“BETA! BETA! BETA!”

“Interact got that beat that makes you jump up to your feet!”

“Honoria, we run the school! We run the school! We run the school!”

“Key! Key! Key!”

These are some of the chants you hear as you walk into the Asylum for a pep rally, or as you watch the clubs perform in the homecoming parade. These clubs taunt one another in many ways as the rivalry intensifies.

History

One of the things that is unique about Miami High is the rivalry between its 4 major clubs: BETA, Honoria, Interact and Key. When BETA advisor Dr. Hueck started teaching at Miami High in 1988, the rivalry was much more intense; people were more devoted to their clubs.

He said, “The biggest rivalry was between Interact and Key. Back then, club members only sat with their respective club’s members during lunch. You would never see Interact members sit with Key members.”

Key alumna and Class of 2006 graduate Jennifer Deras confirms that Key was the club everyone wanted to join at the time.

“Right now, the biggest rivalry is BETA and Interact,” said BETA president Carlos Moreno, “because we are always neck-and-neck when it comes to certain competitions, but the rivalry mainly exists during homecoming.”

What’s the Beef?

The motives for the rivalry between the major clubs are still unclear. Interact sergeant-at-arms Randy Rivera believes that there are certain people in each club that cause unnecessary drama. “I don’t like the ‘spying’ some club members do when it’s time to work on the homecoming parade; I think that’s taking it a step too far. At the same time, that goes to show the pride some members have for their respective clubs,” he said.

Interact District 6990 governor Olvin Villatoro said, “Personally, I respect the BETA members. However, I think other club members don’t like how BETA is one of the prouder clubs at Miami High, but I believe they deserve to be prideful.”

SGA president Pablo Iraheta, who is a former BETA president, also believes that the rivalry exists because of excessive pride. “Other club members hate BETA because we go all-out all the time and we’re not afraid to brag about it,” he said.

Rivalry at its Peak?

On November 9^th, all 4 major clubs were called to a meeting with some of the school’s faculty in order to discuss the rivalry. “We got several complaints from people saying that the club rivalry is getting out of hand. Some even suggested to get rid of the homecoming parade,” said school treasurer Jorge Portuondo. “However, we will not be getting rid of it. The parade is a long-standing tradition here at Miami High; no other school does it. Instead, we will implement several changes to the parade in order to suppress the rivalry.”

In the same meeting, SGA advisor Ms. Puentes told the club members to remain competitive and represent their clubs in a respectful manner. “Don’t let the club rivalry get out of hand because at the end of the day, we all share one thing: we are all Stingarees,” she said.

Assistant principal Ms. Meikeljohn added, “Be the role models you’re supposed to be. We have to represent Miami High.”

Honoria recording secretary Jason Albisu says that he believes the meeting suppressed some of the rivalry. “Since the meeting, I haven’t heard any rumors of the clubs bashing one another,” he said.

The Future of Club Rivalry

The club officers had differing opinions on the intensity of the rivalry. BETA president Carlos Moreno said, “I support the rivalry because it makes school more interesting. It keeps me busy, and I think it motivates the club members to express the pride they have in their clubs.”

Dr. Hueck thinks that the club rivalry is OK as long as it doesn’t get out of hand. “Healthy competition is great because it pushes us to do better and set higher standards. The problem is when students take it personal,” he said.

Honoria mascot Danaize Sanchez doesn’t let the rivalry change the way she treats people from other clubs. “What matters is the person’s character, not the club they’re affiliated with,” she said.

Interact president John Gonzalez does not support the rivalry. “I believe it’s a waste of time,” he said. “I think members should worry about making their clubs better instead of worrying about what others are doing.”

Finally, Ms. Puentes said, “As Stingarees, our only rivals should be the Cavaliers at Coral Gables Senior High.”