Andrew Falconi
The History of the C ⚓️
By: Lucas Delgado
Ever since opening in 1959, Christopher Columbus High School has prided itself on establishing a culture of unity and brotherhood. This culture is represented by the school’s logo, “The C”.
As is true for most logos, the Columbus C has gone through many designs. Dr. Carter Burrus - a student at Columbus in the 1960s - has seen these changes come and go. Burrus himself is extremely knowledgeable about the evolution of the logo, and he frequently recounts memories of both the iconic and lesser-known iterations of the C. “1983 was my favorite. We had the gothic style pair of two letter Cs with a sword like cross going through the middle.” Burrus said. “They only used it one year, and then right after that it went back to the old standard C, and it states that way until the rebranding we did in 2018.”
While this rebranding initially served as a shock to many after Columbus’ historic use of the “standard” C, which bears resemblance to the Chicago Bears’ logo, the move was done with the intent of making the logo something unique to the Explorers. Melissa Marti, the Director of Digital Communications at Columbus, echoes this sentiment, saying. “If you bleed blue and you love Columbus you don’t want to steal from anybody else. You don’t wanna borrow from anyone else’s logos.”
She added on, saying “We’re not second fiddle to the Bears or the Cubs, we’re Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. Sure, we’re a high school, but you’ve never seen anything like us.”
And after hearing several opinions similar to Marti’s, Columbus decided to take the next step and have the C trademarked. Louis de la Aguilera, a head member of the Columbus Marketing Board, said “This C was gonna be our own, and in order to do that we needed to get it trademarked. Now the C that we have is our own. It is our brand and we’re very proud of it.”
After so many changes, some may question what the C truly means to Columbus. Dr. Burrus said “It’s the symbol of everything Columbus stands for. Today, this is the C that represents Columbus and we’re very proud of it. It embodies the greatest school on the face of the earth.”
Even though the Columbus C has seen so many iterations over the years, the meaning always remains the same, with the logo representing the brotherhood that makes Columbus unique.
With Contributions from: Jordan Perez, Andy Falconi
A New Form of Training
By: Andrew Falconi
This season the Columbus Lacrosse team has had a great run so far with a record of nine and four, but the coaches have taken a big step off the field to improve the players performance.
“Something that goes overlooked frequently is how the kids are doing,” says Steve Hernandez, the head coach of the lacrosse program in Columbus. What the students are doing in life is very important because this could affect their performance on the field and more importantly in the classroom. This year, Coach Steve Hernandez has decided to bring on a small psychology group to help and see if it would make a difference within the students, and without a doubt there has been. Similar to weight training, or just any normal form of practicing, sports psychology is the next great form of training and the teams that begin this practice will benefit from it far more from teams that begin in the future. The psychological aspect of being an athlete, student and a teenager all is in desperate need of attention, which is what makes having a sports psychologist consultant on the staff of coaches so beneficial to a sports team.
One player, Jake Cordes, says that this addition to the team has made a great impact, one being during the games he changed the team's morale and even though Columbus came out with a loss against St. Thomas Aquinas. Having someone to talk about the mistakes with made it much easier to leave the game in a non negative mood. “For me having someone to talk to has always helped me through problems” says Coach Steve. For the boys on the Columbus lacrosse team they usually don't have those external people, so bringing them an outlet to open up about themselves gives them a very large benefit over other teams.
With Contributions from: Thomas Pozo
Passion to Profession
Bernard Rivier better known as frenchie is a french mountain biker with a burning passion for the sport. “I Started when I was younger, like in the 70’s”. Having a love for mountain biking Bernard decided to turn what he thought would just be a hobby into his day to day job.
Five years ago Bernard began to build mountain biking trails at the Virginia Key Outdoor Center. He estimates about 50,000 to 60,000 people ride his hand built trails every year.
Bikers who enjoy these trails whether it's just for fun or to compete, often overlook the efforts that go into building them. “I just want people to know that these trails are built with absolutely no money from the city, the county or the state, it's all raised by the volunteers and guys like me”.
Even though frenchie works with limited resources his goal of bringing people together through the sport of mountain biking is being achieved day by day. “Everybody's really friendly, everyone helps each other, it's a great park where people come to have fun”, says Andrew Golon, a frequent visitor to Bernard's mountain biking trails.
Building these trails have not come easy for frenchie though, over the years he has had to become creative. “When it's recycled, it's free. We love the price.” Most of the park's guide lines and signs come from donations from places like the fire department, who have given Bernard many tools like fire hoses. “Every recycled thing we can find we use here.”
Maintaining these trails is an uphill battle, but frenchie says it's worth it in the end. “I'm happy to ride the trails I have built, but sometimes I'm here eating and I hear people screaming in excitement”. The only thing that matters to frenchie is knowing that he has done something good for the community.
Thanks to the passionate work of one man and the many behind him, members of Miami's community can come to enjoy the Virginia Outdoor Center.
By: Andrew Falconi
With Contributions From: Lucas Figueroa, Andrew Ahrendt, JC Chaoui, Matty Quesada
INCREASE IN COVID-19 TESTING WAIT TIMES SPARKS RISE IN MORE TESTING CENTERS AND HOME-TESTING KITS
With an increase in cases of the Omnicron variant, COVID-19 testing centers in Miami have experienced longer wait times than usual. However, with more centers opening up and home testing kits being distributed, the process of getting tested for this pandemic has been simplified.
“For the past months, my family and I have had to wait in such long lines all over the county. I can say that now that there’s more testing sites like this one here in Barnes Park, things have gotten so much better. I can get tested faster and don’t have to sit in my car for 5 hours waiting,” stated Martha Pernas, a local resident in Miami.
And with an increase in testing centers, wait times have dramatically decreased. But more centers aren’t the only cause of this decline. Recently, COVID-19 testing kits have become more accessible to all residents, minimizing the need to go get tested at a facility when it can be done within the comfort of one’s home.
“The local government has now been granting all households at least 4 Covid testing kits, which is absolutely great. Because of this, the lines have become significantly shorter in all testing centers across the city. It’s very easy to conduct a Covid-19 test at home and they’ve proven to be greatly accurate,” said Lorraine Pall, a school nurse.
Pernas added, “More testing kits and more testing centers have been extremely beneficial to all of us who want to get tested in the easiest way possible. I no longer have to stress every time I need to get Covid tested, so I’m very grateful that these factors have eased the process.”
“I applaud our health officials for helping establish more centers and making the home kits more accessible. During Christmas break, all the pharmacies ran out of them which caused panic everywhere. But what they’re doing now is great. It’s easy to get one at no cost whatsoever,” further explained Pall.
With more testing centers and home kits available to the general community, the difficult process of having to get tested at a relatively busy facility has truly been alleviated.
Edited by: Juan Pablo Garcia-Casals
With Contributions By: Andrew Falconi, Thomas Pozo
ONLINE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ON THE RISE
By: JP Garcia-Casals
With an increase in the presence of online vending services, local businesses have seen less consumers visit their establishments. And with the holidays approaching, some stores like Learning Express are expecting a larger amount of website purchases than ever before.
“We’re a local toy store and because more people have been buying online, we had to establish ourselves on the internet so that our customers could purchase our products from the comfort of their own home. Ever since, we’ve seen a tremendous rise in online shopping, especially now during the holidays,” stated Catherine Bartel, owner of Learning Express.
And Catherine is correct. Her claim that online Christmas shopping on the rise is corroborated by an NBC survey which found that 57% of Americans chose to shop virtually for the holidays in 2020. In addition, 59% are expected to shop online this year’s holiday season.
Although these numbers are significant, there are still those who prefer to physically visit stores and receive the personal interaction that isn’t offered on a computer.
“I’ve always come to this store. I feel that going to a store like this one where you can feel the toys and really talk to an employee is a unique experience. You can’t find this by shopping online. I love coming here with my daughter and seeing all the toys. It’s tradition and on Amazon, it’s not the same at all,” said Dalian Caraballas, a local resident who enjoys shopping at Learning Express.
And while Caraballas is not alone, store owners like Bartel will continue to expect the internet to be the primary form of holiday shopping.
With contributions made by: Andrew Falconi, Thomas Pozo
INVASIVE
In South Florida there has been a slowly growing problem. Since the early 1960s, Miami has been plagued with an ever growing, invasive species of iguanas. With these reptiles exponentially growing in numbers their problem becomes more and more prominent. Florida’s ecosystem is being heavily affected by their presence.
“Iguana hunting has become a huge part of my business, it’s pretty much how I built my business,” says Professional Animal trapper, Mike Kimmel. He has recently gathered a large crowd of people to provide services due to the large increase in iguanas invading private property. Over the past decade Trapper Mike has been hunting and removing iguanas from people's homes. Having lived in Florida with his two partners for as long as he can remember, Trapper Mike, Lance, and Auto, made it their mission to control this invasive reptile population. The Florida Official Wildlife Conservation Commision has supported their efforts to improve the status of iguanas invasion. In april of 2021 a new law was passed to assist in the new long term resources in Florida, the law prohibits breeding and selling of iguanas in Florida along with 16 other high risk reptile species. Although many are in favor of removing this invasive species, the method that was chosen has not entirely been approved by all.
Ron Mcgrill of the Miami Zoo says “I have real issues with just saying it's ok to go out and kill iguanas, it is not the iguanas fault”. When people go out to start killing iguanas in inhumane ways like with guns and shovels, it becomes just as dangerous for people. Until everyone is on board with a method of reducing the population of iguanas, a change can not be made. Most just don't understand the severity of the problem, says Trapper mike. But people that do will continue fighting it the only way they can.
By: Andrew Falconi
Contributors: Alexis Vivanco
LOCAL SERVICE EFFORT PROMOTES YOUTH LITERACY
With an increasingly technology-based society, the art of reading has been undermined. However, one service initiative, known as the Pozo Brother Book Club, has aimed to enhance literary abilities in underprivileged children to sustain passion for reading.
“The Pozo Brother Book Club is important to me because I’m lending a hand to children who don’t have the same opportunities as others. I teach some kids how to read and help them improve their vocabulary and analytical abilities,” said Thomas Pozo, founder of the service initiative.
And this authentic service has not gone unnoticed. Individuals like Pozo’s mother recognize his commitment to his community.
“Tommy has done such a great thing for the kids of our local community. Teaching them to read is such a positive and valuable effort. He really enjoys what he does and he’s really making a difference in their lives. This is why I’m so proud of him as a mother,” stated
Denise Pozo, Thomas’ mother.
Efforts like these are also commended for their ability to sustain abilities that have been practiced for centuries.
Josephine Anderson, a coordinator at the center where Pozo meets with the children, claimed, “What Tommy does is beyond incredible. Today in our world, technology has taken over practically everything and literacy has diminished. It’s people like Tommy that help preserve such an important ability. He is the reason many of them can read at the level they do.”
And as Tommy fosters the development of reading comprehension for children in his community, his club’s name will continue to be recognized for its dedication to preserve and promote literacy. For CCNN Live, I’m JP Garcia-Casals reporting.
By: Juan Pablo Garcia-Casals
Contributors: Andrew Falconi, Thomas Pozo
MILK AND COOKIES
Its late at night, and your friend is sleeping over. Its to late to get any real food but a sweet snack is just what you need. And cookies sound like just the right option. But which late night cookie place should you order from (Insomnia or Night owl).
The first midnight treat reviewed was the chocolate chip cookie from Night Owl Cookies.
“Tommy that is a delicious cookie. Crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Just what I like in a cookie. Another thing I love is the size of the cookie as well. Its big and full of chocolate chips. Definitely cant go wrong with a Night Owl Cookie,” said Manny Naccarato, Cookie Reviewer.
In contrast to Manny loving the cookie, Tommy had other opinions.
“Yeah Manny I have to agree with you in the fact that yes it is a big cookie, but that doesn't mean that it's a good cookie. Its full of chocolate chips and it does have a nice chew center, but Manny I still have high hopes for Insomnia Cookies,” said Tommy Pozo, Cookie Reviewer.
Now both Tommy and Manny are moving on to Insomnia cookie.
“Manny looking at this cookie just in size. It is much different from Night Owl, but once I took a bight into that chocolate chunk. I was in chocolate heaven. I mean soft all around, moist center, and creamy chocolate chunks. Everything I love in a cookie,” said Tommy Pozo, Cookie Reviewer.
In contrast to Tommy’s Love for Insomnia Cookie Manny had a differing opinion.
“You know Tommy this cookie automatically loses points for me. It’s a much smaller cookie then Night Owl, and I’m not getting much chocolate per bite as I did with Night Owl, said Manny Naccarato, Cookie Reviewer.
After Both cookies were tasted it was time for the final review.
“Tommy I got to say that I think Night Owl takes the cake for me here. Its a bigger cookie, its got mor chocolate than Insomnia,” said Manny Naccarato, Cookie Reviewer.
After much back and forth between both gentleman they both agreed that Night Owl is the the better Cookie. Rapping up the first episode of milk and cookies.
With contributions made by: Andrew Ordieres, Ryan Santos, Tommy Pozo, and Andrew Falconi
Shortage of workers
By: Andrew Falconi
After the coronavirus dieing down and states opened back up, the restaurant industry has suffered unintended consequences of the government employee assistance program. At this point in time people are being paid more to stay home to go out and work, says Jason Pressing the owner of “A Pizza Brooklyn”. This problem stems from the overabundance of stimulus packages that provide people with money for doing practically nothing. This causes people to not be too enthusiastic to look for jobs that are labours or take more time to do than others, for example Owner of the Titanic, Kevin Rusk, says that even though he puts out advertisements for openings in his restaurant people apply but don't answer the follow up for a second interview or even if they get the job, they just don't answer the call back.
Although the lack of workers these restaurant owners are seeing doesn't mean that there aren't people working at all. In January, 7% of restaurant operators rated recruitment and retention of workforce as their top challenge; by March that number had risen to 25%. There are good jobs for people to fill everywhere, especially since owners are finding it difficult to find employees, they are making it more attractive for people to come in. “If you bring to the table your skill set, you will be paid back well” says Jayson Bailey, the Manager of Garcias. Bailey says that he has offered bonuses and raises to new employees that take on more hours or bring in new employees. This is just one of the many incentives that company owners are using to bring in new applicants now and days.
With contributions from: Tommy Pozo
How to make a lower third
By: Andrew Ordieres
The lower third is important to every news package. They help demonstrate vital information of the subject being interviewed. When creating a lower third graphic, its important to make sure you follow the proper steps and include the proper information, as well as displaying it properly.
Typically, we like to use the Adobe After Effects. First we create a new compositio, and title it properly. The composition should be 1920x1080, and be 15 seconds long. Once the workspace is made, you can start by creating two shapes at the bottom left of the screen, preferably different colors. The top rectangle should be big enough to display someone’s name and the bottom should be big enough for someone’s title. Try not to make them too big or else they could cover up the interviewee, but not too small or they could be too hard to read.
Change the location of the anchor point by selecting Y and moving it to the center of the shape. Next, create a mask by clicking on whatever shape you want to reveal first and clicking “mask,” and then “new mask.” After making a mask you want to reveal it so change the position of the mask so that it disappears and then whatever time stamp you want to reveal it. Do the same to the bottom shape too.
Next, click the T icon at the top of the screen and type your interviewee’s name in the top shape of the lower third. And at the bottom write the title on a different layer. After that, you want to have the text reveal, so change the opacity so it fades in as the shapes move into the frame. Make sure that the text doesn't appear before the shape’s they’re on, so delay the key frames to be after the reveal.
The lower third is complete, but requires more effects to enhance the look of the lower third. You can do this by adding a drop shadow effect onto the shapes. This creates a shadow onto the shapes, making the shapes look 3D. Make sure you edit all the key frames and have them move more smoothly, so easy ease the keys. You can also apply a motion blur onto the composition. Lastly, add the closing movements of the lower third and you’re done.
To export the lower third, you just need to hit file, export, add to render queue, and change “RGB” to “RGB + Alpha” and click render. By following these steps you can create yourself a professional looking lower third which you can use on any sort of interview you come across.
With contributions from: Andy Falconi
The World of Online Collectibles
By: Andrew Falconi
Online collectibles? Nowadays people collect all types of things. Especially if they are limited. NFTs are today's equivalent to collecting sports cards. It hits all the points for a collector, the limited availability, the creativity and the fact that it has monetary value. NFTS, otherwise known as non-fungible token is a unit of data on a digital ledger called a blockchain, where each NFT can represent a unique digital item, this means that each nft is non replicable and only the amount that is created is permanent. NFTs can represent digital files such as art, audio, videos, items in video games and other forms of creative work. Many collectors that previously collected physical assets are now entering into the world of digital collectibles, looking for a new place to put their money into. Although this new hobby is garnering much attention, physical collectibles are most likely going to circle back around as mainstream collectibles because of their physical appeal and sentimental value that people hold to them. With things like sports cards or pokemon cards collectors could hold and feel each card they add to their collection. But with NFTs it is only possible to look at them on a flat screen and over time this lack of connection with an item could lead online collectables to decline over time as other physical objects continue to age in people's collections.
With contributions from: Tommy Pozo
Should Collage Athletes be Payed?
By: Andrew Falconi
Sports play a big role in our lives by providing entertainment and a way to bond with people all around the world. And with the soon to start NCAA season, the question of whether or not college athletes should be paid or not comes up very frequently. On one hand there are these young athletes putting their body on the line to try to reach a goal, and on the other they are getting a quality education for their services and not to mention at no cost. So… Should college athletes be paid? Something most people fail to realize is that college is somewhere for people to obtain their degree and help jump start their “real world career”. But if players just want to get paid they should just go pro first. For example in the NBA players can go overseas or enter the G league straight out of high school, ensuring their paycheck from day one. But this doesn't apply to all sports, football players don't have this luxury. And the best option for them is just to stay put. If you think about it college athletes are getting paid in college tuition, the NCAA gives over 2.4 billion dollars in scholarships every year. To one hundred fifty student athletes, so when you look at the numbers it just makes sense. Whether the money the NCAA makes goes to scholarships or bettering facilities these college athletes are still getting their due.
Youth sports commentary
By: Andrew Falconi
Sports play a big role in many people's lives, by providing entertainment and a way for people to bond on the field for many people all around the world. Not only this but for many youth athletes this coupled possibly be their last chance to play organized sports. Which bears the controversial question, should youth sports be on pause during the pandemic?
Realistically youth sports should be able to continue during the pandemic, along with the social benefits that come with being on a team in an organized league there are also health benefits that are gained. According to the Aspen Institute, adolescents that play sports are eight times more likely to play sports when they are at the age of twenty four compared to adolescence that did not play sports. Not only that but three out of four adults that are of the age 30 plus played sports when they were children. So there is a huge correlation between the two. The lack of youth sports could also have a large impact on the financiers that organize these events that they will gain on a yearly basis. At the start of the covid pandemic in march over 700,000 youth athletes couldn't play their perspective sports, this cost organizers 700,000,000 dollars, and this is no help to the economy.
Raul Malo
By: Andrew Falconi
For the typical musician, starting off in your garage is the usual story. And for Columbus alum Raul Malo, this is the exact way he started. “My dad liked country music and I kinda got into it by accident.” says Raul. During Malo’s childhood he knew he wanted to play music. And this career path wasn't just an interest, it began to become a labor of love. But becoming successful isn't simple in the music industry.
“The immense amount of competition, standing out from the crowd, and the crowd is huge is what makes it difficult”, Says Joel Someillan, an American songwriter. Although there were many other competing bands and artists when Raul was on his uprise, he saw him and his high school peers as just a couple friends in high school having fun, and making racket in their parents garage. And after some time they decided to start a real band called “The Boys”.
But nowadays, anyone can be an artist because all you have to do is record a song and upload it to the internet, says Joel. This means young aspiring artists like Raul once was, have much more accessibility to the music industry and have the ability to reach a wider audience no matter where their path takes them, whether it is being a country singer or a rapper, all young aspiring artist are all going to have to have to put in the same work that Raul Malo did regardless of the time period they are in, and with that drive and dedication all artist could become as prominent as Raul is.
With contributions made by: Tommy Pozo
Columbus Effect on Their Students
By: Andrew Falconi
Christopher Columbus High School is known for many different achievements. But one of its most notable accomplishments is having three alumni that are the CEOs for three different Fortune 500 companies. This is a milestone that most colleges don't have.
“There is something really special at Columbus, and I think it starts with the fact that you learn to work hard...” says MasTec CEO Jose Mas. In Columbus there is always someone to help you and there are always enough academic challenges that cause students to push each other to become better.
Building Character, integrity, and caring for others are other things that Ryder CEO Robert Sanchez saw in his time at Christopher Columbus. And all these characteristics that are common among Columbus Alumni help prepare them for their future, because new companies and boards are looking for people that are well equipped to handle these jobs, which in this case most or columbus alumnus are.
Another reason Columbus is so successful in having well put together Alumni, is because the students are brought together by faith. This common bond is based on a belief system that all the boys share with one another. And this bond created a brotherhood during and after their years at Columbus. A big contributor that helps keep this brotherhood strong and alive are the Marist Brothers. They are what most students consider to be the Heart and soul of Columbus because these men sacrifice their lives for the better of these kids. Their goal is to educate the students of faith and make Jesus known and loved. And their guidance provides a path for Christopher Columbus students to follow to make them successful in their futures.
With contributions made by: Tommy Pozo
Students Against Hazing
By: Andrew Falconi
As the school year starts around the country, students and parents alike are very concerned with the risk of hazing. Any act of intimidation to have someone do something for acceptance into a group is what defines “hazing”, says Ed Hudak, the Chief of Coral Gables Police.
Hazing doesn't only damage the direct victim, it could also damage the person that is hazing, and if something unexpected happens like an injury or even a fatality, the repercussions go far beyond that. One big reason that deaths occur during hazing is because of alcohol. 82% of deaths involve the overconsumption of alcohol. And only 29% of greek life leaders are concerned with the overuse of alcohol during pledge activities.
One specific example of this is Max Gruver. “Max was a really great kid”, says Rae Ann Gruver, Max’s mother. He was always the one to bring people together and out of their shells. To the Gruver family, the Hazing went unnoticed. It started with small things like wearing khaki shorts and polo shirts, then it grew to him being forced to drive other members to stores to purchase things like vapes and cigarettes, that Max had to pay for.
Although this is most common in school groups, it could happen anywhere, says Rae Ann Gruver. It could happen in sororities, bands, club sports, and other teams. Although in the last two years there has been a drastic change in the amount of awareness put in to this subject, the Push Organization (Parents united to stop hazing) visits schools and speaks on the effects of hazing it could have on the people that decide to participate in groups that do use this as a method of acceptance. Now young adults have decided to take a stand and say no to this horrible action.
With contributions made by: Tommy Pozo