RAIDERVOICE Gulliver Preparatory School’s Student News Source
www.gulliverschools.org
Photo provided by Sofia Diaz
Emily Ponak
305-666-7937
Jacqueline Dylewski
Vol. 14, Issue 1, November 7, 2014
Paola Songeur
6575 North Kendall Drive, Miami, FL 33156
Senior Sofia Diaz and her friends gather for a photo in the atrium during Color Day. They proudly displayed their vibrant reds throughout the school through frilly tutus, sharp shutter shades, and “Super Senior” capes. Spirit Week included two pep rallies, with the first one a glow-in-the-dark “Under the Sea” celebration. Spirited activities and friendly class rivalry culminated in camarederie at Friday’s pep rally and Homecoming game.
Raiders Displayed their Pride During Spirit Week By Katherine Cohen Copy Editor
IB Fieldtrip Page 3
Miami’s Music Scene Page 4
freshman Helena Laub. The pep rallies were also sources of amusement to both the student body and the faculty. Comprising of a teacher skit and a skit for every grade, the students roared with laughter from start to finish. The neon-themed pep rally was particularly fun, combining fantastic bright visuals alongside dancing, skits and games. “Pep rallies at Gulliver are a great break from class. Everyone gets to relax and enjoy a show for a little while. Students feel pretty great walking out of school after a pep rally,” said sophomore Catie Schwartzman. In addition to outfits and rallies, spirit week ended with the Homecoming game against Keys Gate Charter School. During the game, the homecoming king and queen were announced. Afterwards, fans headed out to the homecoming party, which featured food, drinks, games, obstacle courses, prizes, and a giant water slide.
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“I love how the seniors dress up as much as possible. It’s our last spirit week, and we always try to make it memorable,” said senior Gabriella Garvin. The teachers partook in the festivities as well, whether or not they joined in with the costumes. Oftentimes, seeing students out of uniform provided an entertaining insight into their personalities. “The outfits helped us laugh at each other. We all know we are part of something bigger, and the sense of community during spirit week is almost palpable,” said yoga teacher Alexis Zeman. One of the most popular days was pajama day. Wearing their onesies, slippers, and fuzzy tops was an effortless task for students. “It was great to be able to roll out of bed for school and not have to get dressed. Pajama day was so comfortable, it was like Gulliver had a huge slumber party,” said
FEATURE
NEWS
Spirit week; a festive week with multiple pep rallies, a medley of outfits, and spirited decorations. From Nov. 3 to Nov 7, the campus was teeming with colorful celebration. Each day of the week was assigned a theme, including “class color,” “national heritage,” “celebrity”, “pajama”, and a “Raider white and blue” day on Friday. Students began planning their outfits long before the week came around. “I’m definitely going to wear my soccer jersey for national heritage day,” said sophomore Paola Rodriguez. All of the activities during the week led up to the Homecoming game and party. Spirit week was not only the week to show off different colors, styles, and outfits, it was also a week of Raider pride with two pep rallies and decorations around the campus. Seniors were especially spirited throughout the week, wearing their color, red, with pride.
What did YOU think of Spirit Week? Check it out...
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“Spirit Week is my favorite week of the year because my whole grade comes together,” Junior Nicole Mueller
“It’s a fun twist on the usual routine. I liked being out of uniform,” Junior Francisco Di Capua
INSIDE
Opinion...............2 News...................3 Feature................4 Entertainment.....6 Lifetsyles............7 Sports..................8
2 Opinion
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Marriage Rights Gain Momentum One Size Does Not Fit All By KathErine Cohen Copy Editor
Both the federal and state courts have made large advancements towards equal marriage rights for the LGBT community. On Oct. 6, the Supreme Court denied the appeals of five states to maintain bans on gay marriage. Although it may seem that the Supreme Court is simply avoiding the hot topic of gay marriage, this decision is monumental. According to an article posted on the site gaymarriage.procon.org, the count of states allowing gay marriage increased from 20 to 26 in the last two weeks alone. The road to equal marriage rights throughout the United States is still a long one. There are still twenty-four states that have direct bans on gay marriage. In a country where everyone is supposed to be created equal, such a statistic is shocking.
These state bans violate the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution and its clauses for due process and equal protection. It was from this legal standpoint that multiple Florida judges overturned the State marriage ban. This was the first legal action towards legalizing gay marriage in Florida. The Florida State Court, as advised by attorney general Pam Bondi, will not hear these appeals until there is a Supreme Court decision. According to a recent poll from the Washington Post, 59% of people support gay marriage whereas 34% oppose it. President Obama has voiced his support and of the 24 states with bans of gay marriage, six of them are questioning these bans. Supporters around the nation are watching with crossed fingers, as crucial decisions towards human rights continue.
Map of the state of gay marriage in the U.S. The Los Angeles Times Chart shows how attitudes toward allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally have changed since 1996, according to a recent Pew poll. MCT 2014
By Bianca Corgan Co-Editior-in-Chief “I am very sorry but these are the women pants chosen for your school. In fact they are a new line,” the store employee added with a compassionate smirk, if a smirk could ever be compassionate. I was furious. Did these designers and people in charge of picking our uniforms know that women come in all shapes and sizes? In today’s world, women are constantly forced to conform to body images created by the media. I would like to believe I am comfortable in my own skin, however, the school uniform pants and their unflattering cut made me think otherwise. The school pants have no shape or structure. Perhaps the designers worked off a sizing chart foreign to most teenage girls. Whatever it is, the pants do not fit. In a school as diverse as ours, with body types from all over the globe, why should all girls conform to a single style of pants? I was insulted at the fact that the school uniforms pants only came in one style. It seemed to be that whether or not they fit us correctly, we were required to wear them. We are skinny, curvy, tall, short, and overall unique and beautiful individuals. Not one girl is the same as the next and our school pants should not make the assumption that we all can fit into one style of pants. I’m not advocating for breaking the dress code or going against school policy, I’m just suggesting that we should be given more options. Perhaps if we were granted more options, enforcing dress code would not be an issue. We are all different in one form or another, so why do the school pants not reflect the obvious?
The Raider Voice Gulliver Preparatory School’s student online and print news publication
STAFF
Bianca Corgan Co-Editor-in-Chief Content Estefania Martinez Co-Editors-in-Chief Layout Katherine Cohen Copy Editor Claudia Picado Web Editor Samantha Rosenberg Photographer Brooke Ellis News Editor Brigitte Northland Entertainment & Lifestyles Tyler E. Perez Sports Evan Silberman Sports Monica Rodriguez Adviser
CONTACT US 6575 N Kendall Dr Pinecrest, FL 33156 305- 666- 7937 theraidervoice.com
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The Raider Voice is Gulliver Preparatory’s award-winning, studentrun news publication intended to inform, educate, and entertain the Gulliver school community. Only documented news stories and responsible opinions will be published. Opinions expressed as commentary may not reflect the views or policies of the school. The Raider Voice welcomes signed letters to the editors. We reserve the right to edit, condense, or reject any letters. Professional associations include the Columbia Scholastic Press Assoc., National Scholastic Press Assoc., and Florida Scholastic Press Assoc. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/ MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service, and Moxie music service for student journalism. This publication is printed by Sun Coast Press, 200 East Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34285. Tel: 941-2071406. Send comments and letters to the editor via the adviser at rodrm@ gulliverschools.org.
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Valentina Wakeman presents a resolution during her conference. Wakeman earned the Best Delegate Award. Photo by Manuel Santelices.
Top: Model UN members got together for breakfast before beginning their conference. Bottom: Dante Benitez at the American Civil Conference. Photo by Manuel Santelices.
Model UN wins Honorable Mention at Stanford Awards Best Delegate: BY ESTEFANIA MARTINEZ Co-Editor-In-Chief
On Oct. 16, Model UN members left to San Francisco, California to participate in the annual Stanford Model United Nations Conference. Accompanied by Mrs. Alexis Zeman and Mr. Manuel Santelices, the students traveled to San Francisco and prepared for the conference. The trip lasted three days and the purpose of the event was to mimic the actions and goals of the United Nations. Public speaking skills were a must, in addition to hours of preparation and research in the weeks prior to the conference. “Model UN trips are actually a lot of fun but they require a lot of work. It’s all about diplomacy. You have to write a position paper before the conference even starts and then you debate for three straight days. For this conference, I was representing Colombia in the World Health Organization. At first, I
thought I had no power but then I was able to argue my way through the conference,” said junior Valentina Wakeman, best delegate award recipient. The Stanford Model United Nations Conference (SMUNC) included different kinds of committees including the Russian Mafia, the American Civil War, and the Paris Commune. All of these committees are set up sporadically during different time periods, keeping it interesting for the students participating. “The trip was extremely fun. My committee was the Syrian Civil War which was tough especially since it is a contemporary issue. Model UN requires so much research and I was glad that I came prepared because. Despite the strenuous hours sitting in committee, I found a way to lead two coalitions and unite the forces on our side,” said senior Madeleine Fine. The Model UN team was successful
at Stanford in both decorum and accolades. During the award ceremony on Sunday, six awards were given to the students in addition to an overall school award. Katherine Cohen, Raphael Hillis, Noah Jacobs, and Aidan Kahl were awarded ‘Honorable Mention.’ Andrew Boas was awarded ‘Outstanding Delegate’ and Valentina Wakeman was named ‘Best Delegate.’ The whole delegation was also given an award, ‘Honorable Mention Delegation.’ “The trip set the tone for a really great year. The entire group is excited to see what lies ahead. Our next stop is Chicago International and we’re definitely ready,” said club sponsor Manuel Santelices. The club has planned out their schedule for the rest of the year. They are planning to attend more conferences including those at Columbia University and Berkeley. The club even plans on hosting their own conference at the school in April.
Valentina Wakeman
Outstanding Delegate: Andrew Boas Honorable Mentions: Aidan Kahl Katherine Cohen Raphael Hills Noah Jacobs Honorable Mention for a Small Delegation
IB Field Trip Explores Various Religions BY BIANCA CORGAN Co-Editor-In-Chief On Tuesday Oct. 14 juniors in the International Baccalaureate Program visited Buddhist and Hindu Temples to understand different perspectives on religious diversity in modern day society. As part of the IB program, students are required to take Inquiry and Critical Writing, a discussion and writing based class taught by Mrs. Barrett. The class focuses on developing students’ perceptions of the world and conveying their thoughts in writing. The students started their morning at Wat Buddharangsi of Miami, a Theravada Buddhist Temple located in the Redlands. The temple was built in 1982 and is sustained by the Buddhist community of South Florida. The monks guided the students in mediation and gave a brief lecture on their way of life. “It was interesting to see how the Buddhists embrace a peaceful and serene way of life, even in modern day society,” said junior Felipe Tilkian.
After spending the morning at the Buddhist temple students were treated to traditional Indian cuisine at Imlee. The trip then culminated at Miami Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, a Hindu Temple. “The experience was eye opening and enriched my understanding of the different religious perspectives. I found it interesting that the Hindu priest offered suggestions on how to embrace different religions,” said junior Gabriela Telepman. Students found the experience engaging and compelling. Junior Jake Soria explained that the trip gave him the opportunity to further his understanding of the world around him. “The purpose of trip was to facilitate the students’ exploration of cultural and religious differences discussed in class,” said Mrs. Barrett. Overall students enjoyed the trip and agreed that they felt it helped them understand the role of religion and cultural diversity in society.
“It was fascinating to learn about different religions and their culture,” said junior, Sofia Espinosa.
“I learned some new things, not that I agree with all them, but it was interesting to get a different perspective on things,” said junior, Felipe Tilkian.
Music
From deep house festivals to local scho
III Points Music and Arts F Soho Studios in the Wynw By Estefania Martinez Co-Editor-in-Chief Over the past few years, Miami has become a creative hub, attracting a variety of artists from different genres. The city has gained worldwide recognition for hosting numerous artistic events while maintaining creativity. Miami has enhanced its music scene tremendously. New festivals are popping up everywhere, from the Wynwood district to South Beach. III Points was exactly that. III Points kicked off its second year at Soho Studios. The first year was very successful and brought in many different kinds of artists and their fans. With their promotion, this year III Points was more crowded but still remained a great experience for the audience. Starting off on Friday, the festival ran for three nights and included popular acts such as Duke Dumont and crowd favorites such as Chet Faker. Many attendants commented on that the sound was not great but that overall III Points turned out to be a success. III Points provided several artists with an opportunity to play in Miami, especially since most of these acts are starting out and have not toured by themselves. It gave the musicians a platform to introduce new material and also to perform some of their old music. “Personally, I loved III Points. It was so much fun and the musicians were all really great. My favorite, though, was either Mac Demarco or Chet Faker. They were both
amazing live...I’m so glad they were able to come,” said sophomore Mariana de Souza. However, III Points was not simply a night time festival. Throughout the three days, movies and small exhibitions were showcased throughout Wynwood. This was referred to as the technology aspect of the festival, creating even more opportunity for artists to express themselves. The music festival hosted three stages on separate sides of the venue. Adding to the variety, the stages arranged throughout Soho Studios had small attractions nearby. A mini salon, a roller skate space, and a gratified school bus were only some of the countless of art pieces exhibited. “I thought III Points was really cool! The layout of the place was pretty interesting but I think the best part was definitely the entrance area. There was a ton of small stands that were selling different things and there was even a mini shake shack. The crazy thing was that the shops were right next to these huge art structures which was amazing,” said junior Celine Hoffman. The music festival brought something special to the Miami music scene and their representatives have already announced they are scheduled to do an event during Art Basel in Miami Beach. They also confirmed that they will be hosting the same music, arts, and technology festival next year.
Amplified Miami Gives Back By Brooke Ellis Staff Writer
Robby Hunter Band was the closing act at Amplified Miami. They played some of their well-known hits which can be heard on Soundcloud. Taken by Daniela Grava.
On Oct. 25, Amplified Miami hosted a free “Night of Music, Talent and Entertainment” at the Open Stage Club on Miracle Mile, from 6 to 8 p.m. The charity benefit concert featured performances from various upcoming bands including the Robby Hunter Band, Cannibal Kids, Thanks, and Purple Sun. Amplified Miami is an organization, which began as a small school club, devoted to showcasing talented young musicians in the Miami Area. Amplified Miami hosts annual “open mic” nights to raise money for the Little Kids Rock Foundation, a program whose mission is to provide underprivileged schoolchildren access to free music classes and new instruments. An acoustic guitar was passed around the
audience with the goal to collect donations for the Little Kids Rock Foundation. Donations from the event as well as sponsors came close to $3,000. This was enough to fill a low-income school classroom with brand new instruments. “The guitar was a great way to get people to donate. It felt as though you were directly contributing in the purchase of the instruments,” said sophomore Britney Escobedo who attended the “open mic” night. Amplified co-founders and “Thanks” band members, seniors Brett Gilbert and Daniel Garcia, were particularly satisfied with the outcome of the event. “We started this organization with our love for spreading music and servicing our community. We were extremely happy to see so many people that night supporting an important cause,” said Gilbert.
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c Madness
ool bands, the music scene in Miami has exploded in the past few years.
Coral Skies Festival Festival comes to wood Design District Rocked the Cruzan Amphitheater BY ESTEFANIA MARTINEZ Co-Editor-in-Chief The Coral Skies Music Festival premiered at the Cruzan Amphitheater in West Palm Beach on Oct. 26. Two different venues and cities hosted the festival. Beginning at the Credit Union Amphitheater in Tampa, the festival proceeded to West Palm Beach were many students were able to attend. “It was a pretty long drive up to West Palm but it was really worth it. Cage the Elephant (a headline band) is one of my favorite bands of all time! I had already seen them live but they have so much energy that I was dying to see them again. The festival itself was also really cool. There were different stations surrounding the stages where some artists put up their artwork. I loved it,” said senior Angelica Bourland. The festival was able to book twelve different bands, all whom performed their sets in eleven hours. It was a pretty impressive lineup including big names like Cage the Elephant, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Julian Casablancas & the Voidz. Many fans were excited to see Julian Casablancas, who is most known for being the
former lead singer of the Strokes. Recently broken up, The Voidz is Casablanca’s fresh return to performing. The festival faced some controversy since many fans claimed that they copied the style of the Coastline Music and Arts Festival. Last year, Coastline was another small indie rock festival that included attractions like the “Food Trucktopia,” which is basically a space dedicated to local food truck vendors from the Greater Miami area. “Last year, there was a festival pretty much exactly like Coral Skies except the name was different (Coastline). Both festivals were really fun but Coral Skies was just a copy of Coastline’s original ideas. I also felt like there were less people this year,” said junior Jake Soria. Coral Skies is another addition to the growing music scene in Miami. It was a festival dedicated to promoting indie rock bands. Coral Skies will host the same festival next fall.
Pictures to the left Taken by Estefania Martinez. Different images of Soho Studios during III Points. Top: Felix De St. Vincent at III Points Festival underneath the mini Shake Shack sign at III Points.
Danny Garcia, Brett Gilbert, Andres Hernandez, and Jacqueline Davidson are all part of the band “Thanks. In the picture above, they are playing their set at Amplified Miami. Photo by Daniela Grava.
Juniors Gabriela Telepman, Jaclyn Soria and Jake Soria wait on the lawn area at Coral Skies festival for the next band to start playing. The one-day festival brought in many popular indie artists. Photo by: Estefania Martinez.
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Recording Artist Tiffany Houghton Visits the Prep
Tiffany Houghton performs an acoustic version of her hit song, “A Love Like That” for students in the Prep drama room on Oct. 24. The song is currently charting on the satellite radio station Hits1. Photo by Emily Ponak.
BY BIANCA CORGAN Co-Editor-in-Chief On Oct. 24 the Raider Voice hosted Tiffany Houghton, an upcoming singer and songstress, for an acoustic performance in the drama room. Houghton set aside time from her radio tour to preform and answer questions from a panel of students in the journalism program. She opened up her performance with her newest hit single “High”. Throughout the interview she discussed the background and stories behind each of the five songs she performed. “Being on the panel allowed me to understand a different view of the Entertainment industry, which I hope to enter in the future,” said junior Estefania Martinez. Martinez was one of four students who participated in the panel, which also included yearbook editors Daniela Grava and Paula de Oliveira, and the newspaper entertainment editor, Bridgette Northland. Houghton started the interview by explaining that she feels blessed to have been given the opportunity to enter the industry and pursue her dreams. However, she also states
that in order to pursue her dreams she had to overcome various obstacles, including being away from her family. She revealed that moving to Nashville from Dallas in order to pursue her career was “the best and worst thing” she had ever done in her life. Houghton then sang the song “Glitter” which explains how the music industry was not what she expected it to be when she was younger. In addition to “High” and “Glitter”, she also performed “A Love Like That”, which recently made Hits1’s Top 20 list. “I really like country pop music and I felt it was inspiring to see another female musician enter this genre,” said sophomore Cecilia Perez. Houghton briefly discussed what it is like being a female in the music industry. She explained that when she was little she always looked up to country and pop female artists including Shania Twain, Sara Bareilles, and Taylor Swift. “I really enjoyed her performance. I liked how the songs were catchy, I had them in my head all
day long” said junior Paula Bontempo. Houghton not only discussed her personal experience but also gave advice to those who were interested in pursuing a career in the music industry. She talked about her belief in the “10,000 hours of practice rule” and her belief that hard work always pays off in the long run. She believes that the most successful people in this world are those who grow from their failures and do not give up when faced with difficult situations. “The best way to get through life is to laugh at yourself,” said Houghton. Students enjoyed the advice she gave them and continued to ask her questions during the meet and greet session that followed her performance. While some students asked questions others took selfies with her. Many students felt Houghton’s performance was inspiring, fun, and engaging. Her emphasis on displaying true emotions through her music allowed her to connect with the audience throughout the performance.
?
Didyou
Know
-Tiffany filmed her music video for her hit song “High” here in Miami. -She left to Nashville at 17 to pursue her music career
-On the first day she arrived in Nashville her car was broken into and everything was stolen. She did not even know where she was going to live. -”A Love Like That” recently made Hits1’s Top 20 List.
Fall Out Boy Releases New Kendrick Lamar Introduces Hit Single “Centuries” MUSIC REVIEWS
New Song “i” By Katherine Cohen Copy Editor
Kendrick Lamar’s “i” reached the top 50 most played Spotify songs within weeks of its release nationwide, and in the top 100 worldwide. The positive message and unique sound to this rap song makes it a song I could get behind. Few songs have such a simple clear message. That message is to love yourself. It seems so simple, but it is rare to find a song that is universal in both its lyrics and its video. The recent release of the lyric video shows a diverse collection of people around the world holding up hearts with their hands. Repeating “I love myself” nearly twenty times, the song addresses multiple contemporary issues while giving a good message with a catchy tune. An upbeat piano drive mixed with a techno spin provides a unique sound accompanied by an unassuming name, simply the letter i and an album cover with hands in the shape of hearts.
By Katherine Cohen Copy Editor Fall Out Boy was never the same after main singer Patrick Stump became hot. When I listen to their new hit song “Centuries,” the hipster in me is appalled, although the more sensible side rationalizes that the song actually has catchy tune. This new song brings back a stubborn sense of nostalgia, wishing for their old garage punk tone that sounds like seventh grade. They were the staple of kids who did not like mainstream music. One of their hit songs, The Carpal Tunnel of Love, even has a portion of screamo from bass guitarist Pete Wentz. Therefore, they were totally unique. Not even close to the beaten path. Right? Not anymore. I often scoff how the
band sold their souls to the pop culture devil, and I publicly announce that I only listen to their classic music, their good music. That new album? Save Rock and Roll? Oh, of course I don’t listen to it. Not even once. Too popular. That new song too, that one about decades or something. Okay, maybe I’ve jammed out to the album at home and know every lyric to each song by heart. Maybe I played their new song “Centuries” as my jam for a few days in a row. Sure, they are not the same band that they once were. They might have a few more fans and a bit more auto tune, but all hipster criticism aside Fall Out Boy is still a great band and “Centuries” is a great song.
7 Lifestyles
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Right: While primarily a pizza restaurant, Mellow Mushroom offers a variety of items on their menu.
Mellow Mushroom will be coming soon to the Shops of Sunset Plance. Photo by Brigitte Karenna Northland
Mellow Mushroom To Open Location at the Shops at Sunset Place By Brigitte Northland Staff Writer Mellow Mushroom, the spunky 1970’sthemed pizzeria, will be opening a new location at the Shops of Sunset Place. The restaurant is filled with animated mushroom characters and vibrant colors. The Mellow Mushroom chain has taken off during the last few years, with locations throughout the U.S. “I went to a Mellow Mushroom when I was at a soccer tournament in Georgia and I loved it. It was so good but I haven’t been able
to go to one since. I’m glad they are bringing it down to Miami,” said sophomore Pedro Goldberg. Mellow Mushroom offers many different types of pizza with their own creative names such as “Kosmic Karma,” “Mighty Meaty,” and “Magical Mystery Tour.” Although Mellow Mushroom’s menu is focused primarily on their pizza, their menu offers a variety of choices such as salads, calzones, hoagies and appetizers.
Raider Recipe
Classic Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients: 3 cups sugar 3 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon nutmeg
According to their website, the restaurant’s main mission is to “create the most delicious mouth-watering pizza in an unforgettable environment.” Students who have visited the chain commented on the fun an attractive ambiance of the restaurant, noting its colorful decor. “Mellow Mushroom’s interior is so unique. It feels like you are entering an alien world. I absolutely love going there,” said junior Beatrice Garcia-Herrera. Students anticipating its opening feel that the pizza eatery will easily become a new hot spot and hangout place being so close to the school. One such restaurant is the nearby Chipotle, where students and teams often gather after school or practice. Many students including Carlee Snyder, think that Mellow Mushroom will be appealing to kids as a place to visit after school. “I feel like its going to be the new Chipotle, I’m really excited to go,” said junior Carlee Snyder. With its extensive menu and cool vibe, Mellow Mushroom will offer something new to the shops at Sunset Place. Eager future patrons will have to wait, however, until early 2015 when the restaurant officially opens its doors.
Vintro Opens in South Beach By Estefania Martinez Co-Editor-in-Chief Newly opened Vintro Hotel & Restaurant offers a new culinary experience to the constantly growing area of South Beach. At the opening of Vintro Hotel & Restaurant, future customers were able to preview the hotel’s attractions which included its restaurant and the modern artwork decorating the walls. The artwork contributes to the restaurant’s environment and confirms the modern and chic look that many South Beach hotels attempt to create. While the hotel caters to an adult crowd, the restaurant remains open to people of all ages. Notably, another hotel and restaurant opening in Miami Beach is not a new concept for any Miami resident but Operations Manager Andrea Martinez assures that Vintro is going to be a completely new experience. “Vintro has a new way of thinking about food and what a restaurant environment should be like in Miami Beach. Vintro brings with it a whole new way of thinking about Miami Beach restaurant for the Miami local who tends to avoid the area because of the
inaccessibility,” said Andrea Martinez. She confirms her statement by revealing the menu items which include an array of Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Deliciously presented, Vintro restaurant gives their Mediterranean dishes a Spanish twist by serving their plates in a “tapas” style. The idea is to make the items easier to share and more “family style.” “The concept behind Vintro is that you are going to a friend’s house - a place where you feel welcome and where you know you will have a good time. The menu is unlike any other in Miami because it combines flavors from all over the world but remains simple and flavorful. It is (the menu) also meant to be accessible which means that people can find items at all different price ranges and for varying tastes and moods,” Ms. Martinez commented while further describing the restaurant. The restaurant definitely has a welcoming atmosphere along with a well equipped and attentive staff that all people can enjoy.
Add and mix: 1 cup salad oil 1 cup water 2 cup canned pumpkin 4 eggs (Optional, fold in cup chopped walnuts) Instructions: Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use electric mixer to combine. Grease and flour 3 pans. Place in the oven at 350° for 50 minutes. Remove bread from pans after cooling. Serve and enjoy! Recipe provided by sophomore Katherine Cohen.
Photo by Estefania Martinez A meal at Vintro Hotel & Restaurant.
8 Sports
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FALL SPORTS RECAP
Cross Country caps off stellar year
By Bianca Corgan Co-Editor-in-Chief
Several stars stand out for the football team The Varsity Football team has four players that have really stood out this season, including Senior Dominic Shepard, Senior Antonyo Sotolongo, Senior Jowan Watson and Sophomore Robert Burns. Robert Burns has captured the attention of coaches and students alike with his extreme dedication to the varsity team as only a sophomore. The team has had several wins including those against Chaminade (27-7), Duval Charter School (26-0), Archbishop McCarthy (47-15) and University School (35-0). With a 5-4 record thus far, their final game is Nov. 7 against Keys Gate Charter School, before heading to the playoffs.
Swim teams advance to regionals after a great season The Girls Varsity Swimming Team had a successful season placing fifth in the Woodson Invitational on Oct. 18 and beating teams throughout the season including Archbishop McCarthy, Archimedean, St. Brendan, Keys Gate, Carrollton, and Miami Country Day. The top swimmers include senior Corina Scheuren, junior Nicole Urquidi, junior Kelly Fertel, junior Namilla Sanchez, sophomore Brooke Ellis, freshman Alicia Mancilla, and freshman Nicole Rigueira. Sanchez explained that as a team they have had two goals this season and that was to qualify and perform successfully at the State Championship. She also stated that coaches Jeff Poppell, Chris George, and Jamie Marks have been supportive throughout the season and as the girls prepare for their state meet. The Boys Varsity Swim Team had an equally successful season. The boys placed 8th out of 33 teams at the FSPA Developmental Meet, 5th at the Woodson Invitational, while also acquiring wins against several schools including Monsignor Pace, Keys Gate, and Miami Country Day. Top returning swimmers include senior Ricky Hermida, junior Sean Arrington, junior Brian Gerstein, and sophomore Pablo Luchau. A few new swimmers have also performed successfully throughout the season including freshman Miguel Cancel and Trahern Gribble.
The Girl’s Cross Country team had a successful season placing in multiple meets. Their most notable accomplishments included placing 9th out of 29 teams at the Dade County Youth Fair Championship hosted by Ferguson on Sept. 18, 5th out of 15 teams at the Spanish River Invitational on Sept. 27, and 4th out of 14 teams at Celtic Cross Country Invitational on Oct. 24. Alyssa Pujals is this year’s top runner and has had several accomplishments highlighted by placing first at the Spanish River Invitational. Other top runners for the girls include junior Gabriella Muller, junior Nicole Muller and senior Allison Keller. The Boy’s Cross Country team had a successful season as well. They placed 10th out of 35 teams at the Dade County Youth Fair Championship hosted by Ferguson on Sept 18, 2nd out of 20 teams at the Spanish River Invitational on Sept, 27, and 9th out of 45 teams at the Jr. Orange Bowl Invitational hosted by Ferguson on Oct.17.
Volleyball faces off against Ransom The Varsity Girls Volleyball team lost in 3 sets against their rivals, Ransom Everglades, on Nov.4. However, the young team lead by eighthgrader Stephanie Potter, freshman Lauren Potter, and juniors Blanca and Carolina Mengotti, gained valuable expereince from the season. Look for this squad to return with a vengeance next year.
Bowlers strike! This past season the Girl’s Varsity Bowling Team placed third at districts. They finished their season with a record of 1-3. The Boy’s Varsity Bowling Team ranked number 12 at districts. “I think what defines the season is that they improved daily. The teammates are supportive of one another. They discuss techniques and strategies,” said Coach Yary Roman. Both teams gained experience that will help them in next year’s season.
Upcoming Games Nov. 7 - Boys, Girls Swimming Districts Nov. 7 - Football vs. Key Gate Nov. 8 - Boys, Girls Cross Country Regionals Nov. 8 - Girls Soccer vs. Jansen Beach Nov. 10 - Boys Soccer vs. Florida Christian Nov. 10 - Girls Basketball vs. Carrollton Nov. 11 - Girls Soccer vs. Ransom Everglades Nov. 12 - JV Girls vs. Westminster Christian Nov. 12 - Boys Basketball vs. Coral Reef Nov. 13 - Girls Basketball vs. Keys Gate Nov. 14 - Boys, Girls Swimming States Nov. 14 - Girls vs. St. Brendan Nov. 15 - Boys, Girls Cross Country States Nov. 15 - JV Girls Soccer vs. St. Brendan
Athletes in Action
1 1. Running back Robert Burns barrels through the Tornado defense. 2. Junior Kelly Fertel swims the breaststroke in her meet against some of the top programs in state at the Woodson Invitational located at Pinecrest School in Fort Lauerdale. Fertel is one of many that are expected to go far in the postseason. Photo by Samantha Rosenberg. 3. Freshman Alex Mayoral sprints for the finish line in the team’s last meet before heading to districts. The team qualified for regionals. Photo by Fox Mar. 4. Standout 8th grader Stephanie Potter dives to win the point. Potter had a great season her first year as a member of the varsity squad. Photo by Fox Mar.
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