Dear Harry

Q: Dear Harry,
I have a couple of great friends, get decent grades, good family, live a regular life, but sometimes when I’m in large groups I can’t seem to be myself. I have a few friends, but cannot call myself popular. Some call me shy, but what can I do to feel like I belong when I am not surrounded by my best friends?
Sincerely, Normal Me

A: Dear Normal Me,
I know that sometimes big crowds don’t give us the opportunity to show our true colors and can make us feel intimidated. However, from what you have told me, I do understand that you do have good friends that care about you. Remember just because someone may have a million “friends” that person may not have someone by their side when problems arise. Be grateful for the few friends that will catch you when you fall. On another note, if you want more socialization, just show everyone your true personality. Speak up a little more, and hey, what’s the worst that can happen? They might walk away, or you might meet new people that will introduce you to new ideas and new customs. Sometimes we have to throw ourselves out there to see what the world has to offer.

Best of Luck, Hi-Tide Harry

Q: In the span of two years my boyfriend has cheated on me several times. Now he says he really wants me back and is extremely sorry for what he did. He says he can’t live without me. I miss him, but he has hurt me too much. I do not have the strength to forgive him because he was the one that took my virginity. What should I do?

Sincerely, Heart Broken

A: Dear Heart Broken,

As the line in the song goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” Obviously, this guy did not realize how much you’re worth until the day he lost you. And you should be commended for your bravery in breaking up with him. As a lady, you have to demand the love and respect you deserve. Forgiveness is not an emotion, but a decision one makes. When you forgive someone, you choose to excuse the person’s fault or mistake. This does not mean you let the person take advantage of you. Because you were sexually involved with him and he has cheated on you several times, I advise you to go to a clinic and make sure you do not have a sexually transmitted disease. If you choose to not get back together with him, you should get rid of the things that remind you of him and cut him out of your life. The cheater is not feeling a sense of repentance but remorse. You are young, and believe me, there are plenty of fish in the sea. If the break up is too much for you to handle, you should seek professional help from a trust counselor or psychologist.

Good Luck, Hitide Harry

Stuff for May issue

ARTICLES TO GO IN WEISS’ COLUMN:

1. Miguel Castillo Wrestling [sports]
2. New Gym [sports]
3. Day of Silence [old news]
4. Library [opinion]
5. Ultra [a&e]
6. Vegetarianism [features]
7. Ballerinas [features]
8. Student-faculty bball game
9. Brazilian Carnival (on miriamk2009 blog)

 

IMAGES:

• New hi-tide logo
• Old gym
• Miguel Castillo wrestling
• Day of silence (photo or cartoon)
• Ms. Sciurba working in the library
• Ultra (photo or graphic)
• Two girls who got diving scholarship
• Boat show grant giving (wendy took some photos?)
• Ballerinas (keryn, stephanie silva, and tegan) AT Miami City Ballet [on Bianca’s blog]
• Student-faculty basketball game
• Centerspread image

 

ALESSIA PUT UP YOUR ARTICLES ON YOUR BLOG!!! DO NOT EMAIL THEM, USE THE BLOG!!!!!! BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Student faculty BBall Game edited

Student-Faculty Basketball game

By Beachcomber Staff

 

            Looking at the student line-ups in this year’s student-faculty basketball game on April ­­­­__, it seemed as if they had the upper hand. Starting numerous varsity players and other athletes, six of whom stand over six-feet tall, they took on a mostly “short,” “old,” but more “experienced” roster of coaches, English teachers, math teachers and other Beach High faculty.

            “Hopefully we’ll pull off an upset,” said Math teacher, Ben Silva, and after 32 minutes of play, it was in fact the teachers who taught the students a lesson in basketball with a twenty-plus point victory, pun intended.

            The students, led by varsity players Donnie Gaitor, Fernando Ferreira, Emily West, and Genesis Mileno, all seniors, shot off to a fast start, scoring the game’s first few points. However, the lead did not last long as the coaches were ahead at 45-34 halftime.

            Proving the first half was no anomaly, the teachers quickly scored the first basket of the second half with a bucket by English teacher David Reese. For the rest of the game, basketball coaches Diego Garcia and Jacob Shaw fittingly took over, combining for 37 points. Gaitor, West, and Ferreira did hold their own though as they totaled, 9, 10, and 11 points apiece, respectively. With not much help from the supporting cast, the students were defenseless against the teachers and Garcia’s arsenal of three-pointers.

            In the end, the game was all in good fun as intended. It showcased excellent sportsmanship, and comedic appearances. English teacher Sam Brown stole the show with his comedic antics on the floor and put the icing on the cake with a gracious fall right before helping Shaw make a basket.

            “I’m really gonna rip on the guy,” sophomore Jeff Nelson said. “I have him on Tuesday.”

            It was Brown though that had the last laugh as his team came up on the winning end. “The taste of victory is as sweet as a mandarin orange.”

            Look for the students to retaliate big next year, but for now the faculty hold the bragging rights over the game of basketball, proving once more that age is just a number.

Prima Ballerinas edited

Prima-Ballerinas – Students by day, dancers by night

By Bianca Cassouto

 

            The school dismissal bell rings, but three girls don’t go home. Instead, they prepare themselves for the intense second part of their daily routine, hours of dancing. They make their way over to the Miami City Ballet Company where they attend their lively ballet classes. The day is far from being over.

            Senior Keryn Breiterman-Loader and juniors Tegan Rich and Stephanie Silva are these devoted girls. Their lives are based on exquisitely constructed balancing techniques, both in and out of the dance studio.

            When they finally arrive home, a full plate of homework awaits them. Each girl is enrolled in several Advanced Placement and Honors classes and each participates in various clubs and organizations.

            “The hardest part is time and energy, or rather coming to terms with the fact that those two things are limited, and my aspirations are not,” said Breiterman-Loader.

            Each girl has a distinct and passionate reason as to why they keep up with this overloaded lifestyle.

            “The fact that I want to become a professional ballerina keeps me going in dance,” said Rich, “and the fact that I need to graduate from school with good grades also keeps me going.”

            “My favorite part of dance is performing,” Silva said. “I love being on stage and when I dance for others it just gives me an amazing feeling and it feels like there is no other place I’d rather be.”

            Breiterman-Loader is in the top one percent of her graduating class and is an active member in various Honor Societies offered in school. She has been accepted to Stanford University, the first student from Beach High in over a decade. Breiterman-Loader said that her decision to attend school and dance at the same time “has already paid off.”

             “Both worlds – ballet and school – require a serious commitment, and therefore there is always the struggle of each one wanting more from you,” said Breiterman-Loader. “Each involves a high expectation on its own.”

            Rich and Silva are juniors and are both still debating their future situations. Both girls excel in their classes and other school activities. Additionally, they both are considering professional careers in dance or attending college full-time and pursuing dance later on.

            Since a young age, Rich has been dancing in local studios and performing in minor recitals in her hometown of Stuart, Florida. However, she was not progressing forward in dance and was not able to apply her ability to its fullest. A few days before entering her sophomore year in high school, Rich and her mother moved down to Miami Beach to further her career as a dancer. She could attend a well-known ballet school while still successfully graduating from school.

            “I think that this all benefits me because going to school makes me smarter and able to relate to smarter, more interesting people, and dancing exposes me to a culture that not many people are used to,” explained Rich. “Without dance, I would not be at all the same person that I am, and that would be sad.”

            Silva has been dancing in ballet classes for several years with Miami City Ballet. When she had the opportunity to keep moving through higher levels, she took complete advantage of it.

            Breiterman-Loader, Rich, and Silva all have one word in connection: dance. Whether faced with triumphs or obstacles, balancing between school and ballet is part of their lives, and each girl is completely sure that no matter how big the sacrifice is, it is all worth it.

Vegetarianism edited

Vegetarianism – Should you become a vegetarian?

By Hannah Kramer


 

            Steaks are juicy and a McDonald’s BLT sandwich is delicious, hence why most people include these foods in their diet – but not a vegetarian. A vegetarian is someone whose diet does not include meat or other animal products.

            Annabelle Pfeffer, a freshman, has been a vegetarian for almost six years. “I feel bad for not really liking [the taste of] animals,” she said. “The thought of eating another living thing grosses me out.”

            According to the website of the Vegetarian Resource Group, in a poll of 1978 men and women, 24% follow some type of vegetarian diet – 11% do not eat meat, 6% do not eat poultry, and 7% do not eat seafood of any kind.


            Pfeffer includes fish in her diet, because “…even the thought of it dying doesn’t over-power the amazing taste,” she said. “I could never, ever give up my sushi!”


            Nutritionist Dr. Ronni Julian mentioned health concerns that come along with being a vegetarian. “There is a right way and a wrong way,” said Julian. “Vegetarianism, when not educated about, leaves several serious nutrients deficient in the daily diet. Oftentimes, people just eliminate whole groups of food such as meat and chicken, sometimes even whole animal products.”


            The elimination of all animal products from the diet is veganism. A vegan not only excludes the consumption of meat, but also animal byproducts, such as dairy products or eggs. Around 2.5% of Americans are considered vegans.
ACCORDING TO…

            Julian suggests that in order to become a healthy vegan, one needs to get the proper intake of proteins and iron by eating sufficient amounts of fruits, beans, vegetables and nuts. It is important to make sure to intake the necessary vitamins that are normally found in meats, milk, and eggs, such as B-12, a vital element in the production of blood and functioning of the nervous system.


            Freshman Annie Rudd is a vegan and has been all her life. “I was disgusted by meat in general,” she said. “Something happens every time I eat meat.” She mostly eats fruits.

World Baseball Classic

NOTE: Honestly, this has nothing to do with Beach High. There have to be more things going on with sports at school that are more important to put in the paper than this.

Miguel Castillo Wrestling edited

Miguel Castillo

By Joselyn G

 

            For the second straight year, Beach High senior Miguel Castillo has been named Wrestling District Champion. With a solid run at the regional competition, he came one win away from Nationals.

            Castillo, who is also a member of the Beach High football team, only joined the wrestling team his junior year. “Last year I started from scratch, not knowing anything,” Castillo said. “This year I had better basics, therefore I was able to improve on more complex, intricate moves and find out how beat my opponents.”            

            While Castillo’s opponents have been wrestling for four or five years, his sincere dedication to the sport earned him first place in Districts. “In a sport like wrestling you have to really work hard,” Castillo said. “I had to do a lot of practice and drilling.”

            What attracted Castillo to the mat was being able to physically fight without the consequences of getting into trouble. “I like the discipline; I like getting to beat people up.” This makes Castillo the perfect prototype of a motivated wrestler.

            Preparing for both the matches and tournaments in February, Castillo had to improve his cardio and personal training. “We did a lot of running, jump rope, drilling…climbing stairs, wheel barrows, walking on your hands up and down the stairs…” he said. His intense conditioning lasted around four hours a day after school and even ran through winter break.

            This hard training has obviously paid of for Castillo. “Besides Miguel’s dedication, I have seen that he is a quick learner. You can show Miguel one move and the next day he is hitting the move,” said Assistant coach Robby GET FULL NAME. “He has definitely improved in his cardio and now he is nonstop at the match.”

            Through all of his successes, he has never forgotten who lead him to where he is today. “I owe a lot of gratitude and thanks [to them] for getting me so far,” he attributed to coaches Juan Camarotti and Eric Rodriguez.

            Given the fact that the ‘09 season is Castillo’s last, his final stand has brought much pride to the Hi-Tides.