My life, my style, my community
My Miami
September | October 2016
IS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL TEEN COLLEGE READY? Athletics
vs. Academics
Mentoring
Miami
Sports
Injuries
MY MIAMI | September/October 2016 1 MYMIAMIMAG.NET
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Publisher’s Letter September | October 2016
Welcome to the Fall issue of My Miami Magazine
My Miami Mag P.O. Box 278941 | Miramar Fl 33027 | Ph: 754-201-0574 www.MyMiamiMag.net | Info@MyMiamiMag.net
CREDITS Publisher Karen Stephen
Associate Editors Karen Stephen Lisa Pittman Vesline Francois Tawana Albert Eddie Lafaurie Octavia Greene Novelee Buckley Creative Director Bart Williams
Contributing Writers Karen Stephen Solaris Rey Quinteria Jackson Contributing Graphic Designers Demetrius McClain Photography Jerome McNeil Assistant to the Publisher Carmilla Anderson Content & Logistics Karen Stephen Edgar Wright Bridget Davis Beverly Stephen
Special Thanks to: God who makes all things possible and cares about my every concern; My cousin Dr. Lisa Pittman who never says no, regardless of how busy she may be; My Fabulous Mom for her sacrifices. 3
MY MIAMI | September/October 2016
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s usual, summer flew by so fast! And though the pictures and letters you sent in arrived a little too late for publication, It was good to hear all the wonderful stories about your vacations, family reunions, back yard barbeques, graduations, college enrollment joys and mishaps, and etc. We will try to work some of those stories and pictures into our upcoming issues. By now I’m sure most of you have adjusted and reverted to your “back to school” schedules. And with the start of a new school year; we thought it would only be appropriate to share with our parents--particularly high school parents and teens, some basic, yet critical information that will increase their chances of success for this new school year. It seems we were so preoccupied with back to school, and finding the best information for returning students, that we left out some of the fun articles. No worries though, the holidays are fastly approaching so there’ll be plenty of time for fun and festive articles. We are so happy that you appreciated the BABE cover story and concept which featured three of Miami’s Beautiful, Articulate, Brainy, and Endearing sisters of South Florida. And since you liked it so much, we have decided to make it a regular feature in the magazine. And yes we hear you ladies…we will certainly come up with a segment that will highlight a motivating Miami Male figure as well. Send us your suggestions, and please continue to send us your ideas and comments. We get hyped every time we hear from you. Thank you so much. We hope you enjoy this issue, and remember; you’re more than a conqueror!! Karen Stephen
COVER STORY
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5 CONTENTS
5 Rebounding from a tough economy
11 Miami’s Olympians
13 Athletics vs. Academics
26 Mentoring Matters MY MIAMI | September/October 2016
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Rebounding From A Tough Economy The past several years have been a life changing season for many. It’s meant having a multitude of different employers for some, an endless pit of foreclosures for others, and just a ton of financial stress for many more. It’s been tough yes, but it’s not the end of the world. That means that you don’t have to fall victim to what the tough economy left behind; and you certainly don’t have to let it determine your fate! You can still get up, dust yourself off, and start again! The $16 trillion financial debacle--dubbed as the worst recession since The Great Depression is said to be turning the corner; however, many are wondering how you’re going to play “catch up” from the devastating losses you’ve sustained. This one nearly wiped out middle class America who watched their wealth shrink nearly in half --going from about $99,000 to $56,000 per household. Many who’ve had strong savings or retirement funds have pinched off quite a bit to stay afloat. The good news is that millions of Americans are working again. But still…the not so good news is that, 5
MY MIAMI | September/October 2016
even though things are said to be improving, millions are now making a fraction of what they were making before the recession, and now have less, or no benefits. The new jobs that have been created over the past several years do not yield the same income as the ones that left the economy. And many sources point out that most statistics don’t even take in consideration the millions who have stopped looking for work because they just haven’t been able to find work that pay what their pre-recession job paid. This includes over two million employees around 50 and over, (Twice as many, as before the Recession). There are a myriad of other changes that have taken place since the dawn of this new economy, but we prefer focusing on how to get you moving forward again. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and that light is not an oncoming train, but a light that will illuminate your path so that you can position yourself on the road to recovery and back on track to greatness! So, whether you didn’t exactly land on your feet this go around, or you weathered the storm, or even if you are one who feel you emerged totally unscathed; we believe the best is yet
to come! Relax, take a deep breath, and see if any of these suggestions will help in your recovery process and get you moving forward again.
First things first. Channel Your Self Confidence
You may be in for a tough fight so you’re going to need every bit of strength and confidence you can muster up to get through without losing your mind. Remind yourself who you are, because others may have forgotten. You’re still the magnificent person you’ve always been: the awesome father who’s taken care of your family for so long; the loving aunt who’s helped with so many projects and homework assignments; the clinch brother who’s bailed out your siblings when they were in financial trouble; the friend who gave support, advice, and encouragement when others needed it; the mom who always threw the biggest and best parties for your children regardless of how insignificant the purpose might have seemed.
BUSINESS You’re still the same great person that you’ve always been. Find a way to remind yourself of that everyday. You’re more awesome than you know!
to your life, and helps defuse conflict. Laugh as often as you can! You’re not afraid of greatness.
Eliminate Stress
When you look good, you feel good. Even if you’re just running out to the grocery store, dress for the part you want. You never know who you may run into out there. You never know when that opportunity may knock. Be sure to take a good look in the mirror before venturing out just to insure that you have a fresh and energetic way about yourself. Don’t fall into that “tore up from the floor up” look and attitude. People are more engaging with others who are engaging. Your future is a projection of what you envision now.
Get up in the morning feeling good. Take a few minutes to breathe. Stretch, run, do a few sit ups, listen to your favorite music. If you are a spiritual person, find some scriptures that will keep you positive and focused along this journey. Do whatever it takes to keep the stress on the back burner. Don’t carry it through your day. You’re far too blessed to be stressed.
Put on Your Best Face.
Why shouldn’t you. It’s a beautiful one. Make a constant effort to keep a pleasant attitude. That’s not to say be phony, but stay up-beat. When you find yourself becoming overly disagreeable, argumentative, or pessimistic; stop, step away, and take a few minutes to breathe and regroup. You got this.
Surround Yourself with Positive People
Now is not the time for negative thinking or negative thinkers. Distance yourself from anyone who, and anything that might cause additional stress in your world. Obviously there will be situations that you can’t back out of, but if you can, do so. Surround yourself with dreamers and doers, believers and thinkers, and mainly those who see greatness in you even when you don’t see it yourself. Find people who you can laugh with. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins which are the body’s natural pain killers and therefore aids in relieving stress, eases anxiety and fear, improves your mood, adds joy and zest
Dress for Success
Revamp Your Resume
Regardless of your career level, enlist an expert to help you give your resume a facelift. If you haven’t had to use a resume in several years you may not be aware of the changes associated with internet resumes, let alone current updates on what hiring professionals look for in resumes now. You may need help ramping it up a few notches. Be open to constructive criticism, and don’t deny the truth! You’ve grown, and may have developed new skills over the past five, or ten years with your former employer. Be sure to incorporate those new skills into your resume, especially since they may now qualify you for additional careers and positions. You have infinite potential to succeed!
Know what to say when asked; “What are you doing now?” If someone asks you what you’re doing these days, have an answer in mind that will allow you to feel
good about yourself, as well as let others know that while you may not be employed, or working in your field of work; you have a plan. Avoid answers like; “I’ve been unemployed for a while”, or “I’m in a crazy place right now”, or “same ole same ole”. Try something like, “I’m focusing on positions that are a good fit with my temperament and background” Or I’m exploring opportunities that will allow me flexibility to spend more time with my family”. Speak those things that aren’t, as though they are!
Go Back to School
Some experts say that when unemployed, go back to school and stay there until you find employment. This is a good plan. Completing that degree or working on another one will only increase your chances of better pay when you do find that perfect position. And it can open up new avenues to other higher paying positions. I would also add that if not school, find something to do that makes you happy and will fill the void that you may be experiencing by not being employed at the level you once were. You may want to join a Chamber or become a board member of that organization you’ve always supported. This is good for networking, and will help you establish new contacts, as well as give you a sense of accomplishment, offsetting the part of you that may be feeling a bit insecure and incomplete. Your ability to conquer your challenges is limitless!
Be Open to other Employment Options
If you’ve been on your search for a while now with no luck, don’t give up; however, the next employment opportunity that becomes available, take it. It may not be exactly what
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you want, and it may not give you the lifestyle that you’re accustomed to. But face it; the struggle is real, and the bills have to get paid. For this position, you don’t want to get comfortable. So don’t put pictures on your desk or cute little posters on your cubicle wall. You may find yourself working with people who are now older, younger, or just different from what you are accustomed to. Your college education will cause you to feel that this position is beneath you, but suck it up. Work through it. You now have income coming in while you continue your search for something better. Demonstrate the professional skills that you’ve acquired over the years so that you stand out. And if this position does lead somewhere worth while, then you can put those cute pictures on your desk. Your misfortunes will sharpen the genius in you. There’s no success without trials, your success is one trial away!
For those who are really feeling courageous:
Start Your Own Business
Entrepreneurship is the career path for the 21st century! So “own your own”. You’ve spent five, ten and twenty years helping some other company grow their business -- whether directly through sales, or indirectly by doing the job that you’ve done so well for so long. Consider doing the same job for yourself. After five or more years with that other employer, surely you’ve developed a skillset that can allow you to earn income for yourself. If your previous position is not something that you can parlay into a business, then think of what you love to do, and strategize on how to make money doing what you love. If you think you can do It…you can! Don’t quit your day job just yet, but do take time out to envision, and strategize while you work. Put away as much start up money as possible. Talk to people who are in the industry to get insight for what’s involved in starting and running the type of business that you are interested in. Adopt a mentor to give you direction on the journey. Everyone won’t share your vision, but there are people who will
invest in you with their time, resources, and knowledge. Find those people. It won’t be easy, in fact the whole idea of becoming an entrepreneur is a daunting, task, but if you can get past the fear, and intimidation; the rewards can be unfathomable! Go ahead, be your own boss. Believe in yourself. You can do it! Here’s proof. Tenesia was an Activity Director at a nursing home here in Miami. When the facility laid off two people causing her work load to triple while her pay stayed the same, she felt taken advantage of. Tenesia had a passion for caring for people, and felt that the patients at the facility were now at risk of not getting the social enrichment and interaction that they had once received. She always felt that patients who were involved in activities were happier, healthier; and in her opinion, lived longer. She thought she could do a better job on her own at enriching the lives of people receiving long term care. So while still working at the facility, she put together a plan that would allow her to provide activities for nursing facilities in the area. She now has several nursing facility contracts under her belt. She uses volunteers from local churches and neighboring schools to provide an array of activities and to help keep costs and fees to the nursing facilities at a minimum.. After about eight months, Tenesia was her own boss. Her advice: Entrepreneurial startups rarely get funded, so use your day job to support your entrepreneurship. Get your licenses, incorporation status if applicable, and put your website together while you are still working. Do all the ground work while working your “nine to five”. Don’t second guess yourself. Recruit people who believe in your dream to help you. If it doesn’t work out the first time, revamp and start over, but never give up on your dream. Keep the faith, and keep working towards it, even if it seems like it’s not going to happen.
Do you have a comment or story idea for our next edition? Email: info@mymiamimag.net 7
MY MIAMI | September/October 2016
Here are a few others right here in your neighborhood who are doing it successfully!
Brandon Okpalobi
Founder & CEO, Dibia Athletic Development Having a vision that young people who pursue careers in sports should also be better prepared for life’s non-ending challenges; and having a sound belief in the “It Takes a Village” mantra, Brandon Okpalobi decided that it was time for him to part ways with his Employers where he worked in the athletic department of a major University here in Miami. His numerous statements to his superiors that athletes, especially African American athletes coming through the program were missing out on critical life skills that they needed to become productive individuals after college; was falling on deaf ears. Becoming more and more disheartened at work, and seeing that his superiors where not focused on the needs of, and issues involving the student athletes; Brandan decided that he had “had enough”. He was already getting numerous requests outside of work from parents and coaches to train and help develop their teens and students; and as the requests continued to pour in, Brandon’s entrepreneurial spirit, and
sense of what felt right; kicked in. He literally left work one day and started his company Dibia Athletic Development the next day. Under the umbrella of “Dibia” which means Master of Knowledge; Brandon set up the Dream Academy - Development thru Recreational Education for Athletic Minds, where athletes now learn the values of academics, get financial literacy, develop leadership skill and get professional training in sports. Brandon also established two non profits; Dream Scholars, which provide scholarships to the Dream programs, as well as scholarships for college; and Dream Active, where he caters to the Underserved community. Through the Dream programs, young athletes also learn health & wellness, get after school tutoring, college prep, and career prep! There’s also a mentoring component which involves professional guest speakers who share valuable information with the students about a myriad of subjects and opportunities. Brandon’s advice to others who want to “own their own” is: Believe in yourself. You may be afraid but you can do it. Save up first--having capital to sustain you as you get things rolling is crucial. Work your 9 to 5 and let it fuel (fund) your dream, while planning and becoming an expert on your 5 to 9 (your dream). Don’t be afraid to work because it will take a lot of work from you. Don’t give up too soon. Remember it’s your dream! So don’t expect others to believe in it more than you, or do more than you.
Advertise with us and watch your business grow! CALL TODAY 754-201-0574 OR EMAIL info@mymiamimag.net
Giselle Pinto
President & CEO, Sugar Yummy Mommy Giselle spent over 18 years in Advertising and Marketing, and though she never really had a passion for baking per se, she always wanted to work with food. After leaving South Florida, and then returning at the onset of the recession, she noticed that there was something different about the mood of the people in Miami. Here they all were in this beautiful city with beaches and palm trees, but yet the people seemed sadder than what she had remembered. This feeling resonated with her, and bothered her to the point where she started thinking. She contemplated the things that made her happy during sad periods in her life, and came up with an idea…CHOCOLATE! Chocolate always seemed to not only soothe her during her down times, but actually got her adrenaline going. She did some research, first on the probability of a business actually succeeding during tough times. Then she researched the affects that various portions of chocolate might have on people. She wanted to come up with a dessert size that was large, and tasty enough to release endorphins, yet not so filling that one would feel full and lazy. Entrepreneurial spirit ignited, Giselle garnered financial help from her parents, and five months later, Sugar Yummy Mama, a collection of sweets that pleases the most discriminating taste palate was born. Giselle’s advice for future entrepreneurs; take advice objectively, and discerningly; follow your heart; block out the negative chatter. She feels that certainly if she can do it, so can you.
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Marcus Thomas
Owner, Signature Cigar Lounge An interesting past time for a young fella, Marcus Thomas had been a cigar smoker for over 15 years, and would travel from Palm Beach to the Keys to entertain his smoke hobby. In doing so, he had become very familiar with the cigar industry, and was starting to wonder if he had what it took to open his own cigar lounge. It would be a long shot, but since smoking cigars were one of his passions, he knew that doing something that he loved would never feel like hard work. His weekly cigar visits at the other lounges had now become research and learning
sessions in preparation for opening his own cigar lounge. Now on his visits, he would ask the other lounge owners questions about what it would take to create and maintain a cigar shop, not relinquishing the questioning until he got detailed answers. The shop owners would appease him with answers, but didn’t really take him serious, and certainly couldn’t fathom him accomplishing such a feat on his own. Marcus started to see that the cigar industry didn’t seem to be an industry that was African American friendly, at least as far as ownership was concerned, but he pushed on. He continued to ask questions and put ideas together while saving his money meticulously. Then there was the economic factor. The economy wasn’t in the best shape; but he figured that if he could put out a good product, people would come! Marcus said that between the permitting, licensing, and going before so many committees with the city of Miami Gardens, the process became draining, but again, he pushed forward. As he did so, he garnered much support from the community. There were so people who couldn’t
wait to have a place where they could relax, and have a smoke--or just have a place in their community where they could kick back and call their own. Marcus said that the reception from the community was overwhelming and propelled him forward. Everyone involved seem to be bending over backwards to help, making sure that everything from the building and permitting and furnishing was done right the first time, and on time. Whatever extra they could do to help, they gladly did it. Before the doors were actually opened for business, curious passer byes would stop in and were always pleasantly surprised to find that he was the owner. Marcus opened up under the name of a consultant cigar shop, but the business took off so quickly, he was soon able to establish his own brand, and took on his own name--Signature Cigar Lounge. Marcus advice to dreamers: I f you believe you can put out a good product, then you owe it to yourself to try to do it. Turn the negativity from naysayers into energy that fuels your motivation. Regardless of what happens, you win when you try!
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Miami’s Olympic Madness
They came poised and positioned to take home gold, however were more than satisfied with snatching a silver, or bronze; knowing that any medal accomplishment signified that they were the best in the world in their respective athletic fields. From Dan Marino to LeBron James, Miami certainly has had no shortage of great athletes - at the university or professional level. This latest crop of athletes who represented our fair city at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro continued our rich legacy, and did not disappoint! 11
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From track & field, and gymnastics to diving, volleyball and rowing; South Florida’s home grown Olympians where rock’n it. And television watchers sat riveted at T.V. screens all over Miami, not wanting to miss a minute of the excitement, and cheering the home town Olympians to victory! Only South Florida could produce and send the top hurdler in the world, and the first black American water polo player to the U.S. Olympic team!
Brianna Rollins
Sylvia Fowles
Madison Keys
Miami native Brianna is a 2009 graduate of Miami Northwestern High school, and is the eldest of seven siblings. Her time of 12.26 seconds gave her the fourth fastest time in history, and gave her the gold! She is a Clemson University graduate
Miami born, and two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the year, Sylvia Fowles is now adding more gold to her arsenal of medals and awards with this latest Olympic win! She is 30 years of age and
Ranked No. 12 in the world.
Arman “Gino” Hall
Foluke Akinradewo,
Angelica Delgado,
Miami Sprinter, and U.S. Olympian Arman Hall started running at the age of 9. Though he wasn’t a good sprinter initially, he pursued the sport and grew to love it, striking gold in the 4x400 relay at the
Raised in Fort Lauderdale, Foluke is one of four returning players from the 2012 Olympics in London. In high school Akinradewo flourished in basketball and
This three-time U.S. champion and two-time Pan American Games bronze medalist is a Miami native and FIU med student. She is the top-ranked female
Ashleigh Johnson
Robin Prendes
Lexi Thompson
Prendes finished eighth at the 2012 London Olympics, and fifth at the 2013 world championship, Princeton graduate.
At 12 Lexi became the youngest player to qualify for U.S. Open. By 21, she had already won eight tournaments.
Miami Northwestern High alum, Women’s Track and Field 100 Hurdler.
St. Thomas Aquinas alum Track and Field 4-by-400
Ransom Everglades School alum Water Polo Team
Spectators packed the bleachers at the pool of Ashleigh’s Miami alma mater-Ransom Everglades a few weeks back. She had a chance to come home for a while during the U.S. water polo Olympic
Gulliver Preparatory alum Women’s Basketball Team
St. Thomas Aquinas alum Women’s Volleyball
Coral Park High alum Rowing lightweight fours
Boca Raton Tennis
Miami Ferguson High alum Judo 52 kg
Coral Springs Resident Golf
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Academics versus Athletics: Do Students Have to Sacrifice One for the Other?
Are our high school athletes making the points, but failing the grades? Parents, teachers, and school counselors spend countless hours working to ensure that students get an education that will take them to the next level, whether it is college, or into a new career. When it comes to high school athletes, many are hoping that their prowess in sports lands them a free, or at least a partially free, ride to college. They are told, on countless occasions, that in order to stay active in high school sports, they must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA (in most high schools). But sometimes, students who struggle to maintain the minimum GPA often struggle with doing so post-season, as well because they do not realize the long-term effects of letting their grades slip. So, what happens when athletes spend countless hours after school and on weekends on basketball courts and football fields in an effort to perfect their sport, but don’t devote the same amount of time to their studies? What happens when teen athletes receive an array of awards and accolades for their athletic skill during the school year, yet the grades just aren’t there at the end of the school year? What happens when they’ve waded through a myriad of college fairs, and stressed through an assortment of “end of year” exams, yet still can’t get a passing SAT score? And what happens when all of those 13
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sacrifices that were made during high school -- missing family events to attend scout camps in an attempt to get the eye of college scouts; attending sports competitions; opting out of other fun hobbies for the sake of becoming superior in their chosen sport - don’t yield the expected result at the end of the school year, when no colleges come knocking, and no scholarships are offered? This scenario is played out annually across South Florida. Many seniors, who work extremely hard during the school year, are disappointed, if not devastated, at the end of their senior year in high school. While they can look back and reflect on what they could have or should have done differently, doing so will not make any difference. Teachers and coaches may be immune to, or may have adjusted to, this “end of year” phenomenon; however, as a parent, if this is happening to your child, it is heart breaking for both you and your teen athlete. Are we failing our students? Are we missing something? What should we be doing as parents to give our teen athletes a better chance at going to college? ____________ The College Process Starts at Home Parents shouldn’t totally rely on anyone else, or any one thing, when it comes to getting their teen athlete into college. Teachers, coaches, and
counselors are there to help, but the real work starts at home. Parents have to remember: teachers and counselors are hired to help students do well in school, especially if they ask for help, while high school coaches are hired to win games. A coach’s main focus is on finding good athletes, not necessarily smart athletes. They are not there to educate your teen.. They may be genuinely concerned about your teen’s education, and they will help qualified students get scholarships; however, there is still the task of becoming a qualifying student. With that being said, parents have to know that if their teen athlete is looking to land a scholarship playing sports, they’ve got to also make the grade, and that starts early on at home! As your child starts to pull away in sports, and starts to shine a little brighter than the rest of the pack, never stop talking about the role that education plays in higher level sports. He or she needs to develop a mindset that these two go hand in hand. Manage Core Subjects Your teen athlete has to understand the role that academics play in winning scholarships. Colleges need students who can graduate. Therefore, college coaches need athletes who are able to manage a rigorous, college-level sports program, while maintaining good
EDUCATION grades. If teens can’t do that in high school, chances are, they won’t be able to do it in college! To prove that they can, teens have to score well in core classes. Students with poor grades and low test scores will not qualify for any type of academic scholarship. In many cases, students with poor grades are not accepted to any colleges unless they are phenomenal players. (Colleges seem to find a way to enroll phenomenal players). Your teen athlete has to be able to score at least a 2.0 in core classes (English, math, history, and science), so they must carve out study time outside of the classroom. Vocabulary building and critical thinking skills are key, and should be a primary focus during high school, because student athletes need to know how to converse well, and be able to think on their feet. These skills can raise one athlete above the others when athleticism is equal, and will come in handy when the time comes to impress college coaches and scouts. Don’t Drop the Ball in High School Teens are starting to feel more independence in high school, but parents have a responsibility to make sure their teenager does not drop the ball. Believe it or not, teens need you more than you know! Parents should continue to work closely with teachers and counselors, and should keep a close and unwavering eye on those grades. Continue to gently push your teen to perform at his or her highest level – academically and athletically! When you see your teen athlete struggling, don’t hesitate to enlist help. Check with the school for tutors, as schools usually have faculty and student tutors who may be able to help. Also, some local colleges don’t mind high school students sitting in on their tutoring sessions. You may also want to
check with your church or your community resource center to see if they may be able to offer some sort of help. Finally, if you can afford it, you may have to hire a tutor. It will pay off in the long run since learning is power, and nothing beats a good education. Engage in Other Activities Outside of the Sport As alluded to earlier, colleges and coaches want student athletes who are skilled in sports, but they also want student athletes who are diverse/versatile. When up against an equally talented candidate, being diverse and well-rounded will allow your teen athlete to stand out, and possibly get selected over other candidates. If your student athlete is spending every waking moment working on his skill, consider carving out a little time for something else. They could learn chess, hone swimming skills, or pick up a book that will help enhance vocabulary and cognitive thinking. Athletes should continue practicing their main sport, just not every minute of every day. This is a competitive arena, and student athletes who really want it have to be smart, and willing to go the extra mile to achieve the goal. This sometimes means being better rounded than the rest. If all you know as a student athlete is how to play ball, then you’d better make it to the pros, because your options will be limited, and you may end up being very disappointed. So, encourage your teen to do their best to be well-rounded, and enjoy all the benefits of balance as a student athlete.
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My Miami
BABE Beautiful, Ambitious, Brainy, and Endearing
Ariel Eysallenne
Cluster Sales Manager-Whitehouse Lodging For many of us, trying to balance and stretch a paycheck from month to month is a real challenge, but at just 26, Ariel Eysallenne has already mastered the skill of sales, finance and budgeting as she manages revenues in excess of 10 million dollars in corporate, group, and on line bookings with the Marriott hotel chain. As we never really know what makes us passionate about some things, surprisingly, Ariel knows exactly where her love for the business originated. A vacation to Canada with her parents, where they booked into a hotel, with architecturally designed rooms that included shiny red bath tubs is what fueled her passion for the Hotel and Tourism industry. Making people feel lavishly special was something she knew she wanted to do, so it was no surprised that when the time came her only choice in colleges was one of the Nations tops in Hotel and Tourism studies right here in Miami. This FIU grad is well grounded, and has a pretty good outlook on life. And though professionally, she may be living her dream career, she has a message for those who may be heading to college, or :getting ready to tackle the real world: “Before you spend your money on a college major, do an internship first. If you hate it, don’t go into that field of study. If you love it, you’ll never have to work a day in your life since doing what you love never feels like work” And for those who may be a little discouraged about not realizing your professional dreams just yet, Ariel says: “We get so focused on our destination, and so worried about whether or not we’ll be successful. Enjoy where you are right now. Don’t stress out about not being where you want to be professionally, and don’t let others put time lines on you. It’s a journey, and it’s the journey that is important and what we will look back on. Focus on enjoying the journey”
Avoiding Sports Injuries collisions with obstacles on the field Over 30 million children or between players. Common acute and teens participate in high injuries among young athletes include school athletics annually. contusions (bruises), sprains (a partial or complete tear of a ligament), strains Seven million are high school students. With sports becoming (a partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon), and fractures. increasingly competitive, and Overuse Injuries with some sports being played Not all injuries are caused by a year ‘round now, athletes are single, sudden twist, fall, or collision. becoming more prone to injuries. Overuse injuries occur gradually Studies show that among the most popular high school sports, ankle sprains are the most common, accounting for one in six of all high school sports-related injuries. Prior injury, inadequate rehabilitation, and post injury protection to speed the healing process and minimize risks of re-injuries are strong risk factor for future injury sprains especially in activities involving frequent jumping and landing, like Boys Basketball, Girl’s Gymnastics & Cheer Leading. Fifty percent of ankle sprains heal relatively quickly, and result in a loss of participation of less than a week. Less than 1% require surgery. Studies show that of those who suffer repeated ankle sprains, as many as three-quarters will go on to suffer Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI). Repeated ankle sprains cause a loss of proprioception (communication between the central nervous system and the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the ankle), which, in turn can lead to faulty technique or a sudden loss of control or balance, either of which can lead to even more sprains!
Types of injuries: Acute Injuries
Acute injuries are caused by a sudden trauma. Examples of trauma include
over time, when an athletic activity is repeated so often, parts of the body do not have enough time to heal between playing. Lower back or overall back pain is a common complaint in Football (American) players due to overuse. Often a leading cause is over-training syndrome. This is when a player trains beyond the ability for the body to easily recover. Knee pain is another problem that football players complain of, this can usually be dealt with by a quadricepsstrengthening program. Overuse injuries can affect muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and growth plates. For example; overhand pitching in baseball can be associated with injuries to the elbow. Swimming is often associated with injuries to the shoulder. Gymnastics and cheerleading are two common activities associated with injuries to the wrist and elbow.
Stress Fractures
Another common overuse injury in young athletes is Stress Fractures. Bone is in a constant state of turnover—a process called remodeling. New bone develops and replaces older bone. If an athlete’s activity is too great, the breakdown of older bone occurs rapidly, and the body cannot make new bone fast enough to replace it. As a result, the
bone is weakened and stress fractures can occur—most often in the shinbone and bones of the feet.
Growth Plate Injuries
Growth plates are areas of developing cartilage tissue near the ends of long bones. When a child becomes fullgrown, the growth plates harden into solid bone. Because growth plates are the last portion of bones to harden (ossify), they are vulnerable to fracture. Growth plates regulate and help determine the length and shape of adult bone, therefore, injuries to the growth plate can result in disturbances to bone growth and bone deformity. Growth plate injuries occur most often in contact sports like football or basketball and in high impact sports like gymnastics.
Concussion
Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries. They are caused by a blow to the head or body that results in the brain moving rapidly back and forth inside the skull. Some signs of concussion are; headache, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, loss of balance, numbness, blurry vision, and difficulty concentrating. Although some sports have higher instances of concussion—such as football, ice hockey, and soccer—concussions can happen in any sport or recreational activity. In 2010, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that young athletes with concussions be evaluated and cleared by a doctor before returning to sports. The American Academy of Neurology issued a similar statement, and stressed that doctors who clear athletes for return to sports should be trained in managing and assessing sports concussions.
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Heat Injuries
This is a large concern in South Florida with the start of summer sports. Heat injuries may occur with the intense physical activities associated with long outdoor training sessions in the height of summer. Sweating depletes the body of salt and water. Some of the symptoms you may note are cramping. If not treated with simple body cooling and fluids athletes can suffer from heat stroke or heat exhaustion which if untreated, can lead to death.
Traumatic Injuries
Knee injuries in football are the most common, especially those to the anterior or posterior cruciate ligament (ACL/PCL) and to the menisci (cartilage of the knee). These knee injuries can adversely affect a player’s long term involvement in the sport. Football players also have a higher chance of ankle sprains due to the surfaces played on, and cutting motions. Shoulder injuries are also quite common and the labrum (cartilage bumper surrounding the socket part of the shoulder) is particularly susceptible to injury, especially in offensive and defensive linemen. In addition, injuries to the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) or shoulder are seen in football players. If your athlete or your child receives an ankle sprain or has a chronically unstable ankle; sports medicine experts say that a rehabilitation program supervised by a certified athletic trainer (ATC), or physical therapist is absolutely essential. A good rehab program should include strength and stretching exercises and physical therapy. Don’t take any injury for granted, Make sure that your child gives that injury time to heel Regardless of how bad they want to play, do not return to the sport until the injury is completely healed. _____________________________
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Top Ten High School Injuries to watch out for ages: 13-17
Most common diagnosis: Strain, sprain
#10 Track and Field
Average injuries per year 18,119 Injuries to males: 7.9 percent Injuries to females: 92.1 percent Most common body part injured: Ankle Most common diagnosis: Strain, sprain
Average injuries per year 8,194 47.6 percent male 52.4 percent females Most common body part: Ankle Most common injury: sprain, strain
#9 Weight lifting Average injuries per year 8,921 Most common body part injured: Finger
#8 Volleyball
Average injuries per year 14,304 Injuries to males: 21.1 percent Injuries to females: 78.9 percent Most common body part injured: Ankle Most common diagnosis: Strain, sprain
#7 Softball
#6 Wrestling, Boxing and Martial Arts
Average injuries per year 18,174
Injuries to males: 90.6 percent Injuries to females: 9.3 percent Most common body part injured: Shoulder Most common diagnosis: Strain, Sprain
#5 Gymnastic, Cheerleading and Dance Average injuries per year 22,671 Injuries to males: 9 percent Injuries to females: 91 percent Most common body part injured: Ankle Most common diagnosis: Strain, sprain
Most common body part injured: Finger Most common diagnosis: Strain, sprain
#1 Basketball
Average injuries per year: 119,589 Injuries to males: 74 percent Injuries to females: 26 percent Most common body part injured: Ankle Most common diagnosis: Strain, sprain Source: Orthop.washington.edu, Pediatrics AssociatesOrthopedics
#4 Baseball
Average injuries per year 27,208 Injuries to males: 88.8 percent Injuries to females: 11.2 percent Most common body part injured: Face Most common diagnosis: Contusions, abrasion
#3 Soccer
Average injuries per year: 45,475 Injuries to males: 52 percent Injuries to females: 48 percent Most common body part injured: Ankle Most common diagnosis: Strain, sprain
#2 Football
Average injuries per year: 118,886 Injuries to males: 95.7 percent Injuries to females: 4.3 percent
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Miami’s Olympic Madness (Continued)
Miami Northwestern Sr. High Students from the Culinary program prepare lunch for Gold Medal Olympian, and Miami Northwestern High alum; Brianna Rollins.
Sloane Stephens Plantation Resident Tennis
Stephens has won three WTA titles this season and is ranked world # 25 in the Women’s Tennis Association Singles rankings.
Danell Leyva, Homestead Resident Gymnastics Team
Parallel bars and horizontal bar specialist Danell Leyva was actually a team alternate, but was added to the team due to the withdrawal of a team member who incurred an ACL injury. That addition proved to be the right one since Danell was able to bring home not one but two silver medals, contributing to the teams total of three medals, and stepping it up a notch from the brinze he received at the 2012 London Olympics. He is also reigning world silver medalist on high bar.
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Serena Williams
Palm Beach Gardens Resident Tennis
Top-ranked player in the world, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, competing in fourth Olympics. She has won four gold medals — three in doubles with sister, Venus (2000, 2008, 2012) and singles in 2012.
Venus Williams
Palm Beach Gardens resident Tennis
Venus won singles gold medal at Sydney Olympics in 2000, and has won three doubles titles with sister, Serena.
Is Your Teen College Ready? If by grade eleven your high school teen is passive about going to college fairs, or nonchalant about the college process; or if you have to coax or drag your high school senior through the college admissions maze-- it’s probably safe to say that they may not be quite ready to make that collegiate move! Going to college is a big transition for anyone. Many high school seniors can’t wait to take that next step in the education process. Some seem to have been born ready, and then there are some who, though excited and looking forward to the process, may have certain anxieties about moving on to something bigger and different. They may even feel a bit intimidated, and question whether or not they are ready to make the move. Sometimes it’s hard for parents to discern what’s going on in their teen’s mind. Identifying academic barriers (e.g., academic under-preparedness) is not a difficult task. This is easily detected by examining grades and test scores, and can be remedied by addressing weak areas. But psychological barriers require some deciphering. If your teen is constantly pondering how you are going to fund four years of their college education, or if they are worried about the possibility of failure because they are a “first generation” college student, these issues can have detrimental affects on their enthusiasm about going to college.
Parents and teachers can help teens deal with some of these psychological issues by helping them manage expectations, and by helping them maintain a positive focus on the arena in which they are preparing to enter. This can benefit them such that when the time comes, transitioning to college will be a wonderful and positive feeling, leaving teens with very few worries outside of graduating. In order to prepare for this process, consider the following:
Show Support to Help Lessen Stress...
but don’t smother. There is an enormous pressure that comes with trying to earn an impactful GPA. Add on the community service, a rigorous sports program, service club memberships, extracurricular activities, and other facets that come with trying to put together an impressive profile for
college reps, and this process can become a bit overwhelming for a teen. Then also add the pressures of becoming independent, which is another thing your teen is dealing with. Parents can help by letting their teen know that they are there to support them. This is a pivotal time in the transition process, for both you and your teen, and not a time to assume that your teen is almost an adult and can handle things on their own. They don’t want to be coddled, but they do need your help and advice, even if they are reluctant to ask for it. They need you, but they don’t want to feel as though they need you. So, you may have to discover, the fine art of being a silent helper for your college-bound teen. Participate in some activities, attend some college fairs with them, and be a part of the decision making process. Be mindful about doing whatever you need to do to aid in keeping your teen’s stress at a manageable level.
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Maintain Open and Ongoing Dialogue Take advantage of every opportunity to talk about your teen’s current school progress, as well as his or her college expectations. Be sure to do this in a way that puts him or her at ease; and allows him or her to talk while you listen, as opposed to you doing all the talking. This will allow you to discover his or her level of excitement or concern. It’s easier to help your teen student when you know and understand his or her concerns. S/he may have concerns about finances and how his or her parents are going to get them through four years of college. If s/he is a first generational college student, achieving or failure may be a big concern. Talking often will give parents a chance to address these concerns.
Visit Local Colleges Visit local campuses during various stages of the year, including during hectic registration time, so your teen can begin to get a feel for what to expect.
Prepare a Game Plan
Help Your Teen Prepare a written “College Transition” game plan. This will help him or her to strategize and focus better amidst everything else that’s going on in his or her world. When preparing this game plan, separate Junior year from Senior year, and keep it visible.
Here are a few suggestions about what to include in the game plan:
An Academic Check List Students need to garner a certain amount of credits in a prescribed amount of time within their curriculum. In addition, they may want to take a certain number of AP or IB classes. S/He can list the desired courses, and check them off his or her list as s/he completes them. Checking off required classes will ensure that s/he doesn’t leave anything out that would defer his or her graduation date;
Recommended Exams Students should plan to take the SAT and/ or ACT exams. They should also look into other exams that may be required;
Possible Colleges Students should do research about potential colleges that they may be interested in, and what they need to do in order to apply. Within this process is the importance of them knowing what they want out of their college experience;
Visit College Campuses Students should visit college campuses in their area to get a feel for what to expect from a college campus;
Community Service Students should keep up with community service performed. They should keep forms on hand, and not wait until the last minute to turn them in. Students should turn in their service hours by end of each quarter to get proper credit;
Write a Scholastic Essay Scholarship grantors usually ask students to submit an essay based on a particular subject matter. The essay is usually the most important part of your application - it gives the scholarship committee a sense of who you are, and your dedication to your goals. So, you have to make sure that this is a stellar essay. Typically, the essays may start or end with the same information, with the specific information required by the grantor being placed in the middle. That’s why, though you don’t want to send generic essays to scholarship grantors, it’s usually okay to use the same one as a base, and tailor it in the middle based on the specific information for that particular scholarship. Be sure to read the instructions thoroughly, before and after you write your essay, and be sure to address every aspect indicated therein. In order to make sure that you are submitting the best possible essay, don’t be afraid to have your English teacher review it before submitting it to the grantor;
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Scholarship Opportunities Students should take time out to research local and national scholarship opportunities. Many Fortune 500 companies offer local and/or national scholarships at different times throughout the year. Keep an ear open, and apply for every one that you might qualify for, even if you feel you don’t qualify 100%. You should already have your essay template, so you’ll save time by not having to start from scratch with each submission;
Highlights for scouts and coaches Athletes hoping for athletic scholarships should start putting together a highlight video for prospective coaches, and may want to start reaching out to them as early as possible;
Request final transcript Your transcript should be mailed out to colleges and the NCAA eligibility Center as soon as they are available.
Meet With Guidance Counselor Often
Help your teen understand the enormous value that a guidance counselor has, and the upside to allowing the guidance counselor to understand his/her needs. Guidance counselors are extremely knowledgeable about everything, from courses your teen should be taking now, to scholarship opportunities, and they can help with college recommendations based on your teen’s individual needs.
Take Advantage of College Fairs College fairs are more than free passes from class. They are a “one on one” opportunity to obtain valuable information that will help your college bound teen narrow down his or her college selections. College Fairs provide valuable information about majors offered, scholarship opportunities, and specific information related to your teen’s individual collegiate needs. Sometimes, there can be quite a few colleges attending the fairs. To save time, your teen should obtain a list of attending colleges before23
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hand, and prepare a list of questions for the college representatives that they are interested in talking to first; then, if time permits, they can talk to additional college representatives. The objective of the college fair is to get an idea about which institutions best fit what your teen is looking for, to obtain information about as many interested colleges as possible, and to leave an impression with the college representatives. Some good questions might be: • Does your university recognize the I.B. program and, if so, do you have any specific admissions policies regarding it? • How many students will be in the classes I’m likely to take during my first year? • What types of scholarships are available for my specific criteria • What are the eligibility requirements? • How are these scholarships awarded? Your teen should prepare some pre-printed address labels or index cards that include his or her information beforehand. That way, instead of spending valuable time completing information cards at each table, teens can simply hand out one of their pre-printed cards, and this allows them to have more time to ask questions. It is important to make sure the cards are accurate before printing.
Take Advantage of Every Opportunity to Discuss Personal and Social Responsibilities The nightly news gives parents and teachers plenty of material related to issues, decisions made, and negative consequences where kids are concerned. It is wise to seize every moment to talk about situations that college students sometimes find themselves in, and consequences to actions and decisions that they may make. This includes: drinking irresponsibly, drug consumption, time management, dating etiquette, and other actions that can lead to negative consequences.
Advertise with us and reach thousands! CALL TODAY 754-201-0574 OR EMAIL info@mymiamimag.net MY MIAMI | September/October 2016
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Injury
Prevention Tips Football • Perform proper warm-up and cooldown routines • Consistently incorporate strength training and stretching • Hydrate adequately to maintain health and minimize cramps • Stay active during summer break to prepare for return to sports in the fall • Wear properly fitted protective equipment, such as a helmet, pads, and mouth guard • Tackle with the head up and do not lead with the helmet • Have a pre-season health and wellness evaluation • Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about football injuries or football injury prevention strategies
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Basketball • Wear gym shoes that fit snugly, are non-skid and have high tops. • Use a mouth guard, ankle braces and safety glasses. • Warm up and stretch before each session. • Use proper technique and follow the rules. • Do not wear jewelry. • Play on a clean, dry, safe surface.
Cheer Leading • Insist on spotters when learning a new skill. • Warm up muscles with light aerobic exercise, i.e.; jumping jacks, running in place, before beginning training. • Inspect equipment to ensure that it is in good condition, including padded floors, secured mats under every apparatus, and safety harnesses for learning difficult moves. • Wear all required safety gear whenever competing or training —
• special equipment may include wrist • guards, hand grips, footwear, ankle or elbow braces, and pads. • Follow guidelines on stunt restrictions. • Mats should always be used during practice sessions, and if possible during competition • Do not “play through the pain” — if you are hurt, see your doctor and follow instructions for treatment and recover fully before resuming activities. • Return to play only when clearance is granted by a healthcare professional. Remember: A player’s injury must be completely healed before he or she returns to sports activity. In case of a joint problem, the player must have no pain, no swelling, full range of motion, and normal strength before returning to activities. In case of concussion, the player must have no symptoms at rest or with exercise, and should be cleared by the appropriate medical provider.
100 Black men of South Florida young men place first in the State Farm Dollars and Sense competition at their annual convention in Atlanta
Mentoring Matters New research confirms what most have suspected all along about the mentoring effect. Quality mentoring programs have a profound impact on young people. Mentors have a positive affect on our youth academically, in their personal lives, and in their professional endeavors because mentors encourage, guide, motivate, inspire, and build self esteem in those who lives they enter. Mentoring helps our youth through challenging life transitions, helps them deal with stressful changes in their environment, and has an overall positive impact on them throughout life. Through good mentoring programs, teens are exposed to people who aid in
their growth and development; and are exposed to situations that connect them to social and economic opportunities. Research shows that mentoring is particularly beneficial to disadvantaged teens. Teens from disadvantaged backgrounds are twice as likely to attend college when they have a mentor. Another study shows how important mentors are to teens with hardships. For example, in one of the studies, young people who had experienced discrimination, family stressors, and abuse; were less likely to break the law, or engage in substance abuse if they had a positive mentoring relationship. The research has shown that all teens reap big developmental
benefits from mentoring relationships during their high school years. They grow intellectually, interpersonally, and emotionally as a result of supportive mentors; and that’s regardless of income levels. One challenging fact that research points out is that less than half of disadvantaged teens have an adult mentor. So we still have work to do in the area of finding mentors and mentoring organizations that can help teens transition into productive adults. Listed here are some agencies that you can contact to find out if they might benefit your child. You may also inquire as to how you can become a mentor.
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Benefits to the Mentee:
• Increases high school graduation rates • Lowers high school dropout rates • Healthier relationships and lifestyle choices • Better attitude about school • Higher educational aspirations and higher college enrollment rates • Enhanced self-esteem and selfconfidence • Improved behavior, both at home, school, and in general • Stronger relationships with parents, teachers, and peers • Improved interpersonal skills • Decreased likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use • A sense of accomplishment
Benefits to the Mentor:
• Improved sense of well-being • Enhanced self-image and sense of self-worth • Sense of feeling valued and appreciated • Sense of feeling competent and accomplished • Sense of satisfaction from “giving back to the community” • Sense of feeling needed • Feeling of being respected by others for contributing to society in a positive way
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Here’s a list of mentoring organizations in Miami that you can refer to: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami Mentoring Resource Center
Our Mission is to provide each child facing adversity with a mentor that awakens them to new possibilities. When we succeed, we make Miami a more incredible city for more incredible kids to grow up in. (305) 644-0066 www.bbbsmiami.org Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County Our Mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. (954) 584-9990 www.bbbsbroward.org
Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program Our mission is to inspire, motivate and empower at-risk young women to live up to their full potential through a unique mentoring program with highly accomplished professional women and scholarship opportunities. Our program is specifically designed to meet the needs of at-risk teenage girls in our nation’s public high schools and help them turn obstacles into opportunities by providing the exposure, motivation, confidence and opportunities required to create a better future for themselves, their families, and society. www.womenoftomorrow.org (305) 371-3330
Honey Shine
Our mission is to encourage the balance of mind, body and soul in girls and young women by providing nurturing experiences that enlighten their paths and empower their futures. (305) 854-2444 www.honeyshine.org
100 Black Men Of Greater Fort Lauderdale Our mission is to improve the quality of life of African/Caribbean American families through the enhancement
of educational and economic opportunities within our community. (954) 519-0002 www.100blackmengfl.org
100 Black Men Of South Florida
Our mission is to be committed to the intellectual development of youth and the economic empowerment of the African-American community based upon the following precepts: Respect for Family, Spirituality, Justice and Integrity. www.100blackmensf.org
5000 Role Models of Excellence
Our Vision is that each minority male student will graduate from high school, go to college, vocational school or the military, and be positioned to become a contributing and self sustaining member of society. (305) 691-7771 www.5000rolemodels.com
Girl Power
Sister Circle Mentoring Program Girl Power takes the needs and desires of every girl seriously so that we can provide programs and activities that create healthy, smart, strong and active girls. Girl Power’s programs are developed to empower young girls to get more out of life. Provides prevention and intervention social change programs that promote positive behavior, enhances social skills and improves academic performance in at-risk girls ages 11-17. (305) 756-5502 www.girlpowerrocks.org
C2B Chess Club Mentoring Program
Our Mission is to save at least fifty youth per year from the criminal justice system by teaching them how to make successful life decisions and by teaching them the true African history and culture. (954) 372-6336 www.thecouragetobelieve. com If you’d like your mentoring program listed, go to our website, www. MyMiamiMag.net, or email us at info@ mymiamimag.net
Sources: study conducted by North Carolina State University study of African American youth conducted by the University of Georgia Marilyn Price-Mitchell Ph.D. The Mentoring Effect, 2014;
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Students Who Meet Regularly With Their Mentors Are: 52% less likely to skip a day of school. 37% less likely to skip a class. 46% less likely to start using drugs. 27% less likely to start drinking alcohol.
55% more likely to enroll in college
Teens Who are At-Risk or Face Opportunity Gaps, But Have Mentors Are:
55% more likely to enroll in college 78% more likely to volunteer regularly 90% are interested in becoming a mentor 130% more likely to hold leadership positions.
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