vol. 16, is
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How Trump’s executive orders and cabinet will influence a nation
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
Summer is around the corner!
Unfortunately, graduation starts at 8 p.m. this year, and students have to come in the next day to pick up their diplomas. Have fun seniors!
8-period day is still in limbo, thanks to the district.
We have reached the final nine week period. The end of the school year is closing in. Get ready for the real world seniors.
Congratulations to all the winners at Varela’s Awards Ceremony! You make us proud.
The testing season has begun. For all of April and May, there will be testing every school day!
table of contents
Ta b le of Cont ents View p oints
ViEWPOINTS
Letter from the Editor.................................4 Editorial .................................................5
volume 16 May ‘17
News
Racing........................................ 6
Editorial Board
Sr. EIC Devoun Cetoute takes a look at the growing issues with illegal speed racing in Miami.
SENIOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Devoun Cetoute
Headlines ........................ 7 Trump’s America........... 8
JUNIOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Christine Monge
Staffers
lifestyle
Michael Black Daniel Cardenas Fernando Cerioni Sasha Contreras Yaira Doyle Valeria Franco Reno Garza Estefany Gomez Jared Hutchinsonhogg Zeriah Jean Mario Medina Sabrina Prado-Rivera Fabian Rodriguez
Video Games..............11 Movies......................12 Aida........................... 14 Troup 6162 takes on another Disney musical with its spring musical Aida.
Food...........................15 Music..........................16
Adviser
sports
Elizabeth Cardenas
Pro................................... 17 Spring profiles................. 18
Editorial Policy
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 advisor can be contacted at 305-752-7900 or thevipervibe@gmail. com
From star athletes to entire seasons, here’s a closer look at what you missed this spring.
On the cover: President Trump has been in office for more than three months. In this issue, we take a look at executive orders, past and present, and the people behind the man in Trump’s cabinet. photo illustrations by Jared Hutchinson-Hogg
Above: A locked gate and protesting posters are what is left at Countyline Dragway after three years of being closed to the public. photo by Devoun Cetoute; U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event to celebrate Greek Independence Day in the East Room the White House on March 24, in Washington, D.C. photo with permission Abaca Press/TNS; The Drama department put on its spring musical Aida. photo by Fox-Mar; The Track and Field Team compete. photo by Fox-Mar
Talk to us: thevipervibe@gmail.com
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Viewpoi nt s
Lett er from the E ditor
DON’T run away from challenges, face them head on
I
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
t has been a rollercoster ride these 18-year-old high school student know, but past few months since I last wrote to just hear me out. whoever reads these over-optimistic What I am trying to get at is that and gently demanding letters. you should never give up, no matter the Whether it was in my own life or hapcircumstances. I know it sounds like the pening to the academy I somehow love theme of a Rocky movie, but it is true. working for, there have been a lot of wins There have been multiple times in the and losses that made me reflect on what last four years, and way too many times matters most in these volatile years of our this year, that I have just wanted to throw young lives. in the towel and stop pushing so hard. But With our newsmagazine and its staff by never giving up I have gotten to places sweeping up plenty of awards at our state that I have never thought of going. competition, FSPA, and If you just keep going me practically being done and never look back there If you keep going and with receiving my Assowill be a silver-lining somenever look back there where out there. I know ciate in Arts Degree at Miami Dade College, it has will be a silver-lining this cheese factory might be inspired me to take this some of you cringe, somewhere out there. making space to try to motivate but it is true. There is a happy our loyal readers to keep ending down the road, even pushing. thought that road may be 10,000 miles In order for the newsmagazine and I long. to get where we are right now it has taken So if you take anything from this a crazy amount of challenges and strugover-optimistic and gently demanding letgles. For a time, it seemed like every good ter, it should be that life never gets easier. step we made there was an equivalent It only gets harder and harder, but that barricade that popped up that made going shouldn’t be an excuse to give up the first forward even harder. chance that you get. It should be a motiva I guess what I am trying to tell you tor to punch through every roadblock and guys is that there comes a time in whatwall you come across from here till death. ever you are pursing right now that the going gets tough and all the cards become Devoun Cetoute, Senior Editor-In-Chief stacked against you. The Viper Vibe It is an unavoidable truth that every#PunchThroughTheRoadblocks one will face more than once in their life. I know you must be thinking I am insane because what kind of “truths” does an
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Ed it or ial
View p oints
American Citizens need to move from Protestors to watchdogs
S
EDITORIAL
tarting something new can be a news feeds are no longer, and have never painstaking and troublesome probeen, sufficient enough to base your cess. It is always hard and almost world views on. never easy. Through our feature story and this But as we start with a new year and piece, we hope that we can strengthen presidential administration, we have to your brain to effectively detect truths learn to get over the daze and jump right from lies. into the work. No matter who lives in the White The time for hating and protesting House this is a skill that everyone should Donald Trump is over. It is time for us to learn to have. Blindly believing in what take a new role when it comes to our new anyone tells you doesn’t help you or the president, this being the watchdog role. people around you. This issue we decided to highlight Asking questions and digging deeper Trump’s cabinet, the power of executive is what we should be doing everyday as orders and what that means for the future informed citizens. of America and us as citi Being the watchdog zens in it. Watch, listen, and ask is not the exclusive job of Blind hatred won’t get journalists, people everyshould be the most us anywhere in this change where should be doing it. important tasks of the By continuing to show our of power. Keen eyes and open ears are the only thing opinions through violence average American we as Americans should and rage, like protests in Citizen right now. be focused on at this time. Berkeley and California and Sadly, most Americans have Jacksonville, we get nolost that skill over the years. where and fast. Hopefully, by reading the articles in What we are trying to convey is that this issue you may want to continue your being vocal and watchful will always get own research on the Trump Adminisfarther than throwing bricks through tration. By this we don’t mean watching store windows. With the controversial a couple of videos on CNN and calling it president that we currently have, we have quits. to remember to keep our heads and stay We have to learn that no one news grounded to reality. source will give all the facts and sides to Watch, listen, and ask should be a single story, they may come close but the most important tasks of the average there are too many angles to take. American citizen right now. We have to learn how to weed through the biased and “fake news,” and Editorial Board make our own informed opinions about The Viper Vibe different issues. Facebook and Twitter #WatchListenAsk
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News
A locked gate and protesting posters are what is left at Countyline Dragway after three years of being closed to the public. photo by Devoun Cetoute
STREET RACING ON RISE AS CULTURE LOSES HOME With a lack of open tracks in South Florida, racers and students alike are forced to take their ‘need for speed’ to the streets. Living in South sr. Editor-in-Chief Florida has DEVOUN24@GMAIL.COM been like a scene pulled straight from a Fast and Furious movie. If one were out late enough, and happening to be traveling on a prominent road, they are more than likely to see two cars racing each other down the street or a car meet taking up space in local plazas. Not only is this present, and resurging trend taking over South Florida, street racing is also a popular recreational activity at Felix Varela. Whether it be for the adrenaline rush or a genuine love of motor vehicles, street racing is something that has been a part of Varela for a very long time and is not going anywhere. “I got into cars because of my brother. We used to work on a project car together, we spent something like $13,000. When it comes to racing
By Devoun Cetoute
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I like being apart of the culture because it is something interesting to me. I enjoy being a part of that life,” senior Bruno Bayma said. For those who frequent the streets at Varela, they are entering a world that can be life threatening. This year alone there have been two accidents that were almost fatal, and about four that ended up in minor injuries and totaled cars. “It was a normal day for me and my friend. We were just going to the gym when a car pulled up next to us and they gave us a clear sign they wanted to race us. So when the light turned green we took off, and before I knew it we were hitting 145 mph. All of a sudden another car cut us off and rammed right into them. We both ended up in the hospital with substantial injuries,” an anonymous student said. Although street racing is illegal and may sound dangerous and irresponsible, if regulated it becomes a safe and entertaining activity that anyone with a license and a car can participate in. One of the most prominent reasons for the increase of street racers in South Florida is the amount of these regulated raceways. Since 2011, there is only one place available for students of Varela and residents of South Florida to race
legally, the Homestead Speedway. Homestead Speedway offers its track to paying patrons who want to participate in drag races every first Friday of the month in an event called Fast Lane Friday. Unlike regular street racing, racers are able to test the speed and performance of their vehicles on a ⅛ mile track. “If you do street racing illegally, Fast Lane Friday gives you an opportunity to get a real piece of data to use on your car. If you are a car person you want to know what you did on your car works. Homestead Speedway is a safe facility where you don’t have to worry about a dangerous person pulling out in front of you or getting a ticket and getting your car impounded,” Fast Lane Friday Announcer Joe Castello said. Although this outlet for safe, legal racing may sound like the solution to illegal street racing, it still has flaws that stop students and residents from partaking in their services. “Students want the option to race legally, but right now the only option is Fast Lane Friday in Homestead. For me, driving an hour and thirty minutes for a one-day a month event is ridiculous,” senior Roberto
regulated racing can lower the amount of racing-related deaths in the area.
Ferria said. Homestead Speedway was not always the only option for racers to do what they love. Countyline Dragway used to be a popular, well-known place that also opened it’s track to the public. Being only 20 minutes from Varela, it used to be a hotspot for students and residents in the area. When its gates closed for the last time in 2011 due to managerial issues, many people were left without a place to race. But dedicated racers and enthusiasts refused to let the track close forever. Since 2011, Richard Feria has set up multiple protests and set up a petition to get Countyline Dragway open again. He currently has over 5,000 signatures. “Countyline Dragway used to be the place to be. When the track was open, almost everyone was there and no one was on the streets. You could tell that Countyline Dragway was really lowering the amount of racing-related deaths in the area. A lot of people want to see the track back open,” Feria said. Street Racing is not going anywhere, and it will continue to exist. Although it is an illegal activity, many students and residents of South Florida are taking part in it everyday. With this type of turnout for an illegal event, dedicated racers and enthusiasts look to City Hall for change in the racing world.
Aro u n d Varela N ew s
HEADLINES AND HAPPENINGS February 7
February 27-28 Senior Luncheon
Black History Month Show
Seniors got a chance to gather at the Marriot Hotel at Dadeland to eat lunch and reminisce about their years at Felix Varela. Senior Luncheon, an annual senior event, allows the soon to be graduates to socialize, get hypnotized, and of course, eat. The upperclassmen arrived at Varela all pressed and prim, ready for a day out with their friends. They arrived to a Western themed venue, which was accompanied by a meal of barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes, corn bread, salad, and desert. Once they had their fill, seniors were entertained by a hypnotist, a traditional factor to Senior Luncheon. Students got to watch their friends fall under the spell of the magician and re-enact all sorts of peculiar scenes. After all was said and done, the superlatives were named and crowned, and the event finished off with a sneak peak of the senior memories DVD, courtesy of WVHS News.
March-May
Talented Varela students got a chance to participate in the school’s annual Black History Month show. The event is coordinated by the Ebony Club, in honor of Black History month. It is an opportunity for students to show their abilities, as well as celebrate their heritage. The show took place in the open courtyard during both lunches, and was set up with assistance from drama. There was a variation of performances, which included rapping, stomp dancing, a hip hop routine, and
March 2
Testing Testing is back, and stronger than ever. With testing all the way up until May 16, Varela is definitely under lockdown. This long stretch of standardized testing also includes Advanced Placement (AP) testing, which will take place the first two weeks of May. With the exclusion of AP testing, each test falls under the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA), which is basically A cumulation of all exams, like End of Course assessments (EOC), and English Language Arts (ELA) testing. Subjects like Biology, English, Math, and Social Studies each have their own end of the year exams, and those students who are testing are usually freshman to juniors, unless there are seniors who need to retake an exam. While all these tests are hefty, they help measure a students progression and document a students educational growth.
photos by Sasha Contreras, Christine Monge, and Fox Mar. stories by Reno Garza and Christine Monge.
singing. The dance routines were perfomed to popular and remixed songs from Black artists. Students gathered around the stage, cheering for their friends perfoming, and enjoying the music. The event wasn’t purely about dancing and singing. Participants also gave out general trivia about Black celebrities and public figures like Beyoncé. The show was an ode to Black culture and history that is lived daily, but never forgotten.
April 21
Grad Bash
Celebrity Chef Pepin José Hernández, or rather, Chef Pepin, a cooking guru ON Spanish TV, visited our campus to give students some culinary insight. Chef Pepin holds the record for the largest Arroz Con Pollo at Calle Ocho, and he is also a common guest on Spanish TV shows. He helps educate the Hispanic community on healthy food choices, as well as cooking tips. He gave out samples of his famous Arroz Con Pollo for students to enjoy, as well as some personal and professional insight to his background as a chef. He was amiable and moving, telling the story of how he became interested in culinary arts at a young age. Despite his rough childhood, Chef Pepin never gave up, and encouraged Vipers to follow thier dreams, no matter what they may be.
Probably the most important senior event after prom and graduation, Grad Bash is a big deal - and seniors don’t play around The event consists of seniors traveling overnight with their friends to Orlando’s Universal and Island of Adventure parks. The theme parks were closed down exclusively for Grad Bash attendees around the country. Varela Seniors got to roam around the parks, getting their opportunity to ride roller-coasters with their friends. The upperclassmen arrived at the parks at 6 P.M., despite some drawbacks with the buses. Seniors finished the night with a concert from Jason Derulo, and then left the park at 1 A.M. It’s a good way to bring the year to a close, and form some final memories for the 2017 class.
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Trump’s Cabinet Rex Tillerson Sec. of State
James Mattis Sec. of Defense
Jeff Sessions Attorney General
CEO of Exxon Mobil since 1975, Tillerson has had his fair share of dealing with foreign governments. Due to his expansive knowledge of negotiation, Trump found him a vital candidate for his cabinet, though he has no government experience.
Successful businessman, banker, and movie producer, Mnunchin has been a Trump supporter since early on. He was also senior executive of Goldman Sachs. His election into the cabinet is under fire, because of his dense history of foreclosures.
With more than 44 years of military experience, James Mattis has a resume of having led forces in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11. Though he has extensive military knowledge, he sometimes blurs the lines of political correctness.
Strongly conservative, Sessions has been a member of the Senate, and has held public office in Alabama. Though he has been accused of praising the KKK, Sessions’ support of the presidents immigration policies did not go unnoticed.
Ryan Zinke Sec. of the Interior
Sonny Perdue Sec. of Agriculture
Wilbur Ross Sec. of Commerce
Alexander Acosta Sec. of Labor
Another opposer of illegal immigration, Perdue has been Governor of Georgia, as well as a member of the State Legislature. Complying with his title, he grew up on a farm and has also studied veterinary medicine.
Known as a “turnaround specialist” Ross has assisted various failing manufacturing firms - but at the cost of American jobs. He is praised by Trump for his knowledge in company success as well as negotiations.
Having been a member of the George W. Bush’s administration, Acosta filled in more than one spot during Bush’s term. He has won Senate confirmation three times, and also has notable educational background.
Thomas Price Sec. of Health & Human Serv.
Dr. Benjamin Carson Sec. of Housing and Urban Dev.
Elaine Chao Sec. of Transportation
Richard Perry Sec. of Energy
Nine years on the Georgia Senate and twelve years in the House of Representatives, Price has been an advocate of a gay rights during the latter term. As secretary of health, Price wishes to put into effect changes within Medicare and Medicaid.
After dropping out of the presidential race, Carson became an avid supporter of Trump. The conservative neurosurgeon has no governmental experience, and critics wonder what his election will mean for Trump’s presidency.
Before serving eight years as labor secretary under Bush, she was director of the Peace Corps and United Way. Despite her experience, her spouse Mitch McConnell may be the reason for her election due to his potential impact on Trump’s ruling.
With 20 years of military experience and two years in Congress, Zinke has his foot in the door. While he disagrees with selling federal lands, he supports mining and drilling on them, which raises environmental concerns.
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Steven Mnuchin Sec. of Treasury
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Similarly to Carson, he and Trump clashed at one point. He served three terms as Governor of Texas, as well as an Agriculture Commissioner. He has no scientific background, and even publicly opposed Trump in 2015.
Aro u n d th e Co u ntr y
What should we know?
N ew s
These are the 24 people that will have the most influence over the decisions that the president makes. They are in charge of advising the president on their various federal departments. While some need senate approval, others are unilaterally chosen by the president. Fourteen of them are in the United States presidential line of succession.
Elisabeth DeVos Sec. of Education
David Shulkin Sec. of Veteran Affairs
John Kelly Sec. of Homeland Security
Reinhold Priebus White House Chief of Staff
One of the most controversial picks, Elisabeth “Betsy” DeVos has no background when it comes to education. Besides her donations to the Republican party, she also leads the major reform advocating the increase of private and charter schools.
Jumping from the Obama administration to Trump’s, Shulkin has roots as top executive for hospitals in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. He has also served as a senior official for department of Veteran Affairs for half a year.
Similarly to Mattis, Kelly has over four decades of military service. He has long military background, which includes being a commander for the U.S. Southern Command. He also is knowledgeable about border protection and its’ importance.
Reinhold “Reince” Priebus was the longest-serving Republican National Convention chairman. He is the president’s top adviser. He is in charge of running daily operations. He has been known to criticize Trump for some of his statements.
Robert Lighthizer U.S. Trade Representative
Daniel Coats Director of National Intelligence
Nimrata Haley U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.
Mick Mulvaney Office of Management & Budget
Yet another avid supporter of Trump, Lighthzier has been backing up trump and his trade ideas since 2011. He was deputy trade representative in Reagens administration, and even represented foreign countries like Brazil from 1985-1990.
Similarly to other electors, Coats served under the George W. Bush administration, as an ambassador to Germany. He was also senator of Indianapolis, as well as a member of the Senate, where he was a member of the Committee of Intelligence.
With six years as a state legislator in South Carolina, Nimrata “Nikki” Haley has little to no experience with foreign policy. During her governance, she advocated to remove the Confederate Flag from state grounds, despite her previous support of it.
A founding father of the Freedom Caucus, Mulvaney has prominent Conservative roots. He has shown his support for the annihilation of Medicare and Social Security, as well as the reduction of spending for defense.
Mike Pompeo Director of the CIA
Scott Pruitt Administrator of the EPA
Linda McMahon Ad. of the Small Business Admin.
Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster National Security Adviser
Running on his fourth term in the house and having previously served on the Intelligence Committee, Pompeo was an eligible candidate for Trump. That, and the fact that Pompeo criticized Hillary Clinton for her 11-hour testimony in 2015.
During Obama’s years in office, Pruitt worked hard to legally overturn the Administration’s procedures for climate change, while being the Attorney General of Oklahoma. He agrees with Trump when it comes to human effects on climate change.
McMahon is the former chief executive of the World Wrestling Entertainment Corporation. She plans to use her office to help support disadvantaged businesses run by women and minorities and help boost recovery time for businesses after a crisis.
photos with permission: Abaca Press, Sipa USA, Zuma Press, Chuck Kennedy, Sun Sentinel, Miami Herald/TNS
Replacing Michael T. Flynn, McMaster is a veteran of the Persian Gulf war as well as the second Iraq war. He is also a West Point alumni, has written a book where he criticizes events of the Vietnam War, and led the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment during the second Iraq war.
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The power of the president What are Executive Orders? How binding are they? How far can the president go?
Every new president Jr. Editor-in-Chief brings in IG: SCARLETMARKED his own set of Executive Orders (EOs) that can predict the future of their four year term in office. From George Washington to Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), nearly every president has had his fair share of signing off these orders, some more than others. It has been a frequent topic in news due to Trump’s first 100 days, which begs the question, what exactly is an Executive Order? According to Daniel Reyes, Dual Enrollment and U.S. History teacher, “An Executive Order is the power the president has to bypass Congress and write or establish laws.” Basically, they are “orders” enacted by the president in response to current national situations, like FDR did during the Great Depression. So far, all total, our presidents have signed over 13,000 EOs. They have the same weight as a law that would be passed by congress, though EOs do not need congressional approval; however, the U.S. Supreme Court holds that all EOs must be supported by the Constitution. While it may seem that Trump’s 77 and counting EOs seem almost insane, we mustn’t forget that other,
By Christine Monge
more popular presidents also had their hand in the EO bowl. Former President Barack Obama issued 39 EOs within the first year of his term, and 19 of those were passed during his first 100 days in office. Obama had a total of 276 for the entirety of his years as president. In comparison, the late John F. Kennedy signed 214 in only three years, including EOs that established the Peace Corps, as well as pushed for affirmative action in the work environment. His first 100 days totaled to more than 20 EOs. FDR signed a whopping 3,728 orders, 573 of which were passed during his first year. Among these was EO 9066, which allowed the placement of Japanese-Americans into internment camps throughout the West Coast. And while there are EOs like 10730 by Dwight D. Eisenhower, which was responsible for desegregating schools across the country, Eisenhower also signed EO 10450, which banned gays from federal employment, because of “... sexual perversion.” Just as easily as they can be signed into effect, they can be overturned by an incoming president. “Since all Executive Orders are not an act of Congress, they are temporary. They could essentially be
U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by business leaders, signs an executive order establishing regulatory reform officers and task forces in US agencies in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 24 in Washington, D.C. photo with permission, Abaca Press/TNS.
taken away by the next president,” Reyes said. While it is not a walk in the park, current presidents as well as congress can indeed revoke EOs from past presidents, as well as current presidents. For example, Trump’s EO passed on March 27, revoked Obama’s EOs placed on federal construction. The federal courts can also hold any new EOs as unconstitutional. Trump’s most famous EO is the blockage of immigrants from entering America. His first EO immigration ban had a restraining order issued on it by a federal district court. He released his revised EO on
March 6, which temporarily paused the entry of aliens from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, on the basis that “...their nationals continue to present heightened risks to the security of the United States.” Trump also signed an EO which was put into effect to minimize the effects of ObamaCare and create a “...more free and open healthcare market.” No matter the political affiliations of the president or time period, EOs will always be signed into effect. While they may at times seem excessive, they can give insight into the intentions of the president, and what they have in store for the future of our country.
President Truman signs Executive Order 9981, on July 26, 1948, which prohibited racial discrimination in the military and was the first step to desegregation. photo courtesy of National Archives/KRT.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signing Executive Order 9066, which placed those of Japanese ancestry into internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. The EO took effect on February 19,1942. photo courtesy of the National Archives.
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President Barack Obama signs an executive order closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Thursday, January 22, 2009, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. photo with permission Chuck Kennedy/MCT
Vid e o Gam es L if estyle
Lifestyle
photo courtesy of Ubisoft Montreal
revolutionary game hits consoles worldwide Taking it back a Staff Reporter couple mike0062875@GMAIL.COM centuries, For Honor allows players to experience a multiplayer melee adventure set in a fantasy inspired medieval setting. For Honor was developed by Ubisoft Montreal, the massive developer who is famous for gaming series like Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, and Far Cry. It’s a next generation game, meaning that it is available for Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Microsoft Windows. For Honor was announced at the 2015 Electronic Entertainment Expo, and has received much attention from gamers worldwide, until its release in early February of this year.
By Michael Black
While the reviews were mostly positive, most of the criticism was directed towards the multiplayer aspect of the game and its technical issues. The game consists of three factions, in which the player can choose to play as Vikings, Samurais, or Knights. All heroes have a unique fighting style, weapons, and skills. Each faction is then filtered out into groups based off of the player’s gaming strategy: “Assassins,” “Vanguard,” and “Hybrids.” For Honor gives players the option to play a single-player campaign, as well as an online multiplayer. The single player story mode offers a back story, but that’s not what is drawing the attention of gamers. The multiplayer, which was
advertised to be extensive and brutal, lacks the proper multiplayer engine. Like most Ubisoft games, the matchmaking is incredibly slow, if it even works at all. Selling 700,000 copies across all three platforms, For Honor has a mix of good and bad criticism. Many people said that the dueling is fun and doesn’t get boring. Others say that the servers are laggy and the game got boring for them. To put it simply, For Honor is a game that is like a double-edged blade. Sacrifice some technical problems for an awesome and unique combat experience. My experience personally with For Honor was, again, a bit mixed. I always liked player versus player games, like Overwatch, or games that have a player versus
player aspect in them such as the Dark Souls franchise. I was really excited to see this game when I was browsing the web, especially because it has medieval heroes which I love in games. The player versus player aspect of the game was a lot of fun. It reminded me a lot of Dark Souls 3, but a bit more complex. For the multiplayer portion however, since my Internet speed isn’t the greatest, I get lag spikes most of the time I play, and it ruins my experience when I am playing a match online or with friends. Besides that, the game has a lot of potential. I hope For Honor fixes the servers and the technical problems, as well as adds more content so it can be a lot more detailed.
photo courtesy of Ubisoft Montreal
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L if est y le M ovies
Timeless tale retold in live action adaptation Beauty and the Beast Stars: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans Director: Bill Condon
A tale as old as time Jr. Editor-in-Chief gets its IG@SCARLETMARKED chance to be retold; but more has changed than you think. Following the live action remake of Cinderella in 2015, a new Disney princess gets another shot on the big screen. Beauty and the Beast brings to life the headstrong Belle (Emma Watson) and her story of falling in love with a temperamental beast. Do not be fooled though, the story isn’t exactly the same as the original. New profiles for characters arise, as well as more background story than the animated film. More history is added to Belle and her journey into her dreaded village life, as well as new insight into the Beast (Dan Stevens) and his life before the curse. With the modern update of old characters, Disney also introduces a different version of Le Fou (Josh Gad). He still supports Gaston (Luke Evans), but this time not out of admiration, but out of love for the same gender, as confirmed by Disney. I would not be bothered by that alteration, if it wasn’t for the fact that his sexuality was literally plastered all over the movie. Nowadays films either have over the top flamboyant characters, or none at all. Disney chooses the former option. At first it was funny, but it soon felt like they were mocking him, and it seemed as though Disney just did it to show that they too can hypothetically be politically correct. Though the first half of the
By Christine Monge
Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) tries to protect the young mutant Laura (Dafne Keen) in Logan. photo with permission 20th Century Fox/TNS
A farewell to arms
Logan
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen
Director: James Mangold Rated: R Review Score: Nowadays it seems Jr. Editor-in-Chief like suIG@SCARLETMARKED perheroes are made up of masked men in capes lifting trucks or a group of superhumans defending a densely populated city from aliens. You never feel really connected to any of the characters and the plot just seems unrealistic (I get it, the point is to not feel realistic at all), but there’s always something about feeling a sense of morality in those that are usually considered immortal. Logan, Hugh Jackman’s last portrayal of the legendary Wolverine, accomplished that feeling, and did it well. It’s an easy film to follow, especially if you haven’t seen the other Wolverine or X-Men movies. It’s not like the other superhero movies, and that’s a good thing. Logan introduces a superhero movie where the superhero isn’t always, well, a hero. It’s definitely something different. This movie makes The Avengers, Ant-Man, and Deadpool seem like Saturday morning cartoons. Logan takes advantage of it’s R rating, up until the last second. It offers hardcore slashing and it is a little on the gruesome side, but it works. The movie feels complete. The action scenes are spread out so it’s not redundant and corny. The plot is present, and the director knows the angle he wanted to take (unlike a movie about a certain squad released last year). What I liked most about the film is that it’s not only about cutting off
By Christine Monge
12 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
5/5
appendages with Adamantium claws, it’s also about a former superhero discovering his genetic counterpart, (literally) and it’s more dramatic and heartwrentching than you think. Filled with sacrifice and loss, Logan isn’t your classic shield and iron suit Marvel film. You can feel Logan’s weight of living, and it makes the movie feel even more realistic. I can see how it can easily be compared to The Last of Us, (a video game about a middle aged man delivering a young girl to a safe haven), since it takes up similar elements from the game. Survival and endurance play a huge part in both of these emotional thrillers. The characters and the story were all well written - it didn’t feel like superhero movie, but rather an interesting conclusion to an iconic character. You become attached to the characters within the first hour of the movie, and every passing scene is something you would never expect. The characters have depth and are more realistic. They just don’t go around killing people, claiming it’s for the good of humanity. They do what they have to do to survive, and that’s enough justification. Also, Easter eggs referring to previous movies aren’t plastered everywhere, like other Marvel films. It isn’t a commercial for a new and upcoming Marvel film. In a world overflowing with CGI, it’s good to see an understated superhero movie focus more on character, rather than blowing cities up. In the end, this movie about mutants feels more human than any other superhero film out there.
Rated: PG
Review Score:
3/5
movie works to introduce the premise of the story, it feels incredibly rushed and choppy. They were trying to explain too much new information in too little time. For the small amount of time they remained on screen, the sets were beautiful and complex, keeping the trend from Cinderella alive. The film did a great job of bringing to life 19th century France and being faithful to its history. The nods to what was occurring in that time period was well appreciated, and made the movie feel a tad bit realistic - as realistic as a movie about talking decorations can be. The most important part of the movie, the musical numbers, surprisingly didn’t feel overwhelming. Though some of the scenes felt awkward, the setup and presentation of it all was almost exactly the same as the original. The singing however, wasn’t the best at the beginning. Emma Watson was off key, and also delayed in some parts, reminding me of Gerard Butler’s obviously auto tuned singing in 2004’s The Phantom of the Opera. The whole movie felt like it dragged on up until the climax of the film. Everything was nearly realistic, which made the whole story seem unsettling. You forget that this is a fairytale, and think it’s something that would have happened in real life. Other than that, the movie as a whole wasn’t incredibly great, but it did have something that stayed with me even a day after watching it. Maybe it was the fact that it had beautiful scenes, or maybe because it brought to life one of my favorite Disney princesses.
Dan Stevens is the Beast and Emma Watson is Belle in the film Beauty and the Beast. photo with permission Disney
M ovies L if estyle
ONE ON ONE: Pilou AsbÆk, Actor
Q: Batou in the anime, manga, movies, and series was a very impressive and strong character. How did you prepare for such a role? A: The first time I noticed Ghost in the Shell I was in my late teens in a boarding school. I really didn’t think about Batou, I more connected with the major character. Cut to 17 years later I got the role and I had to connect with him because I was portraying him. I still wasn’t connecting to him because I felt that it was too difficult; it was too big of a challenge. So I called Rupert Sanders and I told him that I think he needed to cast someone else. He said ‘No, no, no I know you are the one.’ So I talked to my wife and she told me ‘When in doubt go back to the original source.’ So I went back to to the manga and I read it again and again and again. That’s when I noticed that the Batou in manga was much younger than the one in the anime. Now that I knew that me and the character were the same age I knew what to do. I would take the visual style from the Batou in manga, and I would take the heart and soul from the Batou in the anime. So I merged those two versions together so I would be standing on the versions of the manga and the anime, while creating my own new version. Q: Do you feel you succeeded in portraying your version of Batou? A: I see this as a work in progress. I went to Batou again and again and again. I want to grow into the older version of Batou in the anime and movies. Q: What pushed you from moving from the Danish realm of cinema to America and other countries? A: People were so tired of me in Denmark. I did so many films and t.v. shows that I couldn’t surprise them; they were seeing all my tricks. The most important thing of an actor is that they have secrets. So it was a very natural decision to go for more international films.
photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Anime loses its punch in live action adaptation Rings
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk
Director: Rupert Sanders
Live-action films based Section Editor off of Asian DEVOUN24@GMAIL.COM animes or mangas are very rarely seen or created in America. Usually, when one is made, it is based off something so popular, few do not know what it is. Ghost in the Shell, a manga created by Masamune Shirow, is well deserving of a live-action remake since it is an internationally known franchise, which includes a manga and multiple shows and movies. While almost every new adaptation of the manga added to the story, the live-action film took a different approach. In the near future, Major (Scarlett Johansson) is the first of her kind: a human who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world’s most dangerous criminals. When terrorism reaches the ability to hack into people’s minds and control them, Major is uniquely qualified to stop it. As she prepares to face a new enemy, Major discovers that she has been lied to, and her life was not saved. Instead, it was stolen. Ghost in the Shell encountered the same issues that happen when Americans try to recreate material
By Devoun Cetoute
Rated: PG-13
Review Score:
made in foreign countries; tear up the story, force feed the audience, make more “diverse” characters, and exchange complexity with simplicity. Because the source material is well-known to most, director Rupert Sanders did what J.J. Abrams did to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, recreate well-known scenes and tie it together with loose plot vaguely reminiscent of the source material. The Ghost in the Shell manga and anime touches upon themes of identity, amorality and the purpose of living. The manga achieves this with a vast collection of different stories, and the anime explains this through provocative images and a touch of Japanese story telling. But Sanders’ attempt to show these themes did not come out as clear as its predecessors. Most scenes that are supposed to further the plot and offer insight into the themes being presented just revert to unsatisfying action before over-explaining the complexity of the plot. By taking different scenes from the different anime installments and jamming them into a single movie, Sanders missed the reason why those scenes were created in the first place. When it came to the cast, it was both satisfying and terrible at the
5/5
same time. Johansson’s portrayal of Major was good at times, but at others just too much. Although Major is a cyborg, in the anime she never walked with such rigidness that Johansson added to her character. The best portrayal of the original manga character had to be from Pilou Asbæk who played Batou. He really went back to the way the warmer, lighter character was first introduced in the manga, and not the dark, tougher character in the anime. Other than the two main cast members, Sanders completely neglected the other important characters in the franchise. In the source material, Major had created an elite team of soldiers and mercenaries to help her in fighting cyberterriosm. They were a pivotal aspect in all the installments of Ghost in the Shell, but Sanders treated them like nobodies in the live-action remake. The only enjoyable part of this film had to be the astounding graphics and visuals. The visual effects crew out-did themselves, with extremely realistic graphics and effects. Overall, Ghost in the Shell is a good movie if you are looking for a sci-fi action movie , but horrible for a remake of a great franchise.
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AIDA
L if est y le M us ical
Victoria Saint-Louis as Aida in the Drama department’s spring musical. photo by Fox-Mar
DRAMA takes on Elton John and Disney in spring musical No matter who you are, when sR. eDITOR-IN-CHIEF you walk into DEVOUN24@GMAIL.COM an auditorium waiting to watch a high school drama production, your expectations are not that high. It’s not the new blockbuster at the theater or the opening of a new Broadway show. But the Drama program’s performance of Aida was something unexpected, at least for those who have never attended one of Varela’s productions. Aida is a pop opera that tells the story of the enslaved Nubian princess, Aida (Victoria Saint-Louis), who falls in love with captain of the guard, Radames (Henry Cadet). Radames is betrothed to the Egyptian princess, Amneris (Casey Vela), who is also Aida’s mistress. The original score was composed by Elton John, and produced by Disney. The last time the drama program took on a Disney production, The Little Mermaid, there was some room for corrections. With some not so satisfactory performances from some cast members, there was some making up to do. But with Aida, when the curtains fell every night signifying the ending of a show, all audience members knew that the cast and crew had pulled out all of the stops. Each performance casted off any doubts that Varelas’ Drama Program was not something to be messed with. But enough with the generalities, let’s get into the specifics of the show. Props are never a problem with this drama program. Every musical they have performed in the last four years - The Wedding Singer, Legally Blonde, and
By Devoun Cetoute
1 4 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
The Little Mermaid - have always been coupled with fantastic sets. The set for Aida was no different. From scene to scene it was like being transported to Ancient Egypt. With mind-blowing giant hieroglyphic walls to simple stands and entryways, it really left one to wonder how they did it all. When it came to the actors of the show, there were no regrets in the choices made. Stellar performances from the main cast, supporting roles, and ensemble really made the show memorable. Personally, the best performance had to be from Vela, who really sold her role as the privileged, airhead, Egyptian princess. With almost all of the main cast being seniors, Aida was a great sendoff for all of them. The acting was great, the props were magnificent, and the singing was okay. It was really a good introduction for anyone who has never witnessed a Varela musical before, and a welcome addition to Drama’s repertoire.
Manuel Matus as Zoser in the Drama department’s production of Aida.
The Drama department’s cast of Aida.
Din in g L if estyle By Christine Monge Jr. Editor-in-Chief IG@SCARLETMARKED
Swensen’s
Grill & Ice Cream Parlor 586 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables
5/5
Having been around since 1971, Swensen’s has proven to stand the challenge of time, infusing some modern touches to its cuisine in the process. The Grill and Ice Cream Parlor serves its customers contemporary American meals, as well as dishes with a modern and unique twist. Offering burgers to mega melts, this place literally has anything that you may be craving when it comes to American cuisine Like a fancy version of a diner, they offer milkshakes, ice creams, and comfort foods like chicken soup and turkey sandwiches. Their main star, or what they are mostly known for among the community, is their Grilled Cheese Sandwich. I know, not a very complex dish, but its simplicity is what makes it the highlight of the place in my opinion. The presentation is humble, a golden grilled cheese served with a pickle and a basket of thick cut fries - but the taste is surely better than anything you can make on your kitchen stove. The bread is crisp, the cheese is all melted, and the fries are just the right level of crispy. The taste of the sandwich reminds me of something you would get at a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant near your childhood home.
If you’re looking for something bolder, I suggest the Swensens Sliders, which consists of three mini burgers topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a garlic aioli. Though the build up of the burger is relatively simple, they packed more flavor than burgers from the big restaurant chains like Chili’s or T.G.I.Fridays. The sliders are a good way to get a taste of how Swensen’s crafts its burgers. For those who prefer the sweet side, they have a whole menu dedicated to their specialty, ice cream. With an in-house ice cream counter, you can be assured you’re getting the best of the best. The ice cream is almost as good as cold stone, and they always have something new on their dessert menu. If you’re looking for a nice casual place to have a good meal followed by excellent ice cream, this is your place. Its proximity to Sunset Place makes it good for a movie night. I haven’t seen another place like it, and it’s seriously something to experience if you’re ever in the area, and find out why it has lasted over 30 years.
photos by Christine Monge
Tea & Poets Tea House
3/5
The Shops at Sunset Place, #126
The ultimate hipster paradise, Tea and Poets is home to a mini bazaar, live poetry, and of course, tea. Located in Sunset Place, the ample sized tea shop offers customers something besides frappes and lattes. Tea and Poets can hold its own against any mom and pop shop within the brewing realm. It has it’s own ambiance, one that I’ve never seen in any other location in Miami. Everything seems so welcoming, even if you’re a newcomer. There’s a sense of friendliness, and it doesn’t seem so cultish like some tea shops tend to be. The experience is different from any cafe in Dadeland. Mini jewelry stands surround the counter, filled with handcrafted necklaces, earrings, and other accessories created by local vendors, all classic
hippie boho themed items, with a hint of sleek modern. Body creams and other hygienic products were up for sale, most of them organic and all of them relatively inexpensive. The drink portion of the venue offers almost every type of tea you can think of. With Japanese teas to the classic English Breakfast, its a tea lovers heaven - and reasonably priced too, significantly cheaper than Starbucks, and way more options. I of course stayed on the familiar road, and went for the English Breakfast. I’m no tea aficionado, but I found it to be well brewed, probably better than any of the other fancy places. They also have a variety of coffees, in case you’re not a big fan of their signature items. Classic food items are offered, (doughnuts and muffins) as well as vegan friendly popsicles. But the pastry display was sad, nearly empty and un-appealing. In the middle of the artsy tea shop are tables, facing the stage where local entertainers come to perform their poetry or other small acts. There are also open mic nights and TV show viewings. When there are no performances, customers have the option to play classic board games like Battleship, or sit down and read a book that is up for grabs. From tea to poets, this cafe offers a new twist on local entertainment and refreshments.
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L if est y le M us ic
Reviews By Yaira Doyle
Staff Reporter IG:@YAIRA_DOYLE
Christine Monge
JR. Editor in Chief IG:@SCARLETMARKED
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÷
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Love
Feels Like Summer
Ed Sheeran
Lana Del Rey
Weezer
After a brief hiatus, Ed Sheeran returns 1 with his new studio album, ÷, and brings a unique sound unlike his other records. Since Sheeran had a year to create this album, he devoted most of his time to it, making sure it had a different sound. The songs “Barcelona”, “Bibia Be Ye Ye”, and “Nancy Mulligan” really showed off his abilities to make something different. ÷ not only offers fans a new take on his normal music, but a personal outlook on his life. Sheeran talks about his family and friends, and the problems that arise with his wealth and fame. While his message may not be relatable to listeners, his album still has an impact that I found to be different than his other albums. With the exclusion of the songs mentioned above, I found the album to be heavy, and good to listen to when you’re melancholy. Though ÷ has its fair share of sad songs, it is still a beautiful catastrophe. Sheeran manages to make every song meaningful and more than just songs about love or heart break. I think his beliefs really show in this new album, because he focuses only being true to himself. While I did not expect ÷ to be so realistic, it was nice, and good to see that it focuses less on glory and fame, and more on his life dealing with what comes with being in the spotlight.
Singer song writer Lana Del Rey follows up her “Stargirl” collaboration with The Weeknd by releasing her new single, “Love”. Almost two years after her release of Honeymoon, “Love” presents an alternate tone. It captures the feeling of being “young and in love”, with dream-like elements and of course, Del Rey’s signature vocals. A new angle from her previous albums, “Love” shows her emotional progression through her musical career, and captures the feeling of being hopelessly entranced - something we all feel at one point or another. The message behind her song reminds me of her older pieces, but it unveils something new. It seems as though she has reached a musical nirvana, and I’m honestly loving the direction her new album is going. Not everything has changed. Though Del Rey is offering a purer version of her classic love stories, she keeps some familiar components. “Love” reminds me of the song she did for Baz Lurhmann’s The Great Gatsby, “Young and Beautiful”, with their similar dramatic beats and soft instrumentals. The alternative pop princess marks the start of something new, making “Love” the beginning of a well-awaited new era.
The American rock band Weezer debuts their upcoming album with a peculiar single, mixing alternative and electronic pop. “Feels Like Summer” worked as an introduction for the band’s 11th studio album, as well as an announcer for upcoming tour dates. The single takes on a new sound entirely, contrasting to the bands alternative rock flow. Sounding something like a blend of Maroon 5 and Imagine Dragons, Weezers’ single definitely feels like something else. It’s one of those songs that has a profound meaning, but a jovial hook you can grow fond of. Rivers Cuomo, the singer songwriter and guitarist, keeps some of the same pensive lyrical elements from previous albums like Pinkerton, but updates the beat to fit 2017s’ anticipated summer. While it has a somber meaning behind it, the song still oddly fits what we all at one point experience during the summer; a sense of loneliness and an emotional exploration. I enjoyed the song, but I still can’t believe its Weezer. They’re one of the few bands that can pull off a techno infused song, yet still have classic alternative rock elements. I’m not saying it’s a bad tune, I actually like the fact that they broadened their horizons and adapted to the times while still staying true to their roots - but it’s surely something new.
1 6 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
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photos courtesy of Atlantic Records UK, Interscope Records, and Crush Music/Atlantic
Pro
sports
NCAA has too many Cinderella stories to count
North Carolina's Justin Jackson (44), Isaiah Hicks (4) and Joel Berry II (2) celebrate with seven seconds left during the second half of UNC's victory over Gonzaga in the NCAA Division I men's basketball national championship game on Monday, April 3, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Photo with permision Raleigh News & Observer/TNS
Basketball fans around America had been filling out their brackets and predicting who staff reporter would win this year’s March Madness tournafefecocerioni@hotmail.COM ment. The first game of the tournament was between New Orleans and St. Mary's University, which set a high standard for the rest of the event. The game ended with a one point difference, which had the crowd on their feet during the entire second half. Since the beginning of the tournament, the few teams that had projected their capability to win have been knocked off, including Duke University. This was a big upset since Duke has won five national NCAA Championships and 16 Final Four appearances. Duke was topped by the University of South Carolina , which then went on to defeat the University of Florida and secure a spot in the Final Four; the first time in the University if South Carolina's history. The University of South Carolina were not the only ones who gained accomplishments for their school. The University of Oregon also earned a Final Four spot against the University of Kansas, which was Oregon's first Final Four appearance since 1939, when they won the NCAA Championship. It did not stop there, Gonzaga University defeated Xavier University, securing the first spot in the Final Four, which like South Carolina, would be the first time in Gonzaga's history. Villanova University had fans hoping to see them rise through the brackets this tournament- since they won last years championship - but they were defeated in the second round. University of California, Los Angeles, was another fan favorite set to win, but they lost in the Sweet 16. This year’s NCAA Tournament Final Four included Gonzaga University, the University of South Carolina, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Oregon. According to CBS Sports, Gonzaga had the highest chances of winning with 3/2 odds. The runner up was North Carolina with 8/5 odds. Oregon had the third highest odds with 4/1, and South Carolina had the lowest possibility of winning with 8/1 odds. In the final game of the tournament which saw North Carolina win their sixth National Championship, and they hoisted their trophy with lots of pride.
S p or ts
The Miami Heat's Dion Waiters, right, goes to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks' Paul Millsap during the third quarter at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Wednesday, Feb. 1. The Heat won, 116-93. photo with permission Miami Herald/TNS
By fernando cerioni
From a sizzle to a blaze, Heat just miss playoffs
After a slow start, with a record loss of 11By fernando cerioni 30 the Heat made their fiery comeback. They have had a 13 game streak since Janu- staff reporter ary 14, with a win loss standing of 21-4. fefecocerioni@hotmail.COM During this winning streak they took out notorious NBA teams such as The Golden State Warriors, and The Houston Rockets. The Miami Heat also had a hand-full of players averaging career highs in some stats. Wayne Ellington, the Heat's three point specialist, was averaging career highs in points and assists. Dion Waiters, who the Heat signed in hopes of making up for the loss of Superstar Dwyane Wade, had been performing on a nightly basis in the matches, one of which he played in the 33 point game against the Warriors. Ellington and Waiters weren't the only ones who were performing on a super-star level. Hassan Whiteside became the first Heat player to have 1,000 total rebounds in a single season. Whiteside blocks shot after shot, he averaged about 2.1 blocks per game. Unfortunately with a record of 41-41, the Heat just missed the playoffs, with the Chicago Bulls taking the 8th and final seat for the Eastern Conference. They happened to have had the same overall record as the Heat, but had a better win loss ratio against the other Southeast Division teams. Many people tried to make sense of how the Heat did so well with the poor off season they had. The Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, the mastermind behind the Heat's latest success controlled the Heat's superb defensive strategies that made them a force to be reckoned with and a much hotter flame.
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Spor t s
Varel a
Sophia Naya, Senior
S Track & Field
Record Breaking Dedication
enior Sofia Naya has represented Felix Varela impressively throughout her entire high school career. Before beginning her Track & Field reign, she was invested in other sports around Varela. Having been a participant in Varela’s sports since her freshman year, she was a part of the school's soccer team up until her junior year. She has been an avid player of Soccer her whole life, taking a liking to the sport since her adolescence; but her impressive streak comes from Cross Country and Track & Field. Naya joined Track & Field and Cross Country during her sophomore year, while she was already in her second year of being a part of the soccer team. Besides breaking the school record in the 300 meter hurdle (breaking the old record of 47.6 seconds to 46.12 seconds) on April 18, 2017, Naya has also represented her country in Argentina. She competed in the 16-18 year old division, at only 16. The races brought together runners from all over South America. “The competition was very tough and intimidating.” Naya said. The Cross Country and Track & Field star plans to continue her sports career after Varela, and has received a full ride scholarship to St. Thomas University, where she will be coached by Carlos Maymi, a former Felix Varela student and athlete.
Boys' Volleyball
Striving to be the Best
Putting Their Best Foot Forward
T
he Track & Field team made it to districts with record breaking athletes. The team, made up of a variety of students, worked hard to make it this far. Members Sofia Naya and Jovanny Valdez broke school records, with noteworthy feats. The team worked endlessly to reach districts, pushing through track meets after track meets to make sure they would rank among the best. “We worked really hard to achieve the goals we set for ourselves,” said senior Rebecca Cartagena, “...track was an outstanding and amazing experience I was able to learn from.” Like any sport, the Track & Field team has had its fair share of drawbacks, but it does not stop the members from having a good time and literally putting their best foot forward.
1 8 t h ev i per vi b e @ g mai l . com
Badminton
T
On to the Next Big Thing
W
ith a score of twelve to seven, the boys Volleyball team was hard at work since the beginning of the season this spring. It is hard to imagine how much work and effort these boys put into the sport, but according to team Captain, Irvin Beaz, "It’s all worth it in the end." The team’s coach, John Alvarez, mentioned that Baez received a scholarship for his outstanding performance in the sport. Though they faced serious opponents, the boys did not let this dampen their spirits. Nathaniel Garrido, another star player, explained the “nerve wrecking experience” him and his teammates feel every time they play against another school. Garrido recommended that students should give this sport a chance, because it is fun way to meet new people and build team working skills.
he Badminton team has put in maximum effort, excelling into districts, and now moving on to prestigious events. With four students advancing to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC), players are up for a more rigorous opponent. Athletes Liana Lu, Valerie Sanchez, Sebastian Brizuela, and Stephanie Lopez are those proceeding on to GMAC. Lu and Sanchez will compete in girls' doubles, while Brizuela and Lopez will be taking part in singles. Though the team has faced this great triumph, they also faced a dilemma, as it lacks younger athletes, mostly caused by the seniors who joined the sport to just give it a try. Since the team was made up of seniors, there is a lack of experience, but sometimes experience is beaten by dedication and hard work from other team members. Information gathered by Estefany Gomez, Mario Medina, Sabrina Prado-Rivera, and Fabian Rodriguez.
Stories by Fernando Cerioni, Mario Medina, Christine Monge, Sabrina Prado-Rivera, and Fabian Rodriguez. Photos by Fox-Mar.
Varela
S p or ts
Tennis
F
Pushing Through the Break Point
elix Varela’s Tennis team had a tough season, but that did not break the teams' spirit. “Everyone put in maximum effort, coming to practice three times a week and supporting the team.” said tennis Coach Sandra Medina. The tennis team was divided into two sections, boys and girls. Only girls can play against girls from rival teams, and vice versa for the boys. Both teams, as well as Coach Medina agreed that home games were more comfortable than district games. Favorite games for both ends of the teams varied from Coral Reef to Braddock, while the hardest match would have to be between Ferguson and Palmetto. Captains Lucas Medina and Aleydis Herrera did their best to motivate their members, and make sure that they were prepared for each game. Though the team has had a rough time, it does show the dedication each member and captain has put in.
Softball
T
Girls Struggle to Make it to the Next Level
his years Girls' Softball team stands with three wins and 11 losses, but Coach Larry J. Mejia believes that they did well, despite having little experience. With a team made up of primarily sophomores, freshman, and only a handful of upperclassmen, Coach Mejia was not worried about the demographics of the team. “I feel very confident in the young players,” said Coach Mejia “if they keep working hard and stay hungry, Varela has a promising future. The team won’t be impacted as much because I only have two seniors leaving, and have girls ready to step up to fill the void.” Player Susana Ceballos, sophomore, believed the team actually did amazing this year compared to last year. “They are small achievements, we have a lot of more girls this year and we have two coaches. And it’s just the little things that matter.” Coach Mejia has hope and knows that the future holds a lot for Varela’s Girls' Softball team. “My team as a whole are the best.” he said. Overall, the team felt that they made a huge leap, and look forward to what the future may bring.
Baseball
Vipers Strike Out
V
arela's Baseball team hit a few rough innings. Only winning six games and losing 13, the team's season already ended without a playoff appearance. The Baseball team, with only seven seniors and many juniors without varsity experience, was not exactly underachieved for a team full of first time varsity players. The team captains, Brian Alvarez, Darian Munoz, and Andres Artola were great leaders, said Coach Jose Padron. Coach Padron also put the spotlight on Junior Captain Darian Munoz. "My best player at the moment is Darian Munoz," said Coach Padron "...he is first in the county, hitting with an average of 590." Coach Padron is looking forward to his experienced team next year, due to their knowledge from this year. He reassured us that the team will keep working hard to better themselves all-around for the new season.
Flag Football
A
Ending the Season on a High Note
s the Girls' Flag Football season is coming to an end, it is safe to say that they have made an impact on the field. Girls' Flag Football Coach Patrick Ledan explained how the team as a whole treat each other like a family on and off the field, and they all assemble for the better of the team - which is definitely noticeable on the field and in the success of the team. These girls' hard work and dedication payed off, for they will be competing in districts, where they will leave their Viper mark. As for the bulk of the seniors leaving next year, the team is confident that they will be able to reload and gain new players for the upcoming season. The current sophomores on the team are striving to reach a higher level of progress. The Girls' Flag Football team has established their resilience and dedication, and earned their well deserved spot in district competition.
Information gathered by Daniel Cardenas, Yaira Doyle, Zeriah Jean, and Valeria Franco. Stories by Daniel Cardenas, Fernando Cerioni, Yaira Doyle, Valeria Franco, and Christine Monge. Photos by Fox-Mar.
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Crotalus
$85 until May Yearbooks now on sale! Bring cash to room 180
Take home memories of your year Senior Video $25 Graduation Video $35 Order your videos today in room 200K