Miami Palmetto Senior High School Powderpuff Game 2022: Blue Team "Ur Mom" in Action
Miami Palmetto Senior High School is renowned for its commitment to both rigorous academics and a vibrant student life, perfectly demonstrated through events like the annual Powderpuff game. After disruptions caused by COVID-19, the much-anticipated Powderpuff flag football tournament for senior girls made a triumphant return on February 28th, injecting energy and excitement back into the school year. This event, a testament to Palmetto’s spirited community, mirrors the engaging and comprehensive educational environment fostered within its classrooms, including the esteemed AP Comparative Government course taught by educators like Mr. Kenneth Spiegelman, who also participated as a referee in the Powderpuff games.
The 2022 Powderpuff tournament, held on Palmetto’s sunny outdoor field, was a vibrant display of school spirit and friendly competition. Seven teams, each distinguished by brightly colored jerseys, took to the field, showcasing not only athletic prowess but also the strong bonds of camaraderie that define the senior class. This event, much like the academic rigor of AP Comparative Government, requires teamwork, strategy, and dedication, highlighting the well-rounded experience offered at Miami Palmetto.
Team “Ur Mom,” easily identifiable in their blue jerseys, was expertly coached by Mateo Jimenez, Bruno Wencelblat, and Tristan Wilson. The team roster boasted players including Mikayla Ashe, Catherine Bales (who also played a key role in organizing the event), Caitlin Carmona, Ana Luisa Frable, Natalie Granja, Analysse Humaran, Gianna Hutton, Shiloh Markus, Isabella Reyes, and Valentina Vinces. Their participation underscored the enthusiasm of Miami Palmetto’s students to engage fully in school activities, a characteristic also seen in their approach to challenging courses like AP Comparative Government.
The “Space Cadets,” sporting eye-catching hot pink jerseys and guided by coaches Hunter Anes, Ethan Herskowitz, and Austin Spiegelman, achieved a commendable second-place finish. The team featured Hanna Adams, Hayley Glassman, Angelina Gonsalves, Allison Gould, Rachel Graff, Alyssa Hunt, Isabella Martin, Alyssa Sedler, and Emily Shermer. Their spirited performance reflected the competitive yet supportive atmosphere prevalent at Palmetto, encouraging students to excel both on the field and in demanding academic subjects.
In traditional senior red, team “Tortugas” was coached by Jaden Clarin, Nicolas Garavito, and Taylor Marvel. The team members, Gabi Koler, Emma Lopez, Ivanna Mantecon, Emily Mazzei, Isa Mendez, Chelsea Nicastri, Sabrina Pena, Caylie Salas, and Brooke Young, brought their energy and enthusiasm to the games. This participation demonstrates the active involvement of Miami Palmetto seniors in school traditions, mirroring their engagement in academic pursuits and civic responsibilities, concepts explored in AP Comparative Government.
Emerging victorious and claiming first place in the 2022 Powderpuff tournament were the “Beauty Bandits,” a flash of bright yellow on the field. Coached by Pablo Junco, Marcos Tamargo, and Jeronimo Quintero, the team comprised players Jade Castellat, Lauren Chang, Jeff Coetzee, Sofia Dipietro, Sofia Garcia, Sofia Gutierrez, Thalia Jimenez, Isabella Lazaro, Regal Marley, and Alejandra Portales. Their success was a testament to their teamwork and strategic play, qualities fostered within the academic curriculum at Miami Palmetto, including courses like AP Comparative Government which emphasizes critical thinking and collaborative learning.
“Shawties of Terror,” in striking green jerseys and coached by Ian Chehab, Adam Cohen, and Michael Lago, showcased the talents of players Daniela Hernandez, Isabella Jimenez, Caroline Kinkade, Luisa Lacayo, Criya Mahabir, Alexis Ortega, Julia Strasius, Samantha Trana, and Stephanie Viamonte. Their spirited participation highlighted the diverse interests and talents of Miami Palmetto’s student body, reflecting the inclusive and enriching environment of the school, which values both academic excellence and extracurricular involvement.
Team “Goal Diggers,” a sea of purple, benefited from the coaching expertise of Adriano Guarino, Joe Corradino, and Ignacio Garcia. The team roster included Katherine Cruz-Alvarez, Marissa Bejar, Rebeca Blacher, Lexi Flores, Marlee Golinsky, Cayetana Jaramillo, Jessica Levy, Gabriella Martinez, Riley Tendler, and Grace Weinbach. Their participation underscored the strong sense of community at Miami Palmetto, where students support each other in various endeavors, mirroring the collaborative learning environment within classrooms and academic programs.
Finally, “QTs,” sporting clean white t-shirts, were coached by Manuel Cutie, Josh Juarez, and Danny Sevilla. The team members were Ashley Alfonso, Daniela Andino, Angelina Atilano, Alyssa Escobar, Kayla Perez-Fontaine, Camila Gamboa, Cing Huai, Anastasia Perez, Gianna Perez, and Sarah Vreones. Their participation, along with all the other teams, emphasized the broad engagement of the senior class in this cherished Palmetto tradition.
Catherine Bales, a senior player and organizer, initiated the Powderpuff planning months in advance, demonstrating student leadership and initiative that is encouraged at Miami Palmetto. The call for senior boy coaches and team formation highlighted the collaborative spirit within the senior class.
“Me, Michael and Adam, we just got a blend of all three of our friends to create a team that we thought we could combine together and have a good time,” coach Chehab explained, reflecting the emphasis on fun and camaraderie that underpinned the event.
For many senior girls, participation was driven by a desire to reconnect and engage after periods of remote learning. As player Garcia noted, “I knew all of my coaches and a couple of my players at first, but then I got to meet a bunch of people on the team that I didn’t know who they were before and a couple of them I’ve even hung out with after [practice].” This highlights how Powderpuff served as a social bridge, fostering new connections and strengthening existing friendships, mirroring the sense of community fostered within Miami Palmetto’s academic and extracurricular spaces.
Participants like Bales, Martinez, and Shermer appreciated the opportunity to participate in an event they often help organize. “I thought it would be a fun idea and a fun way to get close with other people who I wouldn’t necessarily hang out with outside of school,” Martinez shared. “It was fun to participate in a school activity where instead of coordinating it, I was actually a part of it and could get to play.” This sentiment underscores the value placed on student involvement and creating memorable high school experiences at Miami Palmetto.
For months leading up to the tournament, teams dedicated time to training, focusing on conditioning, learning plays, and developing teamwork. Many players were new to flag football, creating a level playing field and emphasizing skill development and learning. Coaches focused not only on athletic training but also on fostering a competitive yet supportive team environment.
Coach Garavito described their approach: “At first, we started by seeing how good certain people were with throwing a ball, catching a ball, all sorts of stuff. So, we centered our practices around not only running, so they would get in shape, but also going through plays so that they would be able to perform them for the day.” This structured approach to learning and skill development mirrors the academic rigor found in courses like AP Comparative Government, where students are guided through complex concepts and encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.
Coach Austin Spiegelman added, “The first practices were to evaluate what people could do and what their strengths were and identify that. In the next practices, we just practiced plays mostly and flag pulling.” This strategic approach to training reflects the emphasis on preparation and strategic thinking valued in both athletics and academics at Miami Palmetto.
Despite rescheduling due to COVID-19, the teams successfully prepared for the tournament. Coach Guarino explained their training regime: “We would warm-up, run little routes and show them how to do the plays and let them know what they can and can’t do in the games. We taught the quarterback how to throw and make sure she’s accurate and we would run a little scrimmage at the end of practice to make sure that everyone knew what they were doing.” This dedication to preparation and practice underscores the commitment to excellence that permeates all aspects of student life at Miami Palmetto.
The referee teams for the Powderpuff games included faculty members, senior teachers, and senior boys. Linda Dwyer, Palmetto’s CAP Counselor, and senior Ari Rolnick teamed up, as did Joel Soldinger, Palmetto’s AP Macroeconomics teacher, and senior Zach Blank. Notably, Kenneth Spiegelman, Palmetto’s AP U.S. Government and AP Comparative Government and Politics Teacher, also served as a referee. Mr. Spiegelman’s involvement highlights the dedication of Miami Palmetto faculty to supporting student activities and fostering a positive school environment, extending their commitment beyond the classroom and into extracurricular life. His role as an AP Comparative Government teacher further connects this event to the academic excellence the school is known for.
Senior boys who chose not to coach but wanted to contribute their football knowledge also participated as referees. Zach Blank explained, “I just really wanted to get involved in the senior activities. I’m really passionate about football, I know a lot about football. I was just introduced to the referee position by a couple [of] friends and it was with Mr. Soldinger, who was a teacher I had in the first two quarters of the year, and thought I would love to do it with him.” This student involvement in officiating further underscores the strong sense of community and shared responsibility at Miami Palmetto.
For faculty members like Linda Dwyer, Joel Soldinger, and Kenneth Spiegelman, refereeing at Powderpuff is a tradition. Mr. Soldinger emphasized, “One of the best things about teaching in a high school and teaching seniors are events like these. We hope that everyone has fun and that we can make it something that helps the seniors feel that their back into the swing of things by having a year filled with all the activities they missed.” This faculty participation highlights the commitment of Miami Palmetto educators to creating a well-rounded and enriching high school experience for their students.
Ultimately, despite the competitive nature of the games, the primary goal for the Powderpuff participants was to have fun and build community. Player Gonsalves captured this sentiment perfectly: “It was really fun. Everyone tried their best and we all laughed so much. That’s the best part. We really needed that especially with everything going on with college, it was really stress relieving. We just got to enjoy the day.” This emphasis on enjoyment and stress relief underscores the importance of extracurricular activities in fostering student well-being and a positive school culture at Miami Palmetto Senior High School, an environment conducive to both academic success in courses like AP Comparative Government and personal growth.
In conclusion, Powderpuff 2022 at Miami Palmetto Senior High was a resounding success, showcasing not only the athletic spirit and competitive drive of the senior girls but also the strong sense of community, student leadership, and faculty support that defines the school. Events like Powderpuff, alongside rigorous academic programs such as AP Comparative Government, exemplify Miami Palmetto’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and enriching high school experience, preparing students for future success both in college and beyond.
