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‘They’re coming for our people:’ Miami community gathers against ICE

Ariana Glaser
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‘They’re coming for our people:’ Miami community gathers against ICE

Dozens of demonstrators gathered in Bayside on Jan. 30, 2026 to protest recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and stand in solidarity with Minnesota. 

The protest, hosted by the Party of Socialism and Liberation’s Miami branch, was part of a national “shutdown” that encouraged protesters to skip school and work, avoid engaging with the economy and attend demonstrations. It was held in front of Miami’s Torch of Friendship, a historic monument erected in 1960 to welcome immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Those in attendance held up handmade signs that called for the abolishment of ICE and justice for affected families. One sign quoted Broadway’s “Hamilton”: “Immigrants, we get the job done.”

Maria Franzblau, co-chair of the Miami Democratic Socialists of America, is the daughter of an immigrant. According to Franzblau, the crowd is likely made up of  “a lot of people who are either immigrants themselves or whose family are immigrants.”

In an opinion article published by The Miami Herald last June, the Editorial Board wrote that part of what makes Miami so unique is that it was “proudly and undeniably built by waves of immigrants and refugees.”

“[ICE] is coming after our nurses, our doctors, activists, teachers, union members, mothers and fathers, children,” said Franzblau. “They’re coming for our people, our communities, and that needs to come to an end.”

Accounting for 22% of the state’s total population, approximately 5 million immigrants call Florida home, including an estimated 925,000 undocumented immigrants. In Miami, immigrants make up 65% of the labor force. 

Last June, Miami city commissioners voted to allow local police officers to collaborate with ICE. Since President Trump’s reelection, more than 20,000 Floridians have been arrested on immigration related charges. 

“We are here to show that Miami will not stand by while our city [and] our government collaborates with ICE on deportation,” said Claudia Rodriguez, an organizer with the South Florida Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “What we are experiencing here is unjust, and it is honestly an attack on all of our rights.”

Alex Pretti and Renee Good are two of the eight known people to have died at the hands of ICE agents this year. They were U.S. citizens.  

Amongst the mass protests in solidarity of these and other incidents were members of the University of Miami community. 

Tyler Bouma, a UM alum, held up a sign that read: “No one is illegal on stolen land.”

“I feel like, as someone that has privilege, I need to be here, giving a voice to these people,” said Bouma. “I believe in human decency and dignity and that’s not what we’re seeing in the streets these days. It’s murder and hatred.”

The search for internships grows more competitive than ever 

Skyla Thomas
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The search for internships grows more competitive than ever 

As February begins, the search for internships intensifies for many upperclassmen. Handshake, a popular job search tool, reports a major uptick in internship applications this year. Each posting now attracts 109 applications on average — up from 62 last year and 43 in 2024. 

Zoe Fundora, a career coach at the Toppel Career Center, states several reasons for this increase in internship applications. 

“People feel a lot of pressure to secure jobs earlier, as well as social media, seeing people working immediately, finding these internship connections,” she said. “Every year things are getting more competitive and starting earlier.”

Handshake reports that 41% of students in the class of 2025 had applied to at least one internship as of January 2025, compared to 34% of students in the class of 2023 by the end of their undergraduate careers. 

Students are increasingly understanding how internships not only provide real world experience and resume building, but also help students figure out what they want to do in the future. 

According to Handshake, among the students who participated in internships, 79% said “the experience had a moderate or significant impact on their level of interest in working full-time for their internship employer.”

Sawyer Bland, a sophomore double majoring in finance and quantitative economics, is on the hunt for a summer 2026 internship in commercial real estate.. Last summer he worked as a management operations intern for the St. Louis Shock Professional Pickleball Team.

Internship postings for technology and professional services, such as commercial real estate, receive about twice as many applications as the overall average, according to Handshake. Therefore, many students in these fields are applying much earlier. 

“I started [applying] over Thanksgiving break,” Bland states. “I’ve probably applied to over 200 internships.” 

Fundora said she urges the accounting and finance majors to apply much earlier due to their competitive nature. 

Logan Tridel, a senior studying business tech, legal studies and HR management, has worked as an intern at Paramount, NBCUniversal and Peacock. She applied to around 20 or 30 internships. Instead of just filling out applications and hoping to get a call back, she focused all her attention and networking towards the ones she really cared about. 

Fundora states that networking early on is a crucial step. A good first step is to workshop your LinkedIn and begin making connections, even with individuals in fields completely different than yours. 

 “It feels more genuine when you are looking for internships, and you’re reaching out to people, not for the first time, but you’ve already built that back and forth by doing informational interviews and getting to know what these people do in their line of work,” Fundora said. 

A U.S. News & World Report study on 1,740 interns in the fall of 2025, found that 60% of them relied on LinkedIn to acquire their internship, and 42% relied on personal networking.

Bland mentions that his membership in Alpha Kappa Psi, a business fraternity on campus, has been very helpful for professional development and networking. There are many professional communities around campus that can improve students’ relations and connections.

Tridel states that one of the classes in the business school, the sophomore career class, taught by Mark Shapiro was pivotal in her search for internships.

“What was taught in that class was how to network, how to use LinkedIn as a search engine and really make the most out of the University of Miami alumni base,” Tridel said.

Most of all Tridel states that using the alumni network has been most helpful to helping her find connections and opportunities.

“I reached out to a bunch of UM alumni via LinkedIn and asked them for informational interviews and for calls,” Tridel said. “I know you always say canes care for canes, but I’ve definitely found that to be true in my internship search process.”  

Bland states that to begin searching for opportunities he used resources such as Handshake, LinkedIn, and specific company websites. While there are many things students can do prior to applications, Bland emphasizes the importance of the interview process. 

Bland states how before his interviews he conducts research about the firm, as well as who’s interviewing him, if it’s listed, and what their experience is like professionally on the team. 

While you must do a decent amount of professional research on the company and recruiter, Tridel also mentions the importance of getting to know your recruiter personally and being a personable interviewee.

“Sometimes I’ll even go further and get a sense for who they are, not only as a professional, but as a person. Trying to find those little things here and there that can spark good conversation naturally,” Tridel said.

On the other hand, many interviews are now taking place using HireVue, an AI-powered interview process according to Bland. Bland points out that this makes the process more challenging.  

“They can have an AI just sort your [application], and then just by whatever algorithm that their AI is using they can throw your application in the trash pile. You could be a totally good candidate,” Bland states. 

Fundora states that even after the interviews it’s important to continue expressing your interest. She states how it’s very important to follow up afterwards to show your continued interest. According to Fundora, the more people who have heard your name, the better.

While the landscape for internships is growing more and more competitive, using your resources and being prepared can make the difference. For Bland and Tridel, using their connections wisely, strengthening their resume, and being well educated on the firms, and recruiters that were interviewing them helped them to be successful in the process.

UM students relocate paralyzed iguanas after record low temperatures

Vivian Amoia
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UM students relocate paralyzed iguanas after record low temperatures

With a cold front coming over the U.S., South Florida has recorded low temperatures not seen since 2010. As chills hit the low 40s, the invasive, cold-blooded iguana species lose the ability to move their muscles.

There are hundreds of thousands of iguanas in Florida, with the highest concentration in South Florida, according to Trophy Gator Hunts. The University of Miami has a large population of these iguanas and more than32 of the reptiles were found paralyzed on campus on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 1.

Ryan Chaffee, a senior studying marine science was surprised by how many animals were impacted by the cold.

“I was surprised by the sheer number of lizards that were cold-shocked,” he said. “Not just iguanas, but a few species of anoles as well, including green anoles, which are the only native lizard species on campus.”

When the iguanas can not move they often fall from trees and appear dead. They are instead in a state of paralysis, known as torpor. 

On Friday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued an executive order giving residents and visitors permission “to remove live, cold-stunned iguanas from the wild without a permit,” according to Fox News. 

This order allows anyone to bring the paralyzed iguanas to a designated FWC office on Sunday or Monday. Some University of Miami students have started to collect these reptiles right here on campus.

During her beach volleyball tournament on Sunday, junior Sierra Stiff encountered a small, frozen lizard. Stiff had assumed it was dead, but when her match partner picked it up she could tell that wasn’t the case. 

“[Its] small body tried to twitch a little and was unsuccessful, but its eyes were wide open staring at us,” Stiff said.

Her group decided to set the lizard on a ledge to let it warm up. When they came back, it was gone.

According to the FWC, iguanas can recover from a cold-stun faster than one might expect, which is why people collecting them are urged to work as fast as possible.

Residents attempting this are advised to use gloves and heavy clothing to protect themselves from potential bites and scratches, and the iguanas should be kept in a secure, breathable bag, and then placed in a second secure container. 

The same executive order states that the iguanas can be humanely killed or transferred to people with permits for live animal sales without a permit. This is likely due to the nature of these reptiles, being that they are invasive, fast breeders and cause damage to residential and commercial landscapes. 

The iguanas left behind are likely to warm up as the temperatures rise later this week, and should recover.

Record-breaking temperatures reveal issues with Mahoney-Pearson heating

Madison Block
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Record-breaking temperatures reveal issues with Mahoney-Pearson heating

Miami experienced record-cold temperatures around 35 degrees on Sunday, Feb. 1 — the coldest recorded in 117 years — revealing problems with Mahoney-Pearson Residential College’s heating system.

After hitting record-high temperatures for the month of January early last week, Miami experienced a sudden shift to winter-like conditions on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 27 around 40 degrees.

Students residing in Mahoney-Pearson reported heating related issues inside their rooms as a result of the cold temperatures on Sunday, Feb. 1. Although the heat was turned on inside the building, temperatures fluctuated in each room with some becoming extremely hot or cold. 

“We came back to our room today and it felt like we stepped into a sauna,” said Carter Gibbs, a first-year student residing in Pearson. “We heard about the issue but thought we were spared until our room randomly started blasting hot air. When we checked the thermostat it was 86 degrees.”

Some students reported sleeping with their doors open as a result of the heat while others piled on blankets to stay warm.

“We called facilities and after over 20 minutes on hold finally spoke to someone who said they would send a technician,” Gibbs said. “No one came so we called again, and received the same response, and still no help.” 

One TikTok video posted by @adam_mager, a student living in Mahoney-Pearson, shows a thermostat reading 91 degrees with the text, “Umiami pls come fix the thermostat.”     

The shift follows a powerful winter storm that hit several states in the eastern part of the U.S. last week, and brought frigid temperatures, power outages, flight cancellations and over a foot of snow to several states.

Along with heating issues, the sudden change left many students underdressed and unprepared for the cold.   

“Thank goodness it’s not as cold as back home, but since I’m from more north I don’t have suitable clothes for this,” said sophomore Krystal Ramdihol who is from New Jersey.

In preparation for the cold weather, the University of Miami’s Housing and Residential Life sent out an email to students on how to stay warm and comfortable in their buildings.

One dorm on campus, Eaton Residential College, does not have a built-in heating system.

“While Eaton does not have a built-in heating system, facilities will adjust building operations to help minimize cooling and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature during the colder weather,” Housing and Residential Life said in an email. “We have placed heaters in the corridors of the second, third, and fourth floors of the building to help warm the common areas.”

The University also sent an email to University Village and Lakeside Village residents on how to turn on the heat in their rooms, but noted that space heaters and portable heaters are not permitted inside any University building.

While temperatures are expected to rise later this week, the cold snap serves as a reminder to students that South Florida’s weather is unpredictable, even in the winter.

Top 10 Valentine’s Day date spots in Miami

Ariana Glaser
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Top 10 Valentine’s Day date spots in Miami

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and now you have to plan the perfect day for you and your partner. 

Don’t worry, The Hurricane has assembled a list of the most swoonworthy spots in Miami to help you woo your valentine. 

1. Fairchild Botanical Gardens

Fairchild is the perfect spot for a romantic, natural getaway, but the garden truly blossoms on Valentine’s Day. Their annual Garden D’Amore celebration sets the mood with  candlelight trails, aesthetic aerial performances and live music. 

Fairchild offers additional add-ons to those hoping to go above and beyond, including charcuterie baskets, cocktails and champagne. 

Catch the sunset tram rides starting at 5:30 p.m. before settling onto the lawn.

2. Superblue

Experience art like never before and put a creative spin on Valentine’s Day. 

Filled to the brim with immersive artwork, Superblue offers visitors the unique opportunity to step into a world of color. Highlights include “Pulse Topology” by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, which features 3,000 light bulbs synced to visitors’ heartbeats and “Massless Clouds Between Sculpture and Life” by teamLab, a piece that gives the illusion of walking through a floating cloud.

You’ll find the perfect photo spot to commemorate the evening.

3. Balloon Over Miami

Looking to take your relationship to new heights? Take to the skies with Balloon Over Miami, a private provider of hot air balloon adventures. 

You’ll soar over South Florida in style, catching wind of such beautiful sights like Key Biscayne, the Everglades and the Miami skyline. Flights typically last between 45 minutes to an hour, though exact air time varies depending on wind patterns. 

The entire experience, including set-up and liftoff in addition to a post-flight champagne celebration, takes between three and four hours. 

Prepare to spend a pretty penny. For a shared balloon adventure, typically made up of four or five other passengers and the pilot, you’ll spend $250 per person. A private ride for you and your guest (and the pilot) will cost $400 per passenger. 

4. Biscayne Marketplace

There are few places as enticing as the Biscayne Marketplace. With fine dining restaurants, an open-air mall and a dazzling view of the waterfront, there’s something for everyone. 

Soothe your sweet tooth at IT’SUGAR or build matching companions at Build-a-Bear, then dine at any casual eaterie or full service restaurant. Finally, end your excursion with a romantic walk or boat ride along the Miamarina. 

The mood is set by free, live musical performances by local musicians occur almost daily at the live music stage. There’s also the 176-feet-tall Sky Views Miami Wheel, which is temporarily closed, so maybe next year. 

5. Oleta River State Park

The perfect daytime excursion, Oleta River State Park, is open from 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year. It’s Florida’s largest urban park, and it’s the perfect place for cycling across 15 miles of off-road mountain bike trails. 

Paddle through the Oleta River by canoe, kayak or standup paddleboard. Indulge in a delicious picnic through any of the first-come, first-serve picnic tables or grills or simply enjoy a romantic stroll along the trail. 

There are few destinations as naturally luscious as Oleta River State Park, and it’s only a 30-minute drive from downtown Miami.

6. Schnebly Redland’s Winery

For our 21+ readers, consider Schnebly Redland’s Winery. Taste test from a wide selection of  exotic tropical fruit wines, all while surrounded by a tropical aesthetic complete with waterfalls and tiki huts. 

On Valentine’s Day, you have two featured events to choose from. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can enjoy an early-afternoon brunch next to Schnebly’s waterfalls. 

You’ll indulge in freshly grown farm-to-table dishes, and for an additional $25, you can relish unlimited mimosas. From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., you’ll also be lulled into inebriation by live music. 

7. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

For those without a car, there is  a beautiful destination right in our backyard. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is just three stops away by metro. 

The picture of European excellence, Vizcaya whisks you away from Miami and transports you to an Italian-renaissance style villa. Seated at the waterfront’s edge, Vizcaya features ten acres of stunning garden views and a historic estate complete with art and antique furnishings. 

There are countless backdrops for picturesque captures of you and your beau, and with an onsite cafe and gift shop, Vizcaya Gardens can easily take up your entire afternoon.  

8. Painting With a Twist

At Painting with a Twist, you’ll take home more than just a memory. Their slogan is “Sip. Socialize. Create.” 

Led by a skilled artist, you’ll follow a step-by-step tutorial to create a beautiful memento. On Valentine’s Day, there are four sessions offered throughout the day — and for the occasion, they’ve added a romantic twist (no pun intended). 

You and your valentine will create paired paintings, each the inverse of each other’s. In line with their slogan, those of age can opt to bring along their favorite bottle of wine. Events fill up fast, so make sure to get a reservation ahead of time.  

9. Knaus Berry Farm

Sweeten your day with a stop at Knaus Berry Farm. The celebrated shoppe just reopened under new management, so there’s never been a better time to try a beloved Miami staple. 

They’re best known for their to-die-for cinnamon rolls, but you can also enjoy fresh produce, hand-dipped ice cream and more homemade baked goods. Set aside a fair hour or so as locals consider Knaus’ long lines to be a Miami tradition. 

10. Luminosa

Finally, end your evening with “a journey through light.” If you’re yearning for the drive-through holiday light shows of your youth, you’ll be amazed to see your vision all grown up. 

Luminosa is Miami’s premier Chinese Lantern Festival, a walk-through journey through vibrant colors and illuminated worlds. The festival is currently open and set to run through March 7, 2026. 

The displays feature nearly 40 larger-than-life silk lantern scenes, encapsulating landscapes inspired by Ancient Egypt, a “Frozen Kingdom,” the Amazon and more. Apart from dazzling views, you’ll be mesmerized by live music and acrobatic performances. 

Here’s what’s next at the Ring Theater this Spring

Madison Block
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Here’s what’s next at the Ring Theater this Spring

From familiar classics like “Frankenstein” to Shakespearean comedies, the University of Miami Department of Theatre Arts has new productions and performances you won’t want to miss this spring.

The University of Miami Theatre Arts program at the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre announced their lineup for the spring 2026 season that offers brand new productions and classics.

This semester, the program will be performing five new productions titled “New Box, New Musicals” at the new Black Box Theatre on campus that had its grand opening last year through the Department of Theatre Arts. 

“New Box, New Musicals” will have showings from March 25-28 this year. The two other shows, Shakespereare’s “Twelfth Night” and “Young Frankenstein” will be performed in the Jerry Herman Theatre on campus in February and April respectively.

The shows performed for “New Box, New Musicals” were written and developed by students at the Tisch School of the Arts through the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at New York University. The productions will be under the direction of NDavid Williams, the head of the BFA Comprehensive Musical Theatre program at UM.

Williams is a well-known classical pianist and accompanist who has worked throughout the United States and Europe. He has performed with numerous ballet companies and appeared in several different theatrical productions such as “Falsettos,” “Guys and Dolls” and more.

“It is an incredibly unique and valuable experience for the student performers, and will make them stand out in the professional world,” said a ticketing office representative for the Jerry Herman Theater. “It teaches a new set of skills and prepares them for so many more types of theater and types of jobs that they are likely to encounter after graduation.”

Alongside these new musicals, the program will also be performing Shakespereare’s “Twelfth Night,” a romantic comedy about mistaken identity, love triangles and the tale of twins 

who are separated after a shipwreck. 

This production will be showing from Feb. 27 to March 5 located in the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre.

The department will also be performing Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein,” a musical based on the 1974 comedy film of the same name. The film was co-written by Brooks and Gene Wilder and based on Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein.” 

In the film, Wilder portrays the main protagonist Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of Victor Frankenstein. 

The story follows Frederick Frankenstein who decides to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps by creating a monster of his own. The show is a story of desire, confusion and scolding hot soup. 

With memorable tunes and a monstrously funny flair, this revamped hilarious classic is sure to keep you engaged and animated. See the show at the Ring Theater from April 17-25.

A representative from the ticketing office for the Jerry Herman Theatre expressed the hard work and dedication that goes into each season, and this one won’t be any different.

“We’d love for other students at the University to see what exciting things the theatre department is doing, and recognize how much hard work and passion goes into these projects,” the representative said. 

Together, this season’s productions reflect a commitment to exploration and dedication, offering something for everyone.

Dragonfly Thrift Boutique has thrifting with community impact

Beatrice Baialardi Souza De Mello
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Dragonfly Thrift Boutique has thrifting with community impact

Just a nine-minute car ride and 20-minute walk from the University of Miami, Dragonfly Thrift Boutique features a variety of clothing, home goods, books, vinyl records and furniture. 

Dragonfly offers a curated thrifting experience that feels different than a traditional resale shop. Prices are often lower than what you’ll see online and the store regularly runs deals like $45 fill-a-bag sales or 50% off everything.

All items sold at the store come from donations, but the selection never feels random. If you care about sustainability and enjoy shopping for unique finds, this is the place for you. 

“Anything we don’t sell in the store, because we’re more boutique-style, we donate to people who will use it,” Leeann Parker, Dragonfly’s manager, said. “Like Dress for Success or other people who give to homeless people, we will donate to them.”

The boutique is an initiative of the Ladies Empowerment & Action Program, a nonprofit giving previously incarcerated women a second chance in life. 

The program offers in-prison education, transitional housing and post-release employment. 

Since its founding in 2009, LEAP has helped more than 600 women, with about 80 graduating from the program. 

Parker, for example, spent 20 years incarcerated before joining Dragonfly as a sales associate. She climbed up to leadership roles, becoming store manager, while also enrolling in college and completing an internship at Telemundo. 

“Being in the role of a leader has given me the inspiration to move forward in my life after being incarcerated for so long,” Parker said. “It’s giving me the courage to step forward in my personal life.”

LEAP continues to support women even after they complete the program. According to Parker, graduates stay connected through regular check-ins and an annual gala. The store also includes a shared kitchen space where staff members celebrate birthdays and take part in cooking classes together. 

For many women, LEAP provides their first job after prison, helping them build responsibility, communication and teamwork skills. It’s one of the few organizations designed specifically to support women returning from incarceration.

“This is a big community,” Parker said. “They still stay in contact with people that have graduated years from now. You’re still part of the family.”

Dragonfly is offering University of Miami students 50% off their purchase if they show a valid student ID. The store also welcomes volunteers and ambassadors who want to get involved beyond shopping.

The Art of Healing club brings joy to hospitalized children

Keira Faddis
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The Art of Healing club brings joy to hospitalized children

When she was five years old, senior neuroscience major Liza Dowling was hospitalized after dealing with a severe autoimmune condition. As the president of The Art of Healing club, her leadership is influenced by her personal experience.  

The Art of Healing club is a student-led community service organization at the University of Miami that helps children undergoing medical treatment and their families heal with arts and crafts.

A typical Art of Healing outreach takes place at the Ronald McDonald House on the Miller School of Medicine campus. Volunteers travel together, set up an arts and crafts table in the playroom and welcome children to participate at their own pace. 

Popular activities include drawing with colored paper and markers, folding pipe cleaners, making jewelry, sculpting clay and watercolor painting. Volunteers play familiar music — like Disney songs — to help create a welcoming environment for the kids. 

“These activities provide children with a creative outlet and offer families a positive distraction from the stress of treatment,” Dowling said.

She values creating arts and crafts herself, especially thinking back on her own time in the hospital. Dowling said that as a kid, they temporarily helped her forget the fear and pain she was experiencing while she was there. 

“I joined Art of Healing with the hope of giving that same sense of comfort and joy to children facing similar experiences,” Dowling said.

Being part of Art of Healing has helped transform a difficult chapter of her life into a meaningful act of service. 

“I have seen children go from quiet and reserved to excited and engaged. I have seen their family members join them in activities,” Dowling said. “During such a challenging time, moments like these are so important because they can provide a sense of comfort, connection and normalcy.”

Senior Miranda Neill is the vice president of Art of Healing. She initially joined the club because she loved arts and crafts, but could not always find a creative outlet as a health sciences major. 

Neill used coloring, drawing and other forms of art as a safe space. By joining the club, she found a balance between personal creativity and giving back to others.

“Knowing how much they have been through and still being able to make them smile reminds me how important small acts of kindness are,” Neill said. “The number of children varies each time, but the joy that radiates from them while doing arts and crafts with us is always consistent.” 

This semester, Art of Healing is offering multiple opportunities for students to get involved. The club plans to lead one to two volunteer outreaches each week at the Ronald McDonald house, along with three themed general body meetings. 

The crafts made at these meetings, like candy heart garlands in February, St. Patrick’s Day cards in March and painted flower pots in April, will be donated to the children during volunteer sessions.  

Dowling and Neill want students to leave Art of Healing with a deeper understanding of empathy and service.

“I hope students take away how important small acts of kindness are and the positive impact they can have on others,” Neill said. “This club has shown me that simply showing up and creating alongside others can bring comfort and joy when it is needed most.”  

They will also be organizing several fundraisers to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. One fundraiser the club will be hosting is a Valentine’s Day-themed bake and flower sale, which will take place at the UC-Richter walkway on Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The next ‘Cane Records’ stars to add to your playlist

Ana Sofia Rodriguez-Garcia
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The next ‘Cane Records’ stars to add to your playlist

The new year has only just begun, but at UM, the future of music is already here. For more than 30 years, ‘Cane Records has helped launch the University’s next big artists.

In January 2026, ‘Cane Records revealed 10 new talents: Alivia Clark, Dreilu, Lena Joy, Koro, Maeve McMahon, IAMKHAOS, Isamary, Ry Greenwald, Skyrise and Matthew Jost. 

All of these artists portray a wide variety of different genres and styles that make them unique. They bring their ideas to life by creating music and telling their stories.

‘Cane Records is a student-run record label with University professor Guillermo Page serving as advisor. Their team includes an incredible mix of A&R managers, marketing admins and is led by President Adyna Blair, a senior majoring in Music Industry. 

A&R stands for “Artist & Repertoire” which is a sector of the music business that uses a manager or publisher to find and develop new talent.

“I lead event production, strategize release roll outs and give the staff all the resources they need to benefit our artists,” Blair said. “Not only am I helping with the releases of these artists, but I’m contributing to their artist development and helping them be seen and supported.”

Through a student-run record label, artists are able to simulate real-life experiences that mimic being signed to a mainstream record label.

IAMKHAOS is an artist who you might recognize from opening the A Boogie Wit da Hoodie homecoming concert earlier this year. He performed with his band, “PosterChild” and primarily focuses on hip hop and R&B. 

“Having people behind me helps me have actual structures to my releases,” IAMKHAOS said. “I feel like that’s the area I am more disorganized in.”

He has a single called “Ambidextrous” that was released in September of 2025 and a song with his band on Jan. 23 called “Miss Misfortune.”

Another artist, Isamary, is making strides in the music world. Isamary is a Puertorican artist who blends her Latin roots with classical music. 

Her musical style focuses on storytelling, harmonization and syncopation, which are concepts she says she tries to reflect in performance as well. Take a look at her single “Bello Amanecer” to hear how she blends her rich culture into her sound. 

“In the process of releasing my first single, ‘Cane Records has provided me with the tools to navigate the confusing realm of releasing music and helped keep me on track with my goals,” Isamary said.

Isamary says that they also once woke her up at 6 a.m. to help her film a promotional video.

Artist Matthew Jost is another example of success through guidance from ‘Cane Records. The label helped Jost, a guitarist and singer, combine his love for every music genre into an unforgettable sound.

“I don’t confine myself to one genre or sound even if that might be more commercially viable so I do everything from pop to house to rap and everything in between.” Jost said. 

He has released two singles while being at the University of Miami and is planning on releasing more, creating a fan base and working with other artists.

These artists provide a small glimpse into their future in the music industry. Tune into Patio Jams and more off-campus events to hear these voices live. Maybe they’ll even appear on you Spotify wrapped.

Two historic national runs: How Miami’s Spirit Squads represented the U

Jadyn Cohee
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Two historic national runs: How Miami’s Spirit Squads represented the U

Before Miami played Indiana for the national title at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, the University of Miami Sunsations dance team and UCheer squad were fighting for their own titles  at the UDA and Universal Cheer Association National Championships in Orlando from Jan. 16 to 18.

While Hurricanes fans were buying tickets and planning gameday outfits for the College Football Playoff National Championship, the two University of Miami teams were quietly preparing for national stages of their own. 

For the Sunsations and UCheer, the journey was months in the making.

In Orlando, the Sunsations dance team made history as they advanced to the D1A Jazz semifinals for the first time and became the first private school to advance that far in the competition.

“Some of us got to campus right after the Cotton Bowl,” said Sunsations dancer Mia Diffley. “Ever since then we’ve been practicing usually from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a break somewhere in the mix.”

Their journey unfolded alongside a historic run by Miami football — one that would culminate in a national championship appearance at Hard Rock Stadium.

Diffley said. “The fact that the Miami community gets to have it at home, it makes it so much more special.”

This national championship marks the first only national title to be played at a teams home stadium. The connection to Miami goes even further than the location, with Indiana’s starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza, being a Miami native and long time fan of the Hurricanes. That unique connection made this game even more high stakes. 

The Sunsations’ preparation extended far beyond rehearsals, according to head coach Jonni Rodgers.

“Over the past four months, this team has committed to a level of preparation that goes far beyond the floor,” Rodgers said. “We’ve balanced every men’s and women’s basketball game, eight football home games, and three playoff runs all while continuing to train for our own gameday: UDA Nationals.” 

For cheer the national championship run has been similar. “We’ve been preparing for the national championship and for our own national championship since we started our playoff run,” said UCheer member Sophia Mazza. “We actually found out that football had made it into the playoffs while we were at practice.” 

UCheer at Hark Rock Stadium shortly before the National Championship. // Sophia Mazza

 

The Sunsations, determined to perfect their routines and make a historic run, stayed on campus while most students left for winter break.

“While others are still on break, we’re returning to campus two and a half weeks early, choosing to sacrifice time away so we can be fully ready to take the UDA stage,” Rodgers said.

This season, the team once again competed in both jazz and hip hop. This time, though, they had a new creative direction.

Rodgers gave credit to the fresh talent that is behind the choreography, “This year we intentionally stepped outside the box with our choreography and overall approach. “Our jazz routine was choreographed by Marley Blanchard of The Ohio State University, and focuses on storytelling while remaining grounded in true, authentic jazz technique.”

With both styles, the Sunsations hope to bring unique flavor to the competition.

“Our hip hop routine, choreographed by Jawkeen Howard, takes a slightly different approach by bringing things back to the roots,” Rodgers added. “It leans into musicality, groove, and texture.”

The result was historic. The University of Miami Sunsations achieved a milestone performance, finishing 15th in the Division IA Jazz competition and 13th in Division IA Hip Hop, advancing to the semifinals in both events. 

“Having two national competitions in the same weekend makes it just honestly the best weekend of my life,” Diffley said. 

While the Sunsations competed on the UDA stage, UCheer faced a different challenge — balancing its own national championship with the demands of Miami football’s postseason run. 

And that overlap created an unforgiving schedule. Despite the exhaustion, UCheer placed 7th in the Semi Finals, and Mazza emphasized the significance of representing Miami on such a rare stage — especially at home.

For both squads, having a rooted and hustle-based mindset kept them grounded.

“There were only two teams that went to our national championship that got to say that their football team was also competing for a title in the next week,” Mazza said.

As the Hurricanes took the field for a national title, the Sunsations and UCheer stood alongside them — all feeling a mix of tiredness, pride and resilience. Two national competitions, one relentless weekend and a defining moment for Miami’s spirit squads.

Despite playoff success, UM football remains without an on-campus stadium

Casey Servatius
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Despite playoff success, UM football remains without an on-campus stadium

Despite a historic return to national prominence, the Miami Hurricanes football team still plays its home games miles away from campus. Students and fans living in Coral Gables have to travel nearly an hour north to Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins. 

Before the Canes started playing at Hard Rock, the Miami Hurricanes used the Orange Bowl stadium, located in Little Havana, to play home games between 1937 and 2008. The Orange Bowl college football game was held at the stadium annually until it was replaced by LoanDepot Park, the home of the Miami Marlins.

The absence of an on-campus stadium has been a hot topic at UM since the Orange Bowl was demolished in 2008. 

An aerial view of the Miami Orange Bowl, circa 1976. The stadium served as the longtime home of the Miami Hurricanes beginning in 1937. It was demolished in 2008. // Miami Football 1976 Media Guide, University of Miami

According to the Bleacher Report, an on-campus stadium could increase the number of UM students attending home games. It would bring a sense of excitement to alumni and fans throughout the community.

Miami-based attorney John Ruiz suggested that he would fund a new stadium where Tropical Park currently exists, just three miles west of UM.

“There’s about 270 acres there,” Ruiz told the Miami New Times in an interview. 

Large college football stadiums rarely exceed 15 acres, meaning the space at Tropical Park would be more than enough. He even had plans drawn up for the potential stadium. 

“The design is over the top, it’s gorgeous, I’ve seen it already a couple of times,” he said. 

Another proposal was made by Ruiz in 2021 to build a 50,000 person, 13-acre football stadium next to Coral Gables Senior High. Ruiz said it might be necessary to demolish the school to have the necessary space. While it is unclear whether a vote occurred, Miami-Dade County Public Schools are “not entertaining any such idea” relating to demolition plans.

“There is a major misconception that the school is going to be demolished to make this happen,” said Diana Diaz, co-chair of the stadium committee, in an interview with CBS 4 News.

The City of Coral Gables was also not supportive of Ruiz’s plan, telling CBS 4 News that the stadium would not be compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods.

Former UM President Donna Shalala agreed with critics of the proposal.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” Shalala told CBS 4 News. “We looked at every plot of land near the University and there was simply no place where you could build a stadium and have the kind of parking you would need.”

Building a new stadium also places significant financial burdens on the University of Miami. When the University of Minnesota built a new stadium in 2009, the university paid for 52% of the construction costs while the state was responsible for the other 48%. To help fund the project, the University of Minnesota charged the school’s approximately 50,000 students an extra $12.50 per semester. 

Since UM has a smaller student population, a similar fee structure would result in higher costs per student. The other portion of the costs for a new UM stadium may fall on the Florida taxpayers, specifically those living in Miami. However, since UM is a private university, they might provide funding for a stadium.

Another concern is the influx of traffic that would come with a new stadium on or near campus. UM is already tightly tucked into Coral Gables, making available land scarce if the University was looking to build new parking lots. 

Considering that UM only owns the 239 acres that the Coral Gables campus is composed of, there is very little chance that the University could expand its land for a stadium.

Verbal altercation involving student influencer is under investigation amid campus outrage

Katie Karlson and Mel Tenkoff
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Verbal altercation involving student influencer is under investigation amid campus outrage

The University of Miami is investigating a verbal altercation between sophomore influencer Kaylee Mahony and members of the Students Supporting Israel club at the Spring 2026 Involvement Fair on Tuesday, Jan. 27. 

In video footage of the exchange, which circulated widely on social media following the fair, Mahony can be heard saying, “Christianity, which says love everyone, meanwhile your Bible says eating with someone who is a non-Jew is like eating with an animal. That’s what the Talmud says.” 

Mahony is then seen turning toward passing students and saying, “That’s what these people follow.”

Later in the video, Mahony can be heard raising her voice at one of the SSI members, saying “Because you’re disgusting. It’s disgusting.”

The University of Miami confirmed that it is aware of the incident and is investigating it thoroughly. 

“We strongly support our student’s rights to freedom of expression. However, we understand lines can be crossed,” the University said in a statement to The Hurricane. “As such, the University has proactive policies in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.”

Freshman Ella Leon, a student tabling for SSI when the altercation occurred, said that Mahony initially approached the table, walked away briefly, then turned back and shouted, “Free Palestine.”

As the altercation continued, a member of the Committee on Student Organizations approached the table to de-escalate the situation. However, instead of complying, Leon claims that Mahony turned to [the COSO member] and said, “This is typical Jewish behavior. This is how Jews always act.” 

Leon explained that SSI welcomes any kind of political dialogue, but that Mahony’s comments were not political and instead focused on Judaism as a whole.  

“Nothing that was said, besides maybe two sentences at the beginning of the conversation, had to do with the flag on our table, with anti-Zionism, nothing of that nature. This was, literally, purely to talk about Judaism and for her to kind of like dehumanize it,” Leon said. “I’ve experienced many, many different forms of antisemitism. Never in my life have I experienced something that was so prolonged, aggressive and completely detached from the reason that [SSI was] there.” 

Other students in the area felt similarly. Alta Gniwisch, a Chabad intern who does not attend UM, was sitting at a nearby table and started to record when Mahony began to raise her voice. She said that Mahony’s comments were “outwardly hateful and rude.”

Gniwisch also explained that many of Mahony’s comments about the Talmud and Judaic culture were untrue. 

“The Talmud is known to be a book that you can’t take at face value,” she said. “You have to interpret it in a very different way because obviously it was written many many many years ago when circumstances were so different.”

According to Bible Odyssey, the Talmud is a collection of oral teachings and debates created by rabbinic scholars in 70 CE. It addresses nearly every aspect of Jewish life 1,500 years ago, interpreting biblical texts and traditions within their historical context.

“Only if you are open to studying it in the proper way then you could understand it properly, but if you’re looking at it at face value then there are a lot of things that may seem confusing,” Gniwisch said.  

Ariela Jaimovich, a sophomore who witnessed the altercation, described Mahony’s comments as a “blatant display of antisemitism.”

“I’ve seen Israel controversy on campus in the past, but this case was just pure antisemitism and hatred,” she said. “Hopefully, the school can take action to prevent this from happening again in the future.”

Mahony was terminated from her role as the head of public relations for the UM College Republicans after this altercation. 

Mahony’s Linkedin also lists that she serves as the Social Media Chair for Turning Point Miami, a branch of Charlie Kirk’s nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics. However, according to a post on Jan. 29 by @StopAntisemites’s X account, Mahony is “no longer affiliated” with the organization.

She had more than 125K followers on TikTok, posting videos that often took anti-Israel, anti-immigration and anti-Democrat stances. Her account was banned in the days following the altercation and shows as “no longer available.” 

It is unclear if UM was aware of Mahony’s social media presence before this incident. The University did not answer The Hurricane’s multiple inquiries regarding social media screening during the admissions process. 

A senior student in Hillel who wishes to remain anonymous expressed confusion that UM had not noticed Mahony’s social media presence sooner. 

“It has been really disappointing to see one of my peers so openly antisemitic, including her TikTok bio saying she’s a ‘proud goy,’ which has been used as a derogatory term for non-Jews,” the student said. “I’m not sure how the school hasn’t noticed this sooner.”

Despite the altercation, Leon said she still feels safe as a Jewish person on UM’s campus.

“The reason I chose this University was because, as a Jewish student in times where antisemitism is rising very very high, I never found a place that I felt more safe than this school,” Leon said. The school just does such a great job at creating an environment where people really feel included.”

Kayla Singer contributed to the reporting of this article.

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