Varela High's athletic rivals include G. Holmes Braddock High School, Miami Sunset High School and John A. Ferguson High School, as well as the new Kendall school, TERRA Environmental Research Institute. Around 2010–2011 the Varela tennis team reached its first ever regional playoff. Three of its new players, Zahry Edmond, Nicolas Etienne, and Hans Hillel Rousseau, were highly ranked tennis players in Haiti who had been displaced by the 2010 earthquake. The current Athletic Director is Coach Lisa Spinosa (2009–present). Past Athletic Directors include Coach Ron Balazs (2000–2005) and Coach Andy Chiles (2005–2009). The Varela High School Band is known as the "Band of Mystery." Varela also has an Alethic Training program students can join to actively learn about the field of sports medicine. Thanks to the myriad of sports offered, student will get an extensive look into sports medicine and its role in athletics. Championships Boys' Varsity soccer team: 2008 National Champions 2008 FHSAA Class 6A State Champions by defeating Weston Cypress Bay 1-1 (4-1 PK). (back-to-back State Champions) 2007 FHSAA Class 6A State Champions by defeating Wellington High School 2-1 (the school's first state championship throughout its six-year history in varsity sports) Notable alumni Blake Jenner – actor on the television musical show Glee Johnny Barbato – Pitcher for the Detroit Tigers Zakk Sandler – Former Black Tide and current Falling In Reverse bass player See also Miami-Dade County Public Schools Education in the United States References External links Felix Varela High School Varela NJROTC Educational institutions established in 2000 Miami-Dade County Public Schools high schools 2000 establishments in Florida