At a time when racial tension among students at American High School boiled over, Jimmie Parrot stepped into the fray and eased the dissension by employing disciplinary actions and encouraging students to get along with their counterparts. He bridged the gap between hostility and understanding so much that white, black and Latino students called him Papa Smurf, referring to the 1980s cartoon featuring a small elf-like character...

  Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School’s varsity girls basketball team finished their season undefeated and captured the All Catholic Conference North Division championship. With a record of 8-0, the team, under the direction of coach Eddy Fleitas, had a tremendous turnaround from being 0-8 last season. “The team really came together, played hard, and most importantly, did not quit,” said OLL athletic director German...

  This past season, Barbara Goleman High School’s girls’ bowling team won the District Championship against Ronald Reagan Senior High for the second year running and finished 30th among the 192 teams that competed in the FHSAA State Championship Tournament. The tournament was held in Orlando on November 9 and 10.  Individually, Barbara Goleman’s Catherine Gutierrez finished in first place in the District with a...

  Boys and girls can register for the Miami Lakes Optimist Club’s 2014 baseball and softball season on three consecutive Saturdays, starting January 4 and continuing on January 11 and 18. The registration will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Miami Lakes Middle School, 6425 Miami Lakeway North. Registration fee is $140 and participants must bring copies of their birth certificates. Opening night is scheduled at 6 p.m. on...

  Looking to get fit in the New Year! Then look to Miami Lakes Congregational Church to “Enhance Fitness.” This is a group exercise class led by a certified instructor that improves balance, flexibility, bone density, endurance, coordination, mental sharpness and reduces the risk of falling. The group is for persons aged 55 years and older. Class times are Monday and Thursday from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., and Friday from 10:45 to...