Mr. Otto Zequeira
This is the website of Mr. Otto Zequeira at MAST Academy. With this site, we will collaborate and teach and learn together. In our class, all students will be afforded the publication rights normally reserved to journalism students in Miami-Dade County. In a nutshell, there are three categories of unprotected speech for student publications, which are: a) describing sex, anatomy or bodily functions in an offensive manner, b) lying about someone, and, c) seriously disrupting school. For more information, please see: Freedom of Speech: Rights and Responsibilities As long as you don’t do these three things, you can publish your school work freely. Act responsibly, as I know you will, and this will be an amazing learning experience for everyone. Thank you! Spilt Milk Download Spilt Milk, the literary magazine of MAST Academy here! Images From top to bottom: Cuban Pewee: 4th observed in the United States, located by Jose Zequeira. Crandon Park. Photo by Otto Zequeira Spilt Milk 2016 Spilt Milk 2017 News April 2022 Please join me in congratulating Spilt Milk staff for their southern region Scholastic Writing Awards: Student Name, Work Title and Award (Category) Marina Hammoud, "A Monster Should Never Be Left Alone with its Thoughts", Gold Key (Short Story) Alexandra Katz, "The Spiral of a Shell In His Heart", Gold Key (Short Story) Martina Donantueno, "A Campfire Story to Remember", Honorable Mention (Short Story) The Scholastic Writing Awards include among its alumni Andy Warhol, Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, and Kay Walkingstick. Thank you for your support of our MAST creative writers. It takes a crew! January 2022 Watch Spilt Milk staff member Ayeisha Kirkland perform spoken word poetry at the School Board! October 2021 Spilt Milk vol. 24 published. Thank you for reading, and please write letters to the editor! September 2020 Spilt Milk 2020 receives the first All-Florida evaluation for literary magazine from the Florida Scholastic Press Association in school history. June 2020 Spilt Milk publishes the first remotely-produced literary magazine in school history. The staff of Spilt Milk, the literary magazine of MAST Academy, has published the first remotely-produced literary magazine in school history. https://app.box.com/s/f1rwz3oh0e35j5kv691va4oiiocjt3l8 Regarding one of the two poems featured in the magazine, “America”, by Penelopei Perello, Editor-in-Chief Natalia Torres writes that it was selected to speak about the times that we are living in. Volume 23 also features “Tick Tock” by Paulina Almada which won a regional Gold Key from the Scholastic Writing Awards. The magazine and previous editions can be found at the MAST Academy website, gomakos.org, under Student Life and Student Publications or at the link below. Thank you for reading, and please write letters to the editor! https://app.box.com/s/f1rwz3oh0e35j5kv691va4oiiocjt3l8April 2020 MAST high school Creative Writing wins a regional Gold Key from the Scholastic Writing Awards and doubles its First Place awards at Dade County Youth Fair. MAST high school Creative Writing won a regional Gold Key from the Scholastic Writing Awards and doubled its First Place awards at Dade County Youth Fair. The regional Gold Key was awarded to Paulina Almada for her poem, “Tick Tock”. It is her 3rd regional Gold Key overall in addition to her national Gold Key in 8th grade. It is the 5th in 4 years for MAST Creative Writing The number of First Places at MAST high school Creative Writing also doubled from 4 to 8 with awards going to a range of students from their 1st to their 4th year in the program. The list of winners can be found below. Almada, Paulina Tick Tock Regional Gold Key, Scholastic Writing Awards. 2nd Place, Dade County Youth Fair Abraham, Esther Made for Error 1st Place Dowd, Stephanie L'amour 1st Place Estrada-Nuñez, Thais Evolution of Coexistence 1st Place Gordon, Nathaniel BARE Collection 1st Place McCormick, Amira The Wind 1st Place Murcia, Michel Yet Again 1st Place Perello, Penelopei America 1st Place Torres, Natalia 12.0111° N, 83.7704° W 1st Place Cafferky, Cristina Catherine Hudson 2nd Place Fava, Juana I Wish I Could See Her Again 2nd Place Grant, Kasia Butterfly 2nd Place Iurman, Mauro The Blinding Light 2nd Place Luisa Mantilla Being Columbian 2nd Place Michel, Samantha Babies Have It Easy! 2nd Place Ortega, Adriana Horror Story 2nd Place Penza, Grace Burial 2nd Place Reyes, Kristina Cob Webs and Pawn Shops 2nd Place Sobrino, Samantha Nathan Chen 2nd Place Tumi, Stephani Disrespectful Brat 2nd Place Vilella, Lourdes Scars 2nd Place Lopez, Rebecca The Unnoticed 3rd Place
August 2019 Spilt Milk earns first literary magazine gold from the Florida Scholastic Press Association in school history The evaluator wrote of the writing in the magazine, “You do a great job of including a wide variety of writing.” Spilt Milk was one of only 16 literary magazines in all of Florida to have competed at the state level this year. June 2019 Key Biscayne's Islander News covered Spilt Milk's successful year. Here is the link to the article:
May 2019
Alejandra Almada, Editor-in-Chief of Spilt Milk, the literary magazine of MAST Academy, wins a Miami Herald Silver Knight Honorable Mention in World Languages.
April 2019 Alejandra Almada and Kathryna Reiz of MAST Academy receive from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association a first place in design and a certificate of merit for story writing with their graphic narrative "Into Eternity". Alejandra is Editor-in-Chief of Spilt Milk, MAST's literary magazine. The graphic narrative "Into Eternity" first appeared in last year's edition of the magazine, Spilt Milk volume 21, which can be found here: https://app.box.com/s/supchxglpxuhv6cvgnmaaeap8jz1gsy2 April 2019 MAST Academy's literary magazine, Spilt Milk, receives 3 national award nominations and 4 Silver Keys from Scholastic Writing Awards. The full list of award recipients can be found below. Scholastic Writing Awards 2019
Author Title Place Ribbon Youth Fair (and equivalent) Aguilar, Luna 3rd Place Yellow Almada, Alejandra Crescent Honorable Mention Capricious Chance Summer Skating Honorable Mention Apparent Requiem Honorable Mention To My Universe Honorable Mention Siren Silver Key Beautifully Damned Gold Key Precipitation Silver Key Devotedly Yours Gold Key Purple Almada, Paulina Rituals Silver Key Would-Be Gods Aren't Meant to Last Gold Key Purple De la Cruz, Katelyn Starry Night Yellow Firmeza, Zeean The Best Among the Best Honorable Mention Red Garcia, Riley The Man Behind the Tree White Grant, Kasia Bliss Honorable Mention Red Michel, Samantha Stop! Honorable Mention Red Penza, Grace Indeed Silver Key Blue Sztyble, Melanie Candles Honorable Mention Red February 2019 The Almada sisters win gold in Scholastic Writing Awards's Miami-Dade competition and head to nationals. The Almada sisters of Creative Writing have won gold in Scholastic Writing Awards's Miami-Dade competition and are heading to nationals. Moving on to the next level are Alejandra's short story, "Beautifully Damned", her portfolio "Devotedly Yours", and Paulina's poem "Would-Be Gods Aren't Meant to Last". Additionally, Alejandra's short story "Beautifully Damned" has been nominated for the American Voices Award to possibly earn a spot amongst the top writing entries in the country. These awards are joined by an additional 3 Silver Keys, 8 Honorable Mentions, and three 3rd Places. So join a winning team. During subject selection, sign up for Creative Writing! MAST excels in creative writing Spring 2018 Creative Writing Individual Awards 2017-18 High School Youth Fair 2018 Children's Book Author Title Ribbon Place Alejandra Almada The Gull and the Grackle Purple Special Award Advisors: Gina Sese and Otto Zequeira
Narrative, Poetry, and Creative Non-Fiction Author Title Ribbon Place Samantha Michel My Trip to Mexico Red 2nd Grace Penza A Palette of Stories Red 2nd Fadhina Petit-Clair Found the Rhythm Red 2nd Melanie Sztybel Love Needs No Words Red 2nd Natalia Torres Confessions of an Animal Rescuer Red 2nd Advisor: Otto Zequeira
Scholastic Writing Awards 2018 Author Title Place Ribbon Youth Fair equivalent Almada Alejandra Into Eternity Honorable Mention Red 2nd Nathaniel Gordon This is Heaven Honorable Mention Red 2nd Nathaniel Gordon Resillience: A Memoir Honorable Mention Red 2nd Arantza Garcia The First Time He Saw It Honorable Mention Red 2nd Liza Martin Him Honorable Mention Red 2nd Paolo Montoya Corrupting Heart Honorable Mention Red 2nd Analuisa Furiati A Tale of Fishermen at Sea White 3rd Syuzanna Kocharyan Education White 3rd Zoe Subire Body at the Barn-House White 3rd Luis Diaz West Pines Tournament Yellow 4th Advisor: Otto Zequeira
Spilt Milk wins silver from Columbia University Winter 2017 Please join me in congratulating the 2017 staff of Spilt Milk for improving their literary magazine evaluation 22% in earning a Silver from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The evaluator wrote:
Please visit the site below to download the magazine. Also, advertise in the magazine by downloading the contract and support the students’ excellent work. Thank you! Spilt Milk 2017 earns a Silver with a Special Distinction in Art from the Florida Scholastic Press Association Fall 2017 Please join me in congratulating the staff of Spilt Milk 2017 for earning a Silver with a Special Distinction in Art from the Florida Scholastic Press Association.
The evaluator wrote:
“Pulling work from your student body gives your reader's a connection to the magazine, and makes it more likely to be read when students can see their own work in print. I liked that you found so many students willing to submit work.”
Also, “You stated one of your goals was to focus on design with a stronger visual presence. You accomplished this with the artwork and images you used in your layouts.”
Thank you again for all of your support, MAST. It takes the entire crew. Go Makos!
Otto Zequeira Advisor
Spilt Milk 2017 staff
Editor-in-Chief Laura Antolinez
Senior Editor Alejandra Almada
Editor Andrew Walker
Copy Editors Meaghan Camacho Mora Bustos Syuzanna Kocharyan Cathryn Ramon
Business Manager Alexandra De Quesada
Assistant Business Manager Rafael Benavente
Layout Editors Julia Cooper Diane Documet Victoria Fernandez Natalia Torres
Photo Editor Pietra Whitby
Assistant Photo Editor Sienna Aguiar
Production Staff Megan Mosquera Lollita Perrudin
Writers Hate, the word that hurts by:Syuzanna Kocharyan pg.3 I Painted Horizons by: Laura Antolinez pg.4 Caged by: Layla Profeta pg.5 A Simple Order by: Yami pg.6 His hands are dirty by: Natalia Torres pg.7 Intertwined by: Anais Rivero pg.8 Abstract Muse by: Emily Ruiz pg.9 Girlfriends and Boy Friends by: Andrew Walker pg.10
Time is the Key by: Julia Kalavritinos pg.11
Precipitation by: Alejandra Almada pg.20-25 Think About It by: Chloe Mazloum pg.12-13 I Envy them by: Alice pg.14 The 50th Anniversary by: Allegra Vallina pg.15 The Guitarist by: Nicholas Cummings pg.16-17 The Artist by: Ruben Castellon pg.18-19 Holiday by: Dorn Martell pg.26-27 Remembering J-14 by:Meaghan Camacho pg.28-31 Still Alive by: Beatriz Rodriguez pg.32 Last Glance by: Mora Bustos pg.33-34 The Walk on the Beach by: Alexandra De Quesada pg.35-37
Advisor: Otto Zequeira Creative Writing doubles its Youth Fair entries total Please join Taylor Ruppel and me in congratulating all of the MAST students who competed in this year's Scholastic Writing Awards and Youth Fair Creative Writing competitions. The final results for high school and middle school are below.
Thank you for all of the support for our writers. It takes a crew. Go Makos!
Otto Zequeira
S = Scholastic Writing Awards (December)
Y= Youth Fair (January deadline)
Name S / Y Award
Aguiar, Iliza Y 2nd
Aguiar, Sienna Y 1st
Almada, Alejandra S Special Award
Alvarez, Barbara S 2nd
Antolinez, Laura S 3rd
Arizmendy, Gabriella Y 2nd
Arteaga, Alexa S 2nd
Azancot, Lua Y 2nd
Baringer, John S 3rd
Benavente, Rafael S 2nd
Borroto, Amaya Y 1st
Camacho, Meaghan S 2nd
Carrasco, Lara Y 1st
Castellon, Ruben S 2nd
Chavarria, Tomas Y 3rd
Cummings, Nick Y 1st
Delger, Benjamin Y 2nd
Delpani, Alessandro Y 2nd
Espaillat, Marco Y 2nd
Estrada, Josefina Y 2nd
Feijoo, Irene Y 2nd
Fener, Alexandra Y 2nd
Fouquet, Enzo Luca Y 3rd
Gamallo, Patricia Y 2nd
Gao, Jiong S 3rd
Green, Catherine S 2nd
Griffiths, Blake Y 2nd
Horn, Ingo Y 1st
Iurman, Mauro Y 3rd
Lopez, Carolina Y 2nd
Mairhofer, Ema Y 1st
Maniaci, Mia Y 2nd
Marina, Lucia Y 3rd
Martell, Dorn Y 1st
Massiani, Elisa Y 3rd
Mazloum, Chloe S 2nd
Medina, Katelyn Y 2nd
Mendez, Isabel Y 1st
Miranda, Maria S 3rd
Mosquera, Megan Y 2nd
Nissim, William Y 3rd
Olea, Simon Y 3rd
Panter, Taryn Y 2nd
Pascual, Alejandro Y 2nd
Profeta, Layla S 3rd
Ruiz, Emily Y 1st
Tamer, Alexia Y 1st
Whitby, Pietra Y 1st Alejandra Almada goes to Scholastic Writing Awards' national competition (Spring 2017) Alejandra Almada, senior editor of Spilt Milk, MAST's literary magazine, and member of the Creative Writing class, moved on to the Scholastic Writing Awards' national competition after winning a Gold Key and a Special Award in Miami Writes and the Dade County Youth Fair. In total, she and Mr. Otto Zequeira's other students competing in Miami Writes won 7 second places and 4 third places in addition to the Gold Medal. Scholastic Writing Awards competitors October 2016 Spilt Milk enjoys evaluation success (Fall 2016) Spilt Milk, the literary magazine of MAST, has been named a Silver Medalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), and received a Silver from Florida Scholastic Press Association (FSPA) for its 2015-16 edition. The evaluator for the CSPA highlighted the writing and editing in the magazine, and stated that Spilt Milk has “a lot of potential”. The evaluator for FSPA wrote, "Lovely writing - Very well done with editing. The variety is nice to see in a lit mag". These state and national awards come on top of two Special Awards from the Dade County Youth Fair. So download Spilt Milk, the award-winning literary magazine from the Creative Writing classes of MAST Academy. The magazine can be found here: Click Here Help support the winning streak! Spilt Milk, the literary magazine of MAST, has been named a Silver Medalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for its 2015-16 edition. The evaluator highlighted the writing and editing in the magazine, and stated that Spilt Milk has “a lot of potential”. This national award comes on top of a Silver from the Florida Scholastic Press Association and two Special Awards from the Dade County Youth Fair. The magazine can be downloaded here: Thank you for your support! Advisor: Otto Zequeira Spilt Milk 2015-16 staff Editors Business Manager •Sophia Betancourt Co-Business Manager •Pia Nair Layout Design Chief •Meling Chung Production Staff Poetry Short Story Non-Fiction Highlights September 2016 Download and support Spilt Milk, the award-winning literary magazine from the Creative Writing classes of MAST Academy. The magazine and ad contract can be found here: https://app.box.com/s/oc6mk8jcw0cx1hu3txonssaeswtplwv4 In its first state competition in recent years, Spilt Milk won Silver from the Florida Scholastic Press Association. The evaluator wrote, "Lovely writing - Very well done with editing. The variety is nice to see in a lit mag". Advisor: Otto Zequeira August 2016 Thinking Skills increases its Cambridge AS exam passing rate to 80%. This is 26% higher than the county average in 2013-14. April 2016 Alejandra Almada and Leyla Profeta win Special Awards in the Dade County Youth Fair. Creative Writing triples its Youth Fair entries, including almost triple the number of first place entries and two Special Awards, which are awarded to less than 1% of all entries. March 2016 MAST teacher and sons locate rare Cuban Pewee bird at Crandon Park MAST teacher Otto Zequeira and his sons observed and photographed a rare vagrant bird called a Cuban Pewee (pronounced peewee) at Crandon Park on Sunday, March 13. A vagrant bird is one which strays from normal migratory or dispersal patterns. This species of bird has only been spotted in North America four confirmed times, the last being 2010. The Pewee was reported to Miami's Tropical Audubon Society, Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology, and accepted into the records of the Florida Ornithological Society. Birders subsequently migrated to Crandon to see the find. The American Birding Association has included the Zequeiras' sighting of the Cuban Pewee in a blog post: http://blog.aba.org/2016/03/abarare-cuban-pewee-florida.html See the photo to the left. February 2016 The North American Big Year record-holder, Sandy Komito, birded Virginia Key Beach Park with the 9th grade English class of Otto Zequeira from MAST Academy on Monday, February 22. The group was joined by two other MAST teachers, Brian Rapoza, who is also a board member of Tropical Audubon Society, and Heather Hodson, a biology teacher. Mr. Komito was a subject of both the book and the movie, “The Big Year", the latter of which included actors Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. The class had studied both works before the trip. The MAST birding group walked along Rickenbacker Causeway and the western edge of the park up to the the boardwalk and small pond. After the nature walk, the group enjoyed a Q&A with Mr. Komito, who observed 748 species of birds in North America over a calendar year. The MAST Parent-Teacher-Student Association donated a MAST shirt for Komito at the request of the students to replace "Mr. Pants", a favorite pair of purple, polyester bellbottoms he left flying on a flagpole in Alaska during his record-breaking year. |