video, the founder of Invisible Children narrates the crimes the LRA has been accused of committing, which are not limited to but include kidnapping Ugandan children, forcing them to become child soldiers and raping and mutilating them.

The emotionally charged video made people aware of the horrendous acts committed by the LRA in a country halfway around the world, which might not have had any personal significance to the average American individual; specifically, the short film struck deep in the hearts of teenagers easily swayed by

“

“

I think it’s a good thing that Invisible Children’s efforts to stop Kony are becoming publicized.

-Mia Rathjens, sophomore

“trending topics” in social media. Plastered everywhere on the internet were links to the video and photos with the title Kony 2012, aimed at making Kony infamous and trying to bring about his arrest. Yet the dilemma with the Kony 2012 campaign is not about whether students should or should not support the cause, the main issue rests upon whether students are actually informed and are taking the initiative to seek factual data about the causes they supposedly advocate.

“My ninth grade research paper was about child soldiers, so I knew about it before hand and the video glazed over the information. If they actually looked into it they would find more information,” said sophomore Jacob Slosbergas.

Although the Kony video is able to appeal to a demographic that is primarily concerned with the latest Jersey Shore antics (which is a great feat on its own), the simplistic presentation of a much more complex situation in Uganda has students falsely believing that by posting “STOP KONY 2012” as their Facebook status, they know everything they need to about the situation. Many did not take the initiative to research Invisible Children and see that they were proponents of military intervention by the Ugandan

“

I think kids need to do research, but the videos are good for introducing the students to the fact that there is a problem out there.

“

-Porsha Smith, History teacher

The mystery of life after the AP

the year ends, grading students on their ability to stay awake for the whole period.

STAFF WRITER “After [the AP exam] there is not much to go over, Throughout the year, students in Adbut I do give students the opportunity to review over vanced Placement (AP), and International certain novels we did not get to cover, they receive current Baccalaureate (IB) classes are preparing events or we watch movies that allow for a discussion that for their end of the year exams. Once the interests them and educates them as well,” said AP Spanish tests are over and done with, what is left to teacher Mercedes Verazain. do? The purpose of Although teachers the class was to prepare students for If we already took the test, what is the probably have worksheets, the test they have just taken. Does books to read, and tests for point of doing any more work? the teacher have a lesson plan for the class, the likelihood of the remaining weeks? Is homework students actually putting Zachary Howell, assigned? Life after the AP exam may effort into the work is slim senior seem like a mystery, but it is a mysto none. AP and IB classes tery that can be solved. after exams are pretty The scene on the first day of class after the test is usually meaningless. Nevertheless, the effort teachers make to conthe same. The teacher asks the students how they think they tinue to assign class work is appreciated and shows dedication did; the general answer (which most often is a lie) is that they to their job. did well, or the typical “it was so easy.” After the exam most “But if we already took the test, what is the point of doing teachers have a beautiful selection of movies to play till until any more work? We have spent the whole year preparing for

Commentary by Eylin Martinez

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Army who themselves are guilty of committing some of the same atrocities as the LRA. Invisible Children is selling “action kits” with promotional materials, for $30, yet students probably have not investigated whether or their money is going directly to the cause or to miscellaneous expenses.

“I think kids need to do research but the videos are good for introducing the student to the fact that there is a problem out there.

But it is not enough to just leave it with the video,” said history teacher Porsha Smith.

As with the Occupy Movement, teenagers filled the streets and Facebook walls toting the cause, but the majority were not conscious of its platforms (the major difference being that no one flooded the streets for Kony 2012’s Cover the Night event on Apr. 20). High school students on the cusp of entering the “adult world” need to research the causes they are promoting and not take everything they are told at face value. From there, they need to make informed decisions about why or why not they want to support any cause, otherwise students risk becoming part of the ignorant mass culture that is influenced by whatever the mainstream media tells them.

“

STAFF WRITER

I think people will start a movement just for the sake of starting one; I’ve seen many examples of it here at school. My freshman year, kids walked out for no reason; this is the same thing on a bigger scale.

-Julian Mendoza, junior

>> >>

72 percent Of students do not plan on working after their AP tests

28 percent Of students are willing to work after the test

a test that other people have more time to prepare for and did averagely well, why drown us with more work? Come on give us a break,” said senior Zachary Howell.

While students appreciate the care and dedication of their teachers, it does not change the fact that the purpose of the class was to prepare for the exam, so once the test is taken there is no point in doing more work. Students’ attention spans plummet and distract them from any school work, making life after AP exams a life of of slacking, sleeping and movies.

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WORDS

FROM THE WAY OUT

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Seniors offer their words of wisdom on the ins and outs of the school. Having also experienced some of highschool, juniors and sophomores also offer a few lines of advice to upcoming students.

Seniors impart their wisdom to the next generation Commentary by Suzette Wanninkhof STAFF WRITER

The pace of senior year strikes a strong resemblance to that of a fire department— long spans of inactivity punctuated by moments of extreme emotion, but do not fret, incoming firefighters. Senior year is marked by great fun, especially if you are proactive about meeting deadlines and saving money for activities.

The year starts off with the lackadaisical lull of being rulers of the school. Classes are easy, as teachers often catch their own buzz of seniority, and the imminent post-graduation real world seems so far away. However, productively using this time will ensure a far more stress-free and fun year.

Take the time to practice writing about yourself. Write anything—jot notes about the day’s occurrences or describe things you like about yourself. Although scribbling “grew increasingly frustrated as freshmen cut me in the pizza line” may seem silly, the more you practice writing, the easier it will be to crank out dozens of scholarship, college and job application essays in the near future.

Pick up odd jobs wherever possible—mow your neighbor’s lawn or charge for math tutoring. Senior activities, like homecoming, senior picnic, cap and gown payments, a yearbook, prom, and a few essential sports games will cost at least $300, so designate your earnings in a special place so you are not the only one stuck in Social

Studies while your friends are Slip N’ Sliding at Senior Picnic. Also, ultimately, if your financial aid is insufficient you can back out even be wary of your attendance record. if you are accepted,” said senior Nicole Cuervo, who was accepted “Do not be absent, tardy or suspended—senior activities are ED to Brown University. awesome and you don’t want to miss out.” said senior Michelle In order to bring your dream college closer into reach, write Alvarez. outlines of your accomplishments and give Create lists on your computer them to the teachers you ask for recommendaDo not be absent, tardy or for the dozens of scholarship due tion letters. A stellar rec letter can compensate suspended senior activities are dates, college application logins, for average test scores, and most teachers awesome and you don’t want to and vocational school requirehave long forgotten your theatrical Hughes miss out, ments that will be thrown at you. presentation or participation during grueling I made the dreadful mistake of differential equation lectures, so type up an Michelle Alvarez, keeping information on post-its accomplishment list to make your rec letter senior and once the adhesive slipped, so easier to write and more engaging to read. did my sanity.

As parting words of advice, senior GaDo not ever, ever miss a deadbriela Gamargo offers, “Once the year starts, line. The real world will not cut you a break like Mr. Jones did. have your goals set. Find out where you’re going to apply or the next For college-bound seniors, seriously consider applying Early Decifew months will be extremely stressful.” sion (ED). You will only be able to attend one university anyway, so For vocation-bound seniors, check out the certifications at the increase your admittance chances and lessen your stress by applying school office. Gables offers certifications in childcare, Photoshop early. While you may only apply to one school ED, You can apply to and AutoCAD among others, and having one of these will greatly as many Early Action (EA) as you’d like, since EA is non-binding. increase your employability.

“Many students are hesitant to apply ED, but it’s full of benefits.

Finally, have fun. Don’t let preparing for your future completely Fewer applications to fill out and less money to pay in app fees, and over shadow enjoying yourself now.

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Stepping up to the plate: class of 2014 Commentary by Scarlett Perez STAFF WRITER

Listen here my sophomoric tenth graders, junior approaches faster and faster. Many of you must be very excited because you are finally going to be upperclassmen and not lumped with the freshmen or be the ignored middle children you were during sophomore year.

This is the year, some teachers begin to treat you as educated young adults and give you leniency because they expect you to be mature, but do not take this as an excuse to slack.

Beware! Junior year is extremely important in regards to colleges because it is the most important year in terms of grades and whether or not you are taking rigorous courses.

Also make sure to take standardized tests, like the ACT or SAT, during this year, so you can submit your scores at the beginning of senior year for your college applications. Aside from that, junior year is definitely one of the better high school years after all, you are no longer an underclassmen, and can begin to figure out your true passion.

Out of 100 seniors: 72

are satisfied with their high school experience

“

“

-Rebecca Dwight, senior

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Even after high school, I’m still bad at math,

“

-Gabby Torres, senior

ADVISORY BOARD:

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

BUSINESS MANAGER

ADVISER

Ali Stack

Aj Ziv

SECTION EDITORS: NEWS

Suzette Wanninkhof

42

said the last four years have been the best of their lives

26

would stay for another year of high school if they could

A coming of age story: class of 2015 Leaving is scary, this is the end of an era.

But it’s still exciting to be starting a new life in college,

highlights

by the numbers

Commentary by Giulia Heyward STAFF WRITER

When I started sophomore year, I had a lot of expectations. I was no longer a young freshman and now have to deal with the heavy workload the upperclassmen enjoy . I thought sophomore year was supposed to be a freebie year. By the time I got my first report card, I realized why it is called “the sophomore slump”.

While it is true that teachers may be less strict, and classes are easier, as a sophomore I felt like the awkward overlooked child and it was apparent that I wasn’t alone.

At the same time, sophomore year did have its benefits. I, as well as every other student in my grade, was in a unique position this year where I didn’t have to worry about making friends or finding classes. Instead, I used the freedom to join as many clubs as I wanted and took all the interesting classes.

When it comes to college, admissions officers don’t just look at one specific year but all four. Incoming sophomores should keep in mind how flexible this school year is going to be. This year can act as the testing ground, the year to figure things out: you can either waste it or take advantage of it.

Sophia Aitken

Melissa Nieves

FEATURES

Audrey Fernandez, Remy Fuentes

OPINION

Orso Rambo, Nicolas Rivero

INSIGHT

Chris Cowen, Jorge Galavis

MULTIMEDIA

SPORTS

Gene Liu

THE SCENE

Mary Koehnk

COPY

Casey Breznick

Nicole Sielsky

Public Relations Coordinator Andy Fernandez Staff Members:

Deanna Breiter, Andrea Biondi, 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:

Melissa Perez, Anna Koehnk 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

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Redefining the ‘secret’ There is nothing the typical teenager fears more than the thought of having his or her most precious secrets disclosed.

If given the opportunity to divulge everything that you have been keeping to yourself without having your identity tarnished, would you take it? highlights takes a look at what the outcome would be if the student body did.

By Avery Budin STAFF WRITER

Social networks like Facebook and Twitter have opened up our very private lives to the public. As users of social networks we share our personal gripes through status updates, last weekend’s hazy pictures and wall post conversations with over 500 other users. This makes anonymity almost impossible and secrets harder to hide.

Divulged secrets of relationships, personal fails, overcoming hardships, or strange indulgences engrosses readers, while lifting the overbearing weight off of the tellers back. But with this in mind, exposing secrets is not always easy, which is where anonymity plays a key role. Stay-at-home father Frank Warren recognized this issue and began an organization known today as Post Secret. He began by passing out postcards with simple instructions on the back in Washington D.C. As he began to receive huge amounts of secrets in the mail, he realized the relief of sharing ones personal thoughts can offer, and decided it was the perfect chance to try out a new method of gossip. Thus he created Post Secret, an organization that has to date shared over half a million secrets and been the source of five books. He expanded his ideas beyond the books, sharing his outlook on the importance of access to anonymity online by visiting various college campuses across the US and encouraging attendees to share their secrets.

Surprisingly enough a guarantee of secrecy has had the power to inspire even the most private of people. Post Secret has been a way for anyone to reveal untold secrets, while at the same time learning about the darkest secrets of total strangers and seeing that they are not the only people with difficult problems.

Many of the postcard secret publishers agree that by publicly exposing their secrets they were able to feel some relief

from the regret and humiliation they had been holding on to.

Private information can become an enormous burden to bear when you are responsible for keeping it to yourself. With a way to tell even the most personal information without consequence of hurting another or embarrassing yourself, there seems to be no downside. Whether admitting to nervous habits or to never loving your husband, the posts vary from light-hearted and funny, to meaningful and inspirational, and to dark and painful.

The anonymity of the post secret community is what secures its strong alliance and allows truthfulness to spread without fear of exposure. For people in specific communities, families, or followers of a strict faith, admitting to being different is often not an option because it could lead to judgement by their peers. The opportunity to open up without revealing any identity protects everyone involved.

“Telling a close friend, or someone you trust can have consequences. Not only is your relationship at risk, but when things eventually get out, someone is bound to be blamed, fault or not,” said freshman Ryan Maya.

By removing this consequence, Warren’s project gives individuals the opportunity to reveal untold secrets and learn about the secrets they may not have known to be true until reading them on the postcard of a total stranger. After much consideration, highlights agreed to allow the school community the chance to do the same. Not only was the turnout surprising, but it was very honest. Without the pressures of being identified, the number of participants in the project seemed to multiply.

“Everyone has a secret, but not everyone has someone to tell it to,” said junior Alfredo Toll.

While admitting to sleeping with a teddy bear may impossible to your high school peers, when online it could be the secret of millions. Having a support group at your side can be most helpful at times; whether or not you know who exactly it is standing by.

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Secrets by the numbers percent of students consider themselves to be trustworthy.

1.4

is the average number of secrets that students say they have kept completely to themselves.

55

percent of students say that they enjoy keeping secrets from others.

1.8

1.75

is the average number of people that students say they trust completely.

is the average number of secrets students say that they have told even though they said they would not.

Out of 100 students surveyed. Compiled by Deanna Breiter, Chris Cowen & Jorge Galavis

insight

highlights May 2012

s t e r c e s g n i l a ve Speak Up: Re Everyone is different, but the pressure to conform is what causes people to form secrets.

has a Gossiping h people it w lot to do ing red of talk getting bo s so they g in th own about their d to get into e feel the ne ss. le’s buisne other peop an upi, freshm - Camila L

- Alejandro Terra, junior

De anna Brei ter /highlights

People aw giv they w ay secrets b e person ant to share ecause a t trust a l informatio hat sense o f n to so nd car e for. meone they - Robe rt Seitte r, soph omore

Post Secret

13345 Copper Ridg e Rd. Germantown, Mar yland USA 20874-69 69

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MIAMI’S MISCELLANEOUS

Certain trends, interesting dollar store finds and awesome abuelitos are unique to our hometown.

Tracking this school year’s trends

By Andrea Martinez & Maggie Rivers STAFF WRITERS

In the teenage world of perpetually changing trends, once popular items such as Silly Bandz, the word“swag”, Myspace, and Twilight, have become mere memories.

Likewise, Hunger Games, terms like “yolo” and iPhones(1) have become the hottest things today, but as usual within the next month all of these fads will be replaced by other overrated pop culture items.

Just like runway fashions, styles among adolescents change to stay fresh and new.

Individuals are always trying to start the new trend and exhibit their originality. Additionally,

styles among teenagers vary greatly from school to school. Due to the teenage urge to be hip, fashion trends are impossible to keep track of as they change from combat boots(2) to Tom’s(3) and Sperry’s or from Converse to snapbacks. Old accessories such as I <3 Boobies bracelets(4) and rosary beads have died down just as other trends have.

Celebrities have also been instrumental in the explosive rise and immediate downfall of trends. Celebrities are often the envy of teens and are some of the big trendsetters out there.

For example dying hair bright red has become increasingly popular due to Rihanna’s new style. Also, does any one remember the boy bands that took over the late 90s? Those have

been modified throught the years into new stars such as the Jonas Brothers, and more currently One Direction.

Other popular trend changes include the switch from the Blackberry to the iPhone,

along with the swapping of terms like “swag” for “sucia”. Unfortunately, trends in the teen world never last very long and soon what we love now will be completely forgotten and replaced by what is to come tomorrow.

1.

3.

2.

Andrea Martinez & Maggie Rivers/highlights

Forecasting summer fashion

Spotlight: ABUELITOS

By Maggie Rivers STAFF WRITER

Remy Fuentes/highlights

Fall/Winter (F/W) fashion runways were taken for a whirl when outdoors explorers and 1960s easy-goers made an appearence. Textured knits, uncommon winter florals, clunky boots, structured silhouettes, and color blocking were popular among designers. But before that winter wardrobe is put away for good, check out what is upcoming for the Spring/Summer (S/S) seasons.

Wiser (and arguably cooler) than you

Across the Spectrum Playing off F/W’s use of color, S/S 2012 continues it with force. Brights and neons are very popular and color blocking has translated into the warmer seasons. Brightly colored accessories, such as clutches and statement necklaces, accent outfits and colored denim have become a must have if one wants to emulate a Miami look. For those with milder tastes, pastels have also been spotted out on the Miami streets. Popular shades include pale green and pink, although mint has been named spings color.

It’s All in the Details Although S/S has a more relaxed fit to its fashions, the structural details seen in F/W are still present. Collars are a trend that has caught on recently, especially when adding the illusion of a layered look. Detached, embellished collars ranging from the Peter Pan collar to the pointed collar are a S/S must have. Many designers have also been guilty of using the peplum in their designs, and they can be found on shirts, skirts, and pants. In the world of skirts and dresses, pleats are on trend, particularly accordion pleats, as wells as high-low hems (hems that are shorter in the front, longer in the back).

Prints on Prints on Prints Whereas F/W used prints sparingly, S/S is all about layering prints. The daring head to toe print look has been spotted on the runways of Diane Von Furstenburg, Emilio Pucci, Clements Ribeiro, and others. The traditional animal print has taken a quirky turn; now designers are patterning their pieces with actual prints of animals. Such as Miu Miu adorning outfits with cats and birds. Aquatic inspired prints have also been noticed, including seashells, pearls, and fish, among the collections of Mary Katrantzou, Versace, and Chanel.

By Andrea Biondi STAFF WRITER

Discovering

$DOLLAR STORE DEALS STAFF WRITER

When I first enter the E&C Mini Market by 32nd Ave and Coral Way, I am greeted by overflowing shelves. It is here where I pick up the last “7 pc Valentine Cookie Set” for the price of $2.99. Included in the set are a plastic spatula and 6 cookie cutters. Of course, no Valentine’s Day is complete without your gingerbread man, clover, and Star of David cookies, these being shapes the set includes.

This item is only one of the many interesting dollar store items that might just end up on a Tonight Show segment. Things that make these items hilarious were made with either complete seriousness or were just honest mistakes. One such mistake was found on a wooden spatula which I purchased at Janice Dollar Store by 27th Ave and the Dolphin Expressway. The spatula was packaged as “Nitchen Utensil” for the great price of $1.29.

Maybe the “N” looked a lot like “K” or maybe it was just a simple typo, but for whatever

reason the mistake went undetected, gifting us with a few giggles.

Some dollar store items promise impossible wishes to come true, that are even hard for the gullible to believe, which probably explain their low prices. Perfume that promises success in your career for the small investment of one dollar falls under this category, but getting a promotion in the work force will be hard if you are smelling like used-car salesman. Some toy rubber dinosaurs packaged as “Life-Like Replicas” were also included in this group. I was bitterly disappointed by the fact that these dinosaurs were not life-sized for their price of $1.29.

The dinosaurs were also claimed to “look alive” and “feel alive”, but it seemed that these diminutive dinosaurs failed to give me the illusion of Jurassic Park at the touch of their rubbery flesh and the very sight of them.

Although these dollar store items are created in complete seriousness, they provide something more valuable than the item itself, a good laugh, and for that I am thankful.

Nitchen Utensil

Valentine Cookie Set

Real Life Replicas

AJ Ziv/highlights

By Maggie Rivers

4.

Although grandparents are stereotypically considered old have-beens whose wisdom seems outdated whose rambling seems pretty useless to the general population, their grandchildren seem to think otherwise. Old age may limit their physical capabilities, as well as their mental capacity, but grandparents still serve as role models for their grandchildren.

Mariana Ballatone, junior Lorenzo Babboni’s grandmother, is 72 years old and lives in Fort Myers, Florida. On an average day, she might be found at home, cleaning the house or cooking a classic Italian meal. If there so happens to be a fire in the neighborhood, however, you are likely to find Ballatone at the scene, putting out the fire and attending to the victims. As part of the Fort Myer’s State Emergency Rescue Team (SERT), Ballatone not only helps put out fires, but also tends to any sort of disaster that may occur in the area.

“You might think that it gets old, but seeing people’s faces when I tell them ‘My grandma is a firefighter’ is always priceless,” said Babboni, half chuckling.

Ballatone has been an active member of this chapter of SERT for four years now, and plans on continuing to help her community this way.

“Fortunately, there has never been an emergency that has required our assistance, but we’re all prepared for it,” said Ballatone.

Other much older grandparents no longer have the physical ability to be as active as Ballatone is, yet that does not mean they do not continue to live happily and inspire their grandchildren.

“I hope that when I reach her age, I’ll be that healthy and able,” said Babboni.

Anselmo ‘Pito’ Gutierrez, junior Maria Gutierrez’s grandfather, is 96 years old, and prior to coming to Miami from Cuba, Pito was an inventor and owner of an automobile assembly line that manufactured buses and other vehicles. Now Pito lives with his daughter and grandchildren, and despite his Alzheimer’s, he continues to invent and create trinkets and office appliances at home.

“I think he’s extraordinary. He has had to work since he was a kid in order to help support his family, and he was still able to accomplish so much,” said Gutierrez.

As of late, he has been working on a “top-secret project,” which no one in the household is allowed to be privy to.

Both Pito and Ballatone have proven to be inspirational role models for their grandchildren, showing them that old age is not a totally limiting factor. If anything, they have proven that old age is an excuse to let loose and truly enjoy life to the fullest in whichever ways you have always wanted to.

So if you have always wanted to be an inventor, or be free to demonstrate your ability to handle an industrial firehose to random strangers, don’t fret. You might have your chance in five or six decades.

features

highlights May 2012

Ending with a

14

With the end of the school year approaching, students are hoping to have a memorable exit.

Movies make senior pranks look so easy

Re my Fu en tes /h igh ligh ts

By Andy Fernandez PUBLIC RELATIONS

With the year winding down, the occasional senior prank plot rises to the surface, but is quickly brought back down to reality.

What once was something thought to be a privilege given to those who were about to leave high school is quickly being forgotten.

One of the most known of these potential pranks is the pig prank. For those not aware of what this entails, one must obtain three pigs, and label them 1, 2, and 4, and set them loose upon the school to wreak havoc (thus the search for the nonexistent 3rd pig begins). While this prank may seem like great, harmless fun, the reality is that it can have serious repercussions.

“Before now, senior pranks were just funny jokes, but now the administration is really serious about them,” says senior David Milanes.

Like many other aspects to high school, pranks are something that works out better in film than in real life. Friday Night Lights, Degrassi, 8 Simple Rules, American Pie or Glee all have their own pranks, and all these pranks have their own light punishments (usually a form of detention or community service).

The reality is that most of these innocent pranks can get you a felony. Students can and have received felony charges because of pranks (legally interpreted as vandalism or willful and malicious destruction of property) performed at opposing schools or even their own. Graffiti, interference with the alarm systems, and releasing live chickens are all considered criminal offenses.

In fact, in 2011, 16 seniors in Texas were charged with criminal trespass for breaking into their own school to place the

>>

chairs and desks on the roof, even though they were caught before they could do anything. In 2007, three students at a New York high school were charged with “planting false bombs” after a senior prank that involved taping alarm clocks to walls.

Of course, this is due in large part to Columbine and the campaign against bullying, which may contribute to the low level of trust the administration gives the student body.

“It’s understandable because they don’t want seniors to influence other students and they want to maintain order with the school to keep everyone safe,” says senior Zoe Machiodi.

The opinion of where to draw the line between harmless prank and an offensive act of vandalism or harassment is vague, although the consensus is that not even small pranks would go severely unpunished.

The decline of pranks is also related to the decline of general school spirit, another recurring topic in the last few years. One cannot deny that the student body enjoy these pranks and add them to their list of things they remembered from high school. These memorable events can help strengthen student attachment to the school and help create an identity.

If it really would help raise the morale of the school, maybe it would be in everybody’s best interests to release a few pigs in the halls.

Tips for testing

With a heavy heart, highlights is here to inform the student body that it is time to begin the incessant cramming and the endless page flipping that make up the weeks preceding the dreaded AP testing period. Here are some suggestions that might make the ordeal a little less frustrating.

1.

2.

3.

There is no longer a point deduction for wrong answers so when you do not know the answer make sure you still make an educated guess.

4.

Practice tests. As horrible as it sounds it makes a difference and allows you to go into the exam with more confidence and preparation.

Take the night before to mentally prepare yourself. Try not to cram everything in and SLEEP.

5.

Eat. It is a long and important test. The last thing you need is for hunger to distract you.

Relax. As hard as it may be, if you are stressed out you will not perform as well.

6.

Answer what you know first. Do not waste time on questions you do not know and if you have time when you are done, go back and fill in some answers.

Post-AP film festival

Coming soon to a classroom near you

Compiled by Andrea Martinez

HALL >> t a l k

highlights records what is heard in the hallways during passing periods.

BLOCK 1

>>

“Last night I had an inception.”

>>

“Dude, I always forget: how many humps does a camel have?”

BLOCK 2

>> >>

“Do you smell that?”

“Yeah, it sounds weird.”

“If I pay you to write my essay, I expect at least an A or a B.”

BLOCK 3

>>

>>

“Why are you eating a succulent orange when you should be doing your work?!”

“Things cured by marijuana: heart disease.”

By Andrea Biondi STAFF WRITER

After the AP and IB testing season has passed, some teachers attempt to keep the class going and continue to teach to an inattentive class of students who have completely abandoned the idea of learning anything more for the rest of the school year.

“We’re going to keep on working in preparation for next year,” said AP French teacher Maria Fernandez.

Other more fortunate students are given the opportunity to enjoy cinema in the classroom.

“I’d rather be at home if we’re not gonna be doing anything, but watching movies and chillin isn’t half bad either,” said junior Kristian Gonzalez, who will be taking three AP’s this year.

The key for both teachers and students to enjoy this experience is not only to have a set of captivating films, but also, to ensure that these films somehow relate to the class.

This second half is vital because if an administrator were to come into the classroom, although he or she would probably not bother to complain, if they were to ask why this film was being shown, both students and teachers should be prepared to reply and make a connection between the film and the class, however far-fetched it may be.

Advertisement

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features

highlights HUMOR this month’s topic:

Sophia Aitken/highlights

Motivational Posters

highlights May 2012

15

THE EVOLUTION OF APATHY:

Lack of creative no-homework excuses leads to fewer assignments completed

By Eylin Martinez

not complete his or her homework and simply says “I just do not have it.” This can be the most common “excuse”, if it can be considered a justification.

Senior Luis Carbajal, a frequent homework excuser, “I do not prepare an excuse for when I do not do my described the ultimate-yet-doomed-to-fail-no-homeworkhomework. I just do not do it, and that is it,” said senior excuse: “The computer exploded and burnt every piece of paper Katarina Perez. at home. Office Depot, my next choice, ran out of paper the Although using the “No Homework” pass often offered very moment I entered the store. I then decided to go back home to us in elementary and middle school no longer provides an and email you the homework, but the minute I sat down at my easy way out of doing homework, students no longer need it. desk to do so I was not able to sign in to my email because the Not only do some of them not care to provide an excuse but, computer cords were tangled because of technology, excuses are and I could not find the easier to come up with.

The computer exploded and burnt every mouse! But as the dedicated Along with Carbajal’s interesting piece of paper at home. Office Depot, student I am, I moved on to story, the technological excuses my next choice, ranout of paper the very plan C: get to a friend’s house range from extreme laziness—not moment I entered the store... I moved on even doing the homework—and and print it there. As I rang the to plan C... No USB! doorbell I realized: no USB! shaping the excuse to extend your and the list of my excuses time to complete the work. “I Luis Carbajal, senior goes on and on from there.” emailed it to you but I guess you did The typical excuses not get it, I will email it to you when students give for not completing their homework ranges from I get home later” and “My printer ran out of ink” both follow the infamous “My dog ate my homework,” to the oh-sothis strategy. depressing “deceased grandmother.” These overused phrases With the school year coming to a close, these excuses have have now given rise to even more intricate and amusing excuses been running rampant. Although the average student does not that have teachers laughing. Even the more plausible excuses excuse his or her lack of completion, homework excuses have have ceased to exist, like goody-two-shoes’s favorite, “I was been evolving over time and becoming even more unique and sick and did not have access to the materials to finish my unbelievable. Teachers do not appreciate those students who do homework.” Ultimately, trust is lost and teachers will not buy not finish their homework but the creativity and originality does it—resulting in even fewer homework assignments turned in. spark a good topic of conversation among their colleagues.

In some instances, there is the case of the student who did STAFF WRITER

‘‘

But if I make a good excuse, can I win too?

I am not sure how Elton John’s chihuahua will help me succeed....

By Mary Koehnk THE SCENE EDITOR

Perhaps they served their purpose during the primary years of one’s education—a time when confidence was not exactly prominent, and a silent, visual push in the form of thin cardboard sheets was precisely what was needed to encourage the prepubescent student to succeed.

Maybe, just maybe, a child with no direction looked up at the clock to survey the amount of minutes left before he would be released to burn ants noticed a motivational poster reading ‘Reach for the moon, and even if you miss, you will land among the stars’ and suddenly thought, “Today is the day I will turn my life around.”

Suddenly, the child now attends church every Sunday and brushes his teeth every night. Later on in life he will give back to the community by becoming a motivational speaker, and share the anecdote of his former oppressed lifestyle and how he was able to become just the person he always wanted to be.

Or maybe that has never happened... ever. The target audience for these motivational posters seems to be adolescents that have made the conscious decision to try just a bit less, and sleep just a bit more.

These are the students who find it necessary to leave their mark by sketching very detailed and intricate genitalia in textbooks, or defy physics by somehow carving a hole through the inch of hardwood. These individuals have never acknowledged these posters’ existence, let alone processed what the collection of words actually means.

A rising sun or a jumping horse will encourage no one to do any better—rather, it is a friendly reminder that hey, the sun is shining outside, and you are obligated to stay indoors. That somewhere, a wild horse leaps into the air, while you are confined to the caged desk-chair hybrid until 2:20, promptly.

If it is so necessary to liven up the white walls of your den of education (teachers, this is for you) perhaps a more realistic approach would be more effective. Maybe posters that read, “You only have a half hour left of class, just stay awake and look intrigued.” Or maybe some helpful advice like, “Looking through your backpack does not make you invisible when I ask you a question.”

Maybe a short drug PSA: “Crack is whack” or “I KNOW YOU’RE HIGH”. Just some suggestions for you.

You do not have to credit me.

The reality is that motivational posters are simply embarrassing for a stature of higher education. The kids who need encouragement should find inspiration through credible sources, like their teachers, rather than through walls (not as credible—usually).

Wanna be famous?

Become a viral sensation by following these instructions!

By Andy Fernandez PUBLIC RELATIONS

Aloha readers, and welcome to the latest edition of highlights: Star Edition; the column that focuses on fresh talent, but only after we are not allowed in the houses of the old.

Obscurity and poverty got you down? Feel repressed by your inability to make friends or obtain power? Is fame teasing you, coyly, like a coquettish damsel, just out of reach? Have no fear, for Andy Fernandez, the undiscovered treasure of the Internet, is here to guide you.

First we must know why you are doing this…

“I just feel that my life would be improved by groupies, a book deal or my own clothing line,” said freshman Danny Ruiz.

Disregard that. The real reason anyone desires fame is to satisfy those deep insecurities developed in childhood. But that is why I am here; to provide the attention your parents never would. Trust me, I am a doctor.

Second, we must know how you are going to do this…

The most straightforward and readily available option for someone as thoroughly untalented as you is our keyword, Internet stardom.

But Andy, what is Internet stardom?

First we must determine the distinction between obtaining five minutes of fame and the status of “celebrity”. It is the difference between a martyr and a tragedy. An Internet celebrity is a being who has become famous by any means, be they embarrassing or obscene. These figures tend to fall into obscurity within a week, and may suffer withdrawals from the fame they once had, leading to the cultivation of bad habits, like alcoholism or rock collecting. The possession of stardom is the creation of celebrity on a trade. One’s fame and success depend entirely on you pleasing your ever-finicky fan base. Like a butterfly that has erupted from its cocoon, the Internet star is now free to make bad blogs wherever he or she goes (at least until having an unfortunate encounter with a large toad).

What are the steps to stardom, Andy?

Call me ‘my liege.’

What are the steps to stardom, my liege?

First and foremost, you must understand that humans are inherently awful. An Internet Star exists solely to serve as an avatar for the foulest desires of man: the ability to possess a high-paying job by talking about things you did or did not like.

A critic. He or she_ will more often than not attempt to do this through the use of satire and wit, although they are always quite vulgar and unsophisticated about how they go about it.

But my liege, that sounds like you!

I once took a four-week journalism course on the Internet, so I, unlike them, am licensed. Anyway, this is how you will become that avatar:

1) Establish a method of exposure, preferably Youtube or Tumblr.

2) Pick something to talk satire: Movies, the news, culture at large.

3) Edit video: write like a chimpanzee with a diet composed entirely of Ritalin.

4) Post it up.

5) Watch the comments stack up.

Now that vile cosmic forces have decided that you are the next web sensation, we must now think of what you are going to do with your newfound stardom…

“Groupies,” said freshman Danny Ruiz.

I agree.

Remy Fuentes/highlights

features

highlights May 2012

Looking back on the school year:

16

GR DING GABLES GRD

E

INT

MATH DEPARTMENT

B

2

B- C+

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

B

2

A-

A

HISTORY DEPARTMENT

B

2

B+

B

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

C

2

C-

C-

LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

B

2

A-

A-

ENJ

Sixty students were surveyed and asked to grade their teachers, classes and subject areas. Based on these results, highlights calculated average grades and has given Gables its very own 2012 report card.

GRADING SCALE

A- EXCELLENT C- SATISFACTORY F- UNSATISFACTORY

B- GOOD D- IMPROVEMENT NEEDED

1-OUTSTANDING 2-SATISFACTORY 3- INSUFFICIENT

EXPLINATION OF TERMS AND CODES GRD- TEACHING GRADE E-EFFORT GRADE INT- INTELLECTUAL STIMULATION ENJ- CLASS ENJOYABILITY The views presented above do not reflect the views of highlights or its staff.

Compiled by Deanna Breiter & Audrey Fernandez STAFF WRITER & FEATURES EDITOR

After a year of being graded and judged based on quality and effort, students were able to return the favor. highlights set out to create its very own report card, turning the tables and asking students to evaluate five subjects based on the amount of thought they put into the class, teacher effort, and class enjoyabilty.

Ultimately, each subject, history, English, math, science, and foreign language, was assigned a letter grade, A-F. Grade Students gave the majority of subjects an average letter grade that ranged from a 2.5 to a 2.8, which translates to a B. On a student report card, receiving a B means the student’s academic proficiency was “good”. In the case of teachers, receiving a B meant that they, on average, are “good” at teaching. It was surprising to find that English, a subject most students feel comfortable with, received a low B (2.5). Science was the subject that received the lowest grade overall, a C (1.7).

One should note that certain subjects, particularly science, are portrayed as being difficult in the media. Such negativism gives students preconceived notions about these classes. Students may approach the class with bias, which might have affected the grade they gave the class.

Another factor that might have affected the grade students gave each class is the grade that the student received throughout the year in that class. Teenagers tend to shift blame to external sources, and teachers are often a ripe source of this rationalization of failure.

Effort Students issued all five subjects an average of 2 in effort. Receiving a 2 in effort means that the student gave forth a “satisfactory” amount of effort. So, students feel that their teachers in all five subjects teach their subject matter with a mediocre amount of effort.

Several factors play into this, whether it be a display of mere reciprocation of effort given by the student, lack of motivation, or laziness brought about by the school year coming to a close.

Intellectual Stimulation In response to how intellectually

stimulating each subject is, students gave the Langauge and English departments an A-, history received a higher B than the one math was given, and science received a C-. These seemingly average scores could be based on the fact that the school year is coming to an end. The absence of effort from teachers previously discussed also leads to a disinterest in the class.

Class Enjoyability When asked how much students looked forward to going to each of their five classes, the math and the science department both received Cs, history was given a B, and both English and foreign language departments

got As. Intellectual stimulation and class enjoyableness go hand-in-hand because the less intellectually stimulating a class, the more inclined students will be to avoid the class.

Over the years, education has evolved from being centered on learning to merely earning a grade and being able to pass an exam. The low and mediocre scores all subjects received in the “class enjoyableness” category is a testament to this.

Whether students approached this inquiry with “an eye for an eye” attitude or an unbiased outlook, one thing remains certain; there is room for improvement in all five subjects.

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want two free WARPED TOUR tickets?

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sports

17

highlights May 2012

Cavalier Nation Pride

"IT'S A GABLES THING"

A new line of spirit clothing has been released and has immediately leaped in popularity, infusing style and school spirit throughout the campus

The new Cavalier Nation t-shirts dot the hallways, with students excited to show support for the varsity football team. In addition to this monetary support for Cav football, the shirts have also brought about a revival of general school spirit.

“I hope people will want to support not only football, but all of our events,” said social studies teacher Stevie Cosgrove.

Cosgrove originally became part of the t-shirt sales when the newly appointed varsity football head coach Roger Pollard asked for her assistance with the task of both designing and selling the merchandise. When the sales first started, students involved in football and other activities went door-to-door in the new building promoting and selling the shirts to anyone willing to support the team.

Cosgrove also mentioned her concern towards students wearing apparel from other high schools, another detraction from school spirit. She hopes that the availability of these shirts will help discourage that. “[The t-shirt] shows that I have school pride and people will know that I support Gables,” said freshman Francis Perez.

This opinion seems to be shared among the many advocates of the sales, who also believe that Cavaliers are becoming more united.

Although money made from the t-shirt sales goes straight to the varsity football team, Pollard said he

! p U k a e Sp

does not care if Cav Nation shirts affect the attendance of football game. He says that he would rather have students attend the games with the sole desire of supporting their team, which is comprised of their fellow Cavaliers.

Pollard noted that his main goal is to get the students to believe that it is a privilege to attend Coral Gables and he too hopes that current Cavaliers will support any and all Cav events, whether they are athletic or academic.

Pollard has also complimented the faculty and staff for wearing their own Cavalier Nation shirts, calling them great examples for students to follow.

“I’m a graduate of Coral Gables Senior High and I try my best to represent anybody that has ever walked through these hallways.

But it’s not about me, it’s about trying to get students to believe in that thought. We are and always will be Coral Gables Senior High,” said Pollard.

The motto "It's a Gables thing," demonstrates the revival of school spirit, which has been felt here at gables and is continuing to grow every day as more students and teacher join the Cavalier Nation.

Anyone interested in buying Cavalier Nation gear still has the opportunity to do so.

Cosgrove and Pollard are selling sweatshirts for $25 through a presale. Presale requests are due by Wednesday, May 2 to Cosgrove in room F342 or Pollard in room 809.

“

They're cool.

They bring out school spirit among students,

“

It goes beyond just football to show my school spirit,

- Joseph Paz, sophomore

Joseph Nelson

Antonio Rodriguez & Dillon Maya

Baseball

- Allan Borroto, junior

CAVALIER

Soccer

STAT BOX League Record 5-3

Courtesy of Cavaleon

Andrea Biondi/highlights

Boys Varsity Volleyball MAR 26 Mourning High

vs

APR 12 Gables Cavaliers

vs

@ CGHS

@ Hialeah

APR 17 Miami Senior @ CGHS

APR 19 Belen Jesuit

In early February, moments after defeating the John A. Ferguson Falcons at the district championships for boys varsity soccer, senior Joey Nelson was offered a full scholarship to Broward College for his exceptional soccer abilities.

Nelson was quite surprised when he was offered the scholarship and made a quick decision, accepting it soon after.

“To be honest, I thought I would be playing football in college,” said Nelson, given that he humbly felt his soccer skills were not up to par.

Nonetheless, he is still happy to have been given this opportunity to not only have a virtually free education, but to continue playing the sport he loves as well.

“I have been playing soccer since I was only three years old, and I cannot imagine just stopping now,” said Nelson, when asked if not playing college football would conflict with his interests.

Nevertheless, Nelson is content that he will be playing a collegiate sport.

May

Varsity

1

Softball

Regional Finals

Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Tickets $7

Hialeah High School

3-0W High vs Gables

3-0W Prep vs Gables 0-3W

Cavaliers Cavaliers

Varsity Softball League Record 8-5

MAR 27 Miami Springs @ CGHS

APR 2 Gables

vs

2-6L

APR 4 Gables Cavaliers

vs

@ B. Goleman

APR 13 G. Holmes @ CGHS

Gables Cavaliers

2-1L Cavaliers vs Coral

@ Coral Reef

Reef High

Barbara Goleman

7-4W Braddock vs Gables 8 - 12 W

Cavaliers

Boys Varsity Tennis League Record 5-0

FEB 23 Miami Senior High

vs

FEB 27 John A. Ferguson

vs

@ CG Country Club

@ CG Country Club

MAR 6 Felix Varela

Compiled by Andrea Biondi

MARK THE DATE

Gables Cavaliers

0-3W

@ CGHS

Seniors Antonio Rodriguez and Dillon Maya have both spent the past four years playing baseball as Cavaliers, but soon, they will moving on to college, and while many of the students here at the school may never see each other again after graduation, these two will. Both Rodriguez and Maya were given athletic scholarships by Florida International University (FIU) and both have already made their decision to accept the scholarship, and to continue playing baseball with each other.

“Since we were seven, we’ve both been playing baseball, either with or against each other,” said Rodriguez.

The very idea of not playing baseball with each other seemed like a strange and foreign thought to the both of them.

“Throughout high school, I put all my effort towards working to receive an athletic scholarship,” said Maya.

Like Maya, receiving an athletic scholarship has also been Rodriguez’s goal from day-one and for that goal to have finally been reached after these four long years is a bit surreal for both these spectacular athletes, who will be moving onto the ranks of collegiate baseball.

“

STAFF WRITER

“

By Lukas Georgatos

Gables Cavaliers

1-6W

Gables Cavaliers

1-6W High vs Gables

@ CG Country Club

1-6W

Cavaliers

to support our athletic teams and cheer them on!

Varsity

Varsity

Last Day of

2 24 6/7

Volleyball

Football

Wednesday at Columbus Senior High

Thurs. at 3:30 p.m. at Miami Southridge High School

District Championships

Spring Game

Sch ool

sports

highlights May 2012

HYATT BENCHED:

Another varsity coach is relieved of his position

By Casey Breznick & Lukas Georgatos

Hyatt.

Romero gave similar reasons for the removal of former varsity Despite having lead this year’s boys varsity basketball team football coach Joseph Montoya, who was replaced by the current to a winning 17-8 record, head coach Glenford Hyatt was recently coach Roger Pollard. relieved of his coaching position and replaced by former Coral Members of the varsity basketball team feel that the abrupt Reef High School varsity basketball head coach Gaston "Chachi" change was initially a difficult transition, but have adapted well and Rodriguez. taken a liking to Rodriguez.

I think [Gaston Rodriguez] is a really The school’s Athletic “I think [Gaston Rodriguez] is Director, Louis Romero, said the good coach. He has a great resumé a really good coach. He has a great administration felt the basketball resumé and coaching style; he does and coaching style; he does not take program was not "moving in the not take anybody's excuses and anybody's excuses and has a lot of right direction" and wanted more has a lot of discipline,” said junior discipline, college opportunities for its student Nick Cruz, member of the varsity Nick Cruz, junior athletes, but that the decision to basketball team. remove Hyatt was not easy or Rodriguez has records similar quickly made. to that of Hyatt’s and is widely recognized in Miami and around the Hyatt, however, expressed confusion over his replacement, since state for his coaching skills. He was a special education teacher at his coaching produced three consecutive years of more wins than Coral Reef and will be hired as one for the next school year. losses, and there were no hints or suggestions at his possible removal "I hope I can have as much success as Hyatt and continue the during the season. tradition he started," said Rodriguez.

“I felt we’ve made great accomplishments over the past four Hyatt had been coaching basketball at the school for three years, years, and that the program was moving in a positive direction,” said and he will continue to work with student services.

COPY EDITOR & STAFF WRITER

‘‘

Badminton sweeps districts

By Gene Liu SPORTS EDITOR

On Thurs., Apr. 19, the school's multiple teams in badminton competed in the district finals. These athletes took part in all five divisions available. Not only did the Cavaliers place in the top three for each, but they received first place overall.

"As of now, we have had an extremely successful season.

Everybody is playing well," said junior Kevin Lopez, member of the badminton team.

The winners of these division finals were senior Julian

Ginori for men's singles, senior Jennifer Lam for women's singles, juniors Kevin Lopez and Josef Domeq for men's doubles, seniors Karis Lee and Claudia Anderson for women's doubles, and seniors Jhojan Alacron and Dyanet Fuentes for mixed doubles.

"We hope we will do just as well in GMACs (Greater Miami Athletic Competitions) this Thursday as we did in districts," said senior Karis Lee, captain of the badminton team.

With many seniors leaving the team roster at the end of this year, the team is hopeful this year's success will continue into the next season.

First place title for softball

By Deanna Breiter STAFF WRITER

The Cavalier softball team brought home the title of 2012 SlamFest Champions. Annually hosted by Mercy Hospital, SlamFest is a statewide elimination style softball tournament, which took place this year at Palmetto Bay Park. This year, the tournament brought out 42 of the best teams from all over Florida to compete for the title from Thursday, Mar. 22 through Saturday the 24th. After finishing in eighth place last year, the girls were hungry for redemption.

“We wanted to show that Gables could play softball,” said second baseman Elizabeth Delrosario.

Gables made it all the way to the final white bracket, beating teams like Mater Academy and Carrollton. Their final game was against their rival of the season, Barbara Goleman Senior High School. The teams met earlier in the season,

particularly during one close game in which Gables pulled through and won by one run.

"This was a huge rival game," said coach Natalie De La Vega. "They have knocked us out of the playoffs for the past two years and this was our chance to show them who is better."

During the championship game against Barbara Goleman Senior High, the team was set on a victory. Second baseman Elizabeth Delroasrio made an amazing play, diving for a foul ball and catching it for the third out of the inning, adding to the excitement and desire to come out on top.

Gables showed their determination by playing a spectacular game against their foes, eventually mercy-ruling and ultimately blowing away Barbara Goleman with an outstanding final score of 16-1. And after yet another a district win on April 25, the girls Cavalier softball team will be moving on to regional semifinals in early May.

18

Focused Workouts

>> Abs

The exercises described were compiled by Andrea Biondi with his doctor. These exercises may not be appropriate for everyone; please consult a professional before attempting them.

By Andrea Biondi STAFF WRITER

Face it, almost every guy wants six-pack abs, and most girls want to have a flat and hard stomach, and many people believe that performing a ridiculous number of sit-ups every other day will eventually result in a toned torso. This illusion has fooled many into wasting their time and effort, rolling on the floor as they attempt to perform a sit-up. The performance of an absurd amount of sit-ups is inefficient, ineffective, and will probably result in the pulling of your abdominal muscles at best.

In order to properly develop abs, apart from following a healthy diet, there are two other major components: cardio-vascular exercise and a variety of beneficial abdominal exercises.

The necessity of cardio-vascular exercise in the development of abs usually comes as a surprise to those in pursuit of this aspect of the ideal body. But, if one ever hopes to have his or her rock-hard abs visible to others, a low body fat percentage (which is achieved by cardio and following a healthy diet) is necessary. Daily runs with ranging degrees of intensity, swimming, or cycling are all excellent and effective types of cardio that should be considered.

The more obvious component is actually the easier half. If practiced properly on a daily basis, a variety in abdominal workout routine will produce the desired results, within two months or so.

The three fundamental abdominal workouts are the crunch, the leg lift, and the oblique crunch. It is recommended that all of the above exercises be performed with a yoga ball.

The crunch is very similar to the sit-up, and will focus on the development of the upper abs. The motions are almost identical, but the crunch’s range of motion is much smaller. As opposed to raising your torso completely off the ground, the crunch only requires that your shoulder blades be lifted off the ground. This is actually much more efficient than the sit-up, since any motion past this point is only straining your lower back.

The leg lift focuses on the development of the lower abs. To perform this exercise, lie on your back and place your hand under your buttocks in order to comfort your tailbone and support your back. From this position, with your legs fully extended, lift them to a 30 degree angle, and then back down, making sure that your feet do not touch the floor.

If you want to tone your obliques, also known as the v-cut, the oblique crunch is ideal. Lie on your side and, like in the crunch, lift your torso off the ground. You will feel a burning pain in your side if you are doing it correctly.

The only immediate effects will be soreness of the muscles, as with any other workout, but eventually, if you follow all of the above instructions, the results will be evident in a matter of 12 weeks.

Home base, new place

JROTC team to States

By Lukas Georgatos STAFF WRITER

Courtesy of Cavaleon STANDING TALL: The JROTC team practices prior to the trip to states.

“brain”, is at the top of the Cadet Chain of Command and creates all the plans for the teams and passes them along to her two advisors.

Sanchez expressed high praise for the teams that did well and hopes to continue their success. Roman and Sanchez have already identified next year’s teams and will begin practicing on Mondays and Wednesdays. They hope next year's teams will accomplish their number one goal: first place overall in all local drill meets.

Nicole Sielsky/highlights

On Apr. 14, the Cavalier JROTC drill teams took their talents to state competitions in Lakeland, for which coaches Master Sergeant Andres Sanchez and Sergeant First Class Jose Roman had high expectations. The state competition was composed of the top 32 teams, 14 of which belong to the school.

For those who are unaware, drill is the execution of synchronized movements within an area and time. These teams, which are comprised of students from all grade levels, competed in 18 different categories, all of which involves 45 to 52 steps or movements in a sequence.

“It really is difficult because all of it is based on memorization,” said Roman.

The teams practiced every Monday to Thursday for about an hour and a half prior to the competition and found themselves in the top three spots in male dual exhibition, male color guard, and female individual.

“We exceeded my expectations,” said Cadet Battalion Commander Samantha Ortiz.

Ortiz, who referred to herself as the

BIG LEAGUE OPPORTUNITY: On Tues., Apr. 10, the varsity Cavalier baseball team hosted the Miami Killian High Cougars in the newly constructed Marlins Ballpark. Partly funded by the school's ticket sales, the school provided students with a t-shirt, tickets to a Marlins game, and transportation to this event. Unfortunately, the Cav team lost by a slim margin of five to six. "It was an exhilarating experience being at the stadium with the feel of the negative energy between both schools," said junior Kevin Prado.

the scene

highlights May 2012

MIAMI’S

best spots

19

This guide to Miami’s best spots to study, people watch and use the bathroom are essential for any city dweller enjoying some alone time and in need of a spot to find inspiration—or just do their business.

to study

BEST SPOTS

By Ali Stack EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Ali Stack/highlights

Ali Stack/highlights

There are often days when I simply cannot be productive in my room. My bed (and its magnetic force field) pities my buttocks on my hard, wooden desk chair and lures me into its comforting sheets. My fridge pities my empty stomach that is usually ignored when I try to finish homework, and pulls me to the kitchen for a ‘quick’ break—one that really is never very quick. And of course, my parents fear the deadening silence in my room and often feel compelled to have their loudest arguments right when I am on a deadline. So, I pack up my backpack and take refuge elsewhere. I have come to know certain study spots quite well, and am willing to share them with our readers – if you promise to keep it down, that is.

Coral Gables Public Library If you are like me in needing absolute silence to write a paper, the Coral Gables Public Library will do the trick.

This branch is conveniently located right down Riviera, about a five minute walk from school, and the facilities are old but beautiful. Glass bay windows and comfy cushioned chairs speckle the periphery of the main room – a relaxing place to sit to get some reading done on a nice day. Although its book collection is not as extensive as some of the other library branches, the Gables branch holds history, beauty and silence to be enjoyed by the community.

Other amenities: -Free Wi-fi

-Easy access to school required reading -Children’s room for group studying -Helpful librarians -Computer access with library card Located at 3443 Segovia Street, Coral Gables, FL 33134.

Starbucks on Miracle Mile If studying stamina is an issue, caffeine might be a solution. And what better place to find it than a coffee shop? Its tall barstools, corner nooks and outdoor seating area make this Starbucks location an ideal place for social studiers and study groups. While not too loud, the public café allows for a less intimidating feel than a silent library. Starbucks provides its customers with delicious snacks, free Wi-fi, and a gentle ambiance – all quite close to school and down the street from a Barnes and Noble.

Located at 200 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134.

Riviera Park Around testing season last year, I could not stand being cooped up in a room for one more day – and thus I discovered Riviera Park. Located right between Coral Gables and South Miami, the park is a small green space with benches lining the sidewalk. On a clear day, a picnic basket, a blanket, and a textbook is all you will need to enjoy the scenery while cramming for an exam – as oxymoronic as that may sound. No Wi-fi is available, but across the street you will find a Publix and a host of other cheap eateries, ready to serve a studying student with a starving stomach.

Located on Monza Avenue in Coral Gables, FL 33146.

to people watch

BEST SPOTS

By Maggie Rivers STAFF WRITER

Tourists often flock to Miami for its unique sights and views, however aside from the beautiful buildings and beaches, Miami’s diverse group of people have become quite a sight themselves. Visit any of these three places and you will be sure have a more enjoyable time watching the people instead of engaging in any cheesy tourist trap.

The Design District The Wynwood area is one of the more serene areas to people watch. Walk down any given street and you will be sure to find an artist working on a mural on either a sidewalk or wall. The design district is also a good place to watch the local hipsters and keep tabs on what to wear before it is cool and totally mainstream. Also, if you are out at night (or even early in the morning) you may see some club-goers in a lack of clothing heading over to Club Space or Mekka.

Miami Public Transportation If you are in need of some serious entertainment either get on a public bus or the Metrorail. For the price of $2 you get see some of Miami’s finest, such as the avid reggaeton singer who loves singing at volume loud enough for the whole bus to hear or the wacky pigeon lady who attracts tons of pigeons into your vicinity while waiting for the metro. On the bus you may find yourself being a witness to couple fighting and recounting personal events for all to hear. Occasionally, you may even be the subject of the train’s resident artist.

South Beach The famous South Beach area is by far the best place to view some of the most interesting people in Miami. As expected there will be tons of ridiculous tourists wielding their fanny packs and clichéd Hawaiian shirts with no shame. People in South Beach also love cruising along in cheesy Vespa scooters or rollerblading shirtless with all their chest hair for the public to see. Half naked beach-bound bodies are either pleasing or make you feel uneasy. Yet the eccentric chaos we call South Beach will be sure to amuse you.

Anna Koehnk/contributor

Anna Koehnk/contributor

to use the bathroom BEST SPOTS

By Nick Arias CONTRIBUTOR

Neiman Marcus (Merrick Park) Just as a suggestion for those who migrate to the Douglas Metro station after school—do not waste your time with the Nordstrom restrooms. Show a little bit of self-respect and check out the facilities at Neiman Marcus. You will be pleased to discover that they too have a luxurious seating area with leather sofas and obnoxious art on the walls. However, the reason Neiman Marcus gets a higher score than Nordstrom for lavatory maintenance is the consistency. Their customer base is of higher class than that of Nordstrom’s. So in an attempt to keep the customer satisfied, they make sure to wipe the toilets clean as often as possible. In an age where sanitation is rare, Neiman Marcus reminds us of the endless possibilities for public bathrooms.

British Petroleum (BP) Even though BP has a bad reputation after the oil spill roughly two years ago, their Le Jeune gas station takes better care of their toilets than they do for their Gulf of Mexico rigs. Situated on a major intersection, it is easy to spot while driving around in case the urge to go comes without warning. I would not normally suggest going to a gas station in times of great importance, but I will have to make an exception here for a consistently safe bet.

Merrick Park Third floor Merrick Park - known as a haven for the one-percent shopping, the custodial staff makes clean toilets a priority for their posh customers, particularly on the third floor. We can only speculate as to why this is but my guess deals, simply, with laziness. Why go to the third floor lavatory when the first floor’s location is convenient in times of great urgency? Little do the urgent know that there are two escalators stationed on the west-end of the mall that drop you directly in front of the cleanest public bathroom in Coral Gales.

the scene

highlights May 2012

20

¡VIVA CUBA! Armed with delicious croquetas, rhythmic salsa music and voluptuous bodies, Cuban immigrants took Miami by force in the 1960s Culture thrived as oppressing governments were no

By Mary Koehnk longer a worry. Refugees continued to flood Miami, THE SCENE EDITOR but controversy quickly erupted over the status of Miami’s true uniqueness is commonly disregarded these refugees, leading to government action to clarify or left unnoticed by locals as the constant exposure to it immigration laws and the status of Cuban immigrants. quickly becomes routine. Ask any pasty, sunburnt body The Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 granted legality to on the beach: Miami is not America. immigrants who arrived since 1959 and had lived in the Although the city is often described as a melting United States for at least a year. pot, the Cuban influence on These laws did not Miami is not only apparent, but diminish the culture from I remember walking through rampant—not that anyone’s flourishing though—even Dadeland mall and everyone had complaining. The brightly to this day, Calle Ocho an accent. I felt like a foreigner, colored buildings, deliciously is a prime example. unhealthy food, ridiculously and I was in my new home.”

Cuban restaurants litter late eating hours, and lively the street; abuelitos Latin-tinged music have all congregate in tables with Enrica Ferrarotti, grown to become common scattered dominos, and senior characteristics of Miami. public art displaying The explanation of this messages of Cuban culture infusion is in the nationalism are embraced. history of Cuba and South Florida. After the Cuban Senior Enrica Ferrarotti moved to Miami from Revolution in 1959, Fulgencio Batista’s authoritarian California in 2009, and reflects on the culture shock she regime was toppled and Fidel Castro rose to power. experienced.

Many middle and upper class Cubans fled to Miami, “I remember walking through Dadeland mall and and school systems struggled to educate the increasing everyone had an accent. I felt like a foreigner, and I was numbers of Spanish-speaking children. In 1965 alone, in my new home,” she said.

100,000 Cubans arrived in Miami via the ‘freedom Though at first, she felt uncomfortable and quick to flights’ from Havana. The Riverside neighborhood was judge, Ferrarotti is grateful for the exposure. the home for many of the exiles, and soon took on the “I’ve become a lot more open minded,” she said. name ‘Little Havana’. This area served as a place where She has recently purchased a Cuban flag to display refugees could effectively conduct their daily business on her dorm wall in Canada as a reminder of her true in their native tongue without fronting the full blow of home. immediate cultural shock.

Like Ferrarotti, my family is the first of the By the end of the 1960s, over 400,000 refugees generations to move to South Florida. With the last were living in Miami-Dade County. Work was found, two Koehnk generations native to Iowa, and myself families were made, and Cubans viewed Miami as being born and raised in Miami, I have the blood of a a safe haven to live the life they had always wanted.

Midwesterner but the soul of a Cuban.

‘‘

¡SPOTLIGHT: Rogelio Morto!

1965 ‘Little Havana’ is born

1980 Mariel Boatlift brings 150,000 Cubans to Miami

1990 Miami’s population: 32% non-Hispanic white

Batista steps down and Castro steps up 1961 CIA launches Bay of Pigs Invasion

1966 Cuban Adjustment Act passes

1985 Xavier Suarez elected first Cuban mayor of Miami

1994 Clinton Administration initiates the ‘Wet foot/ Dry Foot’ policy

¡Baila Leslie, baila!

Cuban immigrant and Miami’s own doll dancer

By Leslie Ramos STAFF WRITER

By Leslie Ramos

Ramo Leslie

s/hig

hlight

s

STAFF WRITER

At the heart of the Cuban community in Miami’s flavorful Calle Ocho lies a palatial haven for all food and culture connoisseurs alike – Versailles Restaurant and Bakery. Versailles has been serving authentic Cuban food to Hispanics, Americans, tourists and the occasional Asian for over 40 years, and it is an endless flowing spring of fresh “cafesito”. Although the only sound inside the restaurant is that of the patrons’ fiery conversations, outside salsa music wafts from an old 90s boom box guiding the steps of street performer Rogelio Morto.

This 82 year old man can be seen dancing outside the restaurant on any given Saturday or Sunday morning entertaining the people outside ordering their delicacies togo, but he does not dance alone. He is always accompanied by one of his many tall, provocatively dressed, bodacious partners made of stuffing and plastic. Morto’s partners are homemade life-sized dolls.

As a young boy in Cuba, Morto would watch stars like Frank Sinatra on TV and admire the tap dancers that performed glamorously alongside him, dreaming of a day when he would dance in the spotlight of center-stage. He taught himself how to tap dance and worked in theater productions, until he was forced to flee in 1988 to the United States with nothing but the guayabera on his back. In this completely foreign environment, Morto made money doing the only thing he knew how to do to – dance.

He meticulously built his partners, accentuating their womanly assets, giving them wigs and plastic mannequin faces. He also made them follow his every step by duct taping the toes of their Mary Janes to the toes of his own special dancing shoes and sewed Velcro onto their hands for attaching. His favorite dance partner is a beautiful doll with long curly black hair shaped like a luscious Spanish woman, and named Azuzena, “como azucar con zena, es la mujer perfecta,” says Morto.

This one of a kind man has been performing on the streets for crowds who are mesmerized by his ingenuity since he emmigrated to Miami, and says as long as he is alive and able, he will continue dancing.

1960 Miami’s population: 95% non-Hispanic white

1959

Being a Cuban who cannot dance salsa is like being a nacho without cheese. I will admit standing off to the side while the rest of the family is dancing to Celia Cruz can be awkward, but it is better than the humiliation that comes with being pulled in by one of my uncles to trip over turns, stepping like a stiff chicken. Dancing salsa is supposed to be innate in my culture—you crawl, you walk, you salsa. For me, it simply never developed so in an attempt to earn my family’s honor… I took a salsa class.

I walked into Salsa Lovers Miami with my partner, senior Armani Abreu, and low expectations. At the front desk the nice heavily-accented woman asked us about our “lebil uff abeelity” (level of ability) and deduced that we were the lowest of the low, putting us in a Level One beginner’s class.

“Salsa is in the heart and in the butt,” screamed instructor Manuel Garcia over Marc Anthony’s voice. We stood front and center and obnoxiously tried to copy his every movement as he taught us the basic steps called “Guapea”. He broke down the movements to their core so we could pick them up and taught us the laws to live by.

Commandment #1 of Salsa: Never step with the same foot twice. Garcia emphasized this point: “Your partner will leave you right there.”

Commandment #2 of Salsa: Muchachos lead, señoritas follow. Know your place.

Commandment #3 of Salsa: Always pout your lips and arch your eyebrows; it makes you fiery.

With these simple steps, our instructor turned us from uncoordinated gringos to Shakira and Alejandro Sanz. We are not the only students who have been transformed by the Salsa Lovers wizards. Senior Rueben Jimenez has reached the Intermediate Level by attending classes.

“It has been an amazing experience getting in touch with my Latin roots and growing as a salsa dancer,” he said.