Senior Breakfast 2010

Today the Seniors at Varela were treated to their annual breakfast at Signature Gardens. Everyone had a great time.

Kudos to Ms. Christin for the "Race to the Finish" Theme and all the planning.

Viper Wrestling

The Viper Wrestling team advanced 7 wrestlers into next week’s Regional tournament. Starting it off was Carlos Diego and Justin Vazquez with 3rd place finishes. They were also followed by Mike Ortiz and Sebastian Molina with 4th place finishes. We also had Kevin Alzate and Zack Pareja in the finals and they finished in 2nd place. Our only District Champ was our team Captain Cris “The Spider” Molina with a dramatic overtime win.

Come root for your wrestlers this Friday and Saturday at Ronald Reagan High School in Doral.

Congratulations to the wrestlers for advancing to the Regional tournament.

Exxon Mobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships

Named for the first African American to walk in space, a new scholarship is now available to encourage minority students to pursue college degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Exxon Mobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships are for 2010 graduating high school seniors in school districts represented by the Council of the Great City Schools.

Four scholarships for two males and two females -- $5,000 each -- will be awarded to two African American and two Hispanic students on behalf of the former astronaut, physician and businessman. Deadline for student submissions is May 14.

Here's the link to the program: http://www.cgcs.org/Awards/Harris_Scholarship.pdf

Sunshine Week Essay Contest

Governor Crist Invites Students to Participate in Sunshine Week Essay Contest

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced Florida’s 2010 Sunshine Week “Government in the Sunshine” Web site and invited Florida students in grades 9-12 to participate in the Florida Sunshine Week essay contest. Observed March 14-20, 2010, Sunshine Week celebrates Florida’s laws dedicated to making state and local government more accessible to the public.

“This year’s Sunshine Week Essay Contest provides an opportunity for high school students to focus on the First Amendment and the importance of open government,” said Governor Crist. “Openness and transparency must be one of government’s top priorities in order to ensure citizens can continue to hold their leaders accountable.”

The essay contest is open to all Florida high school students in grades 9-12 and the winner will be announced during the week of March 8, 2010. The first-place winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship, the second-place winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship, and third place will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The contest is supported through the Volunteer Florida Foundation. Winners will be invited to attend an event at the Governor’s Mansion.

Guidelines

After reading the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, contest participants must explain the importance of one or more of the civil liberties found in the First Amendment and how Florida’s open government laws protect these liberties.
Each student may enter only one essay, no longer than 500 words and typed or handwritten in print, rather than cursive writing.
Essays must include the student’s name, home address, telephone number, school the student attends, grade level and essay title.
Essays must be accompanied by a parental waiver form, which can be found at http://www.flgov.com/og_sunshine_essay. For electronic entries, the parental waiver may be typed, but if chosen as a winner it will be verified.

Entries must be emailed to SunshineEssay@myflorida.com or mailed to: The Executive Office of the Governor, Attention: Sunshine Week Essay Contest, 400 South Monroe Street, The Capitol, Suite PL-04, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001. Entries must be emailed or postmarked no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 18, 2010.

In addition to the essay contest this year, teachers also have the opportunity to engage their students in activities relating to “Government in the Sunshine." The crossword puzzle and word search may be accessed and downloaded at www.flgov.com/og_sunshine.

About Sunshine Week

In 2002, Sunshine Sunday was launched by the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors in response to increased public and legislative awareness of the open government laws. After Florida’s trailblazing actions to establish Sunshine Laws, many other states have adopted Sunshine Sunday, which resulted in the American Society of Newspaper Editors designating a Sunshine Week, which started in March of 2005.

Governor Crist’s dedication to the Sunshine Laws is clearly evident. In his inaugural address, Florida’s 44th Governor made open government a top priority. He quoted President Abraham Lincoln, pledging under his watch Florida government would be “of the people, by the people and for the people.” The next day in his first Executive Order, Governor Crist established the Office of Open Government and charged it with providing the Governor’s Office and all state agencies the tools necessary to serve the people of Florida in a professional and efficient manner.

For more information, please visit www.flgov.com/og_home.

Becca's Closet

Rebecca Kirtman Memorial Scholarships

Becca’s Closet collects and distributes homecoming and prom clothing to needy high school students in local communities. Becca’s Closet also hosts annual fundraisers to raise money to assist local students with the cost of higher education.

The Rebecca Kirtman Memorial Scholarship awards 3 types of scholarships in the amount of $1,000.00 each. The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage students who have demonstrated outstanding community service in high school or college to continue their efforts throughout their lives and to encourage others to do the same.

Becca's Closet Scholarship is a one time scholarship, with the possibility of renewal.

The applicant must:

· Be a graduating high school senior or full-time college student

· Have made an outstanding, documented contribution to his or her local community through the creation of or involvement in a Becca’s Closet chapter or Becca’s Closet supporting organization

· Be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident

· Plan to attend or continue to enroll in an accredited college, vocational school or university in the United States in the Fall of 2010

· Have a minimum 2.0 unweighted high school grade point average

Becca’s Closet Spirit of Generosity Scholarship is a one time scholarship, with the possibility of renewal.

The applicant must:

· Be a graduating high school senior or full-time college student

· Have made an outstanding contribution to his or her local community through volunteer action including but not limited to Becca’s Closet

· Demonstrate Financial Need

· Be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident

· Have a minimum 2.0 unweighted high school grade point average

· Plan to attend or continue to be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college, vocational school or university in the United States in the Fall of 2010

· Have a minimum 2.0 unweighted high school grade point average

DEADLINE: Applications must be received by Monday, April 12, 2010, See Ms. Clara Gonzalez, CAP counselor for application.

Late entries will not be considered. Hand deliveries and overnight delivery will not be accepted. Becca's Closet will not be responsible for lost or late Applications.

Scholarships awarded for the 2010 – 2011 School Year will be announced in May 2010. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, April 12, 2010.

Regional HOSA Competition

Super congratulations to the following students for their performance at this year’s Regional HOSA competitions:

Student / Event / Place

Miguel Hernandez / Medical Terminology / 1st
Giovany Desir / Extemporaneous Speaking / 1st


Team
Alvaro Ochoa / HOSA Bowl / 4th
Melissa Castillo
Jewelene Meneses
Laura La Puente


Blair Bryce / HOSA Bowl / 5th
Andrea Patino
Allyson McNaughton
Edwin Gaitan

Special thanks to Cmdr. Leo and JROTC for performing Color Guard before the awards ceremony.

Small Works Exhibition at MIU

Congratulations to the following students for being accepted into the Small Works Exhibition at MIU - Opening and Awards Reception will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010.

Yennifer Barona 12 Elaine Evans

Bianca Khan 12 Elaine Evans

Arlenys Frias 11 Maria Lantigua

Randol Martinez 12 Maria Lantigua

Hannah Balmaseda 11 Maria Lantigua

Zeny Blanco 12 Maria Lantigua


Visit the blog for details and other events going on in the art department:

Varela Art

FCAT Writes BBQ

Saturday brought a group of invited students to Varela to go from good to great writers in preparation of the Florida Writes Exam. After a few hours of studying they were treated to a BBQ hosted by the Viper administration. The students a lot of fun watching Mr. Galardi and Mr. Nunez cook ! Mr. Nunez won the best dressed with his sunflower apron. :)

The teachers that made it possible were Marina Rogers, Jennifer Pepper, Carlos Escobar and Nery Fins (who took off her assistant principal hat and taught a class). The students were very grateful that they took the time during their weekend to work with them.

Also, Ms. Oliva Bernal, Mady Rodriguez and Ariel Valdes helped in the coordination, getting the donations, serving and anything else needed. THANK YOU !

Everyone had a great time and a full belly by the end of the day.

National Letter of Intent Signing Day at Varela

The Vipers are proud of the three football players who signed National Letters of Intent. Mr. Marllon Pires is going to Mercyhurst College, Mr. Brian Maura is going to the University of Kentucky and Mr. William Berner is going to Western Kentucky University.

Family, friends,teachers and team mates attended the signing in the school's media center.

A big shout out to the athletes and to Mr. Mat Dixon, head football coach for his hard work in getting these boys signed.

On February 4th three Varela students were invited to a behind the scenes taping of ESPN Sports Center at South Beach. They had the opportunity to meet and hear from Alonzo Mourning, retired basketball player of the Miami Heat. The students were then escorted to the South Beach ESPN stage set up on the beach. The met directors and producers and watched the live taping of ESPN Sports Center.

We are very proud to have been one of the 4 schools selected to attend. GO VIPERS !

End of the Basketball Season

This is the post that every coach dreads! I am deeply saddened to announce that the boys’ basketball season has come to an abrupt end, albeit with a victory. The Viper’s defeated the Belen Wolverines by a score of 60-54 in a very emotional Senior Night. The win seals the best record in school history, 15 wins and 7 losses! There are a slew of people that need to be thanked for such a successful season! First and foremost, MY TEAM, who made me look like I know what I’m doing all season long, Administration for believing in me, Ms. Spinosa for fighting for us when no one else would (you know what I’m talking about), Mrs. Kubit and the cheerleaders who got the crowd fired up, Jonathan and Christian for announcing @ the games, my colleagues who supported us all season, and last but not least the student-body who joined in with the “Lacaci’s Locos” and cheered their lungs out!!!!!

Sincerely,
Cesar Lacaci
Head Basketball Coach

New Haitian Student Orientation

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Varela Sr High has enrolled over 30 new students who have come from the island. Today we held an orientation/ meet and greet session for them. Our aim was to make these students feel welcomed into our Viper family and to support them academically and emotionally.

A big thanks to Ms. Bernal who decorated the media center, packed goodie bags and ordered the food for us, Ms. Spinosa, athletic director who gave the students a who is who on the athletic front, Ms. Christin, activities director for her welcoming words, Ms. Brenda Davila from the Dade County Public Schools crisis team who spoke to the students on grief and how to find help, Mrs. Janet Hupp, regional superintendent for her welcoming words to the students, Dr. Alexis Martinez, regional director for his support and visit, Ms. Ada de la Cruz, my secretary for putting on her party planner hat and helping, Ms. Pagan, media specialist who let us use the media center and pitched in with her staff to get everything done, the administrative staff for their hard work, Ms. Lassegue who welcomed the students in their language and has been the smiling face they can go to for any assistance, Ms. Rouit, french teacher, for her work in making sure all the new students are challenged academically and continue to succeed and finally to the Haitian students who were already at Varela for taking the new students under their "Viper wings". I am very proud of the work we did today. Today was really a Viper family effort and success.