Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving at Christopher Columbus High School has always been a holiday rooted in our mission and embedded in Gratitude, Humility, Compassion, and Service. Leading up to Thanksgiving week, the school provides many opportunities through service-oriented activities, reflecting our commitment to the marginalized and those less fortunate. Students participate in food drives, turkey drives, Friendsgiving, and Christmas toy drives, embodying a spirit of selflessness and genuine care for others in need. Thank you for trusting our team of Marist Educators and supporting our efforts.  

 

Wishing all of our students, faculty, staff and families a happy Thanksgiving and restful holiday week ahead.  

We are overjoyed to have senior Matthew Nuñez back in school.  He returned on November 21st to a school family who has been praying for him daily since September 27th when he suffered a medical emergency  during a cross country race. The Nuñez family expresses their deep gratitude for all the support they have received from the Columbus family. Matthew is continuing on his road to recovery and looks forward to getting back to his normal Explorer life. Continued prayers for Matthew.

 

We held the the Principal’s List and 1st Honors Assembly for our freshman and sophomores, recognizing their dedication, hard work, and academic excellence. Congratulations to all the honorees.

On October 16th, Dianna Weinbaum and Andy Martinez, Cognia’s Senior Director and Director of the U.S. Southeast region visited Columbus to celebrate our 2024 School of Distinction.  They presented us with certificates that proudly display the distinction. Our school earned this recognition for achieving outstanding results in a rigorous accreditation engagement review conducted by Cognia, the leading global nonprofit school improvement organization.   Members of our administration, accreditation committee, and faculty and staff members were present for the ceremony.

With increased traffic and less parking, we ask our community to please be mindful of our young men as they get dropped off and picked up on and off campus. Please avoid dropping off our students on 87th Ave. and/or 32nd St. Accidents and injuries are preventable if we slow down, look out for one another, and use good judgement. If you have any questions or concerns, please see our director of parking and security, police officer, and any Marist Educator who may be supervising in the parking lot. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

Turkey Drive 
Thank you for your generosity to our Turkey Drive. With your support, close to 300 turkeys were donated to families in need with the support of the Miami Dade Police Department.   Special thanks to Mr. Gerardo Gonzalez, Campus Ministry and the Squires.  

Members of the sophomore class served in the Boxes of Joy ministry with the Cross Catholic Outreach Center in Doral. The boxes, which were filled with toys, clothing, and school supplies, will be sent to children in underdeveloped countries during Christmas time. Thank you Br. Al.

On November 14^th, the following two basketball players and eight baseball players were celebrated during our annual "Signing Day" event in the gymnasium.  The student-athletes signed their scholarships in front of their coaches, teammates and families.  Congratulations to these talented Explorers as they take the next step in their academic and athletic journeys. Basketball: Cameron and Cayden Boozer – Duke University; Baseball: Jason Vasquez - Iona University, Danny Castillo - Iona University, Matt Rios - University of South Alabama, Rene Ramirez - University of South Alabama, Mario Mangana - University of Miami, Jose Correa - College of Central Florida, Mike Say - Miami Dade College, Sammy Alonso - Florida International University.  Thank you Mrs. Marti.

Columbus Basketball Ranked #1 in the Nation by ESPN
Basketball preseason has started and the national rankings are out.  For the first time in school history, ESPN has ranked the Columbus Varsity Basketball Team as the number one team in the nation.  Led by Duke commits Cameron Boozer (2025 ESPN 100 No. 2) and Cayden Boozer (2025 ESPN 100 No. 17), the Explorers are looking to build on a 28-win season a year ago. The team also boasts major talent among its junior class with Caleb Gaskins (2026 ESPN 60 No. 10) and Jaxon Richardson (2026 ESPN 60 No. 28).  This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication, hard work, and teamwork displayed by our players and coaches. With an impressive season ahead, we can't wait to see how they continue to compete on the national stage. 

Highlights From Blue Key Debate Tournament
The Debate Team competed at UF's Blue Key Debate Tournament. Nearly 1,000 students from 97 schools competed over 3 days. Sven Stumbauer upset the reigning National Champion, the Texas state champion, and the Florida State to win his first varsity tournament championship in Extemporaneous Speaking and was also a quarterfinalist in Impromptu Speaking.  Lucas Rivera, Danny Alverez, Luke Meinhardt and Alexi Hernandez, won the World Schools Debate Championship. Rene Coto, Michael Tabares, and Junior Santiago Rodriguez, placed third.  Thank you Mr. De Tuya.

Robotics Team Earned Top Scores & Judges Award
The robotics team of Jorge Gonzalez, Chris Herrera, and Julian Jimenez competed against over 40 schools from the Miami Dade and Broward region in a highly competitive tournament. They performed exceptionally well in the qualifying matches, achieving a season-high score of 44 points in one match, the highest score by any team this season.  Earlier in the month, at their first competition at Ransom Everglades, all four Columbus teams advanced to the final rounds and out of the 31 teams competing, they were honored with the prestigious Judges Award. Thank you Mr. Oses.

We celebrated our Fall Sports with a Pep Rally in true Explorer fashion. We recognized all of our fall sports teams and the energy was electric with performances from the Lourdes Cheerleaders and the Miami Heat dancers. 

Students Using 100% of SARA Modules
Congratulations to freshmen David Barbeite, Andres Valladares and Nicolas Villaroel Strubinger for using 100% of the SARA modules for Math, Reading, and Writing.  Our school has subscribed to SARA, an award-winning, mastery-based learning platform that offers top-tier preparation for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. We urge all students to use this resource.

 

Football Competing in Regional Semifinals
After a rough start to the season, the Explorer Football Team is now 7-3 and won their first playoff game with a score of 56-8.  They went on to win the District Championship and will compete in the regional semifinals against South Dade High School.  Go Explorers!

The Hellions had an outstanding performance at the 4A State Championship, finishing 3rd overall entering the competition ranked 14th. Led by Anthony Scarcello, who finished in the top 15 of the race, it was the best performance of the season with 6 out of the 7 boys running a season best time. Earlier in the month the team placed first in the Regional and GMAC championships.  

The Explorer golf team captured the 3A Region 4 championship for the 12th time in school history. Senior Victor Herrera led the way with a 72, Eduardo Perez Sainz 74, Hector Perez Sainz 75, Carl Tegel 78 and Nicholas Shortal 76. They played in the state championships and finished in 14^th place.  Thank you Coach Marinelli.

The Swim Team ventured to Ocala to compete in the State Swim and Dive Championships.
Lucas Franchak advanced to the B Finals and placed 15th overall in the 100 Breaststroke out of 24 swimmers. Sophomore Gianmarco La Neve placed 7th as a diver. The team also completed its first Annual Breast Cancer Swim-A-Thon, joining forces with Palmetto and Coral Gables High Schools to raise $2,505 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer. Thank you Coach Dukes.

 

Our wrestling team competed at the Freakshow Nationals in Las Vegas, NV.  This premier competition hosted over 6000 wrestlers from across country.  Tomas Campian finished as the National Runner up in 2nd place at 137lbs in the 15U division, to secure All American honors.  Sebastian Morera went 5-2 at 215lbs, to finish one round shy of All American honors.  Zachary Ruiz went 4-2  finishing just a few rounds shy of All American honors. They started the season defeating Archbishop McCarthy H.S. and at the Grappler Fall Classic in Michigan, Tomas Campian defeated the top ranked state runner up from last season, finishing in 5th place in the Varsity division and earning All American Honors.

Soccer Teams Off To a Great Start
Our varsity and JV soccer teams are off to a great start and are currently 4-2 and 4-0-1, respectively.  The varsity team will face Mitchell High School tomorrow. Good luck to Coach Kam and his teams. 

At the  National Student Production Awards, our CCNN Live program received five nominations and came home with three national wins:  1) News Report - Serious News “HB-49 Affecting Teenagers’ Academics” (Contributors: Carlos Soto-Angulo, Andrew Ahrendt, Gabe Fraga, Aidan Galan, Matthew Quesada, Jason Fernandez) 2)  News Report - Light News “Jurassic Genius: Celebrating Difference at Columbus” (Contributors: Andrew Ahrendt, Carlos Soto-Angulo, Nicholas Dovales, Matthew Quesada, Gabe Fraga, Jason Fernandez, Juan Pablo Piña) 3) Talent - News or Sports Anchor “Anchor Reel” (Contributor: Andrew Ahrendt).  These awards celebrate not only the hard work of our students but also the creativity and values that our school instills.  Thank you to Mr. Delgado, Mrs. Insua, Mr. Busatto and Ms. Rodriguez.

Top Honors for Theater Program in District Competition
The Theater Troupe gave excellent performances at Districts.  Their one act play “I Quit! A Guide to Leaving Your Job in Style” placed with a  score of Excellent, with Victor Barreda winning the All Star Cast Award and Jorge Alvarez winning the All Star Tech Crew Award. In individual events, 8 out of the 9 events placed, and the 5 superior scoring events will compete at States. Victor Barreda- Superior in Monologue, Superior in Solo Pantomime, Superior in Ensemble Acting, Sean Benedit- Superior in Dialogue, Superior in Group Pantomime, Superior in Ensemble Acting, Sebastian Arana- Superior in Dialogue, Superior in Group Pantomime, Excellent in Ensemble Acting, Jorge Alvarez- Superior in Group Pantomime, Excellent in Ensemble Acting, Aiden Garcia- Superior in Group Pantomime, Excellent in Ensemble Acting, Alex Naranjo-Sanchez- Superior in Ensemble Acting, Excellent in Solo Musical, Anthony Toledo- Superior in Ensemble Acting, Michael Olivares- Superior in Ensemble Acting, Andres de Atienza- Excellent in Ensemble Acting, Excellent in Solo Musical.  Victor Barreda was awarded Top Honors for receiving perfect scores for his Monologue and Solo Pantomime pieces.  Thank you Ms. McGrath. 

The Columbus Band performed at the Veterans Day Parade on South Beach.  Led by Mr. Cooper, they received patriotic and enthusiastic cheers.  Check out the video. 

Retreat Leaders Appreciation Lunch
Campus Ministry Retreat Leaders gathered for prayer and fellowship at the Retreat Leaders Appreciation Lunch.  Thank you Mr. Gonzalez.

The Black Student Organization held a panel discussion featuring Wilbur Bell, a community and civics advocate, entrepreneur, and member of the Redland Council. Mr. Bell gave an inspiring speech and unforgettable experience for our Explorers.  Thank you Mr. Campbell and Mr. Guest.

Members of our Black Student Organization visited with the young students of R.R. Moton Elementary School. Our Explorers spent the day  mentoring the young students and leading by example.  Thank you Mr. Campbell and Mr. Guest.

DECA Club members had an unforgettable day with the Miami Heat. They received a tour of the facility, met with the VP of marketing, watched pregame warmups and cheered on The Heat at the game. Thank you Mrs. Balado.

The SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions), welcomed guest speaker and licensed Mental Health Counselor Raymond Estefania who spoke to the student body on the dangers of Drug, Alcohol, and Gambling addictions, and how to prevent these addictions. Thank you Mr. Andres Gonzalez.

Career Day Empowered our Juniors
Thank you to all of our dedicated alumni who shared their time and wisdom at our Columbus Connects Career Day. You provided a great learning experience for our Juniors who are starting to explore their future career paths. Thank you for inspiring and empowering our students. Special thanks to Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Napoli.

Celebrating Veteran’s Day at Patriot Plaza
The Patriot Club held its annual Veterans Day Celebration at Patriot Plaza. We were honored to have Lane Jackson '00 as our keynote speaker. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Captain of the Midshipmen football team, Lane shared his incredible journey from his time at SEAL Team Eight to his honorable service as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. It was a powerful and inspiring event, reminding us of the sacrifices made by our veterans. Special thanks to Dr. Burrus.

In October, our Esports teams excelled in the national leagues with the Smash Team of Aidan Nunez, William Zayas, Ryan Linaje, Owen VanDerGraaf, Sebastian Canto, and Carlos Blanch taking the top spots.  Our Overwatch and Valorant teams were undefeated, posting dominant wins over multiple schools. Mateo De Freitas, Benjamin Oliva, Alejandro Gutierrez-Penichet, Benjamin Santi, Ian Villatoro, and Daniel Macario tied for first for Valorant while Brian Torres, Lucas Dulzaides, Matthew Ros, Sebastian Canto, Julian Hurtado, Christian Macias, and Lucas Lopez ranked first for Overwatch in Florida.  Thank you Mr. Sanchez and Mr. Harriman.

This year's Homecoming Football Game was a night to remember for all those who attended. The Columbus cheerleaders performed before the presentation of the Homecoming Court which consisted the Homecoming King and Queen, Ruben Hernandez and Justina Montaldo, and the Prince and Princess, Gabriel Soto and Gabriella Blanch.  Thank you to our hard working SAC team of Ms. Brown and Mrs. Alonso.

Homecoming Dance 
This year’s Homecoming Dance had a “Haunted Affair” theme and took place at the JW Marriot Marquis.  It was spectacular ending to a fun-filled Spirit Week.  Special thanks to the Ms. Brown and Ms. Alonso for their hard work coordinating all the activities.

Congratulations to Mr. Busatto and The Log staff for successfully reviving the printed version of our school newspaper, The Log.  After publishing digitally for many years, it will now be printed quarterly as well.

Mas Program students went on a productive,  informational and fun college tour in the mid-west, visiting Ohio State, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame, Indiana University, Purdue University, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Loyola University. They also partook in fun activities like visiting  Millenium park and watching Harry Potter on Broadway in Chicago and touring the Michigan Football field. They were also able to visit with many alums in all the colleges they visited. Thank you to Mrs. Galvez-Cuesta, Mrs. Amador, Mrs. Clute and Mr. Lewis. 

Our 32nd annual Pat Bixby Walk-A-Thon took place on October 11th.  This important school fundraiser is a fun-filled, exciting Columbus tradition that unites our entire community. The money raised benefits safety and beautification on campus, in school activities, and community service projects within our Marist community. Special thanks to Ms. Ramirez, Mrs. Vento, Ms. Tellechea, Mr. Marinelli, Mr. Staiano, and Mr. Delgado.

Special Olympics at Marlins LoanDepot Park
Members of the Columbus LINK Club and varsity football team volunteered at a Special Olympics event in collaboration with the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park.  The event organizers were impressed by our boys’ energy, enthusiasm, and genuine respect for the participants. This speaks speaks volumes about our school community and the importance we place on serving others with compassion.  Special thanks to Mrs. Gonzalez-Rojas.

Our Scholastic Olympics for 8th graders, the longest running event of its kind in South Florida, took place in October  with hundreds of competitors from our Catholic middle schools.  Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all the principals and teachers who attended.  The overall winning schools were St. Hugh  (Division 1),  St. Timothy (Division 2), and St. Theresa (Division 3).  Special thanks to Ms. Noy, Mrs. Frieder, department leaders, administration, Mr. Marinelli, and all the student and teacher volunteers.

We were thrilled to welcome nearly 3,000 visitors to Christopher Columbus High School for two Open House sessions. Families got a firsthand look at how our Explorers are Forging Greatness from academics and athletics to leadership and community service. Thank you to all of our student ambassadors and volunteers. Special thanks to Mr. Marinelli.

Our fathers and sons experienced a morning filled with faith, bonding, and a powerful sense of Brotherhood at our annual Father & Sone Mass & Breakfast.  Special thanks to Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Tellechea.

From the moving Mass to the meaningful moments together, the Mother & Son Mass & Breakfast was a celebration of the incredible bond between our Explorers and their moms. Thank you Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Tellechea.

The  Columbus Car Club hosted an epic Trunk or Treat event that brought out creative costumes, spooky decorations, and plenty of Halloween spirit. From decked-out trunks to a lineup of incredible cars, it was a treat-filled night for all ages. Huge thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate and to Mrs. Alonso and our Car Club members for making it a spook-tacular evening.

Halloween Party Celebrates Underprivileged Children
Columbus hosted more than 200 children from the San Juan Bosco Leadership Learning Center in Little Havana for an unforgettable Halloween experience.  The Mas Family Program together with the Squires, National Honor Society, Key Club and girls from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy all participated. The fun activities included face painting, art and crafts, cookie and cupcake decorating, dancing, Lego and music stations, and robotics. Special thanks to Mrs. Galvez-Cuesta, Mrs. Amado, Mrs. Clute and Mr. Lewis and to all the faculty members who supported the event.

Juniors had their class trip to Busch Gardens. They were able to enjoy the animal exhibits and the many roller coasters the park offers.  Thank you SAC!

Congratulations to the latest inductees of our Columbus Hall of Fame.  They following individuals were inducted at a special ceremony on November 14:  Maximo Alvarez (Alumni Parent), Jorge Rico (Alumni Parent), Carlos Rodriguez (Class of 1982), Br. Julio Vitores (Posthumously, Educator/Coach) , Castaways Against Cancer (Friends), Br. Edmund Sheehan (In the Way of Mary Award Recipient)

Environmental Club’s ‘Recycled Hope’ Caps Gifted to Castaways Against Cancer
The Columbus Environmental Club designed a Recycled Hope Cap featuring their logo tha was produced and donated to the club by the recycling partner, Campus for Green. When the club received the 50 caps, the students decided to gift  them to the Castaways Against Cancer organization.  Pictured (L-R) is Environmental Club Co-President Julian Aviles, Castaways Captain, Eric Pino, Environmental Club Co-President  Joshua Fernandez and Nick Berman from Campus For Green.  Thank you Ms. Taylor.

Our faculty and staff came together in pink to show our support for breast cancer awareness and to honor our very own warrior, Dr. Lee. United in strength, hope, and community, we stand with all those impacted by breast cancer.

Explorer Nation united on October 2nd for a historic day of giving.  The event raised an incredible $758,606, surpassing our $500,000 goal. From scholarships to academic programs,  every dollar contributed will have a significant impact on the lives of our students. A special shout out goes to the class of 1997 and Columbus theology teacher Mr. Harriman ‘97 who rallied his troops to take the top spot in the class competition. Thank you to everyone who participated, helping to make it a huge success.  Special thanks to Mr. Ramos.

Solidarity Project Update- Marist School Opened in Liberia
We received a note from Marist Brothers Provincial Br. Dan O’Riordan thanking our Columbus family for the support that our community provided to help make the 38-year dream of a Marist owned school in Liberia become a reality. On November 1st, a celebration and dedication took place for the school which is located in the city of Monrovia. The school serves 50 students in K-6 with hopes to expand to K-12 in the future. The 10 acre property features the new school building, a Brothers house, and soccer field. The Brothers have plans for additional buildings for the future. The Marist Brothers, teachers and families in Liberia express their deep gratitude to the Explorer Family who contributed to the USA Province Solidarity effort to build this new school. View Thank You Video.

We were honored to celebrate the Mass of Thanksgiving and 50^th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration for Br. George DiCarluccio, and Br. John Healy. As they celebrate 50 years of serving as Marist Brothers, they continue to faithfully serve our school community and ensure that the Marist mission of making Jesus known and loved is carried out every day at Columbus.

In a heartfelt tribute to a mentor who profoundly shaped his life, Carlos Rodriguez '82 made a significant contribution to endow a scholarship in honor of longtime Columbus administrator, teacher and current librarian, Br. Edmund Sheehan. This scholarship will support future students for generations, covering tuition, meals, and enriching experiences, including class trips, junior ring, AP exams, Grad Bash, and prom. Endowed scholarships provide invaluable support, helping ensure that Columbus continues to be accessible for deserving students while honoring the legacy of those who dedicated their lives to the school’s mission.  Carlos’ contribution is a testament to the enduring power of Br. Edmund’s influence and the legacy of kindness that has united generations of Columbus men.

Coach Scholer Steps Down as Bowling Coach
After 35 seasons of serving as Columbus' Bowling Coach, Coach Adam Scholer has stepped down. Under Coach Scholer's leadership, the Explorers won a team state championship in 1999 and Robert MacKarvich won an individual state title in 2003.  Coach Scholer has helped Columbus record 12 consecutive undefeated seasons with 16 district championships and several GMAC and Miami-Dade Youth Fair titles. “It has been an incredible run, and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Coach Scholer who will continue as a Columbus faculty member in the English department. 

Alexander Naranjo-Sanchez Sang at Induction Ceremony for Florida House Speaker Danny Perez ‘05
Senior Alexander Naranjo-Sanchez had the incredible honor to sing our nation’s anthem at the induction ceremony for the Florida House of Representatives Speaker, Danny Perez, a Columbus grad from 2005. It was an emotional experience for Alexander and his family.  

We hope you can attend our upcoming Christmas Tree Lighting and experience the Christmas cheer with the Columbus family.  Not only will we light our Christmas tree but there will be performances by the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart Choir accompanied by the Columbus band, hot cocoa & treats, and a special appearance from Santa.  Please consider bringing an unwrapped toy for Tery's Toy Drive for underprivileged children. RSVP HERE

Upcoming Dates to Remember:
12/20 – 1/6:  Christmas Holiday (No School)
1/7:  Classes Resume
1/8:  Electives Fair (Soph/Juniors)
1/15:  Junior Parent Counseling Night (6pm, Café)
1/20:  Martin Luther King Day Holiday (No School)
1/22:  Sophomore Parent Counseling Parent Meeting (6pm, Café)
1/23 & 24:  Brotherhood For Good Retreat (Morningstar Renewal Center)
1/25:  Freshman Mothers Retreat (8:30am – 1:00pm, L Bldg. Dining Hall)
w/o 1/27:  Catholic Schools Week
1/29:  Catholic Schools Week Mass
1/29:  Freshman Parent Counseling Night
1/30 & 31:  Sophomore Kerygma Retreat (Morningstar Renewal Center)