End-of-Year Bash

Thursday, June 9th, we held our End-of-Year Bash at Nautilus Middle School. It was nice to celebrate the ending of the school year and spend time with mentors, community partners, and friends. We had light refreshments along with a delicious cake to celebrate the promotion of our Dreamers to 8th and 9th grade.

For the students heading to different high schools, it was a bitter sweet moment. They were able to say "good-bye" to their middle school family but were super excited to be going into high school. For those rising 8th graders, they were a little sad to be saying "good-bye" to their 8th grade friends/family, nonetheless, they were excited about becoming upper-classmen. 

During the ceremony, all mentors present were acknowledged for their dedication and commitment to their mentee' and were awarded a certificate of appreciation. Also, community partners were acknowledged for the work they have done with I Have a Dream-Overtown during the past year. Lastly, to end the party on a lighter note, the Dreamers were able to discover the results of their Superlative votes. The following superlatives were award to the following Dreamers:

Most Artistic: Demani Blatch & Vernon Maddox

Teacher's Pet: Sendy Joseph & Christian Cruz

Class Clown: Demani Blatch & Matt Lumpkin

Best Hair: Jaimesha Smith & Malik Williams

Most Likely to become President: Sendy Joseph & Alejandro Castro

Best Smile: Jaimesha Smith & Kama Jackson Jr.

Most Likely to give Mr. Lewis a Headache: 

Wadlene Fritz & Markel Anderson

Most Quiet: Madeline Cruz & Cristian Mena

Best Dress: Narquavia Brown & Kama Jackson Jr.

Biggest Facebook Addict: Wadlene Fritz & Matt Lumpkin (photo of Matt only)

Most Athletic: Demani Blatch & Malik Williams 

Best Leadership: Emanuella Dixon & Kama Jackson Jr. 

Best Eyes: Jaimesha Smith & Jeremiah Rivera

Funniest Laugh: Estrella Arauz & Malik Williams

Most Talkative: Emanuella Dixon & Matt Lumpkin

Most Friendly: Sendy Joseph & Kama Jackson Jr. 

We would like to send a personal "Thank you" to all the mentors, community partners, friends, and family members that have helped sustain I Have a Dream-Overtown, Inc. for another successful year. 

Biscayne National Park (Homestead)

On May 28th the Dreamers were invited to Biscayne National Park.  Ms. Hill (our VISTA) along with park ranger: Chris Beers helped to organize the event.  The day began with the Dreamers taking a nice 45 minute bus ride south to Homestead (for many of our Dreamers, it was their very first time traveling that far south).  Once we arrived, Ranger Chris gathered us to discuss park history along with some of the ecological and environmental things we might encounter.  Did you know that Florida Flatworms were hermaphroditic? Our Dreamers witnessed how two male flatworms would "cross swords" the loser, destined to morph into a female and assume the "motherly" duties of carrying/caring for the young.  After our ecological lesson, Ranger Chris took the group outside to begin their Canoe Adventure.  This included: safety precautions, manuvering, and canoe protocal (who sits where/responsible for what).  All the dreamers were paired in groups of three, boarded their canoes, and set sail!  After navigating the calm gentle waters of the park, we all docked at an island about half a mile from shore, and had lunch. ON THE ISLAND!  The day concluded with a "friendly" race back to shore (won by Milton, Precious, and Mr. Lewis).  Best of all we had no capsized vessels on this day, and each Dreamer raved about the first time experience.  Thank again to Ranger Chris Beers and Ms. Hill, along with chaparones: P.Romaniuk, N.Roling and M. D'Amico.

Coast Guard Air Station

On Monday, April 4th, we traveled to Opa Locka, FL to visit the Coast Guard Air Station. After learning the duties of the Coast Guard at sea, we wanted to explore what they do in the air. We were able to walk through one of their largest planes, which holds up to 42 people. Interesting fact: some of these planes have a small kitchenette area (sink and toaster oven), which allows passengers to eat on very long flights. Sadly, the oven on the plane takes longer to warm up food than the oven in your home--a pizza roll takes 2 minutes to warm up in a home microwave but 1 hour on the plane. For a majority of the Dreamers this was their first time on a plane, although we didn't go in the air. Also, we were able to view other smaller jets and watch the landing and taking-off of the a helicopter. All in all, it was a fun and new experience. How many non-Coast Guard people can say they have been on a Coast Guard ship and plane?
Big thanks to our Coast Guard volunteers for putting this trip together and another thanks to all the volunteers who showed up (Patricia, Martinique, Sarah, Simon, Karen, and Eric)!

Test Taking Workshop

Today we traveled to Florida International University to take part in a test taking workshop.  We arrived at the Graham Center and were greeted by Upward Bound affiliate students: Wilnise and Suzes.  Our goal today was to provide our Dreamers with a strategy based seminar that covered tips that can be used as they prepare for their upcoming standardized tests.  We discussed how to study leading up to the test: getting lots of rest, creating study groups, not cramming but continuous studying, and asking adults for tips.  On the day of the test, everyone agreed they should: stay calm, use elimination strategies, only spend about 1 to 2 minutes per question, check your answers and bubble sheet, erase completely, wear comfy clothes, and never leave an answer blank.  The seminar concluded with a bonding activity of  "make em laugh", a visit by Upward Bound director: Sofia Santiesteban, and some real life stories by Wilnise and Suzes on how "tests are a part of your life, embrace them don't fear them".  It was amazing to have a couple of our mentors (Patricia and Kevin) tag along as well!  Thanks to each of you for a great afternoon with our Dreamers!

 

Biscayne Nature Center (Ecology tour)

Today we traveled back to the Biscayne Nature Center for the Ecology tour. For some odd reason, every time we plan a trip to Key Biscayne the weather for the day is cold and rainy. Nonetheless, we traveled across the bridge to learn about plant and marine life. Once we arrived, Amel and Sara meet us to explain the activities for the day.

First, we visited the exhibit room. There we were able to see and touch, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sea slugs, sea stars, hermit crabs, eels, spider crabs, goby fish, etc. The Dreamers were able to ask questions and get a better understanding of the marine ecosystem.

Second, we were guided down one of three trails located in the preserve. Here, we learned about the different plant life living in South Florida. We had the pleasure of seeing trees, such as, cabbage palm, white coffee, sea grape, necklace, etc. After the tour came lunch, which was followed by an additional tour of the Biscayne Nature Center science lab. There we were able to view additional marine life. The Dreamers were placed at different lab stations and were asked to sketch the animal in front of them or draw a picture of something interesting they saw today. The pictures turned out amazing. We truly have some talented artists in the I Have a Dream program.

Lastly, before our trip ended, the kids were divided into four groups of five for "Biscayne Nature Center Jeopardy." Everyone knows how Jeopardy is played, each group was asked a question for a certain number of points, which then led to Final Jeopardy. To make a 20 minute game short, the "Angel Fish" group (Jaimesha, Estrella, Madeline, Sendy, and Umbreana) won! As their prize, the Nature Center gave them Biscayne Nature Center pencils!! A student can never have enough pencils! Concluding the game, we grabbed our belongings, hopped back on the school bus, and made our way back home.

Thanks again to the Biscayne Nature Center for having us and expanding our knowledge regarding the animals and plants that live right next to us in the Atlantic Ocean.