View - Coral Reef Senior High School - Miami-Dade County Public ...

Spotlight
Martial Arts Master
VPA senior knows how to defend himself
GIOVANNA
GONZALEZ
Filipino Kali
doesn’t sound like a
martial arts, does it? Here
at Coral Reef Senior High
School, Paul Poppe, VPA
senior, practices Filipino
Kali, which is a type of
Martial Arts. He has been
training for three years at
Hybrid Martial Arts.
Filipino Kali
emphasizes stick combat,
knife work, and hand
techniques.
“It’s great for self
defense, and I really enjoy
knowing that whatever
situation I’m in, I can
protect myself,” Poppe
explains.
A person
who trains or practices
Filipino Kali is called
an “eskrimador.” When
being an eskrimador, and
to be an eskrimador you
must know yourself, and
have self knowledge. Poppe explains that
in Martial Arts you must understand the
way you fight, the reasons why, and how
to train to maximize the potency of your
style.
One of the great aspects of Filipino
Kali is that it’s not as structured because
the fighter can create their own moves that
would fit their own personal style. When it
comes to technique, there are many ways
they can block an attack, many ways they
can counter it, or anything else.
Everyone has their own technique
that works best for them. For example,
Poppe enjoys stick work, but he does
PHOTO CREDIT: GIOVANNA GONZALEZ
Paul Poppe shows off some of his favorite moves
and fighting stances from Filipino Kali a unique
form of martial arts.
love empty hand techniques and the knife
combat the most.
When he first began training, he
was taught foot work and angles of attack.
These angles where you can be attacked
can range but usually they consist of twelve
basic strikes in different regions of the
body. Once he had this down, he learned
how to block and double stick work.
After a while, the training does
become more intense and they begin to
learn stick locks, disarms, flow drills, and
of course the empty hand techniques.
“That’s one of the best parts
of kali, the art just keeps building and
building.”
Coral Reef Sr. High
Fall 201013
Q&A with Felicia Prospere
An ex-cheerleader shares quirks about her life
CELINE KHOURI
Staff Writer
What type of music do you like?
Country music because it tells the funniest stories.
What is your goal in your life?
My goal is to be happy. Don’t get me wrong, being fabulously
wealthy when I’m older (because that would make me very
happy), but as long as I’m happy, I’ll be fine
What is your favorite cheese?
Anything that comes in string form because it’s so fun to eat
What has been your weirdest dream you have
ever had?
I fell asleep watching Jersey shore and I had
a dream that I was in an MMA match with
Angelina. I had on Snooki’s fuzzy slippers and everything. I
won
What is your favorite subject?
Math, because it’s ALWAYS stays the same.
Who is your role model?
My role model is anyone who lives out their dreams.
I admire people who have the ability to pursue their
dreams without fear.
What is your sanctuary?
In my room under my loft bed. It’s like I have my own little
cave in my room
What is your most memorable childhood memory?
I gave my mom chicken pox for my 3rd birthday party and she had
to watch everyone having fun from the bedroom window.
Sweet or salty?
Salty. Too much sweet gives people a stomach ache and cavities.
Describe yourself in three words.
OCD, colorful, bubbly
This Cuda is going places in the world of art
VPA Senior, Avery Bailey, has found her niche in the artistic community
GABRIELA REYES
Staff Writer
This summer, VPA Senior, Avery Bailey,
went to Rhode Island School of Design to study
illustration for 6 weeks. Ever since 8th grade, her
dream has been to attend RISD.
“I wanted to go to RISD pre-college
because art has always played a really big role in my
life and I want to go to a prestigious art school.”
At RISD she experienced the college life
to its plentitude; she drew all day, and stayed up
drawing all night.
“It was a real college life. We lived in dorms
and got to do what ever we wanted throughout the
night and there was no high school drama. Everyone
there was into art. I also had a lot of freedom. There
were times that I would simply get on the train and
just go to Boston. I also discovered Red Bull, which
I practically lived off the entire trip!”
Avery was also able to experience what the
actual academic life of a RISD student is like.
“I drew naked models everyday. I knew
I had to do it even before I went, I just didn’t want
to. The worst part was that they were usually old
and fat. They definitely weren’t easy on the eyes. We
had to stare at them for basically an entire day and
draw them. It was one of the most uncomfortable
situations ever! But I ended up feeling way better
about myself. Because I thought if these people
had no problem looking like that and being naked
in front of a stranger, then I better start loving my
body.”
The whole pre-college life also proved to
be a door opener.
“I met so many cool people. The creator of
Avatar went one day and did a seminar, and I had
the chance to talk to him for a few minutes. It was a
fantastic experience!”
Overall, Avery’s summer at RISD helped
her to learn a lot about illustration and taught her
how to market herself correctly.
“I plan to pursue a career in illustration,
and foundation drawing. And, if that doesn’t work
out, I’m going to become a stunt pilot.”
Undoubtedly, Avery is a child of the arts
and will continuously show her love for it. Even right
now, in high school, she has her own art business.
A few years ago she started a line called: B*tchin
Kicks.
The whole idea behind this concept was
that life’s a bitch so shoes don’t have to be.
Through means of Facebook, she has
marketed herself and receives more and more
customers on a daily basis.
For $20, she would turn any pair of white
shoes to a fairy tale, or urban dream. All you have to
do is bring her the shoes and she draws any design
you want to have on them.
“I live off of art; to me it’s sacred,” said Avery.
PHOTO CREDIT: BRITTANY ROTH
Avery Bailey shows some of her recent pieces of art. She uses
these ideas to create unique shoe designs.