What a great time to be an Explorer! The month of February and the last three weeks of March have been historic. Whether it is our basketball team winning a third state championship or CCNN winning its 5^th national championship in 10 years, our young men are representing!  What I am most proud of is the compassion we have for one another in our South Florida community. Our Junior Day of Service was a success because of the selfless acts of kindness of our students and faculty.  We genuinely care for those less fortunate! It is amazing to see our Explorers living out our mission and proudly exhibiting our Marist values as they create and support a respectful and all-inclusive school community. We are blessed to have a culture that supports Brotherhood, Faith, Service and Scholarship. You will be amazed at our accomplishments and impressed with our dedication and commitment. Enjoy! 

 

Basketball Team Won 3^rd Consecutive State Title
Coach Moran and the Explorer Basketball Team did it yet again!  On March 9, 2024, the team defeated Oak Ridge to claim the FHSAA Class 7A State Championship for a 3rd year in a row. The Explorers beat Oak Ridge 72 - 67 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL in a thrilling overtime game. Congratulations to the Back-to-Back-to-Back Champs!

CCNN Live is on a roll, winning back-to-back Crazy 8 News Magazine National Championships at the Student Television Network Convention (marking its the 5^th in 10 years) and winning three National Student Emmy Awards (the most the program has ever won in one year).  At STN, they also received Broadcast Excellence Awards in News Magazine, Daily Live Show, Podcast, Social Media Show, and Sports Show and placed first in Commercial, 2nd Place in Nat Package and Vertical Man on the Street.  The latest 3 NATAS student production awards, brings CCNN's total for National Emmys to 15. Congrats to the winners:  Magazine Program or Lifestyle Content:  The Voyage October Episode (Sebastian Broche, Alexis Vivanco, Jason Fernandez); Sports Program:   The Ship October Episode (Daniel Rossi-Montero, Lucas Delgado); Public Service Announcement (PSA):  I Blame COVID For That (Adrian Morgade, Christopher Gonzalez, Lucas Figueroa, Lucas Batalla, Nicholas Dovales).  Special thanks to Mr. Delgado, Mrs. Insua and Ms. Rodriguez.  Due to all their achievement they appeared on a news segment on  NBC6 in March - VIEW NBC6 STORY.

Celebrating 2^nd Quarter Achievements
We celebrated the achievement of over 60 students for their hard work and accomplishments in the second quarter with breakfast in the cafeteria with their families.  Special thanks to Dr. Vila and Ms. Da Silva.

Under the direction of AP Environmental Science teacher Ms. Taylor and Debate Moderator Mr. De Tuya, the Columbus team of Nicholas Diaz and Martin Seals won the Fairchild Challenge’s Environment Debate Competition which pitted teams of two against 45 other teams from Miami-Dade public, private, and charter schools. The team of Bruno Barreiro and Benjamin Corral were the semifinalists. Congratulations!

Forty-two of our Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students competed at the State Leadership Conference in Orlando. Nicholas Diaz and Benjamin Corral placed 1st in the Business Ethics Category. Alejandro Caram placed 2nd in Introduction to Business Concepts and Ignacio Bencomo placed 3rd in Introduction to Business Communication.  Our school was also recognized for the second year in a row as a Recipient of the Service Season Award for its Environmentally Conscious efforts during the year for Beach Cleanups. Service Season tasks are designed to meet the core of the FBLA mission: being community-minded business leaders. Special thanks to Mr. Corazon and Mr. Busatto.  

A beautiful Junior Ring Ceremony was held on the football field.  Special thanks to Mrs. Martinez and Mr. Nunezl for coordinating the event and to everyone who played a role in creating this memorable experience.

We held our 2nd annual Senior Mass & Pinning Ceremony with the Class of 2024.  The highlight of the ceremony was when the class received their C pins from their pinning sponsor mentors. Special thanks to Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Cooper and music ministry, Mr. Lynskey ’78, Mr. Ramos ’04, School Board Member Daniel Brea ’95, Steven Pita ‘11, and all the faculty and staff who helped in the event.  

On March 8^th, our junior class and members of our faculty, staff and administration made a huge impact on our community as they served over 20 organizations during the Junior Day of Service.  They served the poor, special needs children and adults, vulnerable communities, the elderly and went on environmental clean-ups. It was a rewarding day. Special thanks to Br. Al for all the coordination.

On March 16, 2024, we hosted the first TEDxColumbus HS at the Westchester Cultural Arts Center under a license from the TED organization. With the theme Always Ahead, eight speakers, mostly Columbus alumni, delivered heartfelt, thought-provoking speeches during the event. Columbus is one of only a handful of high schools in Miami-Dade County to ever hold a TEDx event.  The speakers and topics were:  Author and Live Like Bella Foundation CEO, Raymond Rodriguez-Torres ’94 (Tragedy to Triumph: Live Like Bella);  Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, Patrick Farrell ‘77 (Does the Image Need to Move to Move You?); Software Automation Solutions Expert, Alex Cordero ‘18 (Aligning Productivity Software with Human Learning Styles & Working Methods); Cuban-Jamaican Musician, Danny Collazo ‘20 (An Interactive Musical Demonstration on Afro-Cuban Rhythms); BLUE Missions CEO, Danny Rodriguez ’08 (Finding Your Drop); CEO of Real Estate Sales Force, Jorge Guerra ‘96 (The American Dream: The Transformative Power of Homeownership);  UM Hurricanes Assistant Football Coach, Alex Mirabal ‘88 (A Coach’s Pursuit of Teaching & Learning);  Cybersecurity Leader, William Mendez (Transforming the Cybersecurity Landscape).  Thank you to Katie Essig for producing the event.

LINK Club’s EGGstravaganza
The LINK Club hosted its inaugural EGGstravaganza for 50 special needs families.   The day included a vibrant blend of arts and crafts, lively field games, a sweet visit from the Easter bunny, and the highly anticipated Easter Egg Hunt. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, excitement, and a sense of community spirit. The kindness, patience, and enthusiasm of our Explorers shone brightly as they engaged with the children, fostering an inclusive and joyful environment for all. Special thanks to Mrs. Gonzalez-Rojas, Mrs. Debbie Martinez, Mr. Nunez, Ms. Llontop, Br. Al, and Mr. Staiano.

The Squires continued their tradition of bringing St. Patrick’s Day cheer to the clients of the West Gables Rehabilitation Center.  There was plenty of singing, dancing and of course shenanigans. Special thanks to Br. Eladio and Mr. Lewis

The Black Student Organization and the EMT Program hosted a joint panel discussion that as part of the “Black Leadership Lecture Series” with panelists Alex Fernandez (Assistant Director Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management, Deputy Fire Chief, Retired), Darren Davis (Lieutenant City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue President, Professional Black Firefighters Association), Ralph Baena (Chief Fire Officer, CCHS Graduate c/o 98), Keith Bell (Captain Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Progress Union President). Thank you Mr. Campbell, Mr. Guest and Mr. Chica.

Also, as part of the Black Leadership Lecture Series, The Black Student Organization hosted an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Panel Discussion. The panelists attend Florida International University and Florida Memorial University:  Kristoff Pollas (majoring in Criminal Justice), Alex Hinds (majoring in Cyber Security) and Shakhori Rose (majoring in Aviation Management).   Thank you Mr. Campbell.

One hundred and fifteen students celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Brendan Parish; they were confirmed by Most Reverend Enrique Delgado, Auxiliary Bishop of Miami.  The Confirmation formation program was led by Mr. Gerardo González, Mr. Matthew Chica, Mrs. Cristina Cruz, Mr. Emmanuel González, Mrs. Anneris De La Hoz, Mr. Andrew Harriman, and Campus Ministry leaders.  Special thanks to Rev. Miguel Sepúlveda, Pastor of St. Brendan Parish.  May the Lord bless these young men, their sponsors, and their families.

Marist Youth Leaders gathered for a retreat led by Campus Ministers Br. Tom Long, Br. Peter Guadalupe, Br. Robert Dittus, Mr. Matt Fallon, Director of Marist Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Marist U.S.A. Province, Mr. Fernando Machado, Theology Instructor, and Mr. Alberto Rodriguez of the Class of 2015.

Food items donated by Columbus students, parents, alumni, administrators, faculty, and staff were donated to serve migrant farm workers and their families through St. Ann Mission of the Archdiocese of Miami.  Thanks to Campus Ministry Leaders for organizing the items for distribution.

 

Sacrament of Penance (Confessions) During Lent
Eighteen priests visited Columbus to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance during the Season of Lent.  Special thanks to Campus Ministry and the Theology Departments.

The art and music departments hosted an Art Expo and an Evening of Music. The event generated a great turnout and helped us to celebrate the great work of our Fine Arts and Performing Arts programs.  Special thanks to Mr. Cooper, Mr. Gomez, Mr. Ventura, Mr. VanHemert, and Ms. Caro Vento.

We held an investiture ceremony for new members of our Squires Club. The Columbian Squires is the official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus which gives Catholic young men the opportunity the opportunity to learn the skills and attitudes of Catholic leadership. Thank you Br. Eladio and Mr. Lewis.

The Pre Med Club had an extraordinary day at South Miami Hospital's Robotic Skills and Technology Lab. It was a day that went beyond textbooks and lecture halls, immersing our aspiring medical professionals in the real-world application of robotic surgery and medical technology. The highlight of the visit was the insightful introduction to the world of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and the daVinci Surgery system, which represents the pinnacle of medical technology with a staggering investment of 2 million dollars per unit. This detail alone underscored the significance of our students being given the opportunity to interact with such advanced equipment. The presentations sparked the curiosity and awe amongst our students. They learned about port placement and surgeon training to get firsthand experience with the daVinci Robot.  Thank you Ms. Hernandez, Ms. Taylor and Mrs. Aycart.

 

Virginia Key Beach Tour & Cleanup
Members of the Black Student Organization and the Anglers Club visited Virginia Key Beach.  They received a tour and lecture about the historic beach and were able to provide service while helping to clean up the beach.  In total, they  discarded 68lbs of trash.  Thank you Mr. Campbell and Mr. Dukes.

 

The Varsity Baseball Team had some big wins against Killian, Palmetto and Sunset.  Their win against Georgetown Preparatory lifted the Explorers to 8-2 on the season and gave their head coach Joe Weber his 600th career win.

Columbus wrestlers competed in the FHSAA State Championships at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, FL. Two wrestlers finished in 7^th place which means they are now state medalists.  Congrats:  Alec Gonzalez 12^th 138lbs (7^th), and Zachary Ruiz 11^th 150lbs (7^th).  We would also like to congratulate Apollo Benito 11^th 285lbs, and Kenneth Canales 12^th 190lbs. As they both finished one win away from reaching the podium. In February, the team won the 3A District 15 Championship at Barbara Goleman High School! Thank you to Coach Grant and Coach Gonzalez.

The weightlifting team competed against Coral Shores, Marathon and Gulliver. Columbus won both in the Olympic and Traditional categories. The team also hosted a weightlifting meet on campus with Doctor's Charter, American Heritage  and Archbishop McCarthy. The following students won in their weight categories: Jason Goico- 129 Traditional, Sebastian Anadon- 154 Olympic and Traditional, Luis Masso- 183 Olympic , Carlos Rodriguez- 199 Traditional, Sebastian Marin- 219 Olympic and Traditional, Andres Gomez- 238 Olympic, Timothy Dirskz- UNL Olympic, Blake Brewer- UNL Traditional.  Thank you Coach Machado.

 

We hosted the first ever CCHS Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament with over 300 competitors and more than 500 visitors.  Congrats to: Victor Castellanos: 2nd Place Gi and 3rd Place No-Gi, Richard Aguilar: 1st Place No-Gi and 3rd Place Gi, Evan Sequiera: 2nd Place Gi and 2nd Place No-Gi, Stefano Altadonna: 3rd Place Gi and 3rd Place No-Gi, Sebastian Illas: 2nd Place Gi and 2nd Place No-Gi and Richard Cristobal: 1st Place No-Gi.  Thank to Mr. de Tuya.

National Signing Day
We celebrated four Explorers for signing on to play their sport in college:  Blake Brewer (Saint Anselm College), Alex Jorge (Valdosta State University), Edward Bandy (Post University), and Robert Czeremcha (Florida International University).

The College & Career Guidance team organized local college tours for sophomores and juniors to FIU/FIU Honors College, UM, and MDC/ MDC Honors College. They also welcomed West Point cadet David Ragan '20 who spoke with interested students about his experience, and they also held an MDC Application Day where an admission representative from Miami Dade College offered personalized assistance to our students and helped with applying for scholarships. Thank you Mrs. Iris Martinez & Team.

Mr. Cooper and the great Columbus Band performed at Carnaval on the Mile, one of the nation’s largest festivals that provide the best of local art and live music. 

The visual arts department took a field trip to visit the Art Wynwood exhibition downtown. Along the way, they ventured through the art district of Wynwood to check out the beautiful mural art. At the exhibition they were able to see the works of artists such as Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, as well as more contemporary artists who are pushing the edge of artistry today. Thank you Mr. Ventura and Mr. Pino.

Robotics Team Finished 11^th at National VEX Signature Competition / Qualified for States
Our senior robotic teams, Explorer 1 and Explorer 2, competed at the VEX Robotics Signature Competition: Gateway to the West in Triadelphia, West Virginia. Explorer 2 won 7 out of 10 matches finishing 11th out of the 68 teams from across the U.S. and Canada. Explorer 1 won 5 out of 10 matches finishing 26th. Explorer 1 is comprised of  Mario Villaverde, Andrew Vasta, Andres Cruz, Samuel Polo-Varona, and Kristopher Nodarse.  Explorer 2 is comprised of Daniel Khoury, Anthony Perez, Jorge Gonzalez, James Barbeite, Kevin Remar.  Due to their high ranking, both teams qualified for the States. Many thanks to Mr. Armando Rodriguez and Mr. Soto.

After months of hard work, our two Conrad Challenge teams from the STEM Club received the distinguished title of "Conrad Innovator."  Congratulations to the BioEnergX team of Roberto Echeverri, Gianmarco Fior, and Nicolas Fernandez. Their team submitted a proposal for a microbial fuel cell generator. We also congratulate the Tempair team of Chris Cordero, Santiago Martinez, Ethan Sanchez, Adrian Jimenez, and Diego Botasso. Their team submitted a proposal for a blockchain secured temperature monitoring system for foods and pharmaceuticals. Thank you Mr. Armando Rodriguez.

Anthony Perez led the Ausome Makers at Coral Gables City Hall for their workshop to students from Coral Gables Senior High Special Education class. The Ausome Makers is a group of Columbus students dedicated to providing robotics and STEM workshops to organizations serving children with special needs and diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kudos to the Ausome Makers: Anthony Perez, Mario Villaverde, Daniel Khoury, Jorge Gonzalez, Andrew Vasta and Samuel Polo-Varona.  Thank you Mr. Armando Rodriguez.

We celebrated the induction ceremony for the French Honor Society, welcoming new "Explorateurs" into our esteemed community. The values of bilingualism and cultural exchange were highlighted. Congratulations to our new members and their dedication to language learning! Thank you Ms. Vessiere.

English Honor Society Induction
Congratulations to the newly inducted members of the Panzer Division of the National English Honor Society.  The society  provides much of its service through tutoring composition to underclassmen in our CCHS Writing Lab. These students receive national recognition, scholarship eligibility and opportunities for national networking. Thank you Mr. Crossman. 

Close Up Washington
Ten Explorers attended “Close Up” in Washington DC where they had the opportunity to experience an immersive, week-long trip in the nation’s capital. This annual Columbus tradition, organized by Mr. Hermida, was an opportunity for civic engagement and education for students interested in the fields of government affairs and public service.  For more information visit The Log’s Article written by Nicholas Diaz.

The Columbus Explorers defeated Lourdes Academy in our Annual Battle of the Sexes Talent Show. THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to making this event a great success, including the team from SAC and Columbus Films. View 2024 Battle of the Sexes Official Music Video.

The Columbus Drama Team has succeeded again in placing in all six competition events at the Florida Thespian State Festival, the largest conference in the state of Florida with over 10,000 participants.  Congrats to:  Alexander Naranjo-Sanchez (Excellent in Solo Musical B); Alexander Valcarcel (Excellent in Monologue A), Alexander Valcarcel, Jorge Alvarez, Aiden Garcia, Joshua Gonzalez, Alexander Naranjo-Sanchez, Anthony Toledo, and Sebastian Arana (Excellent in Ensemble Acting C); Sebastian Arana (Superior in Monologue A);  Victor Barreda (Superior in Monologue B); Alexander Naranjo-Sanchez and Michael Olivares (Superior in Duet Acting D). Special thanks to Ms. McGrath.

 

 

In regional competition, the Debate Team qualified 21 students to states. The most notable finishes include Regional Champions (James Sacher/Joseph Alonso) in Public Forum, Martin Seals in Impromptu Speaking, and Sven Stumbauer in International Extemporaneous Speaking. Earlier in the year, Sven Stumbuaer finished 3^rd in Impromptu speaking at the Emory University Tournament and Matthew Moreno finished as the Top Speaker in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas. Columbus also hosted teams from around the country, from as far as California, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado, at the inaugural Adelante Invitational, the first 3-day national tournament in the country to ever host an independent Spanish Language division. Thank you Mr. de Tuya

The Smash Crew Team, led by Daniel Guzman took on Bronson High in a nail biter of a match but The Explorers ultimately took the win in a fantastic 2-1 match.  The Rocket League Team had two back to back 4-0 victories against Sarasota Christian. The team of Alexander Jorge, Luciano Longhini and Julian Ferrer pulled off magic together as they completely shut out the other squad in back to back matches. Thank you Mr. Harriman and Mr. Sanchez.

The Anglers club visited the IGFA in Davie where they learned how the recording of record holding fish is processed. They also participated in our annual Fish the Flats Fishing Tournament setting out to target bonefish, tarpon, trout, permit, snook, and redfish. After three days of fishing, Pablo Echeverría won the permit, tarpon, and bonefish category. Tyler More won the trout category while Nicholas Morales won the snook category. They won multiple prizes and a free charter with George Alexander who is a former club member now fishing guide and boat captain. Lastly, they toured the SeaHunter Boats factory witnessing the boat building process in action.  Thank you Coach Dukes.

We hosted renowned national speaker on Digital Safety Richard Guerry who met with our students in the afternoon and with Columbus and Carrollton families in the evening. It is our philosophy that educating our young men on social issues and providing them with the knowledge to make good/better decisions can save them from making harmful/destructive decisions that could cost them their lives.

Castaways Against Cancer Held “Tour Kickoff Party” on Campus
The Castaways Against Cancer  kicked off their 25th tour, right here at Columbus, with a celebration "Tour Kickoff Party" with  250+ supporters that included family, friends, cancer survivors and many from our Columbus community. The event helped kick off this year's fundraising campaign and for the first time ever featured a live interactive timeline of the nonprofit's 25-year history of cancer-fighting. The Castaways launch will be on June 8th from Castaway Beach. You can be a part of history by donating to the cause here. 

On March 19^th, the premiere of the documentary "Live Like Bella®: A Story of Faith, Hope, & Love produced by CCNN Live took place at the Miracle  Theater in Coral Gables.  The documentary embodies the strength and resilience of our community, highlighting an extraordinary journey of courage and inspiration. We invite you to watch this important work. It is a  powerful and profoundly moving story that holds a message that resonates with all of us. Please support the project by sharing it with your networks. Watch Video Here

The Patriot Club was invited as honored guests at the Miami Community Newspapers event featuring keynote speaker Major General Scott Jackson, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Southern Command.  At the event, the Explorers also met with the former Southern Command General Ralph Rivas from the class of 1981 and other notable Columbus alumni.  The club members who attended the event were:  Martin Seals, Benjamin Pagliery, Owen Van Der Graaf, Santiago Gonzalez. Thank you Dr. E. Carter Burrus for accompanying our young men.

 

The Stand For The Silent Club met with over 150 students from St. Thomas the Apostle to speak about the consequences and effects of bullying. Some of the members bravely shared their personal encounters and how this club has reshaped their perspective on bullying. Congratulations to Lucas Artime for his amazing speech and special thanks to Mr. Garrigo.

Columbus Connects Leadership Lectures
We were honored to host two Columbus Connects Leaders Lectures, one featured  Marcus Rivero '02, famously known as Soles by Sir and the other with the incoming speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Danny Perez ’05.  Special thanks to moderators John Lynskey,  Robert Fernandez and JB Aleman as well as our event sponsors: Miami-Dade County Vice Chairman Anthony Rodriguez, the RHF Law Firm, and Carlito’s House. 

Four members of our faculty and staff attended Sharing Our Call, a program that gives an in depth overview about St. Marcelin Champagnat and the Marist mission to evangelize through the Christian education of youth. It took place at the Marist Brothers Center in Esopus, NY.  It was an unforgettable experience for Mr. Emmanuel Gonzalez, Mrs.  Cruz, Ms. Noy, and Mr. Ramos. 

Each year, the Independent Schools of South Florida (ISSF), recognizes outstanding students from its member schools. We are proud to announce that this year our Star Students are John-Barry Bertematti, Andres Salabarria and Alberto Mendoza. Congratulations!

Cameron Boozer '25 was named the 2024 Jersey Mike's Naismith 1st Team All American for a consecutive year. It was an unforgettable moment for Cameron, his teammates and his family as we celebrated his remarkable achievements on campus.  Cameron's exceptional talent on the court has earned him well-deserved recognition, and we couldn't be prouder of his continued accomplishments.

In February, student Santiago Montoya ‘26 was in Madrid, Spain participating in the LaLige Select Showcase. LaLiga is the premier professional soccer division in Spain.  The purpose of the showcase is to bring American talent to Spanish soccer clubs. Santi was selected from a huge pool within the US.

Baseball Coach Joe Weber Achieved 600^th Career Win
Longtime Head Baseball Coach Joe Weber achieved his 600th career win in a dramatic fashion. Senior outfielder Franklin Francisco's solo walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning secured a thrilling 6-5 victory for Columbus. Coach Weber's record of 600-145 reflects his unwavering dedication and coaching consistency over 27 years. His leadership has led our teams to multiple Final Four appearances and State Championships in 2003 and 2015. He has had the privilege of coaching 5 MLB Major Leaguers, a testament to his exceptional talent and the lasting influence he has had on the lives of his players. Congratulations Coach Weber on this extraordinary milestone!

 

Mrs. Isa Samanez, longtime main office receptionist extraordinaire and alumni parent, left her position at Columbus for a new career in Hospice Care.  Isa has always had a positive attitude and welcoming smile in her busy role.  We wish her well in her new endeavors.

Important May Dates to Remember:
Week of 5/6:  Teacher Appreciation Week & Fleet Week
5/6 – 17:  AP Exams
5/10:  Senior Prom (7pm Hilton Miami Downtown)
5/11:  Columbus Films Showcase (7pm, LBC)
5/16:  Mas Family Program Senior Pinning Ceremony (6:30pm Café)
5/21:  Blue Missions Parent Meeting (6pm, Café)
5/22:  Br. Eladio Star Awards (2pm, DiMare Lecture Hall)
5/23:  Class of 2024 Baccalaureate Mass (6pm, Epiphany Church)
5/25: Class of 2024 Graduation (UM Watsco Center, 10am) 
5/27:  Memorial Day Holiday (No School)
5/30:  Class of 2024 Senior BBQ