THE

TIMESBRADDOCK

G. Holmes Braddock Senior High 3601 SW 147 Avenue, Maimi, FL 33185 Volume 21, Issue II

WHO’S ON YOUR FACEBOOK?PAGE 2

NOVEMBER 2011

cupid’s corner Page 8

cole’s world page 16

candy up in smoke page 17

//NEWS

JEANINE TRABANCOMANAGING EDITOR

Should students be punished for online comments? Tough day at school? Think twice be-fore you Tweet about it. Public school stu-dents all over the country are facing consequences for what they post online and the courts have yet to decide if the First Amendment’s protection should cover your recent rant on Facebook. Braddock adminis-trators won’t say exactly how many students have been dis-ciplined for online comments but the tide is changing. Assistant Principal Eddie Medina said so far the four fights he’s dealt with at school have all stemmed from something posted online. Should school ad-ministrators be able to sus-pend students because of comments made on social networking sites such as Fa-cebook, Tumblr and Twitter? One Braddock stu-dent, Francisco Cano was suspended for three days be-cause of something he post-ed online. Francisco said what he posted was mis-interpreted by the school. He tried to explain but they wouldn’t hear him out. “What happened to me was wrong because I did not set out to hurt or of-fend anyone like some of the hate groups that exist on Facebook,” said Francisco. “What we do online should not concern the school.” When Braddock

administrators re-fused to listen to his

side of the story, he went to the Region office but the suspension remained. “Nobody would hear me out, I just wanted to explain that they had misinterpreted what I had posted,” he said. “What’s worse is that the suspension ruined my perfect atten-dance since Kindergarten.” “I don’t think that’s fair. In school, you already can’t do a lot of things, say a lot of things. What you do after school is your prob-lem,” said Juan Va l l a d a r e s , 17, Senior. “That’s not the school’s p r o b l e m , whatsoever.” A c -cording to the courts, when it comes to pun-ishing minors in re- gard to their prac-tice of their freedom of speech, the con- tents of the “speech” itself are weighed on two things: the effect that it imposes on other indi-viduals and the reason- ably forecasted disruption that can be caused as a result of the speech of the stu- dent. Basically, the contents of the speech are the main foundation in the decision of whether or not students are to be punished or not. “It’s our responsibil-ity to do whatever we can.

We’re responsible for the security of our students,” said Braddock Assistant Principal Alan Soriano. “It doesn’t end after 2 pm, stu-dent’s fears come back the next day; it’s up to us to provide the assistance or the help and that’s one of the things that the administra-tion takes very seriously.”All parties would agree that safety is a concern. But students wonder if safety

comes at a steep price? “What the school is doing is pointless,” said Ga-bian Mundo, 17, junior. “My business is my business.” The internet is noth-ing new – at least, not to students. But for teachers and administrators, dealing with online activity is some-thing fairly new. Before, most complaints or threats came in the form of notes scribbled on a piece of paper or something said during a

conversation. Today, what students say and how they feel – good or bad - lives on the web for all to see. Some stu-dents wonder how the school even finds out. Most of the time, administrators get involved because the situation goes from being ‘just a com-ment’ to a problem at school. There are other cases, though. One Brad-

dock security guard admits that they do look at stu-dent Face-book pages. How? As he put it, ‘some-one is always friends with s o m e o n e . ’ D o s t u d e n t s have any r e c o u r s e ? I n 1969, the S u p r e m e Court ruled that “stu-

dents do not shed their con-stitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” Then how are stu-dents being placed on outdoor suspension over comments made online? “If online activities have the potential to create a disruptive or violent at-mosphere at the school site, the school, appears to have to power to intercede in those online activities and to

even take actions as if they occurred on campus,” said Braddock Economics and Government teacher Mi-chael Littman. “There are a number of cases that man-date that the school must act to protect students who are claiming bullying, ha-rassment, or other illegal acts that were, in the past, considered child’s play, but are now viewed as poten-tially threatening behav-ior. There is no discretion in these cases as the school must follow the law. As well, it is not the school that creates or even interprets the law. We are solely em-powered to apply the law.” Some feel the rules should be clearly stated. Stu-dents sign a Computer Us-age Contract at the start of the school year but it doesn’t include anything about off-campus online activity. “There’s nothing in writing,” said Medina. “We have to look at each case individually using the code of student conduct and determine how it im-pacts the functionality of the school’s environment.” M e d i -na makes it simple. “If we get word that people are going to get physically bullied, then we intervene,” he said. Some students get the message loud and clear. “I wouldn’t risk it,” said Bradley Georges, 18, senior. “I’d keep it to myself. I wouldn’t want to incriminate myself.”

The Braddock Times

NEWS\\

DENIESKA SANCHEZSPORTS EDITOR There’s been a wave of inju-ries in the past few months that have plagued Braddock security guards. Random and unrelated accidents have caused the absence of the majority of the security team including Ernie Porzio, Georgie Otero, Aldo Bonilla and husband and wife team Gabriel and Irene Reyes. The accidents have caused them to take medical leave from their jobs. Porzio was the first to go when he dis-located his shoul-der while break-ing up a girl-fight during lunch. “About six or seven girls were fighting in the caf-eteria and I sepa-rated four or five and placed them against the wall,” he said Porzio. “Then, the two others had to be held back and the bigger girl attacked me.” Porzio was out for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, on her way to work security guard, Georgie Ote-ro had a little run in with a school bus. “On my way to school, I was driving and I stopped. A bus reversed and got on top of my car,” she said. Otero was diagnosed with mul-tiple hernias, bulges, and lateral tears.

She took medical leave without pay be-cause the incident was not in school. The most recent accident involved Security Guard Aldo Bonilla and hap-pened earlier this school year. He was in-volved in a car crash in Miami Beach resulting in severe physical injuries. “I got two fractures in my skull, a frac-ture in my neck and my c6 [spine],” said Bonilla. Recuperation has come relatively fast toBonilla who was out for about a month.

Husband and wife team Gabri-el and Irene Reyes, were both injured in school last year. Gabriel was injured during last year’s ring ceremo-ny when he picked

up some chairs and tore some ligaments in his right leg. After a six-hour surgery and a four-month absence, he’s back at work. “I’m very pleased with the way every-thing was handled,” said Gabriel. “The surgery went great and my leg has never been better.” Last year, Irene Reyes fractured her meniscus separating a fight with three girls in the courtyard. Irene was out for three months. “It’s good to have everyone back,” said Jorge ‘House’ Calderon, security guard. “Now we can cover more areas.”

“A bus reversed and got on top of my car”

Georgie Otero, Security

Security guards back on duty after accidents and injuries. / Photo by: Alejandro Matus

Curse of the Whistle? Not a good year for security guards

November 2011

//NEWS

T r a d i t i o n a l l y, Braddock pep rallies are hosted by two Se-niors. Every year, popu-lar students audition for the coveted role and are chosen as the hosts called, Heart and Soul. To audition, se-niors have to prepare a funny skit and perform for the activities director and student government. Contestants dress up and

try to hype up the

judges and con-vince them that they would be the best entertainers for the pep rallies. It’s not an easy job and shy people should stay away. This role calls for Brad-dock’s loudest and craziest Seniors. For the first time, Brad-dock chose to have two Hearts and two Souls. “Four animators

is better because you get the crowd way more pumped and excited,” said Sebastian Bara-hona, 17, Senior. The fol-lowing Seniors made the special team Jose Bel-tran, Jorge Ayo, Alexa Abreu and Joshua Arteaga. “ Y o u just go crazy, let

everything come out and just make sure ev-

eryone follows,” said Jorge, one of the Souls. At the games and pep rallies the Heart and Soul have strategies on how to make the crowd laugh or wake them up. “Usually we make fun of the freshmen,” said Jose, one of the Hearts. “That usually gets a kick of laughter from the crowd.”

EDDIE SUAREZ ADVERTISING EDITOR

Braddock’s Heart and Soul team during their first rally.

Photo By: Jennifer Santos

Twice the Pep: Bulldogs get two Hearts, two Souls

The Braddock Times

OPINIONS\\

Irony: the same people who have taught us how to express ourselves and why it’s important to do so, are the same ones punishing us for doing just that. We understand that social media is something new to our school adminis-trators and teachers. Most of them have twitter and

Facebook accounts. What we find appalling is the fact that they are suspending and tainting student records for comments made on Face-book or Twitter. Our country’s courts are filled with cases re-garding on-campus speech protection. Florida has not yet determined whether what we post on our Fa-

cebook walls is protected by the First Amendment. As students, we think it should be protected. This is our generation’s outlet to express ourselves. Let us do it. School administrators should be concerned with what we do on campus and campus issues – such as homophobia, bigotry, and lack of basic resources likes

books and paper. A clear line needs to be drawn to protect our speech. We sit through years of social studies classes learning about the struggles of people who had or have no voice. We are taught to appreciate the freedoms that this country offers us. But now we have to fear that what we write on Twitter

might land us in the prin-cipal’s office? That doesn’t seem right.We hope that school admin-istrators take a moment to think if it’s really their place to police our online activ-ity. Suspending students for words they write on-line is out of line.

THE BRADDOCK TIMES

OUR OPINION: Internet witch-hunts should stop

November 2011

//OPINIONS

ELISANDRA FELICIANOSTAFF WRITER

Tardy Tank: idea tanks with students

Every morning, late students are rounded up and sent to Tardy Tank in the cafeteria during First period. Photo By: Alejandro Matus

Tardy tank - because you don’t deserve to learn if you’re late. Tardy Tank is our school’s preferred method of decreasing the number of students being tardy to school. Instead it causes the problem of stu-dents missing class and not learning. Students who are found in the halls after 7:20 a.m. are rounded up by secu-rity guards, lined up similar to criminals. After they are ‘picked up, they walk in a single-file line to the cafete-ria where they will spend the next 20 minutes of their lives staring at the pale white walls. “I wish we didn’t have to do Tardy Tank, stu-dents miss class like Math and Reading but is a ne-

cessity to make stu-dents understand

the need to be in class at 7:20,” said Administrative Assistant Beatriz Jorva. The security guards seem to be very dedicated to this cause, but how far is too far? “It’s ridiculous, be-cause they contradict them-selves by saying you need to spend time in class and do well, but in Tardy Tank they keep you for half an hour,” saidJasminePerez,17,Junior. “So instead of missing two minutes of class you miss 30. It doesn’t make any sense.” If the point is to get students to class on time, then why does it take so long for Tardy Tank Captives to be released? “Unfortunately it depends on the number of students that are in Tardy Tank,” said Principal Manu-

el S. Garcia. “If the number decreases, there wouldn’t be much paper work and the students could return to class as soon as we’re done.” What the admin-istrators aren’t aware of is the loopholes Brad-dock students have found in their master plan. Stu-dents have discovered that you can arrive to school after Tardy Tank has been released, avoiding a mark on your attendance record. Knowing they won’t get marked tardy unexcused, students simply stay home and wait. Thus, defying the entire purpose of the Tank. Another point of Tardy Tank is to keep track of chronically tar-dy students. After your third visit to the Tank, stu-dents receive a referral.

Thankfully, the ad-ministrators cut us a break when the weather is bad –

which in Miami, is quite of-ten. But still, there needs to be a better way to curb tardies.

thebraddocktimes@gmail.com

The Braddock Times

OPINIONS\\

November 2011

Nominate your favorite couples to be featured in our next is-sue. Email their names to the-braddocktimes@gmail.com

//FEATURES

ZALOME RESTREPOONLINE EDITOR

Their story wasn’t love at first sight but a sim-ple compliment sparked a romance. “Literally a year later, Daniel told me he liked my hair that day, and I thought that was nice of him to say. It’s funny how the smallest comments can change your day,” said An-thony Antuñez, 16, Junior. After that, they be-gan to chat through Face-book, then text messages, and finally meeting up dur-ing school. They became a couple on March 10, 2011. “While walking back home from Starbucks we started to hold hands for a few minutes,” said Daniel Peon, 18, Braddock gradu-ate. “I then asked him to be my boyfriend. I was so shy, I

was horrible asking him. He said yes and we’ve been hap-pily together ever since.” There’s so much to love. “I literally show off Anthony as my trophy. He is beautiful and I love him, and I don’t care what any-body thinks, except two in-dividuals who could possi-bly change everything,“ said Peon. “Even though he has this constant childish per-sonality, he can be the most amazing, sweetest and nic-est person that anyone could ever meet. I fell in love with this contrasting personality of his very quickly.” Their lives right now are very different since Peon is attending Miami-Dade College and works at Dol-phin Mall while Anthony at-

tends Braddock and drama rehearsals almost every day. Even though they both have extremely busy schedules they always make time for each other. The couple dreams of possible wedding bells in the Big Apple.

Couple Anthony Antuñez and Daniel Peon. Photos By: Yaiseli Gonzalez

You Had Me At ‘Nice Hair’

The Braddock Times

Social Studies H. Society• For high achieving students that want to learn about social stud-ies and do community service.• Projects- Explore the world of Social Studies, fund-rais-ing and community service for the poor, homeless, abuse, and museum’s, and commu-nity service inside the school.

Mu Alpha Theta• Focuses on working with math. Provide tutoring, do community service, and help students improve in math. • Projects- Math competi-tions in school and out of state.

Gay/Straight Alliance• To help promote awareness and communication regardless of gender or sexual orientation.• Projects- Anti-bully-ing workshop, Transgen-ders day, Day of Silence.

ASL Honor Society• To learn about deaf culture and promote sign language and to have an understand-ing of other deaf individuals. • Projects- Hispanic heritage Luncheon performance, Veter-an’s Day Luncheon performance, Christmas show at Dadeland.

FEATURES\\

Braddock Clubs

Business Honor Society • Students that have done business or IT class and have an unweighted GPA of 3.0. • Projects- Member-ship selection, planning fund-raiser, and increase commu-nity service activities and field trips to businesses in Miami.

Tri-M Music H. Society • To inspire music participa-

tion, create interest for the pursuit of advanced music stud-ies, promote awareness of the

arts, stimulate a desire to render service, and promote leadership

in music students. • Projects- Nursing Home Per-formance for the Holidays, Host District-Wide String Solo & En-semble Festival, Promote School Spirit through sales of Jinx Dolls.

5,000 Role Models• Young men focusing on life and being a gentle-man and not dropping out.• Projects- Field trip to a Prison, Field trip to a college, Sun Life Stadium leadership conference.

Amnesty International• International human rights advocacy club. Projects- Tahir Square dem-onstration, Kendall Elementary field trip, LGBTQ rights play.

Ebony

• Hip-hop dance club. • Projects- Try-outs, first pep rally, homecoming pep rally.

English Honor Society• Promotes community ser-vice through literature and helping literacy programs. • Projects- Harry Potter event, Book drive, Writing zombie haiku’s in honor of Halloween.

Visions• Dance team.• Projects- Perform in pep rallies, perform at night, perform at any-thing interesting that comes up.

SECME• Competition and science devel-oped to provide opportunity for engineering and science spon-sored competitions since 2003. • Projects- Segmi Olym-pic, Competitions called Jets, 10 different events.

FBLA• Exposing young stu-dents to real world experi-ences and to use leadership skills, travel, and compete.•Projects- Beach clean-up, competition, conferences.

Interact• Allows students to build friendship with one of Brad-dock’s special needs kids.• Projects- Special Olympics

(softball), Bulldog Buddies, adopt a family (Thanksgiving).

Silver Knights This club consists of kids having good grades. Must have a 3.5 GPA.• Projects- Students do their own projects which they start on that freshman year.F E A• To promote an interest in the career of teaching.• Projects- Adopt a fam-ily, Bunny’s for Vat Camp, Teacher fundraiser.

Varsity Cheerleading• C h e e r i n g .• P r o j e c t s - F o o t b a l l games, and pep rallies.

Drama•Having appreciation and desire to do theater.P r o j e c t s - W o r k s h o p , Jr. I.E’s, Snoopy play.

Thespians• Honor society for high school drama members.• P r o j e c t s - W o r k s h o p , Jr. I.E’s, Snoopy play.Students Against Destructive

Decisions (SADD)• Influence positive educational decisions on staying away from narcotics and peer pressure.• Projects- Kickoff break-fast, ghost out, DUI bus.

National Science Honor Soci-ety

• Providing service to the community and recognizing students talents in science.• Projects- Induction on Wednesday, celebrating mole day, beach clean-up.

Quill & Scroll• Create journalism-related service projects in the com-munity and to plan events that allow students to prac-tice scholastic journalism.• Projects- Veteran’s Day project, Blue Angels yearbook project.

Band• Marching band/Music Honor Society. Combining music with marching and creating a show.• Projects- Playing at Flana-gan Sr. High, John Ilenan Sr. High, and Palmetto Sr. High.

Women of Tomorrow • Mentorship and Scholar-ship program. Girls are men-tored by successful women.• Projects- Field trip to a Court House, Hospital, and Colleges.World Languages Honor So-

ciety• Learning different languages.• Projects- Beach clean-up, celebrate Spanish Heri-tage, helping Foster Homes.

Left: Gabriela Noa President of Amnesty hand-ing out sign-up sheets.Right: Lisdelys Garcia repre-senting Mu Alpha Theta. Photos By: Alejandro Matus

November 2011

//FEATURES

R a n d y D -iaz sees things. His Nikon D3000 and his passport are nev-er far behind because this Braddock student prefers to take pictures and travel the world. Born in Cuba, Ran-dy moved to Miami when he was only 8 years old. He taught himself how to speak English. Once at Braddock he took pho-tography classes and de-veloped a passion for it. His thirst for trav-eling and learning about new cultures has become

more than a family hob-by, but a personal one. Randy has t r a v e l e d to France, New England, Dominican Republic, and other places around the world. Some of these places aren’t completely foreign to him since his background is Cuban and French. “The most recent place I visited was Domini-can Republic,” said Randy, 16. “It’s very much like my home country. I loved France a lot. My family is from Basque country. The pasteries, the land- scape, the culture. It’s just the

most interesting place I’ve ever been to. The people there are really proud of their culture. They fight for what they believe in.” So, where will this shutterbug end up living? “I am planning on moving to New England where it’s really cold un-like Miami,” said Randy. “Mainly because of the environment, the climate and the architecture.” Randy plans on studying something in the medical field, while always making time for his hobbies traveling and photography.

The traveling photographerJEANINE TRABANCO MANAGING EDITOR

Randy Diaz in the Chicago Art Museum. Photo By: Randy Diaz

The Braddock Times

Last but not least, the number one movie of our list is none other than Saving Private Ryan. This film truly captures the heroism that an army soldier endures. The film centers around Captain John Mill-er and his unit. Captain John Smith takes his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in combat. Surrounded by the brutal realities of war, while searching for Ryan, each man embarks upon a personal journey an discovers their own strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency, and courage. This film is truly meant to make the audience appreciate the monstrous human cost and tragic sacrifice associated with war.

“Saving Private Ryan”

“Inglourious Basterds”Now even though this is a far fetched and fictional portrayal of world war II, there is no doubt that this movie is extremely entertaining from start to finish; topping off at number two on our list is In-glorious Basterds. It is the first year of Germany’s occupation of France, and Allied officer Lt. Aldo Raine assembles a team of Jewish-American soldiers to commit violent acts of retribution against Nazi soldiers, including the taking of their scalps. He and his men join forces with Bridget Von Ham-mersmark, a German actress and undercover agent, to bring down the leader of the Third Reich.

This film takes place in 1993 when the U.S. sent special forces into the Somalia to destabilize the government, bring food, and humanitarian aid to the starving population. Using Black Hawk helicopters to lower the soldiers onto the ground, an unexpected attack by Somalian forc-es brings two of the helicopters down immediately, killing dozens on impact. From there, the U.S. soldiers must struggle to regain their balance while enduring heavy gunfire. This movie is truly a heart pounding war drama that accurately portrays the life of American Militia men.

“Black Hawk Down”

This movie mainly centers around the lives of three men, Staff Sgt. William James, Sgt. J.T. San-born and specialist Owen Eldridge. These three men are a member of a bomb-disposal unit (EOD) in Baghdad during the early stages of the post invasion period in Iraq in 2004. This elite army unit comes together to fight in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb. As their tour of duty enters its final weeks, the men face a series of increas-ingly hazardous situations, any of which could end their lives in an explosive instant. If you love suspenseful, and thrilling movies with loads of action, the The Hurt Locker was made for you.

“The Hurt Locker”

FEATURES\\

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Reviewed by: Brooke Barksy

November 2011

//FEATURES

FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY

February 19– March 20

January 20– February 18

December 22– January 19

May 21– June 21

April 20– May 20

August 23– September 22

July 23– August 22

November 22– December 21

October 23– November 21

March 21– April 19

June 22– July 22

September 23– October 22

N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 1 — W e e k 1 Chills and thrills make for a very lively week, Capricorn. A young friend strikes a bargain. Make sure you hold up your end. A dream comes true.

You receive many offers this week, but only one stands out from the others. Review it thoroughly, Aquarius. The details are not as frightening as they seem.

Spine-tingling tales get the week off to a great start. An increase in assignments sends everyone into overdrive. Work hard to keep up the pace, Pisces.

Pack up and get outta there, Aries. You’ve stood by a friend and helped them out as much as you can, but it’s clear they need to help themselves.

Romance heats up and keeps you spellbound all week long. A friend steers you wrong. Don’t jump to conclusions, Taurus. It wasn’t intentional.

Finances got you spooked? Not for long, Gemini, as a windfall arrives. A friend receives a clean bill of health. Celebrate the good news with them.

Woohoo, Cancer. Sweet treats and wicked pranks make the workweek go by fast. A movie puts everyone at home into a contemplative frame of mind.

Memories of an old tradition come rolling back at the sight of something horrifically funny. Maybe it’s time you recreated the magic with your own family, Leo.

Look out, Virgo. Mischief is brewing at home. Laugh it up and enjoy! A business matter ends with a flourish. Celebrate with a night on the town.

A truce is finally reached at home, paving the way for the planning of a special event to start. Get ready to pitch your ideas, Libra. A deadline is extended.

The web of deceit builds at work. Watch your step, Scorpio. One wrong move could get you pulled into the mess. The to-do list is completed.

The opportunity to entertain will arise. Seize it, Sagittarius. You were made for it. A review of your finances reveals you are better off than thought.

The Braddock Times

FEATURES\\

There are few things in this world that will never change. One of them, is a good band, will always be a good band. Red Hot Chili Peppers have never gone wrong. This is the band your older brother was listening to pick you up from day care.You’d expect them to be

a few dinosaurs with in-struments but that is far from the case as theyprove with their latest re-lease, I’m With You. After parting ways with their for-mer guitarist, John Frusci-ante, of over twenty years, people were scared they would lose that funky sound

we all loved, I know this because I was one of them. He was replaced with new guitarist JoshKlinghoffer. He had some really big shoes to fill, and he did so pretty well. Not only did he keepup with the rest of the Red Hots, but he gave it his own little spin. Some people would claim thisto be a bad thing, but for a band whose been to-gether so long, it’s nice to get a fresh perspectiveof the same sound. When the album starts off with Flea’s un-mistakable bass riff in "Monarchy of Roses", anysuspicion that the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s aren’t back are pretty much gone. There is a lot

CLAUDIA RODRIGUEZSTAFF WRITER

of new material in this al-bum. They are now incorpo-rating keyboards, played byFlea and Klinghoffer, which can be heard in "Even You Brutus?". Also new arelyrics that actually make sense."Police Station" sings like a story about that friend who went down abad road and all the nostal-gia for those days that have come to past with that person. The most surpris-ing track on this album is "Brendan’s Death Song" a melancholic acoustic thatcould’ve gone to sound like another ‘Under the Bridge’, but it has its own beautifully sad soundto it. "Did I Let You Know?" is one of my favorite songs on the album be-cause all the boys get theirmoment of glory on that song. From Chad Smith’s opening drum solo, to Flea’s incredible bassline, Anthony Kiedis' lovely voice singing lyr-ics somewhere on the fence between vaguely deepand "Wait, what?". After listening to the whole thing, you come

out really satisfied. The al-bum is incredibly goodand has a very experimen-tal sound. Some could complain, saying cliché’s like “If it ain’t broke,don’t fix it”, thinking that they were doing fine be-fore and didn’t need a change. On the otherhand, this album could make you fall in love with the Red Hot Chili Pep-pers. To think that afterso long they can try some-thing new and have it come out sounding this nice. This just shows youhow much talent Smith, Kiedis and Flea have. As for Klinghoffer, you can hear that he is a goodguitar player. Albeit at times he gets shy and doesn’t really blow your mind and rather just sortof blends in, you can’t re-ally blame him. Anyone would get slightly in-timidated if you come inas the new guy to some-thing as big as this band. It feels like they are going backto their nineties sound

New and old fans are with you, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chilli Peppers I’m With you Album.

November 2011

//FEATURES

Last month Braddock's marching band competed at the annual Lancer Jambo-ree in West Palm Beach and won three awards:

KARINA VILLAMILSTAFF WRITER

Band wins big

Grab your blanket because it’s a Cole World. Hip-Hop label Roc Nation has set ven-ue for new artist on the spotlight, J. Cole. "He is way bet-ter than Lil Wayne be-cause he speaks about life," said Natasha Ramos, 17, senior. "His new CD, Side-line Story is the epito-me of a real Hip-Hop CD," said Natasha. Not all the fans feel the same way about his debut CD. "It was good but I pre-fer his mix-tapes be-cause it had less of a mainstream feel to it; I still like the album and I bought it twice," said

Neil Gomez,17, senior.

JASMINE MARDINISTAFF WRITER

Fans agree that, on stage, J. Cole incorporates a new level of energy into all his performances. "It was amazing and he gets you so hyped up. It was worth the money just to see him," said Neil. Neil went to the Rihanna Loud Tour just to see J. Cole open the act for $70 Sideline Story topped R&B/Hip-Hop Billboard al-bums at number one. J. Cole is need-less to say, on the road to becoming an icon for the music industry. "It's a re-ligion. It's called Colelism," said Neil.

superior percussion, superior visual and best in class drum major. B r a d d o c k competed against 10 other schools in their class 1A from Dade and Broward County. The marching bands were being judged on music, visuals, auxil-iary, general affect and drum major. Braddock ranked 5 out of 10. "I honestly was about to cry," said Da-

vid Barreiro, 17, Se-nior about winning best in class drum major. "Standing on a football field with all of the lights and people, plus having it be my first year be-ing drum major it was not shocking, but I feel very accomplished." Band, color guard, and percussion go through a long pro-cess to put their show together, making ev-erything fit this year's

unifying theme, "My Spanish Heart." They worked together and practiced all through-out summer and ev-eryday once school started preparing. "We all felt good about how we performed. We felt like musically we could have been judge a little higher. We were underscored," said David Barreiro.

J.Cole performing at an event Photo by: ALLCITYHYPE.COM

Cole World

JASMINIE MARDINISTAFF WRITER

Popular New Artist: J Cole./ Photo By: Kid-swastingtime.com

Braddock’s PIT during their first pep rally./ Photo By: Yaiseli Gonzalez

The Braddock Times

FEATURES\\EDUARDO SUAREZSTAFF WRITER One Miami Dade commissioner is wrapped up in a sweet situation. M i a m i - D a d e county commission-er Jose "Pepe" Diaz, doesn't like the idea of the new line of sweets called "Ring Pots” and is proposing leg-islation to remove it off the stores shelves that sell it to minors. "Ring Pots Candy" are sour ap-ple-flavored lollipops that are shaped like Marijuana leaves. The candy has no illegal substances in it, it’s just a regular lol-lipop. Diaz is against

the candy because it’s considered to be a bad influence for minors and that it sends the wrong message to children. The packaging depicts an obviously "high" cartoon figure holding up a peace sign with a joint in his mouth. In addition, Marijuana leaves are also all over the bag with the word "legalize" in large letter-ing across the package. "This candy is a bad influence for kids because kids are go-ing to be influenced to try it because it’s go-ing to be the cool thing to do," said Chris Fon-seca, 17, Junior. "On

the other hand I think Marijuana should be le-galized because it could stimulate our economy." Diaz is not the first public official in the country to go after the "potheads" candy. Last week, city council mem-bers in NewYork made a similar complaint to the candy maker. "No, I don't think Marijuana should be legalized, I think there is enough prescription drugs out there that peo-ple can use to treat them-selves," said Lourdes Fal-con, Braddock teacher.

Bag of Sour Apple of Ring Pots. Photo by: Google Images

Like taking candy from a Pothead: Miami politican wants leaf-shaped candy off shelvesNovember 2011

//SPORTSThe Braddock Times

On October 27th, Brad-dock’s swim team com-peted in their District Tournament. Junior Luis Ramirez and Freshman Ronald Hernandez both qualified for the Region tournament.

At Larry and Penny Thompson Park, the girl’s cross country team finished in 3rd place and qualified for the Region Tourna-ment next week. The team was lead by Megan Patterson who finished as the in-dividual district runner up. The Bulldogs were lead by the Annichiarico twins by finishing 11th and 12th place overall.

On October 31st, Brad-dock’s varsity football team kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating Varela 32-10 at Traz Pow-ell Stadium. On Monday, the Bulldogs were lead by senior Jarvon Anderson who rushed for over 200 yards and scored 3 touch-downs. Junior George Knowles rushed for just under 100 yards and scored 2 touchdowns.

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The boys and girls bowling team have man-aged to maintain their high reputation as a regional winning and state quali-fying team for the past eight consecutive seasons. Boys bowling cap-tain Brandon Silva, 17, se-nior, is self-assured his team of five veterans and three

DENIESKA SANCHEZSPORTS EDITOR

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rookies will make it to states. "We have a good team and if we play smart we can defeat our com-petition," said Brandon. In anticipation for his goal, Brandon purchased his own bowling ball to de-velop an improved method of playing. Brandon is ea-ger to lead his team to de-feat their rivals: Christopher Columbus High School. Head coach William

Siegmeister said the boys team had a good shot at district. Despite the girls outstanding previous sea-sons, they hold a differ-ent position this year. Siegmeister has succeeded in putting forth a strong line up for-merly, this season’s team barely has enough bowl-ers for a full line up. With only three bowlers the season is

more of a learning ex-perience for the players. "This should be a very interesting year," said Alexis Colon 16, junior and captain of the girls bowling team. "I expect [the team] to keep our hopes up and try to get at least one of us to go to state." Alexis is practic-ing and making sure her team is at every game to avoid disqualification. The newest member

of the team, Blanca Jarquin 16, junior, joined because she was asked by her friend and now team mate, Alexis. According to the captain they're watching out for every school this season. "Every school is our rival," said Alexis.As of November 2nd, Alexis qualified to the state tournament.

Bowling Match: Braddock takes out the Killian Cougars. Photos By: Jennifer Santos

Bowling in the deep: Bulldogs face challenging season

November 2011

Four years of rigorous football practices seem to be paying off for 17 year old, offensive line-man Robert Conyers. The senior began his school year with count-less scholarship of-fers to Division One schools, Robert hesi-tates between offers. With various scholarship offers to Division One schools such as Duke Uni-versities and North Carolina University. Robert has not yet de-cided on a university.

“I am not sure if I plan on going to the NFL yet, I haven’t thought that far ahead,” said Robert. Robert'’s football career is relatively young. “My friends are the people that got me to want to play football” said Robert. “I started to play my fresh-man year; I had a feeling I was going to be good at it.” Robert took his friends’ advice and ended up succeeding at the sport. He was a natural football player. Now a senior, Rob-ert reached the ultimate position: team captain of the Braddock Varsity foot-ball team. Roberts’s coach-

es are really proud of what he has achieved. The only sport that Robert plays is football; he isn’t inter-ested in any other sport. Amongst team-mates Robert is a leader. When he isn’t playing foot-ball he is hanging out with his friends and going out. “That’s my boy, you can tell he’s a leader,” said Benito Ladesma, senior, 17 and team mate. “When he talks, you listen. If we’re doing bad on game day just stay away from him.” Robert's passion is mostly driven by the brotherhood and affection amongst his team mates.

“Teamwork has to be my favorite part of the sport; everyone always has to work together,” said Robert. Robert is com-mitted on getting his team to the playoffs. "We can go to the playoffs and win, how far we go after that is up to the team," said Head Defen-sive Coach Alland Guzman. Robert wants his team mates notice all of his hard work and com-mitment enough to push them to go to the playoffs.

NABILA CUESTAFF WRITER

Football Captain: Robert Conyers. Photo By: Yaiseli Gonzalez

//SPORTS

It has been an unpredictable season. The Braddock Bulldogs girls volleyball team first started off the season at a 1-3 start los-ing to Miami Sunset Se-nior High,Our Lady Of Lourdes Academy, and Mi-ami Killian Senior High. Improving to 4-3, af-ter the rough start, they un-fortunatley lost in between games to Ferguson, Sunset, Coral Reef and Lourdes, once again to John A. Fer-guson senior High, and Southwest Miami Senior High, and now stand at a 5-9

record and are four games below games below the .500 mark.

"What we need to improve on the most is deffense" said varsi-ty head volleyball coach Cynthia Strauss, "Focus-ing on finishing a match would be something we must work on while on the court" said varsity head coach Cynthia Strauss. The Bulldogs have had some trouble this sea-son with their defense and have also had trouble with finishing matches. "Our team this year is very good and has a lot of potential, but we struggle with finishing what we start and keeping our heads in the game," said senior cap-tain Carina Manent, 17. "As

long as we stay focus i know our team can pull through this minor set back." Potential is evi-dent to the captain. "I feel as though we are pushing hard but it's go-ing to take extra effort ac-complishing goals in dis-tricts," said Carina. "If we keep up the hard work we have a very good chance of finishing our season with a high winning record." According to team player, Chistine Marte, 17, senior, as a team they are driven and have the strength needed to play a game to the best of their abilities. It has been an up and

down season for the Bull-dogs at a 5-9 record, they have struggled but have not given up and will continue to

JORGE ESQUIVELSPORTS EDITOR

Leader of the pack: Player wins big

Girls serve up a winning season

Girl’s volleyball team breaking after time out. Photo by: The Braddock Times

fight no matter what the cause is.

The Braddock Times

SPORTS\\

Expectations are booming and individual player potential is projected to unleash in both the Boys and Girls basketball teams. The 2011-2012 basketball season for Braddock Senior High is anticipated to be a flourishing one. "We want to have a success-ful winning season," said Varsity Coach Guillermo Diaz at Braddock. The team had weight lifting sessions throughout the summer to better prepare for summer leagues. "In the summer, play-ers have been conditioning in leagues and team camps for this season," said Coach Diaz. This season Braddock Boys Basket-ball team is looking for kids who have basketball skills such as quickness, dribbling and shooting. Every coach’s dream is to see his team win a game, make the playoffs or win a champi-onship. Coach Diaz is a very ambitious coach that wants all these things for his team. “I feel confident about the season; our biggest rivals for this season are Columbus, Fergu-son and Coral Park,” said Sergio Arrechea, shooting guard, 17, Se-nior and Captain. “I believe we should finish the season 18-2.” According to Coach Diaz and Sergio’s prediction the boys basketball team is on the road to

success this season. The Lady Bulldogs hold the same positive be-lief for their up-coming season. C o a c h Janis Drummonds, the Girls Basket-ball team head coach is look-

ing forward to having a bet-ter season than least year’s; which didn’t turn out too well. Drummonds is deter-mined to make this one bet-ter and is coming into this sea-son with a positive attitude. During the summer, three of the Girls Varsity play-ers played for the Tamiami Fury traveling team. Travel basketball is playing against other teams in other cities and states. Play-ers do this hoping to gain ex-perience and to condition for the upcoming school season. “This year is definitely going to be a better year for us,” said Kassandra Perez, 17, senior and Captain of the Girls basket-ball team. “We have more talent and more veterans and we have new girls who seem dedicated.” Kassandra is sure the team is finishing the season with more wins than last sea-son, the team’s biggest rivals are Ferguson and South Miami. Drummonds expects ex-cellence from all her players. In order to play as a Lady Bulldog girls must work on their game, try to perfect weaknesses, be a team player and finally hustle and always put forth maximum effort for the love of the game. “In basketball, you have to work on your own game most importantly, and im-prove your weaknesses; so that then, by improving yourself, you are also improving your team,” said Coach Drummonds.

EDDIE SUAREZ ADVERTISING EDITOR

Top photo: Girl’s basketball Captain Kassandra Perez. Bottom photo: Boy’s basketball Cap-tain Sergio Arrechea.Photos By: Yaiseli Gonzalez

Dribble Me This

November 2011

The Braddock Times

SPORTS\\ANDRES GONZALEZSTAFF WRITER What a great start for the Miami Dolphins as they go seven games with no wins, leaving every-one to wonder, is there any hope for this once unstoppable football team that dominated the sport in 1972? Lots of people are speculating that the team just needs a solid coaching staff and we will be all right. Others say we need a new quarterback, whatever the case may be we need to do something. “I think that if we just find our-selves a decent coaching staff, we’ll be alright we have some solid players,” said Francisco Rojas, 43, head foot-ball coach at Braddock Senior High. Others think that the play-ers are at fault, thinking we need a new quarterback. With Chad Henne out for the regular NFL season due to a shoulder injury he received on Oct. 2nd at San Diego playing the Char-gers, the Dolphins now are relying on 2 string quarterback Matt Moore. They displayed potential Mon-day night, October 17th , as they took on the Jets in New Jersey . With new starting quarterback Matt Moore, things seemed ok. The big fault that night was Brandon Marshall, missing key plays and some say costing us the game. “Both coach and quarterback were not doing so good offensively, I think that we need a veteran quarter-back and coach, who work good to-gether if we are going to start winning games,” said Chris Fonseca, 16, Junior. A week later, the Broncos came down to take on the Dolphins. Some would think that the Dolphins will have the ultimate determination to win this game, since they have lost every game so far. Well, not so much. With the Dol-phins dominating the first three quarters 15 to nothing, the ex Florida Gator, Tim Tebow, tied it all up in the 4th quarter to take this game into overtime. In overtime the Broncos defense came up big forc-ing Moore to fumble putting the Bron-cos in field goal distance. The Broncos won the game with the 52 yard field goal, defeating the Dolphins 18 to 15. Whatever the case may be things are not looking good for this Dolphins team.

Dissapointing Dolphins: Football Fans Furious

Brandon Marshall Miami Dolphin Star WR. / Photo By: Julio Cortez AP PHOTO

November 2011