Issue 5, Vol. 61

highlights April 2021

IN THIS ISSUE UNDER THE SEA Page 6

CAVALIER VARSITY FRESHMEN Page 18

A CULTURE OF SILENCE Issue 5, Volume 61 | Coral Gables SHS | 450 Bird Road, Coral Gables, FL 33146

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highlights editorial board

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

Alexandra Torres Hanna Ebrahimi Aya Hamza Melissa Gonzalez Natalia Pallas Grace Rodriguez Marta Rodriguez Nataly Rabelo Alma Martinez Sharon Florez Sara Ebrahimi Arianna Peña Isabella Villarroel Isabella Morales & Gregoire Winston

staff writers Penelope Acevedo Camila Aitken Alexander Brazda Daniela Calderon Cristel Cantarero María José Cestero Natalie Falls Alia Gamez Emilys Gil Fernando Largaespada

DeeAnne Montero Alexa Orozco Dani Parra del Riego Addys Plata Olivia Rebull Alexandra Roa Marcela Rondon Rafael Sans Maya Shah Austin Yagoda

contributors

Eric Molina Rochelle Lopez Alexis Carrasquillo Isabella Castellanos David Espinosa Enrique Socarraz

Alana Fernandez Keller Evans Nalaya Prieto Andrea Mesa Emma Hardie Patton Balzabre

Nora Gonzalez iPaddle Miami Savannah Tiffany Daniel Fernandez Paulina Texier

publication policy

highlights is the official student-produced news magazine at Coral Gables Senior High School published and produced by highlights staff members. highlights has been established as a designated public forum for student journalists to educate and inform their readers on issues of concern to their audience and dissemination of news and ideas to the entire school community. As the producer of a scholastic publication, highlights subscribes to the responsibilities set forth by the National Scholastic Press Association Code of Ethics for scholastic journalists and advisers. According to Miami-Dade County Public School Policy, student media is not subject to priorreview by administration or district personnel and as such, all content is determined by and reflects the views of the student staff members only. highlights welcomes reader feedback. All letters should be addressed to highlightscghs@gmail.com with the subject line “Letter to the Editor.” highlights reserves the right to publish any letter sent.

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In this issue

pg.7

Courtesy of Isabella Castellanos

features 5 6

Gables’ teacher friendships Isabella Castellanos takes the stage

news 9 Dogs now used to detect COVID-19 10 President Biden’s 100-day plan

opinion 15 16

Is the modeling industry diverse enough?

Disney’s harmful stereotypes

sports 18 22

Cavalier watersport athletes Should athletes be a priority for vaccination?

the scene 23 26

Birds on Bird Road: Simbad’s Bird Shop A day outdoors with highlights

insight 28

Over-sexualization norms in society

intro to spring

Camila Aitken / highlights

FULL SEND: The Lady Cavaliers Waterpolo goalie signals to her teammates to swim back in a game against Miami High.

Natalia Pallas / highlights

DRIBBLING DEFENSE: Midfielder Mariana Gutierrez looks for someone to pass the ball to in a game against South Dade.

Camila Aitken / highlights

FRONT RUNNER: Freshman Valeria Castillo races to the finish line line in the 800 meter race in the track meet on March 8.

Marta Rodriguez / highlights

DUNK IT: Power forward Kuran Bryant dunks the ball in a game against the Palmetto Tigers. The Cavaliers won 82 to 72.

Faculty friendships

Much like students, teachers have created lasting friendships in their time working together, with many memories to share, both on and off campus

BY CRISTEL CANTARERO AND ALEXA OROZCO, STAFF WRITERS

Elizabet Elizabeth h Kie Ki e l y and Eri Er i c Molina Mo lina

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Courtesy of

Eric Molina

ROM LEADING ENGAGED lectures and conducting hands-on experiments to traveling and prioritizing fitness, International Baccalaureate (IB) science teachers Eric Molina and Elizabeth Kiely are no strangers to a fun-loving friendship, both inside and outside the classroom. What originally started as a teacher-student friendship has evolved into over 20 years of adventures that has allowed them to create countless memories.

Molina has been teaching at the school for 12 years, but before he began teaching biology, he was the school’s athletic trainer. Within the endless treatment of athletic injuries, one of his most memorable mentees was Kiely, who he met when she spent time in the training room with her softball teammates.

“When she was here in school, as a student, she was shy, very quiet

from UAD: Apart SCIENCE SQ izabeth Kiely and

h, El sharing a laug as they are the stage sh a in ol M ic Er roup 4 project. present the G

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and I would have a hard time identifying her voice,” Molina said, “I’ve now had the chance to see her grow into her fun and loving, free spirit type of personality.”

At the time, Kiely was also a student in Molina’s strength and conditioning class, where they developed a mutual athlete-trainer relationship that strengthened over the years as he assisted Kiely and ensured that she was strong both mentally and physically, on and off the field.

“He was the athletic trainer and I was a softball player. He had to help me whenever I had an injury, so he would help my injury and bandage me up, and that’s how I met him,” Kiely said. “My first impression was that he was very gentle and very nice, though at times frightening. He wanted his athletic room to be in order and everyone under control.”

Up until she went off to college in Germany, Molina and Kiely had shared a tight-knit bond.

After returning from her study abroad, their friendship almost immediately began right where they left off with Kiely’s return to the school as a chemistry teacher.

Although they embrace different interests individually, these two friends hold similar beliefs on two things: teaching wholeheartedly and fitness. Both teachers prioritize student learning, making sure that not only is information retained but that their class is a positive learning environment. Outside of the classroom, Molina and Kiely are both very fond of healthy lifestyles and exercising.

Despite no longer being her athletic trainer, Molina continues mentoring Kiely, giving her advice on the best workout routine.

“We both like to exercise. She does yoga, I do strength and conditioning. Yoga is for wimps but we do talk about strength training and how it could benefit yoga and other activities.”

Reminiscing on fond travels, Molina’s favorite memory of their times together

throughout the years would have to be when they took a trip to St. Petersburg for an IB conference, along with two other teachers at the school: Tanya Phillips and Oscar De Armas.

When they were not learning information about IB, Molina and Kiely spent the whole weekend cracking jokes with one another.

Though Molina recalls memories from a planned experience, Kiely’s most memorable moment came in the form of an unexpected gesture. After having dropped part of her lunch, Molina let Kiely have his chips. To Kiely, this was considered a privilege after constantly asking him to share his beloved chips and being told to bring her own.

In the work environment, the science teachers are very grateful to have one another.

Amid the pressures of the IB program, Kiely appreciates the open-door environment Molina has created for any teacher that may have questions. Normally back at school, the two would greet and speak to each other every period of the day. This year has caused that to slightly change as Kiely is teaching from home, resorting to texting and phone calls in order to stay in touch.

“He is helpful in helping [teachers] determine what is the best way to assess our class even though it is not biology,” Kiely said.

“He goes out of his way even though it may not be his comfort zone.”

Comparing their relationship to that of Marvel’s Thanos and Gamora, their friendship remains most important despite their opposite ways of thinking. Kiely considers Molina to be a giving person, helping her and other colleagues in any way he can. Similarly, Molina admires the dedication Kiely puts into everything she does. He considers her ability to calm him down and give him an analytical perspective in situations to be one of his favorite attribute.

“I think that working with her is an honor, it’s good to work with somebody that’s smart and pushes me to be better,” Molina said.

Rochelle Lopez and Sergio Perez-Borroto Zoom, so they try to help each other as much as possible.

Another quality Borroto-Perez is not fond of is Lopez’s intensity for little tasks.

She likes making sure that her work is done to perfection, so she does all of her tasks with high levels of precision. Despite such, even in small instances like when they experience the same thought at the same time, the teachers feel that these are the moments that bring them closer together.

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SHE HAS GREAT HUMOR AND THAT’S IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF OUR JOB IS VERY STRESSFUL AND WE HAVE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND PART OF HAVING GOOD HUMOR IS HAVING GOOD SPIRITS AND BEING POSITIVE AND SHE IS VERY POSITIVE SERGIO PEREZBORROTO, SCIENCE TEACHER

chelle Lopez

Their friendship has developed into a meaningful bond that has traveled outside of campus. During summer break, one of the teachers’ favorite activities to do together is travel. They are both adventurous, therefore in planning their trips, they make sure they include high-energy activities like sailing and skating.

Their most memorable moment is a time they both encountered a snake while on a hike in Chimney Rock, North Carolina. Lopez was with her baby and Perez-Borroto when they came across a venomous snake which scared Lopez into hiking back. Besides summer break, they keep close relations over the weekends and talk as much as they

are able to during school hours.

“Both of them get along well and are best friends.

They make great partners as teachers,” senior Steven Gonzalez said.

Lopez and Perez-Borroto share a bond where they now care for each other almost like siblings do. They are always there for each other through both the positive and negative experiences. A memory they will both cherish forever is when Perez-Borroto was Lopez’s first visitor in the hospital after she gave birth.

During this time, Perez-Borroto’s presence and the comfort items he brought her, like soup, helped her feel better during her time in the hospital. Following her return to work after having her baby, Perez-Borroto made sure to visit her after-school and on the weekends for the first 10 months.

Perez-Borroto and Lopez have developed a decade-long friendship like no other. Their close-knit bond has allowed them many years of laughter, comfort and companionship. h

Courtesy of Ro

After a decade of shared lunches, laughter and new adventures, science teachers Rochelle Lopez and Sergio Perez-Borroto consider each other the best of friends. Their friendship blossomed about twelve years ago when Lopez and Perez-Borroto were co-teachers in the school’s science hall.

Having met in a work environment, contributed greatly to their first impression of one another.

At first glance, Perez-Borroto took note of Lopez’s professionalism, confidence and the way she helped her students using kindness and humor to lift the mood. In a similar fashion, Lopez’s first impression of Perez-Borroto was how handsome and respectful he was. As they got to know each other, his favorite qualities in her became her resilience, critical thinking and listening skills. She now admires his passion for teaching and the way he cares for others.

To Lopez and Perez-Borroto, having a close friend on the staff is important because they are able to help each other out, see a familiar face during meetings and overall makes for a comforting environment at work. When schools shut down due to COVID-19, Lopez found that the hardest part of quarantining was not being able to see Perez-Borroto every day.

“There was a while where he was teaching from home and I was teaching [physically] and that was for me very hard because I enjoy his company and it makes the work environment more pleasurable for everyone,” Lopez said.

Being friends for so long has caused them to develop similar qualities. Their matched sense of humor and positivity are qualities that fill their friendship with laughter and good energy. Perez-Borroto describes Lopez as having witty humor not only with him but with everyone else around her which helps them get through stressful days.

“She has great humor and that’s important because our job is very stressful and we have a lot of responsibility and part of having good humor is having good spirits and being positive and she is very positive,” Perez-Borroto said.

Both teachers believe they lack organizational skills, which is their least favorite quality in each other, but Lopez and Perez-Borroto work to help each other improve their sense of order. She is on top of important tasks he has to complete and watches over him. They have different levels of expertise with platforms like Microsoft TEAMS and

DYNAMIC DU O: Spending much of their time co -teaching, Ro chelle Lopez and S ergio Perez-B orroto take a break to have lunch tog ether.

features 5

Gables’ hidden treasure

highlights dives deep into one of Gables’ hidden treasures to uncover an underwater ecosystem of fish and coral

BY GRACE RODRIGUEZ, SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

6 features Nataly Rabelo/ highlights

The Coral Lab is currently home to seven fish, a starfish, sea worms, mangroves and coral.

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I THINK THAT THE CORAL LAB AS A WHOLE JUST MAKES GABLES MORE UNIQUE. IT ADDS TO THAT CAVALIER SPIRIT THAT WE HAVE IN THE SENSE THAT IT’S SOMETHING NO OTHER SCHOOL HAS; IT’S SPECIAL TO US. CHLOE GRANT, SENIOR “It started six years ago with a student named Hanna Payne. We worked on a grant together and started with two 55-gallon tanks upstairs in the lab room,” Molina said. “Two years later, a guy named Colin Ford from Coral Morphologic had donated the current 300-gallon tank and many other things in the coral lab.”

The Coral Lab is funded privately

by Molina who sells Pop Tarts during the school day to make up for fundraisers and other ways of earning money.

“I take care of it a lot,” Molina said.

“Filling it up with water daily, feeding the fish and changing filters. The tank needs care every day.”

Given that the team of students is not big enough to be considered an official school club, they are able to make their own decisions and work in a more independent way than most clubs can because they are not tied down by general club rules.

“We’ve definitely changed in terms of our organization,” Grant said. “It’s been very difficult to run this from afar due to COVID-19 since it’s a very hands-on experience. Every week, we rotate through who goes to the lab and when.”

Advertising for the lab is done on their Instagram page, @GablesCoralLab, where the Coral Lab team announces events, recruitment and general information and updates regarding the lab. Most of the recruitment for the lab team is done through word of mouth during National Science Honor Society meetings and science classes.

“I think that the Coral Lab as a whole just makes Gables more unique. It adds to that Cavalier spirit that we have in the sense that it’s something that no other school has; it’s special to us,” Grant said.

“We’re not doing this just to pat up a resume or show a leadership position, we’re doing this because we love it and because we want is lex to.” h fA Ca rra sq uil lo

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NKNOWN TO MANY, THE school is home to a vast ecosystem of beautiful fish and plants. Visitors are greeted by purple lights illuminating the dark, serene room before looking over and seeing the ecosystem of fish extending from one wall to the other.

Known as the Coral Gables Coral Lab, a team of eight students, under biology teacher Eric Molina’s supervision, run a living environment of numerous coral and vibrant fish in the science building, room 2103. This Coral Lab was established in 2015 out of a supply closet and has been maintained by students ever since.

Molina and school security monitor Yaneth Gonzalez check on the Coral Lab daily, feeding the fish and making sure everything is running smoothly. However, it is up to the lab team to keep the tanks clean. This involves changing the filters, cleaning the interior and monitoring the mangroves.

Before the pandemic, the lab team would deep clean the tank twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, Gonzalez has been donating her time to cleaning the tank as the students are not allowed near the Coral Lab for safety reasons.

“I joined in my sophomore year and I absolutely love working there,” senior and coleader of the Coral Lab team Chloe Grant said.

“My favorite fish is the filefish, he’s a cute little guy.”

The fish in the Coral Lab come from fish stores and aquariums local to Miami, as well as local coral shows.

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STARRING: ISABELLA CASTELLANOS

Senior Isabella Castellanos takes on the role of director as she prepares a performance worthy of a spot at State competition

BY NATALIE FALLS, STAFF WRITER

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A P T I VAT E D BY THE immersive scripts, intricate costumes and flashing lights, senior Isabella Castellanos’ passion for theatre has led her to pursue roles, both on and off stage, channeling said passion towards acting, choreography and directing.

Bringing her interests into fruition, Castellanos led her castmates to victory for the second year in a row after playing the part of director and putting together Troupe 0476’s Large Group Performance, a category of collaborative competition meant to showcase theatre skills in a group setting.

Engaging with the world of theatre through her courses and extracurricular activities such as International Baccalaureate (IB) Theater and Gables Players, Castellanos’ love for drama grew.

However, it was not until her sophomore year when IB Theatre teacher Tracey B a r r o w Schoenblatt encouraged her to audition for Troupe

0476. After gaining the courage to take on the stage, Castellanos officially became a member of Troupe 0476 and has been involved in 10 performances since.

“I’ve been interested in theater since middle school but was too shy to actually perform,” Castellanos said. “I was a teacher aid for Mrs. Barrow my sophomore year and she encouraged me to audition for Troupe. I’ve been loving every second of it since I got in.”

Apart from bringing her characters to life amid center stage, Castellanos helps in bringing the production itself to life while working backstage beside her production team. Although performing and rehearsing as a team allows her to bond with her peers, her engagement within the production grants her opportunities to grow individually.

Ensuring that she is well-rehearsed gives Castellanos a sense of responsibility and organization that allows her to pursue greater roles within Troupe 0476. Her dedication to her role has given her the courage to take on greater tasks when prepping for performances.

“Directing Large Group was the first big responsibility I have ever had school-wise,” Castellanos said. “It taught me leadership, time management and teamwork skills that are going to last me a long time.”

Directing her Troupe’s Large Group performance for district competition granted Castellanos the opportunity to channel her passion for theater into the project. The skills that she had acquired through her previous experiences performing “Chicago” and “In The Heights” with Miami Children’s Theatrer allowed her to direct the show in an effective, organized manner, as she ensured that every member was well-prepared.

“This year I was in Large Group; we performed “38 Planes” (Reprise) [and] “Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere” from the musical “Come From Far Away,” Castellanos said.

As the director, Castellanos strived to motivate her castmates in the months leading up to their performance. She prioritized a sense of community by addressing issues as a team as they arose. The team’s hard work was what originally motivated Castellanos in directing a performance that would bring out the best in her peers. Thus, after months of diligent rehearsal, Troupe 0476’s Large Group performance advanced them to competition at the state level for the second time in a row.

“It felt incredible to see how much our hard work paid off, every single person there gave it their all. I got super emotional when the scores got announced and even cried a little,” Castellanos said.

Castellanos’ time as a director and her experiences at competition have incentivized her to showcase Troupe 0476’s full potential as they prepare for states. Her experiences performing have inspired her to want to pursue a career as a dancer in a touring show.

“Isa is an amazing actor, singer and dancer.

She has risen above any problems and pushed through to lead our Troupe’s Large Group Musical number to States. She is also a winner of our annual Playwriting Festival,” BarrowSchoenblatt said. “I know Isa will go far, for not only is she talented but she is kind, intelligent and open.”

Whether it be on stage or behind the curtain, Castellanos displays her love for theatre by pushing others and herself to put forth a truly awe-inspiring performance. h

SINGING STARLET: Isabella Castellanos acts in the musical production of “Chicago”.

HOME TALK

The highlights staff records what students are talking about during virtual and in-person classes.

“Every book you’ve ever read is just a remix of the dictionary.”

“For all the sunshine in Miami, it definitely is a shady place.”

“How do you know an animal is extinct? Did you look everywhere?”

“My brain is more out of shape than my body.”

“What do they call it when you graduate with honors? Kumbaya?

Kombucha?

“I tried pausing the Zoom meeting and quickly realized it wasn’t Netflix.”

features 7

NEWS

highlights

BRIEFS

BY GRACE RODRIGUEZ, SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER DESANTIS PROPOSES CLIMATE CHANGE FUND

JEFF BEZOS STEPS DOWN AS AMAZON CEO

FLORIDA VOLUNTEERS TO HOST 2021 OLYMPICS

TO ADDRESS THE IMPLICATIONS of climate change, Governor Ron DeSantis announced an investment of one billion dollars on Jan. 28, 2021, which will allow local governments to build new infrastructure to address the effects of increasing sea levels and frequent storms.

This investment, deemed “Resilient Florida,” will be made over the course of four years and may propose solutions such as building sea walls and preserving land.

“I think this money will be influential for our environment and tourism over the next few years,” sophomore Isabella Miguelez said. h

CEO OF AMAZON, JEFF BEZOS, will be stepping down from his position and reassigning it to Andy Jassy, the company’s top cloud executive, later this year. Bezos will continue working on Amazon projects as the company’s Executive Chair, but will use his time away from Amazon to focus on plans such as the Bezos Earth Fund and the Blue Origin Spaceship company. “[This] was the right move for Bezos because running a multi-billion dollar company can be exhausting,” freshman Laura Ridoux said. “I like how he’s investing his time in projects that benefit the Earth, like finding solutions to climate change.” h

TOKYO IS PLANNING TO HOST the Olympics this summer, after the games were rescheduled in 2020. Despite safety and rescheduling concerns due to COVID-19, the state of Florida has offered to host the Olympics in the event that Tokyo is unable to. On Monday, Jan. 25, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, sent a letter to Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee, asking that the committee consider hosting the games in Florida.

“It will bring a positive economic impact to the hotel and tourism industry,” Athletic Director Louis Romero said. h

FOLLOW US ONLINE NEW YEAR, NEW ME hightlights staff share their New Year’s resolutions.

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

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APRIL, AWARDS ASSEMBLY

GABLES GOING GREEN Gables goes eco-friendly for a Florida Green Designation.

Scan to visit our online content!

APRIL, GABLETTES “DANCING UNDER THE STARS” APRIL, SENIOR DRIVE-THRU

CONGRATS EL FRESCO ART SCENE El Fresco combines Miami’s culture with modern art.

BRING BACK MANLY MEN Harry Styles receives backlash after challenging gender norms.

8 news

UPCOMING DATES

Dozens of students at Coral Gables Senior High were nominated for the annual award ceremony.

Senior Imgard Bonheur was selected as a finalist for the Gates Scholarship, a highly selective scholarship for minority students hailing from low-income households.

MDCPS trains dogs to detect COVID-19 With the help of FIU, dogs have begun training in order to detect symptoms of COVID-19 on pedestrians and athletes

BY RAFAEL SANS, STAFF WRITER

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N RECENT MONTHS, FLORIDA International University (FIU) has revolutionized the means of identifying COVID-19. Under the International Forensic Research Institute at FIU, dogs have been trained to be able to detect the smell of COVID-19. These dogs are to be stationed at the American Airlines Arena, as fans begin to physically attend games again.

This method of COVID-19 detection is also to be used across the world in countries such as Finland, the United Kingdom and Chile. Officials are hopeful that training dogs to sniff for COVID-19 will become the standard process in effectively identifying people who are positive for the virus.

In order to train the dogs to identify the virus, researchers used the masks of those who tested positive at the Baptist Health Hospital.

Dogs are then rewarded through positive reinforcement, a technique in which the dog is given something that appeals to them, such as a tennis ball or food. The virus present on the masks were inactivated through the use of an Ultraviolet C (UVC) light during training sessions, so that trainers and other staff members would not be exposed to a viral pathogen.

The radiation from the

UVC light renders the virus to be inactive and noncontagious, yet it still retains its structural properties, such as the smell of the volatile organic compounds it produces, which dogs can identify. Many of these dogs are being trained to sniff for COVID-19 in classroom settings, similar to how dogs in the military and police force are trained

DID YOU KNOW?

During training, dogs are given a tennis ball or a treat when correctly completing a task, in a method called positive reinforcement.

Source: FIU News

to sniff for bombs or illegal substances.

“Dogs need a drive for a toy or food, the dog will search for it and when they find it, they will let you know by sitting, a passive indicator, or scratching, an aggressive indicator,” David Sanchez, Retired Assistant Police Chief from City of Miami Police Department said. “There is potential in the use COVID-sniffing dogs to grow. There are already a variety of dogs that can find different things like narcotics, bodies, explosives; their ability to smell is amazing.”

Some of the dogs in Florida are going to be placed at the American Airlines Arena to sniff athletes, staff and spectators for COVID-19. So

far, four dogs have been trained and stationed at the arena, with an additional 100 dogs in training to sniff for the virus at the K9 Protection Group, from where the dogs were provided.

The efficiency of COVID-19 sniffing dogs has proven the identification process to be more reliable than alternative means of testing. According to researchers in studying COVID-19 sniffing dogs in Helsinki Airport, Finland, dogs have identified 100% of all negatively tested individuals and 94% positively tested individuals. Considering these statistics, these dogs are accurately identifying COVID-19 in those who have tested positive for the virus at a highly effective level, contributing to what researchers predict to be the future of COVID-19 identification.

“I believe that COVID-sniffing dogs will help in identifying people who are asymptomatic or those in the early stages of the virus and have not shown symptoms yet,” sophomore Brianna Babani said. “The way dogs can immediately identify the virus will help lessen the spread and treat it at a faster rate.”

COVID-19 sniffing dogs have also made appearances in other parts of the world aside from the United States throughout public buildings with routinely large gatherings of people. As of now, the American Airlines Arena is the only establishment in which COVID-19 sniffing dogs are based, until further studies are conducted. Being a new reliable means of identifying COVID-19, researchers hope to expand the bound of COVID-19 sniffing dogs in the near future. h

student speaks up Co

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USING THIS NATURAL ABILITY DOGS HAVE AND USING IT FOR SOMETHING SO HELPFUL IS A GREAT IDEA.

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Alma Martinez/highlights

David Espinosa, senior

news 9

A roadmap to newly inaugurated President

President Joe Biden’s administration has put together a 100-day within the United States such as the recent pandemic, climate ch

BY MAYA SHAH, STAFF WRITER

BACKGROUND

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RESIDENT JOE BIDEN’S ADMINISTRATION BEGAN a 100-day plan that has been public since the campaign began. Biden formulated a series of initiatives to be implemented to help Americans during a time of adversity for the U.S., pressing matters from the regulation of COVID-19, conservation of the environment against climate change and repeated instances of systemic oppression are to be included.

COVID-19 The COVID-19 task force of 13 experienced doctors, scientists and health experts will be working alongside the administration. A $20 billion vaccine rollout plan has been implemented to help with distributing doses to priority populations, such as nursing homes. A mandate has also been passed stating that masks must be worn in all public transit and any plane entering the U.S. will require passengers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before departure.

STIMULUS President Biden’s proposed COVID-19 relief stimulus plan would send $1,400 to individuals making up to $75,000 a year and married citizens making up to $150,000. The plan also offers $130 billion dollars to help American public schools reopen their physical campuses while still prioritizing safety.

“The stimulus check will help many stay on their feet as well as afford to pay for necessities,” freshmen Alessandro Moran said.

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EACH OF THESE TOPICS ARE PREVALENT IN OUR COMMUNITY SO THIS PLAN IS A GREAT HELP.

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PERSONALLY, I THINK IT’S GREAT THAT BIDEN HAS A GAME PLAN FOR THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES.

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Alana Fernandez, junior

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t Joe Biden’s 100-day plan

plan with an ongoing agenda to address and fix looming issues hange and challenges in which racial or ethnic minorities face

CLIMATE On Feb. 19, President Biden officially rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, created in 2015 to lessen the impacts of climate change by means of setting goals for emission. The administration pledged to put an end to fossil fuel pollution from electricity by 2035. Gas and oil leasing on public land has also been halted to better assist in lessening the destruction caused by fossil fuel extraction. The National Climate Task force has also been founded.

RACIAL EQUALITY President Biden will sign an executive order that will aim to undo underlying systemic racism in government laws and programs. The fair-housing policy has been created to ensure that racial discrimination occurring due to any previous policies would cease in the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A pledge has also been made to increase the funding given to historically Black universities and minority-owned companies.

IMMIGRATION A bill will be brought before Congress to make the citizenship process easier for undocumented immigrants. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program has been made permanent, which would allow young immigrants to receive exemption from being deported. The travel ban which affected many Muslimmajority countries has been terminated. More supervision will be placed on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. h

by the numbers

$

$15

per hour will be the national minimum wage by 2025.

2 trillion $10,000 dollars have been pledged to be spent on modern infrastructures in communities with a majority of people of color.

of student debt will be written off per borrower in this upcoming plan.

Compiled by Maya Shah/highlights

news 11

STAFF-ED: Military mayhem

Congress continuously passing military bills brings into question whether current priorities are aligned with people’s needs

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INCE THE EARLY 20TH century, the U.S. has vowed to pursue a regime of global imperialism.

Today, the U.S. uses its superior military power to take on a role of international parent.

Yet, this ever-present influence presents various downsides.

After years of increasing military spending and wasting taxpayer dollars, it is time for the U.S. military budget to be cut. In return, redistribution to education, healthcare, the environment and other sectors is critical.

The Pentagon has made catastrophic decisions when dealing with taxpayer money over recent decades. Responsible for the budgeting of military funding, its investments and projects have not always gone as planned.

For instance, it is estimated that over 46 billion dollars have been lost on a failed nuclear militarization project in 2010, according to the U.S. Sector of Defense.

According to former U.S. Secretary of Defense Deputy Paul Wolfowitz, the Crusader Artillery gun, portrayed as the “crown jewel” of the military, never made it onto the battlefield. Costing over 11 billion dollars to engineer, this promising piece of military ingeniosty was extremely heavy, as stated by Wolfowitz, thus completely unfit for military use.

“While I do understand the military is important for our security as a nation, the money that is wasted after failed projects is really unnecessary, especially now when many desperately need the financial aid,” freshman Anthony Fotso said.

Rather than increasing the U.S. defense budgets, severely underfunded sectors, such as small businesses, education, and the environment should receive extra support.

Small businesses have been particularly hit hard during COVID-19 times. With 53% of small businesses not expecting to recover within the next 6 months, as per CNBC, business owners are in dire need of financial aid. According to personal finance website, Smart Asset, slashing the military budget by 100 million of dollars could enable over 100,000 businesses nationwide to gain back money lost in the past months.

12 opinion

“Medicare for All” is a highly realistic goal. Indeed, if the current 717 billion dollar annual Pentagon military budget were to be cut by 12 billion dollars, it would allow for the 20 million people with no medical coverage whatsoever to receive Medicare, as stated by Jacobin. In addition, Planned Parenthood, would benefit from any sum of Pentagon budget. In return, Americans would have beneficial access to Planned Parenthood services such as birth control, STD checks, cancer screenings and gynecological exams at no cost.

With the ever more threatening issue of climate change, scaling back on fossil fuel

DID YOU KNOW?

For the past 13 years, U.S. military spending has increased by 114% Source: Business Insider

emissions is not being prioritized. A 2014 study by the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) calculated how the U.S. can effectively slash emissions all the while keeping military strength intact. Cutting the budget by 200 million dollars and implementing it into fossil fuel-reduction would diminish American carbon emissions by 40%, according to PERI. Ultimately, not only would these changes move Americans one step closer to a safer future, but it would also add 2.7 million jobs to the economy, as per The Guardian. In the end, reducing the military budget comes at no particular cost and provides a safeguard for future generations.

In 2017, the Senate

passed a military bill large enough to cover tuition for a four-year college for 21 million students, a number surpassing the current

number of enrolled students in American universities.

Still, many senators still claim that there is not enough money to fully finance free college aspirations. Comparatively, investing the Pentagon budget into this cause would put it within the same rage as the money invested for both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as per The Intercept. Instead of financing American conflicts abroad, wiping out crippling college debt and allowing American students to pursue higher education should be a number one priority.

“The fact that free college can be paid for everybody is appalling, it is pretty shocking how the American government is focused on foreign defense when our own people are suffering as we speak,” freshman Keller Evans said.

COVID-19 has demonstrated the inherent flaws of the American health system.

Overwhelmed hospitals, flooding case counts and lack of funding for storing the COVID-19 vaccine are among the symptoms of a considerably neglected sector. A meager 2.5% of the total 3.5 trillion dollar U.S. budget is invested into public health, as reported by MarketWatch.

Tens of millions of Americans have filed for unemployment and a comprehensive COVID-19 relief bill is not sufficient to meet basic needs. Ten percent of the total Pentagon budget would not only help the American people push through these difficult circumstances and keep the military as strong as it currently is, according to Mercury News, but also help fund research to prevent future pandemics.

In a world where millions of Americans are struggling to combat eviction notices, starvation and unemployment, change is necessary. Government officials have a duty to serve and represent American interests. Instead of focusing on foreign affairs, domestic problems are waiting to be addressed. If politicians have a true desire to salvage American lives and help hlights hig / rez Flo ron Sha citizens endure these tough times, radically slashing a misguided defense program is the only alternative. Until then, the treacherous conditions many have had to endure within the past year will continue. h

The land of the discredited

Immigrants find themselves starting from square one due to the discreditation of their foreign education COMMENTARY BY MARÍA JOSÉ CESTERO, STAFF WRITER

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OVING TO the U.S. may seem like entering the land of opportunity and prosperity –– a place where talents and individuality are welcomed, encouraged and showcased.

However, for immigrants with foreign degrees, moving may be taking a few steps backwards.

Immigrants benefit the U.S. in many ways, yet they are denied credit for their education, placing strain on their personal and professional lives. From highly qualified to barely certified, immigrants unfairly struggle to hold influential positions in society due to the invalidation of their education.

As immigrants continue to enter the U.S., the positive outcomes of their relocation are seen in improvements to the nation’s economy.

According to the University of California at Davis, between 1990 and 2004, immigration was directly correlated with the rise of the American worker earnings by 0.7%. This number is expected to increase by 1.8% in the upcoming years.

Yet, when an immigrant worker arrives searching for better opportunuities, they are often rewarded with nothing, even though, according to research done by the National Bureau of Economic Research, immigrants often create more jobs than they take.

Immigrants are told their previous college education does not meet the the standards of American degrees, forcing them to take lowerpaying jobs that do not reflect their skills or qualifications.

The problem lies in the fact that there is no governmental office that can legitimize the reason for making the immigrant repeat parts of their education. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there is no single authority for the recognition of foreign degrees; instead, this responsibility is left to

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the employer or private entity, an evaluation the incoming citizen has to pay for.

It is unethical for the U.S. to be forcing immigrants to pay for the credential evaluations of their own hard work and expertise, especially when the process of moving to the U.S. is challenging enough.

Many immigrants can barely afford the risk of adapting to an entirely different environment and culture, much less pay extra to have their education authenticated.

“

I SPENT THE FIRST NINE YEARS OF MY LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT A FULL TIME JOB. AT THE TIME WHEN I NEEDED MONEY THE MOST, MY EDUCATION WAS STILL BEING EVALUATED. JAILER SANCHEZMADRIGAL, SPANISH TEACHER “I spent the first nine years of my life in the United States without a full-time job,” Spanish teacher and Cuban immigrant Jailer Sanchez-Madrigal said. “At a time where I needed money the most, my education was still being evaluated.”

In addition, this continuous discrediting of foreign degrees is contributing to the lack of representation of minorities among higher-paying jobs. Foreign-born workers are less likely than native-born workers to be employed in management and professional occupations, with

only an average of 15.5% in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 30% of immigrants hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, meaning the U.S. is leaving millions of qualified citizens with lower ranking jobs.

These numbers depict how thousands of immigrants come to the U.S. fully qualified to serve in professional environments, but are turned down due to their education not being American. This lack of representation will only continue if the U.S. does not acknowledge the value, talent and hard work of immigrants.

Some may argue that because the U.S. is opening their doors to immigrants, immigrants must conform to their policies. Even so, the line has to be drawn between policy and cruelly disqualifying thousands of people. The U.S. as a nation should be able to recognize when someone is qualified for a position, not based on the origin of their degrees, but through analysis of their syllabus and courses taken over the years.

“In Italy, I studied to be an architect and I dreamed of becoming successful in America,” sophomore Ella Allocco’s father, Carlo Allocco said. “Even though I know I am a qualified architect, I work in the restaurant business since my degree is not valid.”

Immigrants work hard in order to move to the U.S. and achieve their dreams, provide for their families and live happier, more fulfilled lives. Being obligated to restart their education due to their nationality would set them back on years of work and experience, not to mention the absurd hours they will have to work in minimum wage jobs on top of studying the material for classes they already passed.

The U.S. must evaluate how they handle foreign education in order to benefit not only the workers, but the entirety of the nation, as the country will only worsen if it keeps preventing talented individuals from joining the higher scale workforce due to their foreign degrees. h

opinion 13

A fairly rigged game

Amateur day traders using manipulation tactics to influence the stock market have revealed the unfair nature of the SEC COMMENTARY BY ALIA GAMEZ, STAFF WRITER

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O THE MOON. GameStop.

Hedge Funds.

These words have circulated social media for the past few weeks, the world turning on its axis as the masses discovered the truth behind the patterns of the stock market. As the general public uncovers ways to gain advantages in the capitalistic world and succeed while doing so, the entities behind these supposedly fair platforms show their malicious intentions by aiding and defending large investment companies at the cost of the average person.

The stock market has always been controlled by large investment companies funded by the most affluent part of society, whose money is manipulated by competing hedge fund companies, not that of the everyday hardworking majority of the United States. The years-long dichotomy has given these powerful groups an even unfair greater influence over the market that affects not only 401Ks but how the world views the American economy.

The most relevant case of hedge advantages happened in early February 2021, when a Reddit group named r/wallstreetbets made GameStop stock prices catapult in value, a counter to the long holding traders investing on the fall of the stock instead. The stock catapulted in value, forcing traders who had their bets placed on the price falling to end their contracts by buying back the stocks to prevent greater losses. The dent in the pockets of these companies are justified, as they revealed truly how deep the relationship between politics and economic power is.

This saga of changing stock prices was being led by a group of ‘ragtag investors,’ in

other words, not the typical favored wealthy investors, causing panic to those who invested in the stock market world. In a few short days, large companies hosting the investment funds of multimillionaires lobbied for day trading apps such as Robinhood to ban the smalltime investors from buying any more stock, the most recent and obvious showcase of the market manipulation necessary to make a profit in the system.

“I cringed for all of the Robinhood traders

Sharon Florez/ highlights

as most lost money during the three weeks of trading, the transactions that occurred for the GameStop Corp shares were manipulated in both directions some legally and others illegally,” economics teacher Antonio Paz said.

Hedge funds are investment strategies designed to protect investors’ money from

opposable thumbs

market uncertainty and generate profit. Hedge fund companies may bet one way and have opposite results, thus losing the money they borrowed from clients. Still, it is not always clients affected; in 2008, trading companies traded the mortgages of the American people en masse, seemingly gambling away the homes of families across the country.

A harmful pattern of forgiving funds is apparent; repeated exoneration to the biggest players in the stock market caused the housing crisis and families were soon in debt at the hands of investment companies. This selfish disregard for anyone other than their peers at the top of the capitalist pyramid will not stop until they are forced to serve time in prison.

In both situations, large amounts of money was lost at the hands of irresponsible investors.

Despite causing a global market crash and disrupting the lives of millions of people, the majority of these investment company CEOs and employees never faced jail time for their gambling.

Similarly, when the Reddit movement was at its peak and these giant companies’ funds were at their lowest, they received multi-million dollar bailouts from even larger companies. The individuals that held onto their Gamestop stock and refused to sell, lost a lot of money and would never receive this bailout.

Fundamentally, the stock market has only ever served as a widening gap between the minority rich and the middle to the lowincome majority in America. The rise of social platforms has allowed corporate bailouts be subject to public opinion. With enough efforts from the public, more regulations for hedge funds will be able to be implemented, setting a stage for equal investment opportunities across all tax brackets. h

Grimes and Elon Musk

Grammarly

Super Bowl

“Astrology girlfriend, stock market boyfriend.”

- Marcela Rondon, Staff Writer

“Writing is not that easy. But grammarly can help. This sentence is grammatically correct, but it’s wordy and hard to read.”

- Penelope Acevedo, Staff Writer

“Did Miami score a basket?”

- María José Cestero, Staff Writer

14 opinion

Diversify the modeling industry

The modeling industry stuck in time as it lacks the proper efforts towards the representation of the average person COMMENTARY BY MARTA RODRIGUEZ, CONTENT EDITOR

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movement over the summer, modeling agencies have set out to prove that they are diverse and no longer serve just one skin color. However, tokenism has been shown to play a major part in the industry.

Tokenism occurs when companies diversify to prevent criticism from the public and shows how some designers prioritize sales above all else. While diversifying is good, the intentions behind it are not genuine.

This is seen in model Chanel Iman’s experiences with racism, as discussed in an interview with the Sunday Times magazine, in which she explains a time in which a designer told her that “[they] already found one black girl, [they] don’t need [her] anymore.”

“There are two sides to it. People are doing it because the world expects it of them and because they need to generate sales,” Catalina Girald, founder of Naja, a sustainable underwear company for women, said in an interview with ABC News.

According to the agency Model Management, female models need to be between 5’8” to 5’11” and male models should be 5’11” to 6’2”. U.K. Models stated that casting agents will not look twice at a model that does not meet their strict height and body weight requirements.

The toxic treatment towards models however, does not get better once they begin working for the

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I T H lack of d i v e r s i t y, and small standard sizes representing the majority of clothing brands in runway shows, the modeling industry is known for having a hostile environment towards models without typical non-Eurocentric features. For decades, these standards have been recognized as the epitome of beauty and what girls everywhere should aspire to look like. While modeling agencies have been taking strides to diversify this industry by creating opportunity towards plus sizes, transgender and minority groups, they still have to promote more self-love and be accepting of all body types.

In an attempt to be more inclusive, a few agencies such as N Model Management and Chadwick Models have removed measurement requirements from their websites. Although this is a step in the right direction because they are attempting to be more representative, Cocaine Models, an established Los Angeles firm, states on their website that “fashion collections are cut to a standard size which is 178 cm and as a rule a confection size of 34 or 34, 36 (EU).” Therefore, those who applied without measurements will be asked by most brands to meet the standard size when modeling for them.

“Modeling agencies need to become more inclusive and represent the general public by letting more people model, not just those with a standard size,” senior Nadja Marrero said.

When brands and modeling agencies become more inclusive towards the general population, they receive a lot of publicity and praise for their “hard work.”

Performative activism, which can be defined as activism done to gain social praise rather than one’s true devotion to the cause and isdone by different brands, leads people to believe that the industry is changing for the better and people are being represented. In reality, their inclusivity is still lacking and they should not be praised for doing the bare minimum, which is including more representation of all people.

With the rise of Black Lives Matter

industry — strict diets are imposed, PhotoShop is often used for images of models and whitewashing becomes “normal’’ among minority groups when brands lighten their skin color and modify their hair styles.

Furthermore, magazine covers and pictures in general featuring people of color almost always depict a lightened version of the models’ actual skin color. For example, when movie star Gaboury Sidibe was featured in the front cover of Elle Magazine, fans were quick to call out the lightness in her skin as a result of the PhotoShop used by magazine editors.

In addition to white-washing people of color, companies are also known for retouching the bodies and faces of models to adhere to Eurocentric beauty standards.

Eurocentric refers to having european features, which are considered the most attractive standard for models. These features have ruled the fashion industry for so long, it is considered the expectation by designers.

Agencies retouch the faces and bodies of models to make them appear more European and adhere to the standards.

Oftentimes, models such as Iskra Lawrence and actress Ashley Benson, have turned to Instagram to warn their viewers about the high use of PhotoShop within the modeling industry.

The industry should be a place where girls everywhere can be represented and feel beautiful. However, somehow society has gotten lost and forced girls to look up to photoshopped images and unrealistic body types.

The Dove Global Beauty and Confidence Report from 2017 showed that social pressure and the media has resulted in falling female body confidence.

“I was told that I should not be modeling because I cannot see from my right eye and that it looks bad in pictures,” junior Allison Russo said.

Modeling agencies need to do a better job when recruiting models and realize that having Eurocentric body types as the standard size and representation of all portrays a detrimental message to people who are learning to love themselves and exclude an entire portion of the community from a business aspect. h

opinion 15

The hidden sequences of harmful stereotyp Stereotypes and oppressive media world, specifically in

character the media

tropes have most consum

COMMENTARY BY MARCELA RONDON, STAFF WRITER

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S CHILDREN Ravi’s sister, Zuri, was adopted from watch magical Uganda as a baby and her character reinforces films and racist sterotypes towards African-Americans. television shows about Because she was adopted as a baby and has brave princesses and lived with white Americans her whole life, curious creatures, they she was unexposed to Black culture as a are being conditioned child, yet her character is shown speaking at to accept the normalization of casual racism times in African American Vernacular English towards minorities and oppressed peoples. (AAVE). Zuri is also portrayed as the “sassy Media companies such as Disney have a Black girl” trope: she talks back to authority history of racism, anti-Semitism, character figures and is extremely sarcastic. On one tropes and plotlines that perpetuate negative episode of the show they are celebrating the stereotypes of minorities. day Zuri got adopted from Uganda and Jessie In lieu of movements to increase decorated their home as an African savannah. representation in the media, Disney’s most The series fails to properly portray her birth recent works have featured diverse casts in an country’s culture, implying that African attempt to clear the company of discrimination countries are countries ravaged with wild flora allegations. While this diversification of and fauna. characters is beneficial for increasing the Jessie’s spin off series, Bunk’d, is equally representation of minorities in the media as problematic, if not more. In this series Disney world, Disney portrays these characters in added more characters of different racial and a way that is just as harmful as diversity’s ethnic backgrounds to increase diversity: absence.

Tiffany of Asian descent and Jorge Shows such as Jessie, one of Latino descent. Tiffany is of Disney’s most diverse programs to date, presents its ethnic characters in ways that further broadcast offensive stereotypes toward their racial or ethnic groups.

Two of the children in the series were adopted from foreign countries: Ravi from India and Zuri from Uganda.

Ravi was adopted as a young boy, is dressed in traditional Indian clothing and speaks with a thick Indian accent, despite having been living lights in the United orez/ high Sharon Fl States for most of his life. Additionally, the portrayed as an intelligent and musically actor who plays Ravi speaks in an American gifted girl who cares about her academic accent and comes from Indian ancestry. reputation and her future. She has a strange Ravi was portrayed as the cookie-cutter dynamic with her mother, who expects Tiffany studious Indian with an unclear accent, thus to be the best student and cares more about her perpetuating the stereotype that all Indian- grades than her happiness. Tiffany, like Ravi, American children are smart and naturally re-enforces the “smart Asian” stereotype in excel academically. which Asians naturally excel in school and are

16 opinion

therefore at an unfair advantage in situations such as college acceptances. Her relationship with her mother also shows the “tiger mom” stereotype that portrays Asian mothers as overbearing and cold. Jorge’s character is made out to seem as the incompetent and messy Latino and many of his character tropes surround him having a stench and not being as smart as his counterpart, Tiffany.

Although more diverse, Bunk’d portrays a mechanism many production companies take in order to attempt to represent more characters of different ethnicities. Companies often do this to avoid criticism from their audience and boost their ratings, thus increasing their viewers and appealing to more people.

“This may be justified by moving the setting to somewhere more diverse or having a ‘diversity initiative’ that leads to the addition of new minority characters,” argues the database TV Tropes, an online database debunking popular television tropes.

“This allows the story to feature stories and viewpoints from underrepresented groups that they could not have done with a homogeneous majority cast.”

However, Disney’s television shows are not the only problematic productions they have created. In the seemingly wholesome movie “Dumbo”, a group of crows speak in exaggerated AAVE, despite being voiced by white actors. Not to mention the lead crow is named Jim Crow, a racist and segregationist code of law enacted in the late 19th century.

Peter Pan and the residents of Neverland refer to the indigenous people as “redskins,” an extremely racist slur used towards indigenous peoples. Peter Pan and his Lost Boys begin to partake in the local tribe’s rituals, donning themselves in native headdresses and partaking in their dances, mocking their customs.

The ritual shown in Peter Pan is also a generalization and stereotype of indigenous peoples’ varying customs and cultures. Disney confirms its lack of interest in its consumers by doing the bare minimum when it comes to sensitive and offensive topics such as racism.

otypes in children’s media

have been nsumed by

long ingrained in the children and adolescents

By still allowing these films that mock continuing to push these racist notions and minorities in their streaming service, they are disguise them as diversity is adding to the making their audience believe such words and problem rather than taking away from it. phrases are passive.

“I do not think putting warning labels is Disney also has a pattern of portraying an appropriate measure because if you know their Black animated characters as animals or the movie portrays racism it shouldn’t be “savages” in their films. In the beloved princess produced in the first place,” freshman Maria film “The Princess and the Frog,” Tiana starts Odio said. the movie out portrayed as a human, and a Disney, along with other children’s media couple minutes into the film she is made into companies, also has a record of antisemitism. a frog and remains like that for the majority of Jewish people have been disproportionately the movie. Additionally, Tiana is never shown targeted ever since the Medieval era, leading wearing her natural hair texture and is always to the creation of antisemitc urban legends, shown wearing treated hair. stereotypes and cartoons to marginalize Disney portrays its Black characters in a Jews. This constant fear mongering leads to mocking and invalidating way, as shown in the Jews being one of the most targeted religious film “Dumbo”. Yet, in the groups for hate crimes; wake of recent Black Lives 63% of religious based Matter protests, Disney hate crimes were targeted has failed to recognize towards Jews according to I DO NOT THINK how they portray their the FBI. PUTTING WARNING Black characters as One of Disney’s most LABELS IS AN savages, and continues to prevalent examples of perpetuate this stereotype antisemitism is the 2010 APPROPRIATE in their more recent films. film “Tangled”. In the MEASURE BECAUSE IF film, Rapunzel is taken Portraying Black people YOU KNOW THE MOVIE away from her family by and any racial minority for that matter in these Mother Gothel for her PORTRAYS RACISM, offensive tropes from this magical hair and is locked IT SHOULD NOT BE point forward would be an away in a tower until her PRODUCED IN THE inexcusable action.

18th birthday. The plot “As part of our of “Tangled” suggests FIRST PLACE. ongoing commitment to the historical antisemitic MARIA ODIO, diversity and inclusion, allegation blood libel, FRESHMAN we are in the process of which accuses Jews of reviewing our library and taking Christian babies adding advisories to content that includes from their parents to sacrifice them in their negative depictions or mistreatment of people rituals. Mother Gothel, the villain in the film, or cultures,” Disney said in a statement is also portrayed as a Jewish caricature: she addressing their racist films in October 2020. has curly, dark hair, pale skin and a long, “Rather than removing this content, we see an angular nose. Rapunzel, on the other hand, is opportunity to spark conversation and open blonde with small, Eurocentric features and dialogue on history that affects us all.” warm skin.

In a poor attempt to hold themselves Holding companies that dominate the accountable and recognize their past, Disney children’s media world accountable for their has begun to put warnings on some of their racist and problematic history is a step in the most controversial films for racist and right direction to prevent the normalization of offensive content on Disney +. casual racism and microaggressions. Children While Disney acknowledging its racist being a young and impressionable audience past is a progressive step forward, they are are the ones most vulnerable to accepting still incorporating racist archetypes into their these stereotypes as valid and normal. Pushing most recent films and shows. The majority of children’s media production companies to these archetypes are passed as casual racism evaluate the problems with their storylines and and microaggressions, which have been character tropes will create more tolerant and unfortunately normalized in society. However, educated generations to come. h

“

Sharon's Shenanigans Perry Pigeons COMMENTARY BY SHARON FLOREZ, OPINION EDITOR

All I ever wanted was a secret-agent, double-life-living pet like Perry the Platypus, but in pigeon form. Have you ever looked at a pigeon? I mean really taken a look — enough to see the gears turning in their robot brains that the government replaced for their real ones?

Regardless, I love pigeons with my whole heart, especially Miami’s breed.

Every pigeon I have met and spoken to has enraptured me with their sass and charm, using their gaze to manipulate me into selling them my soul. As my Opinion successor and adamant pigeon fanatic Maria Jose Cestero would say, pigeons are aware of their power as humanity’s most beautiful aviators and surveillors of the bourgeoisie.

They speak Spanish, love Cuban bread and love modeling for the pictures I take of them. They pose, strut and even flash me their pink pigeon toes for dramatic effect.

Think about it: all of these are premium features in a pet except this time they work for a secret organization against the villains of the city.

They already have the power to defecate massive, ultra-watery organic pigeon soup. Assuming that there already does not exist a union of working pigeons against the most vile litterers and gum spitters of the city, it would be our ultimate duty to truly appreciate their scheming skills and crafty nature by endowing them with this highly respected position in society.

This would be ideal if everyone was aware of their potential. Instead, pigeons are treated like criminals — a menace to society. There are signs in every other public area warning against feeding pigeons because they are “unsanitary” and “cause damages,” all foul lies to prevent them from reaching their full potential.

The disrespect must come to an end.

Discrimation against our feathered allies is one of our worst mistakes, one that our generation must unite to put an end to. Otherwise, Perry the Platypus will quickly become a forgotten icon and pigeons would continue being the unsung heroes of our planet. h

opinion 17

Frontier freshmen Varsity freshman athletes share their experiences with starting their athletic journeys at the school with COVID-19

BY ALEXANDER BRAZDA AND FERNANDO LARGAESPADA, STAFF WRITERS

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AKING CHARGE OF TEAMS dominated by upperclassmen, the freshmen have made their mark on the school’s athletics. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, athletes in the Class of 2024 are

getting involved from the start of high school and contributing to the athletic improvement of the school’s teams. Establishing their place, these athletes have challenged social barriers in the pandemic. Girls’ varsity volleyball

middle blocker Andrea Mase, boys’ varsity soccer goalkeeper Keller Evans and girls’ varsity basketball point guard Nalaya Prieto have demonstrated their ability to compete at a high-level as freshmen on varsity.

Keller evans Excelling as a freshman on the boys v a r s it y soccer team, go a l ke e p e r

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Keller Evans thrives on his discipline and endurance. Since he was six years old, he has trained and practiced consistently in hopes of joining the professional league. Making the varsity team as a freshman has made him put in the extra hard work to achieve his goal of becoming an all-around valued member of his team.

“I excel as a soccer player because I am able to communicate properly with my team and have a lot of confidence in myself,” Evans said.

Evans’ typical week during the school team’s season consisted of soccer practice eight times a week: five days with the school team and three days with his club, South Miami United Football Club (SMUFC). The first part of his practice is spent doing conditioning, such as sprints or laps around the field and the actual practice consists of strength training, ball movement and finishing p l a y s .

While this

may seem like a lot to juggle, Evans values consistency in his practice routine and strives to improve every time he plays.

As goalkeeper, he succeeds due to his quick reflexes and ability to think under pressure. The most important thing for Evans is to have good communication with his team and to always have confidence in himself because if he is not confident in his own abilities then no one else will be.

“It takes a special kind of athlete to play goalie. As a freshman, Keller is that special one,” soccer coach Michel Fotso said. “He is hardworking, dedicated and extremely devoted to his team. He thrives as a last line of defense. He is very mature beyond his age and exhibits great leadership skills.”

Evans’ toughest challenge as a freshman in varsity is the amount of play time he gets compared to upperclassmen. However, shorter time on the field has motivated Evans to train harder to perfect the minutes he has. When he watches the upperclassmen passionately play, he is driven to do the same. He knows that eventually he will be in their position, inspiring freshmen to be the best versions of themselves.

NALAYA PRIETO

Feeling most at home on a basketball court, freshman point guard Nalaya Prieto is thriving as a varsity member of the school’s girls basketball team.

Prieto initially started playing at the beginning of sixth-grade as a hobby but dedicated her time to improving her skills throughout middle school. Coming into high school, she found a sense of familiarity in the sport that she loved. By asking questions in hopes of learning more about the team, she earned a position as a starter in her first high school season. However, due to COVID-19, her efforts were restricted because she was only able to play in limited games.

Statistically, Prieto has scored 18 threepoint shots, 11 field goals, eight free throws and 12 steals. She averages 4.1 points per game, one rebound, around two steals per game and her free-throw rate is 57%.

Hoping to tackle barriers and develop consistency in her shots, ball handling and learn new moves to use in a game, Prieto attends the Boys & Girls Club at Mater Grove Academy, where she is the only girl on the boy’s basketball team. Additionally, Prieto now plays for the teen team at the Boys and

Girls Club, while also playing on the school’s varsity team.

With only one year of experience, she averaged seven points a game while playing for the club.

“Basketball is my passion and depth because when I dribble that ball I forget about the world and I only focus on playing the game, it has helped me get through so many things,” Prieto said.

The pandemic has heavily limited Prieto’s potential since it reduces the time of practice time because of COVID-19 guidelines, even when people play with their masks on and practice social distancing.

“The benefits of being a part of the varsity team is that it helps me see the game from everyone’s perspective and how each and every one of my teammates are comfortable,” Prieto said. “I like to learn new things, sometimes I push myself more than I should and I’m always willing to go the extra mile while playing ball.”

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spent practicing reflects the effort she puts in towards perfecting her skills.

Starting high school during COVID-19, Mase’s experience on the school’s team was tainted by social distancing and safety guidelines. Joining a new school, team and an unfamiliar environment impacted the way she was able to meet new people in her grade by restricting her communication with others. However, while strictly following safety precautions, the team gave her the chance to make strong connections with her teammates, which h a s allowed her to improve as a player and person. Being one of only three freshmen on the varsity team, Mase has had to adapt the most compared to her upperclassman counterparts.

“She is probably one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and I’m so happy to have played with her even if it was only for a year,” senior co-captain Madeline Cohen said.

While unsure about the future, by playing volleyball, she hopes to make special connections with her teammates, improve

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Spiking her way onto the school’s girls volleyball team, freshman middle blocker Andrea Mase has used her athletic skills to her advantage. Beginning her athletic journey as a volleyball player at the age of 14, Mase has dedicated her time to improving her skills in spiking, setting and blocking.

Inspired by her mother who played volleyball in high school, Mase has learned hard work and the importance of constant participation. Standing tall at five feet and seven inches, Mase’s superior hand-eye coordination allows her to outperform other players with a similar height advantage.

Her enthusiastic demeanor and competitive athleticism have proved to greatly benefit the varsity team. As middle blocker, she stands at the net to block the opposing team’s shots and spikes the ball when set to.

“I am very enthusiastic and I strive to be my best self at all times,” Mase said. “I always persevere when I make a mistake.”

Striving to prove herself worthy of her spot, Mase continuously practices volleyball and puts in all her effort every time she plays. Through private practices and club sports, Mase has learned technique and control to help her excel as both a team player and individual. Her frequent time

sports 19

WISHFUL WAKEBOARDER: Senior Patton Balzebre enjoys wakeboarding in a competition .

AQUATIC ATHLETES

Courtesy of Patton Balzebre

Sharing a passion for water sports, student athletes show their experiences with numerous aquatic sports

BY DEEANNE MONTERO, STAFF WRITER

I

N A CITY LIKE MIAMI WHERE THE weather is always warm and there is close access to bodies of water in every direction, everyday can feel like summer.

Having such environmental advantages makes

it easier for watersports such as water polo, wakeboarding, surfing and swimming to be some of the city’s most popular activities.

Students participating in sports either inschool with a club team or as a hobby take on

the challenges that come with being a water sport athlete. Hoping to share their journeys as aquatic athletes, junior Emma Hardie and seniors Nora Gonzalez and Patton Balzebre provide insight into their passions.

EMMA HARDIE Conquering the thrill of each stunt as the motor boat guides her body back to the surface of the unpredictable water, junior Emma Hardie has loved wakeboarding and slalom water skiing since she was 11 years old. Brought up by parents who have a passion for water sports, Hardie actively pursues new strategies to better herself as an athlete.

Receiving a boating license at the age of 14 and having close access to water have allowed Hardie to participate in these sports because she is able to step out onto the water at any time. Hardie enjoys the physical challenges that are required with these sports. She hopes to continue competing, participating in watersports after high school and is heavily dedicated into bettering her skills when it comes to controlling the board in order to perform tricks easier and becoming as good as her neighbor who was a professional wakeboarder in the past. These watersports are not only physical challenges for Hardie but a way to release her energy from the week.

“I think of wakeboarding as a mental break from school and it is definitely a great time to clear my head from the stress that school gives

20 sports

me,” Hardie said.

Despite her interest for both wakeboarding and slalom water skiing, Hardie admires that both activities tend to require different sets of skills which maximise her exposure to new obstacles. Wakeboarding is usually compared to skateboarding in terms of footwork and involves more tricks, whereas slalom water skiing requires for one foot to be directly behind the other therefore being more about balance, according to Hardie.

“The most challenging part is the faceplants and the times I have majorly injured my ankles and back,” Hardie said. “[However] I have learned to deal with the pain since it is a part of the sport.”

Although both of these watersports come with many dangers and risks, they have never stopped Hardie from loving the ocean. She typically practices twice a week with her friends who share the same goal of improving their skills in these watersports.

“I have always loved the ocean.,” Hardie said. “My favorite thing is the freedom and one-on-one feeling [you get] with nature while you are gliding over the water.”

Courtesy of Emma Hardie

NORA GONZALEZ With the smell of chlorine and the thrill of diving into the cold water just seconds after the buzzer is heard, senior Gonzalez’s work ethic has earned her a spot as team captain for both the swimming and girls water polo teams for two consecutive years. Currently being a part of both teams at school as well as clubs such as the Miami Riptides and the City of Miami Tarpons has allowed her to grasp the full taste of what both these watersports have in store.

Encouraged by her mother, Gonzalez learned how to swim from attending the Little Swimmers school at three years old. After discovering her love for the water, she became part of many swim clubs and joined her first water polo club as a freshman. Her speed has been at the level of upperclassman swimmers since her freshman year, which is an important quality to have given that swimming is primarily based upon an athlete’s proficiency,

aptitude and inclination to beat the opponents time record.

“I have seen players like Nora go from a girl who said [they] won’t play water polo because [they are] scared, to being the most dedicated player on the team,” head swimming and water polo coach Gerry Couzo said.

Gonzalez values the constant work these sports require because apart from the physical aspect of the sports, she continually develops her time management, leadership and collaborative skills, especially when she faces unexpected challenges.

“Like anything you do in life, it will take a lot of hours [and hardwork] to become the best version of yourself, but you will love the process of [constantly] learning and improving,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez has thrived off of the opportunities both teams have provided her through competitions like the Greater

Courtesy of Nora Gonzalez

Miami Athletic Conference and the Manga Tournament, which promote team bonding and motivation. The teams are always Gonzalez’s main priority. As captain, she pushes her teammates beyond their limits by using her experiences as lessons for new members of the team and ensuring her team looks professional with new swimsuits each season.

“A great team and great coaches make the experience 10 times better than an average team,” Gonzalez said. “My teammates have become more than my teammates, we have love for each other so I really cannot complain that my high school experience in these two teams has been amazing.”

In and out of the water, Gonzalez has learned the importance of the role of water sports in her physical and mental health.

Gonzalez hopes to take the athletic and personal skills she has learned and continue to pursue these sports in college.

PATTON BALZEBRE

Courtesy of Patton Balzebre

Feeling the wind power his board across the water, senior Patton Balzebre has held the title of Orange Bowl champion for two years in a row for his expertise in windsurfing.

Balzebre’s original fascination for sailing, which he started training for at the age of five, paved the path for him later taking on windsurfing which he has been pursuing for over four years.

As a part of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Balzebre has competed up to a national level alongside his teammates. In windsurfing, one has to pay attention to the wind each day because it determines whether the sail needs to be adjusted tighter with less pressure or more pressure. Races can become very competitive because the athletes receive points based on each rank over the course of 12 races, in which all their points get added up at the end to determine the winner.

“If you have a good position at the start, [then] you already won half the race,” Balzebre said. “The rest is just tactical and technical ways to move your way above the ranks.”

Adapting to new techniques to work his

way up in the sport, Balzebre has earned a spot in the 2019 Windsurfing World Championship, an annual international sailing competition.

Balzebre trained to be part of a diverse community of aquatic athletes from countries including Poland and Hong Kong.While taking in techniques from various countries, Balzebre was able to share American windsurfing skills to his newfound community.

However, the preparation for higher level competitions such as this have heavily challenged Balzebre as a student-athlete.

While he used to practice three times a week for four hours, his collegiate and academic deadlines have decreased his practice time to around five hours once a week.

Nonetheless, he is willing to conquer these challenges finding new ways to balance both academics and sports to make it through the final months of his senior year. Balzebre is training and planning on windsurfing in the 2024 Olympics after he graduates high school.

“The more time [you] spend on the water, the better you get,” Balzebre said. “No matter what, just go out on the water and feel everything.” h

sports 21

Protection over points

With COVID-19 still consuming the daily lives of civilians, athletics should not be prioritized over overall well-being COMMENTARY BY ISABELLA MORALES, CO-ONLINE EDITOR

A

S PEOPLE have begun receiving the COVID-19 vaccines, a “normal” life is beginning to look more promising. In order to continue on this path of prosperity, this nation must continue to prioritize those who are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the deadly virus. Yet, in recent news, some have argued that professional athletes should be among the individuals who are prioritized to receive vaccination, which is an inconsiderate action that would ultimately result in vaccine doses that could potentially benefit more vulnerable communities, being used for nonessential reasons.

The controversy began after Charles Barkely — a former player of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and double Hall of Famer — stated on NBA on TNT, a sports show that he co-hosts, that professional athletes deserve to be among the individuals who receive the first COVID-19 vaccinations.

Barkley’s reasoning behind this was that since athletes pay more taxes than the average citizen, that causes them to “deserve some preferential treatment.”

However, Barkley failed to acknowledge that playing a professional sport is nowhere near the severity of being at high risk of contracting serious sickness from COVID-19.

Athletics are not a necessity in daily lives, but staying safe from a fatal contagion is.

“There are a lot of people who need to be vaccinated before the general population,” freshman Hana Pertwee said. “As long as the more vulnerable part of the population is

DID YOU KNOW?

As of Mar. 1, 24.8 million individuals have successfully received vaccination Source: Our World in Data

not vaccinated, athletes should stay safe and follow the safety protocols.”

Although having influential people get the vaccine may be good for publicity and spreading awareness of the treatment, now is not the time to do so given that the U.S. is nowhere near having an abundance of the vaccine. As of Mar. 1, 24.8 million individuals have successfully received vaccination across the U.S. out of the 248 million that are needed to reach herd immunity, according to Our World in Data and Houston Methodist. Many individuals who want to get the COVID-19 vaccine right now are not able to do so either because of the lack of doses or the inability to have them delivered.

“I know people where there have been several occasions where they’ve attempted to make an appointment for their family members to get the vaccine but all the sports have been filled. It’s sad to think that some people don’t take this into consideration and think it’s a good idea to waste vaccines on

students speak up

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Valerie Pachecho, sophomore 22 sports

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I WOULD HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH CHARLES BARKLEY. PUTTING THE VACCINE [INTO] ATHLETES FIRST? THAT IS A HUGE NO.

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athletes when they can be used for those who really need them most,” sophomore Michelle Raudez said.

While Barkely’s argument that because athletes pay higher taxes they should be vaccinated first is a valid statement on a financial standpoint, everyday workers also contribute a large amount to the U.S. economy, which demeans the entire idea of prioritizing economics over logical reasoning.

Even if income and taxes were ever a defining factor in who receives the COVID-19 vaccine first, there are many more individuals in the U.S. that are dying because of the virus and neglecting such circumstances is completely irresponsible. Essential workers risk their lives everyday to serve this nation in their own designated way. If athletes would be vaccinated before them, it would greatly reflect where this country’s priorities are set.

“I don’t agree that athletes should be the first to get the vaccine,” girl’s varsity volleyball coach Monica De La Vega said. “They have a better chance of social distancing and taking precautions than everyday workers. No one else has that luxury or the privilege to maybe opt out a season because of COVID-19.

Everyday Americans should be getting the vaccine first.”

To maintain a sense of hope, it is best to continue improving the track the U.S. is currently set on by following the guidelines of the Center of Disease Control. For the wellbeing of society, it is vital to not turn into a nation that prioritizes athletics over the health of its citizens. h

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I THINK [ATHLETES] SHOULD [BE VACCINATED] SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO [ARE] RISKING THEIR LIVES TO BRING THE PEOPLE STUCK AT HOME AND SCARED OF THE VIRUS SPORTS ENTERTAINTMENT.

Christian James, senior

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Buying Birds on Bird

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Simbad’s Bird House combines a high ethical standard with its love for exotic parrots to spread love all over Miami

BY DANI PARRA DEL RIEGO, STAFF WRITER

U

PON ENTERING, CUSTOMERS are immediately greeted by a cacophony of excited parrots, chirps, whistles and the occasional opera song signifying the countless happy parrots within the walls of Simbad’s Bird House. As Miami’s premier exotic bird shop, Simbad’s high ethical standards distinguishes itself from competitors, allowing it to retain both its loyal customer base and attract those curious in learning about the animals.

Located on 7201 Bird Rd., the east-facing side of the building is adorned with a mural of a rainforest as colorful as the birds within. The store is open every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closing an hour earlier than normal due to COVID-19. On Sundays, their hours are cut short as they are open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Due to their above-average intelligence, birds require special care. During a trip to Bolivia, Alfredo Oña, the store’s late founder, became disillusioned with the status quo of the bird capturing industry. He noticed how unethical the pet bird industry was; trappers were only concerned with making a profit with little concern for the birds’ wellbeing. Oña and his partner recognized that the industry had ample space for improvement and spent months devising a new, more ethical plan that trained workers to respect the birds while also maintaining balance within the ecosystem.

“It took [Alfredo] several months in order to teach these trappers. He changed the whole industry,” current owner and Alfredo’s widow Helga Oña said.

Under the new plan, the workers gained the baby parrots’ trust and raised them in Bolivia before transporting them to the U.S., entering a quarantine process and rehoming them to knowledgeable owners. At Simbad’s their belief in the quality of treatment that birds deserve greatly influences the store’s

operations today.

Now relying almost exclusively on domesticated parrots to continue providing families with their feathered friends, Simbad’s involvement in the birds’ lives begins as soon as they hatch. Babies are left with their parents until they can open their eyes and regulate body temperature, after which they are placed under constant supervision by trained employees. For about 18 hours a day, the baby birds are hand fed every two to three hours, with the frequency decreasing as the babies grow older and learn to operate independently.

By introducing a diet of fresh vegetables, seeds and nuts, babies are slowly weaned off the nutrient-rich cereal. Hand feeding allows for the babies to trust humans, facilitating domestication as the birds grow older. “[Interacting with] the bird makes a big difference. You have to have the right [staff] that really have love for the animals. Our relationship that we develop with the birds is special, the relationship will never be a dull one,” Oña said.

Mature, fledged and vaccinated baby birds are then placed in the publicly viewable cages and displays that greet customers as soon as they enter the shop, an intentional choice made to expose birds to all different types of people. At Simbad’s, prospective owners are also allowed to interact with their future pets in a separate visitation area. Guarding this visitation area is Peekaboo, the store’s 14-year-old Hyacinth Macaw and unofficial mascot. He was surrendered to Oña and has since enjoyed his life around humans and other birds.

“No matter what I do, birds come first.

You gotta love what you do and I feel more relaxed every day I am here,” employee Tito Torres said.

Simbad’s further offers a variety of toys, cages and accessories at the back of the

store. The selection of items that are sold is intentional; instead of offering standard smooth perches that may cause birds to develop arthritis or toys that contain harmful colorings and toxins, the store carries a variety of budget-friendly items suited for bird health with costs ranging from $3 to $20 per toy.

Quality cages are selected for their shape, space and material, making a conscious effort to avoid cages that are made from heavy metals or coated with lead-filled paint that may chip.

Even after adoption, Simbad’s also offers two services for their birds: boarding and grooming. Grooming services such as nail, beak and wing trims are standard practice within the industry and are offered at no additional cost to the owner if done during the weekday. The prices for boarding, however, depend on the bird species and size. With the same care provided to birds in the shop, boarding birds are placed in a communal area separate from the shop with plenty of sunlight and fresh air. They are fed under the same schedule and quality of food provided to the other birds, including a fresh vegetable chop, nutritious seeds and nuts appropriate for the species. All birds purchased at Simbad’s are welcome to access these services, but outside birds can also be placed in boarding if proof of vaccination is provided.

“By inviting the customers back to do the free [grooming], we see our babies through the years and that fills our hearts with pride and joy,” Oña said.

Simbad’s Bird House has forged a new path and is redefining what it means to be a parront (parrot parent); from finches to macaws, their belief in the importance of treating every single bird with care and respect has allowed them to stand out as Miami’s premier bird store and withstand the test of time. h

BIRD FRIENDS: Owner Helga Oña poses with one of her favorite birds, a Hyacinnth Macaw named Peekaboo.

SUPER SUPPLIES: At Simbad’s Bird House there is a large variety of supplies to keep any pet bird happy.

Dani Parra del Riego / highlights

PUDGY PARROT: Among the large collection of birds for sale is a small blue and gray Parrotlet, a parrot species.

the scene 23

BRUNCHING Lik Restaurants like the Little Hen and Stiltsville Fish Bar offer a crea

BY DANIELA CALDERON AND OLIVIA REBULL, STAFF WRITERS

Little Hen

T

HE LITTLE HEN, ALSO KNOWN as ‘The Home Of the Rose Petal Pancakes’ brings English tea time to the streets of South Florida. Taking brunch to a whole other level at 3451 NE 1st Avenue Suite, The Little Hen adds an English twist by embracing a classic dress code featured during traditional British tea time. The Little Hen brings the best of breakfast and lunch with global ingredients and classic flavors.

When entering the Little Hen, guests are greeted by the multicolored floral decor and pink outdoor umbrellas. The eccentric decor was inspired by the traditional English color palette and patterns. Things such as bundles of flowers and egg-shaped salt and pepper shakers are at each table. Additionally, all dishes are served on China-like plates to resemble English tea time.

The Little Hen’s menu features classic English delicacies, including French toast, waffles and pancakes. While these dishes comprise an ordinary English breakfast, the Little Hen adds a phenomenal twist to some of their items. There are six variations to the classic buttermilk pancakes including their famous rose petal pancakes, displayed with a light pink color and served with a rose waterinfused maple syrup. All these starters range

Olivia Rebull / highlights

24 25 the thescene scene

from $12 to $15.

For those craving something on the savory side, the Little Hen offers their original eggs benedict with five variations: Canadian Bacon, Avocado, Braised Short Ribs, Smoked Salmon and Crab Cake, all ranging from $14 to $25.

Furthermore, there are many different types of omelets featured at the Little Hen including the carbonara and caviar omelet. The carbonara omelet is a frequently ordered dish, which combines the flavors of ham, roasted peppers, pepper jack cheese, Mexican cream and crispy bacon topped with black pepper. The menu also offers a distinctive list called the “Little Hen Favorites,” featuring items like Chicken and Waffles and Steak and Eggs.

Another part of this diverse menu is the “Sammies” section. This section of the menu displays the wide sandwich and burger selection at the Little Hen; these flavorful “Sammies” range from $16 to $17. The Little Hen also offers a portion of the menu to all those healthy food connoisseurs of Miami. The “Healthy Eating” part of the menu presents dishes such as the torched grapefruit which consists of a grapefruit topped with cane sugar torched to a crispy golden brown.

“The breakfast chilaquiles are my favorite which has tomatillo salsa, tortilla chips and a

GORGEOUS GARDEN: At the Little Hen roses, the flower of England, decorate the area adding to the elegant atmosphere.

fried egg on top,” employee Agustina Issorelli said.

One thing that makes the Little Hen stand out from the rest, aside from their amazing flavors, is their afternoon tea. Afternoon tea is an English tradition that originated in the 1800s. Wanting to hold on to those roots, the Little Hen embraced this tradition in hope that their guests may relax while savoring their attempt at High Tea. The cost of afternoon tea is $30. This includes a selection of mini sandwiches, scones, petit fours and French macarons. With these tasty delicacies comes a variety of teas. Some of the tea flavors offered at the Little Hen during this hour are earl grey, chamomile and jasmine tea.

“Mondays tend to be the busiest so it is important to reserve a table using our website,” Issorelli said.

Additionally, many come to the Little Hen and take pictures for social media capturing the beauty of the location. Guests can pose in front of the Little Hen’s flower arch or in the pastel-toned outdoor seating.

With COVID-19 still looming, this brunch spot offers outdoor seating so their guests can enjoy the English delights inside and out. At the Little Hen guests are surrounded by the elegant decor and warm ambience.

E BRIDGERTON ive new take on brunch with elegant and affordable meals

Stiltsville fish bar As the warm breeze swirled with the shimmering sunlight, nothing but the infinite blue skies and water contrasting with the wood stilt huts were in sight. On their first date, “Top Chef” participants Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth found it only appropriate to base their upcoming seafood restaurant and brunch hotspot Stiltsville Fish Bar, on the concept of the Stiltsville community, located in the middle of the water in Biscayne Bay, that once brought them a sense of euphoria.

For McInnis, growing up consisted of fishing boats, cooking and preparing fresh catches by the time he was 16. Likewise, growing up in Australia, Booth was introduced to the culinary experience from a young age in a place that merged all types of flavors together. A perfect fit, their goal was to replicate their adventures in both the food and the atmosphere of Stiltsville Fish Bar for their customers to experience Stiltsville Fish Bar, located in Sunset Harbor neighborhood, 1787 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach, is a unique place for weekend brunch with friends to enjoy the best Miami has to offer: seafood and views.

When one enters Stiltsville they are immediately greeted by two white bathtubs filled to the brim with ice and limes as well as freshly caught fish and lobsters. The

Daniela Calderon / highlights

simplistic nautical decoration adds a level of sophistication to the fish bar. Chandeliers decorated with shells illuminate the dining room. Wooden poles, similar to the ones seen at a dock serve as a separation between the restuarant and the bar.

Its brunch menu varies widely offering everything from surf to turf. The chilled and raw section has an $18 Crab Truffle Omelet, which is lump crab with eggs, black truffle cheese, melted leeks and tomatoes, to an $18 Tuna Poke. In the case one is not a fan of seafood, there are numerous options to consider, including the $16 Strawberries and Cream French Toast, with Nutella and almond granola. Additionally, each of the salad options are vegetarian friendly with the option to add on a protein of choice. They offer the options to sit outside, inside or at the bar, depending on preference.

“Aside from the cuisine, there are several components that make Stiltsville a hit. The proximity to the water, the relaxed ambiance, chill music and most importantly the staff. The energy can be infectious and the team makes the place awesome,” general manager Justin Maas said.

The Fish Bar has their local clientele to thank, as they were supportive throughout their difficult journey of tackling a pandemic.

FISHY FUN: At Stiltsville Fish Bar, nautical themed decor adds to the menu which offers many dishes like the Tuna Poke.

After being closed completely for several months, it opened back up in September and broke records in their number of customers day after day. With COVID-19’s setbacks, they have done what they can to persevere while following all guidelines and putting safety and health first, including enforcing mask usage, sanitation, and social distancing.

“My first impression entering Stiltsville Fish Bar was the cool photographs hanging on the wall, along with the way the restaurant is set up within a tropical theme, I felt like I was on vacation yet only a drive away from home and the food brought everything together eloquently,” junior Barbara Veiga de Roovere said.

With 10,200 followers on Instagram, @ Stiltsvillefishbar, one can see sneak peeks of the mouthwatering menu options and the refreshing environment at Stiltsville.

Evidently, having 4.5 stars on Yelp, customer service and food quality is a priority to the chefs and staff at Stiltsville. On special occasions such as birthdays, they offer the option to book a private event or make a reservation through their website. Their weekend brunch takes place Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stiltsville Fish Bar provides its clientele with delicious seafood at an affordable price. h

the thescene scene 25 25

highlights Presents:

A Day Outside

Spending a day outside in South Florida, highlights spotlights five simple steps in how to prepare for a perfect day

BY ALEXANDRA ROA, STAFF WRITER

I

N SOUTH FLORIDA, NOTHING is better than a warm sunny day with low humidity to spend time outside with friends. With the abundant health benefits and fun associated with spending time outdoors and soaking up the sun, highlights presents a guide to spend a perfect day outside.

Kicking the day off with a picnic at

Regatta Park in Coconut Grove, anyone can find tranquility and comfort while they are surrounded by the outdoors and the Coconut Grove Marina that is home to majestic sailboats and boats.

When finished with the picnic, one can make their way to iPaddle Miami, a kayaking attraction that takes guests on a relaxing cruise

through the blue waters of Biscayne Bay. On the guided paddle through the bay, patrons are able to observe the extensive wildlife that is home to the area in its natural habitat while watching the sun paint the sky as it sets.

In just five simple steps, one is on their way to having a full, action-packed day completely outdoors and COVID-19 safe.

land featuring gardens, a vast greenspace and walkways, all prospective picnic grounds offer an ample amount of space to spread out and indulge in the picnic foods. From the luscious greenery to the view of the marina, the sights to see and activities one can partake in like walking trails and painting scenery are limitless.

The second step entails inviting friends or family members. During the pandemic, it has been difficult for some to keep in touch with loved ones; however a picnic presents the ideal opportunity to safely catch up.

“During COVID it was hard to see my friends while also following the CDC guidelines. In order to keep the distance between us, one had the idea to do a picnic so that we could all see each other in an environment we felt safe,” freshman Avani Tembe said.

Step three is to pick desired foods and then make and pack them. Part of the beauty of picnics is how they are easy and can be customized to one’s preferences. By preparing meals from home or by going to the grocery store, one can enjoy quick and easy Hanna Ebrahimi / highlights meals.

PARK FOR A PICNIC: At Regatta Park With a Publix around there are multiple picnic tables surrounded almost every corner, by beautiful greenery. bringing a sub would ensure a versatile and

comforting meal. By either customizing them to one’s liking or ordering one of Publix’s signatures off their menu, these subs are made to order.

“I love the subs. I always have them for lunch because they are fresh, handmade and always guaranteed to taste delicious,” senior Sofia Rebull said.

Varying in price from $5.29 to $9.09, there are 15 options to choose from, coming in three different bread options — multi-grain, white and brown — and two different sizes — either a half sub or a full. With the same ingredients made to make the subs at Publix in almost every refrigerator, it is always a great option to make them at home too.

Freshly made in-store each morning, Publix also has premium sushi. There are California rolls, crunchy tuna rolls and salmon and cream cheese rolls. For vegetarians and vegans, there are refreshing vegetable rolls stuffed with crunchy cucumbers, carrots, avocado and ginger on the side. Packaged in a perfectly-sized container, the rolls are easy to grab and make a perfect addition to one’s picnic basket.

Additionally, potato chips and pretzels, typically found in anyone’s refrigerator or pantry, are easily shared among picnickers.

Freshly baked bread from the bakery of any grocery store is also delicious to munch on.

Not needed to be temperature regulated, they are very convenient snacks that can be tossed into a picnic basket.

However, if one wants to opt for a prepared meal they can visit one of the many restaurants in Coconut Grove. For example, Harry’s Pizzeria offers a variety of options at

Picnic at a Park On a serene day with the sun shining, picnicking presents an opportunity to safely and affordably enjoy time away from home while savoring the daylight. Made easy, the perfect picnic can be done in five steps.

The first step is to pick a location. In Miami, there are many public parks that offer a peaceful environment to soak up the sun including Regatta Park in Coconut Grove.

On this day outside, a stroll through Regatta Park will create a relaxed state of mind as they overlook the Coconut Grove Marina, hearing the peaceful ripples in the water from the wake of the remarkably large sailboats.

With seven acres of pristinely located

26 the scene

Nighttime Kayaking an affordable price. For example a Spicy Pepperoni pizza is $16. Other diners around the Grove include Le Pain Quotidien, Panther Coffee, Last Carrot, 2 Korean Girls and Sushi Maki.

Step five is the best way to conclude one’s day outside. After finishing the picnic, one can end their day on a kayaking adventure with iPaddle through the crystal clear waters of Biscayne Bay. Preparing for departure about two hours prior to sunset, the scenery and peaceful sensation given off from the experience ensure that it is one kayakers are to never forget.

Located at Pelican Harbor on 1275 NE 79th St., iPaddle is open everyday from 6 a.m to 7 p.m. Prices begin at $49 per customer, fluctuating depending on the amount of time one is out on the water. By going online to iPaddle Miami or calling the phone number provided on their website, (305) 472-3353, one can reserve a kayaking tour just in time to catch the sunset while relaxingly cruising through the therapeutic waters of Biscayne Bay. “Aside from all the wildlife, the aesthetic of the actual sun setting is something that people are really fascinated by,” owner Manuel Castillo said.

All tours conducted are done so with a guide to accompany customers through the bay with ease, sharing their

knowledge and expertise. While on the tour, one can expect to see dolphins, great blue herons, spotted eagle rays, sting rays, brown pelicans and more wildlife native to these South Florida waters.

“When you are kayaking, it is a different element than driving down the street and seeing the sunset. When you are on the water, floating, surrounded by nature, it creates a different experience that people really look forward to,” Castillo said.

On this adventure, one can be mesmerized by the glistening water as the sun begins to set. With Miami’s sunsets being well-known for their display of purple, pink and orange and its aquamarine waters known for their wide variety of marine life, the sights seen on this adventure are breathtaking.

Guests are encouraged to wear closed toe or water shoes along with clothes that will be comfortable. iPaddle Miami also asks guests to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and a small personal cooler for snacks and water. Their website also specifies that guests are expected to bring any trash back to the launch area “[Manuel] was an amazing tour guide and helped us to see so much beauty in nature and our surroundings while out on the water. I could not have been happier with our experience, it was perfect,” customer Gabrielle Balzano said. h

Make Your Own Lunchbox Cake

Ingredients and Materials: - 1 box of preferred box cake mix.

- 1 tub of preferred vanilla or buttercream frosting.

- Red, yellow, green, blue and black food coloring.

- A small round cake pan (6 1/2 inches or less).

- Multiple bowls for mixing.

- A clamshell takeout container (you can ask for an empty one the next time you order takeout).

- Parchment paper When all materials are gathered, scan the QR code and watch the video detailing how to make and decorate the cake!

Courtesey of iPaddle Miami

KAYAKING CRAZE: iPaddle Miami offers kayaking classes and tours around the picturesque Biscayne Bay.

the scene 27

ROOTS OF VICTIMIZATION

BY ALEXANDRA TORRES, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

h ig h li g hts

*Trigger warning: this article contains mention of sexual assault that may be triggering to some.

Isa

aV bell

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With recent movement shedding light on the sexual assault epidemic, highlights explores how rape culture still remains so engrained in the foundation of our society 28 insight

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N 2017, the Me Too movement took the world by storm. Names like Harvey Weinstein and Louis C.K. populated headlines for weeks as accusations of sexual assault and harassment against some of the entertainment industry’s most esteemed actors and directors skyrocketed. Despite the efforts and successes of movements such as Me Too that shed light on sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood, this movement, and many others, failed to address the culture that made it possible for men like Weinstein and C.K. to become successful in the first place and allowed this epidemic to remain out of the public eye for decades. This culture, also referred to as rape culture, is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in all areas of society.

However, rape culture is not unique to Hollywood elites; instead, its roots are deeply entrenched in the foundation of our society, affecting the lives of countless people daily.

According to the Rape and Incest National Network (RAINN), one in six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime, with the majority of them being under 30 years old. While this problem does affect men, nine out of every 10 victims of sexual assault are women, as reported by RAINN. “Trauma doesn’t necessarily come out right away, it might happen down the line,” CAP adviser and counselor Khushnuma Driver said. “Trauma looks different in children, sometimes they act out, they may be a little bit disengaged [in school].”

Despite the ubiquitous nature of sexual assault in society, 75% of sexual assaults go unreported to the police, according to RAINN. Additionally, those that are reported rarely result in a conviction, — out of every 1000 sexual assaults, 995 perpetrators will walk free — thus cultivating the idea that even if one goes

through t h e arduous process of reporting to the police, there is only a 0.5% chance that they will receive justice.

The wide-spread nature of rape culture inherently reveals that sexual assault is all too common. However, due to the the small percentage of victims who report sexual assault, it may not ever be known how common it actually is.

“The difficulty of accurately measuring rape and sexual assault is not just the result of rape culture, however. It also contributes to it,” Vox reporter Amanda Taub wrote in 2014. “The lack of complete, reliable data masks the degree to which rape and sexual assault are widespread.”

VICTIM BLAMING

The reason why rape culture is so prevalent and why so many sexual assaults go unreported is much more complicated than it appears. First, rape culture treats victims as a problem to be solved by improving the actions of potential victims rather than the actions of potential perpetrators. This pattern, known as victim blaming, can take many forms, but is generally seen when the victim is blamed for attracting the attention of the assailant through their actions or attire.

While sexual assault is most prevalent from the ages of 18 to 24, the problem may arise much earlier. From a young age, societal expectations teach girls to dress a certain way and act a

certain way, as seen in the implementation of dress codes in elementary and middle schools. While the purpose of dress codes are typically to maintain order, there is often a double standard between what boys and girls are allowed to wear.

According to the New York Times, in 2014, a middle school in Illinois banned girls from wearing yoga pants to school because they were “too distracting to boys.” However, this is not an isolated incident — across the nation, girls are told what they can and cannot wear in efforts to protect boys’ “education.” While ideas about appropriate clothing in school can be arbitrary, the enforcement of school dress codes is characterized by gendered notions about what is appropriate, targeting girls for their sexuality and propagating the culture that leads to institutionalized slut-shaming.

“I was dress coded for the first time in seventh grade. Our middle-aged male English teacher claimed he was uncomfortable being able to see up our skirts when he walked up the stairs behind us,” junior Abigail Felan said.

“At first I thought it was my fault and I should unhem the skirt I had been using for four years already. I felt like I was to blame for growing up. This idea that boys and men cannot control their actions is planted from an early age.”

Additionally, school girl uniforms are often sexualized and even made into costumes. Here there lies a double standard — while girls school uniforms are portrayed

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as sexy and costume-like, boys school uniforms are portrayed as ordinary, even nerdy.

A simple Google search highlights this disparity: when one searches “school girl,” stock images of fully-developed women carry titles such as “sexy young school girl” and “catholic girl sexy costume.” On the other hand, a search of “school boy” reveals photos of young boys in slacks, polos and glasses or books to appear studious. This intense sexualization and fetishization of girls’ school uniforms relays the message that even in a scholastic setting, girls are merely sexual objects.

In the college setting, as cases of sexual assault continue to make their ways into mainstream media, “rape prevention week” or “rape prevention presentations” have become almost standard. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s Violence Prevention Division, these typically teach students — for the most part female — to dress more conservatively, not leave drinks unattended and not walk alone at night.

While the success of programs like these in reducing the number of rapes on college campuses should not be diminished, they also inherently contribute to the dangerous practice of victim blaming. By placing the responsibility of prevention solely on potential victims, the role of the perpetrator is obscured.

Although this may seem harmless, any form of victim blaming, whether intentional or not, creates a culture in which victims fear speaking up and perpetrators walk free.

MALE STEREOTYPES While a large number of stereotypes are centered around women, men also fall victim to them. Although the portrayal of a man has slightly progressed, there is still an expectation for men to be the strong ones in a relationship.

According to the Good Men Project, men are usually handed the social responsibility of initiating sexual encounters, while women usually get the social responsibility of appearing attractive and open enough to convince a man to say something. In the long run, the combination of these two stereotypes creates a vicious cycle in which men feel pressured to make a move and women may fear declining these advances.

HARMFUL LANGUAGE

Although dress-coding and stereotypes form a large part of the origins of rape culture, it is the everyday language that allows for rape culture to quietly seep into every aspect of society.

Over time, the word “slut” has started being used all too casually to describe women, yet, and as per The Independent, there is no maleoriented version of the word. This shaming of women for their supposed promiscuity is known as slut-shaming and whether its intentions are malicious or not, any form of it further places the blame on women for how they look.

While the word “slut,” among other shameful

phrases, may seem trivial, it can be dangerous when used too commonly. According to the New York Times, in March of 2013, two teenagers were found guilty of raping an unconscious 16-year-old girl and spreading her photos throughout the school. While the act in itself was heinous, it shed light on how casually and quickly peers and staff alike called the victim names like “slut” and how many people shared the photos of the victim during the attack.

However, problematic language does not end at the word “slut.” As per Psychology Today, the phrase “boys will be boys” is commonly used to excuse the aggressive actions of young boys thus teaching children that certain behaviors are endemic to masculinity and exclusive to boys only. The use of this phrase sends the message that if boys take advantage of someone, they will be met with impunity.

Additionally, sexual jokes, while seemingly harmless, inherently diminish the severity of sexual assault and perpetuate rape culture.

Suggestive jokes and phrases such as “that’s what she said,” popularized by the hit sitcom show The Office, are often thinly veiled as pure humor. However, according to a study conducted by the National Communication Association, sexual jokes “reinscribe rape culture by normalizing discourses that dismiss and silence rape victims, justify violence against women, and even blame victims for having been assaulted.

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“WE HAVE TO FIX OURSELVES BECAUSE BOYS CANNOT CONTROL THEMSELVES… I BELIEVE IT’S BECAUSE WE LET THESE GUYS GET AWAY WITH THINGS. “BOYS WILL BE BOYS” IS JUST AN EXCUSE TO TRY AND VALIDATE [BOYS] LACK OF CONTROL.” -Savannah Tiffany, senior

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“TEACHING CONSENT FROM A YOUNG AGE IS CRITICAL IN CREATING A SOCIETY THAT RESPECTS AND VALUES INDIVIDUALS EQUALLY. THAT’S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HIP WHO TOUCH UPON SUBJECTS THAT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT BUT ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND. ” -Daniel Fernandez, senior

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“THERE ARE WAY MORE DRESS CODE RULES IN ELEMENTARY IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS FOR GIRLS THAN THERE ARE FOR GUYS. WHEN IT CAME TO DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS, THE DEAN [OF MY MIDDLE SCHOOL] WOULD ALWAYS REFERENCE THE GIRLS.” -Paulina Texier, junior

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PRESENT DAY AND SOLUTIONS

by the numbers highlights surveyed 300 students in March 2021 regarding sexualization norms in society.

With the popularization of social media, some sexually-confident women have begun opening up about their sexuality, whether it be by sharing stories of sexual experiences or posting sexually-confident content on platforms like TikTok. A more recent and extreme example of this is the app that launched in 2016, OnlyFans, a subscription-based account that lets content creators monetize their influence.

While the app was not created for the sole purpose of posting explicit content and not all content is explicit, some of it is of pornographic nature, according to Influencer Marketing Hub. This then raises the question of whether women openly embracing their sexuality gives others the right to sexualize them. Although sexuality and sexualization are often used interchangeably, their definitions are not synonymous. In a 2007 study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), the report emphasized that healthy sexuality “is an important aspect of our physical and mental health and involves the mutual respect of consenting partners and fosters intimacy, bonding and shared pleasure.” In the case of OnlyFans, there is clear consent on both sides — both the person publishing the content and the person purchasing it.

“I joined OnlyFans to express my creativity in a different way and truly connect with my subscribers,” influencer Lacey Claire said to reporter Chris Garin of Medium.

On the other hand, sexualization occurs when a person’s value is limited to their sexual appeal, they are sexually objectified, held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness or sexuality is inappropriately imposed on them, such as in the case of schoolaged children. Overall, while healthy sexuality is consensual on both ends, sexualization is imposed and unwanted. This sexualization can thus lead to physical and mental health problems such as depression and negative attitudes towards relationships, as reported by the APA. Given that the issue of rape culture is so deeply intertwined with the foundation of our society, dismantling it may seem Herculean or even impossible. However, the United Nations (UN) has outlined steps that everyone can take to slow, and eventually stop, the spread of rape culture.

One of the main points discussed is creating a culture of enthusiastic consent and clearly defining consent — rather than listening for a “no,” making sure there is an active “yes” involved. Additionally, clearly explaining consent from a young age and specifying that consent can be retracted and cannot be coerced can help foster a culture in which both partners feel comfortable drawing their own boundaries.

“I think [consent] is a gray space because there’s so many factors. I really think it does start at home education; parents should be aware to talk to their kids about [consent],” Driver said.

The UN’s 16 Sustainable Development Goals also discuss things like redefining masculinity and having a zero-tolerance that does not make exceptions for beloved Hollywood stars or even family members. However, arguably the simplest yet most important step is listening to survivors and joining the conversation surrounding rape culture. Making the effort to listen to the stories and perspectives of sexual assault survivors can help destigmatize talking about it, given that part of the difficulty of mitigating rape culture is the label of it as a “taboo” topic.

However, without having difficult conversations on masculinity, consent, sexualization, problematic language and more with family members, peers and teachers, no progress will be achieved. h

92.2%

of students believe that the sexualization of girls and women is normal in our society

80.2% of students feel that the meaning of consent is not clearly defined and understood in society

80.2%

of students feel that dress codes in schools contribute to the over sexualization of girls

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Center back Mia Calderon kicks the ball towards the top half of the field in a game against the South Dade Buccaneers on Wednesday, Feb. 17. The Lady Cavaliers won the game 1-0, advancing to the regional semifinals.

Natalia Pallas / highlights