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PG. 15highlights reviews O Cinema, an independent theater in Wynwood

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PG. 2The class of 2013 wins Cav Crash for the third year in a row

highlights45 0 B i r d R o a d , C o r a l G a b l e s , F L 3314 6 I s s u e 3 , Novemb er 2012, V o l . 53

C O R A L G A B L E S S E N I O R H I G H

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PG. 10The school’s step team, Sistahs With Attitude, storms the stage

By Brooke DonnerHEAD NEWS WRITER

THE RESULTS ARE IN-

After over a year of unusually negative campaigns and fluctuating poll results, Barack Obama was elected into his second term as President of the United States on Tuesday, Nov. 6. highlights revisits the results and the election’s impact on the country as well as our local community.

By Casey Breznick COPY EDITOR

In what many have described as one of the most important elections in this country’s history, Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden were re-elected as President and Vice President of the United States, respectively, defeating Republican challengers Governor Mitt Romney and Representative Paul Ryan. Obama won both

the electoral and popular vote, with 332 (Florida was not yet added until late Thursday) electoral votes to Romney’s 206 and with nearly 50 percent of the popular vote to Romney’s approximately 48 percent, the difference going to independent parties.

Though the Republican primaries began over a year ago, the actual presidential campaigns began this summer after Romney emerged as the Republican contender. Obama and Romney ran what have been described as particularly bitter campaigns, with each side promoting themselves as much as they attacked their opponent’s personality, record, and vision for the future.

All but one of the so-called swing states, those that were described as “too close to call” by pollsters and pundits and have a history of switching between Democrat and Republican votes, went to Obama. These states included Ohio,

Pennsylvania, and Colorado, while Romney took only North Carolina, where the Democrat National Convention was held in September. Obama’s mathematical victory is credited to his near-sweep of the swing states.

While the state of the national economy was generally recognized as the election’s most pressing issue, social issues like abortion and access to contraception have been credited by pundits as a major issue that pushed Obama ahead of Romney in key states like Ohio. In this election, and all those after 1980, more women than men voted. Obama held an 11-point

lead over Romney among women voters according to nationally-averaged exit polls. Romney held the majority of men and whites, while Obama won by wide margins the young adult, Hispanic, and black votes.

In congressional elections, all 435 House Representatives and 33 Senators were up for re-election. Republicans

managed to retain control of the House despite a net loss of 2 seats, while Democrats increased their majority in the Senate slightly.

Florida-specific elections were also decided on Nov. 6, including the re-election of incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson as one of Florida’s senators. Three of the 11 proposed state constitutional amendments were passed with the required 60 percent approval necessary to adopt them. These include Amendments 2, 9, and 11, which will put into place, respectively, tax breaks and relief for veterans, spouses of

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COMMUNITY IMPACT

On Tuesday Nov. 6, Miami-Dade voters approved initiative 222, a $1.2 billion bond referendum for capital improvements of county schools.

The General Obligation Bond will be used to renovate facilities and update technology to meet 21st century standards. Security/surveillance enhancements, air conditioning repair, and classroom

technology upgrades are amongst the list of improvements the school can expect to see as a result of the bond.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has promised that most of the renovations will be completed in six to seven years, and that the money will be managed properly, though the school district has yet to release an official timeline and budget for the projects.

The bond will be paid for over the next 30 years. In 2013, the bond is projected to cost homeowners $5 per $100,000 of

taxable property value. For the remainder of the 30 years, it will cost a projected average of $27 annually per $100,000 taxable property value.

The first issue of the bond, $200 million, is expected in the summer of 2013.

According to the Miami Herald, a political action committee called Building for Tomorrow raised over $1 million to spend on advertising for the initiative.

On Oct. 30, the School Board held a town hall meeting at the school. Administrators and parents from schools throughout the county gathered in the auditorium, listened to Carvalho explain the bond, and were given the opportunity to ask questions.

“The bond passing is a very good thing for everyone in the district, but especially Gables because we’re 62 going on 63. The students should be the happiest; it’s all for them,” said Principal Adolfo Costa.

According to the Miami Herald, initiative 222 passed with a margin of 38 percent.

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THE CAMPAIGNB Y T H E N U M B E R S

S P E A K U P !WHY DID YOU VOTE?

“Unlike some other countries, we have a say in who our leader is.

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“I wouldn’t be a good citizen if I didn’t vote. It’s my right.

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Camila Madero, senior

Maxim Seitter, senior

President Obama

Léa Serrano/co

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Miami-Dade voters approve $1.2 billion bond for schools

Mitt RomneyTOP CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS

MOST VISITED STATESPresident Obama Mitt Romney

AND SO IS OBAMA

332 206ELECTORAL COLLEGEELECTORAL COLLEGE

CA VA FL OH PA

Compiled by Gaby Martinez, Mia Tolpin & Eleonor Bauwens

news highlightsNovember 2012 2

CAV PRIDE: During the annual Cav Crash, all the grade levels have a class war to see which grade shows the most spirit. Third times the charm proved to be true for the senior who won the Spirit war for the third time.

KEEP CALM & DRUM: Senior Yadiel Sanchez shows off his drumming abilities as part of the senior skit which attempted to show all the different activities that rev up the school spirit.

STRUMMING THE TUNES: This year’s Cav Crash seemed to be a year of repeats. Talent winner, junior Isabella Maldonado, won last year and managed to have her raw talent impress the judges once again with her guitar and vocal skills.

Brooke Donner/highlights

SENIOR THREE-PEAT TWO FOR WON ONE-MAN BAND

Brooke Donner/highlights

Brooke Donner/highlights

ROCKIN’ THE HOUSE: CAV CRASH 2012

World history teacher Stephanie Cosgrove is planning a school trip to Spain over Spring Break and is having students fund raise by selling banner advertisements to be placed around the school.

The banners promote any business that has purchased an advertisement on it to advocate awareness about their company.

Each company that purchases a banner has the ability to design and mandate ideas that will catch people’s attention.

“It has to relate to what I like, and the banner has to be big enough for me to see,” said freshman Lucas Serau.

Banners will be placed in the pavilion, around the cafeterias walls and in the third floor hallway.

The fundraiser was approved by Student Activities as one of the main fundraising

proposals sent to the school board. Banners will not be placed outside of the school since the school would need a permit from the City of Coral Gables.

Banner sales are not only taking place at the school, but other schools around Miami Dade County.

“It was a very creative idea, nobody has ever done it before,” said assistant principal Joseph Evans.

Proceeds from the banner sales will help reduce the cost of the price for the students who have trouble meeting the cost.

“Everybody has their own individual [financial] goal and some students will actively participate while others will choose not to,” said Cosgrove.

The banners deviate from the traditional candy selling and are not as burdensome to students who would have to sell the candy.

Banners for Europe After Michael Van Dyk learned he was

being surplussed last school year, he gave away the old computers and parts he used to teach his students. However, his classes have returned and in order to replace the lost materials, he is accepting donations.

“We need to have computers to work on experimentally in our lab,” said Van Dyk.

Students also believe that the lack of supplies affects their class.

“We can’t be as efficient as we would be. If we had more computers we would be able to do everything in less time,” said junior Brayan Arritola.

He is accepting any donation of computers, routers, switches, mechanical tools and parts for the robotics projects. Van Dyk and his classes use these supplies to build computers and robots. The students also enter

in contests, which require different materials that are not currently available to them.

“Students enter the robotics contest and we always need parts for the robots like batteries and screw drivers,” said Van Dyk.

Even though he is in need of more, Van Dyk has already received a donation of eleven computers from the A&A Mechanical Contractors.

“Laurie Baad, a member of the High Tech Advisory Council, decided to […] help the program and arranged for the donation of the eleven computers,” said Van Dyk.

Some of Van Dyk’s students have also donated some of the more easily attainable materials. Sophomore Thomas Mosser gave in CAT5 cable.

“I donated because I felt that it would be easier for students to learn if they had a hands-on experience with the items we were using,” said Mosser.

By Francis Pérez STAFF WRITER

By Rachel Ellis STAFF WRITER

Computer donations

GOING GREEN: The school’s science department is attempting to purchase new greenhouses to aid students in creative labs and other experiments that are not viable in classrooms.

By Jordan Payne STAFF WRITER

Every year, the International Baccalaureate (IB) science

department is required to create and work on a project that involves the three science disciplines, of chemistry, physics, and

biology as requirements for the IB curriculum.

Last year’s project involved interactive experiments dealing with plant

growth in the school’s butterfly garden. This year, the science team, led by department head Iliana Gonzalez, is spearheading a new project—greenhouses.

The department is going to purchase two greenhouses measuring six-feet by six-feet that will be located in a fenced in area behind the 700 hall. They hope to start working on the greenhouses within the next couple of months, and the experiments and labs will be able to commence by December.

Students are now completing labs such as the

observation of worms, compost, and natural sunlight verses artificial sunlight and how all of these different factors affect plant growth which will later determine what will be grown inside the greenhouses. Students are also performing experiments to find which plants will be able to grow and flourish together.

“We’re hoping that all of our classes are able to eventually use the greenhouse and that all of them benefit from its uses,” said IB biology teacher Eric Molina.

Even though it is geared towards IB biology students, IB chemistry and physics students will also be able to participate. Physics students will be able to do things like assess the direction of light or the temperature in the greenhouses. Chemistry students will be able to take soil samples, work on pH levels, and study the effects of fertilizers and pesticides.

“The greenhouse is going to make the school more beautiful. Looking at the trees and taking in all of the nature around the school is like a break from the stress of the day”, said senior and IB biology student Cristina Szyszko

It is estimated that each greenhouse costs about $300-$400. So the science department has applied for numerous grants, such as the Fairchild

Gardens and the Lowell’s Building the Future Grant. If they do not manage to get the funds, the science department will resort to fund raising.

“I think it’ll help the science department immensely because they’ll have a hands-on project to work on,” said Principal Adolfo Costa.

‘ I think it’ll help the science department immensely because they’ll have a hands-on project.

Adolfo Costa, Principal

‘

highlightsNovember 2012 3

The Florida State Board of Education passed a plan that sets achievement goals in math and reading based on economic standing and mental disability but more controversially sets goals based on race.

On Oct. 12, 2012 the Florida State Board of Education passed new ethnic and racially based education benchmarks on state proficiency exams which has many worried about stereotyping.

A lower percentage of Hispanics and African Americans are expected to be at or above grade level in reading and writing than Caucasian and Asian students over the next five years.

By 2018, Florida aims to have 74 percent of African Americans proficient in reading while 81 percent of Hispanic students are expected to have achieved this same goal. The same goes for 82 percent of American Indian students, 88 percent of white students and 90 percent of Asian students. For the economically disadvantaged and English language learners, it is at 72 percent, for students with disabilities it is at 78 percent.

“These goals for different races and ethnicities are extremely unrealistic. I know some of the most intelligent African American students in this grade as well as intelligent white students. Their race makes absolutely no difference to whether or not they pay attention in class and

if they actually apply themselves in school,” said senior Federico Mercado.

By creating lower expectations for minorities, some believe that the Florida State Board of Education is discouraging students from striving to achieve their best.

On Oct. 18, the Florida State Board of Education set up a conference call to address these grievances and questions the public had. Pam Stewart, Florida Commissioner of Education, explained that these new guidelines do not set lower expectations for racial and ethnic groups but set higher ones for those lagging behind. She summed up that in

the end 100 percent of students should be reading at or above grade level and that these strategy targets a more rapid rate of improvement for those already behind.

“I think the idea of education moving towards a pure measure of a student’s success or failure through affirmative action is limiting their success. Basing a student’s proficiency on one test is not fair to the student. This leads to the problem of setting different standards for different races on their success. It is discriminatory and certain cultures could be offended by these standards,” said English Literature teacher Preston Scanlon.

‘ Their race makes no difference if they pay attention in class or not.

Fredrico Mercado senior

‘

By Christina ParodiSTAFF WRITER

CONTROVERSY OVER EDUCATIONAL GOALS

Etiquette Manor has a special just for Coral Gables High Students!

Call for details: 305-469-7822

-$65 for 1 hour “YOU’RE HIRED” Interview Training Class-$105 for 2 hours “HIRED WITH STYLE” Interview Train-

ing Class and Personal Style & Image Consultation

Etiquette Manor has a special just for Coral Gables High Students!

Call for details: 305-469-7822

-$65 for 1 hour “YOUR HIRED” Interview Training Class-$105 for 2 hours “HIRED WITH STYLE” Interview

Training Class and Personal Style & Image Consultation

Courtesy of Florida State Board of Education

Percentage of Students at/above Grade Level

highlightsNovember 2012 4news

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Joining our faculty staff this year is new business and math teacher, Eduardo Diaz. A recent University of Florida graduate, this is Diaz’s first teaching experience; he is teaching Business 1 and Geometry classes this year.

“I believe that my age will give me the ability to relate to students and really connect with my students at a deeper level. I feel as if they can see me as a friend and will be more open to learn because of this,” said Eduardo Diaz.

As a Gables alum, Diaz chose to come back because of all the good memories he once experienced at this school. He says he remembers having teachers that are still here such as Spanish teacher Grisell Freijo.

New IB business teacher

The school is implementing a new policy that requires bus drivers to check students for identification cards (ID) in order to ensure student safety. Overcrowded buses have become an issue -- students are rid-ing buses other than their designated bus.

“Many students ride buses that aren’t theirs because they want to be on the same bus as their friends, or they just need a ride,” said Assistant Principal Jean Baril.

Bus drivers now have a roster of students who are on that particular bus, and when a student arrives on the bus, the driver checks their ID to see if their name is on the roster. If a student is caught without an ID, an administrator will be called to verify who the student was, and the student would then be reminded to bring their ID.

Implementing new school bus policy

NovemberRundown Nine weeks into the school year, the school is implementing new initiatives and inducting new class officers, and Florida International University will now offer TEDx talks, open to any and all students.

On Oct. 2, the freshman class officers were elected after a long campaign process. Freshmen students voted Jordan Payne as President and Kevin Torgas as Vice-President. Sabrina Ochoa, Yara Contijoch, and Taylor Fay were elected as the Treasurers and Maria Estrada was elected as Secretary.

The newly elected freshmen officers said they want to make their freshmen class standout and incorporate more treat days as upperclassmen expressed their regret at not having enough during their freshman year.

“I would like to have more treat days for freshmen and make the Epcot trip for freshmen as fun and as cheap as possible”, said Vice- President Kevin Torgas.

Freshmen elections results By Phillip AitkenSTAFF WRITER

By Christina ParodiSTAFF WRITER

By Gaby MartinezSTAFF WRITER

By Scarlett PerezNEWS EDITOR

On Nov. 8, the school’s Literacy Team implemented a “Stop, Drop, and Read” initiative to encourage students to become proactive in reading.

At the beginning of any period, an administrator will come on the announcement system and announce that it is time to “Stop, Drop, and Read”. Students are then required to read anything of their choice (magazine, book, iPad, Kindle, etc.) for ten minutes. On Nov. 8, the first ten minutes of the second block were allotted to this initiative and it is unclear whether all teachers participated.

“I think that if you read something for ten minutes you may not be able to finish, but if will kind of engage you enough to want to finish it at home or another time, which is essentially our goal,” said Assistant Principal Nestor Diaz.

On Nov 15 at 5:30 pm, Florida International University will be hosting a TEDx event, an independently organzied TED event that diverges from the original TED topics of technology, entertainment, and design but is based upon the same idea.

FIU’s seminar will have about eight speakers discussing this year’s theme: Beyond the World You Know. The inaugural conference at FIU is intended to spread global awareness about different ideas that are changing the world.

Some of the speakers at this year’s TEDx event includes student philanthropists and leaders in our community which encourage student involvement tobecome aware about global education. Students do not have to be an FIU student to attend.

By Scarlett PerezNEWS EDITOR

“Stop, Drop, and Read” begins

Inaugural TEDx talks at FIU

highlightsNovember 2012 5opinion

EditorialSTAFF

Commentary by Orso Raymo HEAD OPINION WRITER

Library usage hindered by excessive testing

VIEWSTWO

OpposableTHUMBS

Jamaican Patties“Jamaican me fatty!”-Scarlett Perez,News Editor

Starwars 7“It’s a trap!”-Orso Raymo,Opinion Head Writer

Miami High“We’re better at vandalism than they are at football.”-Nicolas Rivero, Opinion Editor

Election 2012“Florida just likes the attention.”-Casey Breznick,Copy Editor

It has come to the attention – and chagrin – of many students on campus that the frequent closure of the library for testing and other school-related purposes has made it nearly impossible for most students to take advantage of what the library normally offers.

Common sense dictates that a school library provides students with a place to find and check out books, do homework, and use technology like computers in order to supplement one’s education or other learning endeavours.

The push for an increase in digitized testing requires the use of the library’s computers. So while the library could be available for the entire student body to use, it is instead impractically only being used for a small percentage of students. It is important to note that this effect is not the fault of the school’s administration, which must comply with testing requirements and simultaneously deal with limited funding and school space.

“It is always a concern when the media center is not available at a certain time because it is being utilized for a certain purpose,” said Assistant Principal of Curriculum Nestor Diaz.

The reasons for a fully available and open library are mostly obvious: books, homework, etc. However, limited library access is creating a problem for students who need to use computers, printers, and

the Internet. Some students do not have access to these technologies at home, and with the growing demand for digitized learning, students are finding themselves with more homework they cannot do at home. Although the library is open after school, many students who take the bus or do not have the opportunity to stay after school are at a disadvantage in completing assignments such as research papers or simply checking their homework if they do not have a computer at home.

“It’s really inconvenient when the library is closed because sometimes when I need to use the computer for work I end up not having anywhere to go,” said sophomore Julian Sanchez.

What seems to be the most effective way in dealing with this problem is actually having designated testing rooms, with the library being used for only very large test-taking groups. With testing labs serving smaller groups, the library would be open more frequently

to students who need it. The labs would provide test takers with a more suitable environment for taking their tests.

“In the past we’ve made arrangements with the [business department’s computer labs] to provide students with a place to go to during second lunch to do their assignments,” said Diaz.

Unfortunately, Diaz admitted that a lack of funds and space in the school makes it impossible for the addition of new computer labs completely devoted to testing.

In the meantime, one possible solution would be to use virtual class labs for testing and give the displaced students the school’s newly-received laptop carts to do their work. The laptop carts include Wi-fi and enough laptops to accommodate a whole class. They also give the class the flexibility to work in any part of the school.

For now, students can plan their library trips ahead of time by checking testing calendars that can be found on the district website.

Piracy: taking artists hostage?

This teenage generation is no stranger to the Internet. We all listen to music, read books, and watch movies on popular websites like YouTube and Netflix. Some people have decided to bypass the middlemen who provide the websites with our entertainment by getting the media they seek straight from websites like Pirate Bay and BitTorrent.

These websites don’t financially recognize the artists that produce the music they pirate. As people get fed up with buying music from iTunes for 99 cents per song, the popularity of pirating music is rapidly increasing. The problem with pirate websites is that they take away the revenue that comes from legitimate websites like iTunes – the same revenue that allows artists to create more music.

An important part of creating music and being a composer is being financially recognized for the work that you do. The websites that pirate music are atrophying traffic from the websites that sell music legally, and making them less profitable. Why would anyone go to a website where they would have to pay for their music when there are websites that distribute music for free? The

fact is, pirating music is much easier. We are also going to have to address the fact that piracy isn’t going away. No matter how low the prices for music are, it won’t be enough. People will always take the easy way out, instead of doing the right thing.

The arguments in favor of piracy say that the record labels are already making enough money, and that websites that sell music are only benefitting the corporate entities that manage the music’s rights.

Although these big record labels are making the bulk of the money off of websites that sell music, it is certainly a better alternative to the financial compensation that comes from only advertising. The proposed solution to paying for music is that artists should sign with websites that advertise, and then financially compensate the artists with the money from advertising based on downloads. The problem is that advertising doesn’t bring in nearly enough money to both support websites like Pirate Bay and pay the artists currently affected by piracy.

Furthermore, getting every single artist to sign with every single website is impractical. A better solution would be to decrease the profits to the big record labels and give artists a bigger cut of the revenue.

Pirating music is detrimental to the creative process. The big artists that we frequently hear played over the radio aren’t the ones being affected by piracy; the artists that are affected operate on a smaller scale, producing music with little to no help. Some examples would be electronic artists that don’t have publicists. Because they are lesser known, they don’t usually sell their music on CDs or in a hard physical format. Their only revenue comes from legal websites like iTunes that financially compensate artists.

So what the industry really needs is a retreat of the big record labels, an increase in the profits that go directly to the artist, and the elimination of websites that illegally pirate music in order to support artists and allow them to continue making music.

Deemed as the beginning of the end for the average artist, internet piracy is a recent target of government crackdown efforts, such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA), to stop this threat to profits for the original artists and producers who created the pirated material. While the intentions of these actions may seem genuine, the artists aren’t the ones principally at risk; the publishers are. Furthermore, these attempts to crack down

on modern-day pirates will inevitably be in vain. The fact of the matter is that piracy is here to stay. The convenience and relative cheapness

of peer-to-peer music-sharing programs such as Utorrent, as well as current restrictive copyright laws on digital purchases, make piracy a very enticing alternative to teens and young adults seeking to satisfy their auditory and visual entertainment desires.

The good people behind the anti-piracy movement aren’t only the artists themselves, but also the large media corporations. These corporations, that sign the artists whose work is illegally downloaded, would have you believe that when you illegally download an album you are depriving that artist of that full $10 iTunes would charge. In reality, an artist makes just 93 cents on average per $10 purchase; the rest of the money goes into the pockets of the big publishing companies.

In order to accommodate the financial needs of artists while keeping music free, the pesky middle man – the publishers – need to be cut out of the equation. In addition to being extraneous leeches on the creative effort of the people who actually create the art, these corporate moochers are simply not a necessity in the age of free digital distribution. In years past, publishers were integral to artists because they allowed for the distribution of their work nationally and worldwide, the internet has made this role obsolete as artists can perform the same task at no extra cost to them.

An artist can successfully self-publish on the Internet without a label and gain equal fame as if he or she were backed by a well-known, well-connected publishing company. In fact, a sizeable amount of new artists are moving away from corporate publishers towards independent distribution.

A plausible solution to the problems of paying artists their due and keeping costs low is the creation of a file-sharing website where artists make official accounts and then get a check every month whose amount is determined by the number of downloads or views their songs get. The website’s revenue could be generated by ads on the webpage, all the while keeping the media itself free to the user.

When it comes down to it, the real culprit is, without a doubt, big media. If it were not for their army of lawyers, flocks of lobbyists, and deep pockets there would be no discussion about piracy. Popular demand should be the sole determining force behind what the markets look like, but intrusive government efforts like SOPA and PIPA are preventing the financial and entertainment happiness of both the artist and listener, who most definitely outnumber the legions of big media special interests.

Commentary by Stephan ChamberlinSTAFF WRITER

Many Internet users are turning to piracy because of its accessibilty and affordability, begging the question: is piracy a threat to artists?

‘ It’s really inconvenient when the library is closed because sometimes when I need to use the computer for work I end up not having anywhere to go.Julian Sanchez,Sophomore

‘

Piracy only harms the label Piracy a threat to artists

For the typical Gables student, after-school time is often filled with practices, club meetings, bus-catching, or work. For some students, however, after-school time may actually include school. Some teachers have mandatory after-school lessons or activities that interfere

with the busy high school student’s schedule and, as a result, students’ grades sometimes suffer.

While after-school sessions are understandably well-intentioned, many students are torn between other obligations and their grade. Most students have extracurriculars and responsibilities which they feel are equally or almost as important as schoolwork. Some of these responsibilities, such as family obligations, cannot be negotiated. Transportation issues, including living far from the school or having to take the bus, simply make it nearly impossible for some students to schedule for after-school sessions.

The primary reason teachers hold after-school sessions is that they don’t have adequate in-class time to cover the material, especially in more rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.

“When you have a class of 35 it is hard to give the students the intensity needed for AP and IB. These sessions allow

highlightsNovember 2012

highlightsADVISORY BOARD:

SECTION EDITORS:

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFAli Stack

INSIGHTDeanna Breiter, Audrey Fernandez

NEWSScarlett Perez, Brooke Donner

FEATURESYaremy Fuentes

SPORTSGene Liu,Lukas Georgatos

THE SCENEMaggie Rivers

BUSINESS MANAGERAJ Ziv

ADVISERMelissa Nieves

COPY EDITORCasey Breznick

highlights is the official publication of Coral Gables Senior High, 450 Bird Rd.,Coral Gables, FL 33146.

Call (305) 443-4871 ext. 2383, email melissanieves@dadeschools.net for ad rates.

highlights accepts all legal advertisements. If a mistake occurs, the ad will be reprinted, free of charge, in the following

issue. Subscriptions are available for $15 annually.Opinions expressed on the editorial page do not necessarily

reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school. highlights is an open forum and welcomes readers’

opinions on all topics. Letters to the editor should not exceed 200 words and must be signed, but names may be withheld on request and with the concurrence of the editorial board.

The editors reserve the right to reject, edit and condense letters. All letters should be turned in to the F237 mailbox.

highlights strives to represent all groups fairly. Men and women of all races and nationalities will be represented with the same respect and dignity. This publication avoids racial identification except when it is essential to communication.

Press AffiliAtions:

Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, NSPA Hall of Fame, Florida Scholastic Press Association,

Quill and Scroll

Staff Members: Laura Acosta, Phillip Aitken, Eleonor Bauwens, Andrea Biondi, Raquel Braun, Stephan Chamberlin, Anthony Concia, Rachel Ellis, Rachel English, Mariana Londoño, Gabrielle Martinez, Christina Parodi, Jordan Payne, Francis Pérez, Orso Raymo, Araceli

Sanchez, Mia Tolpin, Cyrus Zeledon

Contributors: Thalia Herrera, Léa Serrano

6

OPINIONNicolas Rivero

Uproar over race-based testing goals

Commentary by Nicolas RiveroOPINION EDITOR

Commentary by Jordan Payne& Stephan ChamberlinSTAFF WRITERS

School spirit is often thought of as being one of the less important parts of high school. There are already tests, homework, and teachers to worry about, so why spend time and effort to promote school spirit? Does waving

pom-poms and wearing those crimson and grey shirts really make a difference? The truth is that it absolutely does.

Spirit is what prevents school from crossing the near-inevitable line of boredom. Seven hours of learning can be extremely tiresome, as most students will agree. But pep rallies, football games, and spirit week offer us much-needed and exciting breaks from monotonous and stressful school work. Luckily for us, our school recognizes the important role of extracurricular school spirit.

Fridays are the school’s official spirit days, and throngs of students proudly don their club shirts each week. The school also pushes other spirit-themed initiatives, like spirit week. The creative and crazy outfits show that school doesn’t have to be filled with unpleasant activity, and that it’s possible to be amusing from time to time.

What is possibly the best part of school spirit is the fact that it’s diverse in nature. Members of the school’s various publications made an impressive showing at FIU’s Journalism Day on Oct. 20. At the awards ceremony, “Coral Gables Senior High” was uttered so many times that it practically became a cliché. Every time a Gables publication received an award, all of the students were up on their feet shouting, “Go Cavs!”

Yet another element of spirit is attendance at football games. In movies, stands are filled with students, all donning their school colors, cheering for their team. Although we’re not quite at that point yet, clubs such as S.O.S. and people like Coach Pollard are working hard to improve game attendance.

Recently, we have been shown that Gables is a culture of which we are proud to be a part. Administrators, teachers, and students alike want everyone who walks these halls to be proud to be a Cavalier. It is our hope that at the rate we are going, that day is not too far down the line.

Commentary by Maggie Rivers SCENE EDITOR

Students forced to stay after school

students to come and work individually on something they weren’t sure about,” said French teacher Maria Fernandez.

Science teacher Orestes Mayo said he holds mandatory after-school sessions for his AP and IB Physics classes because both have lecture and lab credits, and by signing up to take the class, students have to realize they are also signing up to go to after-school labs.

“In an eight period school day we lose 45 days of class and due to the [AP] test being in May, we are trying to do a two semester course in a 100 something days,” said Mayo.

While these considerations are certainly reasonable, students should be notified during class selection of the mandatory time commitment many advanced

courses require.Additionally, making attendance at these sessions

extra credit would reward students who make the effort to show up without punishing those who don’t. If these sessions are essential to obtaining class credit, allowing students the opportunity to come in during lunch could help alleviate the strain. Some teachers, like Fernandez and Mayo, have done these in the past.

Compromise requires realizing both the educational intentions of teachers and the sentiment that students should be allowed to use time after school at their discretion.

Recently, the Florida state legislature approved a plan to raise the percentage of students who meet the bare minimum requirements of reading and math for their grade level from 57 percent to 82 percent by 2018. Public outrage followed the announcement of this seemingly harmless proposal, not because Florida only manages

to educate just over half of its students, but because the plan set different goals for student populations based on race. I thought this was a little odd, too, until I read the plan for myself.

The first thing I want to point out is the fact that the goals are not only race based. They address a variety of socioeconomic factors, like economic disadvantage and familiarity with the English language, that have obvious and proven impact on students’ scores on standardized tests. Race is only one aspect of the plan’s goals, receiving exactly one mention in 24 pages.

Moreover, the fact that the plan breaks down goals by race is nothing more than an acknowledgement of reality. Currently, 76 percent of Asian students read at grade level compared to 38 percent

of black students. The state legislature aims to cut this gap in half, from a difference of 38 percentage points to just 16 by 2018. The inequality cannot be completely eliminated in six years, but the state plans to make significant progress.

Lastly, the only reason why the plan includes race-based goals at all is that the No Child Left Behind Act, a federal law, requires schools to report how different subgroups of their student populations are performing. Because Florida failed to meet the standards of that Act, it must now apply for a waiver to avoid penalty. Having a plan to improve student performance that addresses race is one of the requirements to get that waiver.

And to top it off, if everything goes according to plan, 100 percent of all students, regardless of race, will be proficient in reading and math by 2022, according to Florida Education Commissioner Pamela Stewart.

It seems to me that in their outrage over an imagined racial slight, critics have lost sight of the glaring problem here: almost half of the children in Florida do not meet the most basic requirements for proficiency in reading and math. Rather than quibble over the political correctness of our educational goals, let’s focus on fulfilling them instead.

School policy states that teachers are not allowed to penalize students for not attending afterschool sessions such as lessons or reviews. Some teachers, however, do hold mandatory after school sessions, forcing students to make a difficult choice: give up their free time or sacrifice their grade.

‘ In an eight period school day we lose 45 days of class, and due to the [AP] test being in May, we are trying to do a two semester course in a 100-something days.Orestes Mayo, Science Teacher

‘

Spirit on the rise

Thalia Herrera/Contributor

insight highlightsNovember 2012 7

THOUGH THE POPULATION IS STEADILY GROWING, THE WORLD IS BECOMING A SMALLER PLACE. THE WEAK TIES CREATED THROUGH THE SIMPLE CONNECTIONS WE MAKE WITH EACH OTHER EVERY DAY HAVE BECOME THE MEANS BY WHICH WE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF HOW FAR THEY MAY BE FROM US. highlights TAKES A LOOK INTO THE “SIX DEGREES” THAT SEPARATE US FROM ONE ANOTHER AND THEIR INCREASING IMPORTANCE IN FOSTERING AN INTERCONNECTED SOCIETY.

T H ES T R E N G T H

OF

W E A KT I E S

>>

We all know a guy who knows a guy, and that guy might know another guy who lives

3,000 miles away. Through connections like these, getting a hold of that one person becomes a matter

of just connecting with two people. According to the theory of Six Degrees of

Separation, we are all connected to one another by “six steps of connection or fewer”. It works as outlined above – one person knows one person, who knows another, etc., until two people of entirely different dispositions have been connected.

This idea was first promoted in the 1920s, and proved, somewhat mathematically, in the 1960s, a time when email and social networking were just emerging into the daily lexicon. Technology, namely the Internet and social networking, led the way for the shrinkage of our world into an average interconnectedness of just 4.7 connections. A small

world is now, it seems, even smaller. In the past, the needs of society shaped

its course. Steel came about because we needed a stronger building material for

bridges and skyscrapers, both of which were necessities brought about by

transportation and overpopulation strains. Social networking, the

engine behind Six Degrees, has no apparent value other than

to satisfy, perhaps, an innate human desire to

connect, socialize, and feel part of

something

larger than oneself. Doubt is bound to arise when the

network of connections becomes so vast. One might question the actual human value of a Facebook friend or Twitter follower. In the attempt to close social gaps in society, these connections oftentimes bring those who don’t have anything in common or don’t like one another together.

“I don’t personally know all of my friends on Facebook, but having them there helps when it comes to being updated on school work and events,” said junior Ana Chacin, who realizes that all her friends on Facebook are not all necessarily actual friends.

No great societal change will come about via status updates, retweets, or witty photo comments. Yet, however frivolous the actual actions of our seemingly unimportant human connections, they show not the focus or the potential of Six Degrees. Our increasingly shrinking world presents the opportunity of interconnectedness not only in spending time on social networking sites for entertainment, but for intellectual growth as well.

With at least a billion of the world’s people actively engaged on social networking and the Internet, it becomes apparent that the seemingly unimportant links made between one’s friends and friends of friends can become the source of solutions to solve real world problems. All throughout history, times and places of free exchange of ideas – the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution - brought

about improvements in incremental proportions beyond what the world had ever seen.

Such is the potential of

our ties, a web of free-flowing ideas, as strong as steel, available for tapping into at anytime.

It’s easy to see Six Degrees in smaller communities such as our school. Though highlights cannot actually calculate an average degree of separation in our school, it is not beyond reason to say and recognize our school’s compartmentalized interconnectedness. Noticeable cliques exist, but they allow for inter-clique socialization which allow for

geographical, cultural, and educational connections. However crude it seems, the student body is not composed of friends and strangers, but of nodes of particular importance to us whether it’s

for social interaction, education, or an information source.

Many of these connections remain after graduation, and each of our personal webs’ nodes will become part of new webs, all of which become part of the ever-expanding web of Six Degrees. The strength of these weak ties will prove to become our generation’s greatest source of growth and progress.

By Audrey Fernandez & Casey BreznickINSIGHT EDITOR & COPY EDITOR

‘ I don’t personally know all of my friends on Facebook, but having them there helps when it comes to being updated on school work and events.

Ana Chacin, junior

‘

SIX DEGREES BETWEEN YOU AND ME

insight highlightsNovember 2012 8

6MILLION

FACEBOOK VIEWS

100THOUSAND

NEW TWEETS

IN 60 SECONDS ON THE

INTERNET...

WITH JUST “SIX DEGRESS” SEPARATING ONE PERSON FROM THE NEXT, THE IDEA OF BEING CONNECTED TO EVERYONE, NO MATTER THEIR STATUS, BECOMES A REALITY. HERE’S HOW GABLES MAKES IT TO THE WHITE HOUSE IN JUST TWO

STEPS.

GABLES GETS TOTHE WHITE HOUSE

SAY THEY HAVE MET SOMEONE ONLINE

SAY THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH SOMEONE TO GET

TO SOMEONE ELSE

69

SAY THEY FIRST FIND OUT ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS

THROUGH A SOCIAL NETWORK

92

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STUDENTS SURVEYED

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Source: www.scoop.intel.comSource: www.mdb.scout.com, www.wset.com, www.sciotocountysanitary.us

highlightsNovember 2012 9

Humans are a dependent species. We naturally thrive off of each other,

both biologically or socially. To be successful, it is our responsibility to

work with others in order to maintain a solid network that we can carefully use to our advantage.

Because certain aspects of life in the present have become progressively more competitive, forming a network and surrounding ourselves with people who have the tools to get us what or where we want is more important now than ever. The idea of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” might just be a wake up call to many, and your mom’s friend’s hairdresser’s brother could be your best bet for getting where you want to go.

Networking plays a huge role even in something as fundamental as receiving an

education. You may be one of thousands who meet the demanding standards of many colleges and universities, but what sets you apart from the rest?

Networking and going after what you want gives you an extra leg

up because colleges are aware of students that go the extra mile

to take it upon themselves to get in contact and show their interest in the particular school.

“If a student has contacts with any college, whether through their parents, siblings, advisors, counselors or parents’ friends, I think it’s very important to use those contacts,” said College Assistance Program (CAP) Counselor Liz Stack. “A lot of times people have positions where they can assist you in coming for a visit, getting to know administrators, or getting an interview, so it’s definitely important in networking in terms of being able to sort of find a way into the school.”

College is like the purgatory of our youth; one big waiting room where we go to get what we need to figure out the rest of our lives and await the harsh reality of the real world: getting a job.

“Colleges typically do have career centers and internship offices that are built-in, ready made programs where they have students who streamline into these positions and have had for years,” said Stack. “They have contact with companies, non-profits, or volunteer organizations where students can go on campus to these centers and talk to the counselors there about what they’re interested in and then those counselors will help them with the networking to get involved in those

opportunities.”Though colleges give

us a basis of knowledge and the tools for our future, there is no guarantee of a successful career. We must be conscious of our resources and take initiative to get to where we want to go, using our networking opportunities to our advantage. That small job you get from your neighbor filing papers at her law firm could open you to connections to an alumnus of your dream law school and you may even begin to fulfill those visions of opening your own law firm.

When it boils down to it, who we know could ultimately be the key to how we shape the rest of our lives. That is not to say we have to surround ourselves with big shots and celebrities, but keeping in contact with a variety of people could be key, and with modern technology, making these connections is nothing short of a breeze.

“I think networking has always been important,” said Stack. “I think the difference is that now it’s easier because with technology has come ways in which students can get in touch with a lot of different people more easily.”

By Deanna BreiterINSIGHT EDITOR

NEXT-LEVEL NETWORKING

204MILLION

EMAILS SENT

IN 60 SECONDS ON THE

INTERNET...

CAVS CONNECT:THROUGH DIFFERENT LINKS THAT START HERE AT SCHOOL, highlights CAN EASLY

FND ITS WAY TO THE MIAMI HEAT.

SAY THEY HAVE MET SOMEONE ONLINE

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SAY THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH SOMEONE TO GET

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Compiled by Deanna Breiter and Audrey Fernandez.

Source: www.scoop.intel.com

Rachel Ellis/highlightsAli Stack/highlights

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features highlightsNovember 201210

By Laura AcostaSTAFF WRITER

Coral Gables Gallery Night

By Maggie RiversTHE SCENE EDITOR

WVUM 90.5Broadcast and run by University of Miami students,

WVUM radio features a lineup of different student hosts with diverse musical tastes. While most hosts tend to play a lot of indie and obscure music, genres like dance, rap, and pop is still integrated in their show times. This, along with their laid-back vibe and easy communication with listeners, allows for almost anyone to find a host they can relate to on WVUM.

WVUM’s accessibility is great too. Besides being able to tune in to this station in the car, their online live stream is great while doing homework, making it easy to listen anytime. Listeners can request songs through the hosts’ personal twitters or the WVUM phone number.

“I listen to WVUM every now and then; usually when I’m in need of new music or when I’m in the car,” said senior Sofia Murray.

“The one host I listen to the most is Amber. She plays a lot of music I enjoy, like Yeasayer, LCD Soundsystem, Cut Copy, and Junior Boys.”

A new addition to Miami’s radio line-up is Dance 99.5 which provides a non-stop dance music station to build the sound track to Miami’s never ending party scene. The Weekly Mix is the regularly planned show which rotates among resident DJs: DJ LS, DJ Shagzz, and Gables’ own student Gabriel Castillo as DJ Sneakz.

On Sundays, DJ LS hosts Slow Jamz, Throwback Sundays and Dance after Dark. Throwback Sundays are composed of classic hip hop and rap while Dance after Dark is a variety show with music from 80s, 90s, and today.

DJ Sneaks has his own shows on Monday’s (Monday Madness) and on Wednesday’s (Sneak Attack) where he plays a variation on non-stop dance music.

Dance 99.5 has a DJ for everyday of the week and never stops playing music, but as if that was not enough the station also streams live online and even has an application for smart phone users. To download the application just go to the Dance 99.5 web site to scan the barcode and you will have non stop music on your phone.

Dance 99.5

Only the sassiest girls are eligible to join the new step team at the school, Sistahs With Attitude (SWA), because they have to live up to the reputation their name has made.

The new step team is hard to miss -- their beats and calls reverberate through the auditorium during practice every Tuesday and Thursday to and at events like football games and pep-rallies.

“It’s a great group of girls, they’re very lady like. I knew I wouldn’t have to baby-sit them,” said social studies teacher and SWA sponsor Porsha Smith.

The team recently held tryouts for new members, where SWA hopefuls were put to the test: as the final cut, potential members were asked, without warning,

By Mia TolpinSTAFF WRITER

STEPPIN’ & REPPIN’:Sistahs With Attitude

‘ I decided to start a step team... I wanted to bring all the girls together and help them find themselves,

Deja Stephens,senior

‘

Between the static, same Nicki Minaj song every ten minutes and the setup of most radio hosts’ shows, stations like Y100 and Power96 seem all too similar, leaving radio with a uniform ubiquity that gets listeners tired fast. These local stations bring their raw style and flair.

Remy Fuentes/highlights

LocalRadioStations

Laura Acosta/highlights

Most residents of Coral Gables do not know the origin of its iconic Gallery Night, when the streets fill up more than usual. On the first Friday of every month, galleries in the area open their doors from around 6 to 10 p.m. for the

monthly Coral Gables Gallery Night. Gallery Night started in 1980 (first art walk) when Virginia Miller, owner and director of Virginia

Miller Galleries, noticed how beneficial it would be if all galleries were opened to the public on the same night, allowing those interested in art to view them all.

“It took awhile, but eventually I was able to persuade the gallery directors to hold their opening receptions on the first Friday of every month, and the first Gables Gallery Night was launched,” said Miller.

By 1985, the majority of the galleries in the Gables area had disappeared, leaving Gallery Night wounded. Miller “never lost sight of [her] goal”, and as galleries trickled in during 1990 she “encouraged them to open on the same night”. She spoke to the city council about linking all these galleries together, thus creating the Coral Gables trolleys for the rebirth of Gallery Night in 1991.

“Clearly, the community was ready for a monthly cultural event like Gables Gallery Night because from the beginning it attracted thousands of people to the business area of Coral Gables,” said Miller.

Currently, Gallery Night brings a substantial number of visitors to the Gables, and a quick glance into a gallery reveals crowds of people gathered to share the love of art, quite different from the Gables of 1989, which Miller describes as “virtually deserted after 6 p.m.” These galleries surround Ponce de Leon Boulevard, extending all the way towards Merrick Park, footsteps away from the school.

Gallery Night is extremely different from the others art shows around Miami. It is formal, whereas the new hubs of art in places like Wynwood become fields for experimentation.

Currently, there are other art walks everywhere in Miami: the Arts and Design Night and Wynwood Art Walk every second Saturday, the Bird Road Art Walk every third Saturday, and Little Havana’s Cultural Fridays the last Friday of each month, but none has as rich a tradition as the Coral Gables Gallery Night.

STOMP THE STAGE: Sistahs With Attitude steppers perform at the Cav Crash showcase on Nov. 7. Their routine incorporated moves from other performances as well as new combinations featuring the team’s newest members, who were introduced at the show.

Scarlett Perez/highlights

to get out of their seats during a random period and perform a routine in front of their class.

Team captain, senior Deja Stephens thought of the idea in her freshman year, but as a junior put the

idea into action. “When you come into

high school, you try to find yourself. I noticed that a lot of African American girls weren’t involved in the school’s activities. I decided to start a step team, since step is drawn from African roots. I wanted to bring all the

girls together, and help them find themselves,” said Stephens.

Even though SWA debuted this year, Stephens hopes SWA keeps on steppin’ after she graduates. The team’s founding members include four juniors, so the legacy is sure to continue.

GETTING ARTSY: Galleries display various pieces of art for guests to appreciate; while the Coral Gables trolleys can be used as an easy mode of transportation from gallery to gallery.

& BEATS

BRUSHWORK>> the art issue

features highlightsNovember 201211

Remy Fuentes/highlights

Spotlight:

For those who attend one, a homecoming dance is an event that radiates the essence of the typical American high school experience. Stepping out from a limo (or your mother’s minivan) and walking past the well-guarded doors of SET Nightclub in South Beach, fellow seniors and juniors (and a few underclassmen) experienced a night of sweaty dancing and delicious mini-empanadas.

For two students in particular, though, homecoming was more than just a dance -- it was a coronation. Seniors Carlos Baez and Yanet Del Campo were named this year’s Homecoming King and Queen, respectively.

“It was a good way to start my senior year,” said Baez, who admitted to being doubtful of being voted king by fellow male and female seniors.

However, it is not that surprising that Baez took the crown home, considering he is the much-loved Cav Man, president of the drama club, and one of the most spirited students in the school.

Del Campo admitted to being equally surprised at the voting results, but received the crown and accompanying flowers with pride.

“Through high school I never really thought about doing it [running for homecoming queen]. It was kind of unexpected [but] it will definitely be one of my best high school memories,” said Del Campo.

Both king and queen said they decided to run because their friends were encouraging them to take the risk, knowing their popularity and school spirit were well-known.

While Baez and Del Campo were certainly the highlight of one part of the night, it was a memorable evening for all the attendees.

CROWNED: Homecoming King and Queen, Carlos Baez and Yanet Del Campo, were crowned around 10 P.M. at the dance held at SET Nightclub on Lincoln Road.

By Mariana LondoñoSTAFF WRITER

Brooke Donner/highlights

HomecomingCollege Application Nightmaresroyalty

Just when the senior class think they are done having nightmares about homework and project deadlines, the most important deadline of a student’s high school life begins to creep closer -- college applications. Although college applications are a necessary step in moving beyond high school, all students dread the exhausting, time-consuming reality of pulling all-nighters to complete the applications to their dream universities by the prescribed deadlines. Sure, most students think that they will not be the procrastinators of their class, but social lives can and often do get in the way of better judgment. With every college appilcation to conquer, senior year gets worse.

Once college applications start taking hold of the lives of hopeful applicants, nightmares having to do with monsters and murderers morph into fears of crashing computers and power outages. Imagine the relief of having completed all applications only to realize that all of your hard work had been erased minutes before the deadline to turn them in or your computer crashes or freezes.

“I’m just worried that after I submit [my application], it will all get erased,” said senior Marcel Vera.

Some seniors simply fear that they will not get accepted into their desired college. Others, like senior William Peralta, do not want to

“settle” for just

any school because their applications were not up to par.“What if when I apply, I send the wrong address or phone

number and [the college] ends up calling someone else who sent in the same application, and I have to go home with nothing?” said senior Nelson Delgado.

Some students dedicate their Friday or Saturday nights to applying to their dream schools, but most do not have the self discipline or restraint to sacrifice their social lives and resort to waiting until the night before to start working on their applications. Seniors would rather not spend valuable

time writing and submitting college applications, but most are driven enough to acknowledge the gnawing reminder of

college deadlines and face the fear of failure, or of simply getting a computer virus. “I’m worried that I’ll end up missing a really important detail in my

application or I’ll write something wrong and I won’t be able to fix it,” said senior Frankie Enclada.

Enclada also said that he hopes that he would be able to “talk to whoever’s in charge” if something were to go wrong with his college app.

The Nov. 1 deadline has passed. Until Jan. 1, students can take a breath of fresh air and relax until decisions are issued.

By Raquel BraunSTAFF WRITER

Rachel English/highlig hts

I’m worried that I’ll end up missing a really important detail in my application or I’ll write something wrong and I won’t be able to fix it,” said senior Frankie Enclada.

“What if when I apply, I send the wrong address or phone number and [the college] ends up calling someone else who sent in the same application, and I have to go home with nothing?” said senior Nelson Delgado.

Gables graduates return as teachers By Andrea BiondiSTAFF WRITER

ENGLISHAfter nearly six years

away from the school, Michelle Zaldivar has returned as a graduate from the Florida International University with Bachelor’s degrees in International Business and English.

“The day of the interview, I received a call from Mr. Costa saying ‘Welcome to Coral Gables’,” Zaldivar recounted.

“Even though other opportunities have presented themselves to me, […] this is my home. It has made the awkward transition from student to teacher much more doable,” said Zaldivar.

It was merely a matter of good timing for Zaldivar. English teacher Michelle Vidal went on maternity leave and left her class in the hands of Zaldivar.

Coincidentally, Zaldivar did not arrive alone to snatch a teaching position. Two other Gables graduates have tagged along, all of whom were friends with each other while they attended the school as students, and who are happy to be here together now.

MATHHaving graduated from

the school in 2007, Eduardo Diaz has returned to his alma mater with a Master’s degree in Business Management from the University of Florida taking up the position as the school’s new IB Business and Geometry teacher.

“Originally, I got my teaching certification just to have more credibility as a tutor,” said Diaz, yet somehow, he wound up back here.

“It was really just chance. Some months after stopping by the school to visit my old teachers, I received a call from Ms. Suarez offering me a teaching position here,” said Diaz.

After five years away from the school, Diaz feels strange being back here as Cavalier once again and working alongside many of the teachers that once taught him.

“It’s a weird feeling when I walk through the halls. It’s reminiscent,” he said.

Thankfully, the math department has been very helpful in accustoming him to the bureaucratic process, which Diaz admits to not being very familiar with, and in accustoming him to his new place in the school.

SCIENCEFive years after

graduating from this school, Kelli Fraga returned with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Florida to be the new Biology and Chemistry teacher.

Although she originally came to the school with the intention of assisting the swimming and water polo teams, she eventually realized that teaching was her calling.

“I taught summer school one year for Breakthrough Miami and I really enjoyed it, and my passion is in science, so I just put two and two together,” said Fraga.

Like Diaz, Fraga feels strange teaching at the school because the students sitting and learning in the same seats she sat in only a few years ago.

“It’s a little surreal. I still can’t bring myself to call them by their first names,” Fraga said shyly.

Despite the occasional awkwardness that these three new teachers must experience, they are all glad that they have found a home here at the school, just as they did some years ago.

As Fraga puts it, “where better to help than my alma mater?”

BACK AS CAVS

Eduardo Diaz unexperctedly returns to the school as a math teacher.

Kelli Fraga, science teacher, came to the school with the intent to help with water polo and swimming.

Michelle Zaldivar, English teacher, has replaced Michelle Vidal.

Andrea Biondi/highlights

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sports highlightsNovember 2012 13

Nov

embe

r

MARK THE DATE to support our athletic teams and cheer them on!

Soccervs. Lourdes

Wed. at 3:30 p.m.at Coral Gables

Senior High14Girls Varsity

Basketballvs. Miami High

Wed. at 6:00 p.m.at Coral Gables

Senior High14Girls Varsity

Soccervs. Columbus

Fri. at 3:30 p.m.at Columbus Senior High16

Boys Varsity

Wrestlingvs. Coral Park

Sat. at 10:00 a.m.at Coral ParkSenior High17Junior Varsity

CAVALIERSTAT BOX

Varsity FootballLeague Record 3 - 6

OCT 12 Ferguson@ Southridge 20 - 7 L

Cavaliersvs

OCT 20 Cavaliers@ Curtis Park 0 - 41 L

Columbusvs

OCT 29 Miami High@ Curtis Park 13 - 10 L

Cavaliersvs

OCT 31 Coral Park@ CGHS 0 - 35 W

Cavaliersvs

Girls VolleyballLeague Record V:4 - 10 JV:10 - 3

SEP 24 South Miami@ CGHS V:0 - 3 L JV:0 - 2 L

Cavaliersvs

SEP 27 Cavaliers@ Reagan V:0 - 3 L JV:2 - 0 W

Reaganvs

OCT 2 Cavalier@ Miami High V:3 - 2 W JV:2 - 0 W

Miami Highvs

OCT 4 Miami Beach@ CGHS V:2 - 3 W JV:0 - 2 W

Cavaliersvs

OCT 9 Cavaliers@ M. Springs V:2 - 3 L JV:2 - 1 W

Miami Springsvs

OCT 11 B. Goleman@ CGHS V:3 - 0 W JV:2 - 1 W

Cavaliersvs

Breaking the athlete stereotypeFor over half a century, opinions on high school athletes

have been tainted by the classic image of the American jock; however, this stereotype seems to have lost its relevance in recent years. If anything, our school’s athletes are exemplars for the rest of the school, capable of excelling as scholars despite the countless hours they dedicate to practicing their sport and the physical fatigue that comes with it.

“For some reason, people look at me and would never guess that I am anything more than a swimmer,” said senior Anthony Soto, captain of the swimming team. In reality, he dedicates

almost all of his time to his studies and to training for this year’s State Championships.

Several other athletes follow similar schedules as Soto, yet it is unlikely that this behavior among athletes is a recent development.

“I don’t think athletes have changed much. Only our perception of them,” said senior Kevin Prado, captain of the school’s track and field team.

Female athletes have evidently avoided this stereotype of being dim-witted, as well.

“I assume that people see me first as a student and second as an athlete,” said senior Alexandra Riesco, a member of the girl’s varsity soccer team.

By Andrea BiondiSTAFF WRITER

Badminton preps for next title

By Cyrus ZeledonSTAFF WRITER

After last year’s successful season, the varsity badminton team reports optimism and high hopes for the upcoming season starting late January.

Last season, the varsity badminton finished as Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) Champions in Boys Singles, Girls Singles, and Mixed Doubles and received second place for the Boys and Girls Doubles. The team has been GMAC champions for 14 seasons.

“We always expect to win it all. If we don’t, we feel like we’re selling the Gables program short,” said head coach Steve Campagna.

Surprisingly, Campagna only started coaching both varsity

and junior varsity badminton teams the last school year.This upcoming season, the varsity badminton team said

they hope to attract a crowd of prospective players ready to receive the current players’ knowledge of the fundamentals of the game, which, according the current badminton players, is grounded in precision footwork and shuttlecock-handling techniques.

Campagna’s goals last year were to “take over the reins”, but this year it is to be “at the top of their game”. The team said that they are looking to continue the team legacy and to “give it their all” this season.

RACKETEERING: As the seniors from last year's championship varsity badminton team (center) move on to college and the juniors are promoted as the new team leaders, current seniors practice heavily to fill the experience void. Senior Maria Gutierrez (left) strikes the shuttlecock stragetically to continue the volley. Also a senior, Eugenio "Josh" Alvarez (right) practices smashing the birdie during a prior season's game. Not only are the seniors working on their skills, but are also mentoring incoming teammates.

They said that they want to “set the bar high” and “be better than before.”

“Since the seniors left last year, I hope to get a GMAC title once again and prove that Gables badminton is the best,” said junior badminton player Julian Falconi.

The badminton team has already had a meeting to recruit young players and to inform returning and new players about information regarding practice and open gyms. Campagna plans to have a few more meetings and to recruit more

members before the season starts.

‘ Since the seniors left last year, I hope to get a GMAC title once again and prove that Gables badminton is the best.Julian Falconi,junior badminton player

‘

Anthony Soto, seniorSwimming

GPA: unweighted: 3.2 weighted: 5.0Clubs: FBLASAT Score: 1780

Alexandra Riesco, seniorSoccer

GPA: unweighted: 4.0 weighted: 6.7Clubs: NHS, IBHSSAT Score: 2210

Kevin Prado, seniorTrack & Field

GPA: unweighted: 3.0 weighted: 4.7Clubs: Mu Alpha ThetaSAT Score: 1740

“Most swimmers are thought of as mindless athletes. I’m different because swimming isn’t the only thing that defines me.

“

“Most people think soccer players are primarily focused on athletics, but I’m academic, too.

“

“People think of runners as decent athletes minus the upper body strength.

“

Compiled by Andrea Biondi

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sports highlightsNovember 2012 14

After a long session of exercise, the body needs to replenish the electrolytes lost through sweat. The most effective solution is to drink sports drinks to meet your bodily needs.

One of the biggest problems athletes face when exercising is dehydration and losing essential minerals. When athletes lose these essential electrolytes, some symptoms

occur such as cramping, fatigue, and weakness. The loss of these electrolytes is caused by the low fluid level in the body of the athlete.

Sports drinks replenish these minerals which act like electrolytes. These electrolytes are sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium which are all essential in the body and cannot be found in water. By drinking sports drinks, it buffers the effects of both

mineral and fluid loss combined.

“Gatorade has antioxidants, electrolytes, and vitamins. It helps me pick up my energy when I play and acts as my wakeup call when I feel fatigued,” said junior volleyball player Andres Castro.

Besides dehydration and minerals lost, the body loses carbohydrates while exercising. The body burns carbohydrates as the muscles contract while exercising which creates a drop in the body's blood glucose levels. This causes a loss in energy, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and generally bad athletic performance.

Fortunately, sports drinks have high fructose corn syrup which acts like a carbohydrate. Water, on the other hand, has no carbohydrates nor does it have any vital minerals.

When exercising for more than an hour, be sure to drink sports drinks in order to replenish your bodily needs.

When people think of hydration, most always think “Gatorade,” and how could you blame them when you see the best of the best athletes promoting it as some sort of gift

from God that will guarantee victory in any physical activity. Water gets the job done and does so without all the unimportant ingredients in Gatorade.

Even if Gatorade does taste great, I only feel thirstier and my entire mouth as dry as if I have been chugging a glass of sand, the opposite of what I want.

Athletes like senior volleyball player Andrea Jaime also prefer water, noting that instead of quenching thirst, sports drinks usually just "make [her] thirstier."

The whole campaign of Gatorade is based on claims that it replenishes your

electrolytes, but it does this while

also subjecting you to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the curse word of the nutrition world, linked to both heart disease and liver damage. With water you completely avoid that and feel more rejuvenated too. Also, Gatorade is not a beverage for pleasure, so if you do not plan on doing any sort of physical activity after drinking it, you should especially be drinking water instead.

Gatorade is an expensive luxury and is completely inconvenient. If I am ever thirsty after any type of work-out there is always some kind of free water nearby; it can be from the tap or from a fountain for all I care. I do not have to search for a vending machine only to see Gatorade's price.

This miracle juice may accomplish the same goal as water, but does not live up to the hype its commercials create. Water is clearly the better choice if you are looking for function over taste.

NO

Water: the best thirst quencher?L u k a s a n d C y r u s o n . . .

YES

Commentary by Lukas GerogatosHEAD SPORTS WRITER

Commentary by Cyrus ZeledonSTAFF WRITER

Dumbbells and barbells weights are not, by any means, low-cost products, nor are they easy to store. The general price range for a set of dumbbells of various weights is between $200 and $300. Given that many of us probably

Resistance bandsBy Andrea BiondiSTAFF WRITER

Ransom trades pool for track

At the beginning of this year’s swim season, the Gables team began practicing at the Ransom pools instead of at AD Barnes Park. This arrangement was made when Ransom approached the school to use its track field as Ransom does not have any space left on remaining campus for the addition of a new track.

According to Gables Athletic Director Louis Romero, the school and Ransom have always had a relationship with the potential to facilitate an arrangement of the sort, but this is the first time a deal was pursued.

“The Ransom Everglades swimming facility is of much better quality than AD Barnes,” said Romero. “Both the swim team and the water polo team will benefit.”

Other than the better facilities, this arrangement will allow the school to save approximately $9,000 that would have otherwise been spent as rental fees at AD Barnes. Romero continued to say that these savings could then be spent in other areas of need.

For now, the school and Ransom plan on continuing this arrangement for future years of swimming, water polo, and track and field.

By Lukas GeorgatosHEAD SPORTS WRITER

“ “I prefer water because Gatorade makes me thirstier instead of quenching my thirst.

Speak Up!

- Andrea Jaimesenior (volleyball)

“ “Sometimes you need that sweet kick from Gatorade.

-Priscilla Rodriguez junior (soccer)

Vs.Water Sports drinks

XC to StatesFor two consecutive years, the girls varsity cross country

team captured the FHSAA 4A District 14 Championship on Oct. 30 at Larry and Penny Thompson Park.

“I’m very proud of our team this year. The Gables cross country team has come a long way since I was a freshman,” said senior Tori Convey, co-captain of the team.

The girls will compete in the state championships on Nov. 17 after winning regionals.

Varsity football team to playoffsSurging back from a disappointing start, the Cav varsity

football team has successfully clinched a spot in the district playoffs, following a tie breaker. Seeding was decided in a multi-team game, including the Cavaliers, Miami High Stingarees, and South Miami Cobras. Gables beat both those teams on their road to the playoffs

“We [made playoffs] by consistently worrying only about ourselves, not listening to the critics, having faith, and just

By Cyrus ZeledonSTAFF WRITER

believing,” said head coach Roger Pollard.On Thurs., Nov. 8, the team will face off against

Southwest High School, and will compete against North Miami Beach, both district champs in their respective areas. Pollard hopes to become the “district champ killer.”

“We set out [...] to make it to the playoffs, and here we are,” said Athletic Director Louis Romero.

According to Pollard, the seniors are the players to watch during the upcoming games as they may not participate in organized football in the future, motivating them to play to their full potential.

Bicep Curls Pull DownsChest Fly

cannot afford to purchase nor have the allotted space to store a set of dumbbells, I suggest using a much more manageable alternative: elastic bands. Apart from being more economical, easier to store, and much less dangerous than dumbbells, using elastic bands allows for a more versatile workout. Here are some ideas:

After placing the bands under your feet, pull the bands upward as you would with dumbbells.

Wrap the bands around a pole at chest height and while the arms keeping the arms bent, pull the bands inward.

Wrap the bands around a pole and with the torso bent parallel to the ground, pull the bands back.

By Andrea BiondiSTAFF WRITER

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highlightsNovember 2012 15the scene

Groove in the Grove O Cinema: By Araceli SanchezSTAFF WRITER

Nestled in the heart of Coconut Grove, former home of Ralph Munroe, pioneer of the Grove, The Barnacle has been perfectly preserved and made into a historic state park. The Barnacle Society, a volunteer, non-profit organization focused on preserving the property, was founded in 1985.

Since the society was made, it has held many events on the estate, including concerts by local bands and screenings of classic movies. People setup across the lawn with chairs and picnics to watch these special events, and enjoy the evening under Miami’s moonlit sky.

“In the late 1800s, Ralph Munroe discovered his paradise on the Florida frontier and sought to share it with those around him. It’s with that spirit we plan our special events and programs,” said Barnacle Park manager Katrina Boler.

The concerts, known as “Barnacle Under Moonlight” are scheduled from September to May on the second Friday of the month. “Starlight Movie Classics,” take place only twice a year strictly for members only.

During these special events the brick patio functions either as a stage or a custom made screen extending from the 2nd floor balcony, depending on which event is being held.

The Barnacle hosts the events in an effort to raise money to help complete their mission to generate public awareness and financial support to preserve the Barnacle. The concerts are seven dollars for people ten years or older, three dollars for kids ages six through nine and free for kids under six years old. According to Boler, who has been the park manager since 2003, the concerts and movies are “well-loved and well-attended,” by both members and non-members.

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BUCKS FOR BARNACLE: The Barnacle’s monthly concerts were created to bring awareness and funds to the historic home.

By Laura AcostaSTAFF WRITER

The typical Wynwood street consists of dull square warehouses lining the sidewalks with imposing fences and heavy aluminum doors, with the exception of a few upcoming businesses. Among these businesses stands O Cinema, with its outer walls completely covered in colorful murals and artwork, representing the overall feeling of the locale.

Inside the independent theater, a food and drink counter shares a small space with a gallery displaying the artwork of local artists that patrons can view while waiting for their movie to begin. The back of the transformed warehouse consists of a viewing room, with roughly 100 seats – and four couches – facing a small screen, showing movies that typically do not make it to movie theaters, much less those in Miami.

“Our goal was to bring movies that were otherwise not coming to Miami. We wanted to create a forum for independent, foreign and art films in Miami so that people didn’t have to miss what New York or LA or San Francisco has,” said Kareem Tabsch, co-founder and co-director of O Cinema.

Started in Febuary 2012 with a grant from the Knight Foundation, O Cinema has given Miami the chance to view films that are rarely seen and appeal to a variety of audiences. Apart from screening films, the cinema hosts multiple events throughout the year. According to Tabsch, one of the most attended is OMG! Dinner & A Movie, with gourmet food provided by Harry’s Pizzeria.

“We’re really lucky in having probably the youngest audience of any art house theater in the city. I think that speaks to our programing, which has broad appeals but certainly has a very current feeling, appealing to younger demographics,” said Tabsch.

IN TECHNICOLOR: O Cinema’s eclectic exterior attracts patrons to the Wynwood space.

Laura Acosta/highlights

Independent theater projects thought-provoking films

the scene highlightsNovember 2012 16

Mi Vida CaféProudly devoted to animal welfare, Mi Vida Café is

one of Miami’s few 100 percent vegan restaurants. The café, which is located on Biscayne Boulevard, aims to give Miamians a break from the common fast food and burger joints, Mi Vida Café offers dishes that avoid the use of animal products and other unnatural cooking processes such as microwaving or the use of genetically modified foods, not only doing the environment a favor, but your body as well. Patrons even have a view of the chef making each meal fresh to order.

Mi Vida Café receives its ingredients from local farmers to provide its patrons with a meal composed of fresh foods variable to seasonal availability. It serves juices, smoothies and many other dishes such as vegan pizzas and sloppy joes, making converting to a vegan lifestyle an easy choice to make.

Planting an interestHome to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s collection of tropical fruit from all around the world, the Fairchild

Farm, located in Homestead, is a learning environment for curious planters; offering various courses on growing techniques. It also serves as a fruit market on the weekends for those who wish to indulge in the delicious local and exotic fruits and their smoothies.

The farm has various collections of tropical fruit. Some are familiar like the avocado and the mango, but the farm also has strange fruits like the jackfruit and canistel. The collections were obtained due to scientists’ willingness to travel all around the world looking for the most exotic types of tropical fruits in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

The 20-acre property was donated by Frank Williams in 2003, but with the request that they use the space to help plant growers from all around the world.

Resident and international growers are constantly flowing in and out, visiting the farm in search of the latest growing techniques. The farm offers intriguing courses, some of which are in conjunction with Miami Dade College, that are available for the enjoyment of anyone who is willing to pay a fee. Some interesting options when choosing these one-day courses include grafting, beekeeping, food preservation/canning, and drying fruits and herbs. The Fairchild Farm also offers educational programs where guests from the community can learn about the 350 different types of mangos, including their juicy flavors and uses, all of which are presented during the program.

“I’d go to a course because it’s a good opportunity to learn about our natural resources and be healthy at the same time,” said sophomore Gretchen Villamil-Diaz.

Guests may also visit a fresh fruit market every Saturday and Sunday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, when the Fairchild Farm opens its doors to the public. Visitors are invited to try delicious fruit smoothies and buy fresh tropical fruit from the farm’s very own unique tropical fruit collection.

By Francis PérezSTAFF WRITER

My Choices CaféAmong the few Vegan restaurants in Miami, My

Choices Café is one that will serve up your favorite American dishes with a vegan twist. Located in The Roads, the café’s laid back atmosphere defines the restaurant’s attitude. Not only does the restaurant serve meals, it sells take home snacks which you can sample while waiting for your meal. My Choices Café is a vegan heaven, serving all organic juices and their signature “Super Smoothies”. The café features a ‘make your own pancake’ breakfast, where you can choose what ingredients go into your pancake. For lunch and dinner, My Choices Café clearly did not lack in creativity when planning out their meals. Complete with variations on vegan pizzas, tacos, burgers, wraps, and sandwiches, the hungry vegan will never get bored when eating at My Choices Café.

Massive effortThousands of bicyclists stream by while cars stuck

at intersections are either honking them on or cursing them out. These people are experiencing Critical Mass Miami, a worldwide biking event that happens every last Friday of the month, rain or shine. Critical Mass Miami is an organized group of local bicyclists, skaters, and skateboarders who seek to bring attention to the benefits of non-motorized transportation and promote sharing the road and the use of bicycles as an alternative to cars. Others are activists trying to get their city’s government to change their bicycling laws.

To promote these events, Critical Mass organizers pick a date and time to meet and publicize it around a city. Originating in San Francisco in 1992, it has since spread to over 300 cities world-wide, from Miami to San Francisco to Hong Kong to Paris.

The number of bicyclists participating in Miami has increased from about 12 people in 2007 to more than 2000 in the last few months.

Always starting at Government Center, the 12-to-16 mile bike course takes between one to two hours, and goes either north through Little Haiti or south through Coral Gables.

The group of cyclists functions as a mass, and do not allow any cars to disrupt the groups of bikes on the street, hence the name “Critical Mass”. The bikers do so by following a set of rules and using a technique known as corking. Corkers kindly explain what is happening to the people at intersections or just block the street with their bikes to stop the flow of traffic.

The next Critical Mass will take place Nov. 30, and an estimated 2000 cyclists will show up at the Government Center at 6:30 p.m. for a bike ride. All people are welcome to join the mass and support the cause.

By Araceli SanchezSTAFF WRITER

Miami vegetarian eateries: uncovered

Green Gables CaféA mere one and a half miles away from the school,

Green Gables Café prides itself in being one of Miami’s organic eateries. This family owned restaurant aims to provide its customers with “real food” at a reasonable cost. Although Green Gables Café isn’t completely vegan, it provides vegan dishes and alternatives for the hungry vegan. Among the organic food Green Gables Café serves, its vegan options include the “Vegan Burger” or the “Black Bean Veggie Burger”. In addition, they serve several artisan sandwiches and wraps as well as many other dishes. The café is open Monday through Friday until 4:30 in the afternoon, making it the perfect spot for an after-school snack.

By Rachel EnglishSTAFF WRITER

Healthy livin’Miami

ORDER UP: (From left to right) Green Gables’ salad special, Mi Vida’s tofu sandwich, and My Choice’s dairy-free cheesecake are all vegan options that do not lack delicious taste.

FRUITY INDULGENCE: The wooden gates of Fairchild Farm house a myriad of edible fruits and vegetables. The seasonal harvest is sold on the weekends to the public, as well as smoothies and specialized books.

Earthy folks who prefer a plate of greens to one of pork and beans and biking to driving now have an opportunity to engage even more in their healthy lifestyle. highlights presents Miami’s vibrant green scene.

Francis Pérez/highlightsCourtesy of M

i Vida Café

Courtesy of My Choices Café

Courtesy of Green Gables Café