Cypress Bay celebrated its first state championship on the field, completing the weekend sweep for all three Broward teams in Tampa. The Lightning (20-3-1) also got some revenge for its 2008 loss in the state championship game to Varela (21-4-3).
For the Vipers, it was a night where they came so close, so often.
They had the better chances for most of the first half, and a Varela player hit the post just seconds after Williams’ strike gave Cypress Bay the lead.
Varela earned a corner kick with less than two minutes remaining, and the desperate Vipers tried pulling Lewis past the midfield line to use his 6-3 frame to get a head on the ball.
“At that point in time, you’ve got to go for it,” Varela coach J.C. Gonzalez said. “We didn’t come here to sit back and relax. We wanted to come out and give them a fight.”
The teams spent the first 20 minutes feeling each other out, but the action intensified after the first-half water break.
The Vipers struck first when captain Alvaro Acosta ran down the left sideline and sent a perfect cross into the penalty box. Diego Hurtado was on the other end of it, heading the ball past a helpless Zach Biggs for a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.
Cypress Bay didn’t stay down for long. The Lightning scored its first goal just four minutes later.
Carlos Vargas took a pass from a teammate, and the pass drew defenders to him. Vargas immediately dished the ball to Humberto Diaz with the outside of his left foot. With no one remaining to cover Diaz, the sophomore had plenty of time to strike the ball into the back of the net and tie the match.
That is when the Lightning’s depth started to show, even with the missing players. Todeschini injured his right ankle in practice in the week leading up to the state tournament, and when he couldn’t sprint before either game, Williams got the call.
Similarly, Javier Clavijo seamlessly replaced Granitto, who spent the week in Phoenix training with the U.S. under-18 national team.
“Tommy is like the whole midfield,” Vargas said. “But everybody played amazing. Everybody stepped up.”
Varela’s season ended just short of the school’s third title, but Gonzalez was still proud of what his team accomplished.
“Once we picked the team, I told them there was something here,” Gonzalez said.
“I knew we had a great team that could take us to the final. The boys played their hearts out. We reached where we wanted to reach and, unfortunately, you’ve got to have a little luck. [Cypress Bay] got that little luck.”
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Cypress Bay boys’ soccer team wins Class 6A state title
Varela Boys Soccer Clinches Berth in Class 6A final
TAMPA -- Alejandro Rodriguez missed one of the easiest shots in soccer – a penalty kick – in the 17th minute.
The Varela senior forward won’t have to replay the miss in his dreams after all.
Rodriguez got redemption in the form of a 67th-minute goal from a much more difficult angle, powering his Vipers to a 2-1 win against Port Orange Spruce Creek in a Class 6A state semifinal in Pepin Stadium on Friday afternoon.
“Everyone makes mistakes,” Rodriguez said. “What makes a difference is the mental toughness – the way you bounce back from things.”
Varela dominated possession and had a wealth of chances to score, but despite their better play the Vipers (21-3-3) found themselves tied at 1-1 when the Hawks (26-5-1) capitalized on their first shot.
The match didn’t stay tied for long.
Eight minutes after Hawks forward Jagger Lieb tied the game, Rodriguez showed his mental toughness when he scored the game-winner.
Rodriguez took a pass from Simon Rodriguez, cut toward the net, moved a couple yards out of the end line and gave himself just enough of an angle to shoot.
The ball went high over Hawks goalie Roshan Patel’s arms, and the Vipers had their winning goal.
“One of the things that we talked about was these are the kinds of games where you are going to make mistakes,” Vipers coach J.C. Gonzalez said. “I told the guys that we had plenty of time, we had the momentum in the game. I was confident.”
The Vipers now get their chance to win the school’s first state title since 2008. They will play either Weston Cypress Bay or Clearwater Countryside in the championship game Saturday at 7:05 p.m.
Early on, never appeared in doubt. Varela barely let Spruce Creek into an attacking position, and a penalty kick before the first-half water break seemed to validate the Vipers’ superiority.
Diego Hurtado took a shot that Spruce Creek’s Tyler Kameh handled inside the penalty box, but Alejandro Rodriguez’s slow shot to the right was saved by Patel.
But three minutes into the second half, Varela finally made good on their efforts thanks to a rocket of a shot by David Cuervo. The senior, with only two goals on the year, fired a blast into Patel’s arm.
Patel got enough on the ball to slow it down, but the momentum still carried it slowly into the net off the left post.
“[Cuervo’s] got the hardest shot you’ve ever seen,” Gonzalez said. “All season long we tried to set him up, and it hasn’t happened. When he hit that ball today, we were like, ‘Wow, he finally got it on frame.’ The keeper was all over it, but that was such a hard shot.”
A foul just 25 yards from the Vipers’ net set up Spruce Creek’s goal.
Lieb took the free kick around the left side of the four-man wall and hooked the ball right inside the left post. Varela keeper Damian Lewis stood and watched the ball fly past him into the twine.
“He was set up for a right-footed kick, and he changed it to a left,” Lewis said. “I wasn’t expecting that shot.”
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/18/2074694/varela-boys-soccer-clinches-berth.html#ixzz1EXu9U95V
Monday, February 14, 2011
SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS available at various colleges, universities & art schools for JUNIORS and in some cases…SOPHOMORES TOO! Many – THOUGH NOT ALL – offer some financial assistance. Pretty much all details, applications and supplemental forms (i.e. financial assistance applications, nomination forms, etc…) are available on the websites provided. Please share with interested students.
JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY’S EARLY ENROLLMENT PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS: Fields of study available – College of Business, College of Culinary Arts, & The Hospitality College. Must have an overall GPA of 2.75 & a minimum B- IN ENGLISH. Visit Johnson & Wales’ website @ www.jwu.edu and select “Admissions & aid” and then click on “High School Juniors”.
CORNELL UNIVERSITY SUMMER COLLEGE: Programs available in Architecture, Art, business, College Success, Computer & Info Science, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Film, History & Politics, Hotel Mgmt, Humanities, Law & Gov’t, Medicine, Psychology, Research & Science and Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science. Three & six week programs available from June 25th-August 9th. More information at: www.summercollege.cornell.edu or find them on Facebook or email summer_college@cornell.edu or call 607-255-6203.
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS PHILADELPHIA: Summer Art + Media, Summer Dance, Summer Jazz, Summer Theatre. Two to four week workshops in the various arts plus housing and meals!!! LIMITED NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE to students who apply and demonstrate financial need. For more info contact The University of the Arts Pre-College Programs 320 S. Broad Street Philadelphia ,PA 19102 or call 1.800.616.ART S#6430 or email precollege@uarts.edu or visit the web @ cs.uarts.edu/precollege.
ACCESS USF – Designed for high school juniors that are 1st generation in their family to graduate from college. Events on Saturday, February 26th & Saturday, March 26th. Visit www.usf.edu/AccessUSF for more information.
2011 EMORY PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM – The Emory Pre-College program gives college-bound high school students an exciting glimpse of academic & residential life at a top-ranked national university. Both credit & non-credit courses available in Science, Pre-Professional (Law & Medicine), Arts & Humanities and the Social Sciences. A limited amount of financial aid is available. To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and complete the separate financial aid application online by the deadline (MARCH 1ST!!!!) Applicants must be 16 years of age and be rising juniors or seniors (i.e. current, sophomores or juniors) and be committed to engaging in college-level work during the summer. Apply online at www.college.emory.edu/pre-college.
SUMMER @ CARLETON COLLEGE: Carleton college offers the following summer programs to sophomores and juniors “Summer Writing Program” (For college bound juniors w/strong reading & writing skills. Full & partial scholarships available). “Carleton Liberal Arts Experience” (For college bound sophomores finishing 10th grade by June 14th. Full scholarships available). “Carleton Summer Science Institute” (For high school sophomores & juniors who wish to learn to think & write like a scientist. Deadlines begin April 1st…HURRY!
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute @ UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI: The HHMI High School Scholars Program is an exciting opportunity for public and private students with a passion for science to gain hands on research experience. Students, work in teams, to conduct biomedical research over the course of seven weeks at the University of Miami (UM). Placements are available in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, ophthalmology, biology, and other research areas tailored to students’ interests and experience. We consider applicants from Miami-Dade County who are entering their junior or senior year of high school (again – current sophomores & juniors) in 2011. Admission is based on a combination of high school grades, courses taken, an essay, a letter of recommendation, and career goals. Students must submit all of the require materials before an admissions decision can be made. Apply online at http://www.miami.edu/index.php/undergraduate_research_and_community_outreach/community_outreach_programs/hhmi_highschool_scholars/ and hurry – deadline is April 8th!
SUMMER EXPERIENCES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS @ WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS: Washington University in St. Louis offers summer enrichment programs to both sophomores & juniors in the realities of college life as part of a small, select group. Participants will earn up to 7 units of college credit that will transfer to most accredited colleges and universities, giving you a head start toward your college career. And you’ll develop academic and social skills that will give you a tremendous advantage when you leave for college. As a Summer Scholar, you will be enrolled in real college courses, studying alongside Washington University undergraduates Programs are also available in creative writing, Japanese culture and Pre-Medical. Some financial assistance is available for those with demonstrated need. Information & applications online at http://summerexperiences.wustl.edu/.
·MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART SUMMER PRE-COLLEGE 2011: Pick one of two awesome art experiences in Baltimore or Tuscany Italy. Visit www.mica.edu/precollege for details and application. A limited number of full and partial need/merit-based awards are available to students who are applying to the Baltimore Pre-College Studio Residency Program. Students who are interested in applying for financial assistance should submit the financial assistance application form and a copy of their parents’ most recent tax return in addition to the other application materials. Applications must be complete in order for the student to be considered for financial assistance. Awards are provided to students who demonstrate significant need as well as artistic and academic merit as exhibited in their application portfolio, essay, teacher recommendation, and transcript. Due to limited funding for financial assistance, students seeking assistance are highly encouraged to apply by the priority decision deadline of March 31, 2011.
OTIS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN SUMMER OF ART: This intensive, four-week, pre-college program is for those 15 and older who wish to study at one of the top art and design colleges in the country. Serious young artists seeking to strengthen and enhance their art skills as well as students with limited art training are invited to participate. Summer of Art scholarships are available to students who, for financial reasons, would not otherwise be able to attend. Awards are based on family financial information, portfolio, and teacher or counselor recommendation. You must be a U.S. citizen and/or U.S. resident. You may only use the awards toward tuition; they cannot be applied toward supplies or other expenses. For further information, details and application, visit www.otis.edu/soa.
FURMAN SUMMER SCHOLARS: The Summer Scholars program is an academic enrichment program that engages rising juniors and seniors (again – current sophomores & juniors) in small group settings under the direction of Furman faculty members. Students have the opportunity to challenge their mind, make friends that will last a lifetime and have lots of fun. The academic experience will include lectures, class discussion, debates, laboratory research, field trips, group and individual projects, and other activities intended to provide a challenging learning experience. For further information and application, visit http://www2.furman.edu/admission/EngageFurman/SummerScholars/Pages/ApplicationIn.aspx.
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER 2001 PROGRAM: GW Pre-College courses provide an exciting and unique opportunity for high school students to experience the academic rigors of learning in a college environment. Courses are taught by expert GW faculty and scholar practitioners. For further information and application, visit http://www.gwu.edu/apply/precollege/apply.
SUMMER PRE-COLLEGE PRGRAMS @ BARNARD COLLEGE: Co-ed programs for rising juniors and seniors in topics such as Anthropology, Architecture, Art, Physics, Theatre & film, Psychology, Sociology, Writing, Literature, International Affairs, History, Music, Dance, Urban Studies. For further information and application, visit http://www.barnard.edu/precollege.
Monday, February 7, 2011
MIAMI DADE COLLEGE UPDATES
February, 2011
1. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) PROGRAMS
The Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College received $2.4 million from the U.S. Department
of Education’s Strengthening Institution—Hispanic Serving Institutions Program to implement a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program.
The overall goal of the grant is to attract Hispanic students to STEM degree programs. To accomplish this, the college will open a center for Hispanic students with declared STEM majors to deliver retention, transition and career services. The College will create a summer STEM program for younger, first-time-in-college Hispanic students with interest in STEM fields. MDC will also start STEM Pedagogy, an extended teaching program emphasizing active, collaborative learning. Contact: Mr. Jorge Gibert , Grant Coordinator Ph: (305) 237-7820 jgibert@mdc.edu
2. SPRING OPEN HOUSES
All MDC Campuses and the Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center will be holding Open Houses. Please pass on the information to students, parents and members of the community. To reserve your spot/register, or get more information, visit: www.mdc.edu/openhouse or call (305) 237-8888.
TUES. FEB. 22, 2011 Homestead Campus- 500 College Terrace, Homestead, FL 33030
6- 8 PM West Campus 3800 N.W. 115 Avenue, Doral, FL 33178
WED. FEB. 23, 2011 Medical Center Campus 950 N.W. 20 Street, Miami, L 33127
6 – 8 PM North Campus 11380 N.W. 27 Avenue, Miami, FL 33167
THURS. FEB. 24, 2011 Hialeah Campus- 1776 W. 49th Street, Hialeah, FL 33012
6 – 8 PM Kendall Campus 11011 S.W. 104 St. Miami, FL 33176
Wolfson Campus 300 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33132
SAT. FEB. 26, 2011
InterAmerican Campus 627 S.W. 27th Avenue, Miami, FL 33135
3. COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY
To assist students with the Financial Aid process, MDC staff will be volunteering during two days at different locations so that parents and students can receive assistance in filling out their Financial Aid applications: Sunday, February 20, 2011 and Sunday, February 27, 2011:
Please visit: http://www.collegegoalsundayflorida.org
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2011 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Florida International University – 11200 S.W. 8th St. Miami, FL 33199
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011 from 200 pm – 5:00 pm
M-DCPS Neighborhood Resource Center – NORTH
7800 N.W. 27 Avenue Miami, FL 33147
M-DCPS Neighborhood Resource Center – SOUTH
5555 S.W. 93 Avenue Miami, FL 33165
Barnes & Noble "My Favorite Teacher Contest"
A school is much like a bookstore - both are places of aspiration, passion, education and dreams. That's why Barnes & Noble is excited to recognize the foundation of our great American schools - our dedicated teachers. The Barnes & Noble "My Favorite Teacher Contest" provides your students with the opportunity to tell your community how much their teachers are appreciated.
Who participates: Students in Kindergarten through Grade 12
How to participate: Students write an essay, poem, or letter sharing how a teacher (classroom teacher, media specialist, etc.) has influenced their life and why they appreciate and admire them. You collect the essays and give them to your Barnes & Noble representative, at your local Barnes & Noble store.
Submitting Entries:
• Notify Alina Llevat, Barnes & Noble, of your intent to participate. Her contact information is found below.
• Entries should be 500 words or less and typed on 8.5 x 11 white paper in English.
• Each entry must be submitted with the entry form provided by your store or found on-line at www.bn.com/myfavoriteteacher
• Parent or guardian must sign the entry form acknowledging that they have read the Official Contest Rules also provided by the store or found on-line.
• All entries must be provided to your local Barnes & Noble representative by Friday, March 18, 2011.
What students get:
The student who writes the winning essay or poem will receive a certificate of recognition and will be honored at their local store during a ceremony for the winning teacher.
What teachers get
• The winning teacher will be recognized at an event at their local Barnes & Noble where they will receive a special award acknowledging their achievement and a set of (10) Sterling Children's Classics for their library.
• The six regional winners will each receive a Nook e-Book Reader and a $500 gift card.
• The National winner will receive $5,000. The winning teacher's school will receive $5,000 as well. The winner will also receive five copies of the essay published in hardcover by Tikatok.com, the site where students create and publish their own books.
For additional information, please contact
Alina Llevat
Community Relations Manager
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
12405 North Kendall Drive
Miami, Florida 33186
CRM2792@bn.com
(305) 598-7727
