FIU and Nicklaus Health System leaders exchanged pins during a ceremony following the approval of a strategic affiliation to create the region's only pediatric academic hospital
Nicklaus Children’s Health System and Florida International University, through its Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, announced a strategic affiliation to create the region’s only pediatric academic hospital that will enhance expert pediatric medicine in South Florida and beyond. This collaboration will expand physician training, research, and patient care, improving the health of children in South Florida and beyond.
“Nicklaus and FIU have had a long-standing relationship in training our medical students. Now, we will work together to improve access and quality of care for the children in our community and those from outside communities who travel here for life-saving care,” said Dr. Juan C. Cendan, College of Medicine dean and senior vice president for health affairs.
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, South Florida’s only specialty licensed children’s hospital, will become the exclusive pediatric teaching hospital for FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, and members of the Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists, the health system’s medical group practice, will be eligible to serve as faculty in the college’s Department of Pediatrics.
Together, the two cornerstone institutions will enhance pediatric education for medical students, increase the number of physicians by expanding graduate medical education programs like residencies and fellowships, and help attract highly specialized physicians who will lead groundbreaking research to treat and cure childhood illnesses.
“As the only specialty licensed children’s hospital and the leading pediatric health system in the region, families seek our expert care for the most complex medical conditions,” said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “Nicklaus Children’s is home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeast United States. Together with FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, we will continue to help address the expected nationwide physician shortage. This affiliation represents our joint commitment to continue investing and elevating pediatric healthcare to the benefit of the children and families we serve not only here in South Florida, but across our great state and nation by ensuring they will continue to have access to the best doctors, treatments and care available.”
The collaboration between FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and Nicklaus Children’s will help address the anticipated nationwide pediatric physician shortage of nearly 13,000 doctors by 2037, by encouraging medical students to pursue careers in pediatrics, training the next generation of pediatricians, and recruiting world-class experts to live and practice in South Florida.
A master affiliation agreement between the two organizations will be finalized in a few weeks.
Videos and images related to today’s announcement are available for download here.
FanDuel Sports Network to broadcast five Marlins’ Spring Training games;
Marlins Radio Network to broadcast 28 games, including Spring Breakout on March 14, across 940 AM WINZ and MLB.com;
Radio Mambí 710 AM WAQI to air 10 games, beginning with Grapefruit League opener on February 22
The Miami Marlins today announced the club’s broadcast schedule for Spring Training games, beginning with their Grapefruit League opener on Saturday, February 22 against the St. Louis Cardinals at 1:10 p.m. ET.
FanDuel Sports Network will air a total of five games: two stand-alone broadcasts on March 17 against the New York Mets and March 20 against the Houston Astros, and three shared broadcasts with the St. Louis Cardinals on March 11, March 16, and March 18.
The Marlins’ English-language flagship station, FOX Sports 940 AM Miami, will broadcast audio from 15 of the club’s 30 Spring Training games, while an additional 12 games, including the Spring Breakout, can be found exclusively on the MLB App. Fans can tune into the Spanish radio broadcast on Radio Mambí 710 AM WAQI or on the MLB App for 10 Grapefruit League games. The Marlins’ exhibition matchup vs. the New York Yankees on Tuesday, March 25 at loanDepot park can be heard on FOX Sports 940 AM Miami and Radio Mambí 710 AM WAQI.
FanDuel Sports Network is the exclusive local TV and streaming home of the Marlins, with Kyle Sielaff beginning his first season as play-by-play announcer after spending the past 12 campaigns with the Marlins Radio Network. FOX Sports 940 AM Miami will feature Jack McMullen, who marks his debut campaign as the lead play-by-play voice of Marlins Radio Network after working for three years on the radio broadcast of Triple-A Indiana of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After the conclusion of the exhibition game schedule, the Marlins will host the Pittsburgh Pirates for 2025 Opening Day at loanDepot park on Thursday, March 27, at 4:10 p.m. Fans can secure their tickets today at Marlins.com/Tickets
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For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com
This March, the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center presents the Twyla Tharp Dance 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee, celebrating six decades of groundbreaking work by legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp. The show will take place on Saturday, March 1, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 2, at 3 p.m. Tickets are available here.
Audiences around the world have long admired Tharp’s uncanny ability to interpret music through her choreography. Each variation in Tharp’s interpretation is distinct in mood and texture, demonstrating her unparalleled range as a choreographer and her deep understanding of musical structure.
As the first and only choreographer to take on the complex “Diabelli Variations,” a sophisticated exploration of Beethoven’s work, Tharp masterfully blends ballet, jazz, modern dance, and subtle inflections of street and social dance to bring out the nuanced elegance and wit of Beethoven’s composition.
Tharp presents “Diabelli Variations” alongside brand-new choreography, set to Philip Glass’s “Aguas da Amazonia.” Collaborating with members of Third Coast Percussion, who arranged and recorded the piece using custom-designed percussion instruments, Tharp creates a visually and sonically immersive experience.
The interplay between Glass’s rhythmic complexity and Tharp’s interpretive choreography promises a dynamic performance that evokes the vitality and movement of water and highlights Tharp’s continual innovation in contemporary dance. Glass’s arrangement was commissioned with support from Modlin Center for the Arts, the University of Richmond, the Zell Family Foundation, the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation, the Julian Family Foundation, and Steph and Daniel Heffner.
Twyla Tharp is among the most celebrated and influential choreographers of the 20th and 21st centuries. With a career spanning 60 years, her body of work encompasses everything from ballet and jazz to modern and social dance, frequently transcending genres and showcasing her innovative approach to movement. Tharp’s contributions have expanded the language of dance and impacted broader cultural discourse. The Diamond Jubilee tour began in January 2025 with a near-sold-out performance in Minneapolis.
Twyla Tharp Dance 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee is recommended for ages 11 and above. Tickets range from $25 to $67.50. Tickets can be purchased by visiting MossCenter.org, through the Moss Center Box Office in person, or by calling (786) 573-5300.
About The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center
The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, informally known as “The Moss Center,” is managed by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, with funding support from the Office of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. The Center is dedicated to presenting and supporting arts and culture and providing access to the arts to the entire Miami-Dade County community. More information about the Center and its programs can be found at www.MossCenter.org.
It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The facility is accessible and assistive listening devices are available in the Main Stage Auditorium and the Black Box Theater space. To request materials in accessible format, and/or any accommodation to attend an event at The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, please contact Stephanie Aponte, 786-573-5314, saponte@miamidade.gov, at least five days in advance to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).
About Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council develop cultural excellence, diversity, access and participation throughout Miami-Dade County by strategically creating and promoting equitable opportunities for artists and cultural organizations, and our residents and visitors who are their audiences. The Department receives funding through the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, The Children’s Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of Florida through the Florida Department of State, Florida Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Peacock Foundation, Inc. and The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation at The Miami Foundation. Other support and services are provided by TicketWeb for the Culture Shock Miami program, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the South Florida Cultural Consortium and the Tourist Development Council. For more information visit www.miamidadearts.org.
It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The facility is accessible and assistive listening devices are available in the Main Stage Auditorium and the Black Box Theatre space. To request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, CART, and/or any accommodation to attend an event at Miami-Dade County Auditorium, please contact the Auditorium at MDCA@miamidade.gov or call (305) 547-5414 , at least (5) five days in advance to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service.)
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com
Miami is not only popular for its picturesque views and electric nightlife, but it’s also renowned for its exhilarating deep sea fishing adventures. Miami deep sea fishing offers not only the excitement of the chase but also the thrill of the catch. At Therapy-IV, we’ve seen lucky anglers reel in some truly stunning catches.
Here are our top 5 most sought-after deep sea catches in Miami’s warm and wondrous waters:
Sailfish: Commonly acknowledged as the fastest fish in the ocean, catching a Sailfish is an adrenaline-pumping experience. With their high jumps and tremendous speed, they’re a challenging and prized catch.
Mahi-Mahi: Also known as Dolphin Fish, Mahi-Mahi are both beautiful and abundantly present in Miami’s deep sea waters. Their bright colors make them easy to spot, and their fierce fight makes them a coveted catch.
Blue Marlin: These indigo-blue beauties are deemed the Mount Everest for sport fishing enthusiasts due to their immense size and vigor.
Kingfish: These fish can reach impressive sizes and provide a challenging fight, making for an exciting deep sea fishing experience.
Wahoo: Known for their high-speed runs and aggressive fights, catching a Wahoo can give any angler a remarkable angling adventure.
Miami deep sea fishing can provide you a lifetime worth of memories, especially if you come prepared to wrestle with these diverse and magnificent creatures. Join us at Therapy-IV, where we dedicate ourselves to providing a superior deep sea fishing adventure. We look forward to helping you reel in the catch of your dreams.
This article is sponsored by Therapy-IV, proudly serving the Miami area for more than 45 years, we’ve perfected the art of unforgettable deep sea fishing experiences for both seasoned and novice anglers. For more information or to book a Miami deep sea fishing experience, visit therapy4.com or call 305.945.1578.
Miami Community Newspapers is your go-to source for Miami community news, offering daily updates, podcasts, and multimedia content. Covering local events, business updates, and lifestyle features across Miami-Dade County, our family-owned media company publishes a variety of neighborhood publications both online and in print. Explore Miami’s culture through our exclusive community podcasts, magazines, and newsletters.
For more shows, go to: www.communitynewspapers.com
ABOUT US:
Miami Community Newspapers is your go-to source for Miami community news, offering daily updates, podcasts, and multimedia content. Covering local events, business updates, and lifestyle features across Miami-Dade County, our family-owned media company publishes a variety of neighborhood publications both online and in print. Explore Miami’s culture through our exclusive community podcasts, magazines, and newsletters.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Miami Beach Marina, the fifth annualYamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament of Champions made waves from January 30 – February 1, welcoming championship fishing teams from across the country for two days of elite sportfishing, continuing the legacy of the Miami Billfish elite namesake. Proudly hosted in collaboration with the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, this exclusive, invite-only, catch-and-release tournament was an elite weekend of high stakes sportfishing hosted at the Miami Beach Marina.
Following an action-packed tournament, Fort Lauderdale’s Livy Rose emerged as the champion, securing the coveted Championship Cup, $149k of the $255,000 cash prize, and the prestigious Tournament of Champions Garmin Marine watches.
In addition to high-stakes competition, the tournament delivered an unparalleled weekend of VIP experiences, blending elite sportfishing with a showcase of Miami Beach’s featured culinary establishments, including Joe’s Stone Crabs, Lobster Shack, Pizza Bar, along with a Rusty Pelican pop-up where their team of executive chefs sliced up tomahawks and more for the tournament’s coined slipside service directly to the team’s boats all weekend long. Each evening, teams gathered at the Miami Beach Marina for dockside celebrations and ‘A TASTE OF MIAMI BEACH’ hosted by Papas Pilar, with the awards night hosted by GED Lawyers.
Furthering its impact beyond the water, this year’s tournament welcomed a new charitable partner onboard. With the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund (MHCF) named as the tournament’s official beneficiary, two championship organizations came together, Coach Jimmy Johnson’s team at Fish Hard Events and JJFISHWEEK and the Miami HEAT, curating a weekend of added fun and philanthropy with new optional calcuttas, a pre-fish charity day with teams competing against Miami Heat Associate Head Coach, Chris Quinn, and additional entry options were introduced—all designed to support the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund’s South Florida community programs. Through these efforts, the tournament raised $25,000 for its charitable partners, to include the Miami Billfish Foundation’s conservation efforts, reinforcing the tournament’s commitment to both the sport and giving back.
1 of 8
Sea Q, Contender, Garmin, Yahama
Sea Q, Yahama, Contender
Gifting, Captains Meeting
HEAT, Executive Decision
HEAT, Vitamin Sea
Organized by Fish Hard Events, the team behind Jimmy Johnson’s Championship Fishing Weeks in South Florida and Atlantic City, the Miami Billfish Tournament of Champions serves as the official kick-off to Fish Hard’s 2025 competitive sportfishing season. To qualify, teams must have won $50,000 or more in one of Jimmy Johnson ‘Quest for the Ring’ tournaments or placed in the top three in previous seasons, making this event a true championship showdown.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT & RESULTS:
Designed only for the elite in sportfishing, this catch-and-release tournament is a sailfish catch-and-release only tournament as part of the Fish Hard series. Winners were determined by the number of successful releases, with tiebreakers decided by the time of call-in. The tournament awarded top three placements, daily winners, a daily Game Ball MVP winner prize, a winner-take-all category, and new MCHF Charity Calcutta
First Place – Livy Rose of Fort Lauderdale with 13 releases overall, securing the coveted Championship Cup aboard the smallest boat in the fleet. Owner Marty Ged of GED Lawyers assembled the winning crew led by Captain Jack Forsythe with anglers Nick Gadient, Chris Ged, Coop Schnieder, Eric Po, and Jaime Williams. In addition to securing first place overall, Livy Rose also secured first in the MVP Day 1 Daily, the Charity Calcutta, and the MYCO Trailers All Star Optional Calcutta, resulting in an impressive total prize of $145,000.
Livy Rose
Second Place – Liquidated of Lighthouse Point with a commendable 10 releases. Owned by Patrick Wieland and captained by Danny Clinton, team Liquidated included anglers Victoria Beaudoin, Travis Claire, Eric Harvey, Nate Miller, Chandler Myles, Sean Weech, Eddie Wheeler, and Trey Wheeler. In addition to securing second place overall, Liquidated also secured second place in the MYCO Trailer All Start Optional Calcutta, resulting in a total prize of $60,750.
Liquidated
Third Place – Carolina Reel Men of North Carolina with a notable 9 releases overall and $27,000 in prize money. Owned by Steve and Nancy McLaughlin, the team included Captain Sean Odonnel and anglers Jonathan Bickett, Jimmy Hendrix, Ramiro Hidalgo-Gato, Doug Mientkiewicz, Brandon Simons, and Scott Stoky.
Carolina Reel Men
MVP Day 2 Winner – Critical Path of Fort Lauderdale with 5 releases for a total of $18,000. The team aboard the 68-ft Viking owned by Chip Derrer, Alex Avila, and John Sherer included Captain Brett Peeples and anglers Victor Paneda, Daniel Miers, Chris Galarraga, and Chip Derrer III.
Critical Path
A special shout-out to tournament sponsors who helped elevate the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament of Champions into a world-class event. This year’s tournament sponsors include Title Sponsors: Contender Boats, the official center console boat sponsor; Yamaha, the official outboard sponsor; Presenting Sponsor Papa’s Pilar, the official spirits partner; Hosting Sponsors: Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, Miami Dade Tourism Development Council, Hilton Bentley Miami Beach, GED Lawyers, and Michelob Ultra; Corporate Partners: Garmin Marine, MYCO Trailers; Big Dog Tackle, Slicker Beaut, and Crook and Crook of Miami; Fisher’s Island Lemonade, Titos Vodka, and Engle Coolers, Official Tournament Artist and Apparel provider, D. Friel Connected by Water; Charitable Partners: Miami Heat Charitable Fund and Miami Billfish Foundation. This year’s Radio Room was hosted by Network Innovations and CatchStat Live Scoring is hosted by Garmin Marine.
For a comprehensive list of additional event sponsors and final payouts, please visit the event website: https://champions.catchstat.com.
The team at Fish Hard Events now turn its attention to the Annual Jimmy Johnson’s “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week (JJFISHWEEK) , returning March 4-8, 2025. This highly anticipated tournament is proudly presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood in partnership with Visit Lauderdale. Leg #3 of the series is when they head north for the summer series for the Jimmy Johnson’s Atlantic City “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week (JJFISHWEEKAC), taking place July 13-19, 2025, with weigh in options and nightly hospitality available in Atlantic City, NJ and Ocean City, MD, and the major events taking place in partnership with the Atlantic City Sports Commission, Golden Nugget Atlantic City, and Hard Rock Atlantic City.
For up-to-date tournament information, follow @FishHardEvents on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for up-to-date tournament information or visit www.jjfishweek.com .
Top Team Photos and Tournament Photos Download Here.
About Miami Billfish Tournament of Champions
The Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament of Champions, managed by Fish Hard Events, features 1 Championship at stake annually for 3 days in South Florida. The tournament features the 2-day history making Catch & Release billfish championship for an invite only VIP Kick off to South Florida’s sailfish season. A highlight of the billfish tournament season, this weekend of events has a little taste for everyone as top anglers from around the country qualify to enjoy this unique tournament at the beautiful Miami Beach Marina. For more information, visit www.questfortheringfl.com/tournamentofchampions or email us at info@fishhardevents.com. Follow us online @FishHardEvents on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
About FISH HARD EVENTS
Fish Hard Events annually hosts a series of fishing tournaments throughout the year with Coach Jimmy Johnson for Jimmy Johnson’s Championship Fishing Week (JJFISHWEEK) and the culmination is this project, the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament of Champions (TOC), which takes place in Miami Beach as a celebration of the best of the best teams, the celebrities of the sportfishing, who come together to compete for a high stakes tournament weekend. Coach Jimmy Johnson’s Championship Fishing Week has (2) legs, (1) takes place annually in March across South Florida, where teams come from around the country to fish from Ocean Reef in Key Largo, Fl to Palm Beach and celebrate at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino throughout the week, with a $1Mill Guaranteed purse and up to $2Mill est payout annually, and (1) in July, which takes place in Atlantic City, NJ and attracts teams from across the east coast to join in Atlantic City to compete, which another est $2Mill plus up for grabs. February’s Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament of Champions is the culmination of the hard work these teams put on annually and brings together the leading teams in sportfishing for a VIP Kick off to South Florida Sailfish season with a weekend of luxury entertainment from local partners and high stakes sportfishing with teams from across the country, hosting a purse of est. $300,000-$400,000 and three days of intense tournament fishing and hospitality events taking place at Miami Beach Marina. Teams that generate a certain amount of dollars throughout the competitive season throughout a variety of different tournaments in the country are invited to join. More information can be found at www.fishhardevents.com or on social @fishhardevents @jjfishweek or @jjfishweekac .
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For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com
BeStrong Intl. Host Michelle Shirley talks with Jason Shirley, Husband, about Valentine’s Day and more!
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ABOUT US:
Miami Community Newspapers is your go-to source for Miami community news, offering daily updates, podcasts, and multimedia content. Covering local events, business updates, and lifestyle features across Miami-Dade County, our family-owned media company publishes a variety of neighborhood publications both online and in print. Explore Miami’s culture through our exclusive community podcasts, magazines, and newsletters.
Grant Miller attends the Greater Miami Hotels and the Beaches Association’s Monthly Meeting
ABOUT US:
Miami Community Newspapers is your go-to source for Miami community news, offering daily updates, podcasts, and multimedia content. Covering local events, business updates, and lifestyle features across Miami-Dade County, our family-owned media company publishes a variety of neighborhood publications both online and in print. Explore Miami’s culture through our exclusive community podcasts, magazines, and newsletters.
Westminster Christan School senior Giovanna Khoury has been playing travel softball for more than ten years on competitive teams. She’s been selected and competed in national tournaments.
“I went to Puerto Rico to play for a selected team over Thanksgiving break,” she says.
Khoury has also been named to the All Miami-Dade First Team Softball team twice and she has been nominated twice for Female Athlete of the Year. She may be in the running for the Miami Herald Student Athlete Award as well.
This is her second year as team captain for the Warrior’s softball team and her fourth year on the varsity.
“I’ve played every position beside pitching,” she says. “Currently, I’m a third baseman.”
She’s played short stop here and there, depending on what the coaches need.
“It used to change from year to year,” she says. “It was a good thing for me. But it helped my team. I used to play second base, but because my coach knew where I could play, I was put on third base. And if we didn’t have a catcher I played catch.”
Colleges have been interested in her because she can play so many positions. She’s been recruited by a variety of colleges and even received an offer from a Division I school but that college didn’t have her major.
She’s also been recruited by MIT but in order to accept a scholarship offer from MIT, she must be accepted academically first.
Khoury plans to major in biomedical engineering. Other schools she’s applied to include the University of Texas at Austin, Georgia Tech and the University of Michigan. She has already been accepted to Texas A & M.
She says she’s super passionate about solving problems with practical solutions.
“Engineers are the reason why things come to life,” she says. “They make it possible. I think it’s the field for me.”
She’s applied to colleges which have internship opportunities.
“I’m looking at cancer or rehabilitation engineering,” she says.
If biomedical engineering doesn’t work out, she’s also interested in chemical engineering.
“A lot of times they do overlap,” she says.
Khoury is a well-rounded student, exceling in academics as well as athletics. She also has a strong commitment to community service. She started a Make-A-Wish Club at Westminster.
She’s putting on a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish that started in mid-October and runs until it reaches its goal.
“We are trying to help fund a full wish in South Florida which is $2500,” she says.
She’s been involved with Make-A-Wish for a long time because her mom was an active volunteer.
“When I was around 10-years old, I would help fundraise with my mom,” she says. “We would go to a Wal Mart and set up a booth. She thought it was important to help the community. Every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with a critical illness.”
Khoury is also a member of Model United Nations and Prayer Warriors. She’s also a member of the Junior Orange Bowl Club, co-president of the National English Honor Society, president of Mu Alpha Theta and president of the National Honor Society. She’s on the board for the National Science Honor Society, a member of Rho Kappa and a member of the World Languages Honor Society.
She is also a vice president of HOSA.
“I have competed in competitions, and I have received recognition from our state senator,” she says.
The competition was Medical Math. She had to take an exam that reviewed her knowledge about math and the medical and health field.
Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
Until recently, Westminster Christian School senior Gabriela Baez co-chaired the Abuelos Foundation Club at school. The Abuelos Foundation is an organization that helps the elderly with monthly grocery deliveries and other services.
“You get an address and phone number of someone who is older, and you drop off a bag of groceries,” she says. “They give a list of all the things to buy and bring it in a really big tote bag. You spend your own money.”
The deliveries consist of canned goods, rice, and certain seasonings.
“We usually write a little note inside the bag, just to make it feel a little more personal,” she says.
Her deliveries were usually made in the Cutler Bay area. She received her assignments through a What’s App group.
“I became involved because my friend was close with the foundation and she asked me if I wanted to be involved,” she says.
She started in her sophomore year and spent more time volunteering her junior year.
Sometimes, the teens would go to the Smathers Apartments to hand out flyers for parties sponsored by the foundation or give out Christmas ornaments and cookies. She says the seniors would ask them to come in for coffee and a chat. They would speak to the seniors in Spanish and English.
“Some are really open to talking,” she says. “We went to this apartment complex for elderly people and gave out flyers for a party. These two abuelas invited to us their apartment and gave us coffee. They talked to us.”
Baez’s father was a professional baseball player in Cuba who defected when the team went to Canada. He made his way to the U.S. and pitched in the majors for the Phillies, the Orioles, the Dodgers, Tampa, the Guardians and the Braves.
At school, Baez is a cheerleader, which takes up a lot of her free time.
“I’m a varsity cheer captain this year,” she says. “I’ve been varsity cheer team since freshman year. I’ve been cheering since I was little but just in clubs.”
This is a rebuilding year for the cheer squad with the introduction of new coaches for the program.
“We’re going to start a competition team, but we haven’t yet,” she says. “Now we are at games and pep rallies, and school events.”
This year, Baez is in student leadership. She’s also a member of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, Rho Kappa and the World Languages Honor Society.
She is in the Approaches to Leadership class. Students in that class set up the school’s weekly chapels.
“We communicate with the speakers and brainstorm to increase student engagement,” she says.
High school students are still being affected by the COVID pandemic and the changes it brought with the pause in so many activities and school.
“Everything is just so different now,” she says. “We went from a whole year-and-a-half at home in our rooms to being around 600 kids all the time. We were on our phones and laptops for so long, just to get back to engaging one-on-one has been tough.”
Her proposed major on her college applications is mainly in the business-related realm, including marketing. She’s already been accepted to Florida State University, TCU, SMU, High Point University, Wake Forest and Vanderbilt. She’s waiting to hear from the University of Miami and some others.
Baez volunteers in the summer with little kids at the various summer camps held at Westminster including Cheer Camp, the Arts and Science Camp and the Fun Camp.
Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld
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For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
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The interplay between Glass’s rhythmic complexity and Tharp’s interpretive choreography promises a dynamic performance that evokes the vitality and movement of water and highlights Tharp’s continual innovation in contemporary dance. Glass’s arrangement was commissioned with support from Modlin Center for the Arts, the University of Richmond, the Zell Family Foundation, the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation, the Julian Family Foundation, and Steph and Daniel Heffner.
