DCS Student Council Paves the Way

Clockwise from top: Student Council Vice President Brock Stephenson '16 and President Isabel Oliva '16 strive to make a positive impact through fundraising, clubs, and on-campus activities; Alyssa Martinez '16 and Hannah Alvarado '18 chat with Oceanography Club President Jonathan Terzado '18  

For the first time in several years, the presence of a Student Council Association, led by President Isabel Oliva and Vice President Brock Stephenson, has returned to the DCS campus. Its mission is to build leaders within our school community and ultimately, instill a sense of pride and responsibility in our identity as Crusaders. In the few months since its commencement, Student Council has organized the Homecoming Week festivities, hosted various fundraisers, and introduced 7 new clubs during Wednesday's mini fair, including: 

• Cooking Club
• Engineering & Robotics Club
• Key Club
• Oceanography Club
• Travel Club
• Mentor Club, and 
• The Cru Pep Club

From an athletic and fine arts standpoint, there has never been a shortage of co-curricular and extracurricular activities at DCS; however, the student body's overwhelming response toward these new clubs was exciting to behold.

 "Our goal, beginning in January, is to add activities that will encourage student involvement, promote unity, and facilitate community outreach opportunities," said Isabel. One of the ways in which Student Council plans to achieve those goals is through the organization of a Spiritual Emphasis week.

We look forward to seeing how these clubs progress, and how the Student Council members will continue to pave the way for future leaders. 

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Student Council is comprised of elected members from each high school grade level (President & Vice President):
12th grade: Jesse Cabauy & Andy Marquez
11th grade: Missy Cruz-Bustamante
10th grade: Juliet Hassan & Amanda Acevedo
9th grade: Sarah Hassan & Samantha Gonzalez

Elections for the 2016-2017 school year will be held in the Spring. To learn how you can get involved, please contact the Student Council Head Sponsor, Rhonda McNeal, at 305-827-8700 or rmcneal@dadechristian.org. 

DCS 7th Graders Recognized by Duke University's Talent Identification Program

7th Graders Kayla Torres and Miguel Taveras

For the past 35 years, Duke University's Talent Identification Program, or Duke TIP, has identified bright seventh graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. The following DCS students participated this year: Katherine De Pani, Leila Medina, Miguel Tavares and Kayla Torres. Both Miguel and Kayla qualified for state recognition by scoring approximately at or above the national average of recent high school graduates on at least one part of the ACT or SAT. On Tuesday, May 5, Kayla and Miguel along with their families attended a special recognition ceremony held at Florida Atlantic University. 

Duke TIP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented students. The program works with students, their families, and educators to identify, recognize, challenge, engage, and help students reach their highest potential. Candidates are invited to take the ACT or the SAT college entrance exams as seventh graders, which allows them greater insight into their academic abilities. In addition, they gain valuable benefits and have access to unique resources for gifted students.

One of the many opportunities available to candidates is the Summer Residential Programs, which are held on college campuses and in field study locations around the world. These programs offer advanced level courses in challenging and inspiring settings. This summer, Miguel will be attending the residential program at Rollins College. Kayla will be attending the residential program during the summer of 2016.

We would like to congratulate Kayla, Miguel, and all of the 7th grade participants for their efforts and wish them continued success. 

2015 Duke TIP Recognition Ceremony

DCS Students Named Best of Miami-Dade

Ivan Arenas - Varsity Soccer

Jared Johnson - Varsity Football

Each season, the Miami Herald recognizes the best athletes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Congratulations to DCS junior, Ivan Arenas, and senior, Jared Johnson, who earned the distinct honor of being part of the All-Dade teams! Go Crusaders!

All-County Noteworthy Achievements

Soccer | Second Team: Defender Abigail Clanton; Honorable Mentions: Phillip Edwards, Nicholas Ducheine, Timothy McIntosh, Aaron Garcia, and Jordan Wilson

Basketball | Honorable Mentions: Brock Stephenson, DeWayne Terry, and Iverson Williams

Football | Second Team Defense: Malik Wisdom; Third Team Offense: Michael Perera; Third Team Defense: Jose Valdivia; Honorable Mentions: Timothy McIntosh, Calvin Hart, DeWayne Terry, and Blake Janvion

Please join us in congratulating our students on their many achievements!  

Extraordinary Student Hannah Alvarado

Please join us in recognizing ninth grader Hannah Alvarado as DCS's most recent Extraordinary Student honoree. Hannah is a gifted artist who has called DCS home since she began 12 years ago in 3K. This special young lady balances a busy school schedule including, three honors classes, as well as extracurricular activities including, volleyball, soccer and tennis.  Art, she says, is her creative outlet. "Mr. Adams is a great teacher. He encourages good work and hearing his approval makes me proud of myself," said Alvarado. 

Hannah, who would like to study sports medicine, feels the skills she has acquired in art class will benefit her when she begins her post-secondary studies. "Taking art has given me a new perspective. I feel more creative now, and from an artistic standpoint, I can better  visualize the muscular system and how it connects."

In addition to being an excellent student, what makes Hannah truly extraordinary is her Christian character. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Hannah quickly notices the sweet spirit she exudes. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Hannah regularly volunteers with the Children's and Youth Ministries at NTBC. She is a beautiful representative of Christ and our school.

Dade Christian Students Take Part in UM's Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day

Katrina Alonso, Alysha Medina, Gianna Rodriguez and Cassie Chacon creating a sturdy and long bridge design using K’NEX pieces.

On February 26, fifteen young ladies from grades 9-11 were selected to participate in the University of Miami's Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. The girls, who were nominated by their teachers, have excelled in the subjects of math and science and demonstrated an interest in pursuing a degree in engineering. Accompanied by secondary teacher, Miss Samantha Carrillo, the day began at the institution’s Student Activities Center where the attendees received an introduction to engineering and an overview of UM’s program. 

Ana Kato and Emily Gonzalez with their K'NEX bridge creation.

“Visiting colleges as a high school student motivates you to do better in school,” said Emily Gonzalez, 9th grade. While most students her age are still adjusting to the academic demands of high school, Emily already knows where and what she wants to study. “During the summer before my freshmen year, I interned at the University of Miami and learned to program in Java C++, a coding language,” said Gonzalez. “There, I got acquainted with a girl who attends Stanford [University]. That’s where I want to go to study computer engineering.” Emily truly enjoyed being part of Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and hearing from women engineers who have experienced success in their field.

The students, who were divided into groups based on their engineering interests, met with UM professors and participated in labs. In the civil engineering lab, the girls were assigned the same project incoming freshmen at UM complete – they had 30 minutes to create a bridge that can sustain 5 lbs. of weight using only K’NEX pieces. Other stations included circuit board creations, environmental water filters, as well as various experiments demonstrating the different sciences utilized by engineers. 

Fellow 9th grader, Gianna Rodriguez enjoyed learning about the biomedical engineering field and networking with girls from other schools who share her passion for science. “It was a nice experience, it really broadened my perspective on what engineering actually is,” said Rodriguez. “During winter break I interned at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center under renowned doctors. I got to participate in research, look at cancer cells under a microscope and classify them. I’m definitely thinking about [a degree in] biomedical engineering.”

From beginning to end, the entire day was filled with positive messages of encouragement and female empowerment. As stated in a recent University of Miami News Release, “’Engineering is still a male-dominated field,’ said UM biomedical engineering major Stacie Arechavala, who, as the high school outreach coordinator for the UM chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, organized Thursday’s event. ‘We’re helping these girls learn about a fascinating field that can positively affect lives and change the world.’”

Left to right: Hannah Alvardo, Alysha Medina, Ana Kato, Katrina Alonso, Juliet Hassan, Hailey Gonzalez, Gianna Rodriguez, Emily Gonzalez, Celine Wong, Christine Alvarez, Cassie Chacon, Gabriella Fondeur, Sofia Gomez and Amanda Acevedo.

Congratulations to our Silver Knight Nominees!

In 1959, the Miami Herald sought out to recognize students in different categories based on scholastic achievement and community service. The Silver Knight Awards recognizes outstanding high school seniors in Miami Dade and Broward Counties. This year, Dade Christian has worked diligently with the applicants to submit their portfolios. Please join us in congratulating the above mentioned students and lifting them up in prayer as they continue on to the Interview Round, April 8, 2015.

Please visit http://www.miamiherald.com/site-services/miami-herald-events/silver-knight/article1930303.html for more information regarding the award category descriptions.

Extraordinary Students Tianna Palmer & Lucas Larvenz

Join us in congratulating two remarkable students, Tianna Palmer, 12th grade, and Lucas Larvenz, 11th grade, who received the special distinction of performing at the prestigious University of Miami Frost Honor Band Festival in the highest caliber honor band groups! On February 14, these students played under world-renowned conductors alongside the most talented band students in South Florida, earning them the title of this week's extraordinary students.

Tianna has been a member of the Dade Christian School band for 7 years, and admits it has been a challenge to get to where she is now. Coming from a family with no musical background, Tianna discovered a passion for music she never knew she had while taking band in the fifth grade.  During the summer before her freshman year of high school, Tianna was invited to perform with Voyageurs International, a Colorado-based company organized to take American students and their musical talents to audiences abroad. She spent two and a half weeks touring Europe performing with other Music Ambassadors in France, England, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Tianna has also been invited to play with the South Florida Youth Symphony, District Honor Band, and now, the UM Honor Band. “Music has taught me to never stop doing what I love and to never give up on my dreams. If you have a passion for something, don’t ever let anyone tell you, you can’t do it or you’ll never make it. Do what you love to do best!” Tianna hopes to continue her musical studies in college, whether at Florida International University or Liberty University. In the future, Tianna envisions herself being part of an orchestra and composing music. This gifted young musician has already composed her first piano ballad and is currently working on a woodwind piece.

Similar to Tianna, Lucas began playing the trumpet in the fifth grade. When asked how he decided on that particular instrument, he stated, “The trumpet always has the main parts, and I knew I wanted to play something you would hear.”  Never having been one to blend in, Lucas knew from an early age he was interested in music. “My dad plays a bunch of instruments and the piano professionally. I always knew I wanted to play, but having to take Fine Arts in elementary was a great opportunity for me.” Lucas has spent the past 6 years polishing his skills which have earned him multiple Superior ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association Solo & Ensemble, as well as several invitations to play with the District Honor Band these past three years. Now in his junior year of high school, Lucas is considering colleges with the hopes of receiving a music scholarship and joining the college band. Ultimately, Lucas would love to be a part of a film orchestra that records motion picture scores. During the time he recently spent at the University of Miami, Lucas was able to tour the Frost School of Music. “They have a whole music campus. It was huge! [UM] has a great music program and it’s really competitive.”

It is amazing to witness how an elementary class requirement has brought out the God-given gifts and abilities these students have within them and enabled them to blossom into talented musicians. The arts are a critical component of any school’s structure, and Dade Christian is proud to boast award winning Band and Choir programs made up of talented individuals like Tianna and Lucas.