Success Stories

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DR. MICHAEL M. KROP SENIOR HIGH MUSIC STUDENTS EARN HONORS

Nicholas Delisa, a junior, earned a Superior Rating for his Piano Solos at State Festival hosted in Avon Park, FL.  Nick had studied piano through middle school but had stopped taking lessons about three years ago.  Last year, through his involvement in the Choral Magnet at Krop, Nick started playing again, will be the Accompanist Coordinator for next school year, and is thinking about Music Business, with a minor in piano, for his career.

Ariel Bowman, a senior, earned a Maestro Award for her solo work with the MKHS Jazz Band at competition in Chicago in April  Six soloists were chosen for Maestro Awards but Ms. Bowman was selected the winner among those finalists.  She is also the President of the Choral Council.

FIVE M-DCPS SENIORS RECOGNIZED FOR ARTS ACHIEVEMENT

Five of Florida’s 25 graduating seniors honored for their achievement in the arts by former First Lady Columba Bush and the Foundation for Excellence in Education, the 2008 Arts for Life! Scholarship Program, are from Miami-Dade County Public Schools.  Each recipient received a $1,000 cash scholarship toward their pursuit of the arts in higher education. The winning students and their families, teachers, and school administrators will be recognized at the Arts for Life! luncheon hosted by Jeb and Columba Bush on June 27, 2008, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Prior to the luncheon, students will have the opportunity to participate in a professional development workshop with Artist in Residence Romero Britto. Mr. Britto, Florida ’s first Artist in Residence, is an internationally renowned Brazilian pop artist living in Miami.  Winners from New World School of the Arts are Roman Arevalo, Cathryn Garcia-Menocal, Michelle Gomez, and Leslie Ortiz; the fifth student is Jennifer Cary, from Design and Architecture Senior High School.

OUTH MIAMI MIDDLE SCHOOL SINGERS BRING HOME HONORS

Over the weekend of May 3-4, students from the South Miami Middle School Chorus magnet traveled to Jacksonville for the Florida Federated Music Clubs’ State Level Competition to be known as "the best in Florida.” The South Miami students won every award in the middle school categories except one to win 12 out of 13 awards! They were the besting  vocal ensemble, junior musical theatre, classical duet, classical solo junior 1, classical solo junior 2, and classical solo junior 3 categories.

MIAMI HIGH FILM TEACHER SELECTED FOR FULBRIGHT HONOR

Joe Underwood was selected as a Fulbright Scholar in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Foundation teacher program. He will be joining several other teachers from around the nation for a three-week educational visit to Japan (June 8-26).

HIALEAH-MIAMI LAKES BAND AND VOCAL PROGRAMS RECOGNIZED

Congratulations to Mr. Eloys George and Mr. Eric Firestone, Hialeah-Miami Lakes (HML) band and vocal directors, who programs were both recognized as Grand Champions for at the Fiesta-Val Competition in Alexandria, Virginia in early April. Performing groups that earned honors were: Concert Band/Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Majorette Squad, Flag Squad, Marching Drum Line, Mixed Choir, Chamber/Madrigal Choir, Men's Choir, and Treble Choir.

VISUAL ARTS STUDENTS WORK FEATURED IN WYNWOOD GALLERY WALK

Kudos to  the visual arts students of MDCPS on the great turn out for April’s Wynwood Gallery Walk. Over 400 parents, students, teachers and other individuals, including several school site administrators, former Board member Betsey Kaplan and current Board member Dr. Martin Karp.

SOUTHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS EXHIBIT AT FAIRCHILD GARDEN

Southwood Middle School’s magnet art students to be exhibited in the "Bromeliad Exhibit" at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20, 2008

MIAMI SUNSET HIGH STUDENT WINS POSTER CONTEST

Miami Sunset High School senior, Marcus Mills was the local level winner of The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts “Life is Better with Art in it” Poster Design Competition. Marcus will receive a $3,000 tuition scholarship to attend Miami International University of Art & Design.  As the Miami winner, Marcus’ design will be entered into the national stage of the competition where he will compete against other local winners from across North America for tuition scholarships. The grand prize winner of the national competition will be awarded a tuition scholarship worth $25,000 to study at one of The Art Institutes schools.

SOUTH MIAMI K-8 STUDENT EARNS FIRST PLACE IN PRINTMAKING CONTEST

South Miami K-8 fourth grader Edgar Otero is the first place winner for the junior division in a national printmaking contest, sponsored by Dick Blick. Edgar is a dedicated students in his first year of the visual art magnet program.

SOUTHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS BRING HOME HONORS

Southwood Middle School choirs brought home honors from their participation in Music in the Parks in Orlando on April 12.  The Treble Choir, Mixed Choir, and Men’s Ensemble all earned  first place and superior ratings as well as having the distinction of being the Overall Middle School Winners.

MIAMI HIGH EXCELS IN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Miami Senior High finished tied for 4th place at the 2008 National High School Chess Championship in Atlanta April 18 and 19. The K-12 Open section is the highest level of competition and included over 200 players representing 50 schools from across the country. The field included over 30 experts including Miami Senior High's Juan Camilo Arango whose rating is over 2000. A rating of 2000 is generally considered expert level. Juan Camilo finished in a tie for 4th place after winning 5 of 7 games. The rest of the team included Ian Pico, Javier Abreu, Alfonso Chie, and Alberto Delgado. Miami Senior offers a chess elective that is taught by math teacher and assistant basketball coach Julio Aguilar.

VARELA HIGH BROADCAST JOURNALISM PROGRAM EARNS HIGHEST EVALUATION

Broadcast Journalism teacher Vivian Lorenzo Guerra submitted the Felix Varela Senior High news program for evaluation by the Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA) for the first time this year.  Varela earned an “All Southern” evaluation, their highest. This evaluation places the Varela program among the best in the southeastern United States. SIPA provides the “All Southern” evaluation to broadcasting programs that demonstrate excellence in all areas of scholastic broadcast production. These broadcasts must effectively integrate writing, video, and sound to give viewers an excellent record of school activities.  Congratulations to the Varela newscasters!

CORAL REEF SENIOR HIGH CHOIR EARNS HONORS AT HERITAGE FESTIVAL

This spring break Coral Reef Senior High School’s choir received many prestigious awards at the Heritage Festival’s Competition in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Heritage Festivals is a national competition that promotes the advancement in choirs, bands, and orchestras by interacting with other students from around the country and the top musicians of their field.  Coral Reef’s two choirs, the Women’s Choir and the Coral Reef Concert Choir, consisted of 24 members.  In addition to receiving First Place Gold for both choirs, they received the Outstanding Choral Group Award and the Choral Sweepstakes Award.  The Outstanding Choral Group award was given to the choir that was closest to a perfect score; the Choral Sweepstakes Award was given to the school that had the highest number of points between the groups they brought.  The choirs also received the Adjudicator’s Award, which is given to a selected school by the judges.  John Rose and Alan Caves are the directors of these award-winning choirs.

CORAL REEF STUDENT NAMED MISS HOMESTEAD

Janae DeLeon, a Coral Reef High School senior, won the title of Miss Homestead in March. Founded in 1986 with donations and scholarships sponsored by the local business community, the pageant has been instrumental in helping young, bright women of the community further their education. The next level of competition for Ms. DeLeon, who was judged on overall appearance, physical fitness, talent, and being a well-rounded individual, is the Miss Florida Pageant that will be held this summer.

CHESS SUCCESS

The 2008 National Junior High Chess Championship was held in Dallas, Texas on April 5-6 and Rockway Middle came away with two 1st place trophies. Rockway Middle won the intermediate and beginner sections of the tournament. Jose Marti Middle placed 4th in the beginner section. Christian Jimenez of Rockway Middle tied for third in the advanced (open) section by winning 5 of 7 games. Over 1,000 players from more than 100 schools participated in the annual event. Rockway is coached by teacher Nestor Carrerrou and International Master Blas Lugo.

MIAMI SOUTHRIDGE SR. HIGH PRESENTS “JAPAN”

Miami Southridge Sr. High’s Performing and Visual Arts Academy presented “Japan,” a study of Japanese culture Monday, March 24 through Thursday, March 27 at the school. Over 800 visual art students participated in the exhibit under the direction of teachers Dina Rodriguez, Juan Cerda, Maxicela Estevez, and Annette Botatswain. Kabuki drama performances were also featured during class time as well as at the gala Grand Opening on Monday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. The event drew hundreds of parents and friends of the academy.

NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS

Twenty-eight M-DCPS students won awards in the annual National Scholastic Art Awards competition. Gold Key Portfolio winner of $10,000.00 was Rivca Dubuisson from New World School of the Arts.   

FIENBERG-FISHER K-8 CENTER ORCHESTRA STUDENTS EXCEL

The orchestra program at Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center competed in the Miami-Dade County Fair Performing Arts Competition on Monday, March 24. The Philharmonic Orchestra, the Concert Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra, 35 students in all, each garnered 1st Place, Special Award, and Perfect Score from the judges. The proud orchestra teacher is Michael T. Ervin.

THEATRE ARTS STUDENTS EARN HONORS

The Miami Branch of the English-Speaking Union - International has announced winners of the 2008 South Florida High School Monologue Competition. These Miami winners will perform for the Miami Branch of the English Speaking Union – International at their June meeting in Coral Gables. Ruben Carrazana, a junior at Miami Springs Senior High School, under the direction of teacher Ms. Marielva Seig, placed first and won an all expenses paid trip to New York City to represent South Florida in the 25th National Competition at Lincoln Center April 26-29, 2008. Ruben will be one of 14,000 students from throughout the country who will perform his monologue at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. He performed Cassius from Julius Caesar. Second Place honors went to Monica Skoko, an11th grader at New World School of the Arts, under the direction of teacher Mr. James Randolph, performing Tamora from Titus Andronicus. Third place was won by Elizabeth Abad, a senior at Coral Reef High School, under the direction of teacher Ms. Ana Mederos-Blanco, who performed Cleopatra from Antony and Cleopatra. Congratulations to these fine young actors.

SOUTH MIAMI SENIOR HIGH MAGNET DANCE STUDENTS OFFERED SCHOLARSHIPS AT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DANCE FESTIVAL

Five dancers from the South Miami Senior High magnet program were offered scholarships as the result of their auditions at the National High School Dance Festival in Philadelphia March 12-15. Some scholarships are for the summer and others are for college tuition. Following is a list of honors: Rachel Ruiz - Florida School of the Arts; Dariaknna Reyes – Goucher College Summer Arts Program, Cornish College, Miami Conservatory; Nathaly Prieto – Mercyhurst College, La Roche College, Rutgers College, Miami Conservatory; Rony Lenis – Florida School of the Arts, Cornish College; Stephanie Smith – Cornish College; Kassandra Jean – University of Minnesota, New World School of the Arts, Miami Conservatory, Milwaukee University, Long Island University, Rutgers College.

KROP BAND STUDENTS PERFORM WITH U. S. ARMY FIELD BAND

On Wednesday, March 12, 2007, select concert band students from Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School had the opportunity to perform with the United States Army Field Band at the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.  They performed side by side with these professional musicians, collaborating on John Philip Sousa’s masterpiece “Washington Post March.”  Parents were given complimentary tickets to attend.  The band director at Krop Senior is Mr. Bringle Cidel, and the principal is Mr. Matthew J. Welker.

MIAMI HIGH MOVIEMAKERS SHOW CHAMPIONSHIP FORM

The Miami High MovieMakers once again showed their championship form in the Second Miami Coalition for the Homeless student video contest on March 2. Six of the total 54 entries from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties were submitted by Miami High and three of those were selected for the Top Twenty. All three were then selected as Top Ten finalists. These videos may be selected for play as the Miami International Film Festival continues. They will also be available through the PBS Channel 2 web site. Congratulations to the following outstanding Stingarees: Martel Raymond, Producer, Bryan Garcia, Producer (Alvaro Noguera, co-editor), and Bryan Cordoba, Producer (Maria Portillo, voice-over). This is the second year Miami High has had a finalist in this competition.

M-DCPS STUDENTS WIN KETCHUP CREATIVITY CONTEST

Four students from Miami-Dade County Schools have won the Ketchup Creativity™ Contest sponsored by Heinz North American Foodservice. The contest rewards students in Grades 1-12 for their artsy designs of Heinz Ketchup single serve packets. Twelve students nationwide had their designs printed on over 16 million ketchup packets. The schools they represent won $750 worth of free ketchup and $750 to be used toward the purchase of art supplies. Each student received a $750 scholarship toward higher education. M-DCPS winners are: Anthony Gonzalez, grade 5 from David Fairchild Elementary, Alison Burrus, Art Teacher; Orlando Moreno, grade 2 from Hialeah Elementary, Ray Jui, Art Teacher; Esmerelda Delrio, grade 4 from Norma Butler Bossard Elementary, Ana Mays, Art Teacher; and Claudia Metellus, grade 8 from Thomas Jefferson Middle, Sally Sidner, Art Teacher. Congratulations to these students and their art teachers for a job very well done!

SOUTH MIAMI MIDDLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL MAGNET CHORUS STUDENTS IN FLORIDA VOCAL ASSOCIATION’S EVALUATIONS

On Friday February 8 and Saturday February 9, students from the South Miami Middle Community School (SMMCS) Magnet Chorus Program, under the direction of Dr. Leslie Alan Denning, participated in the Florida Vocal Association's (FVA) Solo and Ensemble Evaluations. 40 students participated in various categories including classical duets, art song solo, and musical theater solo. This is almost half the students in the program! The students, many singing in multiple categories, received 51 Superior ratings and 11 Excellent ratings. For many of those participating, this was their first attempt at solo performance.

BLACK HISTORY SHOWCASE PRESENTED AT SCHOOL BOARD AUDITORIUM

The annual Black History Month Program, this year entitled Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism, Remembering Our Past, Celebrating Our Future, was presented at the School Board Administration Building’s Auditorium at 10:00 a.m. February 26. Featuring the Miami Northwestern PAVAC chorus, theatre ensemble, and dancers, Norland Middle School dancers, the Charles R. Drew Elementary and Middle School dancers, and Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High students as emcees, the program focused on everything from issues of slavery to gospel, from music of the Harlem Renaissance to being yourself and discovering yourself, from selections from The Color Purple to a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A highlight of the program was an address by Dinizulu Gene Tinney, local artist and adjunct professor of New World Studies at Florida International University.

CHESS MOVES

The Board of Directors of the Education Fund presented an IMPACT II Adapter Grant to Carol City Middle School chess teacher Wendy Wadley at an award reception Monday, February 4, at Cefalo’s Wine Cellar in the Grove. The $250 award will be used by Carol City Middle to participate in more authentic assessments (tournaments), materials, transportation, and United States Chess Federation memberships. Professional Chess Services has agreed to match the grant. Ms. Wadley and her chess students visited the World Chess Hall of Fame earlier this year.

CORAL REEF HIGH’S MAGNET DANCERS WIN HONORS

The Universal Dance Association (UDA) announced that Coral Reef High School’s Cudettes varsity dance team took first place in Large Varsity Jazz and second place in Large Varsity Hip-Hop categories at the competition in Orlando Feb. 2-3. The Junior Varsity team garnered fist place in both Junior Varsity Jazz and Junior Varsity Hip-Hop. The teams’ success can be attributed to their choreographers, Ricky Ruiz for jazz  (Coral Reef 2003 graduate) and Brandon Bryant (Coral Reef 2007 graduate) and their teachers Jennifer Knepper and Becky Santalo. Viewers can watch all of the routines on Varsity.com. Other district schools participating in the event were Miami Springs, Miami Killian, and Coral Gables High Schools.

SOUTH MIAMI MIDDLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL MAGNET CHORUS

On February 1 and 2 thirty-nine students from the South Miami Middle Community School Magnet Chorus performed in the American Choral Directors Festival on the Ransom Everglades campus. The culminating event was a 4:00 p.m. concert which was open to the public. The chorus is directed by Dr. Leslie Allan Denning.

NORLAND MIDDLE ART STUDENT WINS WATERCOLOR AWARD

Samuel Zenteno, an eighth grader at Norland Middle School won the Purchase Award for the Impressions in Watercolor Show Saturday, Jan. 26. He received a $200 cash prize and his work will be displayed in the Jackie Hinchy-Sipes Gallery at DASH during February.

MAYS MIDDLE BAND AND ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR HONORED

Ms. Christine Napoles, band & orchestra director at Mays Middle School, was awarded the Tom Bishop Award which recognizes a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association who has gone into a band program and turned the program around, making a huge positive difference in a relatively short period of time.  Ms. Napoles is the only recipient of this award in Florida this year.

SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Mabel Morales, District Supervisor for Art Education, announced the names of MDCPS students who earned awards for their art work at the annual Scholastic Art Awards ceremony Sunday, Jan. 27, at Miami Art Museum. Fifty-six gold key winners and 57 portfolios from our district will move on to national judging in New York in June. Winners were chosen through a blind adjudication process by a panel of experts who did not know the students’ names, their teachers’ names, nor the school which they attend. Originality, skill/technique, and expression are the criteria for judging. The Scholastic Art Awards are the largest and longest running assessment and recognition programs for the visual arts in the U. S.

M-DCPS STUDENTS EXCEL AS ARTS WEEK FINALISTS

Twenty student artists from Miami-Dade County Public Schools were chosen to receive cash awards of up to $10,000 from the YoungARTS program of the very prestigious National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. This was the largest showing of any school district in the country. The NFAA program identifies and rewards talented high school seniors in nine art forms with awards and training. Winners were selected from 8,000 students nationwide.

The YoungARTS finalists selected through a very rigorous process from across the country met in Miami January 9-12 for YoungARTS Week, an all-expense-paid week of master classes, showcase performances, exhibitions, enrichment programs, and final adjudications. The final adjudications are not a competition – YoungARTS finalists are reviewed against a standard of excellence within their respective disciplines, and not against each other. YoungARTS finalists share an award package of over $500,000 in direct cash awards and a total benefit package valued at $1 million.

The YoungARTS FINALISTS from Miami-Dade County Public Schools chosen to participate in this program were:

Visual Arts

• Roman Arevalo (New World School of the Arts)
• Cathryn Garcia-Menocal (New World School of the Arts)
• Sheena Klimoski (New World School of the Arts)
• Alexandra Grignon (Design and Architecture Senior High School)
• James Sprung (Design and Architecture Senior High School)

Dance

• Melissa Fernandez (New World School of the Arts)
• Gentry George (New World School of the Arts)
• Carolyn Ho (Coral Reef Senior High School)       

Congratulations to these fine young artists and their teachers!

SOUTHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL ARTIST RECOGNIZED

The American Scholastic Press Association presented its Outstanding Cover Award for 2007 to Charles Loffler, a Southwood Middle School student who studied with Ms. Leslie McKinley and Ms. Brenda Gilpin. The cover of the Southwood Starburst Yearbook was named best in the nation from national submissions in both middle and senior high schools.

M-DCPS STUDENTS TOP THE NATION IN NFAA AWARDEES

Twenty M-DCPS students have earned recognition from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA). The students will receive awards of up to $10,000.00 in recognition of accomplishment in their areas of talent from the youngARTS program sponsored by NFAA. Winners, selected from 8,000 applicants nationwide, will participate in workshops with renowned artists January 10-12 in Miami. YoungArts finalists are Roman Arevalo, Cathryn Garcia-Menocal, and Sheena Klimoski of New World School of the Arts for visual arts; Melissa Fernandez and Gentry George from NWSA for modern dance; Alexandra Grignon and James Sprung of Design and Architecture Senior High for visual arts; Carolyn Ho of Coral Reef Sr, High for dance. Honorable mention students include Alina Balaguero of Miami High and Ashley Garcia of Coral Gables High for visual arts; Nicole Del Pino in dance choreography; Tevi Eber in theater; and Taryn  Plyler in modern dance. Merit awards went to Vladimir Almonord, Johad Ellis, and Jacob Garcia in visual arts; Jacob Draper in photography; Benicka Grant and Aubrey Dickinson in modern dance; and Alexandra Miller of Miami Beach in ballet. Congratulations to these students,  their teachers, and M-DCPS for earning the most awards from NFAA’s youngARTS!

CORAL REEF HIGH VIOLINIST WINS CONCERTO COMPETITION

Sixteen year old violinist Jiwen Lei from Coral Reef Senior High School, won the Concerto Competition sponsored by The Cleveland Orchestra and will perform with the orchestra at Family and Educational concerts in January. Ms. Lei will play the first movement of Mozart’s Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219. Jiwen is a member of the Coral Reef Senior High School Orchestra under the direction of Mr. Alan Hudson. Congratulations to this fine young musician.

2007 FORD HISPANIC HERITAGE LOCAL ART AND ESSAY WINNERS

Congratulations to winners of the 2007 Ford Hispanic Heritage Art and Essay contest. Kenwood K-8 students earning awards were Stephanie Cortes, 1st Place, Diana Angel, Honorable Mention, and Carlos Ojeda, 3rd Place. Their art teacher is Eduardo Lacayo. John Wilson from Ojus Elementary earned 2nd Place honors under the direction of art teacher Anna Karlishadt.

NORTH MIAMI SOPHOMORE WINS SECOND PRIZE WITH CREATIVE WRITING COMIC STRIP ENTRY

Trendawnnious Beauvior, a sophomore at North Miami Sr. High, won second place in the 2007-2008 “My Own Personal Superhero” Creative Writing Comic Contest, sponsored by the Jewish Museum of Florida.  His art work will be on display along with the current exhibit “Zap! Pow! Bam!” from October 16, 2007 through April 30, 2008. Mr. Beauvoir competed against other talented artists from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. High-school teacher Ms. Vanover entered his work, featuring “Right Hand-Man,” a Superhero who inspires youth to choose the right path away from a life of drugs and crime. Entries were evaluated on content, presentation, and creativity in addition to a personal questionnaire. The American Association of Museums required students to invent their own superhero to solve a problem inspired by a dilemma affecting the community on a local or international scale.  Through the genre of comic strip story telling, Mr. Beauvoir used his problem solving skills to create dialog paired with his own artistic style to bring home the message that comics can “promote the universal themes of respect for humanity and responsible citizenship.”   He and his family were invited to attend an awards ceremony held at the museum on Dec. 3, 2007; he also won a prize of $75 and a free tour of the exhibit for the art classes at North Miami Senior.

JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL CAROLING COMPETITION WINNERS

The 21st annual Junior Orange Bowl Caroling Competition held Dec. 4 at 550 Biltmore Way featured several M-DCPS choirs winning top awards. Grand Prize for Full Choir went to Coral Reef Sr. High under the direction of John Rose,  Grand Prize for Small Ensemble to Miami Killian under the direction of Nicholas Dosman, with the runner up to Miami Northwestern Sr. High directed by Kevin Rutledge. Grand Prize for Show Choir went to Hialeah Sr. High’s Thoroughbred Singers directed by Ishmael Gonzalez and the Spirit Award also went to Miami Northwestern. Grand Prize for Middle School was won by South Miami Middle under the driection of Dr. Alan Denning. The Coral Gables Caroling Competition will be broadcast repeatedly on CGTV (cable) or can be seen on live web-cast at www.coralgables.com/CGWeb/cgtvlive.aspx. The schedule is posted and viewers can tune in at their convenience since it will be broadcast multiple times.

SOUTH MIAMI K-8 STUDENTS GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH RAIN FOREST PARROTS

Third grade visual arts magnet students under the direction of teacher Laurie Russell again had the opportunity to visit Jungle Island (formerly Parrott Jungle Island) to observe and sketch rain forest birds in early November. However, this year’s visit, the third consecutive yearly visit, featured the birds at students’ eye level on perches that were placed on students’ drawing tables. Russell stated that the experience offered students the opportunity “to see sensitively and keenly” which is quite different from drawing a still life. In addition to their drawing experience, students learned about the birds’ habitat and environmental concerns.

THEATRE ARTS STUDENTS EXCEL

Norland Middle School Theatre Arts students under the direction of Mrs. Tanisha Cidel performed an adaptation of the children’s book Bob and Ott, by Nick Bruel at the Miami International Book Fair on Nov. 10, 2007. Ms Cidel adapted the script for performance and the students were proud to present their show to Mr. Bruel and the many spectators at the fair.

Southwood Middle School students earned two Critic’s Choice awards at the District Thespian Competition Nov. 10 at G. Holmes Braddock Sr. High School: Michael Font won for set design and David Scherker won for playwriting.    

NEW WORLD SCHOOL OF THE ARTS STUDENTS, GRADUATES SUCCEED

Michael Vasquez, 2004 BFA alum from the visual arts program is currently showcasing a solo exhibit at the prestigious Kemper Museum in Kansas City. His provocative paintings, drawn from life experience, reflect issues of many of today's urban youth. This exhibition draws from some works in the Rubell Family Collection in Miami.

Elaine Alvarez, a1998 alum from the high school music program at NWSA, shines as she embodies "Mimi," the principal soprano in Puccini's "La Boheme.” Internationally acclaimed, her debut with the Lyric Opera of Chicago last month was hailed as "impressive" by media across the nation.

Yara Martinez, 1999 BFA alum from the theater program, has assumed the role of "Annie", the cocktail waitress, in the television series The Unit. From Executive Producers David Mamet and Shawn Ryan, The Unit is an action drama that follows a covert team of Special Forces operatives. To see Yara's stellar performance tune in to CBS Tuesdays at 9:00 PM

Tyler Barker, college senior in the dance program, awed the sleepless crowd earlier this month as he performed the gravity-defying "Ricochet" to the beat of Fushu Daiko taiko drummers. The aerial group presented by The Animated Objects Physical Theater danced off the wall of the Bass Museum and was one of the highlights of "Sleepless Nights", the 13-hour festival that took over the streets of Miami Beach Nov. 9 and 10.

MIAMI SPRINGS SR. HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND BRINGS HOME HONORS

Miami Springs Sr. High School marching band won 2nd place honors at the 2007 1A State Championships at the Florida Marching Band Competition (FMBC) in St. Petersburg Nov. 17 and 18.  The band's outstanding performance also earned them state championship titles for Outstanding Visual Performance, Outstanding Color Guard Performance, and 2nd place in Percussion and Best Music Caption at final. This 56-member band, under the direction of Mr. Andy Luna, is the highest ranked marching band in Miami-Dade County in its class.

MUSIC STUDENTS EXCEL IN STATEWIDE AUDITIONS

South Miami Middle School counted 21 students from their choral program in the University of Miami Honor Choir October 19. In addition, 8 boys from the magnet chorus program were chosen to be part of the American Choral Director's All-State Male Choir. Boys auditioned from all over the state and these young men rehearsed and performed this past weekend in Lake Mary, Florida. The one solo in the program was performed by South Miami's Manuel Rodriguez.

Southwood Middle School choir students selected by audition for the Florida Music Educators Association conference in Tampa in January for the grade 7-8 Treble All State Choir are Xeuming Fang,  Amanda Gallo,  Staci Jimenez , June Kim,  Natalia Lacrete,  Breanna Ordonez,  Laura Plyler,  Victoria Reynaldos, and  Erika Sassmann. Students selected for the Grades 7-8 Mixed All State Choir are Sophie Charles, Jovanna Hill, Jose Martinez,  Melissa Rey,  William Richardson,  Morgan Salisbury,  Brianna Samuels,  and Lori Weaverling.

SOUTHWOOD STUDENTS IN ALL-STATE GRADE 7-8 STRING ORCHESTRA

For the third year in a row Southwood Middle School has earned the distinction of having the most representation in the All-State Grade 7-8 String Orchestra for the entire state. Congratulations to orchestra director Ms. Tinder Burris and students Pio Molina, Jennifer Yu, Elisha Ekowo, Santiago Olaguibel, Pearl Fuentes, Stephen McLeod, and Anna Litvinenko.

DASH STUDENTS’ DESIGNS FOR FLAMINGO LODGE, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FEATURED IN EXHIBIT

Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH) students toured Everglades National Park last February in order to view the damage to Flamingo Lodge and other historic buildings as a result of back to back hurricanes in 2005. Joined by Coconut Grove architect Alyn Pruett as he shared his expertise, students studied the park and its buildings to prepare themselves to sketch possible renovations of the structures. A show of the students’ work opened October 6 and continues through October 27 at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, located on State Road 9336, approximately 10 miles southwest of Florida City. The public is invited to view the exhibit at no charge.

M-DCPS STUDENTS SEMI-FINALISTS AT INTERNATIONAL POETRY SLAM FEST

A team of six M-DCPS students traveled to San Jose, CA, to compete in the Brave New Voices 10th Annual Internal Youth Poetry Slam Festival from July 17-22 and made it to the semi-finals in the competition. This is the second year the Miami team has made it to the semi-finals of over 400 competitors from over 40 cities nationwide. Major congratulations are due the team since this is only the second time Miami has entered the competition. Sponsored by Tigertail Productions and accompanied by Teo Castellanos, noted South Florida writer, performer, and theatre director; Raymond Dominguez, writer and educator; and Tigertail’s Associate Director, Robert Rosenberg, the team consisted of Gabriel De Los Reyes, Coral Gables High; Diana Louissant, Miami Northwestern High; Maxis Madé, Miami Senior High; Paula Ortega, North Miami Beach High; and Jonathan Parker and Kiel Wright, William H. Turner Technical High. Tigertail Productions will continue their program WordSpeak this year as the semi-finalists perform their written and spoken words for other teenagers at workshops at various high schools and other public venues.

SOUTH MIAMI HIGH HONOR SOCIETY DANCERS PERFORM AT DANCE CONFERENCE

Twenty-three members of South Miami Senior High’s chapter of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts (NHSDA) performed in a concert Saturday, October 13, at the Florida Dance Education Organization (FDEO) conference in West Palm Beach. The dancers, under the direction of teacher Ms. Valerie Barreiro-Hernandez, were selected to perform along with NHSDA members from 8 other schools throughout Florida.  The 9 seniors also participated in college auditions at the Kravis Center that Saturday morning.

BEETHOVEN SOCIETY FEATURES M-DCPS STUDENT PERFORMERS

The Beethoven Society of Miami-Dade presented a program on “Learn Channel” 79 featuring some of our performing ensembles October 6 and 7. Coral Reef Senior High School Concert Chorus, Charles R. Drew Middle School Dance Company, Miami Palmetto Senior High School Chamber Orchestra, Miami Killian Senior High School Dance Ensemble, Hialeah Senior High School T-Bred Singers, Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School String Orchestra, New World School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theatre Ensemble, and  Concert Choir displayed their talents. This performance is also featured on YOU TUBE. Please tune in!

SOUTH MIAMI K-8 STUDENT EARNS VISUAL ARTS AWARD

Vivienne Crews, a fifth grade student in Ms. Laurie Russell’s magnet art class at South Miami K-8 Center, has been recognized by VSA Arts of Florida for her outstanding visual arts work. Vivienne will receive her award at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in an October 20 ceremony honoring all of the exemplary winners of the young artists’ competition. Nominated by Ms. Russell, Vivienne adds this award to her many other honors in the art world. Her growth in self-awareness, cognitive and leadership skills, responsibility, self-control, punctuality, tolerance, and generosity because of her participation in the arts is all the more remarkable since Vivienne is deaf and speaks through sign language. The VSA awards honor those students who can learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts.  

DASH EARNS NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON AWARD FOR THE SECOND TIME

Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH) for the second time since 1996 has earned the distinction of being named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. One of three high schools in Florida to achieve this award, DASH is joined by Carver Middle, the only other M-DCPS to achieve this honor. Representatives from DASH will receive the award in Washington, D. C., in November from Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. The award requires schools to meet either of two assessment criteria: schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds who dramatically improve student performance in accordance with state assessment systems and schools that score in the top 10 percent on state assessments. DASH met all of the requirements! Congratulations to Principal Dr. Stacey Mancuso and Lead Teacher Mary Hartley for their ongoing work with DASH students.

RUTH K. BROAD/BAY HARBOR STUDENT EARNS PTA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Isadora Leiva, a fifth grader at Ruth K. Broad / Bay Harbor Elementary, received the National Award of Excellence by judges for PTA the annual Reflections contest. The theme this year was “My Favorite Place.” Isadora will receive a medal and a $100 gift certificate from the National PTA and her black and white photograph will be submitted to the national level of judging. Congratulations, Isadora, on work well done!

NWSA VISUAL ARTIST WINS NATIONAL LATINO ART BEAT COMPETITION

Cathryn Garcia-Menocal, NWSA senior visual artist, is the 2007 national winner of the Latin Art Beat Competition and the third NWSA student since 2003 to achieve this accolade. Cathryn will receive a $20,000 scholarship from the Latino Art Beat organization to attend (MICA) Maryland Institute of College of Art in Baltimore. Selected as a 2007 scholar for the Marie Walsh Sharpe Foundation, this is the second national award Cathryn has received this year. Her work celebrates the uniquely Hispanic culture of Miami-Dade County. National Latin Art Beat awards were announced in Washington, D. C. September 14; the Miami celebration and awards ceremony, scheduled for the last week in October 2007, will be held at Miami Art Museum.

SOUTH MIAMI K-8 TO BE FEATURED IN SCHOOL ARTS MAGAZINE

South Miami K-8 Center will be featured in the December issue of School Arts for its mural work based on the art of Austrian artist Gustave Klimt. The article, entitled “Treasures of Peace,” focuses on student work done under the supervision of art teachers Laurie Russell and Josie Pinkcombe.

DR. MICHAEL M. KROP HIGH­­ THEATRE ARTS STUDENTS PERFORM IN SCOTLAND

Theatre arts students from Dr. Michael M. Krop High School performed Godspell at the annual Edinburgh, Scotland, Fringe Festival to acclaim by international crowds. The project was two years in the making, with students raising funds in order to perform and see some of the sights in Great Britain. Attending theatre in London and Stratford on Avon were additional highlights of the trip.