After one month, our students have experienced engaging academics, interactive activities, and thrilling athletic competitions. We are off and running…literally! We are making up for lost time, bridging the gaps that exist academically, socially, and spiritually.

 

I am thankful that our Marist Educators understand the importance of creating and fostering a family spirit, providing a welcoming presence, and demonstrating a love of work that includes sacrifice and commitment to our mission. We have a proud team that works very well together and collectively we achieve great things! 

After a 2-year hiatus due to Covid, Beach Bash was back in 2022, kicking off the school year in a BIG way.  Over 3,000 Explorers and young ladies from our local high schools attended the dance which now offers three locations for dancing and socializing:  The Cafeteria, The Gym, and the Marcus Lemonis and Mario Sueiras Center for Science & the Arts Courtyard & Dining Hall.  Thank you to SAC moderators Ms. Brown and Mrs. Alonso. 

This year’s school marketing campaign, Always Ahead Adelante, featured students who are excelling at Columbus in several different areas.  Special thanks to the following five students who participated in the photoshoot and represented Columbus well:  Michael Alvarez, Cameron Boozer, Cayden Boozer, Alejandro Echeverri, and Sebastian Marin.

Our Pat Call and Irene Culmo Center for College & Career Guidance partnered with a certified life coach to host two workshops for juniors and seniors.  The workshops covered topics like time management and motivation strategies and aimed  to equip students with tools to help them succeed in both high school and college.   In addition, the department hosted daily College Counselor Connect Sessions.

On September 8, the feast day of Our Lady of Charity and the nativity of the Virgin Mary, a blessing ceremony was held for our Coach DQ Courtyard.  Located on the third floor of the Marcus Lemonis and Mario Sueiras Center for Science & the Arts, the courtyard is dedicated to Daniel Quesada, a student who passed away of Cystic Fibrosis while attending Columbus during his senior year in 2019.  The ceremony was attended by Daniel's parents Mike & Mari Quesada, dozens of family members, friends, and alumni parent Jorge Rico whose generous donation allowed the school to construct the courtyard.  Special thanks to Deacon Dugard for presiding over the blessing ceremony and to alum Rev. Alejandro Rodriguez Artola for helping us import the beautiful statue of Mary from Italy. 

The Debate Team competed at the 34th Annual Grapevine Classic in Dallas, TX against  20 of the top 100 schools in the nation.  The team of Joseph Alonso and James Sacher took first in JV Public Forum.  Matthew Moreno took second in JV Lincoln-Douglas and   Nicholas Diaz took third best speaker in JV Lincoln-Douglas Debate.  Thank you Mr. De Tuya.

We continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month (Sep. 15 – Oct. 15).  This year the World Languages Team has brought a lineup of food trucks to Columbus during lunch time so our students could sample a variety foods from different Latin-American countries.  Argentina,  Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and Peru have all been represented and the faculty has shared in the spirit as well. We also had a Latin food breakfast and will host student/faculty trivia games and raffles as well as for mariachis.  Special thanks to Mrs. Alonso and all the Spanish language teachers..

The freshman and sophomore class participated in a prayer service together followed by a day of fun activities and sports.  It was a wonderful way for our students to start the school year, re-connecting with their school family.  Michael Alvarez and Jonas Delgado presented faith witness talks and theology teachers Mr. Emmanuel González and Mr. Fernando Machado led the opening prayer.  Special thanks to Mr. Gonzalez, Mrs. Alegret and all the teachers who led activities.   

Sacrament of Confirmation participants experienced topics presented by faculty, and faith witness talks and small group discussions by Campus Ministry leaders Sebastian Arritola, Nicholas Aulet, Ethan Cruz-Diaz, Jonas Delgado, Christian Pico, Diego Negrin, and Antonio Roca. Special thanks to Mr. Aviles, Mr. Matthew Chica, Mr. Diaz, Mr. Emmanuel González, and Mr. Harriman.

Our Juniors and Seniors experienced a meaningful  Encounter.  Special thanks to Mrs. Reynaldo, Ms. Vinson, Mr. Lorenzo, and Campus Ministry student-leaders Victor Castillo, Jake Gaunaurd, Diego Negrin, Brian van Hemert, and Joseph Vilomar.

Campus Ministry leaders represented Columbus at the Mass in Honor of Our Lady of Charity at the National Shrine of our Lady of Charity (La Ermita de la Caridad) with Archbishop Wenski. Thanks to Mr. Machado for leading the Columbus delegation.

Congratulations once again to the Varsity Basketball Team! This time for’s for being presented with their  2022 FHSAA Class 7A State Championship rings.

 

Varsity Football is Undefeated
The Explorer Football Team went undefeated in September with big wins against Killian, Tampa Jesuit, Palmetto, Northwestern and Miami Senior High.  Go Explorers!

Cross Country Placed 10 Runners in GMAC Championship
The Hellions Cross Country Team placed 10 runners in the top 12 at the GMAC Championship. The team was led by Alejandro Romagosa and followed closely behind was Daniel Garcia, Gio Armas, and Mario Suerias. The boys took first place with a score of 23 points and a 5k average of 17:10. Earlier in the month, both the JV and Varsity teams claimed first place at the King of the Hill Invitational.  Thank you Mr. Areces.

The Explorer Golf Team placed first at the annual Dade County Youth Fair Golf Tournament.  Hans Risvaer led the way with a (-2) 68,  Andres Atrio (-1) 69, Christian Figueredo E (70), Seb Kawas E (70), and Max Fonseca +1 (71) all rounded out the scores. Virtually every team in Dade County from all classifications played including private and public schools, so it was quite the victory.  Earlier in the month, the team won the Catholic Tri Match versus St. Thomas Aquinas and Archbishop McCarthy. Thank you Coach Marinelli.

 

The CCHS Environmental Club, led by President Gabriel Villar '23 and Diego Rodriguez '23, recently participated in the International Coastal Cleanup Day alongside Clean Miami Beach. Our students picked up trash on the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami Beach and documented plastic waste data for environmental research. As a result, a record-breaking 2,702 pounds of garbage was collected and properly disposed of. The group of volunteers were featured on Local 10 News for their cleanup initiative.

Engineering teacher Mr. Armando Rodriguez and his students teamed up with engineers from Jacobs Engineering for the 39th Annual International Coastal Clean-up day. Over 600 lbs. of garbage was picked up.

Marist Youth gathers for prayer, faith, and social experiences on Tuesday nights. Thanks to Nicolas Lavin, Cameron Jones, Daniel Malabet, James Sacher, Enrique Ferrer, Evan Piel, Gabriella Dreize, Alexander Valcarcel, Diego Negrin, Erick Gonzalez, Andrea Lavin, Michael Alvarez, Jake Gaunaurd, Br. Tom, Br. Peter, Mr. Machado, Mr. Kumer, Ms.  Valdes, and Mr. Alberto Rodriguez for their leadership and service.

 

 

Pre-Law Club Hosted Attorney Michael Carmona
The Pre-Law Club hosted its first meeting of the year with attorney and proud alum Michael Carmona. Thank you Br. John.

The following students participated in the Marist Brothers’ Encuentro Project Ministry in El Paso, Texas.  They got a close-up experience of life at the border and learned about the issues surrounding immigration to the USA.   Eduardo Cabrera, Luis Pedro Caicedo,  Sebastian Charris, Anthony Delgado, Nikolas Jenkins, Nicolas Lavin, Camilo Nunez de Villaciencio, Anthony Pargas, Mike Rodriguez, and Nielsun Sanchez.  Special thanks to Br. Al and Mrs. Chomat.

The Anglers Club completed its first ever Saltwater/Dolphin Fishing Tournament which was open to all Columbus students.  First Place Heaviest Dolphin went to Gavin Gonzalez-Quevedo (7.66 lbs.).  And, he also won the Heaviest Tuna (5.10 lbs.).   The 2^nd Heaviest Dolphin went to William Wilkening.   Earlier in the month, the club hosted its annual Boaters Safety Course which was open to  all Columbus students and sponsored by the Monica Burguera Foundation and presented by the U.S. Coastguard Auxiliary. Each student in attendance earned their boater safety card at the end of the session. 

The Castaways Against Cancer proudly closed out their 2022: Carry On Tour with record success. The team, made up of mostly Columbus alumni and teachers, raised upwards of $300,000 that they donated to the Sylvester Cancer Center to fund projects in life changing cancer research. They could not do this without the support from the CCHS family and are very grateful.

Jacob Rodriguez's opinion piece on how the United States is poorly designed won second place for District Print Commentary at FSPA Journalism Day Fall 2022. READ JACOB’S ARTICLE.

Daniel Saenz Placed 1^st in Spearfishing Tournament
Freshman Daniel Saenz managed to spear a 8.22lb grouper and a 22 1/4” hogfish that weighed 7.36lb which landed him in first place for both categories. Congratulations Daniel.  Thank you Coach Dukes.

 

Nominated by Samsung Electronics America, CCHS Director of Technology and Innovation Alex Seage was named a finalist in the eSchool News K-12 Hero Awards Program.  He was nominated for his commitment to education and for his creativity and innovation in helping students to continue learning during the pandemic while ensuring they felt empowered and engaged. 

Marist Youth (Co-ed student faith community) meets every Tuesday at Columbus from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. High school adolescents, from any high school, are invited to attend.