While February has the least number of school days in a year, it happens to be one of our busiest and most productive months on the calendar. Our students are actively engaged in their education while also involved in clubs, activities, athletics, and community service. They proudly represent our school as we continue to support and empower them. This relationship creates an environment that promotes success!

 

Change in COVID Protocol:  The health and wellness of our school community is our top priority, and our protocol provided us the balance and stability we needed to remain open as we offered uninterrupted education. While we have relaxed the mask mandate, we still need everyone to practice good personal hygiene etiquette. We are thankful for the cooperation and understanding of our students and parents. 

 

Basketball Team Won Regional Title, Will Compete for State Championship
The Varsity Basketball Team won the Regional Title after defeating Cypress Bay 61-47 in the finals and Miami High 68-36 in the semifinals.  They will compete in the State Competition this weekend in Lakeland. We wish Coach Moran and the entire team good luck.  Go Explorers!  

Six Wrestlers Qualified for State Championship
After two days of intense competition amongst 224 wrestlers representing 30 teams of district qualifiers from Dade  and Broward, our Columbus Grapplers captured 3rd place as a team behind rivals South Dade and Southwest who tied for first.  Six Explorers qualified for the State Championship:   Christian Guzman (will defend his state title), Jaime Rodriquez,  Michael Lynne, Van Huffman, T.J. Brown, and Derrick Hart. Special thanks to Coach Husk.

Jose A. Muñoz, President and CEO of BCC Engineering and class of 1990 alum, announced that he will make a generous donation to establish an innovation hub at Columbus.  The Muñoz Family Innovation Hub will be a space where students can work collaboratively and creatively in the areas of design, engineering, and entrepreneurship allowing them to invent a product and take it from start to finish, from concept creation using Computer Aided Design (CAD) through the building stage using traditional and digital fabrication tools and ultimately the business development through the school’s entrepreneurship program.  The hub will be located primarily on the first floor of the Marcus Lemonis and Mario Sueiras Center for Science & the Arts with other usage spaces in the Mas Technology Complex. With the donation, Columbus will fully equip the spaces with tools and resources like CAD stations, 3D printers, laser cutters, and Computer Numerical Control (CNC). 

Conrad Innovators
The STEM Club's Conrad Challenge Team has been awarded the distinction of Conrad Innovators in the Energy and Environment category with their Atmospheric Water Condenser (AWO) project.  The distinction denotes students who have excelled in the competition by submitting a noteworthy Business Plan. This badge of excellence is granted to students by the Conrad Foundation as an honor that can be carried along in their educational careers as a source of pride and ownership in achieving a new standard of innovation and entrepreneurship. Congratulations to: Jason Aguiar, Gustavo Alfonso, Nicolas Campos and Nicholas Lamadriz.  Special thanks to Mr. Rodriguez. 

South Florida's Speech and Debate National Qualifier was held at Columbus with 150 students from 12 different schools.  Congratulations to Sebastian Santana and Victor Barreda who qualified at the event. They will be joined by our World Schools team of Bruno Barreiro, Mathew Calviño, Nicholas Diaz, Phillip Castro, and Marcelo Andreu who had previously qualified. Earlier in the month, Matthew Moreno earned the Top Speaker Award in JV Lincoln Douglas at the Cal Berkeley Invitational which was held virtually. Special thanks to moderator Mr. De Tuya.

National Engineers Week
In support of National Engineers Week, John Adams ’82, SRG Miami, organized two days of presentations for Engineering Pathway students.  The presentations were an extension of SRG Miami’s Real World Learning and Community Engagement Program, now in its 15^th year.  The presentations provided guidance related to careers in Engineering, Architecture, Construction, Real Estate and Development and took place in the new Marcus Lemonis and Mario Sueiras Center for Science & the Arts Building.  The final segment was a structural review of the building’s construction using timeline photos, followed by a walking tour of the completed building.  Thanks to:  Mr. Rodriguez, Julio Brea '82, Director of Public Works, City of Homestead, Jose Munoz ’90, President/CEO of BCC Engineering and Nivardo Beaton, Sr. Project Manager at Sharpe Project Developments.

Basketball Team Received Media Training
The Basketball Team received media training from one of the best public relations professionals in the business.  Thanks to Jorge Ortega '81, General  Manager for the global communications firm, Edelman, for taking the time to work with our Explorers, giving them tips and strategies for their future media interviews.

We celebrated the nine student-athletes on the Varsity Football Team who committed to play football in college at an event with their families at Br. Eugene Plaza.  The signees were:  Brandon Brana (Trinity College), Shiloh Conway (Stetson University),  Eddie Durand (Catholic University), Fernando Mendoza (University of California at Berkeley), Ken Moore (Western Carolina University), Luis Palenzuela (College Of The Holy Cross), John Starman (Brown University), Bryson Stouffer (Stetson University) and  Mike Villanueva (Catholic University)

Junior Ring Ceremony
A beautiful Junior Ring Ceremony was held on the football field.  Special thanks to Mrs. Martinez and Mr. Hill for coordinating the event and to everyone who played a role in creating this truly memorable experience.

31 Alumni Participated at Career Day
Thanks to our incredible alumni base who are dedicated to helping our Columbus Explorers, Career Day featured 31 speakers from a diverse sector of professions and careers.  They were all happy to speak about their career journey and give advice to our student body.  Special thanks to Dr. Burrus for coordinating the day's activities. 

Columbus Connects Lecture with Globally Recognized Tech Pioneer Frank Azor ‘99
Frank Azor ’99, AMD's Chief Gaming Officer and Alienware Co-Founder, was the featured speaker of our Columbus Connects Leadership Lecture.    Frank gave and an outstanding talk about emerging technologies and the future of gaming with our Columbus family.  Many of our students and alumni were in the audience and got to meet with Frank during the event. Special thanks to Columbus parent JB Aleman ’84.  

In honor of Black History Month and led by board member and alumni parent Mrs. Shirelle Jackson, Columbus held a Black Leadership Lecture Panel with four professionals who spoke to students in the Black Student Organization.  Mrs. Jackson moderated the panel which included her husband and Miami Heat Announcer, Jason Jackson, UM Law Professor Charlton Copeland, Miami Dolphins’ Alexander Martin, and Attorney Chris Lomax.  Afterwards, the panel members stayed to have lunch with the students at Br. Eugene Plaza.  Special thanks to Mr. Campbell and Mr. Trujillo. VIEW ARTICLE

Inaugural Mock Trial Competition
Our 13 member inaugural Columbus Mock Trial team competed in their first ever Private/Charter High School  Mock Trial Competition and came away with a fourth place finish.  All of the members did an excellent job, highlighted by Enrique Villamil who won the Second-Best Lawyer award out of 36 student lawyers. Special thanks to moderator Dr. Lee as well as Pedro Perez-Roura ’00 who helped in the coaching.   Congratulations to:  Christian Ordonez, David Calvo, Alfonso Caram, Matthew Perez, Ethan Centeno, David Rodriquez, Nicolas Lavin, Sebastisn Santana, Jacob Vila, Branden Menendez, Victor Barreda,  Enrique Villamil, and Frank Kowlaski.

We held another great car show with the proceeds going to the My Kori Story Organization which was established in memory of Kori Santiago '19 who had a love for Columbus and Cars. There were over 60 cars that included exotic cars, collectors, and imports.  Special thanks to the Car Club officers President Jonas Delgado, VP Lucas Alonso, Treasurer Lucas Lovio-Rodriguez, and Secretary Carlos Rivera (who made trophies) and to co-moderators Mrs. Alonso and Mr. Seage.  

Each year, the Independent Schools of South Florida (ISSF), recognizes outstanding students from its member schools. We are proud to announce that this year our Star Students are Don Darcangelo (SAC President), Maximiliano Munoz (SAC Vice President), and Antonio Morales (SAC Secretary).  Congratulations!

Columbus students participated in the tradition of attending the CloseUp trip to our nation’s capitol.  The trip is designed to provide its participants with a stronger understanding of government institutions, history, current issues and their roles as citizens.  Our 2022 CloseUP students were:  Fernando Paiva, Eric Alvarez, Alexander Ferguson, Andre Santana, Brian MacDonald, Phillip Castro, Sebastian Martinez, Ulises Delgado, Lucas Hurley, Marcelo Varela, Jake Tapia, and Tobias Reyes.  Thank you to Social Studies Department Chair Mr. Hermedia for accompanying the students on the trip.

CCNN had another spectacular showing at the STN convention where they won the Broadcast Excellence Award, Best Animated Film, Best Documentary, and first place awards in Commentary, Sports Commentary, Tell the Story, and Nat Package.  They also won 2nd place awards for Podcast and the Crazy 8 Team Contest.  Special thanks to moderators Mr. Delgado, Mrs. Insua, Mr. Diaz and Ms. Rodriguez. 

Special thanks to Br. John Healy for taking the Pre-law Club to St. Thomas University for a field trip.  Earlier in the month, the club received a visit from attorney alumnus  Albert Hernandez ’78.

Track Team Won the Spartan Invitational
Our Track & Field team won first place (out of 20 teams) at the Spartan Invitational at South Ridge H.S. The Explorers who finished in the top 3 in their event were Giovanni Armas (1^st Place 3200m),  Alejandro Romagosa (2nd place, 3200), Fadrelle Andros (1^st Place High Jump),  Michael Duran (3^rd Place Triple Jump), Amani Marti (3^rd Place Pole Vault), Brysson Stouffer (1^st Place Discus), Gustavo Alfonso (2^nd Place Discus and 2^nd Place Javelin), Andrew Quintant (1^st Place Javelin), Team of Ahmere Foster/Denim Desrosiers/Darren Mcqueen/Cornelius Wright ( 2nd place,  4x100m); Team of Nicholas Ivonnet/James Orange/Anthony Scarcello/ Branden Ruiz (2nd place, 4x800m). Special thanks to Coach Areces. 

The Castaways Against Cancer (CAC), made up of mostly Columbus teachers and alumni, paddle and cycle every summer from Miami to Key West in seven days to raise money for cancer research.  Formed in 2000 by Columbus teacher Steve O’Brien, they have raised over $1.5 million to date.   This year, they will embark on their 23rd journey, The Carry On Tour, on June 11th  with all proceeds  benefitting UM’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center which match every dollar raised. CAC’s new logo, was unveiled at a special ceremony on June 4th (World Cancer Day) on the Columbus campus.  Special thanks to CAC Team Captain, Mr. Eric Pino.

STEM Students Volunteer at NASA @ Your Library
Mr. Rodriguez and members of his STEM Club volunteered at Miami Dade Public Library System’s NASA @ Your Library event at the Westchester Regional Library.

Annual Family Picnic and Pig Roast
Over 2,000 people attended this year’s Family Picnic and Pig Roast. The event had 51 pig roasting teams and  an esteemed panel of judges which included Roberto Guerra - Owner / Cofounder of La Caja China,  Michael "Chug" Beltran 03' - Owner / Executive Chef of Ariete Hospitality Group, Eileen Andrade - Owner / Chef of Finka Table & Tap, Amelia's 1931 & Barbakoa by Finka,  Jorgie Ramos - Owner / Chef of Abi Maria & Cebada Rooftop,  Giorgio Rapicavoli - Owner / Chef of Eating House & Luca Osteria, Cindy Hutson - Executive Chef of Cerveceria La Tropical, Chef, Louie Estrada 00' - Owner / Chef of My Cuban Spot, Francesco Balli 93' - Co-Founder & CEO of Grove Bay Hospitality Group, Michael Alvarez 04' - Partner at BabyJane, Diandra Lamas - Yelp Community - Associate Regional Lead and Omar Babun 98' - Adult, Adolescent and Couples Life Coach @ Better with Betsy.

Students taking Art History went on a field trip to Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach where they were able to see many of the pieces of art that they learn about in class.  The highlight of the trip was being able to admire works from  Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in the Mexican Modernism exhibit.  Special thanks to Mrs. Koepp.

Parochial School Principals Tour Marcus Lemonis and Mario Sueiras Center for Science & the Arts
This year’s annual appreciation dinner for our parochial school principals and 8^th grade teachers included a tour of our new Marcus Lemonis and Mario Sueiras Center for Science & the Arts.  Thank you to Mr. Marinelli for coordinating the event.

Congratulations to this year’s Military Academy appointees - Andrew Quintana '22 (United States Air Force Academy) and Denim Edwards '22 (United States Naval Academy). These exemplary Explorers will serve our country proud!

We thank Mr. Raymond Estefania who gave a presentation to our students on the dangers of vaping.  Mr. Estafania is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Certified Addiction and Intervention Professional who provides evaluations, drug and alcohol counseling, general psychotherapy, therapeutic and educational consulting, intervention/placement services to adolescents, adults and families.

Blessed Sacrament Exposed in the Chapel on Wednesdays
Deacon Dugard will expose the Blessed Sacrament in the Genevieve Abraham Chapel on the remaining Wednesdays of Lent. This is a wonderful opportunity to briefly disconnect in peace and silence, to pray for our intentions, for the needs of others, and to thank God for our blessings.    

Upcoming March Events to Remember:
3/7:           4^th Quarter Begins
3/13:         Father and Son Mass & Breakfast
w/o 3/14:  Spring Spirit Week
3/16:         Battle of the Sexes(7:00pm, Gym)
3/25:        Freshman/Sophomore Dance (7pm, Doublet Tree Hilton)
3/30:        Columbus Connects Leadership Lecture w/ John Lynskey (6:00pm, Cafeteria)