Our school's two robotics teams finished in First and Second Place Overall at the 2015 Mini Urban Challenge Autonomous Robotics Competition.  They earned a place among the top 12 robotics teams in the country at the National Finals in Tampa, Florida (only top two teams qualify for finals).  Additionally, Team T++ took the Best Technical Presentation Award.

We just returned from the finals (two weeks turn around between competitions) where team T++ finished in Third Place Overall.  This is the third time in a row we win the State Robotics competition and the second time we take First and Second Place.  We have also been on the podium all three times at the National Finals with one First Place, one Second Place and two Third Place finishes.

The teams won a combined $4,500 in travel grants and prizes as a result of their success.  Please congratulate these dedicated students if you see them.  They worked countless hours, including after school and Saturdays while preparing for this competition. 

Don't forget to check the video of the National Finals.  Our students and their robots are featured.

Team T++ Members:

• Rolando Garcia
• Daniel Rodriguez
• Christian Gomez
• Cristobal Serrano

• Nicolas Montoya
• William Rodriguez
• Ray Cordero

Congratulations to our Cobra Cheerleaders!

They competed in their first competition at Nova University, placing First in their Division as well as receiving the Grand Champions award.

Jennifer Munne

Enelyn Martin

Brenda Sosa-Pedraza

Ana Prado

Laura Koonce

Audrey Aguilera

Yessibel Jimenez

Janasia Ortiz

Francesca Rojas

Melissa Fundora

Khabyl Banks

Gabriela Bardales

 Emily Rodriguez

Emily Gonzalez

Noemi Raymond

Kiana Delgado

Bryanna Vazquez

Patricia Diaz

Zulem Llana

Diana Rodriguez

Brittany Carroll

Alyssa Ramon

Grecia Rodriguez

Jennifer Castillo

Tania Carballo

Jaline Rodriguez

Maritza Lacayo

Jacqueline Pena

Estefania Martinez

Micaela Tomas

Vanessa Arrieta

-Tommy Burke

This year, the College Board placed a call for artists asking current AP Art students to submit artworks dealing with the theme "Challenging all students to own their future".  The student artists were competing to be included in an exhibition housed at the College Board's NY office.

Of the 800+ entries they received, 18 submissions were selected for the exhibition. I would like to proudly announce that and a drawing submitted by senior Adrian Valenzuela will be included in this display. He will receive a $500 stipend.

"“The Flow of Structure” has been selected as one of the 18 winners of the College Board’s Call for Artists! With over 800 submissions received, your piece was identified as being masterfully created and for having an outstanding interpretation of the College Board purpose statement — to challenge all students to own their future. Your original artwork will be displayed proudly at the College Board New York Office for two years as a constant reminder to staff and visitors of the voices and creative expressions of students."

Congratualtions to the following students from the Magent Chorus program. They participated in a very competitive chorus caroling competition last night in Miracle Mile, of which the judges commented that South Miami Sr. High made a historical performance that had not been done in our chorus program for over 28 years.

Congratulations to the following Magnet Fine Art students on their acceptance into the 29th Annual Impressions in Watercolor Exhibition!

• Daniella Coca, gr 12 (Honorable Mention, $25 Merchandise Certificate)
  
• Betty Fonseca, gr 10
• Pedro Mendoza, gr 12 (Merit Award, $75 Merchandise Certificate)
  
• Virginia Perez, gr 12
• Tomas Valdes, gr 11

A pair of honors for Dr. Astuto of the Social Studies Department. First, he has been appointed to the Advisory Board for the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Policy and Citizenship Studies. The Gordon Institute offers educational opportunities in such diverse areas as foreign and domestic policy, national and international security, and diplomacy/international relations. As a member of the Advisory Board Dr. Astuto serves with other professionals from the public and private sectors, other educational programs, and the community at large to improve and support the programs offered by the Institute. Many of these programs provide opportunities and benefits to students in the Miami-Dade County Public School system and particularly to students at South Miami Senior High, where he is a National Board Certified Teacher.

The second, The Florida Council on Economic Education (FCEE) has recognized Dr. Astuto as the second place state-wide winner among high schools in the "Economics 101" category. It is the fourth time he has been honored at a Florida Governor's Awards presentation, including a first place finish in 2010. His project helps students explore how the Consumer Price Index works and gives students a chance to create their own market basket to track inflation.  According to the FCEE the Governors' Awards recognize Florida's most outstanding teachers and their best practices in teaching economic, personal finance, and entrepreneurship principles. The program, in its 35th year, acknowledges the innovation that teachers bring to their classrooms.

Check out the championship ping-pong game from this year's faculty/student tournament.

The following talented art students participated in the Annual Countywide Student Art Exhibition. Below are some selections. Click on the image for a larger view.

• Sheila Delgado
• Carmen Estevez
• Alexandra Estupinan
• Robert Fleitas
• Shaloma Gutierrez
• Katherine Machin
• Estefania Martinez
• Timmalyna Torres
• Emylee Tyson
• Salene Watson

Click below to watch South Miami Senior High's entry into the Fairchild Gardens Challenge, spotlighting the vegetable garden located alongside Cobra Tower.