Miami High was established in 1902 as a wooden school house and moved to its current location in the 1920’s. It is a very historical school with distinctive architecture, landscaped gardens, and important statues.

Assistant principal Mrs. Meiklejohn said the Jose Marti statue is located on the patio east of the Theatre, the Ruben Dario statue is located on the patio west of the theatre, and the Santander statue is located on the west side in front of the school.

Many students might wonder who these people are and why they deserve to be memorialized in our school. According to www.Biography.com, Francisco de Paula Santander (1792-1840) joined Simón Bolívar to end Spain’s colonial rule in South America. He later became president of New Granada, which is now Colombia.

Rubén Darío (1867-1916) was an admired Nicaraguan poet and journalist who introduced the style known as modernism to Spanish literature.

Jose Marti (1853- 1895) is a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature who died on the battlefield during a fail attempt to free Cuba.

Opinions on the statues vary. Senior Marla Ortiz said, “The statues are old and you can’t even tell who they are.”

On the other hand Junior Oswaldo Cruz said, “They look amazing, since I know who they are.”

The statues seem like they’ve been here for decades. Science department head Dr. Hueck said that Santander’s statue was placed at the front of our school in the 1950’s because the front of Miami High used to be a Colombian park and the land was donated by the Colombian government to our school. In recognition of their donation, a bust of a famous Colombian person was erected.

The Jose Marti statue, which was also placed here in the 1950’s, was a gift to Miami High for all the times the Million Dollar Band performed at carnival in Cuba.

The Ruben Dario statue was donated by Dr. Hueck in 2003, which was the year he won Teacher of the Year, so he wanted to give something back to the school. 2003 was that year when a very large number of Nicaraguans graduated from Miami High and he wanted them to feel like “this is part of who we are here at Miami High.”

Many students haven’t seen all of the statues. Junior Secretary Jean Manco said, “I’ve only seen the one in front of the school next to first building.” Junior Janet Rodriguez said that Jose Marti is the only statue she has heard about. Junior Jewel Valdez said, “I only saw the one behind first building because I eat lunch there.”

Students have their own ideas for future Miami High statues. Sophomore Joanna Leon said, “I think one should be the first principal of the school.”

Senior Paola Martinez suggests one for Martin Luther King Jr.

Sophomore Julissa Martinez said, “We should change it to Whippy since he’s our school mascot!”