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NewsBring It On FCAT!Students Ready To ShineBack to High School Coral Reef Teachers imitate their students for a skit tomotivate the underclassmen that will soon be taking the FCAT.Reef’s Job FairBY ELYSE MERCADOEditor-In-ChiefAs you might have noticed from the numerous e-mailsbeing sent to the student body, Coral Reef will be hostinga Career Fair on March 11th and 12th.“What we are trying to do is to provide a decent alternativeto the juniors and seniors on those FCAT days. We didsomething that was actually very difficult to do,” saysCareer Specialist Jose Sardon.There will be approximately 50 companies ranging fromState Farm to Walgreen’s and Miami Children’s Theatre toAbercrombie and Fitch. Booths will also be set up by theUS Navy, Marines, Army and Air force.The event is scheduled to take place during the first twoblocks of each day, lasting from approximately 8am to11am. Each day students will be divided into two groups,each taking a turn in the field and the gym.“We tried to bring something for everyone. If you’rein legal we have places including law enforcement andthe Department of Juvenile Justice. If you’re in businesswe have banks,” Mr. Sardon said. Medical students havehospitals and Agriscience students can enjoy the USDA/Agricultural Research Service.Outside activities include obstacle courses and rockclimbing in the field. Hummers and vehicles used with incertain professions, such the Army and the Marines, willbe on the field as well. Firefighters will be coming in withtheir truck for students to see and enjoy.As for the dress code, unfortunately shorts and a tank topwon’t suffice.“I wouldn’t come dressed for success but I would dressnice,” said Mr. Sardon. “There will be companies that willbe looking to hire so don’t wear your ripped jeans. Insteadyou might want to come prepared with a resume.”Brains and skillTYRELL HALLStaff WritterThree champions sit at the tableadorned with assorted collegiate sportsparaphernalia; they grip their pens withthe same intensity that they have used togrip footballs and baseball bats during fouryears of strenuous preparation for this epicmoment…they are ready. They all sign atthe same time. And we are all inspired.Recently, on February 6, three of ourvery own accepted one of the highesthonors accorded to high school athletestheglorious full-ride. Each received afull athletic scholarship to his/her school“We dids o m e t h i n gt h a tw a sactuallyveryd i f f i c u l tto doof choice: Kristy Bigenho to BevardCommunity College, Malcolm Munroeto Georgia Tech, and Eliezer Sandaifer toNorth Carolina Central University.“[I was] excited [about the offer]; Ijumped around the house for half an hour,”said Sandaifer about his scholarship offer.Sandaifer was influenced to choose NorthCarolina Central after a full-paid weekendvisit to the school. When asked about it tookfor him to climb to his current position,Eliezer responded, “Patience, hard work,more hard work.”Malcolm Munroe responded in similarfashion. He summed up his principlesBY MICHELLE PORTERStaff WriterHey underclass Cudas! It’s thatspecial time of year again when we breakout the number 2 pencils and the standardfour-function calculators. That’s right, I’mtalking about the FCAT. Every year theteachers and administrators try to get thestudents excited about taking the FCAT,and this year is no different - well maybejust a little different.The old ways of having your teachersjust tell you how much better it will bewhen you pass the FCAT are gone becauseon Monday, February 25, the teachers andadministrators teamed up in an excitingand entertaining effort to show theunderclassmen how awesome it is!The stars of the show were: ourawesome Assistant Principals, Mr. Mejia,Mr. Evans, Ms. Pereira, and Ms. Valdez;our inimitable counselor, Mr. Zucker;and our talented teachers, Mr. Mateo,Ms. Porter, and Ms. Granberry - I hope Ididn’t forget anyone. They mimicked thestudent behaviors that irk them. Therewere desks arranged on the auditoriumstage as if it were a classroom, and whenthe teachers strolled onto the stage dressedCudettes win NationalsOrlando challenge nets winBY CHIEDOZIE OKAFORGuest WriterStylish in their silverjackets, Coral Reef’sCudettes returned to thetank as U.D.A. (UnitedDance Association)national champions. Thisyear’s team consisted ofthirteen seniors and fourjuniors from the magnetdanceacademy.The team’s captain LaurenDecker can walk aroundwith pride, knowing thatshe led her team to a StateChampionship.“It’s pretty difficult,because we’re all friends,but you have to learn toenforce rules and keepeveryone focused,” saysCaptain, Lauren Decker.Since the beginningof the school year, theCudette dancers havebeen practicing non-stopto achieve their goals. Ofcourse, this wasn’t an easytask. At times, frustrationgot the best of the team andarguments would occur.Who said Coral Reef didn’t have athletes?in a sentence, “Work hard,stay focused, and you gotto believe.” Munroe choseGeorgia Tech with severalconsiderations in mind.“Georgia Tech was a totalpackage: academics, chanceof playing, and my parentsthought it was the best choice.I’m really excited about thecity of Atlanta,” he said.Kristy Bigenho said, “ Justpractice.” She decided toattend Bevard CommunityCollege after participating in a showcase3Coral Reef Sr. HighMarch 2008in outrageous clothing, they definitely gotthe attention of the students, perhaps moreso than they get in the classroom!The students’ eyes were glued to thestage as the teachers acted as the studentsteachers were transformed into the students.Mr. Zucker won’t be returning to theclassroom for a long time after the ‘class’that he had! Look out Tom Cruise, HalleBerry and Denzel Washington! You’ve gotstiff competition! The roaring cheer of thestudent audience was living proof of a jobwell done.Not to be outdone, the Greeks steppedand stomped to thunderous applause. Therewas not one student left unimpressed. Ourdancers showed us how to relax and destress,using positive energy to rise aboveFCAT worries.One more week till the big CAT roarsinto town, and thanks to our teachers, weare ready! We have tough Coral Reef armorthat has prepared us for the task ahead. Itis said that ‘there are many ways to skina cat,’ and I believe Coral Reef studentshave been taught all the ways, so, BRINGIT ON! In the words of Assistant PrincipleMs. Pereira, “Lets “trapear” [or mop up]the FCAT!” Good luck little Cudas!Perfecting choreographywas not an easy task.Along with learning newdances, the team had anintense training, whichincluded running to buildendurance.Branden Bryant, VPAgraduate of 2007,choreographed the entirehip-hop routine, and RickyRuiz choreographed theJazz. Of course Ms. Santolohad a big influence on theentire performance.“We’ve been practicingsince the summer, usuallyfrom 8 am till 2 pm. Inbetween we were running,and it was intense becauseour jazz choreographer,Ricky Ruiz, was only intown for a week, so we hada limited amount of timeto learn the dance,” saysSenior Henry Rivera.“There were a lot ofarguments about everythingbut, in the end, we cametogether as a team,” saysSenior, Karla Watkins.The team definitelypulled together, leaving thetank on February 31, 2008,the Cudettes headed forOrlando, focused and readyto excel. The Cudettes arewell known at U.D.A. fortheir style and creativity.“Every year people expectnew and better materialfrom us,” says the team’sCaptain Lauren DeckerThe competitionis scored based ontechnique, performance,energy, formation andchoreography. The Reef’sCudettes did as much aspossible to perfect all therequirements.Not only was the teamfocused on keeping theirreputation as one of the best,they also had unfinishedbusiness with some of theother schools.According to an insider,the Cudettes have had asmall rivalry with West-Moore. After last year’scompetition the Cudettescame in 1st for Hip-Hop,but were beaten by West-Moore in Jazz, who camein 1st place.Signing Day Kristy Bigenho looks on asMalcolm Munroe and Eliezer Sandaifer signtheir letters of intentwhere, in her words, “they watched me,and they liked me.”

4Coral Reef Sr. HighMarch 2008EditorialWhy YOUth should voteHave a helping hand in the decision that affects all of our futuresEvery four years Americans are faced withthe important decision of voting, and manyadults take the time to decipher the hard choiceof electing someone who is sufficient enough tohold the title, or a complete idiot who will onlylive to disappoint us for the next four years.However, for the American youth the wordvoting doesn’t seem to strike too much attention.We’re automatically bored by political debates,political talks, and political propaganda.Anything regarding the world politics can onlybring us to a quick nap and a flip of the channel.Clearly not all teenagers fall in this category, buta good handful do.It was reported in the 2004 election that only48.75% of voters ages 18-24 registered and outof that small percentage, only 30.2% voted.Here in America we have a democracyand that means that we get a say in who runsour country. Along with this privilege, we alsoget a say about how our country is run. We aregiven this opportunity, a freedom that severalgenerations have fought for, yet so little of us ofuse it to our advantage and the advantage of ourcountry. It is very easy to take a “whatever, whocares” kind of attitude about our right to vote butwe shouldn’t be brushing this great honor off soquickly. In some countries people are literallydying to be able to have a small say and make adifference.There is no reason why we as young people,the future generation, should let this opportunitypass us by. Whoever gets elected will beresponsible for how our country is run for thenext four years. Past decisions have proved tobe important to young people in America. Thinkabout it. The war in Iraq: young soldiers are theones dying. Post-secondary education funding:our first four years of college. There are also theemployment and job training programs: how wewill be supporting ourselves for the first timeever. Those are just a few of the current hot topicsthat directly affect the quality of our life RIGHTNOW. This is the future we will one day inherit.Now we have to add environmental concerns,fossil fuel consumption, farming and livestockfunding and the list just gets longer.One of the great things about being a teenageris that so little is expected of us. Election yearafter election year the percentage of eligibleyouth who actually register and vote is smallwhen compared with other demographics but thisdoesn’t mean we should fall into the stereotypebeing put on by party analysts. Clearly there isonly one way to solve this problem. Do whatevery teenager does best, be rebellious and provethem wrong; get out and vote.BAITLINECo-Editors-in-ChiefElyse MercadoJennifer RoweOpinions EditorElyse MercadoNews EditorsFabienne ElieAnnie QuintanaJennifer RoweSubmerge YourselfEditorElyse MercadoA&E EditorTatiana McInnisSports EditorSheila StanleySpotlight EditorAlexa WattsCuda Culture EditorAndrea RodriguezHigh Tide EditorTatiana McInnisStaff WritersJanee BrownSheldon DearrFabienne ElieDiego FernandezBryan HerbertSamantha HeskeyAnya KaplanCody LorichTatiana McInnisElyse MercadoMichelle Porter2007-2008 StaffAnnie QuintanaAndrea RodriguezRaziela RodriguezJennifer RoweSheila StanleyElizabet TorrentsAnthony TorresAlexa WattsGuest WritersChiedozie OkaforGraphic DesignersMarienne FigueroaEmily HansonCody LorichElyse MercadoAdvisorCheri Mitchell-SantiagoPrincipalAdrianne LealBaitline strives to provide quality student-led publicationsto the student body providing the school community withan open forum of public expression. In the publicationsclass, students will make all editorial decisions including,but not limited to: generating story ideas, writing copy,editing copy, laying out copy, taking photographs, andhandling all aspects of running the business end of aschool publication. Because of this, any comments orconcerns should be addressed to the editorial staff.It should be understood that the newspaper is not aprofessional publication; therefore, students will makemistakes during the learning process. As a staff, we willmake every effort to learn from these mistakes andcontinually improve the publication.While our primary goal is to inform and entertain theschool community, we also strive to maintain highjournalistic standards. All opinions expressed in thepublications are the students’ or the individual sources,and not the staff’s as a whole, the advisor, or schoolofficials.Letters to the editor are appreciated and can be deliveredto room 305 or e-mailed tobaitline@coralreef.dadeschools.net. All letters submittedmay be condensed or edited for grammar and spelling.Libelous material will not be printed.Information about submitting ads can be obtained bye-mailing baitline@coralreef.dadeschools.net.Past issues can be viewed at http://crhs.dadeschools.net.

OpinionsCoral Reef Sr. HighMarch 20085Running with colorsCan Obama take it?BY FABIENNE ELIENews EditorI am fairly certain that I’mnot the only follower of thephenomenon that is Barack Obamaand yet I ask myself the question:the question of whether race willtrump gender as America lookstoward election 2008?It’s hard to deny that theClinton-Obama stand-off has beenmore than well-covered -- and inan overly simplistic, insubstantial,annoyingly celebritized way.Surely most of us were waitingfor the discussion to get seriousearlier in 2007 and, at last, it has.We’re just beginning to throwaround the tough questions; nowwe want to know where is themoney coming from? And whatabout the inconsistencies in thepositions? Where is this interestreally coming from?All much more important thanwhy he doesn’t wear a tie.My hopes for Obama are as high asanyone else’s, but what person soyoung in public life could survivebeing shot from the planet’sbiggest cannon at this velocity?And what, exactly, qualifies himto be the most powerful man in theworld? Hopefully, he will matureinto a truly viable leader, but I’mof the camp that says he isn’t quite soup yet.Officials like Jim Clyburn and others who cameup through the Democratic ranks won’t quickly allow anupstart to upset the apple cart of allegiances won, favorstraded and known quantities like Hillary Clinton and JohnEdwards.No one can deny the value of Obama’s humbleexperience in Illinois before becoming a US senator.God spare us another narcissist millionaire buyinghis way into office from nowhere but his offshore accounts.Now he’s learned the tedious ins and outs of governing,legislating and milling one’s way through the thicket ofinterest-group politics on a small but crucial scale. Theseare important dues that any good politician should pay.Now, he’s ready to apply those lessons learned to themassive scale of national politics, but we’re not givinghim the time to do that.His mixed descent is a popular topic of debate. Notdescended from West African slaves brought to America,he steps into the benefits of black progress (like HarvardLaw School) without having borne any of the burdens,and he gives the white folks plausible deniability of theirunwillingness to embrace blacks in public life. None ofObama’s doing, of course, but inevitable count againsthim.However, the issue was always framed as a battlebetween gender and race. Should we vote for a womanwho must’ve already played some unseen role in a previousadministration, or a superficially black man who appearsunaffected by the poisons of politics? My intentionis to point out the continuing significance of the slaveexperience to the white American psyche. Lumping us alltogether erases the significance of slavery and continuingracism while giving the appearance of progress. Thoughactually, it is a kind of progress. And that’s why I breakmy silence: Obama, with his assumed roots, is doing usall a favor.Since he had no part in our racial history, he is freeof it. And once he’s opened the door to even an awkwardembrace of candidates of color for the highest offices, thedoor will stay open; a side door, but an open door. Yet untilObama survives the scourging he’s about to receive, nocandidate of color will ever be taken seriously. Clintonisn’t about to leave the stage in the name of racial progress,but still, this is progress. Maybe he’s a non-black, but moreimportantly he’s a non-white. And he may get what allnon-whites have asked for: to be judged on his merits.What is “love”?BY SAMANTHA HESKEYStaff WriterWhat is love? Love is any of a number ofemotions and experiences related to a sense of strongaffection or profound oneness. Love can have a widevariety of intended meanings. Today everyone usesthe word love, and say, “I love you” but many don’treally mean it, or say it because someone says itto them and they feel the need to say it back.So the question is this is it love or lust? Studentsespecially today say I love you to someone thathas been dating for three months. It’s emotionallyimpossible for someone to truly love a person in amatter of 3 months. I feel if just because you are in arelationship and your partner says I love you to you,you don’t need to say those precious words back.I love you are strong words that should be reallymeant when said. Many people may not know butthere are many different kinds of love, it can beimpersonal love which is when someone may saythat they love a country, principle, or goal if theyvalue it greatly and are deeply committed to it.People can also ‘love’ material objects, which theyfeel it identifies with them in a certain way. .“Love,” as many people may call it, can and willdiffer from person to person based on emotionalmaturity. To know true love you not only must lovein such a way that you would give your own life at thedrop of a hat to save him/her, but you must be lovedin return. Love is hard to find and painful to lose, canbe the best thing that happens to you or the worst, candrive you crazy or keep you sane, can destroy livesor save them, can stop wars or start them, can clarifyor confuse, pushes and pulls people away. Althoughreal love is often accompanied by strong feelings,love does not equate with the sense of floating onclouds.

Coral Reef Sr. HighMarch 20086SUBMERGEWriting that means more than just the words on the pageStudents at the Reef show their feelings through diction and rhymeTO BEND & NOT BREAKBY TATIANA MCINNISIt’s difficult, isn’t it?To bend & not breakThrough oppressionDisplacement, persecutionAbuseWho could see past the blood &tears?The bigotry & fearsIt’s difficult, isn’tit?To make out the distantsongs of hope andpraiseThrough the clanking ofchains, the roaring ofwavesIt’s difficult, isn’tit?To be a prisoner ofyour skinTo enduretreatmentplaguedwithsinSurely,it wasdifficultTo live inthe land ofthe “free”When there arefive, but countedthreeIt’s difficult, isn’tit?To bend & not break.At the end of the day, you arenot only what you know, butwhat you endeavor to learn.“TATIANA MCINNIS, LEGAL SENIOR

BY ALIX MONTESYOURSELFDo You Know Your Black History?BY ELISABET TORRENTSStaff Writer1. Black History Month originated in1926 by __________ as Negro HistoryWeek. The month of February waschosen in honor of Frederick Douglassand Abraham Lincoln, who were bornin that month.a. Carter Godwin Woodsonb. Martin Luther King Jr.c. B.T. Washingtond. Ben Carson2. Track and Field star, ___________ broke many records at the 1936Olympic games in Berlin, includingbecoming the first athlete to win fourgold medals in one Olympaid.a. Jesse Owensb. Arthur Ashec. Ben Carsond. Lee Elder3. ____________ was the first AfricanAmerican to be honored on a U.S.stamp, in 1940.a. Lee Elderb. Jesse Owensc. Arthur Ashed. B.T. Washington4. ______ is the youngest person andthe first African American to win theMasters Tournament. He was also thehighest paid athlete in 2005, earning anestimated $87 million dollars.a. Tiger Woodsb. Michael Jordanc. Michael Jackson5. Who said “our lives begin to end theday we become silent about the things thatmatter.”a. Malcolm Xb. Martin Luther King Jr.c. Oprah Winfrey6. Which of the following statements is true?a. an estimates 5,000 black soldiers fought inthe American Army in the Revolution war.b. an estimates 1,000 black soldiers fought inthe American Army in the Revolution war.c. there were no black soldiers in the AmericanArmy in the Revolutionary War.7. The first black woman to receive a majorgovernment appointment in the U.S. was?a. Shirley Chisholmb. Mary Mcleod Bethunec. Mary Church Terrell8. The first black judge was?a. William Hastieb. Jonathan Jasper Wrightc. Thurgood Marshall9. Who was the first African American to winan Academy Award?a. Sidney Poitierb. Hattie McDanielc. Ethel Waters10. Who said “People always say that I didn’tgive up my seat because I was tired… theonly thing I was tired of was, was tired ofgiving up”?a. Ethel Watersb. Oprah Winfreyc. Rosa Parks7Coral Reef Sr. HighMarch 2008Flood ofCrimsonBY TYRELL HALLTwo little dark circlesOn a little dark faceStare into the blacknessWhere a demon awaitsA devil’s discipleHis rifle in the moonlightSpots another victimIn its line of sightA saltwater stream seepsthrough the dark circlesThey whisper to each other“This man is hurtful,He’s another vicious militia upin the villageAny innocent creature he sees,he will kill it,”The little face hid in a hut madeof strawBut the gun huffed and puffedand blew down the walls,The two little pupilsOn the little brown faceCouldn’t see the murdererWho had sealed their fate,They couldn’t see the killerToo blurred was their visionBlinded by a flood from theforehead above---of crimson.Just a wordNigga, NiggaThe meaning has not changed no matter how many years from today it was used to discriminateEven if you replace the “er” with an “a”The meaning is still the sameIt was used to call ignorant something so magnificentThe Negro raceCall a brother nigga and you slap him in the face.Call a brother nigga and you at a racist white man’s paceWhen you are way ahead of himCall a brother nigger and you justify his thinking by insulting your kinA brother calls you nigga, he’s a member of your clanCaucasian friend calls you nigga, and you ready to punch a white manThat, right there, strengthens the Klu Klux KlanDr. King is dead, so we try to keep the dream alive.Nigga, nigga, nigga, the dream is taking a diveX is dead, but you hold your fist up proud.Now Chico’s and Asians say Nigga, your voice is no longer loudWe get mad at the white man for following our exampleWe start to turn racist when we want to turn his body into a morgue sample.None of us have really experienced true hateYet, this word teaches us to discriminateSay nigga to image look hardcoreOnce again, you prove nothing but ignorance at the core.Man, I can’t say it enough, “ your nonexistent image is pimping you like a whore.”We stronger than that...to need to say a word to lift your self-esteem off the floor.Don’t try convince me that you say nigga as a way to call out any, not forcibly, a black man.If so, then why do mixed dudes call themselves niggaricans.Why all this hype? Nigga is just a word.This ain’t no essay as you can see, but like a picture, it’s meaning is worth a thousand words.Answers1. A 2.A 3.D 4.A 5.B 6.A 7.B 8.B 9.C 10. C

8Coral Reef Sr. HighMarch 2008Cuda CultureBlack History from Generation to GenerationEvolving thoughts through timeJANEE’ BROWNStaff Writer“Black history is the education of theAfrican – American heritage and cultureso African Americans as a people couldknow their past in order to preserve theirfuture,” said Visual and Performing Artssenior, Artesian Madison.As time has evolved, so has a significantcontrast between each generation.Compared to the past, today’s generationhas more opportunities because of thosewho lived and made history.“The current generation has more chancesto experience black history for examplesblack television such as the Cosby Showand Oprah, community gatherings such asthe MLK parades and Goombay festivals,or radio stations for example Tom JoynerMorning Show,” said African AmericanStudies teacher, Mr. D. Bullard.Those who lived in the past foughtfor things as such to be allowed. Unlikeprevious generation today’s generation isliving black history through their actions.For example: there are more black movies,more black students entering colleges,etc. Therefore, black history had morerelevance because those individuals helpedshape black history.“The present generation have an attitudeof superiority because they feel they haveovercame the struggle thus have forgottentheir past and are ignorant of the hardshiprooted inside their history,” says Madison.“Also in contrast there is less participationfrom the youth of the community in voting,concerns with the government, and overallknowledge of worldly issues because in thepast it meant more to those individuals.”Both generations have a contrasting beliefof the “struggle.”“The struggle was how to change theperception of African Americans to otherraces the current struggle is to improvethe perception of African Americans tothemselves it has become an internalissue,” said Bullard.As a representation for the currentgeneration Madison states “the struggleused to be about being accepted as equals,as human, but now is to be equal in statussuch as education, politics, and etc.”In order to end the struggle one mustreturn back to the roots and find the problem.Yet over generations and generations theconcern for improvement has decreased.Madison would conclude that education isthe key because a fraction of the problemis his generation is unaware of the struggledue to choice or circumstance.“Most of my generation don’t knowwhat the struggle is because they don’tunderstand the hardship behind it. Amajority of youth feel superior becausethey feel they have overcome the struggle,yet the struggle will never be over becausewith life comes struggles.”The African- American youth beingFort WILDerness - Bringing all of IB togetherIB releases all their stress in one BIG BLOWOUT!ignorant is a crucial problem because it’shard to push for a goal without everyoneagreeing. However, it isfactual because of issueswith race, discrimination, oranything that was foundationof black history tends tohave less of an importance.“The issue of race becomesless and less important toeach generation,” says Mr.Bullard.Black history is whatdescribes the legacy and theback bone of the AfricanAmerican culture. Blackhistory is what unifies therace and motivates AfricanAmericans to continue tobetter themselves. Blackhistory isn’t just a long storyabout being enslaved, beingeconomically unstable, orCoral Reef embraces Black Historybeing darker complectedfaces The work of Tiffany Cooper, VPAthan someone. Black history senior adorns the doors in the social studiesis the good and the bad that wing during the Black History month hallillustrates to others race and decorating contest.descendents of the AfricanAmerican race the pathwayto a better place.Through each generation its value maydepreciate or significance may becomeless relevant. However, no matter how itis interpreted it would always be BLACKHISTORY and if one doesn’t learn from it,they allow it to repeat.ALEXA WATTSStaff WriterFriday morning,January 18th was themuch anticipated day forthe IB seniors of 2008.Fort Wilderness, our classtrip, was finally here.After the Extended Essay,two World Literaturepapers, the Math InternalAssessment and HistoryInternal Assessment, FortWilderness was our time toindulge in a non-stressfulenvironment. Not tomention the English oralsthat awaited us back atschool.Ft. Wilderness would bemore than just a fieldtrip; itwas a time of unity for allto enjoy.Fort Wilderness wasthe topic of every IBconversation ending with a“I’M SO EXCITED!!”Thanks to IB seniorsSarah Jones and AnnieQuintana, the roomingarrangements and bus seatswere quickly organized intoIB Just Waiting Around IB seniors eagerlywait for their bus to the happiest place onearth, Fort Wilderness.the individual grouping offriends. After the cabin fauxpas and an overflowinggrocery list, the trip wasfast approaching.The zombies enteredthe auditorium on Fridaymorning were restored totheir superhuman stateafter the last disciplinaryspeech.The bus ride was allpictures, gossip and ipods.At the first rest stop,everyone was set free inWal-Mart to buy as muchjunk as possible, or at leastto compact into shoppingcarts. We bought meatfor the grill, as well aspasta, chips, cookies anduncrustables. We loadedall of our stuff onto the busand were back on the road.Finally, we dispersedinto our respective groups,put away our groceriesand spent the rest of theday “cabin-hopping.”The weekend consisted ofexploring the campgrounds,various games, and sleepingin. We went to DowntownDisney on Saturday night,which was another excitingattraction. Even though“THIS iS NOTA BODEGA!”-Marcus ADelManwe spent half our nightdrenched from the rain, weenjoyed our stay; watchingmovies, eating at PlanetHollywood, and detouringto Pleasure Island. After along night, the chaperonesthey woke us up at the crackof dawn - Magic Kingdomand Space Mountain wasnext on the stop.Brittany Morgan states,“In terms of the girlscabins, we began the trip asstudents, but came home assisters.” Victoire Desvigneclaimed that, “Living in anenvironment with otherstaught us to share choreslike cooking and cleaningwhich we wouldn’tnormally do.” And, well, ifyou ask Marcus Adelmanthe whole trip “was nota bodega.” More thananything else, after theseemingly insignificant funand games, Ft. Wildernesswas probably one of themost valuable bondingexperience we have yet toencounter.

Cuda CultureCoral Reef Sr. HighMarch 20089Left foot stomp, clap, clap againBlack History Month teacher/staff luncheon an inspirational success!TATIANA MCINNIS, ELYSE MERADOStaff WritersOn February 21, 2008, the teachershad their annual African American HistoryLuncheon. The teachers were graced bysome of the Reef’s very own performers,including the Sigma Beta step team. Theteam consists of Shane Sumbu, ShatoneGray, Matthew Hall, Michael Davis,James Brown, Gerald Grant, TavarusAndrews, and Craig Cleveland. After theiroutstanding performance at the GospelExplosion show, the team was asked toperform for the teachers at the luncheon.“It was a great honor to be asked tostep for the teachers,” said MatthewHall, a senior in the Business Academy.“It was great because it’s not like we had toask to perform, they came to us and it showsthat they were impressed by our performanceat the Gospel Explosion,” said TavarusAndrews, a junior in the IB Academy.The team has been performing foralmost a year now and recently had a showat Robert Morgan Educational Center.They are very dedicated to their craftand devote countless hours to perfectingtheir routines before every performance.“If we have an upcoming performance,we all go over to Matt’s house everydayand practice for two hours, but when there’sno performance around, we still manage toget together like two or three times a weekto practice; performances are randomso it’s always good to be prepared,” saidGerald Grant, Business Academy junior.Sigma Beta was established in1950 on the premise of providingyoung, educated, African- Americanmen a strong institution that preventsinvolvement in negative activity.“The group is based on four importantelements; culture, education, socializationand athleticism,” said Tavarus.Community service is also high ontheir list of things to do. The teamrecently performed at Frank C. MartinElementary and taught a group of thirdgraders a couple of steps. The easiest ofsteps? Stomp with your left foot, clap,now clap again and you’re on your way.If you are a fan of the Sigma Beta steppersor if you’ve never seen them perform beforebut would like to, they have an upcomingshow at Richmond Park, March 14-15.Legal senior Jason Culmer was alsoasked to perform at the luncheon. Forthose of you who don’t already know,Jason is an incredible preacher. Heattributes his inspiration from varioussources, including religion and morality.However, things he sees in his owncommunity seem to influence him the most.“I see a lot of things in the AfricanAmerican community that bother me, youknow, and I think people lose sight of whatis, in fact, the African American culture. I’mlucky enough to go to a school that allowsme to express myself, so why not talk aboutit, and try to inspire change?” says Culmer.All teachers staff members that attendedwere grateful for the opportunity to attend.“I enjoyed it. The food was great. Iwent for the ribs. Thanks to Joe Evansand everyone who put it together,”said Art teacher Mr. Scott Mckinley.Overall, not only was the foodamazing, but also the performancesand the inspiration behind it all.“The performances were incredible,”says AP Psychology teacher Mrs. KathrynSullivan. “It was obvious how muchpride and effort the students put into theirperformances. In my opinion, the one thatwas most captivating was Jason Culmer.”In the end, there was only positive things tosay about the lunch and entertainment. Theevent turned out even better than expected.Traditional Dress Mrs. Washington proudly supports the occasionwith authentic apparel.Eat up! Math teacher Mrs. Harrison loads up on the rice while otherswait in line.Sigma Beta- They are as tight as a family. They even go to church together every Sunday.

Reef Sr. High10CoralMarch 2008A & ESo many movies, so little timeBY CODY LORICHGraphic DesignerA brief review and rating on the latest blockbusters and flopsOn Meet the Spartans...From the makers of Scary Movie and Date Movie comes this funny parody of thesword-and-sandal epics. Starring Carmen Electra, Sean Maguire and Ken Davitian.The Critics give it 1.5 out of 5 starsThe Reef gives it 3 out of stars“The movie is okay. It would have been so much better if they didn’t explain it to you. Example they show thefat guy from Borat and then they tell you that ‘it’s the fat guy from Borat’ instead of letting you figure out the joke.See it only if you have a free ticket or your friend is paying.”Marc Valme (IB 12)On Cloverfield...The story of a powerful destructive force that descends upon New York City, and thefour desperate survivors who put their lives on the line for a hazardous rescue mission.The Critics give it 4 out of 5 starsThe Reef gives it 2.5 out of 5 stars“The movie had the potential to set the new bar for monster flicks. The chaotic atmosphere and shaky camera dopull the viewers in, but within a few minutes you’re thrown back out whether it is because of the nausea or thestupidity of the characters.”Cheryl Upshaw (IB 12)On P.S. I Love You...Holly Kennedy seems to have it all. She is beautiful, smart, and married to the love ofher life. But then Gerry’s (he husband) life is taken by an illness that also seems to takethe life out of Holly. In the weeks and months that follow, letters from Gerryare delivered in creative ways, each sending her on a new adventure to helpThe Critics give it 3.5 out of 5 starsThe Reef gives it 4 out of 5 stars“It was a great movie! I don’t think there was a single dry eye in the audience. I loved thestoryline and Gerard Butler was incredibly cute and romantic.”Lauren Rodriguez ( Legal 12)On Juno...A teenage girl is faced with an unexpected pregnancy; her best friend helpsher in finding a suitable home for the unborn child.The Critics give it 4.5 out of 5 starsThe Reef gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars“I loved this movie! The humor was brilliantly witty and unique and the subject matter wasdelivered in a very classy way. It was funny, clever and heartwarming and I would defiantlysee it more than once, in fact, I already did.”Heather Dean (VPA 12)

SportsThe 42nd Super SundayThe Biggest Showdown in NFL HistoryBY SHEILA STANLEYSports EditorMillions tuned in onFebruary 3rd to watch theepic battle between theNew England Patriots andthe New York Giants inSuperbowl XLII.The Massachusetts-basedPatriots were blitzing theirway to the top, as they went18 games undefeated.“After the first win, Iknew for sure that they weregoing to the Superbowl,”said Engineering seniorBrian Boyd.And while their appearanceat the 42nd Superbowl, heldin Glendale, Arizona, wasalmost a certain thing rightoff the bat, their opponentwasn’t.After the much anticipated– and expected – Pats’defeat over the San DiegoChargers in the AFCChampionship Game, NewEngland was guaranteed aspot at the next Superbowl.All the speculation wasput to rest when the NFCChampionship Gamerevealed that the New YorkGiants had made it as well.“It’s about time they go tothe Superbowl,” said Legalsenior Maria Velapoldi.“It’s been ten years.”Many sided with the perfectPatriots; after all, they onlymanaged to slaughter 18other NFL teams to ensuretheir rightful title as theonly team to do so, whilethe Giants’ record was 13-6.Nonetheless, there weremany Giants fans as well.“I don’t like the Patriots.They’re the division rivalsof the Dolphins,” saidBusiness senior MarkBrzuska.And that’s reason enoughfor any Miamian to not rootfor the Patriots. Back in1972, the Miami Dolphinswere the only NFL team tohave a perfect undefeatedseason and win theSuperbowl.At the start of the game,the Giants won the coin tossand received the ball. TheGiants, in 16 plays, covered63 yards and consumed 9minutes and 59 seconds— the most plays and thelongest time in possessionon an opening drive of aSuper Bowl.This was crucial, as givingthe ball to Tom Brady,New England’s acclaimedquarterback, was likesigning a death warrant.So, before allowing thePatriots possession, theGiants scored the game’sfirst points – a 32-yard fieldgoal kicked by LawrenceTynes.Finally, the Patriots got theball, but to no avail. With“We Break Bones!”5:01 left in the first quarter,nothing of much importancewas accomplished by thePatriots.Within three secondsof the second quarter,Laurence Maroney scoredthe Patriots first touchdown,making the score 7-3.When the Giants hadpossession again, EliManning made an amazingmajor-yardage pass to WideReceiver (WR) AmaniToomer. On the next play,however, a pass to WRSteve Smith proved fatal –New England’s Ellis Hobbsintercepted it.New York’s defense wasviewed as one of the best, ifnot the best, in the league.In fact, this season, theirD-Line led the NFL withthe most sacks. And TomBrady was no exception. Inthe second quarter, Bradywas sacked 3 times, twiceback-to-back. The firsttwo times, Brady kept theball and it only countedas another down. The lasttime, however, the ballcame loose and the fumblewas recovered by OsiUmenyiora, New York’sLacrosse season up and runningBY ANDREA RODRIGUEZCuda Culture EditorTwo years ago CoralReef Athletics added a newteam to their roster. Notjust any sport but one thatcauses more injury thanany other. To play Lacrosseyou need to have heart,drive, and a high tolerancefor pain - all the qualities ofour Cuda Lacrosse Team.The teams’ originalgoal was just to play onegame; they played six. Thefollowing year their goalwas to win at least onegame; they won eight andwent on to the playoffs.Not only that but they weresecond in the district andDefensive End.If people don’t watch theSuperbowl for the greatmillion-dollar Ads played,they usually watch to seethe halftime show. A currentartist, or at least a popularone, is featured. Typically,at least. However, thisyear’s special guest was notthe case.“Who is Tom PettyGive me a G, Give me an I... Students show who they rooted for.eleventh in the state, almostimpossible for a secondyear team. So what can weexpect from Lacrosse thisyear?“This year we’re goingall the way to states,” saidMichael “Mikey Math”Matthiesen. “Then toDisney.”The first match wasFebruary 13th against theWestern High Wildcats, amatch our Cuda LacrosseTeam won.“Our team has a lot ofpromise,” said JosephBellando “If you want tosee the best team around,and you want to watch afull action, full contactsport…..We break bones!”For the love of the game RyanBower and Chris “Hot Head” Crantdisplay just how aggressive youhave to be to play Lacrosse.and the Heartbreakers?”asked Aeon Duncan, anEngineering freshman.“I’ve never heard of themin my life.”In the third quarter, as thePatriots were punting theball, a penalty was called– there were 12 men on thefield as the snap was made.Rather than the ball goingto the Giants, the Pats weregiven an automatic firstdown.However, the Patriotsbegan to get cocky andgambled on 4th and 13.Brady threw an incompletepass to WR Jabar Gaffney,who was in the end zone.The Giants had possessionagain; Manning threw a5-yard touchdown pass toWR David Tyree with 11:0511Coral Reef Sr. HighMarch 2008and with rapid-fireaccuracy, he pitched theball to WR David Tyree,seemingly without evenseeing him. Perhaps what’seven more amazing is thatTyree caught it, using hishelmet to keep the ball in hispossession and not StrongSafety Rodney Harrison’s,who was covering him.With the Giants in aposition to actually win thegame and 39 seconds lefton the clock, Eli pitchedthe ball once more to awide-open Plaxico Burress(WR) who just so happenedto be in the end zone. Thescore was now 17-14, withthe Giants in the lead.Of course, the faith waskept alive by die-hardPatriots fans. Thirty-fiveseconds and three timeouts.Once again, a kid in acandy store. Or so everyoneseemed to think.With reality sinking in,the Patriots offense seemedto no longer have it in them:Brady was sacked for thefourth time, which hasn’thappened since December10, 2006 at Miami. One finalplay was all New Englandhad left in them, and theywere on their own 16 yardline. So, Brady attemptedto throw it far down thefield to Randy Moss, whowas near the 20. The passfared as incomplete, thusmaking the New YorkGiants the Superbowl XLIIChampions.And with that, thePatriots’ perfect season wasundone by a perfect pass.Every Miamian shouldbe thanking Eli Manningand the Giants for keepingthe Dolphins the onlyundefeated season alive!left in the final quarter.The score was now 10-7,Giants.With their undefeatedrecord at stake, the Patriotsnow had to put on their A-game. And with WR’s likeWes Welker (a former Finwho holds the NFL recordof 112 receptions) andRandy Moss (who holdsthe record of 23 touchdowncatches), Tom Brady (whohold the record for 50touchdown passes in thisseason) should’ve felt likea kid at a candy shop with adollar in his pocket.With 2:42 remainingon the clock, Bradythrew a 6-yardtouchdown pass toMoss, regaining thelead. Brady did whathe had to do, andnow it was up to thePatriots’ defensivelinemen to do whatthey had to do – stopthat ball.The Giants had 83 yardsto go in 2 minutes, 39seconds. In addition tothe approaching 2-minutewarning, they still had all 3timeouts left. Again, like akid at a candy shop.The pressure was on EliManning to move his teamdownfield, any way hecould. And if no receiverwas open, he ran the ballhimself, something heseldom does.With 1:15 on the clock,as the ball was snapped, thePatriots defense attemptedto pass rush Eli Manning.Ironic thing is they had himby the back of his jersey,and he still managed tobreak free of the 3 wouldbesacks.Amazingly, Eli escapedGMAC Champions!Our Lady Cudas are on FIRE!BY ANDREA RODRIGUEZCuda Culture EditorDown by almost the entiregame, the Barracuda Girl’sBasketball team was able to riseto the challenge and take thechampionship title. Theywon the game by only threepoints, against Krop HighSchool after a completeupset the first half of thegame. During halftime ourlady ‘Cudas were downby 12, coming back for atremendous second half.Leading this great teamare co-captains TriannaWilliams, Bianca Phillips,and Jasmine Calin.They beat out Varela,Palmetto, Homestead,South Dade, Killian and,their greatest challenge, South Ridge,ending the season 20-5.“I feel happy my teammates and Iaccomplished some thing that manypeople didn’t think was possible,” saidWilliams. “Knowing just that fact putsa smile on my face.”Teamwork makes champions TheGirl’s Basketball team makes a prettypicture after winning the GMACchampionships.

12 High TideCoral Reef Sr. HighMarch 2008African American EntertainersBill CosbyActor, Comedian & ActivistTYRELL HALLStaff WriterWith an influencethat spans television,films, literature, andphilanthropy, BillCosby has etcheda lasting mark onmodern society. As ayoung black man inthe 1960s, he beganhis career as a standupcomic, whichled to his televisiondebut as co-star on ISpy, a hit series at thetime. Bill continuedin television with theCosby Show, whichaired in 1969. In thepast four decades,Cosby has producednumerous TV seriesincludingLittle Billand Kids Say theDarndest Things -produced a motionpicture, written fourNew York TimesBestsellers, recordedten comedy albums(all of which havebeen certified goldor platinum), andhas participated ina myriad of projectsthat have causedthe bettermentof communitiesworldwide. Contraryto the perceptionsof nostalgic CosbyShow viewers,there is more to Dr.Huxtable than meetsthe eye.Will SmithActor, Rapper & Fresh PrinceDIEGO FERNANDEZStaff WriterBeing the second offour children, WillardChristopher SmithJr. grew up in WestPhiladelphia. In hisearly ages Will wasdubbed “Prince” forhis charming ways,frequently gettinghim out of trouble.While pursuing hiscareer in music, hemet Jeff Townes ata party and soonbegan performingtogether as DJ JazzyJeff and the FreshPrince. Soon enoughhis popularity spreadand money beganto pour in. He wasliving the good life,spending money oncars, jewelry, and hishouse. Unfortunately,he forgot to pay histaxes, and the IRSstripped him clean. In1989 he jumped backwith the debut of“The Fresh Prince ofBel-Air.” The sitcombrought him intoplain view for manymovie producers.He eventually beganstarring in moviessuch as Six Degreesof Separation, BadBoys, IndependenceDay and most recentlyI am Legend.Oprah WinfreyActress, Entrepeneur & PhilanthropistANNIE QUINTANANews EditorOprah Winfreybegan her careerat 19 as the firstBlack woman toanchor the news atNashville’s WTVF-TV. After years ofhopping from showto show she becamea morning show talkhost on AM Chicago.After just one year,the show expandedto one hour and wasrenamed The OprahWinfrey Show.Soon it became thehighest-rated talkshow of all time.Oprah soon startedher own productioncompany calledHarpo production.The Oprah Winfreyshow has remainedthe number one talkshow on televisionfor 21 consecutiveseasons. Oprah hasalso expanded hercompany to includethe magazine O,which was introducedin 2000 as well as OAt Home which sheintroduced in 2004.She also has a filmcompany whichincludes the moviesThe Great Debaters,Tuesdays with Morrieand Their Eyes WereWatching God. Oprahalso played a role inthe Color Purple forwhich she receivedAcademy Awardand Golden Globenominations. Oprahis also knownfor her bookclub whichincludes overone millionm e m b e r s .She is alsok n o w nfor herphilanthropy, whichincludes Oprah AngelNetwork as well as herLeadership Academy forGirls in South Africa.Despite her troubledchildhood, Oprah hasbeen able to achieveu n p r e c e d e n t e dsuccess in all areas ofthe entertainmentindustry, withoutever forgettingwhere she camefrom.