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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
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readers on any subject relevant to its
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right to reject, edit, and condense letters.
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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
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Interscholastic Press Association, the Student
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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.