vol. 17 is su e 1/
v. No ‘17
Active Hurricane Season cause for concern
Felix Varela Sr. High School * 15255 S.W. 96 St., Miami, FL 33196
Hits and misses
n i t e l l bu rd a o b
The Houston Astros win their first World Series title in their franchise history. Take that Hurricane harvey!
Hurricane Irma caused power outages and debris all over Miami.
Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the attack in Manhattan.
Because of Irma, we were out of school for 7 days!
Seniors can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Senior events have begun with Sr. Crown Day and Sr. Panoramic.
Becuase of Irma, we have to make up the time by losing a planning day and early release days.
table of contents
Ta b le of Contents View p oints
ViEWPOINTS
Editorial..............................................................4
News
volume 17 nov ‘17
Headlines........................................... 5 Hurricanes...................................6
Editors
Harvey, Irma, and Maria created massive damage throughout Florida and the Caribbean. Take a look at all the ways hurricanes affect humans.
Reporters
l Jahn
l Natalia Fernandez Almeyda l David Garcia l Brittney l William Alvarez Garcia l Filippo l Alexa Gomez Annicchiarico l Karsten Greene l Jonathan Arnold l Karolyn l Sheilly Legra Avilleira l Kristian l David Betts Nardo-Felipe l Jonathan l Guiliana Bigio-Vargas Palomino l Daniel l Asahel Perez Cardenas l Emylee Puig l Jasmin l Melissa De-Castano Rodas l Alexander l Chabela Dominguez Rodriguez l Yaira Doyle l Fabian l Joshua Rodriguez Escobedo l Natalie l Lauren Rodriguez Fernandez l Frank Siles
DACA.................................... 9 statue removal............. 10 U.S. vs. N. Korea............11 iPhone Changes.......... 12 Generations............... 13 Summer movies....... 14 How did the Box office do this summer?
video games............. 15 food/Trends.............16 music..........................18
sports storm delays..................19 Fall Sports...................... 20
Adviser
Elizabeth Cardenas
Editorial Policy
Varela fall sports wrap up with football, girls volleyball, swimming and cross country.
The Viper Vibe is the student newspaper of Felix Varela Senior High (15255 SW 96 St. Miami, FL, 33196). It is an open forum for student expression. The opinions expressed in the publication do not reflect the official opinions or policies of the school. The Viper Vibe welcomes letters to the editor, but requires that they be signed and reserves the right to reject, edit and condense letters. The staff and adviser can be contacted at 305-752-7900 or thevipervibe@gmail. com
Pro Sports................................ 22 On the cover: Hurricane Irma blew through Miami in September causing damage all around South Florida and Varela. NJROTC cadets helped clean up Varela. photos by E. Cardenas and P. Gomez
Talk to us: thevipervibe@gmail.com
Alago
l Sophia
lifestyle
Above: Varela played host to about 1,000 evacuees during Hurrican Irma. photo by P. Gomez; Wonder Woman became a box office hit this summer with its strong female lead. photo courtesy of Warner Bros.; Varsity football struggles with season impacted by Hurricane Irma. photo by Fox-Mar
Michael Black Jason Perez
Sponsorships
Your thoughts may be featured in the next issue of the Viper Vibe!
The Viper Vibe welcomes sponsorships from individuals and businesses, but reserves the right to reject any material deemed inappropriate for a high school publication.
http ://issu u .c om/th evip er vib e 3
Viewpoi nt s
E d it or i al
Change is hard, but we have to move forward
T
Editorial
his new school year has had a very she missed teaching theater education. She different start. At the end of last year, strongly feels that theater education is imVarela lost several faculty members to portant, and should be supported. retirement or transfers and over the sum One of the biggest changes took place in mer, those positions were filled. While the activities. Felicia Christin, who opened the changes were expected, Hurricane Irma was school 18 years ago as the Activities Direcnot. tor, retired and Jennifer Gambale stepped Both of Varela’s drama teachers Rey into her shoes. Gambale has already made Body and Ozzie Quintana relocated to anchanges to the annual activities. While the other school bringing us new blood and new senior activities remain unchanged, she did energy with Melissa Almaguer. opt to remove several general activities. She Lisa Spinosa, who acted as Athletic dropped Viper Vamp mostly because of the Director for many years, decided to go back lack of participation by clubs. Mr. Varela to her passion of teaching in the classroom also got chopped because Christin and the and stepped down from her administrative former drama teachers did most of the planduties. She is replaced by Ryan Schneider, ning and set up. whose place as a business teacher has been While students and faculty were dealing taken over by Rafael Colon. with all the changes going on inside Va In July, our assistant principal for currela, Hurricane Irma added to the general riculum (APC), Wendy Barnett, was given a upheaval by tearing through Florida and promotion by stepping up as closing schools in Miami-Dade a principal at a nearby midCounty for seven days. With Varela facing a dle school. Just before school During Irma, however, started, Varela welcomed Lisa year of changes, school school was closed early on Sept. Aviles-Knight as our new APC. spirit can go a long way 10, because it was designated as While many teachers come to pull us through. a shelter. Students rushed out to the profession early and the doors as administrators canright out of college, Varela is lucky enough to celed all club meetings and sporting events have some new teachers that come from the and security urged students to leave school private sector. These kinds of teachers bring as soon as the bell rang. As students came their knowledge of the working world to out the doors, many saw the police with Red their students. Cross arrive right away, preparing for the Before coming to Varela, Colon worked many people coming to Varela for shelter for Fox-Mar for 14 years and was a director from the hurricane. of photography. HIs job mainly consisted of Unfortunately, we were unable to weathhiring, firing, and training. er the “make-up� days, as the superinten Colon decided to try teaching because, dent decided that students needed to make in his previous job, he trained and worked up two of the hurricane days. One of the with amatuer photographers. Even withteacher planning days in January and all of out experience teaching, he felt like he was the remaining Early Release days have been passing on wisdom. Now, he wants to do that cancelled. with Varela students. He majored in BusiWe may have had a rough start to the ness, which is good, since he now teaches school year, however, as Vipers, we must the Entrepreneurial class. stick together. School spirit can go a long Bringing new life to our drama departway to supporting the success of Varela. ment, Almaguer loves teaching theater. She Do what you love. To make Varela a worked as a professional actress and direcbetter place, find something you enjoy and tor for many years, and was a production cocan get behind and run with it. Art, robotics, ordinator for the South Miami Dade Cultural journalism, music, math, leadership, sports, Center in Pinecrest. She has taught business we have it all. All it takes is for students to classes to women entrepreneurs, however, take that first step.
4
t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
Aro u n d Varela N ew s
HEADLINES AND HAPPENINGS September 1
September 26 Sr. Crown Day
Club Rush
This is the the one day of the year the senior at Varela can feel like royalty. On Friday, Sept. 1, all the seniors at the school were able to wear their homemade crowns, as well as sit on Varela’s Iron Throne and rule over the Kingdom of Varela as its 700 Kings and Queens. The event marks the beginning of the end for seniors and kicks off their senior activities. Seniors will wear their crowns throughout the year on several of their special days. “I have waited 12 years to wear that crown,” senior Karina Corredera said. “I thought the Game of Thrones chair was a cool idea. But it was uncomfortable and pinchy.”
photos by Crotalus
News
Every year in Varela the activities offices gives a day to all the clubs in the school. During this day all the clubs open up booths during both lunch periods to recruit members. On Wednesday, Sept. 26, clubs set up outside in the open courtyard. Club Rush is a good way for students to meet fellow students and find out more about what the clubs have to offer. There were activity clubs like Drama and Art, service clubs like Interact and 500 Role Models, Honor Societies like TriM and Mu Alpha Theta and academic clubs like SECME and DaVinci Society.
October 13
October 9-13
October 14
Homecoming Dance
Spirit Week Spirit week is a chance to show off some school spirit and spark some excitement for the pep rally and the Homecoming game and dance.The week started with clubs hanging homecoming banners Saturday, Oct. 7, so that student would arrive on Monday to a celebration of the Varela Vipers vs. the Southwest Eagles. During the week, students got to say goodbye to the school’s uniform and dress up. Monday, they were Tacky Tourists. Tuesday, their Past or Future selves roamed the halls. Wednesday students wore college t-shirts. Thursday, students appeared as their favorite characters. Friday culminated in Class Color Wars. Each day, the activities office kept track of how many students in each grade participated in Spirit Week. Activities Director Jennifer Gambale will announce the winning class sometime in November.
photos by Crotalus
Homecoming Game Tropical Park was the setting for this year’s homecoming game against the Southwest Eagles. Students, faculty and alumni turned out on Friday, Oct. 13, for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The crowd cheered when the Vipers made the first touchdown of the game. However, going into halftime, the Eagles had not only caught up, but had pulled ahead 21-28. Without a Viper Vamp this year, halftime saw the introduction of the homecoming court and the crowning of this year’s homecoming queen. Also, for the first time in 10 years, Varela also crowned a homecoming king. Gabriela Rivera and Santiago Velez were awarded the crowns after they walked the 50-yard line. The 3rd and 4th quarters caused quite a stir. The Eagles scored two more touchdowns, until sophomore running back Sebastian Rodriguez ran 59 yards for a touchdown. Although the Vipers scored three more times, their last touchdown of the night, which brought them within two points of the Eagles, failed at the two-point conversion. The final score was a close 47-49.
information gathered by Jasmin De-Castano Fabian Rodriguez, and Jason Perez
photos by Crotalus and Fox-Mar
This year’s homecoming dance celebrated Hispanic Heritage with its theme of Havana Nights. Decorations of Palm trees and what looked like a town in Havana with benches and bongos, completely transformed the gymnasium on Saturday, Oct. 14. The night began at 7:30 p.m. Homecoming king and queen Santiago Velez and Gabriela Rivera opened the dance floor by performing the first dance. Over 230 students had the chance to party to a vast assortment of music that included Pop, Hip Hop, and funky classics, but the night was overtaken by vivacious Hispanic music to match the theme. Partiers enjoyed Cuban-style cuisine such as chicken, white rice, Cuban bread, and plantains. Everyone got a resort-style coconut as a gift once they stepped foot in the event. “I had a great time. It was my first and last homecoming. I highly recommend it for underclassmen. You should definitely go. It was a real high school experience,” senior Fehico Roche said. “It really looked like Havana. Ms. Gambale surprised us with a photo booth. It was really great. She really outdid herself.”
https://issu u .c om/th evip er vib e 5
New s
A ro u n d V arel a
Varela shelters evacuees during Hurricane Irma Because of Miami’s location, hurricanes are a way of life here in South Florida. MiStaff Reporter ami-Dade County Public Schools takes hurig: _lfc__ ricane season very seriously, since schools often act as shelters for evacuees during the storms. Varela was one of the first schools activated as a shelter when Hurricane Irma came through in September. As soon as it was announced that schools would close on Thursday, Sept. 7, Varela began its preparations. The teachers had to unplug all electronics and cover the computers by the time school let out. That Wednesday afternoon, the American Red Cross was already here bringing cots. While taking shelter at Varela, evacuees had to bring their own food, water and toiletries. While Varela was not designated as a pet shelter, we did have animals here. The Veterinary Magnet had found adoption homes for their dogs, but sheep and goats were kept inside the dog kennel room where they were taken care of. As Hurricane Irma made landfall on Sept. 10, the power went out at Varela around 11 p.m. According to Principal Nery Fins, it was dark, scary and hot for the evacuees. Administration and their families rode out the hurricane here at Varela to help the Red Cross with evacuees and to monitor the building. The hurricane took about 24 hours to pass through, tearing down branches and uprooting trees throughout the city. Varela’s landscaping fared no better. The student and teacher parking lots were littered with debris making it almost impossible to access the building. Before the storm hit we had about 1,000 evacuees, but the school system opened up Hammocks Middle School around the corner and moved about 250 people to the new shelter. There were some damages to the school as we lost a part of the air conditioner system. After Irma, evacuees were able to go back home on Monday, Sept. 11, at 3 p.m. and were able to see the damages made to their property. All of Miami-Dade County’s public schools remained closed for the rest of the week due to power outages and debris lined streets which made it impossible for school buses to run. There was also a massive clean up within schools that had operated as shelters. Custodians and administration helped to scour the building and sanitize everything for the reopening of schools.
By filippo annicchiarico
After the hurricane, trees and debris littered the school’s parking lot making it difficult to enter and exit the property. photo by E. Cardenas
Varela opened as a Red Cross shelter on Wednesday, Sept. 6. photo by E. Cardenas
6
t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
Evacuees at Varela were housed on the first floor of the building in the hallways and classrooms. photo by E. Cardenas
The new school year had barely started before Hurricane Irma forced closures and turned schools into shelters. photo by E. Cardenas
Aro u n d M iami N ew s
Andrew vs. Irma
Passengers who boarded in Cape Canaveral for a five-day tour ended up getting a 16-day emergency trip around the Caribbean - virtually by themselves. From right to left: Robert Mahoney, David Taylor, Gay Mahoney, Grady Franklin, Richard Powell. photo with permission Miami Herald/TNS
Hurricanes affect economy By Jahn Alago
Why has this hurricane season has been so Catastrophic? NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecasted that we’d see between 14 and 19 named storms and five to nine hurricanes this season. According to CNN, the damage from only two hurricanes, Harvey and Irma, will exceed $150 billion. Hurricane Harvey traveled through the Gulf of Mexico and did a tremendous amount of damage to Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas. A bad thing about it was that Texas has a lot of oil companies which all closed due to the Hurricane. According to forbes.com, “379,000 barrels per day of crude production remained offline in the Gulf of Mexico, which is 22% of total Gulf production.” When oil production is cut off, it results in higher gas prices all over the country, including here in Miami. “I do not understand why the gas prices are still high if it already passed more than one month since the hurricane hit,” he said. The Houston shipping channel was shut down and ports at Corpus Christi and Galveston were also closed because of the hurricane. At this time, neither crude nor petroleum products are coming or going from Eastern Texas. The impact of flooding on some ports were serious. Some have been filled with silt that builds up from the influx of water. That is called “shoaling” and it will require cleanup and maybe repairs. Hurricane Irma’s impact was more widespread simply because of its size. Florida’s
Staff Reporter ig: jahnnnnn
biggest hit was the tourism. Due to Irma, Disney World was closed for two days (a first in its history), Key West took major damage and hotels in South Beach were empty for a whole week. On Sept. 24, the first cruise ship arrived to the Keys after Irma. Traci Brewington, in an interview with the Miami Herald said she found a ghost town. Florida’s orange harvest usually begins around Thanksgiving and about 90% of it becomes juice. “Before Hurricane Irma, there was a good chance we would have more than 75 million boxes of oranges on the trees this season, we now have much less,” Executive Director of the Florida Department of Citrus, Shannon Stepp told CBS News. Florida cruise ports closed for Irma. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Palm Beach, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville all ceased operations. Royal Caribbean canceled 13 cruises on Sept. 9. On Sept. 11, 31 chartered cruises were also canceled. Jerry Velazquez came to Miami from Puerto Rico to take a cruise. He arrived on Saturday, Sept. 2, and his cruise left the day after. He was supposed to come back on the Sept. 10 but due to Irma, the ship couldn’t dock here, and they arrived on Wednesday the 13th. They had to wait until Sunday to catch their flight back to Puerto Rico. “After the horrible experience on the cruise, we finally come back home to prepare for Hurricane Maria. Wonderful,” he said. A restaurant called “Good Times” sits in floodwater in Port Arthur, Texas, on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma had a detrimental effect on the job market. photo with permission Los Angeles Times/TNS
Hurricane By natalie Rodriguez Irma, in spite of its Staff Reporter size and track, still did not supersede ig: itsnatbenzo the devastation Hurricane Andrew caused in 1992. When Andrew came and ravaged all of South Florida 25 years ago, it disrupted more localized, populated and urban areas, such as, Broward County, Monroe County, Collier County and Miami-Dade County. The Category 5 storm had sustained wind speeds as high as 165 mph, destroyed more than 63,500 houses, damaged more than 124,000 others, and caused $26.5 billion in damage. It knocked out power to 1.3 million households and left 44 people dead. (FHM. com) Even though Hurricane Irma raged as a Category 5 for most of its track, the eye of the hurricane tracked towards the west coast side of the Floridian peninsula, affecting the less populated areas of the Florida Keys. The effect was less damage. While Andrew’s high winds and trajectory made it the more dangerous storm in terms of physical damage, Irma’s size and mph wind radius was three times bigger than Andrew. The storms also varied in their speed. Andrew was a very fast moving storm and only spent about four hours sweeping through South Florida. Yet, Hurricane Irma spent more than 24 hours passing over the entire state of Florida. Additionally, Irma caused more fatalities with a total of 102 people dead. Although, Andrew was more destructive, Irma had more deaths because of the power outages. According to the Miami Herald, many deaths were due to carbon monoxide poisoning from generators, electrocutions and heat. photo illustration by David Betts
https://issu u .c om/th evip er vib e 7
New s
A ro u n d t h e C o u ntry
Flood waters rose into the Lakes on Eldridge North neighborhood near the Addicks Reservoir West Houston, Texas on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Hurricane Harvey inundated the Houston area with several feet of rain. photo with permission Dallas Morning News/TNS
Hurricanes spread dangerous illnesses While most people think of the physical damages caused by hurricanes, these powerful storms can also help to spread various pathogens in their flood waters. By natalia Fernandez Karolyn Legra Staff Reporters IG: ohitsnaat IG: its.karoo
While most people think of the physical damage caused by hurricanes, it is often the aftermath that is the most dangerous. Many infectious diseases were spread by
Hurricane Harvey and Irma. “Acute diarrheal diseases are a big concern and are commonly seen after flooding,” Dr. Rajeev Fernando, chief of infectious diseases at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital in New York, said in an email to ABC News. Adding that mosquito-borne diseases may also pose a threat due to the abundance of standing water from floods. Dr. Pritish Tosh, an infectious diseases physician and researcher at the Mayo Clinic, said hurricane floodwaters may be contaminated with pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria that can cause serious gastrointestinal illness. Other bacterium found in floodwaters include Shigella, which can also cause gastrointestinal illness in the form of diarrhea, vomiting, fever, stomach pain and dehydration. (mayo.edu) As the floodwaters from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma recede, significant but less obvious health threats remain. The standing water the storms left behind will almost certainly cause an explosion of the mosquito population. Zika virus is a disease spread to humans primarily through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. According to Health teacher, Barbara Paulson, the Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Anencephalic is a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull, is a condition that results from an error in the first weeks of embryonic development.
8
t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
Although the current number of confirmed cases of Zika in Florida and Texas is not large, the growth of the Aedes aegypti mosquito greatly increases the chance the disease will begin to spread. While Zika is the greatest concern, dengue fever, Chikungunya virus and yellow fever are also spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Yellow fever, in its toxic phase, is fatal in about 20 to 50% of cases. Dengue fever is a serious disease. Half a million patients are hospitalized with the disease each year. Most people recover fully from Chikungunya, but for some people, joint pain may continue for months, or even years. In all cases, of course, the disease must be present in an area for mosquitoes to transfer it, but like Zika, dengue fever is already present in Texas and Florida. Since Houston and Miami are both large international hubs, it is possible for almost any vector-borne disease to be introduced by travelers. Vector-borne diseases are infections transmitted by the bite of insects such as mosquitoes. Hurricane Maria caused so much destruction in Puerto Rico that many people are fleeing the island and may be bringing some diseases with them. “I didn’t talk to my family for two weeks,” said sophomore Jahn Alago. He has family still in Puerto Rico. “They don’t have power or water or communication. They’re only eating once so the food lasts longer.” Puerto Rico is in critical condition, barely surviving on what they have with them. Some people in Puerto Rico may not have power for over a year.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) released a statement Wednesday urging Congress to approve disaster relief funds providing “essential medicines, healthcare supplies, clean water, safe food, and health infrastructure restorations for victims,” all of which are vital for infection control.
Aro u n d t h e Co u ntr y
N ew s
President Trump calls for an end to DACA In a highly controversial decision, Trump called for an end to “dreamer” status by shutting down DACA. He is giving congress six months to come up with a better, more permanent plan.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program that protected 800,000 or more young immigrants brought to America as children from being deported to their birth countries. On Sept. 5, President Trump announced plans to end this program with the reasoning that former President Barack Obama had created DACA through executive authority. In his press conference, Trump claimed that he has “a love for these people,” and said that “hopefully now Congress will be able to help them and do it properly.” Trump told reporters that sending these innocent, hard-working people to their birthplace, when they might have no knowledge of the country or the language, will definitely not help them. Opponents of DACA argue that some of the recipients are criminals. However, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, that only accounted for approximately 2,139 convicted DACA recipients. But DACA cannot be used as a
By Sheilly Avilleira David Garcia William Garcia
Staff Reporters sheillyavilleira@gmail.com sweetwaterukcg@gmail.com IG: williamgarcia123
shield against conviction. In fact, this number is how many DACA recipients had their deferred status pulled away and were deported to their country of origin. Some people, like Roy Beck, president of Numbers USA, has been fighting to repeal DACA since 2012. “It’s actually about protecting America,” he told the Washington Post. While he acknowledges that young imm grants may have a case, he thinks that American Millennials who are already citizens and struggling have a stronger case for the protection of the American worker. But those who defend the program say that DACA immigrants should not pay for the sins of their parents. They had no control over being brought to this country and they have spent the majority of their lives contributing positively to this country. So what does this mean for the “dreamers”? Officials say Trump could change his mind at the last minute. Trump is planning a six month delay, at which point, they will stop renewing DACA work permits. DACA renewed the American dream for hundreds of thousands of future doctors, lawyers, firefighters, police officers, even soldiers who otherwise would have never had the opportunity to prosper in this country. “Kicking them out won’t lower the unemployment rate, or lighten anyone’s taxes, or raise anybody’s wages ... Ultimately, this is about basic decency,” President Obama said in a statement he wrote on Facebook. According to estimates by the Center of American Progress, deportation of DACA imm grants could cost the U.S. billions of dollars and 30,000 jobs a month.
Hundreds took to the street of downtown Santa Ana to protest the removal of DACA on Sept. 5, in Santa Ana, Calif. photo with permission Zuma Press/TNS
https://issu u .c om/th evip er vib e 9
L if est y le
A ro u n d t h e C ountry
The Jackson-Lee Monument in Wyman Park is removed on Aug. 16, in Baltimore, Md. photo with permission Baltimore Sun/TNS
By Jonathan Bigio-Vargas
Staff Reporter bigioj5291@gmail.com
Confederate monuments spark debate Across the United States many people have been wanting to tear down anything linked to the Confederacy, a dark time in America’s history. According to CNN, some people say they find statues of Confederate soldiers so disturbing that they don’t want them being displayed or honored. Cities from Tampa to Brooklyn and New Orleans to Los Angeles are removing or considering removing statues and other monuments that honor the Confederacy. The debate over removal of these objects has sparked heated arguments and even riots Social Studies teacher Michael Avello thinks that the local people of these cities should be the judge of whether to take down the statues or leave them up. It is not for the state to decide. The Confederate statues have been around longer than we have and have been a part of our history and always will be he said. “This is a piece of history. If you remove a piece of history, who’s going to learn it later on in the future? For us to learn history, we have to look back on what happened. Seeing the statues, seeing the national monuments. all the presidents...those are key histories,” senior Gabriel Petit said.
Reading teacher Annette Zayas feels that these statutes should be put in museums because they were a thing from the past and today we live in a different society. John Oliver, host of Last Week Tonight, did a segment on the growing controversy. He showed clips of people saying that we can’t rewrite history. But he also showed clips of people saying that the statues are a reminder of slavery. Oliver also found that there are approximately 1,500 monuments and memorials to the Confederacy scattered all over the country, and that there are ten military bases named after Confederate soldiers. Oliver believes that by moving these statues to museums, people can learn about history in an appropriate way. Here in South Florida, the debate has moved on to street names. In August, Hollywood, FL, city commissioners voted to rename three streets because they honored Confederate soldiers: Robert E. Lee, Nathan Bedford Forrest, and John Bell Hood. According to the Sun Sentinel, those in favor of changing the names felt that it should have been done a long time ago. However, those against spoke
Protesters celebrate after toplling a statue of a Confederate solder in downtown Durham, N.C. Monday afternoon, Aug. 14. The crowd gathered to protest the violence in Charlottesville, Va. following a march by white supremacists. photo with permission The Herald-Sun/TNS Benjamin Israel, a longtime resident, wants to change the name of Forrest Street, named for a Civil War general who helped found the KKK, in Hollywood, Fla., in a May 2016 file image. Hollywood commissioners have decided to rename three streets honoring Confederate generals that, for the better part of a century, have run through a predominantly black city neighborhood. photo with permission Sun Sentinel/TNS)
1 0 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
not only about our history, but the inconvenience of changing street names. The amount of money spent can add up. The county must pay for new street signs, but according to News24.com, “the broader impact is not felt by the government. Once a name is changed, the businesses on that road need to change all their stationery to reflect the new address, web sites need to be updated, directories need to be updated, map’s need to be updated. And who must pay for this, the struggling business owner.” Any homeowners must change their driver’s licenses and mailing information. However each person feels about the issue, more debate is necessary, especially over monuments that can’t come down so easily, such as Stone Mountain in Georgia. And the debate will affect every state in the Union.
Aro u n d t h e Co u ntr y
N ew s
Junior Asahel Perez uses his iPhone 5s to access the Edmodo app for his Zoology class. Schools are tapping into technology by having students use their devices for apps and research. photo by E. Cardenas
New iPhones address storage space
While many students use their phones for personal interests, schools are dipping their toes into the technology pool, creating even more storage problems among iPhone users. By Brittney Alvarez
Staff Reporter brittneyalvarez2001@gmail.com Students probably would not be able count the times they go to take a photo or download an app on their iPhone, and the infamous “Not Enough Storage” or “Storage Almost Full” alert pops up. Now, this occurrence has been around since the beginning of iPhone history, but it seems like it is about time that this needs to be taken care of. As apps, photos, videos, and music have filled up storage faster over the years, Apple has taken these factors into consideration to help with storage. But are they doing enough? Since 2012, Apple has ruled out the 8GB model with the iPhone 5, 16GB starting with the iPhone 7, and 32 GB with the new iPhone 8 and iPhone X. These are just some of the little measures Apple has taken to increase storage. Nevertheless, with iOS 11, Apple’s new greatly anticipated software update, Apple has taken this problem into small contemplation. According to Hayley Tsukayama from the Washington Post, “In IOS 11, there is a feature that lets you ‘offload’ apps you use less often. It deletes the apps themselves from your phone, but retaining enough data so that you don’t have to set
1 2 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
them up again.” IOS 11 also takes up 2GB more or less of your already drained storage. Any new iPhone is already also takes up about 2GB of storage from the contents that come with the phone. Therefore, if someone buys a new 16GB iPhone, they really only have 14GB to get through. From this point forward, iPhone
contents are expected to fill up more space. With improved features and graphics, there will just be more reasons for us to fill the storage up quicker no matter how much it is, and there aren’t a lot of options to relieve this inconvenience (besides taking less photos and videos, downloading less music and apps, or ultimately paying $100 more for a
phone with more space) For students, this is an especially difficult disadvantage as we typically put our phones to a great amount of unhealthy use. As the smartphone is the number one used item of technology these days, it is practically glued to our hands. Even our teachers have found a way to make us use them more by enforcing use of apps such as Edmodo and Remind, which keeps students up to date on assignments. Disregarding whether that is right or not, our phones contain our whole life. Overall, we should have more storage for that, right? Maybe Apple needs to take the route Android has for many years and install an SD card slot into new future iPhones to expand storage very easily and cheaply. This can all also be downplayed by switching to Android, which Apple lovers would most likely refuse to do. “You are always going to make new memories in life and make new conveniences that are acquired by your phone, which means we should have a lot of storage in a easy manner, there is not enough,” junior Brianna Alvarez said. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are available in Space Gray, Silver and Gold. photo with permission Apple/TNS
https://issu u .c om/th evip er vib e 1 1
Lif est y le
A ro u n d t h e C ountry illustration with permission Detroit Free Press/TNS
Millennials vs. Baby Boomers
W
hile many Baby Boomers take great joy in pointing out the faults of Millennials, young people point out that they were raised by the older generation who once stood for basic civil rights and non-conformity. Millennials are Staff Reporter dumb! The kars10g1@gmail.com immediate reaction of the Millennials who may read this would either be blatant hostility or hostility disguised as apathy, after all what do we expect from these selfish, thin-skinned and entitled brats. As I go on to berate Millennials for being the triggered little snowflakes they are, the older generations who may be reading this are cheering me on and slowly nodding their heads in the most smug way possible. Yes, everything I said is true. Millennials are awful, but who can be even worse? Baby Boomers. As much as I lament about the attitudes of those in Generation Y better known as Millennials (born 1982-1996), I have a much greater scorn towards the ones that mostly raised them in the first place. If we look at American history, specifically modern history, the generation cohort known as Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) have probably had the most influence on modern life and culture as we know it today. Take a look at the 1960s, Counterculture, the Hippie Movement, the Sexual Revolution, the demonstrations against the Vietnam War, were all mostly driven by the young Baby Boomers of that time, and I highly admire the revolutionary, anti-authority and non-conformist attitudes of those Baby Boomers. However, those Baby Boomers were different people I’d have to assume, because since the 1980s and the Reagan Revolution, it seemed like all of the values that once strongly
By Karsten Greene
1 2 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
held those young and bold rebels were flushed down the toilet. Counter-culture had devolved into the establishment and authority it once opposed, the loving and easy going Hippies were stomped out in favor of the cold and money-grubbing Yuppies, and greed, once looked down upon, was suddenly good, and the Baby Boomer generation itself ultimately became a bunch of sellouts. So to me Baby Boomers are a dead generation, one that died when it decided to give into, of all things, their own self-described evils and now they’re nothing more than a mere shadow of what they once were. We already know the stereotypes about Millennials, they’re lazy, they’re entitled, they’re always on their phones and social media, they’re all so self-obsessed and they’re ungrateful. But let’s actually address these assertions. According to Fortune Magazine, Millennials actually make up the majority of the current workforce in the United States which already defeats the notion that they’re lazy; yet according to that same article, despite them exceeding every other generation in terms of workforce presence, they make 20% less on average than what the Boomers made at the same age. I agree that Millennials are entitled and
self-absorbed, mostly because their parents raised them to be like that by giving them everything they asked for without ever saying no. In order to satisfy their underlying guilt for not being around their kids enough, they gave them participation trophies for everything so they wouldn’t feel like failures and coddled them to protect their precious feelings. As for them being obsessed with
their phones and social media, again while that is true, wouldn’t anyone if they had that kind of thing back in 1966? In the end the overall message is this: before Baby Boomers and other older generations decide to get up on top of their high horses and wave their fingers in judgment of Millennials, please do a little introspection, and remember what it was like being a kid.
Aro u n d th e W or ld
Undated photo from North Korean News Agency shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting a Korean People’s Army unit, in an undisclosed location, North Korea. Photo released August 2017. photo with permission Abaca Press/TNS
North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un and President Donald Trump are at a standoff that could change the world, much like the U.S. and the Soviet Union were in 1947 when the Cold War Began. Just as during the Cuban Missile Crisis, both America and its enemy are pointing world changing weapons at each other. These events show a disturbing repetition of history, and its potential effect on the rest of the world. In this moment in history, Trump is to Kim Jong-Un as Dwight D. Eisenhower was to Stalin. The weapons that had everyone at such a standstill decades ago are some of the same weapons being used to threaten today. This time, instead of Cuba’s threat to South Florida, it’s North Korea’s threat to the American territory of Guam. Guam? Many students interviewed couldn’t even say where Guam was much less that it is an American territory. The thought very lightly of the subject and weren’t concerned here in Miami. But A.P. Government teacher Dr.Roberto Vichot believes that students should care. He said that this conflict could change our economic stance not only in America but worldwide, and that we as the citizens of the United States have a moral responsibility to care what happens domestically with other countries. North Korea, once taken as a joke, is beginning to pose a threat to us all. North Korea has begun fast development on their missiles, and they have became one of the few countries with a developed, devastating hydrogen bomb. The outtakes on this are unpredictable. This can potentially cause a complete new war in our history. At this time it is a turning point in who will support North Korea. China and Japan have turned their heads away from North Korea, especially because of the dangerous missile tests conducted near
these powerful countries. Russia, however, is taking an interest in them. According to Business Insider, Russia is reportedly going around sanctions and supplying North Korea with fuel. CNN is reporting that “Russian stateowned company TransTeleCom has provided a new internet connection to Kim Jong Un’s regime. The move strengthens North Korea’s cybersecurity capabilities at a time of heightened tensions with the U.S., and also reduces its reliance on China.” Russia even flew bombers over the Korean Peninsula in August. Many speculate that it was President Vladimir Putin’s way of showing their interest in what is going on in the area. Comparatively, while Stalin in Cuba threatened to hit the United States directly, through negotiations it was stopped. However, Kim Jong-Un doesn’t seem to want to negotiate. Following history, it can be seen that Stalin wanted to prove who he was and how much power he held, to show his superiority over America. And seemingly so, Kim Jong-Un wants to do the exact same and try to prove that he is better and has the power to do what he wants. It could be said that Kim Jong-Un has the potential to be another Stalin. This man is willing enough to kill his own people, keeping his followers at gunpoint and still trying to encourage advancements in his country. No one can truly predict what will happen, all we can hope for as a country is for Trump to keep us safe from, as he said, “Little Rocket Man.” “It’s scary to think that one person has that much power, especially with his track record of executing his own family members; it allows you to imagine what he’d do to people he doesn’t know,” Government and Psychology teacher Brent Willis said.
N ew s
History repeats in epic standoff By David Betts
Staff Reporter dbetts2000@hotmail.com
A submarine-launched ballistic missile is displayed during a military parade in central Pyongyang on April 15, 2017. North Korea must still overcome “important shortfalls” in developing a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile before it can field a weapon capable of hitting the U.S., according to the Pentagon. photo with permission Zuma Press/TNS
https://issu u .c om /th evip er vib e 1 3
Lif est y le
M ovies
Lifestyle Dunkirk
How did Hollywood do this summer? This summer saw some blockbusters and some duds. Which ones did you see?
Spider-Man: Homecoming Being one of the highly anticipated movies of the summer, Spider-Man: Homecoming was really well received by fans and critics alike. Sony and Disney/Marvel paired up and introduced the world to a new actor, Tom Holland, taking on the title role. The movie had to compete with DC’s own superhero movie Wonder Woman, but with about a month in between releases, it did well in the box office at home and overseas.
War for the Planet of the Apes
Reviews By Jason Perez
Dunkirk is a war movie unlike any other. Director Christopher Nolen, best known for his Batman/Dark Knight movies, has been praised for making a masterpiece of a movie. It shows the will power of human beings trying to survive in a world that is literally trying to kill them. With a modest budget of $100 million, the movie has taken in over $500 million worldwide and is rumored to be on the list for an Oscar nod.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
jasonperezp6@gmail.com Editor
Jonathan Arnold IG: _jonnyarnold Staff Reporter
Similar to the Star Wars trilogy, the Planet of the Apes prequels were made years after the originals came out. So, in order to fully understand how the story of the planet of the apes works viewers really should watch the originals from the 60s and 70s. The finale of the series ended with a bang. The story detailed the war between humans and apes and how the interaction between them ended. This movie was a great action movie, and while it was the darkest of the series, it was also the most explosive and thrilling.
Cars 3
Transfomers: The Last Knight was knocked around by critics, receiving a 15% on Rotten Tomatoes. The Emoji Movie did even worse with 10%.
After massive dislike and disappointment from Cars 2, the third move in the franchise really helped it return to its roots, with a heartwarming message, as well as tie-ins from the first movie. Another awesome fact is that many of the original voice actors worked on this movie, including the late Paul Newman, whose lines were recorded in between takes during the making of the original Cars movie.
photo illustrations by E. Cardenas
1 4 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
Valerian is a space opera that takes the genre to an all new level of beauty and amazement. But even with all that, the movie didn’t do well in the U.S. box office only bringing in about $40 million. With a budget of over $170 million, this would be considered a huge flop, but luckily it was able to make it back with its overseas sales. The movie was based on a French comic book which could explain why it did so much better outside of the U.S.. European viewers were much more familiar with its story.
Wonder Woman
Even though the Amazonian princess had to go up against Spider-Man Homecoming, the movie was still able to make $400 million in box office sales in the U.S. alone. Add in overseas sales and the number tops $2 billion. The movie’s amazing visuals, as well its balance of action and romance between the two main leads made the movie a must watch of this summer’s movies. Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) was able to portray a strong female lead while also giving her a vulnerability to which audiences responded positively.
Vid e o Games
L if estyle
Mario returns for another trip through the galaxy in Super Mario Galaxy 2 for Wii. photo with permission Nintendo/MCT
Mario can fly or drive Once players hear the intro music for Super Mario Galaxy 2 and play the game, they will always want to hear it. It’s a 3D game that takes place in outer space, and it does a good job at making players feel like they’re in the game. There are six worlds or galaxies and a seventh world unlocks after completing challenges and collecting all stars. This game is only available for the Wii console, and it has one of the best graphics I have seen for the Wii. Something that really amazes me is the view of the cosmos in this game. The levels in this game are so creative; every planet is different. Filled with hidden challenges and planets to unlock within the levels, it’s not just a game to rush through just for the sake of finishing. Players will want to go back, find things, and master the levels. Of course, this game is the typical Mario and Princess Peach storyline, but they’ve added a lot more characters and made interesting additions to the plot of the story, which takes place throughout the course of the game. It’s not a game just for kids either. The levels are generally easy or intermediate, but as players advance through the levels, the galaxies and challenges unlocked will start taking more skill. Players will also have to start paying more attention to find the slightly less obvious hidden passages, and some won’t be obvious at all. This gravity-defying game and its stunning graphics will make players feel like they’re in space. The controls are very easy to use and the camera follows very well as players move, so they won’t lose their character, which is amazing for a 3D game. This makes for smooth gameplay and good control of the character. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is an amazing game for fans with a Wii console and it’s worth buying it to play over and over again. Players can order a pre-owned game for $19.99 at Gamestop, and it’s guaranteed to work according to them, although it may not include the original box or manual. Players can also find the game new on Amazon for over $20.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a newer version of Mario Kart 8 but this version has twists that Mario Kart 8 never had. If players thought Mario Kart 8 was frustrating, then the Deluxe version will really make them lose their minds. Deluxe is only available for the Nintendo Switch gaming system. It is a remodeled version of Mario Kart 8 for the Nintendo Wii U gaming system. When Mario Kart 8 first came out for the Wii U, it was a very popular game. It’s fun, competitive, and has pretty good controls to it, but when the Switch was released, fans of Mario Kart got excited to see that Mario Kart 8 got remade into a new game for the new system. A Nintendo Switch is both a home gaming console and a portable gaming system. It can hook to a TV to play exclusive Nintendo Switch games that can then be played on the handheld device anywhere else. The system costs about $300 which is comparable to a Playstation 4 or XBox One, but has the advantage of being mobile. Deluxe has super special awesome features that were never on the original, like Splatoon Characters, Animal Crossing Characters, double items, new maps, new items, new custom vehicles, and new game modes. It’s a lot of fun, especially when playing with friends. There is a new game mode called Smart Steering, that prevents characters from falling off the map, so now players don’t have to worry ever again about Rainbow Road, a multi-colored track with a lot of difficult turns. For those that want to see how the game plays, Youtubers like “I AM WILDCAT” and “BasicallyIDoWrk” play Mario Kart 8 and Deluxe and turn them into funny moments. Deluxe has been out for a while, so it is available preowned at Gamestop. It is definitely a game worth playing again and again.
Reviews By Kristian Nardo-Felipe
k2darkphantom@gmail.com
Asahel Perez
asahelperez14@gmail.com Staff Reporters
Left: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch. Right: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can be played locally in up to 4-player multiplayer. photos courtesy of Nintendo
1 2 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
https://issu u .c om /th evip er vib e 1 5
Lif est y le
Fo o d At Sushi Sake the Chicken Teriyaki comes with rice and vegetables and sells for $13. photo by Melissa Rodas
Below: picture of Bird Bowl; The Miami Heat Sushi roll at Sushi Sake was big enough to satisfy any hunger and costs about $12. photos by Melissa Rodas
Date night is worth it at Sushi Sake
Review By Melissa Rodas Staff Reporter IG: melyix3
There is a lot of controversy on whether you get a bang for your buck when it comes to the Sushi Sake at 14629 SW 42 Street. I recently went there on a date and we absolutely loved it. I recommend that to have a full night out, you should make a stop at the Bird Bowl Bowling Center at 9275 SW 40 Street, after enjoying a scrumptious meal. That night, we killed two birds with one stone at Sushi Sake because there is a wide variety of options for anyone; you could have anything from Sushi to Chicken Teriyaki to Thai Donuts. Not only can you have an informal dinner with someone at a booth, but you can also get together with a group of friends for a special occasion where you watch your meal being prepared Teppanyaki style by a chef on a large griddle. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant for
a night out because it’s the go-to place for any event. The menu ranges from from $6-$75 meals where everyone has the chance to enjoy the delicious food that they have to offer. Ordering a Teppanyaki style meal will cost more, unlike sitting at a booth and having Katsu meals: breaded and deep fried foods. I ordered a Miami Heat Sushi roll that was $12, while my boyfriend indulged in a Chicken Teriyaki cooked to perfection that brought rice and vegetables that was $13. Sushi Sake isn’t generous or greedy with their serving sizes, but I believe it was appropriate enough to be satisfied. From the moment I arrived, the staff was beyond attentive and created a great environment with such positive attitudes. In addition, they close at two in the morning, which is perfect for late night cravings. Right after you fuel up, you
can swing by the Bird Bowl Bowling Center for an action packed night with friends or family just a couple blocks away. This is also a place, just like Sushi Sake, where you can meet up with a bunch of friends and pitch in the money for a great night since you can pay by the game or by the hour. Bird Bowl offers appetizers, meals, and desserts if you want something to snack on while you play. Spending the night at Bird Bowl allows an outlet for some friendly competition where you will lose track of time because of how fun it can be. In a nutshell, both of these places make for a perfect date night where you can let loose after having a stressful week at school or work. I highly recommend for all Varela Vipers to treat themselves to a mouthwatering meal and bowling the night away. Hence, you will be getting the bang for your buck for date night.
Tren d s
L if estyle
Top Ten
Hanging out doesn’t have to cost a lot
Fastest Roller Coasters information from Top 10 of Everything 2016 by Paul Terry
Visitors can go to Tea and Poets to enjoy local artists. No purchase is required. photo by Christine Monge
We all know how hard it is to find fall activities in South Florida. Frankly, Miami doesn’t know any other Staff Reporter season besides summer, therefore it’s often difficult IG: cxaxexa_ to get in the spirit of fall when it feels like mid-July. Fortunately, I’ve found a few places where teenagers and young adults can spend their time and be in the Autumn spirit. I’m sure many have heard about Tea and Poets but have been completely thrown off by the name. Believe it or not, they don’t serve just tea nor is it a poetry place. Tea and Poets is a café/art store/entertainment center. It’s located at The Shops at Sunset (aka Sunset Place). Basically, visitors walk in there, pick their favorite couch to sit on and enjoy undiscovered artists performing their music. I have been there myself and it is absolutely free. To watch the artists perform patrons do not have to pay a single thing. Anything from solo singers, bands, and musicians perform from 6-11pm. The beverages in the café don’t go over $10, so it’s like an edgier Starbucks but visitors are not obligated to buy anything. The extensive decorations also set the “fall mood.” So, for those in search of a good place to enjoy live music in the fall, Tea and Poets is the place to go. The next place is probably more appealing to book lovers, but it’s a fun time for everyone. I’m talking about the Miami Book Fair. It opens on Nov. 12 with special events that require advance registration. However, the most popular part of the whole event is the street fair, which runs from Nov. 17-19. Friday, the 17th, is usually attended by schools on field trips and is free to attend. Saturday and Sunday, admission is $8, but for students (ages 13-18), it’s only $5. The Miami Book Fair is good way to spend a weekend with friends if looking for something to do on a warm Miami afternoon. Visitors can enjoy the music and food and book lovers can go and buy new books or get their books signed by well known authors. Finally, as the holidays are around the corner Miami hosts the annual Winternational Thanksgiving Parade. No, it isn’t as grand as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but it does put Miami in the holiday spirit. Visitors can enjoy professional bands, live music, floats, food and take in the Miami culture as we all get ready for the holidays. Admission is free and the event takes place in North Miami on Nov. 23.
By chabela rodriguez
Trevor Noah, left, and Bob Weisberg talk about Noah’s book, “Born a Crime,” on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 during the Miami Book Fair at the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami, Fla. photo with permission Miami Herald/TNS
Riders enjoy the Kingda Ka roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. photo with permission The Record/TNS
1. Formula Rossa Ferrari World (United Arab Emirates) 149.1 mph 2. Kingda Ka Six Flags (U.S.) 128 mph 3. Top Thrill Dragster Cedar Point (U.S.) 120 mph 4. Dodonpa Fuji-Q Highland (Japan) 106.9 mph 5. Superman: Escape from Krypton Six Flags (U.S.) 100.8 mph 6. Tower of Terror II Dreamworld (Australia) 100 mph 7. Steel Dragon 2000 Nagashima Spa Land (Japan) 95 mph 7. Fury 325 Carowinds (U.S.) 95 mph 9. Millennium Force Cedar Point (U.S.) 93 mph 10. Leviathan Canada’s Wonderland (Canada) 92 mph
https://issu u .c om /th evip er vib e 1 7
Lif est y le
M us ic Reviews By Alexa Gomez Staff Reporter alexagomez76@gmail.com
Marteen
Marteen is a Northern Californian artist who started his musical “journey” at age twelve. Now at age sixteen he’s opened for artists such as Khelani and Bryson Tiller. There’s nothing original about this artist. He claims his music is “a modern take on nineties R&B with a little Bay Area edge.” It’s false. He sings about condiments. Marteen sounds like a try hard Jacob Sartorius. He raps like a pre-teen viner. He literally has a song called “Siracha” and it’s his biggest hit. His main fan base is located in Korea if that’s any consolation to how uninterested Americans are in his basic style and bowl cut. I congratulate him on being so young and doing what he loves, but it’s just basic. Who knows maybe in the future Marteen will discover a sense of self and originality.
Saving Forever The band Saving Forever is likely to be a one hit wonder. Although their music is good, it’s comparable to some sort of Radio Disney artists. The performers that make up this group are three brothers 13-year-old singer Khaden,15-yearold bassist Kye, and 16-year-old guitarist Kavah. They’re charming but I think that comes with their young age. Their song “Million Ways” is likely to end up on some Pop stations if they get discovered. Its extremely catchy, and overall decent for an upcoming artist.
Olivia Holt
Ex-Disney star Olivia Holt released her music video for “Generous” this month, where frame for frame Olivia plays the role of a clepto maid stealing from the hotel guests. Olivia’s style can be compared to a modern day Britney Spears or Madonna. She is able to carry a tune but not much more. Where her voice lacks the range the autotune and music video picks up. She’s a performer not much more. Her songs are shoddy at best. The song itself is tolerable but not something you’d add to your library. It is however catchy; it reminds me of “Bad Liar” by Selena Gomez.
photos courtesy of Warner Bros., Epic, and Hollywood Records
18 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
Aro u n d the Co u ntr y
S p or ts
sports
Hurricanes affect national sports
Harvey Hurricane Harvey was a destructive disaster that made landfall on Aug. 25, which deeply affected most of southern Texas. As a result of the lurking storm (which hovered over Texas for a number of days), 40-52 inches of rainfall were documented equaling a total of 14-15 trillion gallons of water. The record-breaking flood that resulted has had devastating effects: homes have been lost, families have been torn apart, and injuries and death have been reported. The people of Texas will continue to suffer from the lingering effects of this natural disaster. Not exempt, however, from the harm and loss caused by the storm are athletes and sports teams alike. In the MLB, the Houston Astros, for example, were displaced and the location of six of their games was shifted to St.Petersburg, Florida. Due to flooding, the Astros weren’t back home in the Minute Maid Park for, at least, 19 games. In the NFL, the Houston Texans have been practicing in the Dallas Cowboy’s facility, instead of the NRG Stadium, and their game against the Cowboys was moved to the Cowboy’s home in Arlington, Texas. Besides the big names in Texas, college teams have also been delayed and displaced. The AdvoCare Texas Kickoff, for example, was played in New Orleans instead. Texas sports have also contributed greatly to the relief effort, with the Texans, Astros, and Rockets all pledging millions. Even individual athletes like Chris Paul, J.J. Watt, and Mike Trout are all doing their part and have all donated to the effort, according to sbnation.com. Hurricane Harvey has created many complica-
By lauren fernandez
Staff Reporter lauren13291@gmail.com
Texans players and their families spent Sunday, Sepatember 3, distributing 10 semi-trucks worth of supplies across the greater Houston area to aid those affected by Hurricane Harvey. photo courtesy of houstontexans.com
The Miami Marlins opened the roof for a 6-4 win against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park in Miami on May 6, 2016. The stadium, which opened in 2012, is built to withstand a Category 4 storm, which was put to the test during Hurricane Irma. photo with permission Miami Herald/TNS
tions this year as far as sports are concerned, but for now, however, the main focus is being shifted onto the recuperation of Texas. “I think that the most important thing right now is the family and friends and the city of Houston back home,” JJ Watt told reporters as he was displaced in the Dallas Cowboys’ facility. Irma Hurricane Irma was a Category 4 storm when it hit Florida in September, the strongest storm recorded in the Atlantic since 2005. While the hardest hit were parts of the northeastern Caribbean and the Florida Keys, because of its track, much of the state was affected and is still in the process of recovering from damage. Initially, over two million Floridians were left without power at some point and much of Florida is still cleaning up the mess left behind with downed trees. The storm has also taken a toll on sports schedules all throughout the state. With many games being canceled and postponed, here’s what happened to the big names in Florida. Locally, the Marlins stadium sustained roof damage, while the Dolphins Hard Rock Stadium remained sound. In the NFL, the Miami Dolphins - Tampa Bay Buccaneers game scheduled for Sept. 10, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami was postponed to Nov. 19, when warnings of the storm were announced. In MLB, the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees had their
Sept. 11–13 series moved from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg to Citi Field in Queens. The Hurricanes (University of Miami), Seminoles (Florida State University), and Gators (University of Florida) all had games canceled due to the storm. The Seminoles’ rivalry game with the Hurricanes in Tallahassee was postponed for three weeks later to Oct. 7. The FIU Panthers’ game against the Alcorn State Braves was moved up a day and relocated to Alabama. The University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball teams relocated to Atlanta during Hurricane Irma. Rescheduling games and practices for these teams is proving to be tricky, but is quickly shaping up. Sports organizations across the state have been making big donations to the Irma relief fund to get things rolling. According to the Miami New Times, The Miami Dolphins and owner Stephen Ross pledged $1 million to South Florida’s communities. The Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the NHL and its players donated $2.6 million. The Miami Heat, in coordination with the Carnival Corporation and the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, pledged $10 million. And Florida Atlantic university donated $1 from each ticket sold at sporting events over the Sept. 22 weekend. information as of Nov. 2
Spor t s
Varel a
Fall Sports Hurricane Irma threw off schedules, but fall sports picked back up and pushed on, making up games as they went. By Daniel Cardenas Jasmin De-Castano Yaira Doyle Emylee Puig Fabian Rodriguez
Staff Reporters Danielecardenas2020@gmail.com jcastano21@gmail.com IG: yaira_doyle emyleepuig@yahoo.com IG: SDS.fabian
Football This year’s football team has had a rough season, with zero wins and nine losses. Head Coach Carlos Mollinedo said there are players on the team this year that have never played football, so he is working on helping them, especially in tackling better and having a bit more confidence. To improve, they practice every school day from 2:30 to roughly 5:30. During practice they work on fundamentals, schemes, how to anticipate what the opponent will do, and how to attack the opponents weaknesses, and most importantly, targeting all the mistakes they made in past games. Due to Hurricane Irma, the team has had to reschedule games which has made the season last longer than originally planned. They have one official game left. Mollinedo pointed out the players that stand out to him which are, Byron Gutierrez, Andrew Palacios, Sebastian Corrales, Alejandro Abreu, Daniel Fory, Julio Abate, and Dylan King. Since there are many stand-out players, to pick captains Mollinedo said, “Team captains are chosen weekly based on performance and the last week’s games and performance in practice. So they will change week to week.” Although the team did not win any games, players felt like they accomplished something. “I feel like we are better than last year because we understand our players better,” senior, wide receiver and running back, Julio Abate said. Senior, tight end, wide receiver, and defensive end Daniel Fory believes this year’s team has made a lot of improvements because last year they were not focused. When asked what the players thought about naysayers saying that the team can not reach its full potential, senior, offensive tackle and defensive tackle, Alejandro Abreu said, “It doesn’t feel too great, but most of those people wouldn’t even make it a day through practice.”
photos by Fox-Mar and Penelope Munguia information as of Nov. 2
2 0 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
Cross Country This year’s Cross Country Vipers are young and most of their great runners like two time medalist sophomore Neli Pinto and fastest runner, sophomore Julian Rivera are underclassmen. “We’re young. We have a lot of years to develop,” sophomore Justin Quintanal said. The team is lead by head coach Juan Monge and assistant coach Sheldon Wilson. This is the first season for Monge to coach Cross Country. He has been the Boys Soccer head coach for several years now. The young team has a long way to go to beat the school record of 16 minutes in the 5k race. Even our fastest time this season, 19 minutes set by Rivera, comes in three minutes short. The Vipers have faced many obstacles this season, their greatest being the weather. Hurricane Irma and heavy rains have canceled three of their races, and even forced the team to practice indoors. Although these obstacles occurred, the Vipers seek to sprint through adversity and finish first every race. On Oct. 26, the Vipers went to Districts and four out of their seven boys achieved new personal bests, including senior Cristian Pedroso who shaved two minutes off his best time.
Girls Volleyball This year’s Lady Vipers started strong with their win against South Dade. But it hasn’t been easy. The team lost a lot of seniors last year, they got a new head coach, and Hurricane Irma cancelled some games while delaying others. “The team is a mixed group of players, the majority of the team being underclassmen,” sophomore outside hitter Nicole Bech said. Sophomore center Ashley Martin said that the team is working together to build on each other’s strengths to become better leaders in their specific positions. This collaboration among the players of the team builds morale and helps to boost the confidence of each individual player. Part of the team coming together involves working with a new coaching staff. This year, the new head coach is Pablo Baez. Baez has been coaching volleyball since 1997. He started coaching elite volleyball camps in the areas of New York, Puerto Rico, Miami, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. After college, Baez became head coach at Western Connecticut State University. Now he works in law enforcement which has forced his coaching to the sidelines. He has been an assistant coach for Miami-Dade County Public Schools until he became Varela’s volleyball head coach. “The coaching staff is pushing the team to the best it could be,” said Bech. Martin liked the techniques and strategies the new coaches were using to motivate and guide their players. And it seems to have paid off. The team ended with .500 record within district games, putting them in fourth place. At Districts, the team lost in the semi-finals. “The team needs to work on consistency in all aspects of the game,” Baez said. According to Baez, senior Sophia Renteria was outstanding this season and functioned as captain of the team. “Although only having one captain, underclassmen (Ashley Martin, Rachel Arevalo, Camila Diaz, Amanda Avetrani, Gabrielle Murad) demonstrated leadership on a daily basis, showing growth and maturity throughout the season,” Baez said.
Swimming Hurricane Irma really affected the Viper Swim team. The Miami Dade College Kendall Campus Aquatic Center where the team practices and competes was damaged during the storm due to some broken pipes. Team members that are part of an outside club have been practicing on their own with their club. However, swimmers like junior Ruby Rodriguez who are not part of a club, have been conditioning on Varela’s track field and in the weight room to improve their strength. “It wasn’t the easiest season training the kids out of their usual environment, but they did all that they could to make the best out of it,” Girls Head Coach Camila Espinoza said. The team’s schedule has also been affected by the storm due to meet cancellations. If two schools that were going to compete both used the Miami Dade College pool (such as Ferguson and Varela), that meet was cancelled. This year’s team captains were sophomore Jason Lauzurique and sophomore Costantino Nuccio for the boys and junior Alani Lacaci and Rodriguez for the girls. In spite of the season’s setbacks, both the girls and boys teams made it to Regionals which took place Thursday, Nov. 2, at Boca Raton Community High School. “At first we started off bad because everyone was new. But then we all started working together and we stopped crying about it, “ Nuccio said. “There are seniors on the team that didn’t get to enjoy it as much. But everyone else bonded as a team.”
https://issu u .c om /th evip er vib e
21
Spor t s
P ro
Marlins sold to Derek Jeter group By Sophia Almeyda & Giuliana Palomino
Staff Reporters sophiaalmeyda00@gmail.com gpalomino27@yahoo.com
After much haggling and passing back and forth, the Miami Marlins team has been sold. Jeffrey Loria sold his team to a group led by New York businessman Bruce Sherman and former New York Yankees star Derek Jeter. Loria’s official selling price was $1.2 billion. He originally bought the team for $158 million
in 2002. According to the Miami Herald, “Loria must share 5 percent of any sale profits with Miami-Dade and the city of Miami.” However, Loria is allowed to make deductions, such as team debt, from that before paying taxpayers, and the Marlins currently have a debt of $400 million. Now in the hands of a new owner Marlin fans and players may be affected for better or for worse. Such a large change could benefit the team and lead them to earn yet another championship title. The Sun-Sentinel reported that they expect many of the players to be traded this winter, making it a more emotional ending to the season than normal, especially for the long-timers. According the MLB.com, Marlins’ president of baseball operations Michael Hill told reporters, the club is not planning on trading any of their core players. “It’s been fairly consistent, with people checking in to see where we’re at to see if we’re talking about. But we haven’t put any of those guys in play,” he said. “I am happy about the Marlins being sold. As a baseball fan in this city, we have seen the popularity of the sport dwindle and die because of the last owner. This will at least give us something to look forward to,” said Social
Miami Marlins’ new owners (left) Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter speak to reporters for the first time since completing their purchase of the team from Jeffrey Loria on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Marlins Park in Miami, Fla. photo with permission Sun Sentinel/TNS
Studies teacher Daniel Reyes. A fan who goes by the nickname “Marlin Man” told the Miami Herald, “I am happy the Marlins are sold because, they need a fresh start.” All in all, many fans are very satisfied with the new owner. Loria was not especially liked due to his business decisions, and they believe the team will do better now that they have someone with more experience to better the team’s winning streak.
Dolphins struggle with mediocrity By joshua escobedo
Staff Reporter joshuae298@gmail.com
The Miami Dolphins season began with their starting QB Ryan Tannehill getting a season ending injury of his left knee and which will require surgery. According to ESPN, there is no clear informa-
Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws an interception late in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. photo with permission Miami Herald/TNS
2 2 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
tion about when he will be able to return back to the field if at all in 2017. For his replacement, the Dolphins acquired Jay Cutler from the Chicago Bears. He had his first career start with the Dolphins against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 17, at Charger stadium. Cutler was able to dominate against them and was able to win his first game with the Dolphins. But on Oct. 22, Cutler got hurt, suffering a chest injury from an illegal hit by the Jets and there is no timetable for his return. Cutler’s replacement was the Dolphins second string quarterback Matt Moore. After losing to both the Jets and Saints, the Dolphins have won two games back to back against the Titans and Falcons, but lost against the Ravens on Oct. 26, with a score of 40-0. “The Dolphins are doing alright because we have more wins than losses,” sophomore Daniel Crespo said. The Dolphins have not always been a very consistent team. They were founded in 1965 by attorney/politician Joe Robbie and joined the American Football League (AFL) when Robbie got an expansion of the franchise in 1965 for $7.5 million. In the past 52 years, they have only appeared in five Super Bowls, winning two of them. The Dolphins are the only NFL team in history to have a perfect season. In 1972, head coach Don Shula led the team to a fully undefeated season when they won all 14 regular games, two playoffs, and Super Bowl VII. The Dolphins went on to win Super Bowl VIII in 1973 as well. Some very famous players have come out of the Dolphins, like Bob Griese, Nick Buoniconti, Larry Csonka, and Dan Marino. Twelve Dolphin players have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. information as of Nov. 2
Pro
S p or ts
Dynasties are made in the NBA
Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram is about to dunk on San Antonio Spurs’ Pau Gasol on Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif. photo with permission Los Angeles Times/TNS
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, left, blocks a lay-up from by the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum in the first quarter on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. photo with permission Akron Beacon Journal/TNS
There’s a lot going on this NBA season. The season kicked off with a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals matchup of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics, with both teams receiving major trades. Kyrie Irving had been trying to leave the Cavaliers because he felt that being on the same team as LeBron James wouldn’t give him the chance to shine on his own. In the off season, the Cavaliers and Celtics made a key trade of Kyrie Irving for Isiah Thomas. The postseason drama for this trade came from remarks James made on Snapchat about Irving. “It’s not my fault he left the team,” he said. Besides that drama, both teams building for “Super Supremacy” for the Eastern Conference. The headlines may read “Kyrie vs. LeBron” for the whole season series, but with the assets of Derrick Rose, Thomas, and Kevin Love for the Cavaliers and Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, and Jaylen Brown for the Celtics, there’s much to watch in this matchup. The “Super Teams” are growing and making everybody adjust to their greatness: Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Golden State, Boston, and the underrated Utah Jazz are all teams “looking for gold.” In the Western Conference, the shocking trade of Carmelo Anthony from New York to OKC opens up the competition for their own super teams. Last year’s NBA MVP, Russell Westbrook, will finds help in his plan to eliminate his rival Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warrior dynasty.
With four All-Stars for Golden By Frank Siles State plus Andre Ig- staff reporter uodola matching to SC: fsilesjr_11 the trio of all stars for OKC plus the help of a star center in Steve Adams, this calls for sold out crowds every single time they’ll meet. But underrated teams like Utah and the L.A. Lakers are on the rise. Much of both of these teams’ lineups have more potential for future dynasties. “The young athletes on the team show a lot of promise, potential,” Magic Johnson said on NBA.com. And who can disagree? Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randel, Jordan Clarkson, and Larry Nance Jr. are all promising athletes. With all these super teams, other teams may suffer, because, sadly, with greatness comes demise. James was blamed for super teams, but on his Twitter, he stated, “I’ve only done what many have done before me.” He’s only claiming the obvious, that for every championship team there is a history of it being perfectly constructed to win a championship for that year. It’s true that these teams are great, but it’s not a player’s fault for the non competitive games. That’s always going to be a controversy when people don’t advance with the greatness. To me there’s many stories to look at this season and it’s the best time to be a fan. If we respect the game then we’ll appreciate everything it brings us . The ball movement, the speed, the athletes, the teams, the highlights.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook hits the deck against the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Andrew Wiggins as they scramble for a loose ball during the second half on Friday, Jan. 13, at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves won, 96-86. photo with permission Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS
https://issu u .c om /th evip er vib e 2 3
This issue of The Viper Vibe is sponsored by: The Abraham Family The Alagro Family The Alvarez Family The Alvarino Family The Annicchiarico Family The Bergolla Family The Betts Family The Black Family The Cardenas Family The Corrales Family The Couzo Family The Daveiga Family The de Castro Family The Escobedo Family The Fernandez Family
Take home memories of your year
Senior Video $20 Graduation Video $35 Order your videos today in room 200K
The Franco Family The Giraldo Family The Guzman Family The Haley Family The Holquin Family The Legra Family The Mendoza Family The Miranda Family The Perez Family The Reina Family The Rodas Family The Vasquez Family Eleventrust Steele & Associates
$75 Class of 2018, don’t forget to make an appointment with Fox-Mar for your senior portraits. 305-596-1750 Deadline is November 12. No purchase required. Yearbooks on sale now in room 180 $75 cash or online at yearbookordercenter.com Code 10697 Price changes in December!