Juan Chaoui's Journalist Portfolio
"...for CCNN Live, I'm Juan Carlos Chaoui, reporting."
South Florida Faces Fuel Shortage After Severe Weather
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
South Florida was hit by a severe gas shortage in the aftermath of the recent devastating showers. Though the storm didn't cause much physical damage, the resulting gas shortage has left many residents facing a significant problem.
Helen Rios, a customer, expressed her dismay, "It's been pretty bad. Like there's no gas here. There's no gas there. I've downloaded like two or three apps that tell us where there is gas. And so far, like, this is the only place I've had luck."
Gabriel Tamayo, an employee at BJ's gas station, had a difficult time dealing with the situation. "I'm alone right now. I'm trying to navigate the people. It's not very easy. A lot of these people have no patience. A lot of people will come up here and then get pissed off, too."
During the coverage of the gas shortage, we spoke with an anonymous CWC Transportation worker who revealed that there wasn't necessarily a gas shortage, but rather an issue with fuel delivery. Panic buying by residents was also causing long lines and high prices, which many believed were contributing to the problem.
Despite the knowledge of the cause of the shortage, customers still required fuel. "Everybody's going crazy. So if I can get gas, I don't care how much I have to pay. We need it," said Rios.
Gabriel Tamayo and other gas station employees remain hopeful that the situation will improve shortly. "It's going to get better because we're getting continuous gas now. We shouldn't be seeing all of this anymore," said Tamayo.
As South Florida recovers from the fuel shortage, customers and employees must wait for the supply to meet the surging demand. As the situation continues, residents are advised to be patient and conserve gas whenever possible. "It's just a temporary thing. We're going to get through it," Tamayo assured.
Though the shortage has posed a considerable inconvenience for many, South Florida is beginning to get back on track, and residents are optimistic that the fuel delivery issue will be resolved soon.
Spring Break Breaks the Status Quo of Miami Beach
By Alexis Vivanco
Spring break is seen as the perfect opportunity to break away from day-to-day life, and enjoy some quality time by the water. However, there’s a problem: tourists. These eager travelers typically mean no harm, but some have managed to disturb the peace and in turn, force the implementation of protective curfews to bring order back to the community.
“It’s just an influx of a lot of people from all over the United States that are coming to enjoy the the weather the partying; the problem I guess you can say is that it's it's a lot of different people gathering in one pretty concentrated area”, says Richard Quintnela, a fire lieutenant with the Miami Beach fire rescue.
However, some local businesses are grateful for the extra inflow of business.
“tourism without a doubt helps to grow any country any city because that's just how the money flows”, says Maria Ulloa, a local street vendor on Miami Beach.
Just because some business is booming doesn't mean it's all good.
“And it's hard especially when. people start you know drinking or sometimes doing drugs and all of a sudden your judgment is impaired and
you're doing things that you should probably not be doing people get very rowdy uh and uh and a lot of misunderstandings turn into big issues you know.”
Unfortunately, a recent post from the city of Miami Beach's Police Department states that in the span of one month the Miami Beach PD was responsible for 488 arrests, with 237 of those being felony arrests and more than 105 Firearms impounded, leading to the implementation of new protective policies like a city-wide curfew which is frustrating some visitors.
This puts a strain on other vacationers looking to enjoy the Miami scenery.
“Well, we obviously came for vacation we are going to college in Alabama and we just wanted a break from school, and also because we are all not like 21, we cannot really go to parties and we just we just want to enjoy our time here” says Elisa Wellergick, a tourist who is enjoying spring break at Miami Beach.
Quintela only has one thing to say to those looking to disrupt the peace.
“I wish people would just come and enjoy Miami Beach for what it is.”
The end of spring break is still far from over, but the city will look to do its part to ensure a safe experience for everyone involved.
Burgerliscious Sizzles on Alhambra Circle with Record Attendance
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
Miami, FL – Alhambra Circle was filled with the mouth-watering scent of grilled beef on Friday night as Burgerliscious, the annual local food event, returned for its tenth year. The event drew a record crowd of hungry locals and tourists alike, who lined up for the chance to taste some of the best burgers in town.
Mark Trowbridge, the organizer of the event, said he was thrilled with the turnout. “We’ve been doing this for ten years now, and every year it just gets bigger and better,” he said. “We had more vendors than ever before, and the quality of the food was just outstanding.”
George WIckhorst, who attended the event with his family, agreed. “We’ve been coming to Burgerliscious for the past five years, and we always have a great time,” he said. “There’s something for everyone here, whether you like classic burgers or more exotic flavors.”
One of the most popular vendors at the event was Meat N' Bones, a local favorite known for its juicy burgers and creative toppings. Jorge Cruz one od the Chefs, said he was thrilled to be a part of Burgerliscious again this year.
“This event is always a highlight for us,” he said. “It’s a chance for us to showcase our burgers and connect with the community. We’ve been working hard to come up with some new and exciting flavors, and I think people are really enjoying them.”
Other vendors at the event included The Burger Joint, Keg South, and Latin House, among others. In addition to burgers, there were also plenty of sides, drinks, and desserts to enjoy.
As the night wore on, the crowds only grew larger, with lines stretching around the block for some of the more popular vendors. But despite the long wait times, attendees were all smiles as they enjoyed their burgers under the stars.
For Trowbridge, the success of this year’s event is a testament to the enduring popularity of burgers. “There’s just something about a great burger that brings people together,” he said. “We’re already looking forward to next year’s Burgerliscious.”
Miami Art Club Offers Classes for All Amidst Financial Uncertainty for the Arts
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
In Florida, funding for the arts has always been uncertain, rising dramatically then falling by twice as much; the Miami Art Club is allowing anyone and everyone to enjoy their passion for art at an affordable and stable price.
In an interview Maria Bermudez, the president of the Miami Art Club, stated the following: “I think that art is essential, not just for us to have a creative outlet, but also to help us develop as people. Through art, we learn to properly express ourselves in a way that we can view as fun or exciting, which to me, is the best way to do it!”
The absence of art programs in schools, especially title one institutions, has also led to an increase in mental health issues in students.
“As a principal of two schools, I’ve seen that without art programs, the students need a lot of help in finding who they are. There are alot of students who, with their body language, seem down most of the time. Art helps those students liven up a bit,” said Idalia Suarez, the principal of a title one school.
Eduardo Paz, a teacher at the Miami Art Club, believes that art also helps students and adults alike with social skills.
(Translated from Spanish) “If you’re knowledgable in art history, it’ll be easier for you to communicate with other people and make connections. These conversations and the understanding of art gives us a sense of sensibility that would otherwise be absent.”
The Miami Art Club makes it it’s mission to make art available for all, and the best part? Theres no pressure from a grade or peers.
“It’s not like you’re picasso, we dont judge you for going outside of the lines. Its all just a nice, relaxing environment where you can just sit at your canvas and create whatever you want,” said Maria.
It seems that until the budget for the arts is more certain, programs like the Miami Art Club will have to continue to serve as a place of stability for all aspiring artists.
New Technology Leads to Distracted Drivers
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
In a big city like Miami, new technology is causing some people to lose focus on some important tasks, like driving, which can lead to some dangerous road conditions.
Officer Lujan with the Coral Gables police department states “As an officer, its gotten harder to stop people from texting and driving, because now they have full screens in their cars or they could just be using a map on their phone. It makes it hard to keep the streets safe.”
Officers aren’t the only ones concerned either, drivers, especially student drivers who haven’t had much experience on the road, are worried for their safety.
“Sometimes it feels like I’m the only one on the road that knows how to drive, and I’ve only been driving for a year or so. It’s just crazy to me how I dont feel safe anymore because people dont know how to stop and focus on the task at hand.” said David Pasternac, a student at Coral Gables High School.
David has every right to feel the way he does. According to the national safety council, in just one year there have been 1.6 million accidents nationwide that were cause by distracted driving, but though for some it may be a distraction, other believe that this technology is actually the solution to distracted driving.
“I’m not saying its a perfect solution, but I feel like having devices like the screens in the car actually help us more than they do harm. I have my maps, rear view mirrors, and important notifications all in one place, so instead of looking at my phone and swiping between apps, now I can just give a quick glance to my dashboard and I have everything I need, giving me more time to focus on the road”, says Jacqueline Valdespino, an experienced driver.
So even if technology can cause harm, instead of limiting its use, we should do our best to understand how we can use it for the better, and ultimately avert anymore accidents.
Passionate Pianist Overcomes Blindness
By Dominic Gatto
From first listen Silvio Plata sounds like a professional piano player and skilled opera singer, but at first glance, it's apparent that Silvio is a whole lot more than that. From only 7 months old, Silvio Plata has not been able to see. A shockingly young age to lose to total vision, Silvio had his eyes removed as a result of cancerous tumors when no other option worked; but, Silvio has not let his disability take control over him. He instead takes a path full of perseverance and courage.
Originally from Nicaragua, but moving to America to seek higher level healthcare, Silvio has never had the easy route. But his passion for love has been a guiding force for Silvio, leading him to the highly acclaimed University of Miami School of Music.
“His talent, skill, maturity, focus– everything about him– his composure… …are what are looking for.”
-Professor Alan Oscor Johnson | Department of Vocal Performance
These kind words, shared by one of Silvio’s professors, provide such a profound insight into how much Silvio cares and works at his craft. Silvio even shared that when he was going to begin his first classes at the University of Miami, he came to campus a few weeks early, several days a week, to totally memorize his path from class to class; as well as memorizing a layout of the buildings Silvio would need to attend most often.
“I read sheet music with my hands, just like letters and numbers, but when playing instruments like the drums, or pianos, I cannot see the music or feel it as I play, so I have to memorize a lot of it,” Silvios says, regarding the fact that many seem to overlook. When Silvio sits down to play at the piano, or picks up the drumsticks, he goes straight into playing; but, these songs were all memorized note by note in order to be played, as Silvio lacks the visual aid that is sheet music when performing on said instruments.
Silvio is extraordinary at his craft, and he is a face of determination for all, with or without a disability, as he provides a living example of putting everything you can at your issues in life, and still making the best of it. Silvio has even more ambitious dreams after he finishes at UM Music School, UM Law School; which shouldn't be a problem for a determined role-model, and hard worker, that is Silvio Plata.
Chat GPT Takes the World by Storm
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
Chat PGT, a new open-source Ai that uses machine learning to mimic human language, has been the new trending fad across all of social media recently, but one question many are asking is what exactly is Chat GPT?
Chat GPT is a chatbot that you can talk to. When given dialogue or a command, the AI generates a response based on what is prompted. It can help create tests for teachers or solve an error in a programmer’s code. We spoke to a computer specialist in AI about his take on Chat GPT.
“AI, in general, has a LOT of potential. As we can see with Chat GPT, which already has amazing capabilities, humans won’t have to put lots of brainpower towards creating new things like a story’s ending in a book or other creative assignments, its just fascinating,” says Marco Ibarra, Ai specialist.
However, not everyone is on board with the idea of AI like Chat GPT, Christine Zarut, for example is afraid of its effect in the classroom.
“I feel like having something like this Chat GPT is going to make our jobs as teachers a whole lot harder, since its impossible t tell if the work submitted is genuinely the student’s own product. I also feel like it is going to make in-class assessments even easier to cheat on, given they can enter pretty much anything into the chatbot,” Said Mrs. Zarut.
So naturally we asked the software itself what it thought about the idea of its misuse in the classroom.
“As an artificial intelligence, I do not have feelings in the same way that humans do. However, I can understand that the unethical use of Chat GPT (or any technology) in the classroom could have negative consequences for both students and educators. It is important for teachers and educators to use technology in a responsible and ethical manner, and to ensure that it is used in a way that enhances learning rather than replacing or undermining it. It is also important for students to be aware of the limitations of such technology and to understand that it is not a substitute for critical thinking and analysis. It is ultimately the responsibility of educators to ensure that technology is used ethically and effectively in the classroom.” said Chat GPT in response.
Clearly, Chat GPT was designed to guide people in the right direction, as the software upholds the idea of using technology safely and responsibly. It is only a matter of time before technology like this becomes a part of our everyday lives. We already see it in cars, phones, and computers. We may soon face a world run by the mind of the machine.
Christopher Columbus High School Celebrates Annual Veterans Day Event
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
Veterans day has always been held close to the hearts of the staff at Christopher Columbus High School, and every year the school hosts the special Veterans Day ceremony led by Dr. E Carter Burrus.
“It is a wonderful day to be here. As a veteran myself, Veterans day is one of my favorite days of the year because I think people forget how important it is to appreciate those who sacrifice everything for our freedoms”, said Burrus in an interview.
Columbus not only celebrates the veterans, but also uses the ceremony as a way to inspire the next generation to join the military and serve the country.
“You guys are the next ones up; when the time comes, its your generation that is going to answer the call to action and defend America just as the last generation and the one before that did. The youth is just as important to the country as is the veterans”, said Michael Carricarte, an honored veteran who is widely recognized in the Columbus community.
And none of the festivities that were seen on Veterans day would’ve been possible without the support of the principal of Christopher Columbus High School, David Pugh.
“I’ve always thought it important to celebrate Veterans Day with the students in the classroom. There aren’t many schools that honor their veterans like we do, and I’m proud to say that we get around 5-7 kids per graduating class that enlist to serve the country. That’s why I always support what the patriot club does; we immortalize our alumni who serve right here on campus”, said Pugh.
Veterans Day will always be an important part of the Columbus community, inspiring the next generation of students to continue the fight for our country, maintaining the freedom we all have today.
Freshman Athlete’s Heart Beats Stronger Than Ever
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
Freshman student-athlete Daniel Iglesias was looking forward to playing football at the beginning of his high school career, but when Christopher Columbus High School sent out a mandatory EKG for all athletes, Daniel and his family got some unexpected results.
“I was frozen; I didn’t understand at all what the doctor on the phone was saying,” said Danny’s mother, Maria Iglesias in an interview.
Danny’s EKG revealed that he had Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome, a rare condition that, according to mayoclinic.org, could cause sudden cardiac death in patients.
“I had no idea what an EKG even was, let alone what WPW was. I had no symptoms throughout my entire life, but sure enough, the EKG revealed that I did suffer from this condition, even if I never noticed,” said Daniel Iglesias.
Danny’s next step was open heart surgery, to attempt to relieve Danny of the condition.
“It was unbelievably nerve-racking. I never wanted to leave the waiting room because I had no idea what I would do if something went wrong while I wasn’t there for my child. It was the longest four hours of my life, and when I saw him in recovery, it was the best feeling in the world,” said Danny’s mother.
Daniel then continued to get healthier, to the point where he could don his uniform for the last game of the freshmen football season, and his coach couldn’t be happier to see him.
“He’s a very special kid. I met him in the summer, at the start of the training camp for our freshmen, and when he heard the news, he was super bummed that he wouldn’t get to play in the season, but he didn’t just quit; he stayed a part of the team, even going as far as to be a videographer for them. I eventually listed him as my team’s manager,” said Brett Barrentine, the head coach for CCHS’s freshmen football team.
Danny is now set on making the most of his high school career.
“If i’ve taken anything from this experience, it’s that I know that if I can just hold out, everything will be ok, and I’ll have nothing to fear,” said Daniel.
Now, Danny can follow healthy heart as he continues to pursue greatness both at home and on the field, and his journey is just beginning.
Hurricane Helpers Provide Relief for Victims of Hurricane Ian
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
Recently, Southwest and the upper parts of Florida were devastated by the category four storm, Hurricane Ian. After the storm passed and the dust settled, the Floridian community came together to show its support for those affected by the storm, such as the city of Cape Coral.
"It was a terrible storm that rocked the city… It's horrible the damage it caused," said John H. Ruiz, the CEO of LifeWallet.
LifeWallet is one of the many organizations that have assisted in the hurricane recovery effort; today, they've organized a donation drive where anyone affected by the storm can come and collect any necessities they may need, such as toiletries, food, water, and clothes.
"I'm just glad that we were able to come out here today and help so many people. We've so far been able to feed and provide for over a thousand people, and even if it's not much, this small contribution could be the first step in proper recovery efforts that are being made." Said Diana Diaz, the Cheif Communications Officer from LifeWallet.
So far, it's been reported by sources likerms.com that costs in insurance have been between 53 and 74 billion dollars. Not only that, but services like electricity could take much longer to restore, leaving citizens missing some basic necessities.
"It's been hard, you know?" Said Rimi Deliv, a victim of the storm. "It becomes so difficult just to live a life turned upside down by nature; although I'm grateful for what these people are doing for us, I just can't help but hope the state can restore our lives to how they were before the storm."
According to several sources, including FOX, the Florida Pheonix, and Politico, the power outage can last for more than weeks, maybe even months, which leaves the victims unable to cook, use their refrigerators, or charge their devices to call their families.
"Hearing some of these survival stories has been heartbreaking… you have someone who lost a father or a mother or someone with nowhere to go after the destruction of their home. It's these people that inspire us to serve the community. It's very easy to forget about the hurricane as someone unaffected by it, but these people's lives were drastically changed, so I feel it's our duty to lend a helping hand." stated John H. Ruiz
So, for now, the citizens of Cape Coral and other affected Florida communities will simply have to wait for help to reach them; but with the Floridian community's support, they know they'll make it through this difficult time.
Teachers Face Financial Woes
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
Teachers at Christopher Columbus High School are well respected for doing great work through the years, but changing times brings many challenges for these beloved instructors.
“With rising prices, our teachers are finding it difficult to find housing here in Miami, it's unfortunate because although we are trying our best to supply these teachers with as good of an income as possible, living in Miami is just too difficult right now.” Said Thomas Kruzeck, the president of CCHS, in an interview.
As a response to the rising prices, teachers like Daniella Rodriguez have opted to live with their parents.
“It’s pretty much impossible for a teacher in Miami to afford a house right now, it’s just not feasible. I'm currently living with my mom and dad and im trying to save up for my own apartment someday.” said Daniella.
While this works as a temporary solution, other teachers have decided to take a different approach. One such teacher is Keith Crossman, the head of the English department, who has decided to simply live outside of the city of Miami.
“Yeah I decided to move out recently, the housing is much more affordable and you get more bang for your buck.” said Keith
Although it seems like a great fix, this solution poses its own problems too.
“It may be cheaper, but it's also a whole lot harder. The drive to and from work every day takes me almost an hour both ways, mixed with some bad weather and the occasional road rage, it makes for a difficult start to my day. So far it's been difficult but manageable, but it seems to test my patience more and more each day.”
The rising prices also create difficulty in hiring new employees to the staff.
“It’s hard because we may find qualified applicants from across the US, but they're unable to make the move to Miami because of how expensive it is.” Said Kruzeck.
For now, teachers like Daniella and Keith will simply have to deal with rising prices and eventually find a way to adapt to the changes in our economy.
Christopher Columbus High School Celebrates Class of 2022 Graduation
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
Last Saturday, in the University of Miami’s very own Watsco Center, Christopher Columbus High School held its first normal graduation ceremony for the class of 2022.
“It doesn't feel real, its like these four years have blown past me.” Said Manny Nacarrato, the class Helmsman.
“It's just crazy to me that its all coming to an end, i'm definitely going to miss coming to school at columbus and I do plan to visit and hopefully make some contributions, that's just how much I love my school.”
Students are not the only ones feeling sentimental about their time coming to an end either, teachers at Christopher Columbus High School often tend to form strong bonds with their students, and one such example is Daniella Rodriguez, a senior class teacher.
“Today is a little bittersweet because i'm happy for the seniors finally graduating and moving up in the world, y’know getting out there and changing their lives, but at the same time i love my students so much that I feel selfish in a way by thinking ‘please don't go’, because I'm really going to miss these now young gentlemen.”
This Ceremony however, wouldn't have even happened if it weren't for the Principal, David Pugh, organizing the event for the first time in 2 years, due to the pandemic.
“It is great to be back, y’know its been two years since we've had a celebration like the one you see today, its truly an incredible experience that we want all the seniors to experience, and its a day worth celebrating, they've finally finished their high school careers!
With the class of 2022 now officially graduated, the alumni look forward to expanding their talents and showing off what columbus has taught them in the real world, because they know that theyll always be explorers, and a part of the “brotherhood” that students claim to love so much.
Christopher Columbus High School Introduces New Building
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
Christopher Columbus High School is ever expanding, and one example of this expansion is the recent addition of the Marcus Lemonis and Mario Sueiras Center for Science and the Arts. Students have been attending class in this building since January of 2022, however construction still has not been completed.
“This building has been in the works for over 5 years, and we’re very excited to be bringing it to the students so they can enjoy their much needed upgrades to their current facilities.” Said Hank Hafts, the lead construction worker for the building.
It’s not just the workers who are excited, but Thomas Kruczek, the president of Christopher Columbus High School, is ecstatic to move into the building.
“This is just great, the purpose of this building is to give more opportunities to the students who work hard inside and outside of the classroom, we want to expand our facilities to help students make the most out of their experience in just four years.” said President Kruczek
This new center features expansion in art, robotics, business, STEM as a whole, broadcast journalism and much more.
When asked about how this came to be, Thomas Kruczek commented “We looked at the campus before we started with this construction and thought to ourselves ‘How can we give the students something new and exciting?’ because thats what we are all about here at Columbus, we are about expansion, improvement, and overall the brotherhood that is formed by this community, that is why Columbus is so great.”
With a high spirit flooding the campus of Christopher Columbus High School, one can only assume that students are excited about this new addition, and that it will be in use for generations of explorers to come.
EXPLORERS VISIT SAN CARLOS INSTITUTE DURING A FIELD TRIP TO KEY WEST
Juan Carlos Chaoui - 3/26/22
Recently, Christopher Columbus High School held a field trip to help students learn more about Cuban history and culture. During this field trip, students were able to visit the famous San Carlos Institute, a museum in Key West that has preserved precious Cuban history for more than 150 years.
Originally founded in 1871 and restored in 1924, the San Carlos Institute has been dubbed by many as “The Jewel of Key West.” However, in 1959 when the Cuban dictatorship came into power in Cuba, the funds from the Cuban government to the San Carlos Institute ceased, and to this day the San Carlos Institute stands as a donation based, non-profit exhibit.
Rafael Penavel is the current president of the San Carlos Institute and the leader of the tour for the field trip. He brought the students of CCHS into the San Carlos Institute and taught them about the importance of knowing Cuban history and how it converges in Key West.
“To me, what's important is teaching these students not just about Cuban history, but teaching them how meaningful this building is to South Floridians and Cubans alike. I really hope these students understand the struggle that their Cuban ancestors have gone through”, said Rafael Penavel.
This field trip wasn’t only a presentation either, the students were given the opportunity to join Rafael Penalver on a trolley tour through the city, where the students were able to see the Little White House, US Mile Marker 0, and other historical landmarks throughout Key West. Needless to say, the students enjoyed their day in Key West.
“It’s just great, i’ve loved this field trip and I really hope we can come back next year and learn more, this trip has given me the chance to learn more about my cuban heritage, and what my grandparents went through and how my great grandparents were able to witness Jose Marti’s movement in their lifetime. I just hope one day I can go and visit the home I never got to see.”
Rafael Penalver plans to continue leading these tours and field trips so that the future Columbus Explorers all have the chance to learn about the importance of Cuban History right here in Key West.
RACING IN HIS VEINS
1/27/22
By: Emanuel Naccarato
For many, racing is their passion, but for Jose Ulfe it's more than that, racing is in his veins.
“My step father Carlos really facilitated my love for racing. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to race and he knew that. He took me to my very first race and he put me in a league for young racers in go karts. I don't think I ever imagined myself being in the position I am today and I don’t think I would be here following my dreams if it wasn’t for him,” said Jose Ulfe, amature racer.
Jose has a deep gratitude for his step father, and for Carlos the feeling is mutual.
“Jose is like the son I never had. I guess you could say I live vicariously through him. You know I never thought that I would grow so close to him, but we bonded over our love for racing. From there it was simple he wanted to be a racer and I was going to do anything I could to make that dream happen for him. Now some odd years later Jose is doing what he loves, and so am I. I became his agent and crew chief and now we travel across the country competing trying to get to the pro level,” said Carlos Gutierrez, Jose’s step-father/crew chief.
And Ulfe isn’t the only one in his family who raced professionally. For him Racing runs through his veins.
“My father, Jose’s grandfather, raced professionally in Cuba. He loved it. It was his passion. I guess racing is in our blood. We all just cling to it, the entire family loves to see Jose race and its exciting for us to watch him succeed like his grandfather did. Its funny because my father told me that he knew that he would have a grandson that loved racing as much as he did, and in a way it makes me happy that I was able to give that to him, and I know that Jose is making him proud every day that he steps in that car,” said Suzanne Prego, Jose’s Mother.
Through three generations racing has brought this family together.
“Jose is the nucleus for all of us to be together. He is the rock that keeps us going because all of us want to see him succeed. We all want to see him be happy and make his dreams come true, and I think he is doing that. He makes me proud, He makes the whole family proud, and I am proud to call him like my son,” said Carlos Gutierez, Jose’s step-father/crew chief.
Win or lose Ulfe knows his family will be right there with him at the finish line.
With contributions made by: Juan Carlos Chaoui, Lucas Figueroa, and Carlos Soto-Angulo
12/5/21
Students Compete in Local Caroling Competition
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
‘Tis the season to be jolly! Recently, Coral Gables hosted its annual caroling competition, a way for schools to bring their choirs out for a festive competition to win some big prizes.
“It all started as a sort of publicity stunt… we saw the tree was available for purchase, it was a bad market, and my boss decided that if he was going to buy a $20,000 tree, he wants kids in front of it, singing.” said Sally Baumgartar, the competition organizer.
It is important for students these days to be able to enjoy their lives and understand that it's not all about work. There's time for them to enjoy life, and caroling is one of the ways students love to express themselves.
“I prepared like crazy for this competition, I love singing…this competition is going to be great, the best experience ever!” states Alexander Walker, a caroler.
Every school who competed was awarded roughly $300. This event was all for the school and providing money to support the music programs in said schools.
“It's not all about the money, the money is just a nice thing to attract competition, but my job as a teacher and instructor is to make sure these kids love what they're doing, which is singing… it doesn't matter to me if they win or lose, all I care about is these kids enjoying themselves and the competition.” said Ellen Wood, the conductor of one of the choirs competing.
In the end, the winning school won a grand prize of $15,000. A generous donation that is sure to help the music program pay for equipment, instruments and classes.
“As long as there’s competition we will always be happy to give away these donations, students need to remember that their childhood isn't all about attending school and working, it's also about enjoying themselves and being happy, and music is joy.” said organizer Sally Baumgartar.
With the competition officially over, students return to the classroom to finish work so they can enjoy a happy, and very merry, Christmas.
Juan Carlos Chaoui
11/4/21
Christopher Columbus High School Celebrates Veterans Day
Recently in Patriot Plaza at Christopher Columbus High School, Columbus Hosted its annual Veterans Day event, where students learn to appreciate and honor those who have fought for their freedom.
“I think this Veterans Day Event is a great way for students to learn about the people who have paid the ultimate price for the everyday freedoms they enjoy. I feel like most people take for granted what Veterans Day really means, and don’t realize that it’s more than just a day off from school.” States Dr E Carter Burrus.
Veterans Day is celebrated throughout the USA, and there have been 48.1 thousand Veterans who were raised in Miami Dade County. Mike Carricarte, a partner of Christopher Columbus High School and Veteran, came to the event to speak about the importance of the day.
“Look around you, the person on your left, and your right is here because there were men, brave men, who stood up against the forces who wanted to take our freedom from us. It is important that we realize the gravity of their sacrifices and honor them for their bravery. The United States would not be the free and great country it is today if it weren’t for the sacrifices of the Veterans who fought for it.” Stated Carricarte, in a speech towards the students.
Towards the end of the event, the band students of Christopher Columbus High School performed the United States national anthem, and students paid their respects to the alumni who served in the Military, Army, and Navy.
Mike Carricarte also says “I think that an event like this shouldn’t just be once a year. Veterans gave so much, sacrificed so much for the freedoms you and I enjoy today, it's too much sacrifice for just one day. Nonetheless, I’m glad that Columbus recognizes the importance of this holiday, and I hope one day these students will understand how many sacrifices were made for them to grow up and do well in life.”
With the annual Veterans Day celebration over, the students leave with a sense of respect for the veterans and responsibility to not let the veterans' sacrifices go to waste, as they grow up to be the future of this country.
Juan Carlos Chaoui
10/19/21
Students Take Part in College Fair
The students of Christopher Columbus High School were able to attend the annual College fair, where representatives from different colleges come to Columbus and advertise their schools to the junior & senior classes.
“I’ve always felt uncertain about my future, I don't know what I'm going to do when I leave high school in a couple of years, or what to major in in college,” said Camilo Nunez, a Junior class student.
Camilo isn't alone, according to allaboutcareers.com, he is part of the 52% of students who don't know what to do after graduating from college, not including high school graduates. To change the statistic, Columbus is trying to make sure that every student gets into the college of their choice and has a bright future.
“We host the college fair every year as a way for our students to get a glimpse at what the future may look like and so they can plan it out. We hope that by providing opportunities like these, students will be more prepared for adult life and have successful futures” says Iris Martinez, the director of College and Career Services.
The College fair isn’t only for students, as the boys mature and start to become adults, their parents do their best to be supportive and helpful by helping their kids choose the right school for their interests.
Diana Nunez, the Mother of Camilo Nunez says “I want my son to realize that life is serious, and that his childhood is sadly coming to an end and that he needs to start to ask himself the big questions, who does he want to be, where does he want to go, how does he want to change the world?”
“I came in here with no idea about college or my life after high school, but I'm grateful Columbus gave us this opportunity because now I was able to connect
with schools that meet my interests.” States Camilo Nunez.
With this year’s college fair successful, the students have gained some insight as to what their future may hold for them, and from the looks of it, the possibilities are endless.
Students Enjoy The Season of Walk-a-thon
Tis the season of Walk-a-thon, a three-week-long fundraising event that Christopher Columbus High School hosts to fund the school's big projects.
"Walk-a-thon is everything to this school; it's our yearly school-wide fundraiser in which students donate money for the school to renovate and build more buildings." Said Andrew Harriman, the moderator of the Esports Club.
Every year, Columbus uses the money for a big project. This year, the money is going towards the Esports Club's new gaming room.
"I am very grateful to Columbus for being generous enough to donate the money fundraised to the esports club and giving us the chance to succeed by supplying us with a gaming room."
Walk-a-thon isn't just a regular fundraiser, however. It's also a chance for students to enjoy snacks, games, and raffles in school.
"I'm very excited for walk-a-thon, especially the big day at the end where we all walk" - Juan Laracuente.
The end of walk-a-thon is celebrated every year with a day off from school at the tropical park where students put the "walk" in walk-a-thon."
I'm happy to columbus us have this as our sort of own personal holiday; I'm glad I got to enjoy my first walk-a-thon the way I was supposed to, thank you, Columbus!" Cameron Boozer
I hit the ground running this year and basically raided Costco for supplies so that students had the stuff to buy from me. I love fundraising for walk-a-thon since it gives me the chance to engage with students in ways id never thought possible." - Mrs. Alonso
With the season of walk-a-thon officially over, Columbus returns to its regular scheduling, and students get ready to get back to the classroom, until one year from now when they get to do i
Kennedy Space Center - Reach for the Stars
The Christopher Columbus High School STEM and Robotics Club took a visit to the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, where students would be able to admire and draw inspiration from all the historical attractions.
"I wanted to bring the students in my club to the space center to share with them the experience of learning about the history of space travel at a NASA center," said Mr. Rodriguez, the STEM Club moderator.
The experience was, as some students commented, inspiring.
"I'm grateful that my school was able to bring me to the center...especially since we've been under lockdown for so long...it feels nice being able to go on this trip with my peers," says Nicolas Guzman, class of 2023.
The trip to the space center wasn't just for the attractions; the students also were given several assemblies where they'd watch a presentation that replayed a historical moment such as the moon landing or the failed launch attempt. They got to see it all.
Mr. Rodriguez stated that he hopes the students will develop an appreciation for all things space and that they'll learn to recognize and appreciate the work that's been put in by the past Americans.
The students has access to a tour guide, who went with the students on a tour explaining all the ships and statues that were placed around the center.
"it's important that the students understand that history doesn't begin with them, and that time is a continuum, as long as you can draw on the past for inspiration, then you'll go far in this world."
As the day ended and the field trip came to a close, the students left the Space center with newfound knowledge and inspiration for their future endeavors.
The Navigator: Arcade Odyssey
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
*Opens with Cod Sounds*
A: …I downed one I downed one he’s knocked other guys one shot
J: I see him I see him, I’m pushing I’m pus- HOW DID THAT HIT ME HE HAS AIMBOT
A: I’m pushing I’m pushing he’s screwed there’s no wa- NO WAY HE GOT ME TOO
Simultaneously: UGHHHHH I HATE THIS GAME
J: Stupid LMG spammers so annoying
A: honestly I’m done with cod for today, let's play something else
J: alright alright let's see here… Minecraft?
A: too boring
J: fortnite?
A: too repetitive
J: Rocket League?
A: Too difficult
J: ugh.. then I don't know man, what else is there to play?
A: well when I was 10 my parents would take me to play in the arcade, maybe we can take a break from all the guns and violent games and just relax with some of the classics
J: I mean…not to brag but I’m nasty at Galaga
A: alright old man whatever you say. Welcome to the navigator, I’m Alexis vivanco
J: and I’m Juan Carlos Chaoui, and on todays podcast, were going to talk about video games, but instead of talking about all the new consoles and the newest madden, we’ll be taking a dip into the past and talk about some of the greatest classic arcade games.
A: We’ll also talk to some of the people at Arcade Odyssey---a local arcade in our community-- about how the classics are still enjoyed today in a community that’s all focused on the next First person shooter.
J: without further ado, let's set sail.
HONK
J: So alexis, let's set the stage real quick, you enter an arcade, what’s the first game you look for?
A: Well I’m somewhat of a pac-man guy myself, I’ve actually gotten a perfect score like 5 times before, from level 1 to 256, which was only reached by one other person, and for those listening, there’s no need to fact check that-- don’t worry.
J: righttt, well personally I love me some Dance Dance Revolution, I may not be able to hit the dance floor at a party, but when Im on that machine I become the next Michael Jackson, no one stands a chance.
A: I’d beg to differ, I have some real quick feet, courtesy of my role on dancing with the stars (again, no need to fact check that)
J: Pac-Man wasn’t really believable, now you’re just straight up lying to the viewers
A: no no no it’s more like bending the truth a little don’t worry about it
J: ok moving on, what do you think is the most popular game in an arcade?
A; oooohhh that’s a toughie.. I mean I always see people on air hockey competing with each other or the small basketball games trying to get the highest score.
J: Oh, something I ALWAYS see is someone smacking the absolute life out of the boxing machine. I don't know how much those monsters trained to get 999 in an arcade game, but I guess it's a fun little competition to play with friends.
J: Overall I feel like arcades are a nice mixture between video games and socializing, two things that usually contradict each other, live in harmony in arcades.
A: You’re so right, you can talk trash in perso-
J: that's not what I meant
A: ok ok but really, I’ve seen people have fun in an arcade as a first date, as a birthday party idea, or even as a way for people to just enjoy having fun with their friends and even family. It truly is a great social eutopia for young and adult people alike, though I’ve yet to see any grandparents sweeping the floor with teenagers in guitar hero.
J: the day I lose in DDR to a middle aged man who works at a paper company is the day I retire.
A: you’d better watch out, my uncle will be right up your alley if you keep talking like that.
J: let him try, anyways, I wonder what it’s like to actually work at an arcade, it’s GOTTA be a fun job right? Maybe I’ll apply and give you a discount in the prize corner…
A: all I’m hearing is free foam dice for me, keep your headphones and Nintendo switch, I’m about to have the coolest car decoration in school
J: oh yeah I’m sure you’ll get all the ladies when they see the foam dice hanging from your rear view mirror… but staying on topic here…
A: Oh yeah I think it must be a real fun job working at an arcade, I mean your literally overseeing people playing video games, what else could you want?
J: Well, why don’t we talk to an employee at Arcade Odyssey?
A: You mean that top-tier arcade here in Miami? Please, bring them in,
J: alrighty, let’s talk to ___ from Arcade Odyssey
J: Alrighty thanks to arcade odyssey for allowing their employee to come talk to us today, maybe ill stop by and get all the prizes by mopping the floor in skee ball
A: more like youll be stuck mopping the floor after i destroy you
J: well see about that, anyways before we go, how about we do a little top 5?
A: top 5?
J: top five classic arcade video games of all time.
A: alright well number five HAS to go to donkey kong
J: ahhh the origin of Mario, who was known as Jump man at the time, truly a worthy choice for the number 5 spot.
A: Number 4 i would say is…. Street fighter
J: Oooohhh now thats a true classic, i remember i used to compete in tournaments all the time…
A: oh thats cool, did you win any?
J: ...one
A: Oh that nic-
J: game
A:... wow you really suc-
J: OKKKKKK number 3 i would say is galaga
A: really? That dumb 2d shooter ma-bob?
J: uh, yeah, you probably just angered alot of people with that comment.
A: ok fair enough, ill give galaga the credit it deserves, but i dont think ut should be number 3
J; well agree to disagree.
A: number 2 should be mortal kombat
J: what??? I didn't know that it counted! That should be swapped with Street fighter
A: i mean, street fighter was cool and all, you hit people, but mortal kombat i feel changed video games, or rather the way people looked at video games like it has such a complicated history, so complicated i cant even explain it here, please if youre listening, go read “Console wars” on mortal kombat- after you finish this episode ofcourse.
J: fair enough socrates, now what do you think deserves the number one spo-
A: PACMAN
J: ok fine, i have to agree here
A: yea i love it i got to-
J: ok i dont agree with the lie, but yeah pacman is one of, if not the most iconic arcade game of all time, and i dont think theres any argument here.
A: well said, and that wraps up this episode of the navigator
J: its been real fun talking about video games, but thats all the time weve got soooo
A: im alexis vivanco
J: and im juan carlos Chaoui
A: and thanks for listening to the navigator, jc?
J: yea?
A: Lets go
J: where?
A: to arcade odyssey obviously! Cmon!
J: wait for- ugh he's gone, well we’ll see ya next time, thanks for listening.
Mas Pinning
By Juan Carlos Chaoui
To reward their dedication, the seniors of Christopher Columbus High School who are in the rigorous Mas Program and receiving their recognition and awards for all their hard work. The mas program is a prestigious program for the students who really want to go beyond.
“The ceremony is a token of appreciation for everything they've gone through, a sort of closing for them.” Said Adriana Amador, the Mas coordinator for this event.
It wasn't just the teachers showing appreciation either, the parents were all excited for their now grown-up boys, as this was a big step in becoming their future selves.
“Seeing my son go up and get his medal for being in Mas, it makes me proud, proud to be his father and proud of him for having succeeded in such a tough, relentless program.”
With all the awards going out, it's obvious that teachers and parents are excited. They aren't alone though the students themselves are very excited to have finally finished their four years at Columbus.
“The Mas program really helped me learn to apply myself and really get focused on the important things with school and my future. Overall it just helped me become a better person through all the work.”
The mas program has done its best to prepare its students for the future. As the ceremony comes to a close, the Seniors of the program are finally ready to head to college and build their future.
A small piece on the importance of not littering.
Podcast Teaches Others All About Podcasting
By: Juan Carlos Chaoui
Today on double take, Juan Carlos Chaoui, Alexis Vivanco, Anthony Martinez, and Micheal Martinez all discuss what it takes to make a podcast of good quality. They talked about how to start a podcast, different types of podcasts, how to choose a topic, how the publishing process works, and the importance of interviews.
To start, The Podcast asked the question of “Why am i doing this podcast? Why should I?”
Juan Carlos Chaoui responded with “Inspiration can come from many places, however there are also practical reasons for starting a podcast. Why should people listen to your podcast when there are so many other podcasts to choose from?”
He was, in short, saying the reason people should listen to your podcast is for you, YOU should be the one to answer that question with your product. However, with inspiration comes certain challenges, such as choosing a topic.
“Something I see people struggle with alot when it comes to podcasts is finding a topic that works for them. On The Navigator, we discuss relevant topics in our community, that's our forte.” Said Alexis Vivanco in regards to choosing a topic”
When choosing a topic, one should think about how the topic would play out. Are they knowledgeable about it? Do they have connections to people who know what they're talking about?
“To choose a topic you have to do some research. For example, on this podcast we're going over the steps it takes to make a podcast, to deliver it to you, the audience. All you have to do is find something that works for you.” Said Micheal Martinez
The third thing to take into account when making a podcast is thinking ahead. You need to have a schedule of uploads, inconsistency leads to failure and disappointment from your fans. So be on top of your schedule.
“The number one thing to keep in mind when making a podcast is what works for you. If you can commit to three uploads in a week, then keep that commitment. Only change the upload schedule in between seasons of series’. The podcast is supposed to be your show, so be flexibler and give yourself enough time to do it.” Said Anthony Martinez
So now you know the core steps that go into making a podcast. Hopefully by listening to their example and following it, you can have a good quality podcast running smoothly sometime in the near future.
BEACH CLEANUP HELPS PARK RECOVER FROM DIRTY STANDINGS
Juan Chaoui, Jo Gonzalez, Lucas Delgado, Neo Gaitan
On February 22 2021, Meadow Manfredini and her company “SeaMeClean” hosted a Beach Cleanup in order to help raise awareness for the environment at David T Kennedy Park.
“It's a very clean park...our goal is just to raise awareness and overall improve the cleanliness of the park” said Manfredini.
She felt very strongly about cleaning up the park, and she wasn't alone, other people, including teenagers have been striving for a better environment themselves, and used this event as a way to help out in the community.
“So usually when i have a free day from school, such as today...I like to seek out cleanups and other events that promote cleaning the environment...It's just what someone like me loves to do", says Robert Diaz, a participant of the event.
As shown, Robert is an example of someone who has a strong connection to his environment and won't just watch it get dirty. It's not just him either, even those who were not participating in the event felt strongly about, and had something to say about it.
Huwaida Alasmi says “It's important to help out the park because most times people look at the park and dont think anything about it, but at the end of the day it's very important, not just to us but to everything that lives here, that we clean up the park.”
“You know I hope to maybe, reverse some of the harmful effects that humanity had on this park, that is just one step towards my goal”, said Robert Diaz.
When the event ended, the park was looking cleaner than ever, all thanks to the efforts of Meadow Manfredini, and those who participated.
Sounds of Serenity
Sounds Of Serenity
Juan Chaoui, Neo Gaitan, Joe Gonzalez, Lucas Delgado
When people need a chance to relax, they think of things that make them feel safe and their environment, serene. Well one thing that people love to do to help this situation, is go to their local gym and workout.
Dr. E Carter Burrus is someone who has and maintains this mindset, working out 3 times a week, to help not only his body, but his mind.
“I workout three times a week...I feel that it does really help people to relax, ya’know calm down and have a good stress release”
It's not just people saying that it helps the mind either, Jonathan Gramling, the manager of the gym DR. E Carter Burrus attends, knows alot about mental wellness and keeping an overall healthy lifestyle.
“There are many benefits of working out...strengthens your bones, your muscles, it's good for your mental health helping with depression and anxiety.”
Of Course there is still the problem of Covid-19, the global pandemic has been causing fewer people to go out and workout in a local gym, Kylee Gaitan, an at home gym user, practices social distancing and is staying safe while staying fit.
“Working out, especially at home, makes me feel calm and safe, I do prefer working out in the gym, but since there's a pandemic, I feel safer in my own environment, I can still create a serene feeling even at home.”
As mental health becomes more and more important everyday, people need a way to relieve the stress that goes into their minds. The way they do that, is by working out, and being in a state of serenity.
Christopher Columbus High School Hosts Annual Veterans Day Event
On November 10th, 2020 Christopher Columbus High School held its annual veterans day event. Where it celebrated all veterans for their courageous sacrifices to the United States.
This event was celebrated by many including current students, faculty, and Veterans. One of those veterans is E. Carter Burrus who served in the Military and is one of the organizers of the event.
“I am the only person on campus that has served in the military and, when i returned, and they asked me to lead the moderate the patriot club, well they saw that i seemed like a perfect fit and i was honored to have them ask me to do that, now we've hosted this event every year for ten years.” said Dr. Burrus, the moderator of the Patriot club.
Others, including John Lynskley, the assistant principal of Christopher Columbus High School, are returning attendees, and find that this event brings people together in remembrance and inspiration. “We host A Veterans Day event every year and we have been doing so for many years because we firmly support our veterans. The Carricarte family which goes back to the first years of Columbus have been vital to the founding Patriot Plaza. And we have been following their lead ever since.” Said by Mr. Lynskley.
This Veterans Day event has been going on for a long time, one of the families that support this event is the Carricarte family. “The opening speaker each year is Mike Carricarte who was in the first class to graduate from Columbus and he served 4 terms in the vietnam war. He graduated in 1955 and is the benefactor of Patriot Plaza. This year’s speaker was a man named Joe LaBell who graduated from the United States Naval Academy and played football at Columbus. Now he is a special agent with the FBI. But he is a patriot and a Vertran of the military and he was honored to be here.” Said by Dr. Burrus.
The Veterans Day event has been a huge success. Since Columbus is still following COVID 19 protocols there couldn’t be too many people there to listen to the event’s guest speakers. But most of the Patriot Club was there to listen. This is an event where we should remember the ones who have died to keep this country safe, and the ones who fought to keep this country safe. This event is to thank our fellow veterans.
CCHS Cross Country Team Competes Despite Covid-19 Pandemic
Juan Chaoui, Emilio Boutros, Sebastian Herrera
October 9th, 2020
Although the Coronavirus rages throughout the United States, Christopher Columbus High School has given the green light for the Cross Country to compete again.
Mr. Staiano, the Assistant Director of Sports at Christopher Columbus High School who is very excited for cross country to come back, is making sure that helions are safe to compete.
“For them to compete they have had to meet all the guidelines..first from the local government...then from the florida highschool association, and lastly but most importantly, we had a GMAC exam and made sure we followed all of their guidelines.”
Although Covid can be frightening, Branden Ruiz and other runners are not going to let covid frighten them and keep them from doing what they love.
“Right now, we're really prepared, having that team bonding, which is very key in a team. We aren't letting covid phase us, we are mentally ready, we have our mind set and are doing great. Last week everyone PR’ed (beat their personal record) and I feel we have a great chance of winning it all this year.”
The helions have already completed around the state of Florida and have caught 0 total covid-19 cases. They hope they can continue the season and stay safe. Coach Danny, the assistant coach for the cross country team has been helping to guide the runners towards better PR’s (personal records).
“Honestly this season we've accomplished almost everything we've been working for, in every competition we have had at least two freshmen, and two seniors that have been able to break their personal records. All that is left to do now is finish the season strong.”
As the season is coming to a close, Christopher Columbus’s cross country team not only hopes to stay safe in these competitions, but to also bring home another championship.