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Sound of the Halls pg. 7 Entertainment pg. 12 News pg. 16
Sports pg. 18
The Viper Vibe
Volume 10, Issue 4
Felix Varela Sr. High School* 15255 S.W. 96 St.* Miami, FL 33196
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/fl/miami/fvhs
www.vipervoice.com
January 2011
News Briefs
Ophiuchus
added as 13th
Zodiac sign
Astrological signs are
established by the relation
between the constellations
on a person’s day of birth
to the position of the
sun. Now that the earth’s
position has shifted, the
starshavealtered,changing
the perspective of the sky.
Consequently, a new sign
was welcomed to the
zodiac, Ophiuchus, which
falls on Nov. 29 – Dec. 17.
This sign, however, is not
novel; it was a formation
the ancient Babylonians
neglected, wanting an
even number; the number
13 is considered unlucky.
If someone follows the
tropical zodiac, which in
the Western hemisphere,
most of us likely do,
nothing has changed. This
is due to the fact that the
tropical zodiac is fixed to
seasons, as compared to
the Eastern hemisphere’s
sidereal zodiac, which is
fixed to the constellations.
Best of movies
in 2010
Even though movie sales
were down in 2010, there
were enough great movies
that really defined the year
well and introduced new
classics.
Big Screen Bashes of
2010
1. Toy Story 3
2. Alice in Wonderland
3. Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows Part 1
4. Inception
5. Shrek Forever After
6. The Twilight Saga:
Eclipse
7. Iron Man 2
8. Despicable Me
9. How to Train Your
Dragon
10. Clash of the Titans
Index
Community gathers to
walk for Madison
photo courtesy of nasa.gov
Editorial .........................2
Attitudes......................2-4
Bulletin Board................5
Sound of the Halls ......6-9
Entertainment..........12-15
News ............................16
Sports ......................17-18
News
by Pattrik Simmons
Copy Editor
After 17 years of being
instituted, “don’t ask,
don’t tell,” the policy that
prohibited gay U.S. Armed
Forces service members
from being open about
their sexual orientation,
was officially repealed on
Dec. 22, 2010, by President
Barack Obama’s signature.
The Senate voted to
overturn the military policy
on Saturday, Dec. 18, in
Washington, D.C., with a
vote of 65-31.
But before it arrived
at the Senate, the act
passed through the House
of Representatives, with a
by Stefany Gomez
co-Editor-in-Chief
I love ‘Black Ops’
‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ law repealed
photo with permission Abaca Press/MCT
President Barack Obama, surrounded by lawmakers and bill supporters,
repealed the “don’t ask, don’t tell” act in Washington, D.C.,
Wednesday, December 22, 2010.
Circa 65,000 youth live as
outcasts in their own community.
They are part of the 3 million students
who graduate from U.S. high
schools each year; however, this
minority is unable to be part of the
“American Dream.”
They are incapable of obtaining
a driver’s license, working
legally, furthering their education
and paying taxes to contribute to
the economy because they hold the
name of “illegal immigrant,” regardless
of the fact that they have
lived in the United States for most
of their lives and were brought into
this country by their guardian.
“In short, although these children
have built their lives here,
they have no possibility of achieving
and living the American dream.
What a tremendous loss for them,
and what a tremendous loss to our
society,” said former Republican
Sen. Orrin Hatch (dreamact.info).
In order to solve this problem,
the DREAM (Development,
Relief, and Education for Alien
vote of 250 to 175.
The repeal, officially
titled Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Repeal Act 2010, gives gay
service members the right
to serve openly.
Many Republican
senators were against
repealing the military
policy, including former
presidential candidate John
McCain.
“Today is a very sad
day,” he said.
The commandant of
the U.S. Marine Corps,
Gen. James F. Amos,
said that allowing gays to
serve openly could cause
more casualties on the
battlefield because of their
“distraction.”
Minors) Act was introduced as a
bipartisan legislation that would
grant undocumented youth who
meet all the requirements with the
opportunity of obtaining legal status.
The bill was first established
in 2001 and has since failed to go
into effect.
“These immigrants want nothing
more than to be recognized and
to have the opportunity to succeed
like any other person their age in
this country,” said senior Alejandra
Del Giovane.
The qualifications under the
act specify that the undocumented
scholars must have been brought
to the U.S. more than five years
ago at the age of 15 or younger and
are currently below the age of 35.
They must have graduated from
high school or attained a GED and
demonstrate good moral character.
During the six-year period of
legal residence, the student will
need to complete at least two years
of college or university towards
a four-year degree, or serve in
the U.S. military for at least two
years.
Oasis of the Seas sails
out of Miami
“ W h e n
your life hangs on
the line, you don’t
want anything
d i s t r a c t i n g .
Mistakes and
inattention or
d i s t r a c t i o n s
cost Marines’
lives. We’ve got
Marines at Walter
Reed with no
limbs,” he said,
in an interview
with reporters at
the Pentagon four
days before the
repeal.
S e n i o r
Miguel Salazar,
the Gay-Straight
Alliance treasurer
for Varela, is satisfied with
the repeal, saying:
“I’m supportive of
[the repeal] because...
prohibiting a person [from
serving in the armed
forces] based on sexual
orientation is no different
than judgment based on
looks or gender.”
On the other hand,
though, Varela’s NJROTC
Senior Naval Science
Instructor, Gunnery
Sergeant Eduardo Lowe,
strongly disagrees with
the repeal, because he
believes that allowing gay
service members to serve
openly destroys military
readiness.
“People want to
separate themselves or
don’t want to deal with
people who have that
kind of lifestyle. That’s
your choice. That person
chooses to live that kind
of lifestyle, so I don’t
think that others should be
forced to accept or to deal
with that,” he said.
Sgt.Lowealsobelieves
that the “Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell” policy is important to
the armed forces because
it helps with “some people
who are homophobic.”
“I agree with it for
the simple reason that, as
long as the person does not
put his or her business out
there, people would not
judge him or her according
to what their lifestyle is
all about. It’s a lifestyle,
so therefore, not everyone
wants to know your
lifestyle. What you don’t
know won’t hurt you,” he
said.
According to Reuters,
although the policy was
repealed, the Pentagon
needs several months “to
educate service members
and prepare for the policy
change.”
In other words, “if
you’re gay, don’t come
out,” said attorney Dan
Woods of the Log Cabin
Republicans, a GOP
organization that advocates
Permanent citizenship would
be granted at the end of the six-year
period if the student has met these
requirements and has continued to
maintain good moral character.
Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah)
opposes the act because he feels it
is a Democratic political tool.
Resurfacing once more in
2010, the DREAM Act failed to
pass again. the Senate voted on
Dec. 18, 2010, to bypass a filibuster
of the act, but fell short by five
votes.
“I would like to personally see
it pass; I do not hold these young
people at fault for the issues that
their parents put upon them,” said
social studies teacher Roxanne
Sanders, who is an Independent.
The total of the final vote was
55-41. Votes fell mainly along party
lines; Florida’s Republican Sen.
George LeMieux opposed the bill,
while Florida’s Democrat Sen. Bill
Nelson supported the bill.
According to Huffington Post,
there were four senators who chose
not to vote; among those was Sen.
Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), who
missed the opportunity to vote
Boys’ soccer
equal rights for gay and
lesbianAmericans, because
the policy is still in place
until they complete the
preparation, which also
means that gays cannot
enlist openly for the time
being.
Preparations possibly
include the creation of
differentbathroomfacilities
and living quarters for gay
men and lesbians, but the
chances of those changes
being implemented are
slim.
“Separate facilities
would, in our view,
stigmatize gay and
lesbian service members
in a manner reminiscent
of ‘separate but equal’
facilities for blacks prior
to the 1960s,” according
to a report published
in November 2010 by
Gen. Carter Ham and Jeh
Johnson, that studied the
issues that could result
from repealing “Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell.”
It is still unclear
whether service members
that received an involuntary
honorable discharge under
the policy will be able to
return, because they are
usually assigned the RE-4
re-enlistment code, a ruling
that makes the majority of
them ineligible to come
back.
News
Dream Act fails to pass in Congressional vote
because he was attending a Christmas
party
“I feel bad for the fact that the
act did not pass, but I also believe
that nations have rules to control
immigration,” said science teacher
Richard Lapworth, who is also an
Independent.
During a debate against Hillary
Clinton in 2008, President
Barack Obama stated that the
DREAM Act was something that
could be done immediately and
made a top priority (change.org).
Some of the students who may
have qualified for the DREAM Act
are now facing deportation, regardless
of their spotless criminal
records (huffingtonpost.com).
”Those against the DREAM
Act should remember that this
country would be nothing without
immigrants,” said Del Giovane.
However, there is still hope
for immigrants; the bill can still be
passed, but not in its current form.
Congress, as well as the president,
is now working to bring immigration
laws up to date, The outcome
and its time period remains
unclear (communitychange.org).

2
Editorial
January 2011
Land of the free
home of the natives
It’s ironic, the fact that the
United States is a country made
up of immigrants, yet, when it
comes to immigration related
issues they seem to be quite
discriminating. We call that
hypocrisy.
The fact that those brought
into this country at a young age
are excluded to live up to all
the country has to offer is an
absolute shame.
Last year ended with yet
another attempt to pass the
DREAM Act, a bill intended
to offer a path to citizenship
for illegal immigrants’ children
who have come into this country
before the age of 16, obtained a
high school diploma and who
will proceed to complete either
two years of military service or
college.
Yes, the DREAM Act
would be executed as a
bandage on immigration issues;
however, for the time being,
it is the best solution. In the
future, when immigration laws
are reevaluated, we may come
back to this act and reform it or
maybe even eliminate it.
It is completely unfair that
this special group of immigrants
is being held accountable for
actions their guardians have
committed and in which they
had no say.
It is even sadder to think
that these young people, who
hold little connection with
their native country, speak
English, have worked hard in
school and maintained a good
moral character, are unable to
obtain a driver’s license, work
and further their education and
have no other choice but to
take illegal actions in order to
continue living.
We also have to keep in
mind that a percentage of those
who apply to the DREAM Act
are not only immigrants, but
also people who have a VISA
and are in the United States
legally. They are suffering now
that their immigration papers
are behind.
The greatest issue seems to
be the probability of documents
being falsified which provides
evidence that these immigrants
have lived in the United States
for more than five years and
came in before the age of 16.
Personally, this issue is
absurd. Schools have each
student’s ID number, which
contains all of their data; it seems
to be practically impossible to
falsify any sort of document
when it can be easily proven.
We do not see how allowing
this group to contribute with
taxes will in any way damage
the country, on the contrary,
instead of taking and giving
nothing back, they will now
have the opportunity to give
back to this country all that it
deserves.
Allowing the DREAM
Act to pass will provide this
deserving youth with the
opportunity to go beyond deadend
jobs and allow them to step
out of the shadows and into the
light, once and for all.
The most outstanding
factor in this whole matter is
that these brave young groups of
immigrants have exposed their
faces, revealed their names and
risked deportation because of
the efforts to make their dreams
come true.
Let’s go back to December
1, 1955, in Montgomery, Ala.,
where Rosa Parks did not give
up her seat because she knew
she deserved the same rights
as whites, risking the chance
of being sent to jail – which, in
fact, she was.
The saddest part is that these
are young people – children.
How can the government
have the heart to deprive these
children of what they deserve?
Now, in 2011, the issue is
neither racism nor machismo; it
is immigration.
What we find amusing
is that “we the people” elect
senators to represent our state
and to vote on our behalf, and
four of the 100 senators decided
not to vote, and as it is well
known during election time,
“a vote makes a difference.”
One of those senators, Sen. Joe
Manchin (D-W. Va.), missed
the opportunity to vote because
he was attending a Christmas
party. Nice to know they have
their priorities straight.
Of course, there should
be immigration regulations,
but these young people are
an exception now that they
were brought into this country
without their consent and should
therefore have somewhat of a
special treatment.
The DREAM Act should
be passed, because as cliché
as it may sound, it will make
these young people’s dreams
come true. It will provide them
the opportunity to obtain better
jobs, further their education,
contribute to their country,
and nonetheless, be part of the
“American dream.”
Welcome them home.
Custodians not to blame for bathrooms
column by Michael Formosa
Staff Reporter
Why does it seem like every
time I walk into the bathroom, I’m
entering the set of ‘SAW 3’? Is it
the custodial staff? Or is it the immaturity
of my peers? Our school
is in a constant struggle trying to
keep our bathrooms clean. But
who is to blame?
Students say that it’s our
school’s custodial staff that never
cleans the bathrooms. I beg to
differ; I’ve witnessed students
vandalizing the bathroom, for
example when I found urine all
over the wall. Maybe the custodial
staff isn’t to blame, but the
immaturity of some students who
ruin it for the rest of us. I believe
that we should all take some
initiative and keep our bathrooms
clean. After all, it’s basic common
courtesy. I find it very immature
that people can’t do a simple task
such as flushing.
Seeing the way people treat
the bathrooms make me question
how much we evolved from
monkeys. It’s really sad how
people can’t press a lever, but
then again I don’t blame them for
not wanting to touch it. Maybe
if we had actual soap and paper
towels in the bathroom, people
would be influenced to be more
humane. Even the blow dryers
in the concreteables are out of
order. The men’s bathroom in
concreteable A is even missing
dividers between urinals.
Maybe the condition of the
bathrooms, is contributing to
the way the students are treating
them. If students had better
toiletries, they would be more
sensitive to the bathrooms. Due
to lack of funding, our custodial
staff is forced to buy low grade
bathroom supplies. That makes
our bathrooms unappealing, and
makes our students not care about
the condition that they’re in.
It’s clear the bathrooms
don’t seem to be a priority when
it comes up to dividing the
school budget. Even though our
custodial staff works hard on
keeping our bathrooms clean, it’s
hard for them to work with kids
that don’t respect the bathrooms.
It’s also hard for kids to respect
the bathroom if no money is put
into them; and due to a restricted
budget no money can be put into
it. It’s just a revolving door of
mayhem and contradictions that
seems to never end.
But there is hope, people can
start making changes. Just because
we are not provided with
high class toiletries doesn’t mean
we can act like it. I believe if we
changed our habits we can make
this fine institution a better place.
Scanners infringe on privacy rights
column by Marien Gonzalez
Staff Reporter
Airports all over the nation
have taken the initiative to improve
security after an incident
in Detroit on Christmas Day two
years ago. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab
was accused of taking
a bomb aboard Northwest Airline
Flight 253. The bomb consisted
of a packet of PTN powder
sewn into his briefs. He has been
charged with “[attempt to] use a
weapon of mass destruction, attempted
murder, willful attempt
to destroy an aircraft, placing a
bomb on a plane and possession
of a destructive device” (www.
mahalo.com).
With hopes of preventing
other terrorists’ attacks, airports
have opted to use body scanners
and pat-downs. According to
Carol Pucci of the Seattle Times,
the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) plans
on installing new full-body
scanners at U.S. airport security
checkpoints. Although TSA has
been testing the scanners since
2007, Congress approved the
program for nationwide rollout
after the bomb incident with
Abdulmutallab.
“TSA plans to have 450
scanners installed in 50 U.S.
airports, both big and small, this
year, and 500 more next year,
performing what it calls advanced
image technology,” said Pucci
(seattletimes.nwsource.com).
Our government’s attempt
to ensure national security is
admirable. However, many
wonder if this attempt has gone
a little overboard. Questions
about health risks and violation
of privacy have arisen. Scanned
images of women and men have
appeared all over the Internet.
Some of these images reveal
hidden weapons underneath
clothing articles. The scanners
seem to serve their purpose well
by detecting these weapons easily.
However, people are concerned
about the scanners revealing one’s
genitals.
Although many take the risk
of being exposed in order to ensure
security while flying, others feel
as if the scanners violate their
right to the Fourth Amendment:
“The right of the people to be
secure in their persons…” For
someone who isn’t insecure about
his or her body figure, the scanner
might be something minimal, but
what about the many American’s
who don’t necessarily have a high
self-esteem?
If one refuses to go through
the scanner, the only alternative
is the pat-down, which means
having to be touched by a
complete stranger. So, which one
seems worse: the scanners or the
pat-downs? At the end of the day,
the airport’s new form of security
is grossly invasive.
There are two types of
scanners being used in airports:
millimeter wavelength imaging
and backscatter X-ray scanners.
Concerns about exposure to too
much radiation seem to be on
many travelers’ minds.
Dr. James Thrall of the
American College of Radiology
says that “the exposure is
extremely low.” He also stated
that “the X-rays used in the
backscatter machines in airports
have such low energy that they
literally bounce off the skin.”
For those Americans who
only fly once a year, the exposure
to radiation may be something
minimal. But what about the many
Americans who are forced to fly
around the world on business
travels? On many occasions
many of these business flights
occur on a weekly basis. What
about pregnant women? What
about those who are completely
unaware of their early pregnancy?
What about children and those
who are constantly ill? (www.
reuters.com)
“Ionizing radiation in the Xrayspectrumdamagesandmutates
both chromosomal DNA and
structural proteins in human cells.
If this damage is not repaired, it
can lead to cancer. New research
shows that even very low doses
of X-ray can delay or prevent
cellular repair of damaged DNA,
raising questions about the safety
of routine medical X-rays” (www.
infowars.com).
Dr. John Gofman, Professor
Emeritus of Molecular and Cell
Biology at the University of
California, has completed extent
research on radiation which has
led him to conclude that “there
is no safe dose-level of ionizing
radiation.” (www.infowars.com)
Is increasing the risk of
developingcancerreallynecessary
in order to prevent a plane from
exploding? I think I speak for
most of the American population
when I say that’s one risk I’m
not willing to take. I would much
rather drive a great deal of miles
than become a growing statistic.
To what extent is the American
government willing to sacrifice
our privacy and health?
Terrorists will somehow
manage to find new ways to carry
explosives on board a plane.
Sooner or later, they will learn
about ways to make explosives
edible. What will our tough
government attempt to do then?
Blood test everyone before they
board the plane? Take urinary
samples and test the substances?
There’s only so much that
can be done to ensure national
security. At some point we must
learn to accept the harsh reality of
these terrorist situations. We must
learn to take the risk. Flying will
always be a risk. Even without
terrorist attacks, many things can
go wrong during a flight.
Those of us brave enough to
board a plane in order to reach a
desired destination will just have
to learn to deal with whatever life
throws at us.
Discrimination against all skateboarders is truly unfair
coulmn by Jonathan Cuartas
Staff Reporter
Skateboarding gives me a
chance to escape the everyday
mayhem in my life; a chance to
hang with the buds and cruise
around the city until nightfall;
a chance to have a good time.
Unfortunately, sometimes my
good times are hindered by the
thwarted views of society on us
skateboarders. The dirty looks are
column by Kimberly Slichter
Staff Reporter
In the last issue, co-Editor-in-
Chief Stefany Gomez talked about how
Limewire, the infamous file sharing program
that overly-abused its power, was officially
shut down following a heated court
endless, the comments demeaning
and the actions taken unbelievable.
In one instance, my friends
and I were standing outside
a pizza shop when suddenly,
without warning, a livid associate
crashed through the doors of the
shop and began yelling at us with
no mercy.
“We weren’t doing anything. Just
standing and talking. And the guy
just attacked us out of nowhere,”
said freshman Daniel Areas.
Yes, we had our skateboards,
but we weren’t even using them
on the property. Yet still, he
continued to harass us with his
words. A crowd gathered and
it seemed everyone was on his
side. Why you ask? Because
we had skateboards: an object
that immediately tagged us as
criminals. What were we doing
that was such a crime? Soliciting?
Standing? A simple “You guys
case concerning copyright infringement.
I was ecstatic, overjoyed, rapturous,
if you will, to know that this had finally
happened. To dampen my spirits, however,
was the reaction of those around me, and
honestly I don’t understand how I didn’t
see it coming.
In this “click away” age of ours, of
course, people wouldn’t have anywhere
near the same reaction. Outage filled the
web and users disgustingly mourned, almost
as if this abusive obscenity was a deceased
relative.
These actions make it seem as if people
are aggravated that musicians might have
a chance at not working two jobs to keep
their dreams alive. Illegal downloading
exemplifies the excess of greed in our
society because, quite frankly, that’s what
it all boils down to.
People are too selfish to pull the
Do You Agree?
cannot skate here” would have
done the trick, but he insisted on
being brash with us.
Not every skateboarder
vandalizes. Not every
skateboarder does drugs or drinks
alcohol excessively. Not every
skateboarder curses at old ladies
or harasses pedestrians.
“Skateboarding keeps me
busy. It’s something I do to have
a fun time,” said senior Alec
Meneses. “Just ‘cause I want to
skate through the streets does not
mean I’m a pothead. It’s just the
opposite. Skateboarding keeps
me away from drugs and keeps
me active.”
These are all just naïve
generalizations. It is just like
saying every Latino is Mexican
and mows lawns for a living, or
saying that every Asian is Chinese
and eats rice daily with chopsticks.
Sure, some skateboarders may
break the law, but the rest of us
shouldn’t be punished for their
misdemeanors.
A lot of these misled views
on skateboarders are due to
negative propaganda. Movies
such as ‘Lords of Dogtown’
perceive skateboarders as
rebellious miscreants to society.
Commercials often show that
skateboarders are creating havoc
in the city streets. Even shows
such as ‘Jackass’ contribute to the
negative views on skateboarders
since the majority of them are
reckless skateboarders.
If we take a further look
back into the past, the views on
skateboarders don’t seem as
murky as today’s. In the 1950s,
during the time of hula hoops and
yo-yos, skateboarding became
a prominent hobby. It was
accepted.
Major companies like Hobie
and Makaha struggled to keep
up with the high demand of
money out of their pockets to buy a CD
anymore or even 99 cents to download
a single off of iTunes. I understand that
we’re in a recession, but that gives us even
more reason to support the music industry
during these difficult times.
For those who can’t afford to buy
music, I understand where they’re coming
from. Nevertheless, that is no excuse. I
didn’t buy my first CD until the sixth grade
because I didn’t have the money before
that time.
What did I do until then? I listened to
the radio. I watched music videos in the
wee hours of the morning on MTV with
my sister.
I’m not perfect. I’m far from it, but at
least I realized how much of an effort was
put into the songs I was listening to.
Through all of this, there is one thing
that gets under my skin easier than anything
3
skateboards. Even skateboarding
competitions were looked forward
to as an event where fans could
enjoy a fun and positive day. The
look of skateboarding in general
was the complete opposite of
what it is today.
After analyzing the brighter
past of skateboarding, it is
apparent that it is just as much an
American pastime as baseball or
movies, and should be revered as
so.
Yes, some skateboarders
may be rebellious and tenacious,
but most skateboarders are just
looking for a good time. It is
unfortunate to see that views on
skateboarders have plummeted
over the past few decades. It is
ultimately up to us skateboarders
to refurbish these tarnished
views.
“We are not criminals. We’re
just trying to have a good time,”
said Meneses.
Illegally downloading music puts one in jail, don’t do it
else. Think about how many times someone
has said “Music is my life!” I’ve heard this
statement millions of times, and sadly it’s
said most often by those who download
illegally.
If someone loved something with their
very existence, then they would want to see
it thrive, right? Obviously, this is no longer
the case. Who cares about morals when
you can get something for free?
People are nothing more than
inconsiderate, and thus, this matter will
probably always have to be dealt with,
especially when the day comes that CDs
are no longer in circulation.
If we truly love music, we shouldn’t
take advantage of it being a free-access
resource, and buy a song for a change. Give
it a chance, and let the beauty of sound
flourish into the state in which it once was
held.
Autism affects more children every day
column by
Joseph Cardenas
Section Editor
Autism is a spectrum disorder
that impairs social skills, makes
it difficult to communicate and
makes one prone to repetitive
patterns and behaviors. It is a
group of developmental brain
disorders known as Pervasive
Developmental Disorders (PDD)
(autismspeaks.org). “Today, it
is estimated that one in every
110 children is diagnosed with
autism, making it more common
than childhood cancer, juvenile
diabetes and pediatric AIDS
combined.”
I have autism. My kind
of autism is called Asperger’s
Syndrome, which is at the higher
functioning end of the spectrum.
It’s not readily detectable and
most people, when they meet
me, do not know that I have it.
But meeting me and seeing me
walk the halls does not tell people
what’s going on in my head. I see
patterns and a set order that no
one can understand.
My brain gets filled with so
many ideas that I have to write
them down on paper so I won’t
lose the information I have.
Things fly over my head without
me noticing them one bit. I zone
out when I hear a word or see
something that makes me think
about another thing which makes
me think about another thing and
so on and so forth. I love to read
books, but I don’t go deep into the
characters or situations because I
don’t see the deeper meanings
to things. This is the real major
problem for me.
I can’t read body language
and facial expressions, so I’m
almost always afraid to say
something because I don’t know
if what I say will offend someone.
It’s especially hard for me to think
about what I’m feeling. Having
an opinion about something and
what I emotionally feel about
something are two completely
different things, you know that?
I could state 50 topics where I
actually have my own opinion,
yet I couldn’t actually tell what I
felt about the topic. I’m not sure
if I just can’t find the words or if
I have the emotional range of a
teaspoon.
I also have very repetitive and
seemingly obsessive behaviors; I
probably listen to a favorite song
like 25 times a day at minimum.
When something actually catches
my attention, I’m hooked until
my phase tones down. When I
say phases, I mean a long time
of “obsessing” over the thing
the phase is about. My recent
phases have lasted up to a year
and maybe two to three months,
but currently, I’m going through
the ending period of a phase I’ve
had since I was seven-years-old.
It takes a long time at night for
my brain to slow down enough
for me to go to sleep.
I forget things that don’t
impact my range of interest or
I just simply forget things in
general, so I write things down
because of this, but if something
impacts me directly, I’ll remember
it for the longest time.
This order in my head I
mentioned earlier has recently
gotten me paying attention
to popularity charts such as
Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles
chart and the Box Office reviews,
which has led me to listing
movies and music that I like in
clever mathematical ways to be
“accurate” results -- but really, it
just keeps my brain going, which
is really hardwired for math. I’m
wicked at solving functions and
formulas, as long as I know what
they are.
And once I am taught to do
something a certain way, that is
always the way I will do it. Don’t
ask me to do it differently. Don’t
ask me to improvise. Change is
very hard for me.
It’s hard on me to live in this
world and try to be on the same
level as the average person, but
I still live it. I was brought up to
not use my autism as an excuse,
which I do not. I understand who
I am and all my quirks and I don’t
let them get the best of me.
My disability doesn’t control
my life.
Let us know
ecardenas@dadeschools.net

4
January 2011
Modern teenagers’ perspective on love lacks integrity
column by Brittany Villega
Staff Reporter
When one’s walking around outside,
feelings of what seems like genuine love
and happiness begin to engulf their body.
Feelings that seem to be radiating off of the
“happy” couples that walk around them.
But let them stop and take a look around
When I glance around me, I see the
truth. I see fake smiles plastered onto these
so-called “happy” couples, meant to hide
the discomfort and continuous feelings of
never being satisfied. Discomfort and unease
stemming from the known fact that
neither of them have met the other’s emotional
needs.
A fake smile, a forced laugh and a
false thank you. Has anyone else taken
notice of this disease that has taken control
of our society? Can anyone recall the true
definition of what romance is? People think
dinner date and some flowers. But is that
really what romance is?
Our society has conjured up a grand
idea that romance is “one size fits all,”
a false idea that something like a box of
chocolates is romantic. But in reality, it
isn’t.
Just like each person in this world
is unique in their own ways, romance is
specially designed differently for each
of us, and it’s not one “generic brand.”
February 14 has become a day to go buy
chocolates and flowers for our loved ones,
in which we return with an “Awww, how
romantic. Thanks.”
But once again, that’s not what
romance is. Romance is understanding and
fulfilling someone else’s emotional needs.
One has to think about the other person’s
needs and not necessarily what they want.
Let’s say what brightens up someone’s
partner’s day, and brings a smile to their
face, is poetry. One day their partner is
upset so they bring them a teddy bear
because they assume that’s what their
partner wants because that’s what society
thinks is romantic.
Nowadays, since one is blinded by
reality, one would consider that an act
of romance, but it isn’t, it’s just a kind
gesture. It would have been romantic had
they forgotten about societal standards and
done what they knew would make their
partner happy.
Because that’s what romance is – giving
up what one prefers or wants to make
the person they care for happy. It seems
like a pain and a sacrifice. But that’s what
one does when they truly care for someone.
One does something that will truly make
them smile -- whether it’s taking them to
see a boxing match, or walking with them
in the park.
Because romance is different for everyone,
and not one person is alike.
Every person needs a father’s influence
by Andrew Tomlinson
Staff Reporter
Today’s society is more
tolerant of the single household
parent. “Momma’s baby and
daddy’s maybe” is the saying,
because in the end, only the
mother truly knows it was her
kid. This would explain the more
believable situation of the father
that bailed at birth and the single
mother left to take of the child
alone.
Absent fathers are defined as
thosewhodonotinteractwiththeir
children on a regular basis, do not
fund financially (child support /
allowance), and consequently, do
not play a significant role in their
development.
Divorce, death and
abandonment are all forms of
absence affecting the female and
male development differently.
The age at which a daughter
loses her father has meaning
since it influences her perception
of overall males. I saw my older
sister grow up lacking a sense of
protection, this possibly leading
to her early pregnancy, never
attempting college and an all
Miami colleges offer great education
column by Ana Jimenez
Staff Reporter
Senior year is full of fun-filled events
and activities to keep seniors’ minds busy
for a while, however, when all of that is
said and done, the real question arises
– what college will I apply for and further
my education?
For our very own Vipers, it’s always
nice to know that we’ve stretched the limits
and have decided to apply for more popular
and prestigious schools such as the University
of Florida, University of Miami and
University of Central Florida.
The list may go on but no one is ever
comfortable in admitting that they are applying
to or have been accepted to FIU or
Miami Dade; it’s almost as a last resort
to some. However, for others, FIU could
mean the world to them from a big spectrum:
lower costs, better scholarship money
or even a more prestigious area of what
they want to study.
At the end of the day, life is what we
make of it; the range of student dedication
and goals is what makes the education.
No one is to say FIU or Miami Dade
are “bad” schools. In fact, Miami Dade is
no longer a community college and it is the
largest school in the Florida college system.
It also includes a variety of courses
and gives the chance to receive Associate’s
and Bachelor’s degrees from liberal arts all
the way to nursing.
Along with all these great chances,
Miami Dade also has a high percentage of
students who continue their education at
a four-year university immediately after
graduation. All in all, it just makes more
sense to save money for those of us who
are not yet ready to leave.
“I think the reason so many of us
don’t want to attend Miami Dade or FIU is
because it’s all we’ve ever known. We want
to see new people and get out of Miami,”
said senior Kelsy Valencia. “Going to
Miami Dade will just be a 13th and 14th
grade, and we will continue to see the same
people.”
As far as FIU, there are so many
students that fail to realize its high potential
because of their tunnel vision to applying
to what is “popular.”
Florida International University holds
a place for diverse learning and ideas; it has
a vast amount of programs for Associate’s
to doctor degrees in areas like medicine,
business and law. FIU even has sororities
and fraternities to fulfill the college
experience.
Along with offering their higher
education, for those of us who live near the
campuses, we can save money, have jobs
and live at home where, let’s face it, life is
much more comfortable.
Overall, the college experience is one
that needs to continue straight out of high
school. FIU and Miami Dade are clearly
schools we should learn to consider and not
reject.
around defensive attitude.
Growing up fatherless
can also change the view of
male interaction during their
livelihood. A teen girl could
become somewhat naïve that
all guys are nice and sweet, or
they’re not worth the time of day,
all unexpressed resentment and
confusion towards the father.
As for women who had
fathers, they may not always
have great success in life, but
being “daddy’s little girl,” they
have a more secure environment
and confidence boost to strive for
success.
As a
fatherless male
myself, I know
the hardships that
come without
having a dad.
With a lack of a father, the son is
parented by the mother. In turn, it
also alters the perception of older
males to the son.
Older men involved in their
lives can be viewed two ways:
someone trying to replace their
father or a deadbeat just like their
dad.
In the later years, the male
may struggle as a father himself
as he had none by which to learn.
So, without a father, “the chip off
the ol’ block” lives a life with a
chip on his shoulder.
After effects of absent
fathers of youths in father-absent
households have significantly
higher odds of incarceration than
those in mother-father families.
A2002 Department of Justice
survey of 7,000 inmates revealed
that 39 percent of jail inmates
lived in mother-only households
(Department of Justice).
Approximately 46 percent of jail
inmates in 2002 had a previously
incarcerated family member. Onefifth
experienced a father in prison
or jail (fatherhood.families.com).
It’s sad that kids growing
up today will have to get used to
knowing “father” as just a name
without a face.
Dates to Remember Cap Corner
February 3 - Early Release Day
February 17 - Sr. Movie Night
February 18 - Teacher Planning Day
February 21 - President’s Day - No School
March 1 - Florida Writes
March 3 - Early Release Day
Headliners and Heroes
The following students won awards at the District 17 competition for Career
Education Clubs of Florida: Child Care 4 th place – Katherine Fernandez (12);
Information Technology 1 st place – David Romero (12) and 2 nd place – Maurice Cortes
(12); Customer Service 4 th place – Wendy Lorenzo (12) and 6 th place – Maria Del Risco
(11); Hospitality 6 th place – Viviana Campana (12); Financial Math 1 st place – Katya
Sarmiento (11), 3 rd place – Kayla Richman (12), 4 th place – Carlos Barrios (12), 5 th
place – Jasmin Diaz (12), and 6 th place – Ivana Montano (12); Job Interview 2 nd place
– Jasmin Diaz; Graphics Design Promotion 1 st place – Juan Montero (12).
Ms. Escobar and the FFA Varela students were the only high school in Miami-
Dade County to advance to the state competitions in the Preliminary State Dairy Career
Development Event (CDE). The preliminary event was held December 10, 2009,
throughout Florida. Eighty (80) teams from throughout Florida gathered to compete for a
spot in the State Dairy CDE.
The Varela SECME club participated in the Annual SECME Olympiad last Saturday
and was successful in three events. Geoffrey Alava (12) – 3 rd place in Essay, Francisco
Lozada (11), Nicole Dasneves (12), and Kenneth Marentes (12) – 3 rd place in Robotic
Arm, and Francisco Lozado, Tiffany Brodie (10), and Haroldo Rodriguez (11) – 1 st
place in Banner.
Yearbook
Buy your sweetie a yearbook
for Valentine’s Day
$70
until February 14. After February 15, yearbooks will go up to
$75
until their arrival in May.
There are limited numbers available, so get yours now!
Books can be bought in room 208 during lunch (cash only)
or pay with a credit card on line at
www.yearbookordercenter.com
Search under job #10697 or
just look for Felix Varela
5
Ms. Gonzalez
rooM 38
University of South Florida Honors College
Amount: $4000 ($500.00 per semester)
Deadline: Not Stated
Criteria: Senior, 3.7 GPA or higher, planning to attend the Honors College at USF, 1250
(math/verbal) SAT/29 ACT or higher.
Students who do not meet the requirements but have extraordinary life experiences
might be admitted to the program at the discretion of the program director. You can
contact the director to discuss options. For more information and application go to www.
stpt.usf.edu/coas/honors.
Miami Dade College- Kendall Summer Scholarship (Early Start)
Amount: In-state tuition coverage for up to 5 credits (prep or college credits) plus $50
towards the cost of books and mentoring throughout the summer
Deadline: Not stated. Space is limited, apply soon
Criteria: Senior, planning to attend Miami-Dade Kendall in the summer term.
Participation requires attending classes only two or three mornings per week. For
application please contact Sue Giorgi at dgiorgi@mdc.edu or (305) 237-2582 or (305)
237-0742.
Pepsico Scholarship Program
Amount: $500-$4,000
Deadline: 02/15/11
Criteria: Must be Hispanic, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, GPA 3.0 or above, must
be planning to enroll full time at an accredited college/university, must demonstrate
financial need
www.buildurdestiny.com
Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Scholarship Program
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: 03/02/11
One nomination per school. Please return all application materials to Mrs. Gonzalez,
CAP Advisor in room 09. Employees of the Fair, and their dependents are ineligible.
Criteria: Senior, U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, GPA 3.0, planning to attend an
accredited college, university, or M-DCPS certified adult/vocational school, transcript,
two letters of recommendation
Application available at: http://briefings.dadeschools.net/files/92338_high_school_
package.pdf.
To be considered for nomination, please return all application materials to Mrs. Gonzalez,
CAP Advisor in room 09, no later than March 2, 2011.
Hispanic College Fund’s Scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2011
Amount: $500-$5,000
Criteria: Be of Hispanic background, maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (on a 4.0
scale), be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have graduated from high school in the
U.S. after attending at least 3 years (by June 2011), reside in the U.S. or Puerto Rico,
plan to enroll in a fulltime undergraduate program for the 2011-2012 academic year at
an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, demonstrate financial
need, must be studying a one of the required majors, official transcript - postmarked
by March 1, proof of family income - postmarked by March 1, proof of citizenship/
residency status - postmarked by March 1, essay - submitted online by March 1, letter
of recommendation - submitted online by March 1, resume - submitted online by March
1, financial aid verification (if chosen as semi-finalist only) - submitted online by your
financial aid counselor in May
Applications now available for the following majors: Business Majors, Health
Care Majors, Hospitality Majors/ Marriott Scholars Program, Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Majors
Other Majors Applications available.
Application available at http://scholarships.hispanicfund.org/applications
SAT and ACT Test Dates
ACT Registration Late Registration
Test Dates Deadline Deadline
April 09 March 4 March 5-18
June 11 May 6 May 7-20
SAT & Subject Tests Registration Late Registration
Test Dates Deadline Deadline
March 12 February 11 February 25
May 7 April 8 April 22
June 4 May 6 May 20
Registration packets are available in Student Services, room #09. Online registration
for SAT is available at www.collegeboard.com and for ACT at www.actstudent.org.

6
The Viper Vibe
Editorial Board
co-Editor-in-Chief: Stefany Gomez
co-Editor-in-Chief: Brian Goins
Managing Editor: Jonathan Reyes
Copy Editor: Pattrik Simmons
Photo/Graphics Editor: Marien Gonzalez
Web Editor: Brian Goins
Business Manager: Jonathan Reyes
Section Editors
Attitudes: Joseph Cardenas
Entertainment: Ashley Camaraza
Sound of the Halls: Claudia Morales
News: John Stoltenborg
Sports: Richard Gomez
Staff Reporters
Alison Byrd Jonathan Cuartas
Raphael De la Cruz Amanda Di Lella
Michael Formosa Danny Galvez
Ana Jimenez Marina Loiacono
Kimberly Slichter Andrew Tomlinson
Barbara Valdes Carlos Valdez
Brittney Villegas Derek Vildosola
Adviser: Mrs. Elizabeth Cardenas
Some material used with permission
MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service
poliCies and proCedures
The Viper Vibe is published by the newspaper
staff at Felix Varela Senior High School,
15255 S.W. 96 S.T., Miami, FL, 33196.
The Viper Vibe has been established as
an open forum for student expression. The
opinions expressed in this publication are not
necessarily those of the faculty and administration
but rather of the author or the newspaper
staff and its editors
The Viper Vibe will print letters from interested
readers on any subject relevant to its
readers. Letters should not be more than 200
words and signed. Letters that are not signed
will not be published. The editors reserve the
right to reject, edit, and condense letters.
Letters will be subject to the law of libel,
defamation of character, obscenity, incitement
and copyright.
The original copy of the letter will be
kept in a file indefinitely. We welcome contribution
from writers and artists not associated
with the newspaper staff. These entries
should be submitted to room 208 and must be
signed
For any questions or comments, please
call 305-752-7900 or email us at ecardenas@
dadeschools.net.
The Viper Vibe is a member of the Florida
Scholastic Press Association, Southern
Interscholastic Press Association, the Student
Press Law Center, the Journalism Education
Association, the American Society of News
Editors and Quill and Scroll.
Advertising Policy
All legitimate commercial and political
advertising is acceptable for publication but
the advertisement must have some guidelines.
1. The statements in the advertisement must
be true.
2. No misleading statements will be published
in an advertisement.
3. Advertisements that are in bad taste or
make racist, sexist, discriminatory comments
or which degrade a competitive organization
or religion, will not be published.
4. Advertisements may not attempt to encourage
the breaking of laws, regulations or
ordinances.
The Viper Vibe reserves the right to discontinue
any advertisement for infractions of
the above and for lack of payment.
If a mistake occurs in the advertisement
that is the fault of the printer or the staff, the
ad will be printed free-of-charge in the next
issue of the newspaper. Advertising rates are
available upon request by calling 305-752-
7900.
January 2011
Every Viper Robert Has Cyr A Tale VIPERS
Speak Out
by Jonathan Reyes
Managing Editor
Life is full of meaningful
experiences. Such experiences
influence people to
view things somewhat differently
from those who surround
them.
Senior Robert Cyr, an
ordinary student, may very
well qualify as an individual
that fits this profile.
He lived in South Africa
for eight years, attending an
English school thousands of
miles away from his homeland: America.
Cyr was born in Kansas City, Missouri.
Along with his parents and siblings,
he is an active Protestant. The decision to
relocate the entire family to a foreign country
was tough.
However, the opportunity to help those
in need of guidance was far more important
than being content with where they lived.
Cyr’s parents work with the Church of
the Nazarene as missionaries. Established
in 1908, this organization has churches all
over the world and aims to spread the word
of God.
His father has dedicated his life to
preaching to the youth of several communities.
Cyr describes schools in South Africa
as stricter than American schools. Varela’s
school uniform would be considered inappropriate
attire in his former school.
“School over there is a lot more serious,
you don’t skip,” he said with a smile.
“Everyone has to wear uniforms. I had to
wear a dress shirt, tie and jacket everyday
Inside the
Staff Lounge
Ms. Hernandez
to school.”
In 2005, Cyr moved back to the United
States along with a new member of the
family. Through adoption, his family welcomed
a baby girl into their lives.
Nkele Cyr is happily living here with
her sister, Amy, and two brothers, Robert
and Bryan. The reality of being back in
America has made an impact on Robert.
“Living in a different country really
changes your perception of things. Seeing
all the different people and how diverse it
is…It really opens your mind to everything
going on around in the world, which is
something that a lot of places, especially in
America, lack,” he said.
Last year, Cyr went to Haiti and assisted
in constructing a church. He was also
able to lend a helping hand in the Dominican
Republic with a similar church that required
a new roof.
Recently, he got accepted to North
West Nazarene University, a private school
in Idaho. Coincidently, his parents also attended
this school. Cyr aspires to study and
pursue a career in computer engineering.
social studies teacher
1. What is your favorite word?
I think “maybe,” because it leaves me uncommitted.
2. Least favorite word?
“No,” because it’s limiting.
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?
Music, because it reaches you on any of those levels. You can pray with music.
You can change your mood with music.
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?
Restriction. If you’re going to be creative, you need to be open to be able to
express yourself however you want. If you’re limited, you can’t do it to the full
extent.
5. What is a sound that you love?
Laughter. It reminds me of my kids and how healthy they are.
6. What is a sound or noise that you hate?
Hard rock. It bothers me; it sounds like they’re killing cats.
7. What is a profession that you would like to participate in?
Law. Since I was little, I’ve always liked law and defending it.
8. What profession would you like to not participate in?
Anything that has to do with cleaning. It’s just not me.
9. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the
pearly gates?
“Welcome.”
These questions are based on the French television series
“Bouillon de Culture,” hosted by Bernard Pivot
Felix Varela’s
Performing Arts Department
presents
Les
Miserables
March 9 and 10
7:00 p.m.
$7
preview March 8, $5
What was the last book you read,
and what particularly caught your
attention the most?
“I read ‘Maniac Magee.’ I liked the fact
that the main character had to overcome
an internal challenge.”
- Erick Gomez, 10
“‘Unwind.’ It was very interesting. I
enjoyed it even though I don’t read very
often.”
-Michelle Paz, 10
““Beowulf.’ I like that the main character
had a strong will; he inspired me.”
- Carlos Evora, 12
“The last book I read was ‘Fallen Angels.’
I liked that it was action packed.”
- Luke Soto, 12
Quake survivor finds new home at Varela
by Brian Goins
co-Editor-in-Chief
So much got lost in 11 months. Junior
Carl Pierre-Louis, one of 51 survivors
from the Haitian earthquake that
enrolled last year at Varela, has had unprecedented
suffering and unimaginable
hurt.
On Jan. 12, 2010, Pierre-Louis was
in a taxi in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when
35 seconds of violent tremors began,
crumbling stone buildings around him
enveloping the streets of Port-au-Prince
into dust. In the taxi, Pierre-Louis was
returning from basketball drills with his
classmates.
Laughing and talking. Enjoying
themselves after a solid practice. A typical
school day surrounded by classmates
and friends, until disaster swirled.
The ground began to shake. The taxi
started bouncing side-to-side. A giant
boulder came only a few feet from landing
directly onto the taxi. Pierre-Louis
and his friends jumped out. Windows
shattered.
“God help me” was all that Pierre-Louis
could think.
In the melee, people were yelling and
screaming. Debris clouded the air. People
were running frantically to find their families.
Absolutely nothing could be seen outside
of five feet.
Pierre-Louis split with his basketball
friends and went alone to check on his
mother who lived some 20 miles away. He
couldn’t get his father on the phone.
“It made me feel lonely. I thought about
if I was ever going to see my mom home
again,” said Pierre-Louis.
That day, Pierre-Louis’s father was
working as head security for a bank on the
other side of town in Port-au-Prince from
where his mother lived. It would’ve been a
longer trip for Pierre-Louis to visit his dad,
so the best Pierre-Louis could hope for was
to wait.
“I was still keeping hope, trying to
keep it in my head that he’s probably still
living,” Pierre-Louis said, “because most
of the people who were severely injured
went to the Dominican Republic to get better
care.”
Once home, Pierre-Louis rejoiced to
find his mother unharmed.
“She was in the yard waiting for me,
said Pierre-Louis. “I felt very happy to see
that my mom was alive and that my mom
was really actually there,” said Pierre-Louis.
Education led Pierre-Louis to South
Florida, where he seldom visits and stays
with his brother, as the earthquake had
closed his school in Haiti.
“I’m the last one in my family, so my
mom is really attached to me,’’ Pierre-Louis
said. “She didn’t want me to go like that.
She kept trying to bring me back. But after
the earthquake, my mother and I sat down
and we talked about it. I told her I had to
go because I didn’t want to lose a school
year, and she said, ‘All right, I understand.’
It was very emotional.”
Pierre-Louis packed his bags and headed
to Varela 700 miles away. It was here
where head football coach Mathew Dixon
spotted Pierre-Louis and instantly recruited
him as an offensive left tackle.
“He took me to his office and he got all
the papers signed up for me. And that same
day I was practicing for football,” Pierre-
Louis said.
During the summer, Pierre-Louis was
practicing in workouts and drills. But when
the team had a week off, Pierre-Louis went
back to Haiti. In Haiti, Pierre-Louis finally
learned that workers had found his father’s
body under the rubble of the bank he was
securing. Pierre-Louis had looked up to his
father. He had been Pierre-Louis’ hero.
Now back in West Kendall, Pierre-
Louis uses football as a way to escape the
grief.
“When I get to practice, I forget about
everything,’’ he said. “I know I’m here
to work, to practice hard, and I’m here to
make the best opportunity out of it; trying
to leave everything that’s happened in the
past. I’m trying to look ahead.”
“Football toughened me up; it’s like a
family,’’ he added. “There are some people
that have your back. You can always count
on somebody to talk to when you have
problems.”
One year of high school division
football and Pierre-Louis was a leading
contributor towards Varela’s first playoff
appearance since 2006. But then, just
when things were looking good, on Nov.
17, 2010, Pierre-Louis’ brother who’s been
his remaining guardian in South Florida
passed away.
“He went back to Haiti for a social
meeting and after went to a bar. Somebody
pulled out a gun and he was the one that
happened to get shot. There was disagreement
and things didn’t turn out too good,”
said Pierre-Louis.
Pierre-Louis was coming back from
post-season football drills and teammate
junior Jordan Armstrong, at the time, gave
him a ride home.
“He was there with me for that moment,
and Jordan’s mom was the one that
dropped me off. When I got a call hearing
about what happened to my brother, Jordan’s
mom saw what was happening and
told me to ‘pack up my clothes and stuff
and go live with her,’” said Pierre-Louis.
7
Pierre-Louis stayed in Armstrong’s
house for about a month. And during
intense discussion between Pierre-
Louis and his mom, there was high
chance that he had to move and transfer
out of Varela and possibly to Broward.
“My mom wanted me to move to Broward
because there was nobody that
she knew in Kendall. She wanted me
to be living with someone she knew.
I made her talk to my coach to show
her how important Varela is and that I
couldn’t leave because I had so many
people that care about me and help me
out,” said Pierre-Louis.
“I had to disagree with her. I had to
disagree,” said Pierre-Louis. “I didn’t
want to move at all. I already had my
friends and Varela has shown me so
much love. I have people here that really
care about me.”
Junior Mario Mendez’s mom took
Pierre-Louis under her wing. And he’s
been living, and will continue to currently
live with Mendez.
“They treat me like their own. I’m
very well treated and I’m welcomed as
part of the family,” said Pierre-Louis.
Pierre-Louis left for Haiti again for the
second time to attend his brother’s funeral.
When Pierre-Louis came back from
Haiti and returned to Varela, he had tremendous
support from coaches, players
and friends all over. Even Principal Connie
Navarro showed her empathy for Carl and
his loss, when they both met and talked after
his trip from Haiti.
“She told me to just hang on and keep
going. Keep holding my head up high,”
said Pierre-Louis.
Middle Tennessee scouts have been
watching him play. Other colleges are interested,
too.
Every time Pierre-Louis practices, he
remembers how his father and brother use
to push him to do his best. Pierre-Louis is
determined to make his dad and brother
proud – even if they are not physically with
him.
“I want to make something out of my
life. I want to be the first in my family to
go to college. I want to get my mom out of
the streets in Haiti and live a better life,”
said Pierre-Louis firmly. “And football has
given me the chance to succeed.”
“He has great potential,’’Haitian teammate
senior defensive back, Cornel Cheron,
said. “He has heart, which is needed to
play the game. And he knows that football
can give him the chance to succeed…We
all know that he has potential to be great.”
Vipers continue to show support for Madison Schafer
by Jonathan Reyes
Managing Editor
Student volunteers and
teachers came together on
Saturday, Jan. 15, to celebrate
Madison Schafer’s second
birthday. The event, known as
“Miracles for Madison Walka-Thon
and Family Fun Day,”
was held in the P.E. area of our
school.
Those who attended had the
opportunity to enjoy live music,
games, food and other forms of
entertainment. The fun officially
began at 11 a.m. and lasted until
4 p.m.
Guests were required to
purchase tickets for different
items with all the proceeds being
donated to Madison.
Game tickets were sold at 50
cents each. Ten dollar wrist bands
were also sold, allowing young
visitors an unlimited number of
entries to the slides, pony rides
photo by Kristina Camara
Carl Pierre-Louis, junior, displays his passion at Varela’s 2010 homecoming game versus Braddock. A
survivor of the Haiti earthquake, Pierre-Louise has suffered much and uses football to work through
his grief.
and the bounce house.
The Miami-Dade County
Public School superintendent,
Alberto Carvalho, made an
appearance.
“I’m glad to support the
fundraising efforts for Madison,”
said Carvalho.
“The goal is $50,000 in
revenue and I will be making
my own personal contribution
to support this beautiful child
and her mother, who is a teacher
here at Felix Varela. I am deeply
touched by what this family is
going through.”
Numerous clubs set up their
own booths consisting of different
activities. Their participation was
essential for a successful and
memorable day.
Among them were National
Honor Society, Class of 2011,
Class of 2012, French Club,
Fashion Club, S.G.A., F.E.A.,
S.W.A.T., NJROTC, Best
Buddies, Key Club, Tri-M and
Health and Fitness.
The Varela
track was trampled
by dozens of eager
guests participating
in the walk-a-thon.
Walkers with $25
or more in sponsors
received a “Miracles
for Madison” t-shirt.
According to
their web site, www.
kidsforkidsacademy.
com, the individual
who turned in the
most money at the
conclusion of the
walk-a-thon won an
AppleiPad.Thegames
seemed to be popular
with almost everyone.
Most of them had a
“carnival game concept.” Small
prizes were awarded to those who
did well in them. Youngsters also
made frequent visits to the face
painting booth.
In addition to the excitement,
volunteers assisted together by
setting a stage on the basketball
court. Speakers were blasting
away, giving the event a livelier
feel. At many points, a local band
proudly performed in
honor of Madison and her
loved ones.
“I think that this is a
great way for friends and
family to come together
and support a good cause;
a lot of people were
there,” said senior Sohaib
Ahmad.
What kind of charity
event doesn’t have food?
Snacks were in abundance
throughout the day.
Boatloads of tickets
were used on food alone,
photo by John Stoltenborg most notably at the crepe
stand.
“It was amazing to see all
of our school come out in
support of Ms. Nava and
Baby Madison.
Students set up booths, walked
and donated money. This event
really showed that Varela has a
heart,” said social studies teacher
and organizer Mr. Daniel Vinat.
Varela hosted a “Miracles for Madison Walk-a-Thon and Family
Fun Day” on Jan. 15, Madison’s second birthday. Money
raised was given to the Schafer family to help with Madison’s
continued treatment.

Mr. Varela
It was great to support
my fellow NHS officer!
Megan Angulo, 11
It was hilarious and fun!
Amy Cyr, 11
by Stefany Gomez
co-Editor-in-Chief
Talented and daring, 14 men
represented their clubs with honor
and determination in order to obtain
the ultimate title of Mr. Varela.
This year’s third annual Mr.
Varela pageant opened at 7 p.m. on
Jan. 25, in the auditorium. Parents
and fellow classmates, along with
school staff, filled the seats, holding
posters and even a megaphone.
However, the lack of school
support disappointed activities director
Ms. Christin.
“I guess I was a little disappointed.
There were only 280
[people] there and we have 3,400
kids in this school, but the 280 who
were there were great,” she said.
The host, Zack Lopez, kept the
audience indulged as the candidates
prepared for their segments.
The crowd first saw the candidates
in an opening dance number,
a mix of songs -- from Lady Ga-
Ga’s ‘Bad Romance’ to LMFAO’s
‘Shots’ -- showcasing their well-rehearsed
moves.
The opening video was a reenactment
of ‘The Breakfast Club,’
with its original song ‘We Are Not
Alone.’ It was quite comical and
captivating, and after, candidates
had the audience’s full attention.
As contestants modeled in their
swimsuits the crowd cheered, and
soon it was time to move on to the
top ten, a hard elimination. Instead
of five candidates being eliminated,
it turned out to be four.
Not only did this year’s Mr. Varela
had fewer candidates, but also
Mr. Class of 2013 withdrew from
the competition a few days before.
Regardless, Ms. Christin was
content with her candidates.
“They are a great 14 kids,” she
said.
Reading poetry seemed to be a
popular talent this year. NHS’ Sohaib
Ahmad (who received many
“awws” mostly in his last line,
“had my heart”) and Mr. Interact,
Fernando Acosta (who performed a
dance number to Beyonce’s ‘Single
Ladies’ in last year’s competition),
shifted towards the “sentimental
side,” as Acosta said and indulged
the audience with their sweet
words.
Some voices on tune and some
out of tune had the audience singing
along, evidently a cliché talent. Mr.
Italian, Andrez Diaz, brought along
his guitar and charmingly played it
followed by his soft words, which
calmed the audience down a bit.
Mr. 2011, Martin Tenorio,
entered the stage in a black suit,
black shades and a black hat to top
it off, and he sang along to James
Brown’s ‘I’m a Soul Man.’ His
voice may have been a bit shaky,
but it definitely had the audience
singing along to the chorus.
Mr. Thespian, Kris Sanchez,
photos by Foxmar and Marien Gonzalez, photo editor
It was entertaining.
Adriel Calvo, 11
originally rapped a piece which he had
written two years ago; the audience clapped
along to support his beat. Overall, he kept it
together quite well.
Mr. Quill and Scroll, John Stoltenborg,
performed Kanye West’s ‘Gold Digger,’
the screen came down and provided the audience
with a creative reenactment of his
interruption during the MTV Video Music
Awards, however, in this case, it was not
Taylor Swift who he was interrupting but
himself. Minor setbacks on the microphone
made it difficult to hear his voice, but the
audience was more than happy to pitch in
the words.
Mr. Pep Squad, Sommer Carbuccia,
beautifully sang ‘Don’t Stop Believing,’
which, of course, had the audience involved
in this lovable song; he might have
forgotten a few words, but ultimately saved
himself through humor.
Mr. Drama, Edwin Segovia, entered
the stage with bedazzled shades and not
only sang Lady GaGa’s ‘Bad Romance,’
but also successfully imitated her moves;
disappearing from the stage for what didn’t
seem long, the audience screamed his
name, “Edwin!”
Mr. Drama kept the audience wondering
about his next move, which was, in
fact, a wardrobe change. By this point, the
crowd was pretty excited.
Two more unique talents -- Mr.
NJROTC, Steven Pique, flawlessly played
the piano, while Mr. Bowling, Fabian Arizmendy,
confidently acted out Shakespeare.
Candidates humored their audience;
Ms. Christin described them as “funny.”
Following the great performances was
the Thespian club with a preview of their
upcoming show, ‘Les Miserables.’
Throughout the event, videos were
shown, displaying the candidates’ rehearsals
and on-camera interviews.
The audience struggled to hear some
of the videos, but just like the microphone,
the issue was fixed quite fast.
Moving to the top five were Mr. 2011,
Mr. NHS, Mr. NJROTC, Mr. Pep Squad
and Mr. Drama. These candidates then proceeded
to answer questions, and some acquired
many laughs.
“It’s exciting. I’ve done [Mr. Varela]
for three years, so it’s cool to be finishing
off my senior year by doing it,” said Mr.
Pep Squad.
When it was time to announce the winner,
the audience became very excited.
Mr. Congeniality went to Mr. Quill
and Scroll. Mr. Pep Squad got runner-up
and received a $25 gift card to Barnes and
Noble.
The title of Mr. Varela went to Mr.
NHS. Last year’s Mr. Varela, Christian
Londono, placed the crown upon Ahmad’s
head and the audience cheered him on his
win.
“It feels great, just the whole experience,
the journey of being Mr. Varela,” said
Ahmad.
Many were delighted with Mr. NHS’
win.
“I am very excited that Sohaib won, he
completely deserves it,” said NHS sponsor
Ms. Echemendia.
Overall, the event was a success; the
audience seemed to enjoy itself while it
supported their brave club representatives.
I laughed from beginning
to end.
Cindy Cuadra, 11
Mr. NHS

B
by Alison Byrd
Staff Reporter
LACKSWAN Here’s some good news for all of
avid moviegoers out there: this year’s
most talked about film isn’t a summer
blockbuster. Darren Aronofsky follows
up his 2008 critically acclaimed masterpiece,
‘The Wrestler,’ with the stunning
‘Black Swan.’ It’s easy to point out that
both movies are eerily similar in the sense
that both lead roles are
performers who suffer
for their art.
The genre of this
movie still remains a
mystery to many, but
one title that certainly
fits it would be “arthouse
horror.” For
something so extremely
visually appealing, it is
quite hard to sit through
-- and I mean this in the
best way possible. It’ll
leave you squeamish,
uncomfortable, mesmerized,
confused and
possibly aroused.
The film centers
on the 28-year-old psychologically
tormented ballerina, Nina Sayers, who
is undeniably dedicated and strives
for perfection. When the director of
her fictional ballet company decides
to change up the storyline in the ballet,
Nina finds herself overwhelmed with
determination to be adequate for the role
of the Swan Queen.
The biggest challenge is that he has
the sweet and delicate white swan and the
passionate and fierce black swan to be
played by the same dancer. While Nina
portrays the white swan almost perfectly,
the new dancer in the company, Lily
(played by the lovely Mila Kunis), shows
a lot more potential for the role of the
blackswan.Amidsttheunderlyingrivalry,
the story revolves around the theme of
destroying oneself to achieve perfection.
One small yet significant performance
is from the newly resurrected career
of Winona Ryder. Her character, Beth
McIntyre, displays the
trouble with aging in the
entertainment industry.
She shows so many
depths to her character
including, but not limited
to, weakness, sorrow,
desperation and envy.
Still, all the while, Nina
looks up to her and views
her as the very essence of
perfection.
Beth’s character is just
as intense and essential
to the film as Nina and
Lily are and completes
the trinity of the white,
black and dying swan.
Aronofsky is quite
recognized for his stunning visuals, as in
old favorites like ‘Requiem for a Dream.’
Everything about it, the choreography,
costumes, makeup, actors, the CGI
effects, the theater, and especially the
music, is both tragic yet beautiful.
Everything is thought out and put
together to impress and perplex. Even
after seeing it again, people won’t be
certain as to what reality is and what
isn’t.
Photos courtesy of: Columbia Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Relativity Media
AWARDS
Academy Award
by Joseph Cardenas
Section Editor
This past Golden Globe
Awards surprised many when
‘Social Network’ wiped the
floor clean of all it was nominated
for -- other than Best Actor.
Now, people are predicting
the unheard of for the 2011
Academy Awards.
‘Inception’ is the obvious
Oscar-worthy winner.
It was a classic brainteaser
that not only thrilled you on
the edge of your seat but it also
dove into a concept greater than
what ‘Social Network’ didn’t
consider touching: what is reality?
What is a dream? How do
you know you’re not dreaming?
How do you know you are?
It’s very much like ‘Matrix’
which used that concept of
“your world is not real,” which
was the big cliffhanger at the
end of the movie.
Such a deep concept and
storyline is without doubt worthy
for a win in the Oscar’s Best
Motion Picture award.
Director Christopher Nolan
might not have been nominated
for his rightful place as Best Director,
but he was nominated for
his flawless and perfect work in
its original screenplay.
You can tell from the beginning
that the script was
made for a five-star movie, not
a television series or a graphic
novel.
Every major line is bold
and descriptive and it actually
tells you the story, unlike
‘Social Network’ where it just
bounces all over the place and
gives bits of information you
never see again until the end of
the movie.
It also is made for a team,
which is what ties the movie together.
The score, done by Hans
Zimmer, was remarkable, paced
both slowly and very fast and
flowed melodically. It added to
the dream-like effect the movie
portrayed.
The score of ‘Social Network’
didn’t add any effect, if
one was intended, and didn’t
keep you more interested than
you already were. As for Best
Actor, no credit is given to
Leonardo DiCaprio.
I’ll admit I didn’t find him
as a strong actor in the movie; it
was more weighted on the team
he was with.
However, I do see ‘Social
Network’s’ Jesse Eisenberg getting
an applause for his role as
Mark Zuckerberg, the father of
everyone’s beloved Facebook.
Unfortunately, no more actors
and actresses were picked
for lead roles or supporting
roles for ‘Inception,’ so my
money’s going for Christian
Bale, Natalie Portman and Helena
Bonham Carter.
Though I think ‘Inception’
should win everything it pretty
much was nominated for, I’m
at a crossroads when it comes
to visual effects and art direction
because ‘Deathly Hallows’
was also nominated for both,
and I think it also deserves both
awards.
Now, for Animated Feature,
sorry, ‘How to Train Your
Dragon,’ but ‘Toy Story 3’ will
knock your socks off.
It tugged on heartstrings
and brought everyone back to
the moment when they had to
grow up and leave their childhood
toys behind so they can go
off to college. I also do believe
Best Original Song should go to
‘Toy Story.’
The Oscars this year are
pretty big, and there are a lot
of contenders, like ‘Social Network,’‘The
Fighter,’and ‘Black
Swan,’ but the obvious winner
is our favorite mind-bender:
‘Inception.’
Predictions
Social Network
by Caludia Morales
Section Editor
It is only once in a blue
moon that awards shows leave
me satisfied and feeling that
credit was given where credit
was due. The recent Golden
Globe Awards, however, did
just that. Not only did Chris
Colfer and ‘Glee’ in general
win well-deserved awards in
the television side of things,
‘The Social Network’ (David
Fincher’s poignant film revolving
around the creation of Facebook
and the events surrounding
it) reigned supreme over
the film categories, receiving
numerous awards including the
sought-after “Best Motion Picture”
award.
Now, with the Oscars
around the proverbial corner,
‘The Social Network’ is
slated to win a second round
of awards, as it so obviously
deserves, receiving a total of
six Oscar nominations. Its biggest
competitor is Christopher
Nolan’s ‘Inception.’ Both films
are indubitably great ones, and
both made an impact on their
respective audiences. However,
‘The Social Network’ is clearly
the better of the two, taking
everything into consideration.
Many argue that ‘Inception’ deserves
the upper hand because
it focuses on that beyond reality
and was a creation entirely
Nolan’s, as opposed to the very
real content matter in ‘The Social
Network.’
While the creativity behind
‘Inception’deserves high recognition,
it does not warrant worship.There’s
more to it than that.
Sure, ‘The Social Network’ revolves
around Facebook, something
so colloquial that it goes
above and beyond a household
name, but that doesn’t mean
that there’s not a great story to
be found in its origin. ‘The Social
Network’ delves into things
bigger and more universal than
Facebook itself -- social status,
human insecurities, corruption,
friendship and the interactions
between humans. While
it may not encompass a dream
within a dream within a dream,
it doesn’t need to. It makes the
audience think and keeps them
in suspense without over-embellished
ideas.
‘The Social Network’ is
a generational film, one that
captures the Y Generation impeccably
and speaks volumes
about who we are and what we
are becoming; that’s more than
‘Inception’ can hope to hold a
candle to.
‘The Social Network’ is
nominated for such categories
as Achievement in Directing
and Achievement in Film Editing;
‘Inception’ was nominated
for the former as well as many
of ‘The Social Network’s’ other
categories, but not for Achievement
in Directing. Even the
biggest ‘Inception’ haters are
surprised by this, myself included,
but in the end it says
much about which film is more
worthy.
Other films I’m glad to see
getting recognition are ‘Harry
Potter and the ‘Deathly Halows,
Pt. 1’ (nominated for Art Direction
and Visual Effects) and the
year’s animated movies (‘Toy
Story 3’ is nominated alongside
‘The Social Network’ and ‘Inception’
for Best Motion Picture).
The only disappointments
I can articulate are those of not
enough ‘Harry Potter’ nominations
and Andrew Garfield
(Eduardo Saverin in The Social
Network) being snubbed for
Best Supporting Actor (though
Jesse Eisenberg’s nomination
for his role as Mark Zuckerberg
in ‘The Social Network’ is one
entirely deserved).
I can only hope that the
Academy Awards will be nearly
as satisfying and accurate
in their choices as the Golden
Globes were.
THE TOURIST
by Ashley Camaraza
Section Editor
When I first entered the theater, I was already
excited enough to watch another Johnny
Depp film. ‘The Tourist’ basically starts off
with Angelina Jolie walking the streets inconspiciously.
First guess is that she is a hired assasin,
as usual, though this is not the case later
on in the movie.
As we know, the most exciting part of the
movie is when Elise, played
by Jolie, decides to hop
onto the train introducing
the character Frank Tupelo,
played by the magnificent
Depp.
The movie revolves
around Frank, who is a lonely
math teacher touring in Italy
to mend his broken heart.
Unfortunately, the fantastic
scenary in Italy where this
film takes place did not make
up for the lack of chemistry
between Jolie and Depp.
Even though Depp is
like a lost, lovable puppy
and Jolie is as gorgeous as
ever, it was not enough.
These two sex symbols obviously
ended up not having any interest in
working together.
Throughout the film, the audience will
usually question what is going on. ‘The
Tourist’ is one of those movies about an
identity crisis that will leave viewers shocked
at the outcome. Elise puts Frank in a situation
where gangsters begin to go after him and try
to kill him. She does this as a way to protect
her husband, who owes the government
money. The movie has a huge lack in pace
causing the excitement to barely interest the
audience.
Things start getting interesting when
Paul Bettany (‘Legion,’ ‘A Beautiful Mind’)
and Rufus Sewall (‘A Knight’s Tale,’ ‘Legend
of Zorro’) are added to this film. Inspector
John Acheson, Bettany’s role, works for
the government and is one of the people
after Elise’s husband. There is a twist in the
plot when a secret about Elise is revealed,
confusing the audience a bit
more. Once this occured,
more action and humor is
ensued.
Overall, ‘The Tourist’ does
not deserve such harsh
reviews. I honestly did
enjoy the movie, especially
since it has Depp in it. Most
people aren’t used to seeing
him act as a normal person
considering all his other roles
in the past (such as the very
odd Edward Scissorhands,
the vengeful Sweeney Todd
and the crazy and wonderful
Mad Hatter in ‘Alice in
Wonderland’).
Everything ends up making
sense in the end, of course,
and the audience will be shocked as to what
is revealed. Deficiency in pace as well as
chemistry are the two main issues. Those
looking forward to perceive action in this
movie will be highly disappointed. There is
rarely any action except for a few scenes.
Viewers should watch this film if they wish
to laugh and enjoy the beautiful scenery in
Venice, Italy. Depp fans, I’m sure you will
love this one.
hOLLYWOOD

12
January 2011
Hollywood’s lack of creativity disappoints horror lovers
by Kimberly Slichter
Staff Reporter
Once upon a time, movies got banned
for all the right reasons. The 1932 film
‘Freaks’ was banned because it disturbed
and unnerved audiences. The only reason
‘Hostel’ got banned was for being too
graphic.
Sadly, the horror genre no longer needs
horror to survive. As long as there are pints
of blood throughout the film, there’s no
problem.
Honestly, adding unnecessary images
of gore does nothing for the plot like the
psychological twists, suspense, and unthought-of
endings once did. Masterpieces
such as Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” went
deep into the crevices of the human mind
while all the new releases can’t even go
into deep character development.
Apparently, all it takes to classify a
horror movie nowadays are special effects,
terrible acting and the word 3-D after the
film’s title. Lack of originality has begun to
characterize the supposed thrillers that are
popping up in movie theaters as of late, and
it’s eating the genre from the inside out.
The main problem faced is the fact
that no one’s providing any new material
anymore. Once again, we’re delving into
another cycle of ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’
and ‘Friday the 13th’ remakes when we
should just let the classics be.
Even ‘Scream,’which brought the horror
genre back to life in 1996, has become
drawn out with the despicable release of
‘Scream 4,’ killing the respect that the film
once had.
Not to mention, Hollywood’s ability
to butcher any well-made foreign film
(‘Let the Right One In’ vs. ‘Let Me
In’) has only proven that America can
no longer provide any new material.
What the people need is something
they have never seen before instead
of something as overdone as the
‘Saw’ franchise.
What I really want to see on the
big screen is a true scare, this generation’s
‘Halloween’ that will live on in
cult classic history.
There’s no need for ‘Paranormal
Activity’ (or even a second one
at that), and just knowing that the
movie ‘House of Wax’ exists makes
me cringe.
It is truly sad that one can say
that the scariest thing that has come on
screen recently is the ‘Twilight Saga,’ and
that’s only because Kristen Stewart’s ability
to have the same facial expression for
two hours is far more nerve-wracking than
most movies made in this past decade.
When something worthwhile is released
instead of the disasters ‘Piranha
3D’ or ‘My Soul to Take,’ I’ll gladly watch
it, sitting on the edge of my seat, ready to
jump out of it at any second.
When a true horror film comes out
with a plot that doesn’t focus on special
effects but on the fact that it will leave
viewers lying in their beds at night without
a single wink of sleep, the genre will
be brought back to its former glory. Until
then, I’m happy watching ‘The Shining’ or
‘Rosemary’s Baby’ on repeat.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), The Shining (1980), Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
photo illustration by Ashley Camaraza
‘Black Ops’ has ‘Call of Duty’ fans addicted
review by John Stoltenborg
Section Editor
I love you has eight letters,
but so does ‘Black Ops.’ That is
exactly what gamers are saying
about this first-person shooter
game. Developed by Treyarch,
who rivals Infinity Ward on who
will make the better ‘Call of Duty’
game every other year, ‘Black
Ops’ came off with fantastic success.
Anyone over 17, with an
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or the
Wii, will be fighting off endless
hordes of undead Nazi Zombies,
hungry to eat brains, through
hours of multiplayer team death
match plays.
With a huge fan base, players
who waited patiently for the
next edition to the ‘Call of Duty’
franchise were not disappointed.
The game features three different
ways to play: a single player
campaign, online multiplayer and
Nazi Zombie mode.
Gamers play as a “black ops”
assassin that’s been captured and
tortured, and progressing through
the campaign, gamers find out
more and more information from
his past. The story goes across
several parts of the world, facing
difficult missions left and right,
such as traveling to Cuba and
killing Fidel Castro and climbing
mountains in Russia dispatching
guards secretly with a crossbow.
The online multiplayer is
somewhat the same but includes
a vast customizable experience,
giving the player a chance to
customize every aspect of the
player’s character. ‘Black Ops’
lets its gamers stand out by
creating their very own gamer
tag. With countless symbols and
shapes on top with several colors
to choose from, the possibilities
of two players having the same
gamer tag are about one in a
billion.
The game brought back
its same perks and kept the kill
streak awards but added several
new kill streaks like the 11 kill
gunship, which lets you control
a helicopter and lay havoc on
enemy gamers below.
Another new feature in the
online experience is the “theater”
option, giving gamers a chance to
record and watch matches they’ve
played.
The system also lets you
render, edit and upload clips
to the online database, letting
gamers from around the world
either watch how good you are or
how much of a “noob” you are.
The primary weapons to
choose from in multiplayer are
set into classes from assault
rifles to sniper rifles. ‘Black
Ops’ also lets players choose
secondary weapons, like pistols,
launchers or a brand new class
called “specials.” The new
weapons include
an explosive
crossbow and
ballistic knife,
never before
seen in any ‘Call
of Duty’ game,
giving gamers a
new, unique way
of killing other
players.
One other
thing that I’m sure
gamers are proud
of is the addition
of split screen
online play. In
earlier games,
players would
have to take turns
playing online as
the game didn’t
let split screen
online play. Now,
up to four gamers
can grab a controller and play
against other gamers from all
over the world.
Another humongous hit,
brought back from when Treyarch
first released the idea in ‘Call of
Duty: World at War,’ is the Nazi
Zombies game mode. This round
and point-based game allows a
team of up to four gamers to fight
for their lives against wave after
wave of zombies.
With each zombie killed,
players get 100 points, which
lets them buy weapons off the
wall, open up doors to have
more room to fight and use the
infamous random weapons box.
The zombie defenders have to
watch windows that are boarded
off and repel the zombies from
breaking in. Once the zombies
break in, the players should use
teamwork to fight them off, or
you will be quickly devoured
by the undead.
Gamers also have the choice
to buy “perks,” like extra health
and fast reload, which help
greatly in the higher rounds.
Another helpful perk is a
chance to upgrade the gun using
the Pack-a-Punch machine.
With 5,000 points, this machine
takes the gun and doubles its
power and ammo count, giving
a zombie killer advantage.
‘Call of Duty’ fans who do
not have this new edition of the
franchise, I beg you to go to the
nearest GameStop and buy it
now. ‘Black Ops’ towers over
any other C.O.D. game made
and should be a part of every
gamer’s collection.
photo courtesy of Treyarch
Unique, original mash-ups contribute to DJ Earworm’s popularity
by Joseph Cardenas
Section Editor
A mash-up is a simple tune made up
of one song overlapping another song.
This isn’t what makes mash-up artist ‘DJ
Earworm’ - real name Jordan Roseman
- famous. What makes him famous is his
talent to mix so many songs with different
rhythms, beats and styles together as if
they were made for each other.
He’s applied this particular talent to a
chain of mash-ups made for a year’s end.
He calls them the ‘United State of Pop’
mash-ups and titles them according to
what he puts in it. In these series of mashups,
he includes up to 25 songs that gained
the most popularity throughout the year,
at least according to Billboard Magazine’s
‘Year-End Hot 100 Chart.’
He has taken this large feat since
2007, though it wasn’t recognized until the
year after with 2008’s ‘Viva la Pop’ when
it broke into Billboard’s Pop 100 Airplay
chart. Since then, Earworm’s mash-ups
have been most listened to than ever.
Personally, I love 2009’s ‘Blame It on
the Pop,’ including the majority of my favorite
songs from 2009 like ‘I Gotta Feeling,’
‘Poker Face,’ and ‘Live Your Life.’
On Dec. 28, 2010, he released the latest
year’s mash-up, - called ‘Don’t Stop
the Pop’ - which included hits like ‘California
Gurls,’ ‘Hey, Soul Sister,’ ‘I Like It,’
and many more, which was pretty much,
in every likeness, a follow-up to his 2009
installment.
There’s more to Earworm than just his
year-end mash-ups. There is his work in
between such as his 2010 summer hit ‘Like
OMG, Baby,’ mixing songs ‘TiK ToK’ by
Ke$ha, ‘OMG’ by Usher, ‘Rude Boy’ by
Rihanna, ‘Baby’ by the infamous Justin
Bieber and a slew of other artists who were
featured in Capital FM’s Summertime Ball
at Wembley Stadium in London.
There is also 2008’s ‘No More Gas,’
which contained hits ‘Disturbia,’ ‘Closer,’
and ‘Low.’
He is also known for
making artist-specific mashups,
which cover an artists
career in a short, 4-minute
track; his most famous being
‘Annie Lennox: Backwards
& Forwards’ and ‘Beautiful
Mashup,’ based on Sean
Kingston’s songs from before
and during 2009.
His most recent one pertains
to Nelly Furtado’s ‘The
Best of Nelly Furtado,’ titled
‘Free at Night.’
On the side, when he’s taking a
break from impending projects, he also DJs
at parties when asked to. Fans can check
out Earworm on YouTube and his homepage
www.djearworm.com.
I hope people like him just as much as
I did. Listeners won’t be disappointed.
courtesy of djearworm.com
reviews by Joseph Cardenas
Section Editor
The Black Eyed Peas
The Beginning
The follow-up to the Black
Eyed Pea’s ‘The E.N.D.’ delivers
well. True, ‘The Time’ doesn’t
exactly match ‘I Gotta Feeling’ in
potential and it certainly doesn’t
do justice to its muse, ‘The Time
of Our Lives,’ but its other tracks
were quite enjoyable and gave
that blast-to-the-past feeling they
were going for.
Viper Beat
The only pure rock station in South Florida is no more
by Kimberly Slichter
Staff Reporter
To the disappointment and disapproval
of many, South Florida’s rock station
93.1 was shut down on Nov. 20, 2010, with
little to no notice. Though 93 Rock was not
the best of stations, for it played the same
songs over and over again, it was at least
something that hard rock enthusiasts could
enjoy and listen to on a tedious car ride.
Sure, there’s still Big 105.9, but bands
such as Godsmack and Disturbed will
surely never be played on there, and the
University of Miami’s 90.5 is barely interesting,
especially when compared to what
Almost every song,
excluding ‘The Time,’ had
something about it that
sounded familiar, almost like
one of those cheesy ‘80s songs
parents play at full blast in the
car.
‘Love You Long Time’
was definitely one of those
songs. ‘Fashion Beats’ just
had a simple disco-like “to
the beat” rhythm and sound
to it. ‘Whenever’ sounds like
something Madonna rejected
and The BEPs found it and
made it better.
Overall, ‘Beginning’
doesn’t wipe out
‘E.N.D.,’ but it’s a keeper.
It deserves at least a “B.”
Bruno Mars
Doop-Wops & Hooligans
The breakout artist of
2010 returns in 2011
with his debut album and
has already got Cupid’s
chokehold on us with
‘Grenade.’
However, the album
doesn’t do ‘Just the Way
You Are’ and ‘Grenade’
- its pre-released singles
it once was a couple years back.
“Now what will I listen to in my car
when I burn out all of my CDs,” said junior
Christian Castro upon hearing the news.
“There’s no longer rock diversity on the radio
as far as I’m concerned.” Sadly, this is
what it has come to.
Cox Media, the company that owned
93 Rock, is also the owner of 99 Jamz and
Hot 105, which is why it isn’t surprising
that the hard rock station would be taken
off the air after such a short life. What was
surprising, however, was the fact that what
flooded the frequency in its replacement
was holiday music, a shocking greeting for
those who turned on to the frequency for
really touch someone dedicated
to liking this song through and
through.
The album itself is bland;
we’ve all heard a majority of
what he goes on about, except
‘The Lazy Song,’ that’s new.
Yeah, the guy has a great
voice, but that’s no reason to
keep going on with the same
topics. Because of the few songs
I did like, I’m comfortable with
giving this album a “C+.”
Mike Posner
31 Minutes to Take Off
Mike Posner is one
courtesy of Elektra Recordsof
those guys who are
photo courtesy of Interscope Records
already out on the radio - justice.
The only good songs are the ones
already released and the ones he
plans to release next.
‘Marry You’ has already
gotten some coverage, what
with being shown off on ‘Glee’;
it’s obvious this is going to be
his Valentine’s Day release. It’s
simple and foolish at the same
time: “Runaway and get married
with me, even though we just
met.”
‘Count On Me’ is a bestfriend-for-life
medley that can
obviously unsure of
themselves. First, there
is ‘Cooler Than Me,’ his
debut single that ranked
high on the charts, which
is actually pretty decent.
His follow-up,
‘Please Don’t Go,’ shows
him on a softer tone. This
ruse actually made me
believe his whole album
would’ve been truly
worth listening to. There
are the majority of tracks,
such as ‘Cheated’ and
photo courtesy of J Records
the first time since 93.1’s departure.
Hanging on to unlikely hopes, many
thought that 93 Rock would be back in
all of its former glory after the holidays.
This was not the case because, on Dec.
26, 2010, the official replacement became
Easy 93.1, a station resembling 101.5 Lite,
which advertises the playing of the likes of
The Eagles, The Beatles and The Temptations.
Though The Beatles are always welcome,
one can just switch over to Majic
102.7 to hear their music. What 93.1 had,
no matter how overplayed it was, wasn’t
seen anywhere else on South Florida stations.
13
‘Please Don’t Go,’ that have that
tone that was making him famous
anyway.
Then, there are just the
unnecessary tracks such as ‘Gone
In September’ and ‘Bow Chicka
Wow Wow’ that just proves how
much of a jerk and a player he is.
This sense of uncertainty
makes this album a little difficult
to decide on a rating. It’s not
good, I know that much. Yet,
it’s not bad. It’s like a puzzle I’ll
never solve.
Unfortunately, there’s not much that
can be done considering the fact that 93
Rock was shut down from a lack of listeners.
This means that there wouldn’t be
enough people to care about its return to
cause an uproar that would get Cox Media’s
attention. The only alternatives are to
either listen to CDs or an iPod in the car.
Another option is to subscribe to Sirius
XM radio, a rather costly and unlikely investment
for any high school student.
Whatever alternative is used, the old
93.1 will be missed and remembered by its
listeners. Even if it wasn’t perfect, it served
its purpose. Long live South Florida’s Pure
Rock Station.
Darren Criss makes his debut on primetime television
by Claudia Morales
Section Editor
To say that actor, singer,
songwriter and musician
extraordinaire Darren Criss came
out of nowhere would be untrue.
Though his sudden fame was
indubitably aided by his television
debut on ‘Glee,’ Darren Criss
started out on the stage.
In the musical theater
program at the University of
Michigan, Criss had roles in
numerous plays and musicals.
While in the program, he met the
group of actors and writers that
would go on to become Team
Starkid.
During Criss’s senior year
of college, this group came up
with the script for ‘Harry Potter:
The Musical,’ a comedic twoact
musical satirizing the ‘Harry
Potter’ phenomenon. Criss
auditioned and was cast as none
other than Harry Potter.
Not only was he cast as the
main character, Criss also wrote
and composed several of the songs
for the musical, including (but not
limited to) the incredibly catchy
opening number ‘Goin’ Back
to Hogwarts’ and the anthem of
love and friendship that became
the musical’s thematic backbone,
‘Not Alone.’
As the lead character, Criss
was put in the spotlight in the
online Harry Potter community.
Given his newfound exposure,
fans started finding his covers and
original songs through mediums
such as YouTube.
In the summer of 2010, Criss
released six of his original songs
on an EP, named ‘Human,’ after
one of the tracks.
The ‘Human’ EP is a prime
example of Criss’s talent as a
musician and songwriter. Most
of the songs found on it are
so thoroughly relatable while
maintaining a kind of poetic
beauty to it that it feels - excuse
the pun - human. Some songs,
such as ‘Jealousy,’ focus on the
darker sides of ourselves: “I can’t
stand what I’m feeling / It’s just
like poison in my veins / I know
that I’m speaking / But I don’t
know what I’m saying.”
Others, like the titular track,
remind us that everyone is nothing
more and nothing less than
human: “When I’m sarcastic like
that / That just makes me a dumb
human, like you.” The touching
lyrics paired with moving music
made Criss’s first professionally
recorder album a memorable one.
Also in the summer of 2010,
Team Starkid performed ‘A Very
Potter Sequel’ and posted it on
YouTube. Neither productions
were done for profit, but much
talent and effort went into both.
This time, Criss (who returned
again as Harry Potter) wrote and
composed every single song in
the musical.
When Team Starkid moved
to a new headquarters in Chicago,
however, Criss stayed in Los
Angeles to pursue his own career.
He started playing solo shows at
local venues and auditioned for
multiple television roles.
His success in television was
limited - a ‘Cold Case’ guest role
here, a role in a show canceled
shortly thereafter there - until
he auditioned for Fox’s musical
comedy, ‘Glee.’
Criss had auditioned for
‘Glee’ several times prior to that,
since the first casting calls went
out for the main characters. In
2010, a casting call went out
for a character named Blaine.
Criss auditioned, and director/
co-creator Ryan Murphy knew
he was the one, even without
knowledge of his career prior to
the audition.
“I didn’t know anything
about Darren. I just knew he was
right,” said Murphy (afterelton.
com).
The character of Blaine
needed to be well-cast because
he would become a love interest
for main character Kurt Hummel,
a gay teen who faced much
adversity through the show’s
episodes.
Criss’s first episode aired
Nov. 9, 2010, and revolved
around the bullying Kurt faced in
his school.
Blaine entered the picture
and showed Kurt that he was not
alone. This episode was instantly
popular, and Criss’s performance
of ‘Teenage Dream’ became the
best-selling ‘Glee’ song of all
time within days.
Criss - who had only been
meant to be a guest star - was
recently signed as a regular for
the upcoming third season of
‘Glee,’with the second season just
approaching its halfway point.
‘Glee’ has launched Criss
into a new kind of fame, one
beyond YouTube and locallybased
gigs. It opened doors for
him and brought him a new
audience. His music has since
become even more popular, and
he’s traveled all over the world
to play for fans. Even with this
newfound fame and chaos, Criss
continues to work closely with
his theater group, Team Starkid.
He has composed and written all
the songs for their upcoming sci-fi
musical, ‘Starship,’ which makes
its stage premiere in February and
will be posted on YouTube shortly
thereafter.
No matter what, one thing
seems certain: Criss has little
elsewhere to go but up; ‘Glee’
is his first big break, but not his
first experience with success in
entertainment, and indubitably,
not his last.
As a fan who has been there
to see him go from YouTuber
to rising celebrity, it feels like a
privilege to me to witness the
constant development of Criss’s
career in his many and varied
fields of talent.

Rihanna’s new album ‘Loud’ exposes her flirtatious side
review by Marien Gonzalez
Photo Editor
It’s hard to believe that 22-year-old
Rihanna’s new album, ‘Loud,’ is her fifth
album. After releasing her previous album,
‘Rated R,’ the Barbadian singer went back
into the studio to produce her new album.
For someone who’s had to deal with the
media’s harsh words after a horrifying
fight with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown back
in February of last year, she hasn’t let anyone
discourage her. It seems as if nothing
can slow this young woman down. It’s no
wonder why many idolize her.
Rihanna released ‘Loud’ on Nov.
16, 2010. After listening to the album
a couple of times, I must admit I found
myself singing along to many of the
songs. Although a couple of them are a bit
annoying and repetitive, the album had its
fair share of memorable ones.
All together, the album was very sexual
and emotional. Rihanna’s provocative,
masochistic and sexual side emerges in the
album.
The first song on the album, ‘S & M,’
is entirely sexual. The lyrics and title refer
to sadism and masochism. “I may be bad
but I’m perfectly good at it. Sex in the air,
I don’t care, I love the smell of it.” The
chorus seems to be a little too naughty, if
anyone asks me, but then again, that and the
beat make the song extremely beguiling.
The next song on the album, ‘What’s
My Name,’ was the second single of the
album. It aired as No. 1 on the Billboard
Hot 100. This song was one of my favorites
on the album.
Apart from sounding a lot like her
early island-pop music, the flirtatious and
sexual lyrics make it almost impossible to
not sing along to. Canadian rapper Drake
collaborated with Rihanna on this song,
and in my opinion, his verse gives the song
the spice it needed to become a hit.
Following ‘What’s My Name’ on
Rihanna’s album is ‘Cheers (Drink to
That).’ I wasn’t too fond of this song. It
has optimistic and youthful lyrics, such
as “Life’s too short to be sitting ‘round
miserable / And people gonna talk whether
you doing bad or good,” but the beat was
extremely unexciting and her voice was so
monotone.
‘Only Girl (in the World)’ was the
photo courtesy of Def Jam Recordings
album’s first single and to me, the best
vocal performance of the entire album.
‘California King Bed’ was the album’s
only acoustic song. I appreciate her efforts
to step away from her ever-present toughgirl
persona, but acoustic doesn’t really go
well with her powerful voice.
‘Man Down’ was a disaster of a song.
Even if she was metaphorically speaking
when she wrote about shooting a “man
down,” the lyrics are a bit concerning.
15
Maybe she was trying to channel her
Barbadian blood, but if truth be told, the
reggae influence of the song didn’t have a
positive impact on the album as a whole.
Featured on the seventh song of the
album, ‘Raining Men,’ is Nicki Minaj. This
song added a unique flavor to the album.
Nicki’s exceptional voice added a little
fashion to the song.
‘Complicated’ was one of Rihanna’s
best vocal performances on the album. The
club beat and love-crazed lyrics would have
been the perfect way to end the album.
However, Rihanna chose to end ‘Loud’
with the sequel to the hit ‘Love the Way
You Lie.’ I expected the song to be entirely
different than the first one. However, the
chorus and Eminem’s verse are a little too
much like the first part.
All together, Rihanna’s fifth studio
album was a decent piece of work. It had
a few songs that didn’t necessarily sparkle,
but the album had its fair share of good
quality songs.
Many of these songs were flirtatious
and gregarious, which is just what a 22year-old
single girl’s music should portray.
Linkin Park delivers exceptional performance
review by Brian Goins
co-Editor-in-Chief
Mass expectations ran high as
the effusively adored rock band,
Linkin Park, brought their talents
to South Florida at the Bank Atlantic
Center in Sunrise on Jan.
20, and kicked off their North
American tour promoting their
newest 2010 album, ‘A Thousand
Suns.’
Hours before the show, the
lines for general admission grew
to enormous proportions -- all
wanting to get as close to the band
as possible.
One father and son who
dressed in Linkin Park fashion
even affirmed, “We’ve been here
before sunrise,” which explains
how they were the first in line the
day of the concert.
As doors opened right on
the dot at 7 p.m., after waiting an
hour in the Reserved Seating line,
glorified fans spilled through the
doors, most heading towards the
general admission area of the stadium.
Though I wasn’t anticipating
the pre-show acts, I was for 8:20
p.m., the time I was to meet up
at the VIP lobby, where I had an
invite for the pre-show meet and
greet with the band.
At the meet and greet, I had
the chance to get autographs, interact
and take a group picture
with the band for a period of 30
minutes as fans came one-by-one
while the band was set behind a
stretched table set backstage.
After receiving my autographs,
it was time for the meet
and greets to end. Coincidentally,
Pendulum was on the verge of
wrapping up their performance
that enlightened some new fans.
By the time I got to my seat,
it was time for Linkin Park to
launch the show and enter the
promising new divide sound that
has drawn a mix between both
fans of the old and critics of the
new Linkin Park.
Lights out. Pitch-black.
Echoing screams of “Linkin Park,
Linkin Park!” chants emphatically
grew. And then, suddenly,
that first wave of sound reiterated.
Knowing I was about to witness
a “show.” Strobe lights flickered
hazily. Turntablist Joe Hahn
popped out trending a Florida
Panthers jersey, ready to get the
show started with the setlist’s first
track, ‘Wretches and Kings.’
A new defiant rap track with
Shinoda in his best Chuck D act
flowing rhymes like “How low
can you go?” heard in Public Enemy’s
‘Bring Tha Noise.’
Smacking a ‘Rockband’-like
set of drum pads that sampled the
song’s vigorous beat, it was nothing
short of a thrilling opener to
rouse the audience. This crowd
was ready. Next, the band pulled
out a classic fan favorite with a
rare performance of ‘Papercut,’ a
single off their highly-acclaimed
debut album ‘Hybrid Theory’
(2000).
Right after, it was back to
supporting the new album with
eight new songs never heard before
in the U.S.
The strongest performances
that got the crowd energized were
‘Iridescent,’ ‘Waiting for the End’
and ‘When They Come for Me.’
‘Iridescent’ brought the
crowd together chanting along the
tranquil sing-along, shouting “let
it go.” And to a surprise, ‘Shadow
of the Day,’ a single I had less
expectation during the start of its
live performance, turned out to be
one of the most exceptional live
songs played. Chester nailed the
vocals part and displayed why
he’s one of the best rock singers
today.
Then, stringing along some
of the band’s well-known singles
like fan-favorites ‘Numb,’‘Faint,’
‘Given Up’ and ‘Crawling’ made
the stadium erupt, and after the
concert, mumbling could be
heard, “what a damn good concert.
That’s a true rock band.”
Kanye interrupts billboards with his ‘Twisted Fantasy’
review by Richard Gomez
Section Editor
We all paused in awe when he said, “George Bush
doesn’t care about black people,” on live television. People
couldn’t believe that this guy would actually get on
stage during the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards and argue
that he should have been the one to win the award after
finding out he lost.
We all got fed up when he went on stage when Taylor
Swift won the award for Best Female Video and uttered
one of the most famous punch lines in, probably, award
show history by saying “I’mma let you finish, but Beyonce
had one the greatest videos of all time!”
The conclusion of all of this was the hypothetical
crowning given to none other than Kanye West for the
most “Unpopular Man of the Year.” So, after meddling
with his public image for years, and speaking out in the
most inappropriate times possible, West -- or informally
known as ‘Yeezy’ -- might be able to tune the general public
away from those memorable moments by doing what
made him famous in the first place -- making music.
West did just that by releasing ‘My Beautiful Dark
Twisted Fantasy,’ his fifth album, which very happens to
be his best one yet. The album heard in its entirety stresses
the struggles that West deals within himself, the feeling of
regret throughout his life, and of course, the token “I’m the
best thing in this planet and what?” attitude that has been
brought forth to us many times. Like a great film viewed
for the first time or something of that stature, the minute
you pop in this CD, enchantment is brought upon you,
and you are officially welcomed to the twisted fantasy of
West’s mind.
The first track of the album, entitled ‘Dark Fantasy,’
begins with an unforgettable chorus, asking, “can we get
much higher?” followed by the sound of a piano that feeds
beautifully to the chorus.
Then, shortly after the dramatic chorus, vintage West
is unleashed and springs out into action, with killer rhymes
such as “Me drown sorrow in that Diablo, me found bravery
in my bravado,” which is all accompanied by fantastic
beats throughout the song.
At least you don’t have to worry about this particular
song becoming overplayed to the point that it becomes annoying.
In this song, the looping guitar riffs along with his
preacher-like rhythm collaborate very well.
Throughout the song, West seems vengeful and even
fires back at South Park writers for even considering
mocking him in an episode which he was featured in. In
addition to those aspects, having rising rapper Cudi in the
photo by Kevin Vildosola
Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington signs autographs at the meet
and greet. The band kicked off their North American tour at the Bank
Atlantic Center in Sunrise on Jan. 20.
song makes it that much more impactful.
In ‘All of the Lights,’ the song starts off with what
sounds like something straight out of a ‘Rocky’ movie.
With its triumphant sounds of many trumpets, along with
heavy doses of drum and bass beats, it just fits perfectly.
This song, along with hit singles ‘Power’ and ‘Runaway,’
is sure to be a fan favorite.
This album does more than just feature songs that
are typically expected from West. He actually escapes his
comfort zone with songs such as ‘Devil in a New Dress’
and ‘Blame Game.’ Both of these songs serve as the soothers
of the album, being the samples and piano riffs of these
songs are very calm and R&B-like.
I particularly find the song ‘Blame Game’ hilarious,
which has singer-songwriter John Legend nonchalantly
singing about how he argues with his girlfriend in the chorus’
throughout the song. Chris Rock is also featured in
this song and even gives his two cents at the end, with an
unnecessarily long phone call directed to a girl.
This album is simply an amazing one, like or dislike
West. Every song in this album feels like West put
his hardest work forth and turned all of his adversity to
fuel his inspiration to make better music. This album is
definitely album-of-the-year bound, and if it doesn’t win it
-- heck, I’ll go on stage.

16
January 2011
Largest cruise ships in world sail from
South Florida throughout Caribbean
By Danny Galves
Staff Reporter
The cruise industry has now
given birth to a new class of ship:
The Oasis class. Easily the largest
class of cruise ship in the
world, Royal Caribbean’s brand
new “Oasis of the Seas” and sister
ship “Allure of the Seas” have
recently taken to the waters and
are now the two largest cruises in
the industry. Stretching the length
of four football fields, the ships
are one-and-a-half times taller
than the O2 Arena, dwarfing even
the largest ships from competing
cruise lines such as Celebrity,
Carnival and MSC.
Five times bigger than the
Titanic itself, the Oasis of the
Seas is 40 percent larger than the
largest ship ever built. In fact, on
its first voyage after its three-year,
883 million Euro building project
out of Finland, the Oasis was
barely able to leave the Danish
islands due to the 16-story ship’s
massive height almost colliding
with the Great Belt Bridge, a
suspension bridge connecting the
islands of Zealand and Funen,
with a margin of only a few feet.
Road traffic was stopped as a
precaution, but fortunately, an
expensive collision was avoided.
“Nothing fell off,” said
project manager Toivo Ilvonen
(Mail Online News).
TheOasisisdividedintoseven
“districts” due to its gargantuan
size. The first is Central Park, a
350-foot-long walkthrough park
complete with 72 different species
of plants, trees and bamboo. The
Central Park is complete with
comfortable New York Par-style
benches, restaurants and even a
bar that rises and lowers between
4 floors to the next district: The
Royal Promenade. Situated three
stories below the Central Park,
The Royal Promenade is an
indoor shopping street with more
restaurants, retail stores and even
a small cupcake store.
The next district is the
Boardwalk area, which is modeled
after the classic San Francisco
boardwalk complete with an
actual carousel, Johnny Rockets,
a fake tattoo parlor, and even a
Greek-style amphitheatre, which
transforms into a swimming pool
during the day. The Oasis is also
equipped with a Pool and Sports
Zone, an indoor entertainment
theatre and aYouth Zone complete
with a mini theme park and even a
science lab.
Tourists are also
accommodated with a variety of
on-board and off-board activities.
Guests are treated to a variety of
shows from musicals to stand-up
comedy in the entertainment zone.
The sheer variety of restaurants
available on the Oasis and Allure
can keep even the most critical
cruiser eating for weeks.
Both ships sail through the
Eastern and Western Caribbean
with ports of call in Ft. Lauderdale,
Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Martin,
and Mexico. The Oasis-class
ships are now ready to take the
world by storm.
photo by Danny Galvez
Central Park is a 350-foot-long walkthrough park in one of the districts on the Oasis of the Seas. Created to look
like Central Park in New York, it comes complete with benches, restaurants and 72 different species of plants
trees and bamboo. The Oasis of the Seas is one of two ships created by Royal Caribbean as part of its Oasis
class ships, the largest cruise ships in the world.
Damaged nuclear power plant to re-open in Ukraine
By Derek Vildosola
Staff Reporter
When the youth of today hear about
Priypat, Chernobyl, Ukraine, they relate
it to a level in the acclaimed 2007 video
game ‘Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.’
The game does somewhat of a thorough
job in depicting the horrors of the worst
nuclear power plant accident in history.
The accident was a result of a faulty
Soviet reactor design and was operated incorrectly
by the incompetence of its operators,
thus causing the plant to explode. The
steam and fire released at least five percent
of the radioactive core into the atmosphere,
spreading across large areas of Belarus,
Ukraine, and Russia during the last years
of the Soviet Union. Two workers died the
night of the accident and 28 more died over
time from injuries sustained from the incident.
The subject hasn’t been brought up
since its last reactor was shut down in 2000.
Sources say, in 2011, that the site of the explosion
will reopen as a tourist attraction.
March 17 - April 3, 2011
To get your tickets,
visit The Viper Vibe
in room 228 during lunch
or after school.
Cash only.
Ukraine plans to reopen a preserved zone
surrounding the spot of the infamous Reactor
4.
In the present day site, close to 2,500
employees maintain the remains of the
now-closed nuclear plant, working in shifts
to minimize their exposure to radiation.
Several hundred evacuees have returned
to their villages in the area despite a
government ban.
A few companies now offer tours to
the restricted area, but the government says
these tours are illegal and the safety of the
tourists is not guaranteed.
New precautions have been made to the
reactor explosion area. A new, safer shell
for the exploded reactor will be finished
by 2015. The new shelter will cover the
original iron-and-concrete structure that
was originally built over the reactor and
has been leaking radiation, cracking and
threatening to collapse.
The new shell is 345-feet tall, 853-feet
wide and 490-feet long. It weighs 20,000
tons and will be slid over the old shelter
using rail tracks. The new shell will be
large enough to house the Statue of
Liberty. Ukraine is doing its best to
contain the nuclear residue.
How would this apply to a nuclear
plant in the U.S.? Of course,
new precautions have been taken
when it comes to them, but are they
fool proof?
The 2008 Florida electricity
blackout says otherwise. A shutdown
of Turkey Point (Florida’s twin reactor
nuclear power station in Homestead)
cased that blackout so that 2.5
million people lost power, and places
such as Miami International Airport
and Walt Disney World were affected
as well. The atmosphere at school
was of panic and unawareness when
Varela and all Miami-Dade County
photo courtesy of nasa.gov
Public Schools went on a lockdown
Image NM23-745-116 was taken April 27, 1997, from the
that lasted until after school let out. Russian Mir Space Station with a Hasselblad medium for-
In 2008, Florida was almost a mat camera equipped with a 250-mm lens and is provided
recreation of Chernobyl. More pre- by the Earth Observations Laboratory, Johnson Space
cautions need to be taken to secure Center.
the safety of nuclear plants in the
U.S.
2011 Advance Ticket Sales
Discount Prices
22 Coupon
Ride Sheet
$17.00
Fair Time price: $25
SAVE $8
22 Coupon Ride Sheet can be used any
day of The Fair, including weekends/
school field trips
P*O*P
Ride Card
$20.00
Fair Time price: $25
SAVE $5
P*O*P Ride Card can be used for unlimited
rides, Monday - Friday only. NOT
valid on weekends/school field trips.
General
Admission
$8.00
Fair Time price: $10
SAVE $2
General Admission Tickets for
ages 6 & over, 5 & under free.
Boys’ basketball
startles District as
new number one
heading into playoffs
by Richard Gomez
Section Editor
A young Viper basketball
squad that was once consumed
of mostly seniors, now led by
a majority of juniors and some
seniors, has their eye on the
prize. That prize? The chance
to compete in the playoffs.
Last year’s team was
much more experienced than
this year’s team -- concerning
with their grade level and age
-- but this year’s squad is doing
something last year’s squad
didn’t do: being in-playoff contention.
Last year’s team finished
with a solid 15-7 record but
still came short, while this
year’s team is making headway
through the end of the season
with chatters of their team going
to the playoffs.
At the moment, the team
is with a decent 10-6 record,
and their last games have been
crucial for this team in making
it to post-season play and possibly
competing at States.
“These last games have
been very important to our success,
being so high-placed in
the district and very close to
making it [playoffs] even as a
number one seed; it’s up to us
to beat teams we [have] already
previously beaten again,” said
senior point guard Cornel Cheron.
And minutes after a home
win versus Homestead on Jan.
27, the team learned that they
were going to the playoffs, and
better yet, as the number one overall seed
in their District.
It was the team’s first time making it
this far into a season in recent years.
The product of this team expected
nothing less than to make the playoffs, baring
a 7-2 record against district opponents.
“Our goal was to win every game that
we stepped our foot into,” said head coach
Cesar Lacaci. “We’ve improved so much
from this year to last year, and we’re happy
to have achieved our goal.”
by Brian Goins
co-Editor-in-Chief
Led by a developing connection
that has been a vital key to
the growing success of this year’s
girls’ basketball team, this year’s
team has continued to show Miami-Dade
County that they are a
team to be reckoned with.
At 16-6, the 2010-2011 girls’
basketball team is on pace to repeat
their impressive 20-6 overall
record last season.
With senior Margarita Rosario
leading the team, averaging
18 points per game, 3.9 assists
per game and 2.7 steals per game,
the team has strived well on their
photo courtesy of Fox-Mar
Junior Kumo Henry goes up for a contested layup in a basketball
game versus Southridge on Jan 4. Henry has totaled
eight double-doubles this season by scoring at least 10
points and grabbing 10 rebounds a game.
“We’re going to get that banner,” said
Cheron.
The team’s also had many players
planning, such as junior forward Jumaoke
Smith, about where to go after high school
to continue their basketball careers.
“I’m looking at universities such as
Barry, and hopefully, I can continue playing
at a high level,” said Smith.
The team will now finish the regular
season on the road at Sunset, and will soon
prepare for playoff competition hoping to
perform their best in the following weeks.
way, winning eight of the last
nine games and are 7-1 in their
Class 6A District 16.
“I think we have improved
on our defensive mentality, we
are a lot better on our full court
press, and our communication
has, overall, gotten better among
our players,” said head coach
Ryan Schneider.
Coming off the annual Chaminade-Madonna
Holiday Basketball
Classic, the team played
against tough opponents across
the state of Florida.
In their first game of the tournament
on Dec. 20, they faced off
against Florida Bible Christian
High School out in Miramar, FL,
trouncing the Warriors with a 50-
27 win.
Senior center Kiara Clarington
led the team in scoring with
18 points converting all 7 of her
shots.
Rosario led the team in assists
with 7, while also assisting
towards the scoring load along
with senior Tomiaya Graham,
each scoring 10 points on 4 for 4
shooting.
During their second game of
the Winter Classic, Varela was in
for a battle against (12-3) Port
Charlotte. The Pirates gave the
Vipers a run for their money.
After an 11-10 first quarter
lead for the Vipers, the Pirates
January 2011
February SportS Schedule
Date OppOnent Site time
Girls Varsity Basketball
2/2 Southridge 6:00 p.m.
2/4 Finals (TBA) 7:00 p.m.
Varsity Wrestling
2/4 District Tournament TBA 9:00 p.m.
2/11-12 Regional Tournament Doral 8:00 p.m.
2/17-19 State Tournament Lakeland TBA
Varsity Softball
2/7 American American 3:30 p.m.
2/11 C. Gables C. Gables 4:00 p.m.
2/15 C. Reef Varela 3:30 p.m.
2/17 Killian Varela 3:30 p.m.
2/23 Southridge Southridge 7:00 p.m.
2/24 Krop Varela 3:30 p.m.
2/28 Sunset Varela 4:00 p.m.
JV Softball
2/12 Braddock Braddock 1:00 p.m.
2/19 C. Reef C. Reef 9:00 a.m.
2/26 C. Gables Sunset 11:00 a.m.
2/26 Sunset Sunset 1:00 p.m.
Varsity Baseball
2/8 Hialeah Gardens Home. Baseball Complex 3:30 p.m.
2/10 Booker T. Homestead Sr. 3:30 p.m.
2/22 C. Reef Varela 3:30 p.m.
2/24 Killian Varela 3:30 p.m.
JV Baseball
2/19 Homestead Varela 10:00 a.m.
2/26 C. Reef Varela 12:30 p.m.
Boys Varsity Tennis
2/8 South Miami Varela 3:30 p.m.
2/10 Southwest Tropical Park 3:00 p.m.
2/15 Miami Sr. Varela 2:00 p.m.
2/17 Miami Springs Varela 2:00 p.m.
2/24 C. Gables Biltmore 2:00 p.m.
2/25 Braddock Varela 2:00 p.m.
Girls Varsity Tennis
2/8 South Miami Varela 3:30 p.m.
2/10 Southwest Tropical Park 3:00 p.m.
2/15 Miami Sr. Varela 2:00 p.m.
2/17 Miami Springs Varela 2:00 p.m.
2/24 C. Gables Biltmore 2:00 p.m.
2/25 Braddock Varela 2:00 p.m.
Varsity Badminton
2/18 Southwest, Killian, Ferguson Varela 2:30 p.m.
Varsity Track and Field
2/22 Killian, Gables, Reagan, Sunset Varela 3:30 p.m.
2/26 Braddock, Sunset, Ferguson Ferguson 7:30 a.m.
TOP Ten
Most Successful Super Bowl Teams
Girls’ basketball looks to bounce through district tournament
led the rest of the way with an
8-5 second quarter, a 19-15 third
quarter and an 18-16 fourth quarter.
It was a closer game than
what was shown on paper. Rosario
played another stellar game,
scoring 20 points while converting
5 3-pointers.
Since the Holiday tournament,
the lady Vipers have been
6-3 in their last nine games, losing
to District rival Coral Reef,
Palmetto and have most recently
lost their last regular season game
to Dr. Krop on Jan. 24, getting
blown out (34-66).
Up next is the District 16-6A
girls’ basketball tournament that
17
Wins Losses Appearances
1. Dallas Cowboys 5 3 8
2. Pittsburgh Steelers 6 1 7
3. Denver Broncos 2 4 6
4. = Miami Dolphins 2 3 5
= New England Patriots 3 2 5
= Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders 3 2 5
= San Francisco 49ers 5 0 5
= Washington Redskins 3 2 5
9. = Buffalo Bills 0 4 4
= Green Bay Packers 3 1 4
= Minnesota Vikings 0 4 4
information gathered by ‘The Top 10 of Everything’ by Russell Ash
will feature the Vipers as the No.2
ranked seed out of four competing
teams, facing off against No.3
Southridge on Feb. 2 at 6:00 p.m.
on the quest for the District title.
Note: Senior Margarita Rosario
was named Player of the Week
for the week of 11/14/2010-
11/20/2010 after leading the
Vipers to a season opening 3-0
start and totaled 68 points and
averaged 4 assists per game in 3
games. (MaxPreps a CBS Sports
site)

18
Boys’ soccer season
comes to a brief hault
with a loss at GMACs
photo courtesy of Fox-Mar
Junior Nahuel Medina wips a shot towards the Palmetto Panthers goal-net from midfield in a 5-0 shutout win on
Dec.10, 2010. Medina led the Vipers with two goals scored in the match.
by Amanda Di Lella
Staff Reporter
With a current record of 13-3 and being undefeated
in the district, the boys’ soccer team had
what is said to be a solid season. They recently
finished their season, and many have said that this
past year’s team is making more advances than last
year’s.
In fact, many on the team believe that the past
year’s team is much stronger and better equipped
for success, as many of them have been playing together
for quite some time and the teammates are
much more familiar with each other.
“We have a lot of older players this year with
a few newer ones who are also really good,” said
senior team player David Martinez.
When the season was still going on, the team
spent most of their after-school time practicing every
day from 2:45 to approximately 5 p.m. in order
to ensure that the team can work together efficiently,
and develops strategies for upcoming games. They
also have study hall every Monday to help players
stay up to date with homework and classes.
“We take every game separately, we don’t
think ahead,” said assistant coach Mr. Monge.
This was the same mindset that players took
into one of their most important games of the season
against Killian at the Kendall Soccer Park on
Jan. 7.
Despite the unexpected cold weather, players
put their all into the game and a bleacher full of
fans came out to support them. The game was an
intense one as both teams struggled until the end to
score and get ahead. In the end, the team tied with
Killian with a final score of 1-1.
Although this past season was a solid one for
the soccer team, the team’s season suffered a tough
break with a loss to Miami Edison High (a Regional
finalist last season).
The team recently finished playing at the
GMAC semi-finales and lost 4-2. Due to this recent
lost, their season will come to brief halt by not
competing further in the GMAC tournament.
Girls’ soccer fails to
reach district playoffs
due to injuries and
commitment issues
by Marina Loiacono
Staff Reporter
The girls’ soccer season is
said to be a constant struggle from
the get go.
Amongst all the sports in our
school, our own lady Vipers soccer
team is known for being very
skillful and defensive on the field.
Unlike this season, that was indeed
not the theme here.
“The biggest problem with
the team is the amount of dedication
we have from our teammates,”
said head coach Michelle
Torre.
“Our players are having a
really difficult time trying to
balance the amount of time that
they spend on their club soccer
teams (soccer clubs outside of the
school) and our high school soccer
team here,” said Torre.
With a record of 2-6, the
lady Vipers soccer team had a
disappointing season,
although the girls’ varsity
team did have a
better season than the
junior varsity team.
While playing
club soccer and high
school soccer, most
of the players are fatigued
from the overtraining.
Club soccer
also imposes with the
players playing time
on the field.
Injuries are usually
caused in club
soccer; the team has
other players to put
on the field who may
not be as skilled as the
other ones. As well as
any sport a players is
bound to have injuries;
this was not the
case with soccer this
season, having a few
minor injuries at the
beginning of the year.
“This season,
the girls’ soccer team
didn’t make it to Districts,
but I know that
we can overcome our
faults and work to improve on our
issues to have a good season next
year, hopefully,” said Michelle
Perri.
It is just one of the many
beliefs that roam throughout the
locker room to help keep a positive
mindset for the many upcoming
seasons ahead.
“We just need to improve on
being one whole unit,” said coach
Torre.
Despite having had a disappointing
season, Torre has a lot
of expectations for the upcoming
season and says the team will
work hard to improve their issues
and work together during their
off-season training.
Hopefully, with all the training
Coach Torre plans on instilling
on the team, the lady Vipers
soccer team will reach Districts in
their next season.
Dolphins miss out on playoffs and on new head coach
by Raphael De la Cruz
Staff Reporter
As another season of football flies by, so do the Miami
Dolphins, missing yet again another chance at grasping in
their hands on a shiny Lombardi trophy.
This year, the Dolphins finished with a losing record
of 7-9, with their chance of landing on a Wildcard slot
missed after a loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15.
Although a 3-game losing streak is something to be
disappointed about, the real questions lie in the future of
the football franchise. This off-season will be filled with
mystery and hope, as decisions will be made about key
positions for the team.
The offensive coordinator Dan Henning has retired after
a lackluster season, and head coach Tony Sparano was
very close to be out of the team as well, but was given a
two-year extension through 2013. He wasn’t the intended
coach, though, for the upcoming season.
Owner Stephen Ross had previously met with former
Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh to negotiate a supposed
deal worth $8 million per year -- which would have
made him the highest-paid coach in NFL history -- without
letting Sparano know, leaving him in a limbo over his job
photo with permission of MCT/Miami Herald
Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano, left, and team owner
Stephen Ross take part in a roundtable discussion at the
Dolphins Training Facility in Davie, Florida, on January 8.
security.
Moreover, another search continues for a quarterback’s
coach after David Lee accepted a job as offensive
coordinator for Mississippi. This is important for the development
of quarterback Chad Henne who finished the
photo courtesy of Fox-Mar
Senior Alexia Clark is on the sideline about to
toss an inbound pass after a change of possession
in a game versus Killian. The girls’ soccer
finished the season with an overall record of 2-6
and fell short of qualifying for Districts.
season with just 15 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He
is most likely going to keep his job with Sparano back.
In danger, though, is running back Ricky Williams,
who -- throughout negotiations with Sparano -- kept on
bashing and questioning his confidence in him as head
coach. As of now, he is a free agent along with first stringer
Ronnie Brown. And, as the 2011 NFL Draft draws closer,
many are wondering where our pick is going.
“I really don’t think we’ll draft a quarterback since
Tony Sparano is, for sure, going to be the coach next year,”
said senior Cornel Cheron.
So, if the pick is not going to be used on a quarterback,
others think that a running back is going to be drafted.
On a positive note, the Dolphins are expecting Sun
Life stadium to get a major revamp including a few redesigns.
On the list is a new “semi-roof.” From a birds-eyeview,
it resembles a playing card with a hole in the middle.
The purpose is to prevent rain from entering the stadium.
Also presented in the redesign are new high-definition
scoreboards in each corner of the stadium.
To all those Dolphin supporters, we hope for a great
off-season and to those non-believers, the ‘Fins will come
back in the 2011-2012 season.
Yes,
Mrs. Christin?
The
Viper
Truth by Victoria Castillo
Bagels
are
amazing!
BAGELS!
Bagels!
BAGELS!
Alright
Bagels!
BAGELS!Bagels!
Everyone,
buy a bagle!
BAGELS!
BAGELS!
January 2011
YOU!
You’re out
of uniform
19
Tribune Media Services/MCT Campus
VINNIE
THE