Issue 3, Vol. 62 by highlights Newsmagazine

highlights December 2021

Fight the Power.

IN THIS ISSUE ETHICS OF CRIMINAL SENTENCES Page 13

ICE SKATING CAVALIER Page 22

Issue 3, Volume 62 | Coral Gables SHS | 450 Bird Road, Coral Gables, FL 33146

highlights

Issue 3 Vol. 62 Dec 2021

What

your

opinion?

editorial board

Contents

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

features

news

staff writers

opinion

12 publication policy

sports

highlights highlights

highlights

the scene

highlights highlights

contributors

2 preview

insight

Marta highlights CarolinaRodriguez/ Castro / highlights

And Action: Members of Troupe 0476, Senior Janell Castro and Sophomore StaceyHenriques, performed a scene for this year’s District Thespians Competition.

3 pictures

Come in, take a seat, and let’s talk about it!

This year, Mental Health roundtables are being introduced to bring a new way of social and emotional learning, in spite of discovering themselves. BY MANUEL ESPINOZA, STAFF WRITER

ACULTY AND STAFF HAVE recognized the constant mental struggle some students encounter upon returning back to campus after COVID-19. To combat this issue, students and staff have decided to come together, to create mental health advice. The mental health coordinator, Diana Flores, in the beginning of the school year, thought about starting a program with the subject of mental health. This is when she created this service for students by creating Teams classes in the beginning of October. Flores hoped to build a safe space, where students can recognize that emotional, psychological and social well-being all contribute to overall mental health. The post’s

Apart from the assistance from Flores and her counterparts, Alyssa Gonzalez is another out students who may be in need of support ranging in terms of school and home. “This is such a big school and I’ve noticed that we are a very useful resource for the students,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez is eager to observe more meetings and have the opportunity to collaborate with Flores and give kids an effective social and emotional learning experience. She also emphasizes how vital it is for students to learn more about mental health overall because the lessons taught in

throughout the school year such as; Jan. 6 and Feb. 3, 2022. The meetings are held within the opportunity to start each month with a clear mind. The content discussed in the meetings ranges from different communication techniques like being a good listener, for example, while conversing with parents and teachers. There is also coping with anxiety and re-acclimating roundtables has become an area for and creating attainable goals that students can work towards everyday. “I’m hoping that more and more people come each and every time as we continue to grow because the point is to provide that safety net for the students,” Flores said.

HALL TALK

The highlights staff records what students are talking about during class sessions. 4 features

the roundtables can be applied to the real world.Students, from the freshmen to the seniors, are always encouraged to stop by after school to lend an ear to the conversations that are discussed within these round tables. They are ultimately the ones that make the program what it is. Grace Ruiz-Galvez is a junior in the Academy of Finance and she has always wanted a professional point of view to guide her social and emotional learning insight. gives very great advice and is overall very approachable. You can tell her anything and she will help the best way she can,” RuizGalvez said. Ruiz-Galvez encourages her peers to give it a try and be able to take something positive out of these meetings for themselves. With a growing number of students attending these meetings, Flores feels ready to cover the rest of the school year with hope that an even larger number of students attend upcoming meetings. With the goal of making this place a safe space for everyone in mind, the mental health faculty at Gables have taken a different approach to make it happen. Now, students are welcomed with open arms and others are encouraged to attend the meetings and experience the impact of social and emotional learning. h

“I wish Trader Joe’s would do speed dating while you shop.”

“Please stop coughing bro, you’re going to mess up my conduct grade.”

“It’s called football because Americans are the only ones that have feet.”

thing that’s keeping me going.”

“I’m keeping my mask on, I’m not ready for everyone to see my face.”

it?”

Explore the Force

With hope to inspire students to explore the value of community service, the Police Explorers club provides students insight into the Criminal Justice System BY LENOX BALZEBRE, STAFF WRITER

O M M U N I T Y . T H E u n derlining aspect that unites students into their particular niche of the diverse Gables society. Motivated by enforcement of justice, community service and the ability to stress the importance of safety within our community, the Police Explorers club aims to expand students’ passion for the justice system and create opportunities to learn more in the field of law enforcement career. Beginning this year, as freshman Gabriela Rodriguez entered her new school, she established the Police Explorers Club, as a continuation of her presidency in a similar club she started during eighth grade. Inspired by her mother’s service in the military police, Rodriguez learned to value law enforcement and has been fascinated with it ever since. She admires the community service aspect and friendly environment of the club, as they participate in multiple community service drives such as breast-cancer awareness walks and school drives. “One time I was helping during a drive, giving out school supplies for elementary students that were unfortunate, and I gave this little kid a new backpack and he almost cried,” Rodriguez said. While some might be inclined to believe that the club entails a combination of marching like JROTC and the basic procedures in the force, the club covers much more. Beginning each meeting with a lecture ranging from ethics in the force to the degrees of misdemeanors, students learn about the justice system and why it must be enforced on others as well as effective procedures for enforcing each law. The club can vary between those who teach each meeting, however, the majority of the time officer Suarez is in command. Since the police officers are constantly on duty, occasionally an International Studies Preparatory Academy (ISPA) officer or a police officer outside of school, known as a floater, will come and teach whenever officer Suarez is on call. This allows for more insight to be provided for club members as well as hearing about the new officers’ own firsthand experiences, broadening their knowledge of how a law is enforced in another case. Not knowing what one will encounter while being on call is a unique part of the

police force that many of the students like to explore, making that unexpected aspect of the call a challenge for the program to teach. Having to work with a variety of people on the job, all having their own individual problems is common, which is why it is important that the students know how to assess situations and can act accordingly. “One thing we’ve learned is the art of verbal judo, which are speech methods used to avoid a situation from escalating,” senior and club member Alexy Yazbek said. However, since each interaction is different, one is unable to control a situation from both sides, resulting in the lessons to be anecdotal. Even though specific case related information is closed, the officers can explain, in a generalized sense, a few of their unique cases and how they have enforced the law in this scenario. This enables the students to receive secondary experiences for they can further understand how you would assess a situation described and can learn to perform the enforcement of law in each scenario. Despite the common view that the Police Explorers are extreme authoritarians, the club focuses on the ethics of being a representative of the community, thus stressing morals. The club teaches the importance of integrity, communication, respect for others and using leadership skills to help serve and protect people. The Police Explorers Club informs students of this credibility and the effects of any white lie, which might cause an officer of any caliber to no longer have veracity behind their word. “You sometimes act as if you’re a lawyer, to talk to your [client] and it’s your word with them and you can’t tell it differently or to others as if you are defending them,” Rodriguez said. The Police Explorers club emphasizes the need for neutrality in the students as well when being an officer. One needs to remain cool, calm, collected and impartial,

no matter what the situation at hand may be. Apart from ensuring that the scenario will not escalate, neutrality corroborates the just system. As a result, the club often avoids political controversies to maintain a middle position amongst every topic. Part of their unprejudiced behaviors, the officers teaching must remain in this equitable manner even while teaching. Since political discussions require this debate and stance on an issue, it is not in their legal precept. However, when asked upon certain current topics such as recent school fights involving police, officers are often able to answer to an extent dependent on the instance itself. The Police Explorers club hopes to provide insight into the vast justice system and instruct students of the basic continuities in law enforcement as well as to enforce applicable life skills to better students and the community as a whole. Hoping to peak more students’ interests, the club continues their meetings and their community service projects. h

features 5

Tis the season for cookoffs In the spirit of the holiday season, the publications of Gables competed in a holiday-themed cook off. BY TIFFANY BEH AND CHIARA ABAD-SANCHEZ STAFF WRITERS

N LIGHT OF the holidays, highlights presents

head to head to compete for the winning title. All four teams of two prepared holiday-themed dishes which were then judged anonymously by the publication’s

advisors: Melissa Gonzalez, the advisor of Highlights, Patricia Passwaters, the advisor of CavsConnect and CavsTV, Gabriel Rodriguez, the advisor of Catharsis and Ana Zuniga, the advisor of the Cavaleon. Make sure to scan the qr codes/links to watch the process of these teams making their dish and the recipe.

Cavaleon

The Cavaleon team, which is the yearbook production team of Gables, chose Jasming Senel, the editor in chief, and Amalia Garrido, the sports editor, to represent them in this cook-off. “I do think that we did very well. We not only made one dessert, but we made three,” Senel said. “We made a cornucopia out of crescent rolls, little fruits that go inside the Cornucopia out of rice krispie treats and we made gingerbread cookies, or gingerbread men and women, of the editors.”

6 features

They decided to make three desserts and combine them into one dish because they wanted to include a little bit of both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Wanting to incorporate their publication as well, they decorated the gingerbread cookies with the editors’ faces. Before the cook-off, they were asked about how they were feeling. “We are so excited to take on this

Crockers, as we know we can,” Garrido said. “We take this seriously; baking is

a science.” Afterwards, they were asked the same question. “Overall, I think we did a great job, really proud of the product that we did produce,” Senel said. “I think yearbook should win; we did a great job of bringing together all of the big holidays. At the same time, we were creative.” To say the least, they were surprised

Cavsconnect

NER N I W

After 45 minutes of baking, Massimo Aguila, the n e w s editor a n d Arianna Hoyos, t h e features editor, from

CavsConnect, the student news site of Gables, fabricated a beautiful chocolate hazelnut christmas tree. After having previous culinary experience, the Cavsconnect team didn’t believe this competition would be challenging for them at all. “Yeah I think we’ll be than I am so putting that part together, at least I have Ari to help me out with that,” Aguila said. “So 100%, I think we can win.” They decided to go with a quick and easy recipe since people are always busy

during the holidays. They were a little nervous with the were beyond happy with how it came out. “Maybe I would have made more because my family devoured it once we were done making it so that’s a pretty good sign that what we made was good,” Hoyos said. The snow-like powdered sugar was sprinkled all over their pastry Christmas tree. They

loved everything about it, from making it to eating it. “I really enjoyed it and just being able to represent Cavsconnect, my publication, in a way that doesn’t center around digital media or writing, was really fun and really unique,” Hoyos said. “I’m really excited to see all the other publications and what they did, and it was a great way to destress from school but also stay connected with my publication and CAF&DM.”

highlights

Natalia Pallas, the editorin-chief, and Marta Rodriguez, the managing editor, of Highlights, the award-winning news magazine at Gables, teamed up to make dulce de leche cake rolls for this year’s holiday competition. “We chose a dulce de leche cake roll because it’s one of my favorite cakes and I eat it all the time, so I thought it would be cool and easy to do,” Rodriguez said. worked with cake rolls before, the two of them started right

of baking, the cake rolls turned out amazing. “Considering the challenge we had at hand and the time constraints, I think we did pretty good,” Pallas said, “ I am very proud because we did have obstacles along the way but we were still able to make the desired dish.” The two of them had an amazing time making it and it brought them even closer. “We had a lot of laughs, especially when the merengue came out wrong and we had to restart, when shells fell in while cracking the eggs and when I cut off a chunk of the cake that I wasn’t supposed to,” Rodriguez said. “The experience overall was a lot of fun and I would do it again.” h

the kitchen and after one hour

features 7

News Review

BY MARCOS SNYDER, STAFF WRITER

In Brief

Don’t Trash our Treasure!

Mercedes Debesa / highlights

The effects of climate change have washed up on Miami’s shores, as Louis Aguirre, a Local 10 news anchor, has stepped forward in an attempt to help save the environment. He fostered the “Don’t Trash Our Treasure’’ campaign; a segment airing weekly that focuses on environmental care. “I’m thrilled that the environment is being prioritized and awareness is spreading through our community,” Junior Victoria Krulig said.

Miami Seaquarium Reevaluates their Pet Treatment The Miami Seaquarium has transferred ownership to The Dolphin Company to ensure that the care of animals is allocated to top priority. Deriving from previous inspections, the seaquarium has not followed animal safety guidelines nor veterinary advice. Miami-Dade County has instilled certain regulations to guarantee that rules are followed. “I’m glad that the Miami Seaquarium is stepping forward to change their rules,” Senior Barbara Veiga said.

Class of 2020 seniors play a game of coup during a break with history teacher Oscar DeArmas on February 29, 2020.

2022 Grad Bash Updates

December Mr. Coral Gables

Congrats, Cavs!

EXTRA CONTENT AT @highlightscghs Fall Sports Pep Rally

December Winter Recess

Isabella Morales / highlights

Grad Bash has recently been approved for the class of 2022. This year, it is a two-day trip that takes seniors to the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks in Orlando, FL. The trip costs $315 and includes admission to both parks, the night’s stay and transportation. It falls on Feb. 17 and 18, and collections will run through Dec. 5 via a senior’s Online School Payments (OSP) portal. “I can’t wait to go to Grad Bash with my friends and have a blast,” Senior Sarya Dany said. “I’m so glad we’ll have this experience, since last year’s seniors didn’t have this opportunity.” h

January Teacher Planning Day

CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE PAGE 20 Years in Afghanistan

Congratulations to senior Thais Forbes for wining the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) Championship in tennis. Congratulations to and girls swim advancing to

8 news

the boys teams for regionals.

A look into America’s longest war, including its tensions and contradictions. Photo Courtesy of Newsweek

Scan this code for more content!

February

Teacher Planning Day

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Coral Gables Country Club’s Closure

The Coral Gables Country Club faces a potential closing after failing to meet monthly payment deadlines. BY SANTIAGO GIRALDO, STAFF WRITER HE

COVID-19

PANDEMIC

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MANY OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN CORAL GABLES HAVE ESTABLISHED STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AT THE COUNTRY CLUB AND HAVE ROUTINES REVOLVING AROUND THE COUNTRY CLUB. SEEING SUCH A MONUMENTAL PLACE GONE WOULD BE SO DISAPPOINTING. ADRIAAN GUERRERO, SOPHOMORE

City of Coral Gables

December 4, 2021 Dear Coral Grand Country Club owners, You owe the City of Coral Gables the total sum of the remaining rent from October 2017 to December 2021 for the property located at 997 N Greenway Drive. If you do not pay the stated amount to the City of Coral Gables, legal proceedings will be initiated against you pursuant to Florida Statutes Sec. 83.56(3).

Signature: _____________________________________

Date: ___________________

Grace Rodriguez / highlights

Notice to Quit (Non-Payment of Rent)

news 9

COVID-19: An Academic Pandemic

COVID-19 has distrupted student learning, resulting in a decline in student performance. BY NATHALIE SCHWART, STAFF WRITER

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THE INTERRUPTION OF ALMOST A YEAR OF T R A D I T I O N A L SCHOOLING RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT LEARNING LOSSES FOR MY STUDENTS. MARA FIGUERAS, GEOMETRY TEACHER

students speak up

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Some students’ grades are being impacted, and they now struggle due to a lack of prerequisite knowledge.

Iris Mogul, Freshman Nathalie Schwart / highlights

10 news

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I feel that the pandemic affected student performance in a negative way.

Giancarlo Ayala, Sophomore

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Miami’s Hospitality Industry Impacted A proposed ban on alcohol sales past 2 a.m. would negatively impact Miami Beach’s hospitality industry. BY ALEXA OROZCO, STAFF WRITER

A DID YOU KNOW?

In a recent study done by Fishkind, alcohol sales in between midnight and 1 a.m., meaning 91% of sales occur before the proposed curfew and only 9% of sales would take place after 2 a.m. curfew hours. Source: NBC 6 South Florida.

Grace Rodriguez / highlights

news 11

STAFF-ED: An extinct class in Florida

Florida teens need to learn about their bodies, comprehensive sexual education classes need to be implemented.

ICKNAMED “THE SUNSHINE State,” the irony that Florida continues to showcase a not-so-bright sexual education (sex-ed) curriculum is quite counterintuitive. This failure in educating the youth jeopardizes future generations’ prospects in leading a healthy and safe sexual lifestyle in adulthood. Ever since 2002, in ordinance with Florida Statute 48-1003.46 school districts and ual marriage, monogamy and absitinence, as a wayto prevent pregnancy, AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). This law illustrates the state’s disregard for providing modern, comprehensive sexual education to its students. For example, abstinence has been consistently proven to be ineffective when decreasing teenage pregnancy and the contraction of STDs, the Guttmacher Institute reports. The key to quality sex-ed classes is teaching students about effective, safe and realistic ways they can learn about their bodies. Additionally, the curriculum has yet to acknowledge sections of youth such as the LGBTQ+ community. The current law does not require teaching about homosexual sex, instead, it fosters a hetero-

in including all sexualities from learning about “I believe sex-ed should be for everyone, regardless of gender and sexuality; safe sex must be inclusive,” junior Genesis Mercado said. Despite that Florida doesn’t mandate comprehensive sex-ed, schools like Coral Gables Senior High School are fortunate to have

comfortable and educated regarding the subject well into adulthood. This failure

12 opinion

districts must hire professionals with degrees that pertain to the area of sex-ed. “I’d prefer having medical professionals teaching [sex-ed] because it easier to comprehend the information and I’d have more trust in what they teach because of their academic background,” sophomore Isabella Barros said. Nevertheless, parents have the right to choose what material their children should be exposed to in public schools. Yet, the extent to which that right goes can severely negatively impact their children. Parents refusing to let schools provide sex-ed for ts ing that role themselves allows h ig

l igh ro/h e t s Maria Jose Ce

sexual marriage when

teaching about human sexuality. The City of Miami houses the 17th largest population of gay, trans and non-binary people in the country, as reported by The New York Times. Teaching inclusive sex-ed empowers the youth to feel

of the United States reports that nearly onethird of teachers responsible for sexuality education receive no pre-service or in-service

found the Health Informational Project (HIP), a student-run organization aimed to educate freshmen on sexual, physical and mental health. Yet, HIP has not been approved for the 2021-2022 school year. This decision is concerning, since the program is catered to students who have entered or are about to enter later adolescence, a period categorized by high sexual activity. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that among teen females aged 15-19, 42% have had sex and among teen males in the same age group, it was 44%. The students of CGHS are in dire need of sex-ed, even in its most miniscule form. Sex-ed has not been taught properly because it has not been staffed properly. Unless an educator has a degree in social sciences, biology and sexuality studies, demonstrating that they thoroughly comprehend human anatomy, sexual processes and interactions, they should not be allowed to teach sex-ed. The Sexuality Information and Education Council

information conveyed. Just as damaging, parents simply do not have access to the same amount of resources and knowledge that schools can provide. For example, teaching female adolescents about the use of contraceptives and where to access them. The University of Washington found that teens who receive comprehensive pregnant than adolescents who receive absitienece til marriage sex-ed.

DID YOU KNOW?

Florida ranks second in the highest rates of HIV contraction in the United States. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Students need to be given the tools to prevent permanent harm from unsafe sexual experiences. Inclusive, comprehensive and informational sex-ed creates a healthier future for generations. Sex-ed is necessary and effective. h

The injustice of the justice system

As the prison population continues to rise, a seemingly fair legal system reveals a widely unethical aspect of the law. COMMENTARY BY GEORGIA RAU, STAFF WRITER

IAS, CAPITAL punishment and nonviolent crime sentencing are just some examples of the common injustices in the legal system. While it is comforting to believe that the legal system has since changed completely, it still faces a long road of reform if it wants to discontinue its unethical practices. In the past decade, many legal cases have gained attention due to their indisputable bias. The Brock Turner case, for instance, involves a white man who, though found guilty of rape, received a mere six months of jail time. In comparison, Ronnie Long, a black man accused of raping a white woman, was given a life sentence in 1976. According to USA Today, after 44 years in prison, he was proven innocent in 2020. It is increasingly clear that the justice system does not always live up to its namesake. As in the cases of Turner and Long, racial bias is extremely prevalent; according to The Sentencing Project, Black Americans are imAmericans, yet only 14% of the United States population is black. The justice system shows an apparent preference towards the white majority. Another highly disputed issue regarding criminal sentencing is capital punishment. According to The Death Penalty Information Center (DPI), the only crime that can be sentenced to death

most Americans oppose the death penalty — public approval is at an all-time low. In the 27 states that allow capital punishment, Florida included, the National Academy of Sciences reports that at least 4.1% of those on death row are innocent. While it sounds like a minuscule amount, this would mean over 100 people sentenced to death as of April 2021 are innocent — meanwhile, only 156 people have been exonerated since 1973, according to the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NCADP). “States that have capital punishment show no results when it comes to reducing murder rates per capita or serious violent crime per capita,” criminology and International Baccalaureate (IB) history teacher Oscar De Armas said. Decriminalization is one of the many solutions presented by activists. This entails the rehabilitation of non-violent convicts as opposed to imprisonment. After years in jail, family relationships, making them even more likely to return to criminal lifestyles. In a study published by PubMed, scientists found that offenders frequently leave prison to hostile environments, triggering drug

use. Rehabilitation offers offenders a chance ishing them, which has proven ineffective in stopping users’ habits. Supporters of the legal system insist that the justice system has proved to be ethical despite mistakes. Admittedly, it is easy to dismiss injustices as minor blemishes of the legal system in certain situations. However, when considering the magnitude of the injustices within the legal system, it is crucial to take any unethical situation seriously. “[The legal system] doesn’t really listen. They see the problems and they ignore it,” freshman Francesca Lara said. While the facts on the justice system are rather grim, Americans can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Since capital punishment reform has been passed in many states, decriminalization has started to be more seriously considered and activists have called out biases in many cases. Unfortunately, the legal system must make systemic changes before becoming completely ethical. If Americans continue to voice their grievances, the justice system can become more equitable. h

no matter how innocent or guilty a person might be, the penalty is outdated. It ignores the innocent victims of the legal system and costs 70% more than simply keeping perpetrators in jail for life, according to DPI. It is outrageous that the American government has such immense power over someone’s life when there is no absolute guarantee of their guilt. The American Civil Liberties Union ( A C L U ) reports that Maria Jose Cestero/highlights

opinion 13

TWO-VIEWS: Has technology impaired the The

use

technology

has

become

and

COMMENTARY BY EMILY KARDJIAN, STAFF WRITER

S TECHNOLogy use has become increasingly prevalent in schools, students have faced the consequences of the slow incorporation of devices to their classroom experience. Yet, instead of using technology as a learning tool, students have begun to rely on it to complete their work, a habit that has served to hinder the education system in the long run. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students’ technology use has dramatically increased as many schools, including Coral Gables Senior High, switched to a virtual setting. Now, though students are back in schools, many teachers have continued to use the technology adopted during the pandemic despite its negative effects on student performance. Education Next performed a study on sophomore college students, demonstrating that those who did not use technology in the classroom during class did measurably better on a test than those who had complete access to a computer. One of the more pervasive issues the increased use of technology has brought to classrooms is cheating. The National Public Radio

YES

(NPR) stated that multiple universities, such as the University of Georgia, Virginia Commonwealth University and The Ohio State University experienced a dramatic increase in cases of cheating as they made the transition into online learning. In the University of Georgia, cases more than doubled between the fall of 2019 and that of 2020. With laptops and phones providing easy access to websites that answer questions much faster than a textbook or class notes, it comes as little surprise that cheating has become more commonplace. According to CNBC, although websites such as Chegg and Course Hero are meant to be used as aids to student learning, experts say they have become accessible ways for students to cheat. nitely increased because we’ve started using the answers,” senior Ana Rodriguez said. Technology has also presented itself as a tions, social media or games can draw them away from what is being taught or assignments that need to be completed. An article published by Harvard University’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning states that 92% of students use their phones to send messages in class and that the average college student uses their device in school about 11 times per day.

in class, sophomore Maria Odio said. “If I get and text the person back.” Many argue that technology has proven itself as a valuable instrument in learning during the pandemic. Without online programs such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, students would not have been able to learn ly. While this was true for remote learning, its use at home does not translate to physical classrooms. Despite its increased use in the past couple years, technology has demonstrated itself to be harmful to student performance in a multitude of ways. This overreliance on technology is detrimental to students, providing a window for cheating, distractions and malfunctions, technology disrupts students, preventing them from reaching their full potential. h

students speak up

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N O T I F I C AT I O N S DISTRACT ME FROM THE LESSONS IN CLASS.

Eva Alvarez, Sophomore 14 opinion

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Emily Kardjian/highlights

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TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE ME USE MY THINKING ABILITIES LESS.

Miguel Ruiz, Senior

“

e education system?

common

the

education

system,

many

pon-

COMMENTARY BY AUSTIN YAGODA, STAFF WRITER

In addition, tutoring outside of school and preparation for standardized testing is facilitated by the countless amounts of resources that technology offers. Before, seeking aid formerly be done through physical tutoring meetings or traveling to a library. Now, with the use of online resources like Khan Academy, students from everywhere can receive affordable, effective instruction for tests like the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or any other In 2018 alone, Khan Academy managed to reach over 2.5 million students of equal race, ethnicity and gender, according to the Skoll Foundation. Not to mention how 64% say Khan Academy was a meaningful part of their educational careers. “Whenever I get home and still don’t

looking up material I don’t ego Gomez said. When schools closed their doors to both students and administrators during the COVID-19 pandemic, technology was the only thing that saved students from having to extend their education for longer than originally required. Without these meeting sites, the education system would have shut down completely, as paper and pencil-type learning is simply impossible when faced with a deadly pandemic.

of online educational sources can potentially harm the brain’s ability to think critically and without assistance, as reported by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). By constantly relying on the internet by searching up answers and solutions, it beis to avoid using the internet as a crutch, but rather as a tool to be used sparingly. technology presents students with greater

learn it there. I have a bunch of options for

”

Maria Jose Cestero/highlights

successful method of educating students. In the past, keeping up with in-class lectures proved to be a challenge. A student had no choice but to remember as many of the things a teacher assigned during class, as they would have little to no access to that information at home. This also applied if the student was absent or out of class. However, technology has al-

lowed for students to be able to catch up with class materials from anywhere. Research has shown that allowing students to work independently as frequently as possible has fomented skills that were unable to be showcased in the classroom. According to a survey done by the Pew Research Center, nearly 75% of a sample of 2,462 teachers said that search engines have had a mostly positive impact on student research skills, making

MY COMPUTER IS WHAT HELPED ME SUCCEED IN QUARANTINE.

”

ITH THE USE OF TECHnology and the Internet rising at a rapid pace, the education system is transforming. While previous generations were limited to pencils, paper and a chalkboard, the modern-day classroom has access to computers, phones and the world wide web. These technological advancements have delivered

“

Massimo Aguila, Junior

Austin Yagoda/highlights

I’VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND DIFFERENT TOOLS ONLINE THAT FIT MY LEARNING STYLE.

Nicole Gufford, Junior

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opinion 15

The disregard of indigenous women

Society continues to turn a blind eye to indigenous women disappearing across the country. COMMENTARY BY AVA VOLMAN, STAFF WRITER where some of these indigenous women live. Due to their seclusion, many of these locations do not possess the proper law enforcement re-

tero /

high

seem to care deeply about missing persons cases only when they involve a young, conventionally attractive white woman. This has been continuously shown throughout the years, such as when the nation’s attention was captured entirely during the disappearances of Laci Peterson and Natalee Holloway, both of which were the epitome of everything society seems to desire in the next victim to ruthlessly obsess over. Their picturesque innocence and the heart-wrenching stories of their personal lives seem to captivate people throughout the country. However, indigenous women do not seem to have the same dramatic effect. “There are so many missing people of color that are just completely ignored. True crime seems to want to tell itself, and us, ht s stories about white people,” author lig of “The Rise of True Crime” Jean Murley said to The New Yorker. s Today, there are thousands of ongoing missing persons cases of indigenous people in the U.S. Yet, only a handful of them have

opposable thumbs

16 opinion

mental regard towards the needs of indigenous reservations makes it much easier for many indigenous women to become victims and thus have their cases overlooked. Most blame the disregard of these horrific cases on the phenomenon dubbed “missing white woman syndrome.” This phrase, coined

and bring justice to the victims. The resource base available to legal authorities within reservaa Jo s ari tions is only 55-75% of what is available to non-indigenous communities, according to the DOJ. These numbers are especially alarming in locations where the number of indigenous people missing is rising dramatically. The lack of governM

HE NATION was struck by grief following the tragic disappearance of Gaby Petito, a young woman who went missing this past September in the Wyoming wilderness. The search for Gaby was the police’s and media’s top priority, as her case was highlighted for weeks on end. The same can not be said for the hundreds of continuously overlooked missing indigenous women. Over the past decade, approximately 710 women of indigenous heritage have disappeared in the same relative location as Petito, according to the state of Wyoming’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force. Yet the authorities, and subsequently the media, do not pay the much needed attention towards these cases. Oftentimes, this is the direct result of racism, as members of indigenous communities have concluded that the authorities within their reservations are insensitive and unresponsive to community needs, according to a survey done by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). These biases ensure that cases involving indigenous people are not held in as high of a regard as others. “Every missing person deserves the same amount of coverage, but these missing indigenous women are an ongoing issue that have received basically no attention,” junior Gabby Mohammed said. The observable severe lack of consideration towards these cases can also be attributed to the remote location of the reservations

them. Although all women deserve to garner attention when their lives are at risk, those with privilege are handpicked by society and news outlets to receive their rapt attention. h

Christmas

Elon Musk

Mouthwash

“My favorite three month holiday!” -Juan Fajardo, Staff Writer

“I think the electricity is getting to his head.” -Gregoire Winston, Co-Online Editor

“Why is it spicy?” -Emily Kardjian, Staff Writer

M A R I A’ S MISCHIEF

Cultural stereotyping

Recognizing stereotyping in TV shows is essential for an inclusive generation.

Dance moms

COMMENTARY BY GREGOIRE WINSTON, CO-ONLINE EDITOR

HE RISE OF popularity of shows on platforms such as -

COMMENTARY BY MARÍA JoSÉ CESTERO, OPINION EDITOR

central themes of the series: anti-capitalistic

typing becomes an increasing normality in the -

resenting the way in which now associate a misogynistic society with their country. -

“

THE WAY PEOPLE SEE ‘SQUID GAME’ IS UNFAIR TOWARD THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH KOREA SINCE MANY FIND IT COMICAL TO ASSUME THINGS ABOUT THE CULTURE THAT AREN’T COMPLETELY TRUE. SERAPHIN DEVALLET, SENIOR

is stripping from its peo-

one of the most open

nation on a popular show creates weary stereotypes -

being a liar.

themes began associating the country with two

row.

opinion 17

The realities within the stalls

Although television may portray it as a fun, harmless sport, horse racing in reality is unethical as it abuses the horses COMMENTARY BY ALIA GAMEZ, STAFF WRITER

PA N N I N G thousands of years, the human race has taken advantage of and mistreated horses for money and temporary fame, proving that horse racing is came an issue in the 18th century and it has only versation in many corners of society. Physical man culture since the Ancient Greek empires according to the American Museum of Natural History. Throughout the thousands of years of taming aad interacting with the animals, it

— if slaughter does not await them, dropping dead in their stalls does. Though they Death among sports horses is not uncom-

peace, humans have a duty of standing up for

are mostly sustained from these very competi-

DID YOU KNOW?

Horses sometimes begin training or are already racing when they’re only 2 years old. At such a young age, their bones are still growing and are unprepared for the pressure of running on a hard track at fast speeds. peta: 7 Horrible Things You Don’t Know About Horse Racing

The constant overworking has caused these

equipment. The average sale price of a horse alone is $76,612, an amount greater than the average yearly income in the United States. Buying a horse and its equipment keeps the sport from the grasps of the average person’s hands. For example, seven million people participate in equestrianism worldwide, compared to the 250 million people who play soccer — an exof needing an upheaval of equipment and time, around. This means that such an industry is not is an inherently classist sport, closing off the opportunity to participate with other people. “Animals were not put on this earth for our

humans. The main motivation to even compete

in the equine industry, ‘’ senior Vivian Frederique said. “Horses hold a special place in my heart

18 | sports

Marta Rodriguez/ highlights Marta Rodriguez/ highlights

on equestrian training, have noticed that illegal drugging for performance enhancement has not stopped. In addition, horses are still dying at unprecedented rates during simple training exercises due to overexertion of their hearts. “The capitalist class -

Vera. “We as a species have forgotten that earth

no longer service these sports are repulsively worked to their death

not have the means to maintain them will work under those who do. According to The Doe, in the horse’s maintenance. It appears hypocritical, as the human caretakers parison to the animals they tend to. Even as thousands of dollars a year are funneled into the colt management industry, everyone s ht

that a certain mare will win leads the interests of many trainers and stadiums. Even attempts to control these decisions have gone mostly ignored as states that have put invest-

will cause the end of not only the horse’s career,

Alexander Brazda/highlig

no longer at its physical peak, trainers are nearly required and encouraged to kill them. Because mal sportsmanship and prizes do not hold the

suffers in some way or another. Other sports use animals ing for the care of the creatures as equestrian horses. Unless the unnecessary deaths, drugging, and harm Sadly, horses will never feel the warmth of a caring population, as they have only ever known the worship of h

Co-online editor takes on bhangra

A new addition to Gables, the bhangra dance team welcomes online editor Gregoire Winston for a day of practice BY: MICAELA MONTERO, STAFF WRITER

RIGINATING IN THE LATE 1800’s in South Asia, Bhangra is a colorful and energetic type of folk dance. Now, Bhangra has recently found a home at Coral Gables Senior High. Intimidated yet excited, Co-Online editor Gregoire Winston decided to tackle this style of dance by joining the team for a day of practice. The Bhangra team practices every Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m outside the 9000 building, and they have been practicing since the beginning of the year. Knowing this, Winston promptly arrived at 2:25 to settle in and meet the dancers. Winston, an experienced cross country runner, was not too worried about the workout, but he was in for a surprise.The team is managed by college advisor Khushnuma Driver and currently has 10 members.

They practiced each motion and then did the whole routine with the music, later practicing a couple other dances each to different songs. The leaders helped Winston keep up by encouraging him and giving him e x t r a help. They even gave him a main r o l e in the

“Learning to dance and practicing a routine is not as easy as it may look. It takes a lot of dedication and mobility to be able Joining a sport can throw you into a new environment, although it

“I really didn’t know anyone that was on the team, Montero/ highlights Micaela

They begin their practice by stretchutes. Downward dog, lower back stretches, toe touches and shoulder stretches are just a few to name . Immediately you could see Winston break a sweat when trying to touch his toes and a look of regret on his face. After they are done warming up, the instructors, seniors Amanda Perez Romero and Esperanza Barrios, begin teaching the group the routine. The dance involves hand movements and spinning to the beat of an Indian pop song. Winston tried his best to follow along with the fast paced dance and after a

dance. He did a dance with a partner in the middle while the other dancers served as backup. The whole time he was smiling, trying to distract everyone from how embarrassing his dancing looked. Winston said he had never heard of Bhangra before, but when the opportunity to participate was presented to him, he

he had a great time meeting all the participants and learning a new style of dance he had never heard of before. Many of the talented members of the team congratulated him on how well he danced. Taronish Unwalla, a freshman on the team, explained how she came to join Bhangra. “I’m Indian and I’ve always wanted to be able to engage with my culture and truly participate in all aspects of it and since I can’t really dance, I thought it’d be a fun experiBhangra has brought people with similar interests together while also appreciating this traditional dance style. After a long practice, Winston was burnt out, having underestimated the amount of energy Bhangra dancing takes. However, he had a good time learning about a new form of dance and culture. Winston encourages everyone interested to go and try it out; all students need to do is contact Driver. h

WORKING OUT: Winston stretches and

does exercises to familiarize himself with the Bhangra dance

sports | 21

Cavaliers beat the Titans in a nailbiter To start their season off strong, the Cavaliers Varisty Basketball beat True North Classical Academy 89-72 BY MARTA RODRIGUEZ, MANAGING EDITOR

After a rough start due to coaching issues, the Boy’s Varsity Basketball team had trained long hours and were son: the True North Classical Academy Titans. ing on the varsity team and the gym was full of energy.” shooting guard Gabriel Chang said. The Cavs started off the game “I FELT strong, with Senior Romulo Del-

“

shot of the game. Gables had a solid height advantage among consistently drive into the basket during counter attacks and

EXCITED BECAUSE IT WAS MY FIRST GAME PLAYING ON THE VARSITY TEAM AND THE GYM WAS FULL OF ENERGY. GABRIEL CHANG, SOPHMORE

instead, which tend to be more dif-

Communicating from one side of the court to the other, Cavaliers had faster ball movement which As the buzzer went off for the dent section began to yell and the Junior Varsity team that had cony overlooking the gym. The

turnover from the Cavaliers and tans. But like the basketball, the Cavs bounced back

strong.” shooting guard Daniel Gonzalez said

allowing them to score and maintain a comfortable lead. The Cavs used defensive slides and fast ball movement to make more shots and secure a win.

game and began to do so recklessly. The game’s inten-

ness of the Titans allowed them to defend the threeh

SUCCESSFUL JUMP-SHOT: Post player, Lawrence Stampino, shoots the ball in an attempt to make a shot.

FLYING HIGH: Shooting Guard, Gabriel Chang, 20 sports

Marta Rodriguez / highlights

drives into the basket making a layup.

Lady Cavs dribble past Riviera Bulldogs The Lady Cavaliers Varsity basketball team brought their BY SOFIA RODRIGUEZ, STAFF WRITER

of the year against the Riviera Bulldogs -

team came together and chanted “Lady on three cavs

ents and students waited for the game to start. The referees er from Riviera, to the middle

ful for the Cavs as they scored a eight minutes. A combination of excellent offense and unrelenting man-to-man defense made bound, they were able to make fast breaks and get fouled while

“

WE WERE PLAYING AGAINST A NEW TEAM FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WE USED ALL THE HOURS SPENT IN PRACTICE TO GIVE IT OUR ALL. IT WAS AN AMAZING START TO WHAT WE HOPE IS A GREAT SEASON. MELANIE GARCIA, JUNIOR

coming from the benches and the loud whistle of the referee, the with Gables still in the lead. The tire gym when walking off of the court for the ten minute half time. The referee blew the whistle, the two teams faced each other and entertaining minutes and an even higher score for Gables, the Lady

Riviera

Bulldogs,

shaking

ers, the girls junior varsity team and the Gables fans -

great tactics to make it further into the season. “Even though the second half was close, we

The eager Lady Cavs immediately huddled together

INTENSE DEFENSE: Junior, Audrey Simon, uses defensive slides to stop Riviera Guard.

DOMINATING DRIBBLES: Shooting Guard,

Shamary Contreras, dribbles past the defender in attempts to make a pass to Junior Melanie Garcia.

highlights

21 sports

Winter athlete in Miami

Having begun ice skating at very young age, freshman Joshua Hernandez explains the role it plays in his everday life BY FRANCESCA RICO, STAFF WRITER

NLIKE A MAJORITY OF ATHletes in Florida, freshman Joshua Hernandez partakes in a sport that is not as popular, due to the state’s sub-tropical climate. Starting at the age of two, ice skating has consumed a large part of Hernandez’s time. As his dedication has increased, so has

his love for the sport. Hernandez often describes the rink as an outlet where he can disconnect from the world and focus on his ice skating techniques. “It is obvious he is passionate about ice skating. It is all he talks about and he practices every day,” senior Massiel Gonzalez said. Hernandez has practices every day at the Kendall Ice Arena from 4 p.m to 8 p.m. Due to the extensive time required by the sport, he while still giving it his full effort during practices. He does this by completing his homework on the drives from school to training, which have often taken away time from his hobbies or other passions. However, to make up for it, he makes sure to spend time with the important people in his life, including family and his closest friends. His dedication and time will help improve his technique in different styles of skating and allow him to place highly in every competition he participates in. Currently, Hernandez is learning to perfect his triple axel and triple lutz, which are considered two of the hardest mindsets incentivizes Hernandez to focus clearly and excel during practice. Although the ice skating rink can feel chaotic because there are a lot of people training, usually 34 people, Hernandez has found the good in this by forming close friendships with people who practice at the same time as him. “My favorite things about ice skating are the spins and how I can focus on myself,” Hernandez said.

His favorite ice skating memory is when he axel jump is considered one of the hardest moves the skater as they need to spin quickly, three and a half times to be exact, in the air before landing. Moments like this make it his personal goal to learn and practice challenging moves, which elevate his technique during competitions. His favorite is the triple salchow, which is a jump that consists of three fast spins in midair, like the triple axel. However they differ in starting and landing techniques, as

annual U.S. Figure Skating Championships, opens his eyes to the different moves he could challenge himself to learn. With the guidance of required to recreate those moves and perfect ones like the Choctaw turn and level four camel and edge, while the spin requires the skater to turn on one foot. “At competitions, I always feel nervous and excited, but I’m very focused on what I have to do,” Hernandez said. People who are not wellversed

Hergreatest motivamother, Z a m o used to profesand of-

a nd e

in the sport fail to realize the mental fortitude required in perfecting ice skating skills. Although Hernandez has spent a long time on the ice and loves the sport, there are still major challenges that he faces. When he steps onto the ice thoughts of him falling and getting hurt consume his head, especially minutes leading up to a competition. When he broke his ankle yo rtes C ou

the triple axel jump is o n l y ice skatthe skatfrom a edge.

rn He hua Jos

the jump in ing where er leaps forward

n a n d e z ’s source of tion is his Blanca ra, who ice skate sionally ten helps coach h i m . American ers like Amber Glenn and Nathan Chen have inspired Hernandez to propel in the skating industry and taught him that hard work needs to be applied well for him to persevere. Watching ice skating competitions, such as the

months. He was afraid he would not be able to gain the momentum he had prior to the accident and might be forced to quit skating. However, this break from the rink allowed him to properly it was worth it to do what he loves even though he runs the possibility of getting hurt. “I’ve seen him improve as an ice skater by the way that he works hard,” Zamora said. “He falls, he cries, he bleeds and he never gives up.” Figure skating has allowed him to understand many things about himself, such as his dedicated work ethic and self-control, and positively affected his outlook on life. “[Ice skating] has taught me how to control myself in ways I never knew I could do,” Hernandez said. “I am really good at what I do when I put my mind to it.” Hernandez’s dream is to pursue a career in ice skating. He hopes to achieve this by continuing to practice for hours every day, learning the most he can from his coaches and competing in every competition he can. Hernandez wants to skating because he is happiest on the ice.

sports | 22

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highlights IS A COMMUNITY THAT FOSTERS CREATIVITY IN ALL ASPECTS, WHETHER IT BE WRITING OR DESIGN. I THANK highlights FOR TEACHING ME LEADERSHIP AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION TO REACH YOUR GOALS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A WELCOMING AND MOTIVATING GROUP LIKE I WAS FRESHMAN YEAR.” NATALIA PALLAS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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23 join highlights

Right Up Your Alley

Knock it down! Miami’s local bowling spots provide families and teenagers with a fun, glow-in-the-dark bowling experience. BY ALANA GONZALEZ AND ANDREA DELGADO, STAFF WRITERS

N INNOCENT HOBBY FOR people of all walks of life, from Gen X dads and little children who can barely lift the ball, bowling’s popularity is evident with the increasing number of bowling alleys and destinations in Miami. In the age of COVID, family bonding has become high on the priority list for those in searc of taking advantage of quality time. Bowling presents an excellent opportunity to tune into the competitive spirt, while also mo-

tivating family members to work as a team. Engagement in sports, such as bowling, among families fosters a vulnerable environment in which children feel they are able to express themselves and exude positive emotions. Bowling is a sport that is able to incorportate vocabulary as an additional piece to the memorable experience. Terms such as stike, when all bowling pins are knocked down the all of the pins have been knocked down after

the second time the ball is rolled, enable for children to feel professional and enthusiastic. However, not all bowling alleys are made the same, as highlights feature two distinct bowling alleys catering to different crowds. But both alleys and their customers have one similarity, and that is the undying passion patrons of these alleys share for bowling. The ever popular pastime, now considered a sport, has attracted large bowling enthusiasts and novices alike to enjoy the many wonders of the hobby.

KINGS BOWLING The sound of bowling pins falling, mixed with loud, poppy music echoes through King’s Bowling Miami. This lively atmosphere serves to suit anyone who wants an exciting, unconventional weekend outing. Adorned to create a retro environment,

Andrea Delgado/highlights.

24 the scene

foster this vintage style. From a wall of lava lamps to the dim lights around the restaurant seating area, both features convey the idea of cultivating a familiar, comfortable environment. This is juxtaposed with the modern lane of the alley and large television screens. Overlooking the bowling alley there is a large poster of Bill Murray from the bowling movie “Kingpin” as his character Ernie McCracken says “one more time, sweetness,” his famous quote. While bowling or waiting for a lane, the large screens at the end of each lane play a variety of sports, music videos and blooper videos creating a more joyful atmosphere.. “It’s really enjoyable to be able to bowl and watch shows in the meantime. It can get boring, but luckily they thought of that and put in these screens,” senior Daniela Romero said. Near the front entrance, one can pay $18 per person for an hour Sunday through Thursday. The price increases to $20 on Friday and Saturday, before 5 p.m. After the price rises to $25 per person per hour. Lane rentals can be for two to eight people with compli-

mentary shoe rental. The many screens surrounding the bars play various sports not including bowling contribute to a sports bar feel allowing for all sports fans (and those who aren’t) to have something to enjoy at the alley. After 10 p.m. on weekends, the alley becomes an adults paradise, exclusively only letting those 21 years or older enter. “If I could say one thing to all the bowlers out there, keep at it, keep practicing because Muñoz said. King’s also provides food while one is bowling for a well rounded experience, having dishes ranging from fried cheese appetizers to shrimp tacos. The fried cheese consists of cheddar with garlic aioli sauce, priced at $9. The shrimp is fried and crunchy, served with a sweet and savory sauce. It is also topped with a napa slaw, which is a coleslaw traditionally used in tacos combining cabbage, carrots and more, priced at $14. King’s Bowling Miami offers arcade hockey and billiards. Each of these do come at an additional cost to play, however it is about a dollar per round at the arcade games and billiards is paid by the hour. Bowling is an enriching experience where families can create a camaraderie between their loved ones as they enhance their bowling skills and enjoy quality interactive entertainment.

BOWLERO BOWLING Glow-in-the-dark lights and colorful murals envelop the walls of Bowlero Bowling Alley, providing both teenagers and families with the perfect afternoon diversion. alley provides all types of fun, inexpensive entertainment for any patron that is looking for something different to do. The beauty of bowling lies in that minimal experience is needed. Customers from young to old ages are able to bring experience to the table or enter without any. Whether a professional or a beginner, all customers are still able to have as much fun as one allows oneself to have. features, bowling pins and shoes, once used a glass case for customers to admire. “I thought the decorations were what made it stand out, especially the glass case with the signed bowling pins and shoes of famous people who had been to the allet,” senior Abigail Colodner said. With renowned celebrities visting an alley, it has certainly attracted the masses. In thought, one notes that if the alley can attract a person of high status, it is guaranteed to please others. live near the area and tourists who are in town to escape the frigid winter with the tropical main attraction with an arcade and laser tag. Depending on the dates of the week guests attend, different discounts can be applied. Bowlero offers its lowest price on Tuesdays at $2.88 per player, which allows for entertainment at an inexpensive price. As the weekdays are less crowded because many are consumed with the reponsibilites of their profession and school, the low prices intrigue customers to come in because of such an affordable deal. As the week progresses, many people are now able to dedicate their free time to pleasurable activites, meaning the price gradually increases to $15 per person because there is more demand for the lanes. Taking advantage of their low prices, food and drink becomes much more appealing to many and conveniently is brought right to the lane by the kind employees of the establishment. This kind of practicality makes the experience all the more enjoyable when intertwined with their selection of traditional

American dishes including nachos, chicken wings, mozzarella sticks and pretzel bites. Customers do not typically go to bowling alleys to eat; however, Bowlero makes eating an enjoyable experience. Traditional American cuisine is enjoyed by all patrons as the simplicity in each dish pleases all taste kitchen to mess up. In a win-win situation, Bowlero customers and chefs both appreciate the savory, simplistic menu. lemon pepper wings and mozzarella sticks,” Bowlero customer Dave Leach said. “All three were very delicious and only added to

“

I THOUGHT THE DECORATIONS WERE WHAT MADE [BOWLERO] STAND OUT, ESPECIALLY THE GLASS CASE WITH THE SIGNED BOWLING PINS AND SHOES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN TO THE ALLEY. ABIGAIL COLODNER, SENIOR

The bowling alley is available for spontaneous visits, but lanes can also be reserved for birthday parties and social events, making the experience that much more special for customers. If reserved, the event is catered enjoyed alongside other celebrations. Adding on to the Bowlero experience, it is complemented by their laser tag attraction: right as customers walk into the locale, young children and teenagers can form teams and play against their friends. Starting at $9 per round, kids can enjoy the fast paced thrill of the activity. Laser tag serves as another group activity that friends and family memebers can participate in, in hopes of soaking up the competitve spirit. By combining bowling, laser tag and good time, Bowlero does what other bowling alleys cannot. Despite the addition of $7 for renting bowling shoes, this locale remains very affordable and allows customers to roll their best shot, maybe even score a strike or spare. Its brightly colored pins, lanes and decor on their walls all stand out as one walks into the alley, creating a welcoming and lively atmosphere. This vibrant ambience is what attracts its customers to take a night off during the week and embrace their inner bowler. h

the bowling experience.” Servers and customer service agents at Bowlero further add to the expierece because service is a quality feature that can make or break a location. Despite the fact that customers are primarily left to be by themselves, emloyees come into play in aiding a group in setting up or when there is an issue ocurring with the lane. Ocasionally, bowling pins can get left behind when a machine is collecting them or get caught in a tricky position after the ball knocked the pin down. In this case, employees are on standby to assist the machine occuring. Employees are extremely cognicent of the fact that customers have a limited amount of time, so their job is done in a matter of minutes.

25 the scene

A Day In Th As the holidays roll around in the summer-year round city, make BY MARCELA RONDON, COPY EDITOR AND CAROLINA CASTRO, STAFF WRITER

NAUTICA DESIGN GALLERY

wonderland of trinkets of trinkets and unique novelties is hidden in the unassuming exterior of Nautica Design Gallery. The storefront is adorned with twinkling lights blinking over shelves of goods that attract the average passerby to step in and discover a never ending world of items perfect for the most wonderful time of the year. This South Miami shop, located at 7300 by owner Linda Scheuermann, originally as a nautical lifestyle store. Over the years, the store’s inventory expanded to cater to the many different aesthetics and interests of Miami’s diverse population, making it a perfect

ing was my love,” Scheuermann said. The store features an expansive decor selection, ranging from coastal, classic and hol-

“

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY PASSION [ENTREPRENEURSHIP] BUT NURSING WAS MY LOVE. LINDA SCHEUERMANN, OWNER

life. Scheuermann, originally a registered nurse, opened her store to return to her passion of entrepreneurship and sales while still dedicating time to her career. She ceased her nursing career in March 2020 with the outmore attention to managing her shop.

highlights.

SMILEY SANTA: Filled from

26 the scene

“This has always been my passion [entrepreneurship] but nurs-

iday themes. Scheuermann prides herself off of maintaining a genuinely classic decor selection, dubbing her shop “the original concept store.” She carefully caters her selection to not cor themes found today. “We’re the little store that has everything,” Scheuermann said. Nautica’s extensive decor selection would make the average Pinterest user foam at the mouth with their range varying from classic grand millennial style, marked by blue and white china patterns and unique patterned textiles to typical goes, seashells and other creatures that dot the state’s coastline. Besides decor, the shop also features a wide array of clothing items, jewelry, collectibles and home goods. Knickknacks appealing to everyone’s interests elsewhere. For the cooking connoisseur in one’s life, els, cutting boards and cooking utensils. For the avid beach-goer, the shops’ walls are lined

with all kinds of gear necessary for the beach; from bathing suits to tote bags to hats, Nautica has it all. As the holiday season approaches, Nautica has begun selling holiday decor too, all following a traditional holiday theme. Nutcrackers of all sizes and colors, such as the Mouse King from “The Nutcracker” and a pink princess, are thoughtfully placed along the store, near Santas dressed in varied holiday garb, including a chef Santa which guarantees a laugh from anyone who sees it. Nautica also prides themselves on carrying high-quality jewelry that appeals to all age groups and crowds. Scheuermann maintains a coastal theme with the in-store jewelry selection since most pieces carry a nautical element, whether it be real freshwater pearls, seashells or anchor charms. In fact, most of their string jewelry is house made with high-quality beads, as best components to their already quality accessories. ca’s prices do not exceed the $50 price point, making their selection accessible and affordable. Nautica also rotates the holiday decor selection depending on whichever holiday is around the corner. During the fall and halloween season, Scheuermann stalks the shop with traditional autumnal decor, including cleverly decorated pumpkins and quirky witch dolls. For Valentine’s Day , Scheuermann stocks the shop with stuffed animals, Valentine’s Day elves and heart-shaped wreaths. However, Christmas at Nautica is the most wonderful time of the year, for decor that is. One-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments are also hung in inconspicuous spaces along the store, whether it be from shelves or from the ceiling. Since Scheuermann makes sure to occupy every inch of available space in the store, a treasure is sure to await in every nook and cranny for those who look.

he HolidayS sure to see these seasonal spots to keep the holiday spirit alive.

HAPPY HOLIDAY TREE LOT Surrounded by nothing but smiles and the fragrant pine scent that air fresheners could only wish to achieve, the Happy Holiday Tree their Santa hat. Immediately greeted by friendly workers py Holiday Tree Lot. Dedicated to selling the highest-quality trees to Miami residents since want nothing more than to serve their community in a special time such as the holidays. “My favorite part of this industry would be seeing the excitement on kid’s faces when hart said. This business came about during what proved to be an extremely serendipitous moment in Steinhart’s life. While working as a teacher year-round, a student he was tutoring mentioned that he worked on a tree lot as a means to make money for law school. Intrigued by the idea of working on one himself, Steinhart joined his mentee on the job and re-

alized how much he enjoyed it. After saving up enough to start a lot of work and begin what they did not know at the time would become an annual tradition for South Floridian families. The two endured

sources its own trees to guarantee a vast, high-quality selection. Trees range from three

TINSEL TREES: Upon

brining a Happy Holiday Tree Lot tree home, most familes cover their trees in ornaments and tinsel.

Carolina Castro/highlights.

years as new business-owners, but persevered and now sell trees to hundreds of families daily at eight different locations. The company has remained humble and still

size increases. When coming to the Happy Holiday Tree Lot, one can leave with a tree and unforgettable memories. Other services include a set-up, in which employees help place trees on their stands, making it easier to travel with and put in place featuring even a tree removal service once the holidays are over.

CORAL GABLES TREE LIGHTING Renowned as a local favorite

Carolina Castro/highlights.

LUMINESCENT LIGHTS: The Coral Gables Tree Lighting gathers many residents to enjoy a multi-colored lightshow to commence the holiday festivities.

is one looked forward to year-round by residents. The tree lighting and holiday-themed park caters to all audiences. With attractions such as mini train rides, a visit from Santa, drinks, food, scenery and the iconic tree-lighting ceremony, it is understandable as to why many attend each year. “This event is a great tradition nukkah seasons for many people. It is an event where someone can spend a wonderful couple of hours and see the spectacle of lighting the

tree and Santa’s visit down Miracle Open on Dec. 3, the seasonal park embodies the holiday spirit, making it a wonderful place for smaller children who have awaited the season. With a Santa ready for gift requests, small rides, and an open space for running around, every child has something to enchant their minds. Older attendants have the opportunity to walk around the area, taking in the smell of fresh hot chocolate as one walks by the holiday food stands set up by local

vendors, enjoying the decorations ing in close proximity to the school, this event is ideal as an after-school hangout spot for students. The tree lighting ceremony is one watched by thousands — with dants. With heavier restrictions in dants who may enter for free, and private pod from which to watch. After hectic gift shopping and looking for the perfect tree, this sensational seasonal spot is the perfect place to unwind with loved ones. h

27 the scene

C A

A N D E D

A C T I

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WRITTEN BY JUAN FAJARDO, STAFF WRITER

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Critical Race Theory explains the inherent and systemic biases that exist throughout America’s institution

HE U.S. IS NOTORIOUS FOR creating institutions that are

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It’s very important for schools to address racial issues in our society because racism is an important topic these days... racism can happen in school and can make the students very uncomfortable. ELENE RODRIGUEZ, FRESHMAN

and preventing change.

inherent existence throughout American

From such divide, a great contradiction

students speak up

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Briell Robinson, Senior

I do not believe politicians should have a say in what goes on in the classroom. Instead, the students should be the ones to voice their opinions about it.

Sienna Fakiri, Sophomore

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I believe that the addition of CRT to our current curriculums would promote anti-racist attitudes that alter our educational environments for the better.

I only feel comfortable talking about race to an open minded, listening group of people.

Zachary Middleto, Sophomore

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THE MACHINE As social pressure for change rapidly increases regarding justice and race, the institutions being pressured immediately turn their backs on the nationand lock into a conspicuous mode of defense where methods of social control are employed to ease tensions and maintain a status quo. As any concession is an admission of prior error, it is unacceptable for the self-anointed imperfect nation, which refuses to take criticism. For instance, domestic resistance to the Vietnam War throughout the 1960s was initially ignored. However, as public outcry increased and social pressure was threatening the authority of America’s government, the institutions began tor swift overcorrection to reduce the spread of opposing opinions,

Following large anti-war demonstrations at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the judicial system put the infamous Chicago Eight through a trial lasting over organizers of such demonstrations. Doing so allowed institutions to mitigate the peak of the heavy sentences were eventually appealed, this trial put the strategies of self-preservation employed by the U.S. into the public eye. “I think it is unreasonable for education on racism to be banned,” sophomore Noah Gonzalez said. “Racism is currently and has in the US. I disagree with the laws being proposed.” When applying this concept to current

situations, a similar trend is followed. As social pressure built up against the American law enforcement and judicial systems throughout the summer of 2020, institutions and their heads were under threat of legitimate social change, stemming from the classroom up. proposed bans on teaching about racism within key institutions. This allows a perfect amount of criticism to show fairness and when such a limit is met, this impedes the movement from continuing. Regardless of the outcome from bans on CRT, its concepts have been tarnished by the political machine and bureaucracy to the point where they can appropriately be dealt with by institutions. Enough social damage has already been done to the cause to no longer pose a threat.

UNDERSTANDING CRT A curious aspect of this phenomenon is how obscure academic concepts are propelled into the mainstream, done so with the aim of discrediting a new call for action by presenting them as radical new ideas looking to indoctrinate the nation. This remains constant when looking at the rise in attention towards CRT, which up until the summer of 2020 had little relevance as a term aside from the academic setting. Meaning that the principles of CRT may have been dispersed throughout areas schools simply through conversation and analysis of the country, but not in a way

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“The problem is not bad people,” Mari Matsuda, a law professor at the University of Hawaii, who was an early developer of CRT, said in an interview with the New York Times in 2021. “The problem is a system that reproduces bad outcomes. It is both humane and inclusive to say, ‘We have done things that out.” used to show the necessity of teaching about race as polarizing reactions to it suggest that there is still much progress needed to be made to dismantling racial barriers, or at least acknowledge that such barriers even exist. “Critical race theory and the essential scholarship it has advanced may challenge

many long-held views, but that is what makes this work so urgent and necessary,” Columbia President Lee C. Bollinger said in an interview with Columbia news in 2021. Among the tenets of CRT, is the idea that color blindness in society both by individuals and in the law actually does not support racial equality. Further explaining s how a law does not need to explicitly mandate discrimination to discriminate. Such a contention parts ways from both liberalism and conservatism and opens the spectrum of ideology to gain a complete understanding of race relations in America. This furthers the idea of an independent scholarship for change and brings discussion to such issues.

BLINDING PATRIOTISM Along with its intersections with these

by the numbers of students know what CRT is

79%

61% 34%

of students believe that teaching CRT make white students uncomfortable

of students agree of students believe teaching CRT with the integration of CRT in American would indoctrinate/ force beliefs upon education students

25%

highlights surveyed 350 students in December 2021 regarding Critical Race Theory

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