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Miami’s losing streak reaches nine, ends regular season with 83-75 loss to Florida State

Quinn Sheehan
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Miami’s losing streak reaches nine, ends regular season with 83-75 loss to Florida State

Last season played out like a dream for the Miami Hurricanes. The regular-season co-champions of the ACC made a run to the Final Four for the first time in program history and were defeated by an unstoppable UConn team, which went on to win the national championship.

This season, however, played out in an opposite direction, with the regular season wrapping up in Tallahassee, Florida. In yet another game where the Hurricanes were close, but not close enough, Miami lost 83-75 to its in-state rival Florida State to cap off its nightmare of a regular season with nine consecutive losses and a losing record.

As has been the story all season long, a key player was inactive for the ‘Canes on Saturday, with guard Nijel Pack missing this one due to a lower-body injury.

While Pack’s presence was missed, Miami was often its worst enemy over the game, with 17 turnovers turning into 15 points on the other end for FSU.

The Seminoles also knocked down 12 triples, with eight coming from senior guard Darin Green Jr., to propel themselves to victory.

Green led the way in the scoring department for Florida State, with all 26 of his points coming from long range. He was trailed in scoring by junior forward Jamir Watkins, who put in 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Bensley Joseph poured in a team-high 17 points for the ‘Canes, while star forward Norchad Omier and former Seminole Matthew Cleveland each had 16 points, with Omier also adding 17 rebounds.

The first half saw the two teams go back and forth, with eight lead changes within the first 20 minutes. Miami hounded the Seminoles defensively in the first half as Florida State shot only 35% from the field, but the ‘Canes still found themselves down 37-32 at halftime.

This was largely due to Miami’s 11 first-half turnovers and FSU’s effort on the offensive glass, pulling down 12 offensive rebounds.

“From the defensive standpoint, we did okay on the first shot, but their offensive rebounds just absolutely killed us,” head coach Jim Larrañaga said. “They ended up with 15 offensive rebounds, which led to 16 points. When you play good defense but keep giving them second shots, it becomes very difficult.”

Still, the Hurricanes’ steady shooting in the first frame kept them within reach, led by Cleveland’s 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field. Meanwhile, Green paced the ‘Noles in scoring with 12 points and four three-pointers.

The second half was closely contested, similar to the first half, with the ‘Canes battling back to take a three-point lead halfway through the second half following an 8-0 run. A balanced attack from the likes of Omier, Joseph and junior guard Wooga Poplar spearheaded the Miami run, while Green continued to rain down threes to keep FSU in the game.

However, once again, turnovers ramped up for the ‘Canes, as the Seminoles stretched the lead to eight as the game went under six minutes to go. As the clock wound down, Florida State began to distance itself, taking a nine-point lead, the largest of the game for FSU.

As the clock wound down on the regular season, the ‘Canes got as close as six points, but FSU held on to win 83-75.

Miami will now look ahead to the ACC tournament, which it must win to get an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament. The ‘Canes will enter the tournament as the No. 14 seed and will play the No. 11 seed, either Georgia Tech or Boston College, in the first round. The 14 vs. 11 game is scheduled for 7 p.m. this Tuesday and will air on ACC Network.

Miami’s losing streak reaches nine, ends regular season with 83-75 loss to Florida State

Quinn Sheehan
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Miami’s losing streak reaches nine, ends regular season with 83-75 loss to Florida State

Last season played out like a dream for the Miami Hurricanes. The regular-season co-champions of the ACC made a run to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, only to finally be defeated by a UConn team that went on to win the national championship.

This season played out in the opposite direction. In yet another game where the Hurricanes were close but not close enough, Miami lost 83-75 to its in-state rival, Florida State, to cap off its nightmare of a regular season with nine consecutive losses and a losing record.

As has been the story all season long, a key player was inactive for the Canes on Saturday. Guard Nijel Pack missed this one due to a lower-body injury.

While Pack’s presence was certainly missed, Miami was often its own worst enemy throughout the game, with 17 turnovers turning into 15 points for FSU.

The Seminoles also scored 12 triples, eight of which came from senior guard Darin Green Jr., to propel themselves to victory.

Green Jr. led Florida State in scoring, with all 26 of his points coming from long range. He was trailed in scoring by junior forward Jamir Watkins, who scored 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Bensley Joseph scored a team-high 17 points for the Canes, while star forward Norchad Omier and former Seminole Matthew Cleveland each scored 16 points, with Omier also adding 17 rebounds.

The first half saw the two teams go back and forth, with eight lead changes within the first 20 minutes. Miami hounded the Seminoles defensively in the first half as Florida State shot only 35% from the field, but the ‘Canes still found themselves down 37-32 at halftime.

This was largely due to Miami’s 11 first-half turnovers and FSU’s effort on the offensive glass, which resulted in 12 offensive rebounds.

“From the defensive standpoint, we did okay on the first shot, but their offensive rebounds just absolutely killed us,” head coach Jim Larrañaga said. “They ended up with 15 offensive rebounds, which led to 16 points. It becomes challenging when you play good defense but keep giving them second shots.”

Still, the Hurricanes’ steady shooting in the first frame kept them within reach, led by Cleveland’s 10 points on 4-7 shooting from the field. Meanwhile, Green Jr. paced the ‘Noles in scoring with 12 points and four three-pointers.

The second half was closely contested, similar to the first half, with the Canes battling back to take a 3-point lead halfway through the second half following an 8-0 run. A balanced attack from Omier, Joseph, and junior guard Wooga Poplar spearheaded the Miami run while Green Jr. continued to rain down threes to keep FSU in the game.

However, once again, turnovers ramped up for the ‘Canes as the Seminoles stretched the lead to eight with under six minutes to go. As the clock wound down, Florida State began to distance itself, taking a nine-point lead, the largest of the game for FSU.

As the regular season clock wound down, the Canes got as close as six points, but FSU held on to win 83-75.

Miami will now look ahead to the ACC tournament, which they must win to get an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament. The ‘Canes will enter the tournament as the 14th seed and play the 11th seed, either Georgia Tech or Boston College, in the first round. The 14 vs. 11 game is scheduled for 7 p.m. this Tuesday and will air on ACC Network.

Cuvet’s clutch home run completes Miami’s comeback against No. 13 Virginia, 6-5

Jayden Gonzalez
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Cuvet’s clutch home run completes Miami’s comeback against No. 13 Virginia, 6-5

In the bottom of the seventh, with a runner on first and second, Miami was searching for their first lead of the night against their first ACC opponent, the No. 13 ranked Virginia Cavaliers. UM’s Daniel Cuvet did just that, powering a clutch three-run home run over the fence in left-center field to take a one-run lead.

Cuvet’s long ball was just enough for UM to complete the comeback at Mark Light Field and win 6-5.

In the top of the ninth, Miami reliever Nick Robert was forced to work around a runner on third with one out. After getting the first batter to ground out, Robert got Luke Hanson to fly out to right field, completing the four-out save to win the opening series game.

The Cavaliers jumped on Miami’s Gage Ziehl early, immediately making loud contact. In the second inning, lefty Harrison Didawick took Ziehl’s 0-2 pitch opposite field, clearing the wall in left and allowing Virginia to take an early 2-0 lead.

In the third, with runners on first and second and no one out, UVA’s Ethan Anderson smoked a ground ball headed directly towards Ziehl. The righty fielded the ball and fired it high to shortstop Antonio Jimenez, who got the out at second but then misfired on his throw to first, allowing a run to score.

The young freshman’s error marked his fourth of the season and second of the game. Jimenez has struggled early on in his Miami career, both in the field and hitting. In his 2024 campaign, he is batting .172 with just three extra-base hits in 29 at-bats.

“He’s [Jimenez] got the ability to make the great play.” head coach J.D. Arteaga said after Sunday’s loss to UF. “But he’s got to be able to make the routine play.”

The Miami bats struggled to get anything going against UVA’s Cullen McKay. The sophomore righty struck out eight ‘Canes, allowed three runs on two hits, and surrendered his first base knock in the fifth inning.

In the sixth, the Miami bats finally woke up. Following a Dorian Gonzalez Jr. walk to load the bases with no one out, the Cavaliers pulled McKay, giving the ball to Chase Hungate. Jason Torres hit an RBI groundout, but it was catcher Jake Scanlon to ignite the crowd at the Light.

Facing Hungate, Scanlon laced a two-run double into the gap in right-center field, cutting the deficit to just one.

After the Cavaliers responded with a run of their own, the Hurricanes got a golden opportunity to take their first lead of the night in the seventh.

With bases loaded and no one out, Blake Cyr lined into an unassisted double play, slowing down UM’s momentum. The next batter, Cuvet, sent the home crowd into a frenzy, hitting his seventh home run of the season to take a 6-5 lead.

UM Friday starter Gage Ziehl was forced to battle against the Cavalier offense all night. In 5.2 innings of work, the righty gave up four runs on seven hits while striking out three Virginia batters.

Ziehl’s start to the season continues to be an uphill climb. In five starts this season, the sophomore has a 0-1 record and a 6.17 ERA in 23.1 innings of work. For comparison, Ziehl held a 6.40 ERA in his first five outings last season. The Hurricanes need more out of their Friday night starter if they want to match up against the best programs in the ACC.

Miami looks to build off their comeback victory with game two of the series against No. 13 Virginia at Mark Light Field. Lefty Rafe Schlesinger is scheduled to take the bump for the ‘Canes. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

‘Canes losing streak extends to eight on Senior Night to Boston College

Luke Sims
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‘Canes losing streak extends to eight on Senior Night to Boston College

In front of a sparse home crowd, the Miami Hurricanes fell to the Boston College Eagles 67-57 on Senior Night. The loss marks Miami’s eighth straight loss and a disappointing way to close out their season’s final game at the Watsco Center.

For the first time in months, Miami had a clean slate of health heading into the game. Both juniors Nijel Pack and Wooga Poplar were total participants in practice and were full go in the game. The injury bug did not stay away for long; Pack was injured after taking an awkward fall late in the first half and did not return.

The Hurricanes led 32-28 at the half, but like the last time Miami played BC, the Eagles pulled away in the second half and dominated Miami on the boards. The hero for the Eagles in the previous contest was senior Mason Madsen, who scored 25 points. For BC, graduate student Quinten Post led all scorers with 19 points this time.

Junior Norchad Omier led the way for the ‘Canes with a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Junior Matthew Cleveland was Miami’s leading scorer, with 13 points.

It was another poor shooting performance for junior Wooga Poplar. The Philadelphia native shot an abysmal 2-12 while only scoring seven points.

Miami failed to establish offensive consistency and struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 22 percent. Pack’s being out does not help that metric, but Miami’s shot selection did not favor them.

There were a lot of little things for Miami. UM they missed out on an abundance of second-chance points while allowing the Eagles to secure way too many of their own. The game was one in which Miami had a chance to win, but as the team has displayed all season long, it just needed more juice to get it done.

Omier and Pack were honored as part of the Senior Night celebrations, and many student assistants were present at what could be Omier’s final home game at the Watsco Center. Miami’s big man could test the waters of the NBA like last season.

The Hurricanes cap off their season with a trip to Tallahassee on Saturday to take on the rival Florida State Seminoles. Miami fell to the Seminoles in January and look to end their season on a high note. Tip-off for this concluding matchup is set for 4:00 P.M. at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. The game will also be available on ESPN 2.

All stats and data via ESPN and Statsbroadcast.com, unless otherwise noted

Takeaways from Miami baseball’s non-conference play

Ian Graves
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Takeaways from Miami baseball’s non-conference play

Capping off its non-conference schedule with a comeback win against Stonehill College, Miami heads into conference play this weekend with many new faces emerging as stars. That being said, there are still blatant holes in offense and on the mound that need attention to succeed in conference play.

Starting with the positives, newcomers to the starting lineup, freshman Daniel Cuvet, and sophomore Jason Torres, have been on fire to begin the 2024 season. Cuvet is batting an insane .548, has six home runs, and has an OPS of 1.746. These numbers are unheard of for a freshman in his first few weeks of collegiate ball.

Not far behind Cuvet is Torres, who is hitting an even .500, has seven home runs and has an OPS of 1.582. Cuvet and Torres have been carrying the Hurricane offense out of the heart of the lineup and look to continue their elite production into conference play.

Heading out to the mound, newcomers to the weekend rotation junior Rafe Schlessinger and junior Herick Hernandez have been lights out. The starting rotation was a significant concern as Gage Ziehl was the only returner. Still, those concerns have vanished as Schlessinger and Hernandez have shined, including quality starts from both arms against No. 4 Florida.

Schlessinger enters conference play with a 2.08 ERA and 25 strikeouts through three starts, and Hernandez enters conference play with a 1.59 ERA and 26 strikeouts through three starts. These guys have been dominant, and they will need to continue their dominance for UM to be successful in conference play, as opposing lineups will only get better and better.

As for the weaknesses of this ’Canes ballclub, the most glaring is its lack of pitching depth. Aside from the weekend rotation, Nick Robert has been the only dependable arm night in and night out on the mound. Only two Miami relievers have a sub 4.00 ERA, and many of those ERA’s are above 6.00.

Coach J.D. Arteaga and pitching coach Laz Gutierrez anticipated this issue coming into the season, and they will need to sort it out to have consistent success in ACC play.

One positive for the pitching depth was Wednesday night’s return of Brian Walters. Walters looked electric on the hill for his one inning against Stonehill, quickly logging three strikeouts. He could pump the gas up as high as 96 mph, making the Stonehill batters look silly. Adding a piece like Walters to the pen will be huge for Miami, who is desperate for bullpen depth.

Another negative for the Canes in non-conference play would be offensive inconsistency outside Cuvet and Torres. The UM offense has shown flashes of what everyone knows they can do, scoring over 15 runs in three games this season. Unfortunately, the bats are not producing on the same level night in and night out.

In games against NJIT, LIU, UCF, and even Stonehill, the offense has had major scoring droughts against pitching at lower levels than what it will see in conference play. Guys expected to play significant roles in the offense, like Blake Cyr, Lucas Costello, and Lorenzo Carrier, are all off to dreadful starts and will have to turn things around for the Canes to see offensive success.

The Hurricanes will host the red-hot No. 13 Virginia Cavaliers (12-1) in a three-game set to kick off ACC play. Game one is set for a 7 p.m. start time, with Ziehl likely on the mound for Miami at Mark Light Field on Friday night.

Comeback ‘Canes beat Skyhawks, 7-6

Carter Lutz
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Comeback ‘Canes beat Skyhawks, 7-6

There is one thing for sure about the J.D. Arteaga–led Hurricanes: they can never be count out.

Miami (7-5) came back down 6-1 and scored six unanswered runs to take down Stonehill (3-5), 7-6.

A five-run seventh inning brought Miami back. Started by a Blake Cyr three-run home run, Miami got two more runs from a walk and a wild-pitch to tie the game at six. A Daniel Cuvet RBI single broke the tie in the eighth inning, and the Hurricanes closed it out in the ninth inning.

Stonehill came out loose and scored a run in every inning up to the fifth inning. First baseman Trey Ciulla-Hall sparked rallies for the Skyhawks, hitting two separate two-out doubles. Freshman starter Braydon Grey shut down Miami, only giving up one earned run on three hits in four and ⅔ innings pitched.

A multitude of Miami relief pitchers stepped up toward the end of the game. Redshirt freshman Ashton Crowther got Miami out of a jam in the fifth inning, and in his first appearance of the season, Brian Walters struck out the side in the seventh inning.

Nick Robert, got the win as the 6-foot-6 true freshman seems to be a sure thing. Robert gave up no hits on three strikeouts for one and ⅓ inning pitched.

Cyr showed discipline at the plate and had his first big game of the year. He finished with two hits, four RBIs and two walks.

Ben Chesnutt got the start on the mound for Miami. The senior pitcher gave up two earned runs on five hits and two walks in two and ⅔ innings.

Miami gets ready for ACC play against No. 13 Virginia this Friday at Mark Light Field. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

Hurricanes golf struggle in Gainesville, finish in 9th

Rishj Desai
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Hurricanes golf struggle in Gainesville, finish in 9th

The Miami Hurricanes golf team traveled to Gainesville, Fla. and struggled for the second tournament in a row.

The ‘Canes finished ninth out of 14 teams in the Gator Invitational at 26-over par at 866. The Gators Invitational took place over two days but was a 54-hole event.

After finishing the fall semester with force, the goal was to carry that momentum into the spring. After starting off on the right foot at the UCF Challenge, they’ve stumbled since then.

Once again, senior Sara Byrne led the way for the Hurricanes, yielding herself yet another top-10 finish. After a first-round 66, Byrne found herself just one shot behind the leader; however, back-to-back over-par rounds dropped her back to even par. Byrne finished the tournament in a tie for eighth place, just six shots behind the leader. Byrne continues an impressive streak of golf after winning ACC golfer of the month.

Sophomore Olivia Grønborg competes in the second round of the Hurricane Invitational at the Biltmore Golf Course on Oct. 30, 2023.
Sophomore Olivia Grønborg competes in the second round of the Hurricane Invitational at the Biltmore Golf Course on Oct. 30, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

Sophomore Olivia Grønborg finished in a tie for 30th place at six-over par. After a first-round 77, Grønborg bounced back with rounds of 71 and 68 to limit the damage. The sophomore will look to build on the two-under 68 as the spring goes on.

Freshman Rebekah Gardener finished at 11-over-par in a tie for 45th place. Gardener shot rounds of 72, 75 and 74.

Freshman Rebekah Gardner practices at the Biltmore Golf Course on Jan. 25, 2023.
Freshman Rebekah Gardner practices at the Biltmore Golf Course on Jan. 25, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

German freshman Sophie Bierstorfer finished in a tie for 48th place at 13-over par. After an opening round of 78, Bierstorfer limited the damage and shot 71 and 74 in the final two rounds.

Freshman Barbora Bukájová finished at 20-over par and tied for 60th place.

The Hurricanes will have a week-and-a-half off before they travel to Charleston, South Carolina for the Briar’s Creek Invitational. The tournament will take place on March 11 and 12.

Students share excitement for Miami Open tennis tournament

Lucia Moglia
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Students share excitement for Miami Open tennis tournament
Fourth-year junior Daevenia Achong returns a ball during her singles win over Columbia sophomore Anna Zhang at the Miami Open on Friday, April 1, 2022.
Fourth-year junior Daevenia Achong returns a ball during her singles win over Columbia sophomore Anna Zhang at the Miami Open on Friday, April 1, 2022. Photo credit: Alexandra Carnochan

As this tennis season continues its course, fans of the sport now turn to the next highly-anticipated tournament: the Miami Open. Held every late March at the Hard Rock Stadium, this tournament attracts tennis fans from all over the U.S and worldwide.

Like its predecessors, this year’s tournament will display fierce competition, a broad range of talent and state-of-the-art facilities for players and audiences alike.

For several University of Miami students, the Miami Open is a highlight of their spring semester.

“My family and I have been going to the Miami Open since I was a kid,” freshman biology major Emma Tews said. “I get excited every March knowing these players I looked up to when I was younger will be so close to me.”

The Miami Open offers a two-week experience where each day consists of different men’s, women’s and doubles matches. The tournament officially starts on Sunday, March 17 with the women’s qualifying rounds.

Each day gets more competitive as the best go head-to-head for each match and players are gradually eliminated. The women’s final will be held on Saturday, March 30, and the men’s on Sunday, March 31.

“I’m excited for the finals,” Macias said. “I think it’s going to be an Alcaraz and Djokovich showdown which is always pretty interesting.”

This year, wheelchair tennis and Major League Pickleball will also be part of the open, marking the first time both events will take place at any 1000 series tournament.

“I’m glad the Miami Open added these events,” sophomore finance major Maria Amaro said. “It shows an effort to diversify and make the tournament more inclusive.”

The annual tennis tournament continues to display the world’s top tennis talent and spotlight emerging players. Attendees this year can expect to see renowned stars of the sport such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and many more.

“Since I grew up playing tennis, it was really special for me to watch these players every year,” Tews said. “Although the tournament is held at a farther venue than where it was when I was a kid, my family and I still make an effort to go.”

Since 2019, the Miami Open has been held at the Hard Rock Stadium instead of its original location at the Crandon Park Tennis Center. When this switch was made, many fans of the tournament were disappointed to know they would have to drive extra miles to attend.

“I don’t like how far it is,” freshman finance major Samuel Macias said. “But it’s like going to a UM football game — you sacrifice an hour or so of driving to end up getting a good experience.”

Attendees will also get to enjoy state-of-the-art cuisine as some of Miami’s finest restaurants host pop-ups around the stadium. Some of these restaurants include David Chang’s Fuku, Kiki on the River and Ella’s Oyster Bar.

“I’m really excited to go this year,” Macias said. “The other times I’ve gone have been a lot of fun, and there’s so much to do and see besides watching the matches.”

The Miami Open is a major event on the tennis calendar and an exciting opportunity for South Florida residents to see some of the world’s top talent in action.

Tickets are being sold on the Miami Open website. Among the several ticket options are package deals for the full tournament, single session tickets, luxury seating tickets and many more.

‘Canes take on the world: where UM students are going for spring break

Anna Hanonick
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‘Canes take on the world: where UM students are going for spring break
Photo credit: Eva Ibert Roca

Spring break and Miami seem like a match made in heaven, but the city loses its sparkle amidst the 10 p.m. curfews, overwhelming tourist crowds and spike in crime rates.

Despite the increased number of visiting college students in March, some UM students will begin the great migration out of Miami this weekend to get away from the noise.

Students of all grade levels plan to travel during spring break. For some, traveling means taking a trip home to rest and recuperate.

“I’m going home for spring break. I need to sleep,” said Laren Nygaard, a freshman business major. “Most of my friends are also going home.”

Other students, like sophomore finance major Jayson Rabinowitz, will use the break to catch up on much needed-family time.

“I’m going home to see my family and then to Boulder to visit my sister,” sophomore finance major Jayson Rabinowitz said. “We are going to ski in a steamboat for a few days before I head back to Miami.”

While some ‘Canes prefer domestic travel, others plan to head outside U.S. borders to destinations like the Bahamas or Europe.

“All my roommates are going to Cancun for a break, and the other kids I know are going to Cabo,” Rabinowitz said.

Spring semester of junior year is a popular time for students to study abroad, but for those who decided not to, spring break offers a chance to visit their friends and get a taste of life abroad.

Junior marketing major Connor Dunham chose to stay in Miami this semester, but will use his spring break for an overseas excursion.

“I am going to Barcelona to visit some of my friends who are currently studying abroad,” Dunham said.

Some students may visit multiple countries during the break to maximize their trip and get a fuller picture of what it’s like to live overseas.

“I am going to Amsterdam to meet up with a couple of my friends who are currently studying in Barcelona,” said junior biochemistry major Bella Haham. “We’re also going to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day because everyone will be there, so it’ll definitely be an eventful trip.”

Among some graduating seniors, there is an unofficial travel tradition where they head to Las Vegas for fall break, then spend spring break in Nashville to enjoy one last ride as a UM student.

“I am going to Nashville for spring break with some of my friends,” Amanda Coleman, senior marketing major said. “Most seniors tend to go to Nashville for the first half of spring break, and either stay or split off to do their own thing after.”

Though Miami’s weather, culture and nightlife attract spring breakers from around the U.S., an occasional break from the city can be refreshing for UM students.

Whether they’re in Miami or not, ‘Canes find a way to have a good time.

MSA initiative unites and empowers women of color on campus

Samantha Rodriguez
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MSA initiative unites and empowers women of color on campus
Attenders of MSA’s Centering Self-Love event pose for a photo on Feb. 14, 2024.
Attenders of MSA’s Centering Self-Love event pose for a photo on Feb. 14, 2024. Photo credit: Cecelia Runner

Enough, a program by Multicultural Student Affairs, instills confidence in diverse female students through monthly luncheons and group discussions that promote mentorship, leadership and networking skills.

The organization feels women of color’s battle to lead in a white or male-dominated workspace can surge competition between those who need to unite most. Enough hosts then empowerment sessions to remind attendees of collaboration’s power and how one diverse woman’s success can mean a more welcoming future for all.

Madison Rojas, the MSA associate director, works with Enough leaders junior Kevmely Antonie, Enough co-founder Sierra Straker and PhD candidate Guerdiana Thelomar to unite women of color.

“We’re fighting for what we think is a limited resource of power, money, wealth, knowledge,” Antonie said. “When you’re stepping on other people of color, you’re also bringing yourself down.”

As a past first-generation college student, Rojas recalled her previous individualistic mindset.

“Always having it ingrained in my mind that I had to fight for my space, I had to fight for my presence to be recognized in these spaces,” Rojas said.

Rojas’ first months as a MSA staff introduced her to an inclusive workspace, which promoted collaboration, contrary to her previous experiences. Her initial mindset then morphed into one that puts ‘we’ before ‘me.’

“I’m in an environment where I’m uplifted,” Rojas said. “You may not be thinking that you’re harming others or not uplifting those around you until you actually have someone that’s there sharing these things with you because they want you to advance with them.”

Her experience showed an institution’s power when run by empathy instead of domination, the institutions Enough promotes.

Speak with intention instead of domination

“We just need to listen to each other,” Starker said. “Have a fruitful conversation to see where [our partners] are, see how similar we are, to develop that vulnerability and make that space for love to flourish.”

By enlisting more women of color to create more collaborative work environments, Enough sees a loving world within reach.

“Looking at society now, we have this idea of ‘the others,’ the people who are other than me,” Antonie said. “When you have women of color in those positions of leadership, that idea of otherness goes away.”

The organization invites people to create positive affirmation jars, release negative self-talk and reignite their inner confidence with monthly events.

Enough hosted “Centering Self-Love: Women of Power in Academia,” a discussion where panelists shared strategies on navigating higher education, preserving your confidence and practicing self-love as women of color.

With a “Women’s History Month: Passions, Entrepreneurship, Influence” event on March 7, Enough continues to provide diverse womens’ leadership skills to kickstart their path toward success.

Each event aids Enough’s mission to embody the welcoming and nurturing environment they believe the world can be for women of color.

“As a graduate student, the journey can be isolating,” Thelomar said. “Enough and MSA has been a great way for me to be intentional about having a community for myself and navigating this space.”

Enough seeks to shatter diverse female students’ negative self-perceptions and reaffirm that they are deserving of opportunities, growth and professional development.

“There are several times, especially navigating a predominantly white institution, where you don’t feel adequate just by being in the space,” Straker said. “If you tell yourself in the mirror, ‘you are enough, you got up today,’ celebrating the little things, you’re able to celebrate the bigger things.”

Enough brings people together

“Even if it may feel you’re going through these things alone or you may feel you’re the only one who has certain thoughts or viewpoints, you’re not alone,” Thelomar said. “There’s a whole village and community out there who’s willing and ready to support you.”

Enough works to plant seeds of leadership, positivity and progress in its members and event attendees. Those who represent and spread Enough’s values are the organizations’ future, according to its leaders.

Commemorate Women’s History Month with Enough on March 6 at their entrepreneurship discussion at 5 p.m. in the Shalala Student Center. Supporters can follow Enough’s mission to cement diverse female students’ space on campus on their Instagram @enough.woc.

Students advocate for accessible menstrual care

Morgan Fry
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Students advocate for accessible menstrual care
From left to right: Elena Thomson, Luna Plaza, and Sofia Del Mar Gomez Mahecha help pack menstrual care packages. Photo Credit: Lex Calderon
From left to right: Elena Thomson, Luna Plaza, and Sofia Del Mar Gomez Mahecha help pack menstrual care packages. Photo Credit: Lex Calderon

Women’s History Month celebrates women throughout the month of March, but one campus organization works year-round to promote women’s health.

PERIOD at UM seeks to raise awareness, destigmatize and put an end to period poverty, which describes the poor accessibility and affordability of menstrual products and education for menstrual hygiene.

The club’s main events include period packing parties, where volunteers assemble menstrual care packages for local women’s shelters, homeless shelters and LGBTQ+ centers.

PERIOD at UM is the University’s chapter of the Period Movement, which was founded in 2014 by two high school students in Portland, Oregon. Since then, the movement has expanded to schools nationwide, with the UM chapter starting in 2020.

“I think PERIOD made me realize how big of a problem [period poverty] is, once you actually dive deeper into it and you interact with the people that are going through it and you’re hearing these stories,” president of PERIOD UMiami and senior health science major Lex Calderon said.

The club currently consists of around 20 active members and an executive board that meets every week to plan their events. PERIOD’s events focus on the movement’s three pillars: service, education and advocacy.

“For us, it’s important that we also have an education component,” Calderon said. “We teach our peers why we’re doing this, why it’s important to us and just highlight why it should be important to them.”

Period kits include 6 pads, two panty liners and one or two feminine wipes. The bags also come with uplifting notes written by volunteers written to help the community feel loved when they receive the kits.

“We have so many shelters and so many homeless [people] here in the Miami-Dade community that need menstrual supplies,” Calderon said. “It’s more than just a period. It’s their hygiene. It’s their health that’s also been affected by not having access to clean menstrual products.”

PERIOD often collaborates with other campus organizations to host these period packing parties. Club members come together to volunteer their time and learn about the significance of period poverty.

“We kind of intertwine our education components with the period packing things,” Calderon said. “So when someone asks for a collaboration, we say ‘yes, we’re able to do a collaboration but we also want at least 15 minutes before to speak on what period poverty is.’”

Calderon joined PERIOD as a freshman and served as secretary during her junior year. She credits PERIOD for a lot of the growth she has had as a female leader.

“For me as a leader, [I’ve been] able to come forth and create a beautiful, wonderful, strong team of females,” Calderon said. “It’s amazing to see the impact that they are able to do and see the passion that they have for it.”

Sophomore Luna Plaza is a gender studies and gender and sexuality studies major. She also serves as the outreach coordinator and sees PERIOD as a platform to connect with and learn about different organizations in the community.

Plaza is currently working to start a period pantry with local reproductive justice organizers at the Little Haiti Cultural Center.

“I am a youth activist and community organizer,” Plaza said. “I am thankful for PERIOD at UM, as our organization has helped me network with many community groups and organizations in need of period products.”

Calderon and her majority female leadership team work to provide empowerment and support to individuals in need. Women’s History Month is a time when Calderon reflects on being a role model for women today.

“Women tend to get looked down [on], or maybe overlooked in society,” Calderon said. “I think this month is the time that we can really highlight the success of women in multiple areas and the contributions that they have made to society.”

PERIOD’s next packing party will be held in the Shalala Iron Arrow Room on March 28 at 5 p.m. Anyone is welcome to volunteer.

Be sure to follow PERIOD @period.umiami for more updates on future events.

‘Breaking up with spring break’: What students need to know

Grace Tylee
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‘Breaking up with spring break’: What students need to know

With an influx of over 40,000 tourists for spring break in South Beach last year, the Miami Beach Police Department has struggled to maintain security in the neighborhood during one of its busiest times of the year.

Having dealt with hundreds of arrests, DUIs, gun confiscations and rowdy crowds in the past, the City of Miami Beach is cracking down on crime this spring break to ensure safety for tourists and locals alike.

In the city’s recently published public service announcement, precautions including bag checks, DUI checkpoints, curfews and even $100 parking fees are set to be enforced throughout March, with some focus on “high-impact periods,” referencing every weekend during the month between Thursday-Sunday.

Molly McKenna, a senior at UM, aims to avoid the South Beach experience altogether.

“I almost make it a point to stay out of South Beach due to all of the tourists and college students who are taking advantage of the area while in town,” McKenna said.

“It’s a highly popular getaway, and with that comes an immense amount of reckless behaviors and an unsafe environment. It’s not all bad, but the option to not deal with South Beach is one I’d prefer, with just as good alternative options while staying in Miami.”

Miami is certainly a vast city to explore, yet South Beach seems to be the area that all college students flock to for their week-long excursions.

According to NBC News, spring break crowds are already starting to gather on South Beach in large numbers. In anticipation of the chaos that has struck Miami Beach in past years, the following is how MBPD and the City of Miami Beach are planning to tackle any potential threats to safety.

Gun Violence & Permitless Carry

Last spring break, two people were killed in relation to gun violence on the streets of Miami Beach. Over the past few years, MBPD has also confiscated hundreds of guns brought in by out-of-towners, and the department is now looking to limit as much violence as possible.

As of July 1, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s permitless concealed carry law also passed in the state, allowing the majority of residents and visitors to carry weapons without a government-issued license. This has posed a new threat to the City of Miami Beach, leading the local government to create measures restricting the presence of guns as much as possible in the community.

A heightened police presence is expected at Miami Beach throughout the month, including reinforcement from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami-Dade Schools Police Department, MBPD’s Marine Patrol and other municipal law enforcement agencies.

“City staffing will also be increased with the presence of the Miami Beach Fire Rescue, Ocean Rescue, Code Compliance, Park Rangers and Parking & Sanitation,” MBPD said in a statement.

Checkpoints and bag checks at beach access points will also be implemented throughout the city, specifically during “high-impact” weekends.

“The MBPD will implement an enhanced alpha/bravo staffing configuration during these high-impact weekends,” said public information officer of MBPD, Christopher Bess. “This means that every MBPD officer will work 13-hour shifts, and there will be an additional 18 law enforcement partners deployed.”

Alcohol & Drug Control

South Beach is also known to become extremely popular at night during these busy weekends in March, creating an attraction for alcohol and drug use.

This year’s new measures include strict regulations on alcohol or drug possession, with liquor stores in the Entertainment District now being required to close as early as 8 p.m.

The consumption of alcohol, narcotics and marijuana is already prohibited on the beach. The City of Miami Beach also has a new law, effective Jan. 1, 2023, that makes the smoking of cigarettes and other tobacco products illegal, resulting in fines between $100-500 or up to 60 days in jail.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) sobriety checkpoints will also be placed in the beach town, specifically along 5th Street on March 8-9 and March 15-16.

South Beach is no stranger to UM students with its endless nightlife and restaurants, becoming a breeding ground for substance abuse. The beach seems less appealing to students when crowded with tourists for spring break, like for freshman Aarya Shaikh. Yet she plans to simply minimize her time there while still getting to experience all Miami Beach has to offer.

“I’m going home for the first five days of break and then heading to South Beach with a couple of friends to spend the next five days down here,” Shaikh said.

“I think it will be packed with students and prices will be much higher, but overall manageable.”

Parking & Transportation

As the city gears up for the influx of visitors during the upcoming spring break season, Miami Beach authorities are implementing a series of stringent measures to manage parking and transportation effectively.

During high-impact periods, a flat parking rate of $30 will be enforced at city parking garages and surface lots, with that price rising to $100 at 42nd Street garage (G6). The flat parking rate does not apply to Miami Beach residents, access card holders, permit holders or employees with proper identification.

To ensure compliance with parking regulations, authorities will also increase towing of illegally parked vehicles, with the towing fine doubled to $516 for non-residents. Spring breakers are urged to adhere to designated parking areas to avoid penalties, as several parking garages and surface lots in South Beach will also be closed during specific periods.

To address congestion effectively, enhanced traffic monitoring and management strategies will be in place. This includes real-time updates, modified traffic signal timing and increased staffing during peak hours.

In light of parking limitations, visitors are encouraged to explore alternative transportation options such as public transit, ridesharing services, or utilizing the city’s free trolley service, which will operate on an enhanced schedule during high-impact periods.

As the city strives to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike, cooperation with parking and transportation regulations is being prioritized by MBPD. By planning ahead and adhering to these measures, spring breakers can contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable visit to Miami Beach, if they choose to do so.

The MBPD will certainly be aware of the number of students, especially from last year’s violence and violations, but there is a hope that with these enforced rules and regulations, South Beach will remain a safer environment for all those stopping by the tropical neighborhood.

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