Campus to host Republican presidential debate By Isabella Cueto Assistant News Editor
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he University of Miami will play a role in the selection of the next Republican nominee for the 2016 presidential election. The Republican National Committee announced Wednesday that the school will host a debate on March 10, according to the Miami Herald. The debate will be five days before the Florida Republican primary and one day after a Democratic primary debate will be held at Miami Dade College. CNN, the Washington Times and Salem Radio Network will lead the debate. During the 2008 presidential election cycle, the school hosted primary debates for both the Republican and Democratic parties. Both were led by Univision. UM also hosted a general election debate between President George W. Bush and John Kerry in 2004. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, as well as Florida Senator and UM Law School grad Marco Rubio, could be involved in the debate if they make it through the month and a half of caucuses leading up the debate, which is the last scheduled debate in the Republican primary cycle. A University spokesperson did not confirm or deny the report. Chris Dalton, President of the UM College Republicans, was excited to hear the Republican nominees would be debating at the school. “The announcement that the University of Miami will host a Republican Primary Debate is exciting news for the entire UM family. College students will bear the burden of the priorities and policies of the next president, and as such we are eager to play such a vital role in helping to vet and select the next commander-in-chief. As an organization, the University of Miami College Republicans have been actively following all of the debates and are excited at the prospect of not only being able to watch a debate live, but to host it right on our campus. Just five days before the Florida primary, this debate could be the deciding factor for many voters here in Florida. Regardless political party, all 16,000 students are fortunate to have this major campaign event happening at the University of Miami.”
Evelyn Choi // Staff Photographer
BREAKING IT DOWN: Kaos President Megan Bullock kicks up into a headstand during the Kaos Kickoff Showcase Wednesday night at the Rock. The event was originally scheduled for the fall semester, but was rescheduled due to inclement weather.
KAOS performance showcases hip-hop, contemporary dance By Justin Lei Contributing News Writer
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hen University of Miami coed hip-hop team KAOS’s fall showcase was rained out, the team decided to spend the semester perfecting their routines for a spring showcase which was held Wednesday night on the Rock. The performance included a mix of various styles of hip-hop and contemporary dance. Two dancers from Controlled KAOS, a group in Hialeah started by a few of the original UM
KAOS members, were guest performers alongside Hurricane Bhangra, UJhoom and others, some of whom were KAOS alums. The dances of the night were primarily choreographed by various members of KAOS with the help of local Miami dancers, including KAOS alum Rickey Pierre and dancer Christian Castillo. Though not trained in dance, junior Montana Pflaster and other dancers found the guidance of the local choreographers and alumni to be helpful in perfecting their performances. The team practiced intensely for the week leading up to the showcase, with some practices lasting until the sun came up. “We felt really good about this and we were super prepared,” sophomore Eli Furman said about the time they had to fine-tune their routine. The team’s hard work paid off at the end of the night with the support of a large crowd of students.
“I’m literally always in awe when I see these showcases and I admire their passion,” said sophomore Swetha Davuluri. Attendee Shawn Peter also found the performances highly entertaining. “There were a lot of different types of styles and the finale blew it out of the park,” he said. Even after successful performances like this showcase, the team still works hard to further improve their moves. “Right after the show, we’re all going to go to the president’s house and watch our performance,” said junior member Raphaelle Kernisant. But for the team, KAOS is more than just focusing on their performances, it’s about connecting with one another. “We’re not just a crew, we’re really a family,” Pflaster said.
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NEWS
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
January 21 - January 24, 2016
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Senate speaker helps progress campus initiatives By Marcus Lim Staff Writer
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n running Student Government Senate meetings, passing bills and trying to ensure progress is made to benefit the campus population, the speaker of the Senate has a busy job. Jeffrey Sznapstajler, aided by his trusted second-in-command, Ivann Anderson, the speaker pro tempore, leads 55 members in the Senate meeting, including 45 senators, Student Government executive members, advisors and other liaisons. They have helped the Senate to pass 21 bills, the average for the beginning of the spring semester, and oversaw the passage of five Category-D bills that recommend that university administration take action on certain issues. The Category-D bills he has helped to pass include recommendations to install an educational aquarium in the University Center, retrofit the campus with environmentallyconscious light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, increase funding for Distraction Magazine and Ibis Yearbook through referendums and modify the school’s absence policy. “As members of Student Government, it is important to give back,” Sznapstajler said. “To represent people to the best of our ability and to see that our projects get done.” Having known him from past elections, Anderson said the only surprise about Sznapstajler this year was his upbeat mood. “Working with Jeff is awesome. Having known him only through Senate prior to elections, I would have never thought that
NEWS BRIEFS he could be so funny. Jeff always brings a great time,” Anderson said. “Jeff is definitely one of the most dedicated individuals I know. Senate was placed in great hands when Jeff took over.” Sznapstajler has been involved in Senate since his freshman year, when he started off as the Hecht Residential College (HRC) senator. “I wanted to be involved on campus. It was something I have never done before, I have been involved in high school,” Sznapstajler said. “So I thought, might as well try it, and Senate has always been a good fit for me. I love Senate. It was about representing people and I knew I would have good ideas to bring to and from my constituents.” In his first year as a Senator, Sznapstajler was responsible for getting a barricade placed around the university seal in front of the Richter Library. It was one of the first bills he wrote with University Affairs and it was passed and implemented quickly. While that was memorable, the work he remembers the most came when, as Fraternity Row senator during his sophomore and junior years, he and three other Senators were on the committee to revise the school Constitution. “Working the whole last year, for two hours a week, we would comb through the entire Constitution and make numerous edits,” Sznapstajler said. “One year later, we have a better, updated and revised Constitution. The amount of time it took and all the hard work made it very memorable.” Another bill he helped to pass as a Fraternity Row senator focused on increasing the safety on San Amaro Drive. After observation and research, he and the senate’s safety committee brought their compiled findings to the city. “Fraternity Row is on San Amaro Drive, making this issue an important one for me,” Sznapstajler said. “I worked on it in my sophomore year and two years later, this is finally becoming a reality. We are starting to see major steps.”
President Julio Frenkʼs Inauguration
Erum Kidwaii // Assistant Photo Editor
STUDENT GOVERNMENT STAR: Jeffrey Sznapstajler, Speaker of the Senate, engages with other senate members during Wednesday’s weekly meeting at the Shalala Student Center. Sznapstajler has four years of experience working in Student Government and has helped pass 21 bills. Spending time in the Senate only reaffirmed his aspiration to lead it, as did the time he spent looking up to his predecessors. “I knew I wanted to be speaker for a while,” Sznapstajler said, before mentioning how he was influenced by the first speaker he encountered in Senate, Parker Barnett. “[He] seemed like a cool guy and just made me think that it would be great to be the speaker. I knew that if I was speaker, like the others before me, I would be able to spread my love for Senate to the other senators.” Sznapstajler ran against six other candidates for the role of speaker and won the majority of votes. Winning was not the hard part; what was more daunting was the challenge of succeeding the previous speaker, Brianna Hathaway, who is now the Student Government president. But according to Hathaway, he has nothing to worry about. “Jeff has done a great job as my successor. I have worked in Senate with him since my freshman year when I was freshman senator and he was the HRC senator,” Hathaway said. “I am so proud of how far he has come and believe he has and will continue to bring an atmosphere of excellence and family to senate.”
It is the atmosphere that Sznapstajler brings to Senate that has been met with approval from the other senators and administrative members. Senator Jacob Rudolph of the College of Arts and Sciences used the words “approachable” and “committed” to describe Sznapstajler. Brandon Gross, the associate director of the Student Center Complex and a former speaker of the Senate shared the same sentiment and commented on how Sznapstajler’s own style works. “He has a bit of an informal demeanor and it works well with Senate,” Gross said. “When the time comes to take control, he does that in his own way. He keeps conversations fluid and involves other senators.” For Sznapstajler, his first semester has successful in the eyes of his peers. His predecessors know that he will do just as well this spring semester. “Jeff is honestly one of the most dedicated and honest people that I have met at my time at UM,” Hathaway said. “He works hard to better the student body. His dedication and love for this campus shows in everything that he does and I am so proud of all that he has done for our school.”
Three thousand people have RSVP’d for the inauguration of Dr. Julio Frenk as the sixth president of the University of Miami as of Jan. 20, according to Margot Winick, a university spokesperson. Despite taking office in August 2015, Frenk chose to hold his inauguration after a semester of observing and learning about the university. The inauguration, which will be held at the BankUnited Center on Friday, Jan. 29, will be preceded by a week of events and followed immediately by a community reception. The marching band will lead a procession from the BankUnited center to the community reception on the Lakeside Patio, where there will be food and music. A list of the different inauguration events can be found at http://inauguration. miami.edu/events/index. html. The following link is available exclusively to university students to RSVP: http://invite.miami.edu
Tunnel of Oppression Tours through the multimedia exhibit known as the Tunnel of Oppression begin on Jan. 25 and run through Jan. 27, from 4-10 p.m. The exhibit is meant to expose participants to acts of oppression throughout the world, with rooms ranging in themes from “Tools of Oppression,” “Environment,” “Mental Health,” “LGBTQ,” “Racism,” Women’s Issues,” “Religion,” Immigration,” “Human Trafficking” and “Ref lection.” For more information, contact tunnel. umiami@gmail.com or 305284-4483.
January 21 - January 24, 2016
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
NEWS
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Digital Media Lab renovation upgrades library facilities By Emmi Velez Contributing News Writer
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he Digital Media Lab on the first floor of the Otto G. Richter Library hosted its open house on Wednesday from 3-6 p.m. Although the lab opened years ago, it recently renovated its facilities and added brand new technology to the suite. The open house served to showcase the changes. “We have new equipment, services and an exhibit that we wanted to let people know about and view first hand,” Lab Manager Vanessa Rodriguez said. The lab comes equipped with 16 Apple computers with editing programs like Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut, Avid and the iLife suite. The inner room of the lab also houses digitizing equipment like flatbed scanners, VHS and DVD players, a record player and a cassette tape deck. In addition to the stationary lab equipment, students can check out equipment including cameras and audio and visual equipment. GoPro cameras, brand new digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and a Form 1 stereolithography 3D printer were added to the lab as part of the renovations. “One of our biggest draws is our largeformat printer,” Rodriguez said. “We can print up to 44 inches long and however many
Evelyn Choi // Staff Photographer
TOP TECH: The Digital Media Lab reopens Wednesday afternoon after recent renovations and additions which included new equipment for students to use. feet. We’ve printed up to eight feet, but theoretically we can print even longer than that. There is a small fee for printing, but since it only covers the cost of the materials, it’s normally less than printing in a regular print shop.” The lab also installed a new photo exhibit, “Photographs of Peru,” by Santiago Paez-Pardo. The exhibit shows Peru from the perspective of UM student Santiago PaezPardo while he was on a study abroad trip with Professor Richard Weiskoff through the international studies (INS) program. The photographs were taken with cameras provided by the Digital Media Lab.
Students can receive software consultations from lab staffers, who may suggest an appropriate computer program based on each student’s needs. Mariam Girgis, a freshman biology major, attended the event to see what the Digital Media lab had to offer. “It was really cool to see all the different tech that the Digital Media Lab has. I never knew it existed, but I’ll definitely be using it more often,” Girgis said. “Coming here to use or check out equipment for projects is a lot cheaper than buying it, and way easier, too.” Rodriguez said that she hopes students will continue to learn about the resources
available to them and to make use of the renovated lab. “The Digital Media Lab has grown since its first inception years ago, and not just in size. We try to keep our equipment current and relevant to the needs of our students,” she said. “We are always open to suggestion. Our staff is here and ready to help the UM community.” The Digital Media Lab is located in room 118 of Richter Library and is open during regular library hours. The staff hours for spring are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to midnight and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays.
SENATE RECAP
Coca-Cola to create customized UM drink By Jorge Chabo Senior News Writer
UM Dining Services has partnered with Coca-Cola for new drink Student Government President Brianna Hathaway announced UM’s new partnership with Coca-Cola to create a flavored drink specifically for the University of Miami. The soda is a mix of Vanilla Sprite and Orange Fanta and is expected to be available at the customizable flavor soda stations on campus, like the one at Lime Fresh Mexican Grill in the University Center.
Students will have a chance to give the new drink a name. To submit a name, text your C-number and your original name for the flavor to the SG hotline at 786-7089969. The submission entry is open until Jan. 31 at 11:59 p.m. Three potential finalists will be chosen from the names submitted based on “creativity, consumer appeal and straightforwardness of the name” according to an SG Facebook event page for the competition. The winner will be awarded
$500 and the other two finalists will each be awarded $100.
Notes Dining hall hours have been extended to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays. There will be a screening of Selma Thursday night at 7 p.m. as a part of Martin Luther King Jr. Week.
The Wellness Center will be holding a Battleship tournament on Friday at 6 p.m. at the indoor pool. All faculty, staff and students will be informed of the ban on hoverboards in all facilities across campus. They are not allowed to be in a facility under any circumstance, even if it includes carrying it inside after riding it. The ban goes into effect on Monday, Jan. 25.
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NEWS
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
January 21 - January 24, 2016
ADMINISTRATION
History department chair discusses recently released book By David Ufberg Senior News Writer
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Kawan Amelung // Staff Photographer
he chair of the University of Miami’s history department unveiled her new book to a full crowd at Books & Books in Coral Gables on Wednesday evening. Mary Lindemann’s newest publication, “The Merchant Republics,” discusses how Amsterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg developed as “communities of commerce” over the course of the 18th century. She analyzes the political structures, economic factors, histories and cultural standards of the three cities and how these characteristics set such economic powerhouses apart from each other and from the rest of the world.
For Lindemann, the writing process was anything but swift. “It always takes a long time for an academic book to be published and I was very, very lucky with my press, it only took two years,” she said. The idea of the book, however, was around much longer than that. Lindemann started doing research on the book in 1997. The Merchant Republics is Lindemann’s sixth major book. She also has titles such as “Patriots and Paupers” (named “An Outstanding Academic Book for 1990” by Choice Magazine) and “Health and Healing in Eighteenth-Century Germany” (winner of William H. Welch Medal book prize) under her belt. Despite this, Lindemann always finds it exciting to publish a new book. “It’s still a thrill to get the first copy and open it up and to see what it really looks like,” she said. Lindemann received her Ph.D. in History from the University of Cincinnati in 1980. She has received many major scholarly awards, including the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship and the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, among numerous other impressive academic accomplishments. Lindemann has been a professor at UM since 2004. She became the chair of
Victoria McKaba // Assistant Photo Editor
TALKING TEXT: Historian Mary Lindemann talks about her new book “The Merchant Republics: Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg” at Books & Books Wednesday night. “The Merchant Republics” is the sixth book she has published. the history department in 2010. She will be teaching her History of Medicine course during the upcoming fall semester as part of the medical humanities minor at UM. “The Merchant Republics: Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg, 1648-1790”
is available for purchase from Cambridge University Press.
SERVICE EVENT CELEBRATES MLK DAY
PAINTING WITH PURPOSE: Freshman Tamara Popovska paints a parking spot alongside other students volunteering for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in Liberty City on Monday. The MLK Day of Service experienced a record turnout with nearly 150 student volunteers. UM partnered with the Miami
Children’s Initiative to bring volunteers to elementary and middle schools in Liberty City, where the volunteers worked on beautifying the area. Some of the projects included painting, laying mulch and cleaning up. The volunteers also got to spend time playing sports with children from local neighborhoods.
January 21 - January 24, 2016
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
OPINION
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Opinion CULTURE
Powerball: rational investment or ‘idiot tax?’
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hat does it mean to be rational? In terms of economics, it is often presumed that rationality is synonymous with By Matthew Brotz benefiting your own Contributing Columnist monetary self-interest, investing your resources in the most efficient manner and bringing in maximum returns. Against this measure of rationality, it is clear that many people are prone to act irrationally and perhaps could even be considered irrational creatures. But are human beings really irrational decisionmakers, or does such an interpretation of rationality fail to encompass the more internal and subjective “returns” we enjoy?
The past few weeks of Powerball-craze have served as a useful case study for that question. Millions of people across the country shelled out a couple of dollars each – if not more – for a near-zero chance to win a large sum of money. As the colloquialism “idiot tax” implies, this is a bad bet from a purely economic standpoint. However, this does not take into account the more intangible returns, like the thrill a player receives
THE PROBLEM WITH THE ‘IDIOT TAX’ IDEA IS THAT IT ALMOST ASSUMES THAT PEOPLE ARE ONLY INVESTED IN TANGIBLE, FINANCIAL RETURNS.
as the winning numbers are called or the excitement that comes from knowing that there is even the slimmest of chance of being the winner. It is not difficult to argue
that such a galvanizing experience could be worth the small cost of a lottery ticket. The problem with the “idiot tax” idea is that it almost assumes that people are only invested in tangible, financial returns. Therefore, making bad decisions in terms of these financial returns is regarded as an “idiotic” decision. However, people are not idiots nor are they terribly irrational; they simply tend to make decisions that meet their emotional and subjective needs as well as their objective needs. To the chagrin of some prognosticators, this makes human behavior appear somewhat unpredictable. However, that does not necessarily mean that this behavior is irrational. In fact, I believe that behaving in a way that increases emotional utility is perfectly reasonable. Although the recent Powerball frenzy abruptly came to an end last Wednesday night, it is just a matter of time before news of the next big lottery jackpot clouds media outlets. Being counted as one of the many players is not a foolish decision as some cynics may claim, but a reasonable one if you simply have fun playing. I might just purchase a ticket or two myself. Matthew Brotz is a sophomore majoring in philosophy.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Westaway article contained misconceptions
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ast week, The Miami Hurricane published an article titled “Professor Katharine Westaway asked not to return after controversial activism.” As current and past directors of the Women’s and Gender Studies program (WGS), we would like to clarify potential misconceptions in the article. First, the article quotes Dr. Westaway as a lecturer in Women’s and Gender Studies. Dr. Westaway was a lecturer in English Composition, not Women’s and Gender Studies, which, as a program (not a department) does not appoint faculty or lecturers. In the article, Dr. Westaway is quoted as stating that “We got no funding to screen ‘The Hunting Ground’ from the WGS department, which is supposed to be having a sexual assault-themed year.”
Dr. Westaway did not submit a proposal to WGS for funding of The Hunting Ground during the call for proposals last spring or last fall. As a result of the call, WGS held a colloquium early December on the topic of sexual and domestic violence, and is organizing two largescale events on the topic this spring. In addition, we formed a working group and sent recommendations for further programming and policies on the issue to the university administration. The Women’s and Gender Studies Program is strongly committed to programming on the issue of sexual assault, and looks forward to proposals from the UM community during its next call for proposals. For those of you interested in hearing from us, please send an email to wgs@miami.edu, and we will gladly add you to our listserv. Merike Blofield, Director of WGS July 2015- present Louise Davidson-Schmich, Director of WGS 2014-2015 Steven F. Butterman, Director of WGS 2011-2014 Traci Ardren, Director of WGS 2008-2011
The Miami
HURRICANE Founded 1929 An Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame Newspaper BUSINESS OFFICE: 305-284-4401 FAX: 305-284-4404 For advertising rates call 305-284-4401 or fax 305-284-4404. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nick Gangemi
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OPINION
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
January 21 - January 24, 2016 POLITICS
Celebrities not necessarily qualified for presidency
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ack in September, I wrote a column about Kanye’s V.M.A. announcement that he will run for president. At the time, the anBy Annie Cappetta Politics Columnist nouncement may have seemed like a joke or just a campaign to increase his celebrity profile and to promote his brand. But months later, Yeezy is still claiming that he is seriously planning on running. He has a lot to learn before his campaign officially launches. As celebrities continue to foray into politics, it has become harder and harder to tell which candidates are joking and which intend to be taken seriously. This summer, Waka Flocka Flame made a fake campaign video for Rolling Stone. Trump has been discussing running for president since 1988, saying in 1999 that Oprah Winfrey would make a perfect running mate and famously backing out of running in 2012. Most people assumed that he was joking and that he was just stirring up publicity for all those years. Now, however, isn’t he taken seriously as one of the leading Republican candidates? The American people are not going to be able to avoid these celebrity politicians, as Hollywood’s interest in Washington, D.C. seems only to be rising. However, there are some strategies that the famous can use to maximize their efficacy as politicians while the voters can use them to make sure they elect qualified, serious individuals. Not all actors are inherently uneducated and unqualified to work in government. Actors are adept at empathizing with individuals from all walks of life because it is part of their job description. Most musicians and actors are effective public speakers. Diplomacy, agenda setting, campaigning and deal brokering are all presidential skills that are boosted by their professional experiences. For example, Donald Trump’s longstanding celebrity has helped fuel his can-
didacy thus far. Trump feels familiar and honest to his supporters. The people who are currently backing Trump appreciate the effective demagoguery and no-nonsense rhetoric that he has honed throughout his career in the spotlight. Trump’s campaign will not inherently fail because of his celebrity, but instead because his politics are so far from what the average American – or even the average Republican – could support. Voters need to be aware of this fallacy among celebrity politicians. They should take into account actual policy records, not just proposals and promises. Of course, this applies to all politicians, but stars can be particularly prone to telling people what they want to hear without having the legislative skills or the drive to back it up. Ask anyone who lives in Los Angeles and they will tell you all about the disingenuous, fake nature of Hollywood. Education, thorough understanding of the citizenry and experience in politics
[VOTERS] SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ACTUAL POLICY RECORDS, NOT JUST PROPOSALS AND PROMISES.
and legislation are de facto prerequisites to a successful campaign for any high office. Celebrities wishing to be president should create a track record by running for lower offices first. Fame should not be America’s pipeline for politicians. Nothing about a celebrity makes them more qualified than an experienced legislator or governor. However, if the trend of celebrity candidates invading our political system continues, these considerations must be taken. Someone like Shirley Temple Black, who served as a distinguished diplomat for over 30 years, could be taken more seriously. A Waka Flocka Flame presidency, on the other hand, should not be blazing through headlines. Annie Cappetta is a sophomore majoring in ecosystem science and policy and political science.
January 21 - January 24, 2016
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
EDGE
7
arts & entertainment
Author Rick Yancey reflects on ‘The 5th Wave’ adaptation By David Ufberg Contributing Writer
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Evelyn Choi // Staff Photographer
ighly anticipated science-fiction thriller “The 5th Wave” is set to hit theaters this Friday as young sciencefiction fans burst with excitement. Based on the novel by Rick Yancey, a Miami native, the major motion picture follows Cassie Sullivan (Chloë Grace Moretz) as Earth’s population is decimated by increasingly deadly alien attacks. The film tells the story of a 16-year-old determined to survive, holding onto the hope that she can rescue her five-year-old brother Sam (Zackary Arthur) from the foreign invaders. “I wanted to write a story that was big in the sense that this is a worldwide phenomenon that’s happening, but also very intimate and human at the same time,” Yancey said.
The transition from text to film was a relatively seamless one, Yancey explained, as his writing style is easily adaptable to the big screen. The author has an extensive background in visual arts that influences his vivid prose, often called “cinematic.” An avid member of theater in high school and college, Yancey wrote, directed and acted, drawing him into the world of story creation. He later picked up writing screenplays, which eventually evolved into story writing. “What really sets this story apart is the heart of it,” Yancey said, “and the characters, and what drives them as ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. [The filmmakers] worked really hard to capture the essence of that.”
Yancey noted that readers of the novel will be happy with the translation onto the big screen. “[The film] pretty much stays true to the spirit of the novel … I think that fans of the book will be very pleased with how the filmmakers captured those core stories and what they’ve done with the characters,” he said. Full of stunning post-apocalyptic environments and impressive special effects, “The 5th Wave” promises to be a visual masterpiece, but goes far beyond that as well, Yancey said. “For me, the deeper message is about the bonds that bind us together as a human family … love and the ability to sacrifice our own personal wants or needs for somebody else, which is remarkable,” he said.
COSFORD HOSTS SCI-FI SERIES PREMIER
MAGICAL NIGHT: The cast of the new Syfy series, “The Magicians,” poses at Bill Cosford Cinema Tuesday night during a screening event for their show. The event, hosted by social media celebrity Danny Padilla, included activations, refreshments, meet and greets, and a performance by Bebe Rexha.
Based on the books by Lev Grossman, the show centers around a group of students who discover the reality behind the world of magic they thought they knew. The series premieres January 25 at 9 p.m. on Syfy and will be available to watch on Syfy’s website following the premiere.
DESIGN BY AMY MELTZER
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EDGE
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
January 21 - January 24, 2016
Fast Lane Fridays attract diverse cast of car enthusiasts By Sophie Barros Contributing Writer
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wenty-year-old mechanic Dominic Abreu has loved cars since he was a little boy, influenced by his father’s background as a mechanic and recreational racer. The two Chevy lovers describe themselves as Muscle guys to the bone, and they have been working on their 1992 Camaro and 1984 Corvette to experience the new age of drag racing in South Florida, which roars to life one Friday a month at the Miami-Homestead Speedway. Abreu is a regular at Miami-Homestead Speedway’s Fast Lane Fridays, a monthly, sixhour long event where drivers of all backgrounds can legally drag race their own cars on a an eighth of a mile drag strip for $20. The young racer brought his father for the first time in September to introduce a different racing experience, as Fast Lane Friday events are a convergence of diverse people and even more diverse automobiles. The event brings hundreds of racers and spectators every month to experience the thrill of drag racing on the same track as NASCAR champions. After a car safety inspection and license check, racers choose an opponent and drive up to the start line. The crowd watches from the other side of a metal fence as the sound of engines warming up fills the hot and humid South Florida air. As the flickering signal lights change from yellow to green to red, drivers take off, leaving behind a trail of smoke and the smell of burning rubber against asphalt. “The auto-industry is a lifestyle, and when you come here, you look at what other people have and it doesn’t matter what you like; if you’re a Chevy guy you like Muscle, others like Japanese cars, others like trucks, but we respect them all,” Abreu said. Cheering spectators fill the stands, shouting for family, friends and even racers they don’t know. The mixture of fans ranges from three-yearold toddlers running around the stands to 80-yearold all-American car-enthusiasts. “We’re out here supporting Fast Lane Friday and our car crew, Society’s Finest,” said Anelys Ruiz, who attended with her group, that regularly shows up at the event to race. She is anxiously waiting to get her license to start racing herself. “It’s a perfect family get-together, and we come out here for the noise because we love loud cars. It’s really touching to see that everyone’s all together and how friendly everyone is.” Kat Abreu is another racing fanatic who goes to Fast Lane Fridays regularly to watch her racing friends. She says drag racing is a unique and fulfilling activity.
Photo courtesy Homestead-Miami Speedway PEDAL TO THE METAL: Fast Lane Fridays, hosted by Miami-Homestead Speedway, is a six-hour long drag racing event that occurs on a monthly basis. Racing enthusiasts can pay $20 to legally race on an eighth-of-a-mile drag strip. “We come here every Friday,” Abreu said of her friends. “It’s a very wholesome activity and it’s also more of a fun, get-down-dirty activity to do with the family. You go to Knaus Berry Farm, you go to all these nice little farm places and it’s cute, but this is fun and rough.” Like their audience, racers have different reasons for spending their Friday nights making their
Featuring the music of Nobuo Uematsu! January 23, 6:30 & 9 PM Gusman Concert Hall ffnewworld.com/miami Performers include Arnie Roth, Benyamin Nuss and the New World Players
wheels screech around a track. While the adrenaline rush is a common factor, newcomers and veterans of drag racing have different reasons for coming out. First-time racer Steven Cornejo was inspired by friends to try the activity, and took his black 2012 Impala, the car he drives daily to work, to the track to see how fast it could go.
“The first time I came here, I was a spectator, and now I actually get to come and race myself,” Cornejo said. “The feeling that you get, the power that you get behind a machine that you control it’s just something that most people just ignore on a daily basis.” Regular competitor Peter Batalas, proud owner of a charcoal gray sleek 1992 Skyline GTR, developed a love for cars after watching his first auto-show at eight years of age. To Batalas, racing is about proving himself to spectators and transmitting his passion for a well-oiled machine. “It’s a big adrenaline rush; you basically come here to show how fast your car is and to prove to other people that you’re a good driver,” Batalas said. “Most people that come here are adrenaline junkies, people that love a lot of horse power and fast cars.” If You Go Monthly Fast Lane Fridays Spectator tickets: $10 Racer tickets: $20 To drive: 18+, valid driver’s license, streetcertified car, no shorts (only long pants), helmet if car has a soft top More information: www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com
January 21 - January 24, 2016
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
Sports
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SPORTS
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Number of consecutive wins over Boston College by the men’s basketball team
FOOTBALL
Hurricanes’ coaching staff gears up for national signing day
Baltimore, MD Mark Richt Craig Kuligoski Thomas Brown Manny Diaz Ephraim Banda Mike Rumph
By Tej Joshi Copy Editor
Jon Richt
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lthough the Hurricanes have not played a game in nearly a month, the football season never really ends. National Signing Day is on Feb. 3, just two weeks away. Thus far, the Canes have the No. 18 ranked recruiting class, according to Rivals.com. The team is still seeking to add players to its class, but the players who are already committed promise a bright future for the Canes. The class, consisting of six four-star recruits, nine three-star recruits and one two-star recruit, is highlighted by quarterback Jack Allison from Palmetto, Florida. He should be the future quarterback and face of the Canes when sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya leaves the program. “He reminds me a lot of Brad Kaaya on how he drives the ball, how he throws the deep outs and comebacks,” former UM Offensive Coordinator James Coley said to the Miami Herald. Allison was an Under Armour All-American in his senior season at Palmetto High School. The traditional pocket passer capable of picking apart defenses is the No. 6 ranked pro-style quarterback in the 2016 class, according to ESPN. “He’s an old school, classic drop-back passer, [he] loves to stand in the pocket and fire away. [He] can make all the throws and he has the ‘it’ factor,” ESPN’s Jamie Newberg said to the Herald. Allison, who is expected to redshirt next season with Kaaya still on the roster, is one of five early enrollees the Canes have this class. In addition to Allison, defensive end Patrick Bethel and linebackers Zach McCloud, Michael Pinckney and Shaquille Quarterman also enrolled early at UM. Quarterman, an Army All-
Ron Dugans
Atlanta, GA Macon, GA
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Niceville, FL Pensacola, FL
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Graphic by Emma Deardorff
American, is the No. 2 rated inside linebacker in the 2016 class, according to ESPN. Quarterman is a traditional big-hitting linebacker who excels in the box. “Quarterman can be a really good inside guy between the tackles,” Newberg said. The addition of two four-star wide receivers is key to the Canes’ future success, as Miami is losing two of its top receivers from this past season in Rashawn Scott and Herb Waters. ES-
PN’s No. 67 ranked overall player Sam Bruce, another Under Armour All-American, projects to be a top receiver for the program. The second four-star receiver is Gulliver Prep’s Dionte Mullins. Mullins is a versatile player who can contribute at both receiver and cornerback. The Hurricane coaching staff is making a final push to reel in more top recruits before National Signing Day. Head Coach Mark Richt and the rest of his staff hit the road to visit
players on Jan. 14. Over the last week, Richt has traveled all across the southeastern United States, ranging from Palm Beach, Florida to Dallas, Texas. Richt has been a proven recruiter throughout his career. The Bulldogs finished with a top-25 ranked recruiting class all 15 seasons when Richt was the coach at the University of Georgia.
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SPORTS
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
January 21 - January 24, 2016
MEN’S BASKETBALL
TENNIS
Canes bounce back from drop in rankings with Boston College win
Polish tennis player Piotr Lomacki continues successful career at Miami By Austin Leighton Contributing Sports Writer
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By Mark Singer Sports Editor
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he Hurricanes ended their twogame road skid with a 67-53 win over Boston College in Massachusetts on Wednesday night. The Canes fell from No. 8 to No. 15 in the rankings after consecutive losses to Virginia and Clemson, but a strong second-half performance gave Miami its first win in nearly two weeks. The Canes are now 9-0 against Boston College under Head Coach Jim Larrañaga and have won the last 11 contests overall against the Eagles. The Canes (14-3, 3-2) got off to a solid start in the first half, going 5-of8 from the field to take an 11-7 lead seven minutes into the game. The team missed its next six shots but still held a fourpoint lead with 10:24 to go thanks to four turnovers by the Eagles. Boston College (7-11, 0-5) turned the ball over 12 times in the first half alone. The Eagles went on a 10-1 run in a little over three minutes to take a 2421 lead with 4:49 left in the half. Miami finished a disjointed half up 29-28. Redshirt senior guard Sheldon McClellan led the Canes with eight points on 4-of6 shooting. The Canes
Matthew Trabold // Contributing Photographer
ALL IN: Then junior center Tonye Jekiri makes an uncontested layup during last season’s game against UNC Chapel Hill. The Canes beat Boston College 67-53 Wednesday evening in Massachusetts.
missed all four of their three-point attempts and shot 12-of-30 (40 percent) overall on field goals while the Eagles went 13-of-25 (52 percent) from the field. Miami opened the second half with a 16-7 run to take a 45-35 lead with 14:15 remaining. Redshirt senior guard Angel Rodriguez went scoreless in the first half, but he scored eight points in the stretch to help the Canes go up by double digits. The Canes maintained their advantage for the rest of the night. A 6-0 scoring run by Boston College cut Miami’s lead to 52-49 with 7:03 remaining, but the
Canes responded with a 14-4 run to put the Eagles away. Rodriguez again played a pivotal role in the streak, scoring two tough layups to put Miami ahead by 13 with less than a minute to play. Miami’s starting point guard finished with 12 points on 4-of-9 (44 percent) shooting. McClellan, Miami’s leading scorer coming into the game, led the Canes with 19 points on 7-of-14 (50 percent) shooting. The Hurricanes next face Wake Forest at 12 p.m. on Saturday at the BankUnited Center.
hen Piotr Lomacki was 6-years-old, his father placed a tennis racket in his hand and took him to a court in his hometown of Warsaw, Poland. It was all for fun at first, but soon life on the court became more serious for Lomacki. Today, the sophomore is a starter on the men’s tennis team and currently the No. 23 ranked player in the United States. Lomacki had a full schedule when he was just 9, going from private tennis lessons to the soccer field. “I was extremely busy as a kid. I remember going from tennis practice to soccer practice, and I would have to change in the car because it was one right after the other,” Lomacki said. At the age of 12, Lomacki decided to focus on only one sport. “I stopped playing soccer because I realized it was time to choose,” he said. “I realized I was better at tennis and I wanted to focus my strength and time toward tennis.” Lomacki became increasingly involved in private lessons and tournaments. He was ranked the “best 12-year-old tennis player” in Poland after winning the Polish national ten-
nis tournament. He lost in the finals for the best 14-year-old but went on to win best 16-year-old two years later. When Lomacki was 16, he started playing in world tournaments. He was the No. 110 ranked tennis player in the world in the under 18-year-old category. It was then that he got an email from Miami’s Head Coach Mario Rincon saying that he would fly to Warsaw to watch Lomacki play in the second round of the National Polish tournament. While UM’s coach watched the match, Lomacki beat his opponent an impressive 6-1, 6-1. Following the match, Rincon offered him a full ride to Miami. Lomacki also received offers from Mississippi State and Pepperdine. Lomacki accepted UM’s offer because he believed that Miami was the best place to help him on his road to becoming a professional tennis player, his ultimate goal. Lomacki is in the business school, but says that tennis comes first. “Tennis is my priority,” he said. “Education is my insurance. It is my backup in case trying to go professional doesn’t work out.” Lomacki lets his play do the talking on match days, but in practice, Lomacki is the comedian of the team, according to teammate Nile Clark. “He’s focused on the court, so he stays quiet,” Clark said. “In practice, we look to him to make us laugh. He is always smiling and he enjoys being the outgoing guy on the team, but he works hard.” Lomacki said that the feeling of winning after long matches that can last three or four hours keeps him motivated. “Cramping up, becoming dehydrated, tired, pushed to your limits and still coming out with a win is the best feeling in the world,” he said. “You cannot buy those memories. This is why I practice five hours a day. It is what drives me to compete day in and day out.”
Giancarlo Falconi // Staff Photographer
ACE ATHLETE: Sophomore Piotr Lomacki competes in last season’s match against Liberty. Lomacki is currently ranked No. 23 in the country for men’s tennis and is pursuing a professional career.
January 21 - January 24, 2016
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
DEAR V
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$%& % * # "& # ' #$ ! )
Dear V, I’ve been dating my boyfriend for a year now. We had a one-night stand our freshman year that ended up escalating to full-on dates, cuddling and all that cheesy stuff by the first semester of our sophomore year. At first, I was fine with taking it slow – after all, neither of us planned to become a “thing.� But now, it’s been a year and he hasn’t said those three little words I’m dying to hear. I’m trying to keep cool about it. I know he cares about me, and he treats me like a queen. But if he loved me, wouldn’t he know by now? I’m afraid I’m wasting my time on someone who doesn’t feel as deeply about me as I do about him. What should I do? Sincerely, Haven’t Heard the L-Word
Dear Haven’t Heard the L-Word, If your guy treats you right and you’re happy in your relationship, there’s nothing too serious to worry about. If he shows you he cares, sometimes that’s all that guys are ready to do. Telling someone you love them is a big deal no matter how long you’ve been dating. Some couples go without saying it for years. However, that doesn’t mean you should sit on the edge of your seat and drive yourself crazy. Who said that the man should take the plunge first anyway? If
you’re ready, say it to him when the mood is right. He might say he loves you back and be relieved you took the plunge, or he might tell you he’s not ready yet. Either way, don’t lose heart. Thing is, actions speak louder than words. If he takes the time out of his day to see you, spends quality time with you and makes you happy, then he’s showing you that he loves you in the way that’s easiest for him. After all, it’s possible he’s afraid to say it because he thinks you’re not ready. Lay on the affection and sweet talk for a few weeks and see how he reacts. Do something nice for him in the spur of the moment, like buying him that video game he wanted or taking him to that football game you’ve been avoiding. Give him the push he needs to say how he feels. So either choose to stay where you are now and keep truckin’, or swallow your pride and take the leap. If you’re both happy together, don’t be afraid to show it. Or, in this case, say it. -V
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THE MIAMI HURRICANE
January 21 - January 24, 2016
miami.edu/calendar Battleship at the Herbert Wellness Center
Thursday, January 21 HP Patio Jams ft. Ricky Vasquez QN t -BLFTJEF 4UBHF BOE 1BUJP Join Hurricane Productions and 1BUJP +BNT FWFSZ 5IVSTEBZ GPS -*7& '3&& .64*$ $PNF PVU UP UIF -BLFTJEF 1BUJP 4UBHF GSPN 1. Don’t miss out on your chance for great entertainment and free giveBXBZT
Cosford Cinema Presents: .VTUBOH
QN t )FSCFSU 8FMMOFTT $FOUFS Pool Stop by the Wellness Center for an exciting, fast-paced game played in our indoor pool. Teams of four are placed in a canoe and are challenged with sinking 3 other canoes in the water. Teams are only equipped with buckets and must use only the buckets to douse the competition.
Saturday, January 23
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HP CaneStage Spring "VEJUJPOT
Friday, January 22 8PNFO T 5FOOJT *5" ,JDL Pò weekend BN t 4DIJò 5FOOJT $FOUFS The pair of Hurricanes featuring TPQIPNPSF 4JOFBE -PIBO BOE GSFTINBO "OB .BEDVS XFOU VOEFGFBUFE MBTU XFFLFOE .BUDIFT continue for the Hurricanes on Jan. BHBJOTU .JEEMF 5FOOFTTFF JO UIF *5" ,JDL 0ò 8FFLFOE. Follow @ CanesWtennis for more info.
QN t 4$ 8FTU #BMMSPPN Be part of CaneStage’s Spring .VTJDBM BOE DPNF BVEJUJPO GPS 4UBSNJUFT *O UIJT NVTJDBM DPNFEZ B TIZ UFFOBHF &MFBOPS FTDBQFT JOUP her own fantasy world. Here, the “Starmites,� the guardians angels PG JOOFSTQBDF BOE &MFBOPS NVTU come together to save the universe. Come with 16-32 measures of a song of our choice.
5IVSTEBZ +BOVBSZ TU QN t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
+PJO 6OJUFE #MBDL 4UVEFOUT BOE )VSSJDBOF 1SPEVDUJPOT $JOFNBUJD "SUT $PNNJTTJPO GPS UIF "XBSE XJOOJOH ÜMN 4FMNB XIJDI JT CBTFE PO UIF 4FMNB UP .POUgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, HoTFB 8JMMJBNT %S .BSUJO -VUIFS ,JOH +S BOE +PIO -FXJT )1 $"$ 1SFTFOUT 5IF .BSUJBO QN t $PTGPSE $JOFNB 4UPQ 8IFO BTUSPOBVUT CMBTU Pò GSPN UIF QMBOFU .BST UIFZ MFBWF CFIJOE .BSL 8BUOFZ .BUU %BNPO QSFsumed dead after a fierce storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. .FBOXIJMF CBDL PO &BSUI NFNCFST PG /"4" BOE B UFBN PG JOUFSOBUJPOBM scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission. Free with your CaneCard
Sunday, January 24 Women’s Basketball vs. Florida State QN t #BOL6OJUFE $FOUFS .JBNJ POF PG GPVS "$$ TDIPPMT ranked nationally in both major polls, is tied for second in Division * JO WJDUPSJFT BT XFMM BT UJFE GPS eighth in winning percentage at .895. )FBE DPBDI ,BUJF .FJFS T UFBN returns to the court Sunday at 1 . p.m. when it hosts No. 14/13 Florida
4UBUF BU UIF #BOL6OJUFE $FOUFS JO B matchup of two top-20 teams. .
.POEBZ January 25 .FO T #BTLFUCBMM WT %VLF QN t #BOL6OJUFE $FOUFS #F TVSF UP TUPQ CZ UIF #BOL6OUFE Center at 7:00pm to witness the )VSSJDBOF .FO T #BTLFUCBMM 5FBN UBLF PO UIF %VLF #MVF %FWJMT 'SFF T-shirts will be handed out at the 4UVEFOU 4FDUJPO
Friday, January 29th, 2016 *OBVHVSBUJPO $FSFNPOZ PG 1SFTJEFOU 'SFOL 2:00pm at the #BOL6OJUFE $FOUFS Visit inauguration.miami.edu GPS NPSF JOGPSNBUJPO
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Please submit your information at least two weeks in advance to 456%&/5Ĺą"$5*7*5*&4ĹŠ.*".* &%6
Next week...
5VOOFM PG 0QQSFTTJPO 5VOOFM PG 0QQSFTTJPO JT B TFOTPSZ CBTFE NVMUJNFEJB FYIJCJU EFTJHOFE UP FYQPTF participants to various acts of oppression taking place today. Participants explore each issue though a guided tour of rooms designed by student organizations.
Sebastian suggests...
‘Canes Calendar
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