Miami Lakes Educational Center students in the Journalism strand embarked on a senior project that embodies the skills gained throughout four years of learning, and create the opportunity for students to continue growing as they compile a portfolio on their journey to create an original project.
The students presented their Capstone projects in front of an esteemed panel of judges including Sergio Bustes, State and Politics Editor and Sunday Editor for The Miami Herald; Irma Negroni, the news department's Chief Writer for Telemundo; Sammy Mack of The Miami Herald and WLRN; Stefani Ferro, a Public Insight Network Analyst for The Miami Herald and previously a Digital News Reporter for National Public Radio in Washington D.C.; Adrianne Richardson, School Scene Reporter for The Miami Herald and Jose Otero from Herff Jones.
Recently recognized students Flavia Cuervo and Krisna Maddy were part of the presenting teams. All the Capstone presentations were based on media and content, keeping to the tune of the journalism strand.
Cuervo and her partner, Daniel Deleon, introduced Vidri, a cultural and socially aware magazine focusing on Miami scenes and the lives interconnected with it through engaging photography, content, and design.
Maddy and her partner, Jessica Plazas, presented Statera, a women's health magazine centered on finding modern balance as portrayed by the array of wellness and nutrition articles that catch the eye.
Emtanis Shoukry, a self-proclaimed “fixer” of all things technology in the school's journalism and yearbook classes, presented Open Door, a music and lifestyle magazine. Open Door is similar to such titles as Alternative Press and Rolling Stone, though the magazine stands on its own with the defined characteristic of spotlighting local and independent talent in the underground music scene.
Natalia Fernandez revealed Evaris, a magazine that aims to show real bodies, and tell real stories of women, raw and unedited. Fernandez's presentation on the importance of featuring the substance behind the pretty face was a refreshing take in a fashion magazine, one nearly missed due to technical difficulties until former presenter Shoukry jumped up and said “I'll fix it!” to the amusement of the student audience and the judges.
Chloe Baldino's magazine Endurance took an innovative approach to wellness in offering various sporting activities in lieu of exercise to create a wholeness in fulfillment and broadening horizons outside the four walls of the local gym.
Samantha Cardet presented Femme, a magazine “for thinking women” and it does not disappoint. The magazine does not diminish femininity, but inspires confidence and encourages active participation in social topics other than fashion.
Karina Padron presented a documentary on teens titled Dark Circles, Teens: Real Issues, which focused on the darker side of adolescence, intent on diving deeper within the realities that plague students.