Issue 6, Vol. 61

highlights May 2021

IN THIS ISSUE ONE LAST DANCE Page 20

MIAMI’S CULTURAL MARKETS Page 24

RESHAPING THE NEWS INDUSTRY

Issue 6, 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 Danny Cen Lea Bergeot Erike Del Valle

Fox-Mar Joshua Johnson Victoria Krulig

Hayden Hohman Marissa Gagliano Kai Palomino

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.20

Cristel Cantarero / highlights

features 4 5

Asian-American students speak up highlights’ summer recipes

news 9 Class of 2021 Cavaliers are off to college 11 The United States’ soaring gasoline prices

opinion 12 16

Modern colonialism or just an exaggeration?

The hatred of the Super Straight movement

sports 18 21

A year in review: COVID-19 edition Lady Cavaliers softball district finals

the scene 23 26

Let your creativity flow at Bellows Film Lab Miami’s most iconic restaurants

insight 28

The transformation of the news industry

LETTER EDITO EDITOR

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FROM THE

Never in a million years could we have imagined our last year in highlights to be like this, and yet if we had the chance to do it all again, we wouldn’t change a thing. For the sake of traditions, lets all give one clap to the best staff in the state.

To our senior staffers, both newbies and veterans, you all made this year a “Sunshine Standout” year.

Dani P, while we never got to instate the position of HallTalk editor, you will forever go down as our one and only “Editor-inChisme.” Make sure to use your attention to detail and unapologetic opinions when you take a job with the United Nations. Emilys, Natalie and Dani C — although you never got to experience an ice cream party or a holiday cookie exchange, your positive attitudes and enthusiasm during virtual birthday celebrations made us wish your first year wasn’t your last. Addys and Camila, we loved reading your in-depth features and scene stories. Your openmindedness and desire to learn about new cultures will serve you well in college and beyond.

To our senior editors, you are truly the best we could have asked for.

Nataly, you definitely lit the magazine on fire this year as Features editor (pun intended). Keep being kind and passionate about the work you do, the world needs more people like you. Alma, you managed to make news one of our most beautiful sections, even with black and white layout restrictions. We will miss your creativity and can’t wait to see what you accomplish at UM. Sharon, we’ll remember you (and your hilarious columns) when all of Chicago’s pigeons suddenly disappear. We hope you’ll remember us too. Sara, with your second year in the books as the Miami Heat’s tallest benchwarmer, you took Sports to new heights. Give highlights a shoutout when Miami finally wins their fourth championship title. Arianna, although you no longer have to beg staff writers to not suggest restaurants in their good idea sheets, we will miss your 80’s flare in the back of the magazine. Isa V, if a “Sunshine Standout” could be a person, it would be you. You designed six stunning covers and 12 equally outstanding spreads, all with a huge smile on your face. We will miss your eye for design and know we will see you on Project Runway in ten years. Aya, we appreciate you taking us along on your mid-day walks during class. Your commitment to AP style is unmatched and we are confident that you will be everyone’s boss one day.

To next year’s board, you managed to survive (and thrive) in one of the most challengings years, so we know you will only continue to excel.

Natalia, in the past three years you’ve proven that under your shy exterior lies an immense amount of talent and leadership ability. With your incredible kindness and selflessness, you’ll be sure to lead highlights to another Sunshine Standout. Marta, your dedication to highlights is one we rarely see. Thank you for always answering our calls, no matter how late, and letting us put glitter in your eyes for an amazing cover.

We know we’ll catch you receiving a Pulitzer Prize for your breathtaking photography in 20 years. Marcela, your attention to detail and constant smile made naming you Copy Editor an effortless task. DeeAnne, your contagious smile lit up highlights all year and will serve you well as

Features editor next year. Thank you for always laughing at our jokes, even when they really weren’t funny. Grace, never let that fiery personality go and bring the same enthusiasm you embrace for K-Pop to News next year. Maria José, in only one year you’ve managed to earn the titles of fellow pigeon fanatic, meme queen and second best Boricua in highlights (only following behind Alexandra). We know your strong opinions and impeccable writing will serve you well throughout the rest of your time in highlights. Alexandra R., if anyone is the embodiment of literal sunshine, it is you. Keep shining as the next “Scene Queen.”

Olivia and Alex B., as some of the youngest editors on next year’s board, never forget how talented you both are. Isa M., you’ve proven yourself to be not only a master editor, writer and designer, but the best yoyoer in highlights history, qualities that make you the perfect person to continue the “Isa’s Insight” legacy. Never lose your unique (and a bit strange) sense of humor, but try to stay away from the pencils. Ralph, although virtual school could be a thing of the past next year, your Zoom backgrounds of Russian war videos will never be forgotten. Your charisma and impressions of politicians will undoubtedly take highlights’ recruitment skills to the next level. Greg, apart from winning the title of “best awkward warm and fuzzies” by a landslide, you were finally able to convince us to let you pioneer a science section, and we know you’ll do it graciously. Cristel and Alia, let your imaginations run wild (but not too wild) as Social Media Manager and Content Editor.

Gonzo, although we couldn’t steal your Boom Chicka Pop popcorn during lunch or laugh as we hear random stories from your past this year, our love and appreciation for everything you do for us truly reached new heights as you not only took on the role of being our highlights mom, but also the best mother to our one and only Baby-in-Chief. Your frequent kind gestures made us feel so appreciated and we love you more than we could ever express.

Hanna, when I compare my first year as Editor-in-Chief to this one, the biggest difference is you. While you are the most talented and intelligent person I’ve ever met, you are also the most humble and kind.

Despite only being a few months younger, I look up to you immensely (Duggar obsession and all), and I wouldn’t want to be publishing my 24th issue with anyone else. I know you’ll be saving my life one day as a world class surgeon, but hopefully you’ll finally learn how to properly pop a bag of popcorn.

Love, Lexie Alexandra, (a.k.a. Lexie), WE DID IT! We’re Sunshine Standouts (WOOHOO) and I could not have asked for a better partner and friend to lead highlights with this year. Although I always jokingly say we are highlights twins because we think the same things before we say them, I truly consider you a sister and will always be your biggest supporter (even though you have a terribly flawed perspective on reality TV). You are kind and brilliant beyond your years, and I will miss you (and your cat pictures) so much.

Love always, Hanna

AlexandraTorres ALEXANDRA TORRES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

HannaEbrahimi HANNA EBRAHIMI MANAGING EDITOR

The Hate Virus

Asian-American students speak out about the racial injustice they have faced due to COVID-19

BY DEEANNE MONTERO, STAFF WRITER

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UMILIATION, VIOLENCE AND ostracization — these are some examples of the racial injustices faced by minorities such as Asian-Americans, who are currently confronting harsh discrimination from members of the public.

Although racism has been a global issue for decades, the COVID-19 outbreak has precipitated massive disputes between the general population and members of the Asian community during this period of time. As

of October 2020, this has led to the popular reform of the #StopAsianHate movement.

Due to the virus’ origin in Wuhan, China, many people have directed their frustrations toward Asian people and their cultures.

According to NBC News, this has resulted in approximately 3,800 violent attacks on AsianAmericans in just one year, leaving many in fear of their safety. Many Asian-Americans report feeling scared to go out in public due to safety concerns and the unexpected scenarios

that may lie ahead of them. A recent study conducted by San Francisco State University published by the New York Times stated there was a 50% increase in the amount of news articles related to anti-Asian discrimation and fear ever since the start of the pandemic.

As the #StopAsianHate movement becomes more recognized, juniors Danny Cen and Lea Bergeot share how they deal with racism, along with how the pandemic has increased racism towards them.

DANNy Cen attacked on the streets concerns me,” Cen said.

“As at any moment in time, I can meet the same fate.”

Apart from COVID-19 impacting racism in the outside world, it has also taken a big toll for Cen and other Asians on social media platforms. According to Cen, social media and instances of white-washing have severely impacted him in terms of becoming more accustomed to the norms of the United States.

Opening the doors to American culture has caused Cen to feel slightly deterred from his Asian culture. He feels that Westerners have always misunderstood Asian culture and now with the blaming of Asians, the culture is completely ridiculed. With any little action being exaggerated, Cen strictly enforces his plan of being more cautious about his surroundings and realizing the need for change as the problem continues to escalate.

“It is totally wrong to misunderstand any culture, as now the true intent or principle for which that culture was made, is just simply tarnished,” Cen said.

As of now, Cen hopes Co ur to become more considerate te s of people’s behaviors and actions, in hopes of being able to deal with them in a better sense. en

ny C Dan

4 features

While Cen has not encountered extreme racist scenarios compared to what is being displayed on television and the media, he nonetheless believes it is sickening how people are randomly assaulting Asians who are innocent and should not be subjected to violent treatment.

In light of these attacks, whenever Cen does receive a form of hate, he simply just takes it and brushes it off to prevent stirring up any problems. He feels that the general public needs to become more educated on the matter and that more Asians should be speaking out to spread awareness to end the violence.

“Recently viewing people being brutally

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Being half-Vietnamese and half-Chinese, junior Danny Cen has experienced instances of racism for as long as he could remember.

From getting nasty looks in the lunch-line or getting teased with random martial arts moves from students who have deemed all Asians masters of the craft, Cen shares that being Asian-American has affected his social life and the precautions he has had to take because of his race.

The racist remarks came as no surprise to Cen because coming into high school, his sister often warned him about the recurring racist comments she endured in the classroom so that he could educate himself.

Furthermore, Cen’s mother instilled certain safety protocols for him when going out such as keeping his distance from people and being wary of what he touches at the grocery store, to prevent any accusations.

Unfortunately, since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, these racist encounters have precipitated, alongside his fear of going out .

“I believe that growing up as an Asian-American has created hurdles for me to overcome such as being called certain slurs because I am a minority in school and anywhere else in Miami,” Cen said.

With the spark of the #StopAsianHate movement, Cen feels that the public pours all of their stress and problems towards the Asian community, but fail to realize how blaming Asians has only led to widespread discrimination.

LEa Bergeot

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The highlights staff records what students are talking about during virtual and online classes.

#StopAsianHate movement continues to grow, she agrees with the peaceful protests being conducted by Asian-Americans across the country. However, as she has noticed an increase in the daily attacks happening to Asians at supermarkets or at the end of the block who are just going about their normal lives, she fears the possibility of what she can endure any time soon. Bergeot’s biggest worry is how other people will prevent Asian hate if they cannot even defend themselves from the attacks. “[I feel] people will [always] see me differently because of my race rather than my personality,” Bergeot said. “[However], the color of [one’s] skin or culture should not be a reason to hate or be violent towards others.”

Although Bergeot comes from Chinese and Korean backgrounds, she believes living in a diverse environment such as Miami has lessened her encounters with racism from other people. However, just because she has gone through less difficulties compared to other Asians, she states that her blood boils as she imagines the hardships some Asian families are being put through.

Bergeot feels that the only solution is to embrace her culture and appreciate it more, regardless of what others think, in order to spread awareness.

According to Bergeot, dealing with Asian hate will be different for Co ur everybody, but realizing te sy that these crimes can no longer be acceptable is the first step towards promoting peace. h Le

HOME TALK

subsequent violence towards Asians, Bergeot and her family have become concerned when it comes to microaggressions from the outside world.

According to Bergeot, even living in Miami’s multicultural setting has taught her that during times like these people will continue to blame others no matter how wrong it is to do so.

“Just because it doesn’t happen [as often] here [in Miami], doesn’t mean it isn’t affecting thousands of others,” Bergeot said.

As an Asian-American, Bergeot believes it is disheartening to see that some are not accepted in society and that being a student only makes things worse. As a student, she feels insecure at times due to stereotyping from other students because she feels that she needs to be better at math and other subjects.

In addition, growing up in the U.S. has caused Bergeot to feel more Westernized, as she missed out on different lessons within Korean culture. As the

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Frustrated with the slurs disrespecting her culture and appearance, junior Lea Bergeot speaks out about the escalation of racism towards Asians in society.

As a teenager, Bergeot has faced much discrimination such as being called weird or ugly by other students just because of her physical features. However, these slurs somehow always mention the word, ‘Chinese’ which causes her to feel contempt because she believes that pertaining to a different Asian country has no value if everyone automatically assumes an individual with similar features as her is Chinese.

Although she is half-Chinese, Bergeot has sensed that people are completely disregarding the different cultures in Asia.

They tend to identify every Asian as Chinese which she feels is disrespectful especially to her Korean side. More so, the confusion of different Asian cultures is what Bergeot believes led to the discourtesy of COVID-19 accusations on the Asian community.

“It is outrageous how people are using the virus as an excuse to be racist and blame Asians for something that [is out of our reach],” Bergeot said.

Although the slurs offended her at first, Bergeot said that as part of the minority group you eventually get used to the racist remarks and learn how to ignore or deal with them.

At a young age, Bergeot’s mother taught her to ignore any forms of racism by accepting not only her culture, but other individuals’ cultures and backgrounds. However, with COVID-19 and the

“I thought Black Panther was a sequel to Pink Panther.”

“You can major in anthropology? I thought it was just a store.”

“Betty Crocker made the American flag. Or was it Betty White?”

“I’d def pull up for some BTS nuggets.”

“I want to work for Big Pharma.”

“Why do you want to work on a big farm with gross animals?”

“If you think about it, the Guinness Book of World Records is just one long list of really weird flexes.”

features 5

Hearty and Healthy

As the summer sun raises the temperatures, highlights shares fresh recipes to help cool down

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BY ALIA GAMEZ, STAFF WRITER

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Ali

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Peach Mocktail Ingredients: • • •

3 peaches 12 strawberries 1 1/2 cup apple juice

• •

1 1/2 sparkling water 1 cup crushed ice

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 °F. 2. Cut peaches in half and remove the pit. Cut strawberries in half. Place the fruit on a baking tray and roast for 25 minutes.

3. Remove the skins from peaches and blend the flesh together with apple juice in a blender to get a smooth pureé.

4. Blend the strawberries separately.

5. Divide the strawberry pureé into six glasses and add ice. Pour the peach and apple juice mixture over ice and add sparkling water.

Su mme r Sa l a d Ingredients: • • • • •

1 cup pecans (candied) ¼ cup granulated sugar 12oz package chopped Romaine lettuce 8oz fresh strawberries 2oz crumbled feta cheese

• • • •

¼ cup sliced red onion Mandarin oranges slices 2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced A strawberry or raspberry based salad dressing

Instructions:

1. In a small skillet over medium heat, saute pecans with sugar.

2. Season and grill chicken breast for 9-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 °F. 3. In a large bowl, combine romaine, berries, oranges, cheese and onion. Add diced chicken. Toss gently.

4. Combine dressing ingredients and shake. Add candied pecans and drizzle with dressing.

F ru it Ke b a bs Ingredients: • • •

2 bananas, sliced 24 pieces of pineapple 12 strawberries

• • •

2 cups chocolate chips 1/2 cups peanuts, chopped Vanilla ice cream

Instructions:

1. Make kebabs: Thread two pieces each of banana, pineapple, and strawberry onto a skewer. Place on a baking sheet.

2. In a bowl, melt chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely smooth.

3. Drizzle chocolate over fruit kebabs and top with chopped peanuts. Freeze until ready to serve alongside a scoop of ice cream. h

features 7

highlights

NEWS

BRIEFS

BY NATALIE FALLS, STAFF WRITER MIAMI GETS NEW CHIEF OF POLICE

CLASS OF 2021 GRADUATION UPDATE

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY YOUTH FAIR POSTPONED

FORMER CITY OF MIAMI POLICE Chief, Jorge Colina, announced his retirement in September 2021 after having held said position for over three years.

Art Acevedo, the former chief of police for the Houston Police Department since 2016, known for marching with Black Lives Matter activists and advocates, will step in and fulfill Colina’s position within the Miami Police Department and serve as the fifth chief of police in the last decade.

“I do not know much about Chief Acevedo but I strongly believe that sometimes change is good and necessary in order to see different perspectives. h

ON SUNDAY APRIL 11, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho released the tentative schedule for the class of 2021 high school graduation commencement ceremonies via Twitter. Graduations are set to begin on Tuesday, June 1 and last through Wednesday, June 9 and are to each be held at one of the nine locations reserved for the event.

“Ever since I entered high school, I have wanted to walk on stage for graduation.

When COVID-19 took over our senior year, I was saddened that this possibility would be taken away,” senior Angela Valdivia said. h

THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY (MDC) Youth Fair that was set to open in March 2020 was canceled due to growing concerns about COVID-19. The dates for the fair’s opening day were postponed and have been recently announced by Youth Fair officials. The MDC Youth Fair is now set to open on Thursday, November 18, 2021, and will run until Sunday, December 5, 2021, bypassing the fair’s usual opening dates in the spring.

“While I love the Youth Fair, the postponement will minimize health risks and make the park more enjoyable for everyone,” senior Samantha Gazda said. h

FOLLOW US ONLINE UThrift, USave!

Gables alumnus Yazmin Quevedo brings thrifting to the University of Miami.

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

Scan to visit our online content!

UPCOMING DATES

1 2 9

JUNE, CLASS OF 2021 GRADUATION JUNE, CARS

JUNE, LAST DAY OF SCHOOL RELAXATION DURING TESTING A few tips on how to keep the mind and body relaxed during testing season.

CONGRATS Nine seniors have been nominated for the 20202021 Silver Knight award.

SPORTS SPECTATORS REEMERGE Parents and fans will now be able to spectate highschool sports admist claims.

8 news

The Coral Gables Senior High Gablettes dance team won the 2020-2021 National Dance Alliance finals on April 18th.

FOUR YEARS LATER...

After a year of virtual learning, the class of 2021 has been accepted into many schools around the country

The h denotes where members of the highlights staff will attend college.

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES BASED ON THE SENIOR CAP SURVEY Auburn University Babson College Bates College Barry University Bowdoin College Brown University Connecticut College Cornell University Davidson College Eckerd College Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

h Emory University Florida A&M University Florida International University Florida Southern College Fordham University Franklin & Marshall College George Mason University Georgetown University IE University in Madrid Johns Hopkins University Keiser University Kings College London McGill University h Miami-Dade College Miami University Ohio h Mount Holyoke College Northeastern University Northwestern University

h Nova Southeastern University Purdue University Pace University Penn State University Pomona College Rutgers University Newark and New Brunswick San Diego State University Seton Hall University h Stanford University Suffolk University The Catholic University of America University of California Berkeley University of California Los Angeles University of California San Diego

University of California Santa Barbara University of Central Florida h University of Chicago University of Florida University of Georgia h University of Miami University of Southern California University of South Florida University of Tampa University of Texas at Austin University of Washington Vanderbilt University Washington University Yale University

news | 9

Bright Futures Scholarship is in danger This upcoming bill will determine the likelihood of any financial aid a non-STEM major may be hoping to get

BY MAYA SHAH, STAFF WRITER

I

F PASSED, FLORIDA SENATE Bill 86 (SB-86) will call for a revision of eligibility for the Bright Futures scholarship and a change in distribution for federal education funds given by the Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program based on a student’s chosen major. The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Dennis Baxley of Ocala and filed in Feb. 2021, will reshape Florida’s financial assistance given to students to a certain extent.

In a 5-4 Republican majority, the Florida Senate’s education committee passed the legislation. It was created with the aim of designing a new system, which would link someone’s chosen major to the amount of money awarded through financial aid.

The bill would also mandate that the Board of Governors publicly post an online list of statistics on different fields, such as graduation rates, median salaries and average loan debt for those who graduated with that degree. As of now there is no companion bill for SB86 in the House of Representatives. If the bill does become a law, it will be implemented in the state in 2023.

“This would impact my peers and I in a bad way because some of us are still undecided in our career paths and this bill will dissuade and disqualify many of us from applying or receiving Bright Futures grants,” senior Vada Mejia said.

One reason a bill of this nature has been drafted is because government officials’ worries that Florida may have to cut back on money

allotted to university students. Governor Rick Scott had previously said in 2011 that Florida had been spending too much on education and was not seeing adequate results per the spending reported by the Orlando Sentinel.

SB-86 would favor STEM majors over students choosing liberal arts majors. The motive was to create new restrictions on

DID YOU KNOW?

The Bill’s motive is to give more federal financial aid to students whose majors are deemed prosperous, such as STEM as opposed to liberal arts.

Source: FLSenate.gov

federal financial aid which would give more to people studying in growing industries while minimizing costs for majors seen as less prosperous, such as anthropology according to the Florida Senate website.

The bill has faced heavy criticism from both Floridian students and parents alike.

SB86 originally was detailed to affect the Florida Lottery funded merit-based Bright Futures scholarship. The scholarship, which is well-known to help lower, out-ofpocket costs for in-state public colleges and universities, has become something that

students work towards to have the equivalent of 75% or more of their tuition covered.

By the proposition of changing its regulations based on one’s chosen major, many expressed their deep concern over the bill through social media and letters to representatives. Some Florida residents have voiced that it will leave students in need of financial help either stuck in career paths they are not passionate about or will discourage students from attending college altogether.

“This bill removes the assurance of the 100% and 75% funding by requiring scholarship levels to be fixed to the amount of money that is appropriated in the state budget. This will affect students greatly because now there will not be a fixed amount of money awarded and will change year to year,” International Baccalaureate counselor Nattacha Lezcano said.

Due to the public outcries against SB86 regulating grants given out for the well-known merit-based scholarships, Sen. Baxley filed an amendment to the disputed bill. Through this amendment the bill would still create revisions to educational financial aid but would not interfere with the amount both the Bright Futures and Florida’s Benacquisto Scholarships for National Merit would give their recipients.

Though SB86 is still in its infancy, it has garnered a lot of attention due to how it could potentially affect millions of Floridian students in different ways. If passed, the bill could create modifications to the known landscape of Florida’s higher education h

Alma Martinez/highlights

students speak up

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[SB-86] CREATES A DIVIDE BETWEEN STEM STUDENTS AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT SINCE THEY WON’T BE EQUAL.

esy of Sheila Me ur t lga r

G esy of loria Arc ur t e

Gloria Arce, sophomore

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SB-86 WILL MOST LIKELY CREATE MORE STUDENT DEBT FOR MANY FOR TRULY UNFAIR REASONS.

Aracelli Ross, junior

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Gasoline prices soar as oil is drilled

Due to the rise in the supply and demand of gasoline during the pandemic, prices per gallon increase

BY EMILYS GIL, STAFF WRITER

I

N LIGHT OF YEAR-LONG COVID-19 Petroleum Institute reported that federal tax per restrictions globally, gasoline prices have gallon of gasoline is 18.4¢, while local tax per risen. The drop in demand for gasoline gallon is 36.8¢. This equals a nationwide average and the shutdown of refineries have impacted tax of 55.2¢ per gallon. Besides taxes, COVID-19 components that make up its price. Supply and relief bills are going to drive up gas prices. The $2 demand in the global oil market, taxes, market costs trillion from stimulus checks will increase demand and distribution as well as the cost of turning crude by an estimated amount of 200,000 more barrels oil into gasoline are the four main components a day, as per The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. If that make up prices, according to the Institute suppliers cannot keep up, the higher demands for Energy Research (IER). will bring higher prices.

When the pandemic first From refineries, gasoline began, the national average of is shipped to terminals and gasoline prices fell below $2 loaded onto trucks that will THE LINK BETWEEN deliver to individual gas per gallon for the first time in about four years, as reported THE PANDEMIC AND stations. The distribution by the U.S. Energy Information costs of transporting HIGHER GAS PRICES gasoline and marketing costs Administration (EIA). This drop IS EVIDENT in price can be attributed to low makes up 15% of gasoline demand due to quarantine. Now, SABRINA MACHADO, prices, according to the gasoline prices in the U.S. are IER. Due to the method SOPHOMORE an average of $2.80 per gallon. of transporting gasoline, Globally, demand for oil the pandemic and recent has also increased after the initial quarantine. The snowstorms have slowed down truckers, U.S. alone is demanding 19.4 million barrels of contributing to the lack of supply. oil per day, as per the EIA. If the world demand Formulating crude oil into gasoline, also for oil is more than what can be supplied by oil known as the refining process, makes up another companies, then global oil prices will increase. 12% of gasoline prices, as per the IER. By late The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting 2020, COVID-19 shut down dozens of refineries, Countries (OPEC) restricted oil production in reducing the production of gasoline. Additionally, order to prop-up oil prices last spring. Since recent extreme weather has also shut down refineries then, OPEC has been slow to boost its output, across states, including the largest crude-producing causing crude oil prices to surge to $68 per state: Texas. The EIA estimated that because of barrel of oil. Prices are further estimated to weather, about 20% of U.S. refineries shut down. reach $80 per barrel, according to The Goldman Upcoming seasonal changes will impact refinery Sachs Group, Inc., an American multinational operations, causing prices to continue to surge. institution that delivers financial services. During the spring, refineries change operations to “The reasons for higher gas prices make begin producing summer-blend gasoline. In the sense. As a new driver, I’ve looked into it and summer, higher-grade gasoline is used to reduce I understand why it’s happening. There is a lot the emissions that cause smog. The Association of misinformation out there, especially from For Convenience & Fuel Retailing estimates people trying to make it political, but the link that these blends will cost 15¢ more per gallon. between the pandemic and higher gas prices is Since March 2020, supply has not been able evident,” sophomore Sabrina Machado said. to meet demands and extreme weather has made As of January 2021, taxes composed 21% of it more difficult to do so. Prices are still on the gasoline prices, according to the IER. The American rise and will increase as traveling increases. h

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GAS

quick facts

19.4 million barrels of oil are demanded by the U.S. each day.

$2.80 per gallon is the average price of gasoline in the U.S.

55.2 ¢ per gallon are being taxed by the US nationwide.

15 ¢ extra will now be charged for the summer-blend gasoline.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Compiled by Emilys Gill/highlights

news 11 Alma Martinez/highlights

TWO VIEWS: Modern colonization and whit

In recent years, Native peoples have seen large amounts Some argue that this potentially results in the whitewashing of COMMENTARY BY NATALIA PALLAS, BUSINESS MANAGER

B

U Y I N G p r o p e r t y through legal means is not ordinarily a problem and it should not become one either. Yet, when wealthy individuals purchase large land masses it is received with major backlash and accusations of modern-day colonialism.

Colonization is the act of taking control of certain territory and exercising dominion over its people. A billionaire buying acres of land fails to meet this definition.

The true issue of colonization can be dated back to the 1500s. In these instances, these lands were taken forcefully, indigenous populations were exploited, culture was diminished and social, political structures were destroyed and replaced as a result. To say these occurrences are in any way similar to current property purchases demonstrates that recent claims of neo-colonialism are disingenuous and overexaggerated. Acquiring property regardless of location should be allowed because, after all, it is legal.

The controversy which sparked a visceral reaction to this movement of allegations was Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to buy approximately 700 acres of land in Hawai’i for roughly $100 million. This expensive purchase sparked protests from Hawaiians, along with others, with claims that Zuckerberg’s actions were affecting families whose work and living spaces revolved around this land. Understandably, such a move would

YES

be very damaging and inappropriate; however, this was never the case.

Everyone has a right to buy property in Hawai’i even if they are foreigners. Given that Zuckerberg’s purchases are legal, this issue of attaining land is ethical and attacking it on it’s legal grounds is unfounded.

Those who claim this will be damaging to the land and that these actions contribute to the white-washing of Hawai’i are simply not correct. If anything, Zuckerberg has assured Hawaiians that his intentions are to preserve the nature of the land he purchased and will even contribute to Hawai’i through donations.

According to Newsweek “Mark and [his wife] have made commitments to Kauai charitable organizations that help to improve the island’s education and health care systems, promote conservation and help to promote efforts to recover from flooding and COVID-19,” demonstrating that Zuckerberg’s efforts are not damaging to but rather protective of Hawaiian culture and land.

Other wealthy individuals have followed suit, such as YouTuber Logan Paul, who has stated that he will be moving to Puerto Rico mostly due to its lower tax rate, according to Distractify. Many show disdain for Paul’s move mainly because residents there are struggling economically and cannot benefit from this same tax legislation.

Additionally, Puerto Ricans detest these purchases of property by wealthy outsiders since many Puerto Ricans themselves cannot afford to stay in their homeland, according to TIME. However, purchasing property does not reach the standard of colonization and claiming that it does minimizes the significance of the harmful history of colonization.

For years, billionaires have helped stimulate economies and innovate due to property purchases and investments. One example is Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his acquisition of farm-land. According to Forbes “In 2008, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced $306 million in grants to promote high-yield, sustainable agriculture among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.”

That said, it still can seem worrisome how easily affluent outsiders are able to buy large tracts of land which may contribute to loss of culture and community.

However, the issue is more complex and the blame should not solely be placed on the buyer.

Instead, local communities / highlights can place Sharon Florez restrictions on what property and how much of it could be developed.

“Buying land for a house should not be considered neocolonialism. If Zuckerberg’s actions are seriously threatening ... then that is another issue,” freshman Daphne Renoux said.

Overall, the outcries of modern colonialism seemed to be far-fetched and misleading as these land purchases are completely legal and often have financial benefits to those who live in the community. h

by the numbers

60% 12 opinion

of United States land is privately owned

81%

of Hawaiian land is privately owned

white-washing

unts of foreigners move into their land for personal gain. ng of cultures, but is this instead a misconstrued exaggeration?

S

COMMENTARY BY MARÍA JOSÉ CESTERO, STAFF WRITER

INCE THE BEGINNING OF written history, a clear pattern of mistreatment toward cultures from all over the world can be seen through colonialism. Though this era of violent reform of cultures is regarded as a concept of the past, the world is discovering a modern take on ancient history as the rich take advantage of their economic power and buy their way into native lands, effectively white-washing and destroying beautiful cultures and landscapes.

One of the more prominent examples of this abuse is the ongoing adversity in Hawai’i — as spelled in its native form — due to American occupation and militarism. The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) has repeatedly called upon the United States to halt its illegal occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom since 1893, this possession of the islands being the longest-running belligerent occupation of a country in the history of international relations.

To make matters worse, rich influencers have perpetuated this occupation by buying properties or, in some cases, kicking out whole native groups to build estates for their pleasure. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, for example, has repeatedly sued the natives of the Hawaiian island of Kauai

for living near his $100 million estate. This 750-acre property is obstructing many natives’ access to Pilaa beach, a place where those pursuing a traditional lifestyle gather fish and seaweed, according to Business Insider.

The mixture of governmental abuse and white-washing has caused severe consequences in the islands overall. As stated in the National Public Radio, only around 0.1% of the population of Hawai’i can speak Hawaiian fluently. According to the Historical Atlas of Mount Holyoke College, missionary schools and the pressure put on the islands to trade with different colonizers has slowly caused the disappearance of a once culturally significant part of the archipelago. A once flourishing place for cultural diversity is slowly dissipating into nothing more than another white-washed, Eurocentric state.

“In order for the United States to hide the illegality of what they did in 1898, they installed their government here,” professor at the University of Hawai’i Dr. Keanu Sai said.

“They began to brainwash children away in the schools to believe they’re American, and to speak English.”

Unfortunately, Hawai’i is not the only victim of this exploitation. In light of COVID-19, the U.S. has promoted its territory of Puerto Rico as an escape from the chaos and stress of the pandemic in the continental U.S. Without even acknowledging the millions of lives being put in danger under an already unstable government, magazines like Forbes described the Caribbean island as an ‘antidote’ for the troubled times citizens have been facing. This, combined with flights to the island being sold as low as $10, allowed an influx of disrespectful tourists that have

treated the island as their personal playground, paying no attention to the inhabitants battling the same pandemic the rest of the world is facing.

In addition, YouTuber Logan Paul announced that he would be moving to Puerto Rico because of reasons such as ‘too many potholes’ in his current home of Los Angeles, California and ‘paying less taxes.’ He is taking advantage of an already fragile place, treating the island as his own personal financial safe haven. These are not valid reasons for invading cultures, yet he continues to do so, portraying the message that communities in socially different territories are disposable and are not a major factor to be considered when moving.

“It is despicable that Logan Paul is simply moving to Puerto Rico because of fewer taxes,” junior and co-president of GablesEarth Lauren Gregorio said. “Especially with Puerto Rico, a hub of multifaceted culture and rich history, Logan Paul is most certainly cognizant of what he is doing.”

Islands like Hawai’i and Puerto Rico are just two of a plethora of examples showcasing how colonialism continues to affect other cultures. As more and more people move to these places, the native culture will disappear and convert to one that does not represent the location’s history or life. The white-washing of native cultures is a problem that needs to be acknowledged before they disappear completely. h

NO

Courtesy of Summit Post, U.S. Census Bureau, State Election Commisson

10%

of Hawaiians are Native

47%

of Puerto Ricans want independence opinion 13

Words from the way out

As the year comes to an end, staff members share their advice for incoming grade levels

Sharon Florez/ highlights

SOPHOMORES COMMENTARY BY RAFAEL SANS, STAFF WRITER

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HEN YOU b e c o m e sophomores, you will no longer be at the bottom of the high school food chain.

Sophomore year is an opportunity to grow as a leader both in the classroom and out. You can fix all the mistakes from your first year — everybody has that one thing from freshman year that they may regret — and get involved in the clubs and activities you may not have known of when entering high school as freshmen.

Given that sophomore year comes with increased rigor in the school day, there should exist an equal balance between academic and personal life. It is important to begin learning how to minimize stress and focus on personal well-being. Many sophomores tend to take a formidable amount of Advanced Placement (AP) classes. If you took AP classes last year, you have gotten a taste of what it takes to get through AP — you will be challenged.

To keep up with this extensive workload, your utmost priority should be to draft a schedule for both your academic and social life to distribute work throughout your week

14 opinion

to use weekends for rest. However, there may still be times where you may have to work on weekends to get ahead or to complete larger amounts of work.

A weekly-based schedule is a reliable structure where you can list any and all work for classes and clubs that needs to be

“

SOPHOMORE YEAR IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AS A LEADER BOTH IN THE CLASSROOM AND OUT. RAFAEL SANS, SOPHOMORE accomplished. Even beyond school, without organization, you will be lost.

Now with a more structured schedule that you can work along, you have more time to integrate activities for leisure and personal well-being. Regardless of one’s schedule, physical activity should be integrated into

your day. It can range from biking, swimming, golf, tennis, or just simply walking your dog among other activities Getting away from your computer and into the outdoors is the best way to disconnect and collect yourself. Taking time to focus on your body and mind during the day will help you be more efficient in achieving your goals and have greater physical and mental health.

Dedicate a high degree of work throughout the week, so you can enjoy a high degree of free time. Your ability to manage your workload will be critical not just as a sophomore, but in the rest of your academic career and your life. The idea of this philosophy is to deter procrastination of which most of us are guilty of and grants you the ability to partake in activities of a high degree of leisure and fun.

Sophomore year, like any year in your future, will bring new challenges. Adhering to a system of organization and distribution of work to ensure both efficiency and personal well-being will help you pursue a successful year as you take on 10th grade. Stay true to a system and try to enjoy yourself in the best way you can.

After all, it is high school, make the most of it. h

JUNIORS COMMENTARY BY GREGOIRE WINSTON, CO-ONLINE EDITOR

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UNIOR YEAR is one of — if not the most — feared year of high school.

Following two years as an underclassman, entering 11th grade symbolizes the start of a new chapter, both academically and mentally. Indeed, with college deadlines, applications and scholarships right around the corner, the majority of colleges base your academic worth on junior year.

Ending the school year with the highest possible grade point average is crucial in acceptances to colleges in the following year.

Courses are naturally more challenging than sophomore year and dreaded standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT, become a part of everyday life, so you can expect to spend a considerable amount of time preparing for these exams. Studying throughout the night and cramming in hours of English or Math sessions are necessary to achieve a higher score.

While the workload up ahead is certainly intimidating, striking a correct balance between extracurricular activities and academic demand should remain a priority.

Taking evening walks, participating in a sport, hanging out with friends and watching TV are ways you can take your minds off the incessant academic rhythm of junior year.

“

YOU MAY FEEL CLOSE TO REACHING YOUR BREAKING POINT DUE TO THE OVERFLOW OF WORK, BUT REMEMBER TO USE YOUR HOBBIES AND EXTRACURRICULARS TO COMPLEMENT YOUR ACADEMICS. GREGOIRE WINSTON, JUNIOR You may feel close to reaching your breaking point due to the overflow of work, but remember to use your hobbies

and extracurriculars to complement your academics.

Stressful situations will continuously arise throughout the year, as pressures to excel academically will remain strong. Yet, your mental health should not be neglected.

Getting enough hours of sleep — more than eight per night — should be a point of focus and no matter how hard classes get, you can count on your teachers, counselors and friends for support.

Talking to classmates on the phone, asking for tips on how to study for exams or scheduling a meeting with a teacher are useful ways to relieve some of the stress you will go through during junior year.

In the end, do not fear junior year. While it is certainly a hefty task to take on, the hard work you put in today will reap benefits in the near future. Junior year can be a year of opportunity if you let it.

Thanks to proper time management, a clear balance between school and extracurricular activities and staying optimistic of what is to come in the future, 11th grade should not be looked down upon, but instead a time to grow, make new connections, prepare for college and excel in every way possible. h

SENIORS COMMENTARY BY AYA HAMZA, COPY EDITOR

V

OWING TO attend prom, homecoming and all the football games, at the end of junior year the Class of 2021 readily planned to maximize the high school experience in ways that may have been overlooked in previous years.

Then, a month after this collective realization came COVID-19 and with it the virtualization of 12th grade. MiamiDade County Public Schools has recently announced its intention to fully return to inperson learning for the Class of 2022’s last ride.

As anticipated, waves of nostalgia will now arise when catching up with your former teachers or entering a classroom you had crammed for an exam in. Recognizing the value of your long-time surroundings in a new light simultaneously presses in-mind as you bustle through tasks needed to prepare for your next journey.

If you are pursuing higher education, the college application process will offer itself as an incubator for personal growth through self-reflection. When jotting down what you

presently understand to be your life’s core components, do not feel forced into making grandiose, metaphorical connections. Your understanding of purpose is bound to change over a few months’ course. Embrace it.

“

IT BEARS REITERATING: NO MATTER WHAT, YOU ARE WORTH CELEBRATING. CLASS OF 2022, WE ARE EXCITED FOR YOU. AYA HAMZA, SENIOR Your desires to advocate for gender equity in the United Nations or reinvent astrochemistry are commendable, but the degree of yearning or fulfillment of these goals — or lack thereof — does not indicate your value as an individual. Your values do, based on how you respond to senior year’s

hurling of challenges and successes.

While constructive, applying to college inherently forces students to look to one another as metrics of comparison. The admissions process is overly-glorified as a meritocracy, which in many ways it can be.

Rejection is never a determination of your worth as an individual, only you and your commitment to grit decides that.

Second semester will mark the culmination of tireless work well worth celebrating! Keep friends and family (at-home plus in-school) who are excited to celebrate with you close.

It bears reiterating: no matter what, you are worth celebrating.

Work hard, of course, but do not forget to play hard too. Becoming trapped within the whirlwind of pesky application prerequisites will only drain you of the motivation that has gotten you so far. Stay on FaceTime a little longer, do not flake on those weekend plans: appropriately, of course.

Class of 2022, we are excited for you.

Make the effort to attend senior events and cement relationships with the peers you minimally converse with but always leave brightened by. And always remember, Go Cavs! h

opinion 15

Unspoken mistreatment of child stars

As more survivors speak about their stories, Hollywood is blamed for the mistreatment of child celebrities COMMENTARY BY MARTA RODRIGUEZ, CONTENT EDITOR

F

OR DECADES, Hollywood has worked its way into the dreams of families everywhere who hope that one day they can partake in the seemingly luxurious lifestyles of celebrities.

However, behind the veil of bright lights and endless fame lies an environment that fails to protect the well-being of child stars.

This lack of protection allows for some children to fall into the hands of the wrong mentors which can lead to years of abuse, conservatorships set in place to control their wealth and an over-reliance on unhealthy habits as a way to cope with the stress and pressure of the spotlight.

“I feel that Hollywood has done a horrible job in protecting these kids because of the lack of punishment that adults have received due to them abusing their power of authority,’’ junior Shamary Contreras said.

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Child stars are often forced to grow up quickly and prepare themselves to make whichever changes deemed necessary for

them to succeed in their next role. A way to protect these children, there are regulations and laws such as the California Child Actor’s Bill (AB) and the AB 1600 which are meant to protect the kids from exploitation and abuse, as well as registered sex offenders.

However, in an investigation conducted by Deadline magazine, it was found that not one Hollywood publicist who represents a child actor had gone through fingerprint checks or passed an FBI background screen check.

“Dozen managers and acting coaches who work with child stars have also failed to comply with the law, yet no one has even been charged with breaking it,” journalist David Robb said.

Most recently, with the release of the documentary “Framing Britney Spears,” the media has been criticized for the way they covered Spears and how their actions played a significant role in the downfall of her mental health, eventually leading to a public breakdown in 2008.

Spears, who has been in a conservatorship controlled by her father since 2008, has not been able to fully control her life since the moment she started out in the Hollywood industry. A conservatorship is when a guardian or conservator is appointed by a court to control the properties and finances of a minor or an adult ward.

Following her breakdown, the media has made it a constant struggle for people to see her as the victim and more as someone who has suffered from mental illnesses.

Former child star, Miley Cyrus has also dealt with these issues.

“When I looked like myself, when I didn’t have the wig anymore, no one cared about me.

I wasn’t a star anymore. That was drilled into my head, without being Hannah Montana, no one cares about you,” singer and actress Miley Cyrus said in Spotify’s “Rock This with Allison Hagendorf” podcast.

For other child stars such as Demi Lovato, going through a rebellious phase was not enough to deal with all the stress her teenage years provoked. The lack of protection by the surrounding adults in her life gave her easy access to all kinds of drugs that are common in Hollywood. As a result, she turned to cocaine at 17 years old and started to develop eating disorders partly as a result of the internet calling her names like “fat” and “disgusting.”

“Hollywood needs to understand that these kids cannot handle going to events or have paparazzi invade their lives without being surrounded by people they feel comfortable with,” sophomore Brianna Duardo said.

Hollywood needs to do a better job at maintaining an environment that strikes a balance between keeping children safe without fully taking away their rights. In the case of Demi Lovato, it can be seen that she was given too much freedom and treated more like an adult instead of a child whereas in Britney Spears, the parents were always given full control of the child.

What both cases have in common, however, is that neither were ever prioritizing the wellbeing of the child but instead focusing on creating profit. These stars are only children and cannot possibly be expected to handle all the pressures that come with working for a horrible industry at such a young age. h

opposable thumbs Sedona Prince “Saving the women’s sports industry one simp at a time.”

- Daniela Parra del Riego, Staff Writer

16 opinion

Suez Canal

Silly Bands

“Just move the boat ... duh.”

- María José Cestero, Staff Writer

“There was never really anything remarkably silly about them, but definitely iconic.”

- DeeAnne Montero, Staff Writer

Super Straight and bigoted

A movement thinly veiled as “inclusive,” Super Straight is anything but COMMENTARY BY DANI PARRA DEL RIEGO, STAFF WRITER

A

T THE individuals as “others” providing yet another corner of checkpoint in society that consistently t r a n s p h o b i a reminds them of their “other-ness.” and stigmatization “[This movement] is just another way lies the Super Straight of normalizing transphobia and making it “movement,” a virtual mainstream,” freshman and LGBTQ+ Activist movement whose Santiago Giraldo said. members claim to be so ‘straight’ that they Super Straight also implies that straight only wish to date cisgender individuals — men who are dating transgender women, those who identify with their assigned gender for example, are somehow less straight than at birth — of the opposite sex. The pseudo- their peers in cisgendered, heterosexual movement cheapens and minimizes the relationships. This premise is deeply experiences of the LGBTQ+ community as disrespectful as it refuses to acknowledge a whole, while specifically and most transgender partners as prominently perpetratuating the gender they truly hatred against transgender are, uncovering the true individuals. transphobic intentions The term, of the movement. coined by While the TikTok user m o v e m e n t Kyle Royce, represents sparked a troll a broader reactionary disrespect for campaign on the experiences websites such of sexual as Reddit and minorities, s 4Chan that transgender ght hli hig represents a individuals / z e r lo nF step backwards specifically are aro Sh for individuals in further placed society, regardless in harm’s way of gender expression as bigotry slowly or identity. becomes justified.

Despite claiming to be Transgender individuals inclusive, perpetrators of the prove to be the most at-risk for ideology employ cheap displays of hate out of the broader queer community. mockery against the LGBTQ+ community’s The United Nations Human Rights experiences. Fake coming-out videos and Council designated 2020 as one of the most merchandising with the new “flag” minimize dangerous years for transgender or gender nonthe importance that Pride and coming-out hold conforming individuals, with 44 individuals within the community. From ancient times to murdered and hate crimes rising almost twoStonewall, LGBTQ+ individuals have fought fold around the world. As members of the tooth and nail to simply earn the right to ideology purposefully exclude transgender brandish these flags. Historically speaking, individuals from their scope of attraction, they these movements were born from oppression perpetuate a culture of isolation and division. and fought for by the minority. With about 9 Those who justify this separation by equating in 10 Americans identifying as heterosexual Super Straight to any other sexual and gender according to the 2018 General Social Survey, minority fail to consider the intended purpose a movement for the majority seems regressive of the label and how it affects understanding; and a clear conduit for even more LGBTQ+ other labels serve to distinguish, whereas marginalization.

Super Straight serves to divide.

While every individual has valid Arguments based on equality tend to preferences as to who they are attracted to, hold water and are important stepping stones stripping transgender individuals to only a for society but those that paradoxically use portion of their identity is dehumanizing. This equality in the name of bigotry should be campaign reinforces the image of transgender condemned. h

Sharon's Shenanigans Time COMMENTARY BY SHARON FLOREZ, OPINION EDITOR

It gets better. However, it only will if you let it. I spent most of my life looking forward to the future, patiently waiting for the day I would have freedom to be who I always said I wanted to. I spent years building a foundation that would set me up for success.

Still, a fantasy was all it became. I was aiming towards the future, without understanding that there is only the present.

The present slapped me in the face two years ago. I was never living in the moment; I lived for the future while holding a tight grip on the past.

I was frozen in a flawed perception of time. Things would not begin happening for me unless I woke up every day and started to make them happen. Until I decided that things were going to change no matter what, would things begin to. That was the day I began actively living.

To this day, I cannot believe how much I have been able to change my life by just believing that everything will work out in my favor. It wasn’t me against the world anymore; it was the world offering me infinite abundance and all I had to do was act upon it. It was always mine, I just had to take it.

By far, it is the greatest lesson I have learned, and the one I am most grateful for.

Time is both an illusion and a blessing. I found peace in knowing that there is no reason to be embarrassed about anything I do — barking, tripping, ugly laughing, bad hair days, or simping over pigeons — since centuries from now, no one will exist to remember.

I learned to live in the now instead of the later. I learned to take risks and make friendships I would have otherwise been to afraid to seek out. What came from actively taking opportunities and saying “yes” more often than “no” was life-changing experiences.

Most things can only affect you if you give them the power to. Shifting from high school to university is an experience I am more than excited to take part in — it is everything I have been looking forward to.

With the most severe case of senioritis, I sit here typing my last column, hoping this advice reaches those that need it. Grab life by the horns. h

opinion 17

A YEAR IN

SPORTS COVID-19 EDITION

BY ALEXANDER BRAZDA AND FERNANDO LARGAESPADA, STAFF WRITERS

te sy of

READY TO RUN: Senior Karina Leon rushes to the finish line at her competition.

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Courtesy of Fox-Mar

TENNIS Even with COVID-19 restrictions, all players on the tennis team had records over .500 and qualified to either the semifinals level or the district level for their respective competitions.

18 sports

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WATER POLO With the challenges of quarantines and game cancellations, the girl’s water polo team was able to compete their way to the district level.

s

basketball

CROSS COUNTRY

The boys basketball team’s season was saved through social media rallying and promotions after the district’s COVID-19 protocols caused the team to forfeit their spot. The varsity team beat Palmetto in the regional quarter finals.

Although the team was not able to attend the district championships and state championships because of quarantine restrictions, they won at Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC), and the tri-county championship.

Cheerleading

soccer

COVID-19 did not allow the team to engage in close-contact activities such as stunts or pyramids. However, they focused on conditioning, strengthening and taking care of their bodies throughout the season.

Combatting a late start to the season and heavy COVID-19 restrictions during practices and games, the girls’ soccer team managed to become district champions and make it to the regional semifinals

Courtesy of Erika Del Valle

gablettes Although most pep rallies and performances were cancelled due to the pandemic, the Gablettes worked tirelessly to virtually submit their choreographies and became National Varsity Kick Champions.

BASEBALL The school’s team maintained an 8-8 record despite losing quarantined players.

Additionally, senior Andres Arzola earned a scholarship to North Central College, a National College Athletic Association Division 3 school for baseball.

Courtesy of Fox-Mar

VOLLEYBALL After a late start to the season due to COVID-19, many of the team’s games were cancelled and postponed. However, the varisty team was able to attend the GMAC conference. h

-Mar

The boys wrestling team had the highest finish at the GMAC Wrestling tournament in over 10 years. They qualified for the State Wrestling Championship even with the restrictions of getting quarantined and being a full contact sport.

HIGH HOOPS: Senior varsity guard Marcos Molina prepares to make a shot at the game.

Courtesy of Fox

WRESTLING

Click this link to the ‘A Year in Sports: COVID-19 EDITION 2021’ video for more information!

sports 19

One last dance: a night in revue

The Gablettes dance team held their annual spring performance after becoming National Kick Champions

BY SARA EBRAHIMI, SPORTS EDITOR

F

IGHTING THROUGH A SEASON of late nights, Zoom dance practices and COVID-19 precautions, the Gablettes Dance Team held their annual spring showcases on April 22 and 23. Just days after being crowned national champions, the group was supported by alumni in hosting “Dancing Under the Stars’’ at the Tropical Park Equestrian Center in lieu of Gablette Revue,” which they typically hold in the school’s auditorium. The event was held in a picnic style at the park to promote social distancing while still maintaining a sense of community for the team’s supporters.

Dedicating themselves to daily practices lasting until 8 p.m., the Gablettes worked to choreograph, learn and master dances.

Normally the event includes dances from head coach Erika Diaz’s elective classes, however, since the event was hosted by the Gablette Alumni, only the school’s dance team was invited to perform this year. Committed to excelling at a show with nearly no breaks for the dancers, the Gablettes prepared by conditioning and repeating their dances, in the order of performance, multiple times to develop their stamina.

“Alongside competition pieces, this is something we have been preparing for basically all year as we did not have the usual pep rallies and football games,” junior

“

I COULDN’T HAVE BEEN HAPPIER FOR THIS YEAR’S TEAM AND GABLETTE REVIEW WAS AN AMAZING WAY TO END THE YEAR. ARIANNA GARCIA, SENIOR Gablette Jana Faour said. “This was our first and only real performance of the year so it felt good to finally showcase [this team].”

Starting with high kicks and open smiles, the team performed a series of dances choreographed by the team’s coaches and officers including a junior varsity kick routine to the song “Geronimo” by Sheppard and a junior varsity jazz routine to the song “Belong” by Cary Brothers, both of which they won awards at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) competition this past April.

Most notably, however, the team performed their varsity kick routine to the song “Come Sail Away” by Styx, for which they won the title of NDA National Kick Champions.

“Winning a championship means so much more than getting first place, but it goes to show that even through all the difficulties this year, the team and I were still able to stay focused and worked through all the hardships,” senior cocaptain Emma Bartelt said.

After showcasing their talents and efforts throughout the school year, the current team and alumni celebrated the class of 2021 by doing the annual Gablette senior send-off ceremony. Underclassmen gave senior Gablettes a bouquet of flowers while each dancer’s parents walked them across the stage as official Gablette graduates.

Closing off a season with unexpected highs and lows, the group ended the show with one last dance. h HIGH KICKS: The Gablettes perform their final dance in their traditional red and white uniforms during their spring performance.

Cristel Cantarero / highlights

20 sports

A hit to the softball season

G. Holmes Braddock Bulldogs defeat the school’s Lady Cavaliers softballl team during the high school district finals

BY OLIVIA REBULL, STAFF WRITER

A

FTER A TOUGH MATCH WITH missing team members, the school’s girls softball team was defeated by the G. Holmes Braddock Bulldogs on April 27.

Following a long year of Zoom meetings and socially-distanced practices, the softball team worked their way to compete at the district level. Hoping to advance to the next level, the players sat in a circle on the field to give one another pep talks prior to the game, in an effort to get the team ready to perform well.

“Training has changed drastically due to [Covid-19]. We usually start a month earlier to train girls and condition but we could not do that this year,” head softball coach Monica De la Vega said.

With the hit of the bat, the school’s softball team began their match at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School against the Bulldogs. The game started with the Lady Cavaliers out on the field playing defense. The school took a strong lead against Braddock at the start by immediately striking out eight hitters in the game. The school’s team stopped Braddock from completing a full round due to the number of strikeouts.

“The first inning was immaculate.

Everyone was hitting the ball and got great hits. We were loud in the dugout and played as a team,” senior captain Deborah Eusebio said.

The Lady Cavaliers confidently went into

the second inning. The school’s second base player Gabriella Martinez got hits four out of her five times at-bat, including one triple hit.

“

THE GAME RESULTED IN A LOSS DUE TO SOME PLAYERS BEING OUT SICK AND SOME INJURIES. MONICA DE LA VEGA, SOFTBALL HEAD COACH Martinez was playing second base when the ball came straight to her. She immediately threw it to the team’s shortstop, sophomore Sofia Rodriguez, who passed it to her fellow teammates to get the remaining opposing players out.

The team’s star pitcher sophomore Julia Kay got three hits out of her four times at-bat with a triple while also scoring four run battedins (RBIs). However, the Bulldogs efforts began to shine through as they dominated the 3rd inning of the game and earned a lead, which made the Cavaliers lose motivation.

Yet, Kay was able to fight through and strike

out five batters, which left the Cavaliers hopeful despite their trailing score.

“Getting to do live pitching and hitting during practice has allowed me to improve my skills and experience plays that could occur in games, allowing me to be more prepared for them,” Kay said.

During the 4th and 5th innings, Eusebio was able to hit three out of four times at-bat.

One of those three hits allowed Eusebio to move up to second base. Despite the strong push, the Cavaliers started slowing down and the school’s efforts fell short, with the final score being 14-25.

“The game resulted in a loss due to players being out sick and some injuries. But also because we lost focus and motivation towards the end,” De la Vega said.

In spite of the loss, the Lady Cavaliers softball t e a m remain o p e n minded for their future seasons given the end of the 20202 0 2 1 season. h

AT BAT: The girls softball team strikes out the Braddock Bulldogs during the district finals on April 27.

Olivia Rebull/ highlights

sports 21

Everyday athletic essentials

highlights explores the bags of several Cavalier athletes to uncover what they contribute to each athlete’s performance

BY NATALIE FALLS, STAFF WRITER

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HETHER IT BE STEPPING up to the pitcher’s mound, taking center stage or facing an opponent on the mat, student-athletes not only rely on their skills, but on the items they bring to practice every day. Typically packed

with day-to-day essentials, the contents of their bags each serve a purpose and help contribute to the athlete’s success both on and off their respective playing field. For student-athletes — junior Joshua Johnson, sophomore Victoria Krulig and junior Hayden

Hohman — their bags and the unique items that can be found within them, each play an important role in getting them through practice and help grant them the peace of mind they need to channel their energy into their performance.

JOSHUA JOHNSON Junior wrestling captain, Joshua Johnson finds that his agility and quick-thinking skills are not the only things that help him when facing an opponent on the mat. Prior to attending practice and getting ready for a match by undergoing warm-ups, weigh-ins and stretching exercises, Johnson ensures that his bag is packed with his headgear, shoes, mouth guard and all of the necessary equipment he may need to secure not only himself but secure another win on the mat as well.

Shoes Headguard Bag

Courtesy of Joshua Johnson

VICTORIA KRULIG Breaking down each routine step-bystep to prepare for competition, sophomore Gablette Victoria “Vicky” Krulig ensures that her moves and coordination on stage are up to par with not only the help of her fellow teammates but with the help of her equipment as well. With a tightly packed schedule for after-school practice, Krulig strives to keep up with the rigorous itinerary by packing the essentials in her bag. Items such as a water bottle to stay hydrated, a pair of half soles meant for practicing dance routines and a pair of sneakers just in case of a team workout session are the typical items that she packs when off to practice. .

Bag Water bottle Hygienic bag Shoes

HAYDEN HOHMAN When stepping foot onto the field for yet another game, junior pitcher, outfielder and first baseman Hayden Hohman ensures that he is not only physically prepared, but equipped as he prepares to face the nine-inning game ahead of him. Hohman makes sure that regardless of what position he is set to play on the field that his bag is packed with the essentials. Cleats, a variety of baseball gloves, a baseball bat and resistance bands are only a few of the items that he packs to get him through intense practices filled with conditioning, sprints and defensive training, but an action-packed game with his teammates on the field. h

22 sports

Courtesy of Victoria Krulig

Bag Shoes Mitt Rope Baseball Gloves

Courtesy of Hayden Hohman

DEVELOPING TRENDS Bellows Film Lab in Wynwood is providing Miami residents with a chance to develop film, a trend that has taken off

BY CRISTEL CANTARERO, STAFF WRITER

M

IAMI is a city where creativity flourishes. More specifically, Wynwood is an area best known for allowing artists and photographers to showcase their creations and expand upon their passions. Bellows Film Lab, located on 2051 NW 2nd Ave., does exactly that as they develop film, between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and sell items related to photography.

Bellows Film Lab is covered in a vibrant lavender paint and splotches of green, pink and blue that automatically catches the eye.

Entering through the mint-colored door, customers are greeted with a yellow smiley face — a motif implemented throughout the rest of the store — and a large, vibrant purple couch. Customer service is located in the back of the store where there is a non-alcoholic bar.

The store develops film from film cameras, sells cameras along with accessories and provides a community for film lovers.

Above the couch, is a dismantled red motorcycle. To the left, a Ms. Pacman arcade machine. To the right, an empty red gumball machine is decorated to look like a fishbowl.

A mint green vending machine catches the eye of all customers serving as both decoration and a unique way to sell their products. The vending machine sells different types of polaroid and film cameras. On display the store has hoodies and crewnecks in the colors white, green and purple for customers to buy and they are also available online in different colors.

Bellows Film Lab develops picture film as small as 35 millimeters to as big as 8x10

inches. They develop film in color along with black and white and have different film scanners for different types of cameras like Epson and Fuji. Customers have the option of choosing a combo pack that includes developing film, scanning it and turning it around.

Bellows Film Lab was opened in the

“

I LIKE TO SEE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT COME IN AND TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS...I GET TO BRIEFLY SEE PEOPLE’S PICTURES COME OUT AND THAT’S ALWAYS SO FUN. NICO TEPPER, EMPLOYEE AT BELLOWS FILM LAB beginning of 2021 by owner Marcello Peschiera. Inspired by his love of cinematography, Peschiera developed film for a couple friends and over time, the number of friends he developed film for grew. He then decided to open up a film store, during the pandemic. According to Peschiera, opening during the pandemic was not a difficult task for the team.

“Everyone in society had kind of been attempting to adjust and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Having the mask and

staying six feet away from each other,I feel like it’s kind of prevented people from coming because we’re in a very popular area,” store manager Pierre Denis said The store requires its customers to wear masks at all times and there are purple stickers with yellow smiley faces on the ground that help customers social distance.

On their Instagram, @BellowsFilmLab, prospective customers can find their service fees in the highlighted “Price Menu.” Their prices are organized in a menu style to maintain the theme of a bar. The price menu is separated into the categories “Main Plates” and “Sides.”

Each main plate has a unique name pertaining to jokes mostly known by younger generations. One of the main plates called “Size Does Matter” includes 120/220 development, the Fuji Frontier SP-3000 scanner and 24-hour turn around for $15.

Another main plate called “The Influencer,” includes 1x35 roll development, the V850 scanner with a 24-hour turnaround for $12.

Employees at Bellows Film Lab help foster the idea that photography is more than capturing a moment of time, it is an art form that relies on channeling emotion and personality into each picture.

“I like to see all the people that come in and take photographs...I get to briefly see peoples pictures come out and that’s always so fun,” employee Nico Tepper said.

Bellows Film Lab is a place that embraces all things film and provides a sense of community for people who are passionate about photography, it is a place where young people can rediscover film and different styles of photography besides a phone camera. h

Cristel Cantarero / highlights

TAKING A TOUR: Bellows Film Lab has so many unique decor that one does not know where to look.

the scene 23

Cultural Marketplaces

Located around Miami, cultural markets provide residents a place to shop for essential food items from around the world

BY CAMILA AITKEN AND MARCELA RONDON, STAFF WRITERS

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Shahs Bazaar

ITH WHIFFS OF BREWING HOT SAFFRON tea and freshly made Iranian naan — bread —, the City of Coral Gables has welcomed a new cultural food market importing foods from the Middle East.

Shahs Bazaar opened in January and has already developed a following. Its owner, school alumnus Hamid Ebrahimi brother of Sara and Hanna Ebrahimi, focuses on importing goods authentic to the Middle East as, prior to opening, there was not a market in Miami which boasted genuine products from countries like Iran and Turkey. People looking for Middle Eastern products in Miami can now find a market in town instead of having to travel hours to find the things they love.

Shahs Bazaar is a family-run business which serves daily specials, sweets, spices, nuts, dairy products, breads, kitchenware and much more. Although Shahs Bazaar does not compare in size to other popular super markets, Ebrahimi hopes to develop a niche market which imports products that cannot be found anywhere else in Miami.

The market is located on 430 South Dixie Hwy., Coral Gables. It is mostly run by Ebrahimi, however the daily specials are made by his mother, Zohreh Vaez Ghaemi.

Shahs Bazaar is run by the same family who operates Shahs of Kabob, a Persian restaurant in South Miami and just like the restaurant, all meats offered at the market are halal.

Shahs Bazaar is known for stocking tasty lavash flatbread that has even attracted the attention of former U.S. Congresswoman Donna Shalala. The flatbread comes in large rectangular pieces and is available to purchase online or in store. The breads sold range from as little as $4 to $10 and the popular dairy products range from $2 to $25. Its daily

Hanna Ebrahimi / highlights

SEASONING SETS: At Shahs Bazaar there are a number of seasonings available ready to make any dish taste delicious.

24 the scene

traditional Persian specials include things like Lubia Polo, a combination of beef, rice, tomato paste and green beans which is available for purchase every Monday or through pre-order ahead of time. They also offer ghormeh sabzi, an herbal green stew and kotlet, or beef fritters. Needless to say the market has already developed a fan bass with its daily Persian specials, Turkish delights and desserts, tea products, nuts, wholesome dairy products and much more. The market offers reasonably priced one of a kind goods as well as free delivery for online orders $50 and over.

“We try to bring in a variety of products which a lot of my customers have not had in 20 to 30 years. Before opening there was not a place to buy these types of products without driving at least an hour outside of town,” Ebrahimi said.

Ebrahimi prides himself on importing natural and healthy products from the Middle East that you cannot get anywhere else, even online. Despite opening during a pandemic, Ebrahimi remains optimistic about the market’s chance of success and the family even has a few new projects on the horizon such as a bakery in Kendall as well as a second restaurant in Doral.

“The market, as well as the restaurant, serves clean, healthy food. I have been a supporter of their business for years now and appreciate having Middle Easten products and cuisine so close,” customer Sean Rezai said.

Cultural markets in Miami serve as a portal to the culture from foreign countries and they offer immigrants from those countries a taste of home. Shahs Bazaar also offers people the opportunity to try dishes they have never had before as well as purchase spices and snacks only available in Middle Eastern markets.

Hanna Ebrahimi / highlights

DIVERSE DISPLAY: Located around the store are various nuts and seeds customers can sample when browsing at Shahs Bazaar.

Manantial Market D

ECORATED WITH HANGING PLANTS AND splashes of red, blue and yellow across the store, Manantial Market is a taste of Colombia in Miami. Tropical Spanish music sets the mood for customers and diners getting a bite to eat at Manantial’s Cafe under strings of twinkling lights and pennant banners.

Manantial, located on 6778 W Flagler St., prides itself on being one of the few Colombian markets Miami has to offer, carrying over 500 imported name-brand goods from Colombia. For many Colombian residents in Miami, Manantial has been a hallmark for Colombian cuisine and culture.

“I love to use Manantial to cater events that I host like family reunions because I always know their food will be authentic and tasty,” customer Martina Campos said.

Manantial was founded in 2010 by Margoth de Horta and her children, establishing a family-owned and oriented business. The owners of Manantial had a desire to make Colombian food that they themselves would enjoy and be able to proudly share with customers. The authenticity of their dishes incentivises customers to return and enjoy their varying menu and goods for sale.

Manantial’s market is composed entirely of traditional Colombian dishes, such as their popular bandeja paisa, a hearty, $15 dish composed of grilled steak, pork rinds, sausage, rice, beans, plantains, fried eggs and an arepa. For a lighter option, Manantial features smaller dishes such as their Sandwich Manantial, a $9 dish consisting of a choice

of beef or chicken, lettuce, tomato, salsa and french fries sandwiched in warm cheese bread. For lighter appetizers, Manantial offers dishes such as tender and warm pan de bono con queso colombiano, a $1.30 dish of yuca bread with Colombian cheese and savory tostones Caribeños and hogao, a $6 appetizer of fried plantains and salsa.

Manantial Market offers a wide range of Colombian goods all at a moderate price point, ranging from food products to household cleaning products. Their most popular goods include Jet Wafer cookies, Ramo ponque black cakes and Supercoco coconut candies. They also offer Postobon sodas and a variety of Colombian coffees, such as Cafe Aguila Roja, boost their exclusivity.

Apart from being a market and cafe, Manantial also offers a shipping and importing service to and from Colombia. Many Miami residents take advantage of this convenient service to ship packages to Colombia at a reasonable cost of just $0.99 per pound.

“We at Manantial want to bring the Colombians and Latinos of Miami closer to their roots, that when they enter our store they feel at home. One of the services that we needed to bring people closer to their families was shipments to Colombia, so customers feel that they have their families closer,” managers Maria and Daniel de Horta said.

Manantial Market’s inviting atmosphere creates an enjoyable experience of Colombian culture in Miami through a way that touches people’s souls the most: food. h

Marcela Rondon / highlights

Marcela Rondon / highlights

COLOMBIAN COLORS: At Manantial Market the colors of the Colombian flag are shown in this display of food and items.

OUTDOOR EFFECT : Manantial Market is decorated to match the feel of an outdoor market in Colombia with artificial greenery.

the scene 25

Miami Relics

While new, trendy restaurants pop up in Miami daily, some places prove that citzens still love and cherish the classics

BY ALEXANDRA ROA, STAFF WRITER

M

IAMI IS HOME TO A BOOMING and expanding restaurant industry.

As many new restaurants come and go, those that have been around for decades have proven how well they cater to their audience, sticking around through a growing customer base and tough times like a pandemic.

With harsh critics, the people of Miami have spoken and continued to support these restaurants year after year. From the environment to the food, welcoming dozens of customers through their doors on a daily basis, Miami’s Best Pizza and The Last Carrot have displayed their love for the community and dedication to serving quality meals.

Miami’s Best, a locally owned pizzeria established in 1970, has been serving the people of Miami with comfort food that satisfies any pizza cravings for over 50 years.

The Last Carrot, also a locally-owned family business that has been open since 1975, takes a healthy approach on some of Miami’s most treasured dishes, offering food for all.

The Last Carrot Unlike many restaurants that are accompanied by the smell of fried, greasy food in the air, The Last Carrot guarantees the opposite, ensuring that every one of their dishes, smoothies and juices are freshly made in-house from the healthiest of ingredients.

Inviting customers inside beginning in 1975, Michael Compton, the founder of The Last Carrot, unknowingly embarked on his journey to create his restaurant by going on a cross-country roadtrip as a student at the University of Miami. Collecting menus from restaurants that he stopped at along the way, each dish he felt was delicious and interesting became the inspiration behind some of the familiar meals Miamians have come to know and love.

“The peanut butter banana apple sandwich was something that had caught my dad’s eye on his trip. When the flavors come together it tastes like a dessert and can sustain you for a long time because the peanut butter is filling and the banana and apple are refreshing,” owner Erin Compton said.

The Last Carrot features a variety of salads, sandwiches, spinach pies, smoothies, juices and desserts. For $8.87, the Solid White Chicken Salad is served with chicken on top of

crispy lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts and carrots. As for a filling sandwich to satiate one’s hunger without feeling overwhelmingly full, the Monterey Jack Cheese Sandwich features lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, bean sprouts, a customers choice of house made herbal or vinaigrette dressing and Monterey Jack cheese stuffed into a whole grain pita for $7.93.

Additionally, one’s daily dose of vitamins and antioxidants has never been so easy to consume as it is all packed into The Last C a r r o t ’s n e w

Alexandra Roa / highlights

famously delicious Green Juice. Inside of this mouthwatering combination, the juice will quench one’s thirst in a matter of seconds while featuring healthy ingredients like kale, spinach, cucumber, celery, parsley, apple, lime and ginger for $6.68.

Evolving from solely a juice bar to now a full-sized restaurant, The Last Carrot epitomizes having a long history in Miami.

Although the menu has undergone some changes, such as the incorporation of meals and smoothies, the restaurant has preserved its values and remains stuck in the 70s due to maintaining the aura of the space.

The Last Carrot aims to make making their customers feel at home. From the layout of the restaurant to the decorations that bring it to life, each and every one plays a role in creating this nurturing environment. With different local artists’ work displayed on their walls and paintings from Erin’s childhood, customers feel as if they are a part of a family.

Along with an open flow concept, The Last Carrot has two bar-style tables. The raw look of the live edge wood counter that lies beneath their window contributes to the natural and homey environment. From this window, customers can take a peek

Arianna Peña / highlights

and people watch the tourists and locals exploring the vibrant streets of Coconut Grove.

The other L-shaped counter allows customers to watch the magic happen. Overlooking the food and juicers, the freshly prepared food is made right before the customer’s eyes.

Facing multiple rushes of business

throughout the day, The Last Carrot remains busy. Working harmoniously with one another, employees share a family dynamic and are brought together by sharing similar values, all aiming towards making their customers feel special.

“I want [all my employees] to know the

customers’ names and orders. What better feeling in the world is there when you feel like you are a priority and you feel special?

So nothing is glamorized about the way the restaurant looks, but when you come in, you leave feeling amazing and that is for sure,” Erin Compton said.

Miami’s Best Pizza Serving up smiles and laughs since 1970, Miami’s Best Pizza has created a space for anybody from college students to families to enjoy quality time and food. With a vast menu filled with appetizers and main dishes, one is able to customize their order to their liking while observing it come to life behind a large pane of transparent glass.

The glistening red and black epoxy floor of the restaurant, the inviting wooden tables and benches and the custom stained glass light fixtures dangling down from the ceiling, show the creativity behind the interior design of the restaurant.

Although Miami’s Best was closed for nearly three years due to growing rent, they were entrusted with creating their renowned family-friendly environment in their new location across the street. Despite the fact that they were working with a blank canvas, Miami’s Best managed to deliver the same homey feeling to their new store when reopening in 2018.

From the smell of the freshly hand-rolled dough cooking in the oven to the hustle and bustle behind the scenes to have the food brought to the customer as quickly as possible, it occurs more seamlessly than it appears.

“Everybody here has an important role to play and everybody works very hard the minute that they are in trying to make sure that everything goes well and smoothly,” customer service manager Arlet Lagoa said.

Behind the large pane of glass, customers can observe the chefs do what they do best: make pizza. With curious eyes eagerly following the frisbee shaped dough as it is thrown up in the air, chefs not only intend

to make a tasty pizza, but simultaneously an interactive show to be watched that has been a tradition since their opening in 1970. As the chefs see who stumbles upon the window, one can expect flour and pizza toppings to be thrown at them, making the Miami’s Best experience not only memorable for the appetizing flavors that will come to one’s mind, but also the efforts of the staff to make customers feel special.

Additionally, the choice of customizing one’s pizza is up to the customer. With meats varying from Italian sausage to classic

Alexandra Roa / highlights

pepperoni, 14 veggie options from fresh mushrooms to green bell peppers and different cheeses from burrata to ricotta, the many options allow for customers to find exactly what they like for $0.50 per item.

Even going down to t h e pizza crust, Miami’s B e s t offers a gluten free and whole wheat option

for those that prefer it.

Fluffy, cloud-like dough is not only beneficial when making pizza crust, but also for mouth watering garlic rolls. Topped with olive oil, fresh garlic and a garnish of parmesan cheese and herbs this dish even has its own station in the kitchen dedicated to solely making it as they have become commonly purchased with nearly every order.

When one’s order is ready, do not be alarmed when hearing names being screamed from behind the pick-up station, as it has become a Miami’s Best signature to holler the customer’s name when their food is ready. As one picks up their metal pizza tray, if desiring any added fix-ins such as cheese, red chilli pepper flakes or oregano, they can make their way over to the designated familystyle section where every customer shares the oversized Badia seasoning containers.

Going back to what Miami’s Best stands for, it is all about family and in every opportunity presented, Miami’s Best takes advantage of the situation to create that feeling. From the sharing of the spices and tables to the bond between the staff, Miami’s Best intertwines their family values with their ability to make customers feel at home the second they walk through the door.

“Having to shut down for three years and reopening and being able to see the old customers still follow us makes us so happy and grateful for them, it really means a lot to us to be able to be back up and running again,” Lagoa said. “Family means everything to [Miami’s Best], half of the people working in the restaurant were employees of the old location. We’re a big family.” h

Arianna Peña / highlights

Transformation of the News Industry

BY ISABELLA MORALES, ONLINE EDITOR

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28 insight

Print news is dying while online news is on the rise— affecting many factors in society and the daily lives of individuals

T

HE WORLD IS TRANSFORMING — and so is the way we receive our information. As technology plays an increasingly important role in daily lives, future innovation is steered by such advancements.

The news industry has been one of the most notable industries that has been heavily influenced by the world turning online, as news sources have switched their outreach from being paper-based to mostly online platforms.

Ever since the introduction of the first smartphone in 2007, news has completely been converted to fit the rapid increase of technology and a constantly changing society.In 1915, the peak of print news, over 1,500 newsstands existed in New York City, one of the largest cities and business markets in the United States (U.S.).

Now, less than 300 stand as many of them have been abandoned, according to The New Yorker.

However, many factors go into why the change from print to online is happening in the news industry. As people become accustomed to getting everything online, news industries must also become accustomed to such expectations.

Much of this includes publishing daily articles on online platforms regularly in addition to providing information via social media.

As of 2021, 4.54 billion people in the world are online, accounting for 59% of the world’s population, as stated by DateReportal. This is a large shift from 2008, a year after the introduction of the first iPhone, w h e r e only 34% of the population used at least one

social networking site, according to the Pew Research Center.

Therefore, because of the large increase in the number of users on internet platforms, news sources have also shifted to satisfy the accessibility of online media and the quickness of the spreading of news, which is also a large reason why news is mainly online now.

With the click of one button, an article can be shared with the entire world in seconds.

However, this can also result in many complications and negative effects as well. False claims, biased news and the desire to be the first to cover a story are all factors that lead to news sources creating a storm of events that can often leave a poor impact on its audience. With the main audience of many news sources being individuals eagerly waiting to receive information, as news is initially shared, it can easily be accepted without contemplation by the general public.

Although such drawbacks are common, this does not interfere with the spread of online platforms. Print news is generally not an accepted way of sharing news and therefore, attempting to revive such

a way of publicizing information would cause a large shift in society’s daily lives. As a matter of fact, only 3% of U.S. adults claim print newspapers as their primary source of information, according to the Pew Research Center.

“I have come to realize that replicating print in a digital device is much more difficult than what anybody, including me, imagined,” Roger Fidler, a visionary for online media, said in an interview with the Columbia Journalism Review in 2016. Fidler is best known for his outlook of digital newspapers in 1981, where he envisioned a future that relied on technology for news sources.

The world has already been so transformed into the digital age that making any sort of movement back in time to encourage the use of print news sources would be nearly impossible.

Because of these shifts, the news industry is forced to follow suit to remain in business.

Local newspapers are beginning to see this effect. The McClatchy company, the second largest newspaper publishing company, filed for bankruptcy in Feb. 2020, according to Forbes. This marked the end for many familyrun businesses and the decline of many print newspapers across the nation, including the Miami Herald, as they are published by McClatchy.

As the news industry continues to evolve, so does much of society. The way news is received, how it is interpreted, how it is spread — all of these factors play a large role in determining the future of society and how the world will continue to develop. Journalism is shifting every day. Print news is dying while online news is on the rise and there is no sight of this conversion being altered any time soon.

insight 29

BY THE NUMBERS highlights surveyed 275 students in April 2021 regarding the transformation of the news industry.

58.2%

of students believe that online news is more popular for its availability

NEWS

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78.5% of students believe that fast pace news coverage has caused a loss of credibility in online news

98.1%

of students primarily get their news from online sources.

52.4%

of students believe that online news media has affected society positively 30 insight

reasons why being relayed instantly, many industries have

The most notable reason for the news industry becoming less reliant on print is the availability of online news. Digital media can be reached practically anywhere with accessible internet, meaning that online articles can be reached at any time, whereas with print news, one must make their way to an established newsstand and purchase a newspaper.

In fact, according to Statista, an estimated 72.7% of the American population owns a smartphone, implying that well over half of Americans have access to stories published online. In turn, this signifies that with more people being attracted to internet sources, news industries must make a larger shift towards online platforms in order to accommodate the readers and prevent the company from dying out.

“I think we will see fewer and fewer print publications and the audience will move almost all online in my lifetime. I will miss the feel of newsprint and stumbling on a below the fold front page story that I might not have found if I were reading headlines online. Change is hard, but necessary,” Anne Donohue, an associate professor in the journalism department at Boston University said.

Additionally, what makes online news extremely popular and efficient is the quickness of it. Since online media allows for information

transformed the way they deliver their news. As a result, employment in newsrooms dropped 51% between 2008 and 2019 in the U.S., as reported by the Pew Research Center. This then causes more journalists to find work online as well.

As reported by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hussman School of Journalism and Media, The NewsGuild organization, an organization that aims to save the jobs of writers in a declining news industry, grew by 3,000 members from 2018 to 2020. This includes 99 writers from the Miami Herald joining the organization.

“Online news will likely expand because of new topics readers find appealing along with the increased accessibility readers have to articles through online platforms. I feel as if upcoming younger journalists would likely thrive in the creation of online journals and publishing methods,” sophomore Gloria Arce said.

With more readers attracted to digital media, there is larger revenue for online news sources. Also, with subscription sales, online news sources are able to gain even more revenue. Although print news sources also allow for subscriptions, the likelihood of readers subscribing to a newspaper rather than an online site is very slim.

PROS and CONS Online news travels extremely quickly; reachings thousands of readers in seconds.

However, such quickness of news can, at times, create problems of credibility. Since being one of the first sources to cover a story may create a larger audience, news industries can focus on publishing an article before actually proving it true. As a side effect, readers can oftentimes find an article and deem it as accurate without checking the facts, leading to the spread of false news and eventual lack of trust in formerly trustworthy sources. In fact, only 29% of American adults said in 2020 that they mostly trust the mainstream media, in comparison to 43% in 2010, according to Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and Gallup.

Additionally, since many of these online news sources are developed by algorithms rather than being checked by knowledgeable individuals, falsifying information on the internet can spread extremely rapidly, in order to extend revenue and online traffic as well. In turn, the role of writers and editors of such news sources can be weakened and largely dismissed because of the lower demand of these jobs. Additionally, it can create a poor image for digital media — and the effects of this have been seen in the few individuals who actually trust online news.

As a result of differences in news sources, there has also been a large division created among the American people in recent years due to controversy of trusting certain platforms. Such a difference in trusting different sources can be seen in a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, where depending on an individual’s personal views, the news they paid attention to differed. For example, 65% of Republicans trust Fox News, while 67% of Democrats trust CNN.

This reveals how a lack of trust in news sources overall has increased the likelihood of readers choosing sources based on their political views. “[Online news] means it’s easy to access and people can choose from a variety of sources to get their news. Of course, there is the challenge of trying to make sure that people are reading, watching or listening to a variety of credible sources to try to get accurate information about the issues important to them,” Ted Spiker, the chair of the department of journalism at the University of Florida said.

Although online news can bring many problems into the news industry, many positive aspects also come as a result. The most notable effect is possibly the efficiency of gathering information available anywhere on the internet from an infinite range of options. Now, by simply typing in a few key words into a search engine, all available knowledge is in the hands of the user.

“Developing of better devices, such as iPhones and better communications technologies, such as LTE, emerging 5G and improved WiFi variants, means that it’s more convenient for consumers to read, watch or listen to news when they have the time and interest to do so,” Theodore Bridis, a Rob Hiaasen Lecturer in Investigative Reporting at the University of Florida said.

In the more developed world, the transformation into digital news platforms has fueled the ability to collaborate with colleagues, build relationships with professional contacts and general education from news sources, according to the World Economic Forum. Therefore, the news industry turning online can have many positive and negative effects on society, depending on the situation and the viewpoint of the individual.

FUTURE Now, with the news industry turning into more of an online profession, the future continues to remain in question.

Jobs in journalism are already transforming and digital media is being used more everyday. Newspapers are struggling to survive as they continue to compete with digital media, which is seen in the newspaper circulation of the U.S. In 2020 alone, America had the least successful year for print journalism since 1940, as stated by the Pew Research Center.

“Everything is digital these days with some pockets for print products. The bigger point is whether we’re delivering the content and journalism that communities need, no matter the platform. And one of the biggest threats is the decline of local news— even when we’re at an abundance of all kinds of content. So communities have to find ways to support local news outlets – digital, print or hybrids – so that this journalism can serve a crucial role in every community,” Spiker said.

As a result of such changes in revenue, availability and relevance, newspapers are losing a large sum of their money each year. Between 2008 and 2018, there was a drastic change for revenue of newspapers, with advertising revenue

falling from $37.8 billion in 2008 to $14.3 billion in 2018, a 62% decline, according to FactTank of the Pew Research Center. Even today, these differences are much higher, given the current situation of COVID-19 where many people are spending more time using online media.

“The pandemic devastated the entire global economy, and also affected print journalism, which still relies on commercial and retail advertising to subsidize its operations. Also it’s a mistake to focus solely on the economic damage to print journalism, because increasingly news organizations are successfully migrating away from print products, as more consumers read, watch and listen to their news online,” Bridis said.

Furthermore, this new wave of technology that has been demonstrated for years also feeds into a largely dismissed problem: the overuse of technology, which turns news audiences away from reading print news. If averaging 3.07 hours on phones alone per day, this can total up to nine years of staring at a screen in a lifetime, as stated by Entrepreneur.

This demographic largely influences the future of the number of those who will actually read the newspaper, as many of

the individuals who do not want to stare at a screen for news are mostly elders; 72% of individuals over the age of 65 are more likely to choose print over digital news, according to the American Press Institute.

Therefore, the actions of the young adults in this world, mainly those under 25 and any future generations can greatly determine the final outcome for print news.

“We have come a long way from hand held newspapers to almost every article written within the touch of a button,” sophomore Alyssa Acosta said.

“I don’t think there will ever be a point where we will evolve back to newspapers [being the main form of media].”

News is developing and that has been known for years. In the future, news will be able to spread in a matter of seconds, just like it does today, which includes both the biased and unbiased information.

However, soon enough, print news can be seen solely as a part of history. Today it is still present in society, just often overlooked and not given as much attention as online stories. With that being said, the future of print news is in the hands of society. However, given the technologybased track we are on today, a promising future for newspapers is not likely. h

STUDENTS SPEAK UP ss aG ag

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“ I FEEL LIKE THIS SWITCH IS BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE. IT HAS HELPED US ADVANCE IN A TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECT BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HAVING A CAREER IN JOURNALISM ISN’T EQUALLY EXCITING AND REWARDING.” - Marissa Gagliano, senior

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“ I’VE NOTICED A HUGE SHIFT IN JOURNALISM TO MORE OF A TARGET SCHEME TO INFLUENCE A CERTAIN TARGET GROUP AS WELL AS HELP A CERTAIN PARTY OR PERSON. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS A BUSINESS AND IT IS BECOMING MORE BUSINESS-MINDED THAN TRUE DOCUMENTATION AND JOURNALISM.” -Kai Palomino, senior

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“I THINK THAT TECHNOLOGY HAS REACHED POINTS THAT MANY DID NOT EVEN KNOW WERE A POSSIBILITY. NEWER GENERATIONS ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN TECHNOLOGY, SO I DON’T THINK PRINT NEWS WILL EVER MAKE A COMEBACK.” -Natalia Orozco, junior

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Third baseman Justin Morina prepares to hit the ball in a tight district finals game against the Miami Senior High Eagles on Tuesday, April 27. After going into extra innings, the Cavaliers lost to the Eagles 2-3, thus bringing an end to their season.

Marta Rodriguez / highlights