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will not be published.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