Friday, March 8, 2019

Carol China, Class of 2017

My name is Carol Chinea and I was part of the 2017 graduating class!

I am currently enrolled at FIU, estimated to graduate in December of 2020 with my Bachelors in Marketing. I am also the Social Media and Content Marketing Intern at Nearpod! Given that Hialeah Gardens is a model Nearpod school, I thought this would be an interesting story to share. I have been working here since November 5th and it has been an amazing experience.

I was also featured as their student story during their Keynote at Transform 2019. I told my story about being a student at Hialeah Gardens and the many teachers that influenced me. One of the teachers I spoke about was Monica Gonzalez! Because she was an attendee, they called her up during my story and gave her a bouquet of roses.

Here are some images posted on Twitter. Click here.

Friday, June 8, 2018

Lisaimy Mallo, Class of 2012 Update 2

Hialeah Gardens High School prepared me for the greatest adventure I have emerged on: college- scratch that- LIFE! In the Fall of 2012 I attended University of Florida where not only did I get to shadow surgeries at Shands Hospital for four years, become a Teaching Assistant, engage in dystonia research, mentor at-risk youth, and become a member of a Greek organization, but I also had the opportunity of studying abroad for four months throughout Europe! After acquiring my Bachelors in Sociology, Minor in Leadership, and Pre-Medical track on May of 2016 I was accepted into FIU’s School of Social Work program. During my time as a graduate student I have worked alongside a multi-disciplinary team in Cleveland Clinic, FL where I have provided resources and support to oncology patients. Now attending my final internship before graduating in December of 2018, I am currently working with children ages 0 to 5 that may encounter developmental or behavioral concerns and providing strategies and support to identify areas of need and modify behaviors. Throughout my graduate career, I was awarded MSW Foundation Student Intern of the Year for my work at Cleveland Clinic, and recently became a recipient of an FIU Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Fellowship funded through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to further integrate social work, mental health, education, and other disciplines to take on a holistic approach when providing our patients quality care. I owe my success to the fantastic foundation I received and the high expectations that were set for me from professionals such as Dr. Algaze and Dr. Louis. My advice: love yourself, practice self-care, and be good to others. Happiness is not based on your accolades but on the difference you make in your community and other’s lives.

To read read about Lizzy's first update, click here.




Friday, June 1, 2018

Grethel Pavon, Class of 2016

Hey Gladiators! My name is Grethel Pavon, I graduated in the class of 2016, Summa Cum Laude. I can still remember the first day I walked into the school and it seemed like another world to me. Throughout those 4 years I worked my butt off taking a bunch of AICE and AP classes in order to get some college credits out of the way, and let me tell you I’m so glad I did. This allowed me to be one whole semester ahead, and it saved me around $3,000!
As of Fall 2018, I will be a junior at Florida International University, working on my Bachelor Degree in Biological Sciences with a pre-pharmacy track. I’m not going to lie to you, college is tough but I love it. No one is babying you, or forcing you to learn. It all on you. I enjoy this freedom because it motivates me to do good every semester even though the classes get tougher and tougher. I also just became a ChemPAL (Chemistry Peer Assister Learning) Preceptor, and I love it. Helping out students with chemistry and showing them it isn’t scary is one of the best feelings ever. I soon hope to become a TA for general chemistry 1 & 2, I can’t be more excited!
As you guys approach the college readiness season, I recommend to not leave everything for last minute! There are a bunch of admission deadlines and scholarship deadlines. It will catch up to you trust me. Also, your counselors and teachers will need time to proof-read your essays and to write any recommendation letters you may need. Most importantly remember to take a breather, it all gets pretty hectic, and you will become stressed, but don’t panic! Put everything down, watch a movie, listen to music, take a bubble bath and get back to it. Remember that thousands of Gladiators have gone through all those hardships and if they were able to accomplish it, you most certainly can. Last but not least, I want to wish you all the best of luck to you all in your high school endeavors and in your journey to college. Go Gladiators!

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Demi Lamas, Class of 2016

I am Demi Lamas from class of 2016! Since graduating from HGHS, I have been attending FIU. I’m heading into my junior year this fall. I have been a member of the FIU Honors College since freshman year and am also a member of the Student Programming Council which plans school events. I am also part of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society at FIU. Additionally, I am a part of FIU Business and am currently the vice president of the FIU Business Dean Student Advisory Board. Next semester, I will be the president. After finishing my undergraduate studies, I hope to go to Law School. Outside of school, I continue to practice Taekwondo and have opened an at home bake shop. I called it Demi’s Bake Shop and I sell a variety of desserts including cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. High School was great but the future is looking bright!

Follow Demi on IG

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Giselle Lewis, Class of 2016

It feels like just yesterday I graduated high school, and to think that in less than a year I’ll be a college graduate is crazy to me.
I am currently a third year senior at The Florida State University. I have to say that moving away was one of the best decision of my life, it has helped me grow so much as a person and as a student. I’ve had he opportunity to meet people from all around the world, and learn so much about myself as a person. I am expected to graduate spring 2019 with a Bachelor of Accounting, and plan to stay at FSU to complete my Master’s in Accounting to qualify to take my Certified Public Accountant exam.
My first year I couldn’t find an organization that really stuck out to me, so I really just tried to focus on school and get used to the new lifestyle. Being that I came to a well known football school, game days were some of the most important days of the semester. I grew love for the sport and soon became very passionate about it. My second year I had the opportunity to be chosen as a Garnet and Gold Guide for the athletics department, where I serve as a host for our football recruits and their families. It has been one of the best experiences of my life and has created one of the most memorable experiences in my college career.
This past November I received my first internship as an accounting associate in the corporate office of North Florida Medical Centers. Some things I do on a daily basis is entering and paying invoices on accounts payables and reconciling the cash account. Getting the experience first hand has assured and grown my love for accounting.
Overall, college has been some of the best years of my life, some parts are just unexplainable. I want to thank the Hialeah Gardens teachers and staff for all their support throughout my years there, and for pushing me to my limits even when I though I couldn’t because it definitely paid off in the end.

Updates from Johandra Delgado

I looked back at the HGHS blog, and I can't believe its been so long since my last update. So much has changed since summer 2013! I completed a second study abroad program to Italy, where I recreated the Grand Tour to learn about the roots of the West. I spent the summer after that in Washington, D.C. where I interned at an international NGO and got my first taste of working on Capitol Hill. I graduated summa cum laude with my Bachelor's degree in International Affairs, a minor in French Language and Culture, and a certificate in European Studies from Florida International University in December 2015 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest undergraduate honor society in the U.S.
In August 2016 I moved to Washington, D.C. to start my graduate studies at American University's School of International Service. In those two years I worked as a graduate assistant, helping professors in research and preparing books and papers for publication. I was also a legislative intern at the office of a Congresswoman in the House of Representatives, where I got to see the legislative process firsthand from inside the offices and tunnels of Capitol Hill. I graduated with my Master's in International Affairs from the Global Governance, Politics, and Security program in May 2018. I began working at a major international organization a couple weeks after graduation, and plan on staying in Washington, D.C. for my career.
My high school experience has been instrumental in giving me a solid basis in writing and financial planning for college. My professors have complimented my writing, a skill that I credit to the practice I received at HGHS. My high school teachers' mentorship in college prep, specifically teaching me how to find scholarships and how to apply for financial aid, is the reason why I have been able to afford my education. Most importantly, the people and friends I made at HGHS continue to support me from 1000 miles away.

Best,
Johandra

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Brian Ceballos, Class of 2016

Hi Everyone!

Since I graduated from HGHS two years ago so much has happened. I am going to list a few of my recent accomplishments and how HGHS helped me get there.

Schooling:
* I will be graduating next Spring with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on Business Analytics. I am enrolled in both the Honors College and College of Business at FIU. I will be graduating a year early thanks to the credits I transferred over. By making the most of the AICE, AP, and Dual Enrollment classes I came in to college with credits and by making the most out of every opportunity I have been able to excel.

* Last academic year I was a Peer Leadership Consultant for FIU’s Center for Leadership and Service. As a part of LEAD Team I was able to influence students by being a facilitator for a three day retreat where we taught students the five steps to being a leader. Apart from facilitating the retreat, we served as an ambassador and presented at First Year Experience classes, attended orientations and university events on behalf of the office to promote programs, events, and services.

* This past March I was elected Florida Phi Beta Lambda State President at the State Leadership Conference! I joined the Future Business Leaders of America – Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) when I was a seventh grader and was heavily involved in high school. During my high school years I served as the HGHS Chapter President and District Secretary for two consecutive years. By being a part of this organization I was able to develop my leadership skills and those have probably been the most useful in my college career. By taking a part in CTE programs I grew as a person without even realizing it. Now, I serve as the State President for the Collegiate Division and that is something I would have never dreamed of when I first joined. Thanks to HGHS supporting CTE I have grown to this capacity. Apart from being elected State President during the conference I was selected as the Rob Kelleher Memorial Award Recipient. This award is the most prestigious in Florida PBL and I was selected based on my dedication and devotion to the organization. This award is only possible because HGHS allowed me to be so involved with the organization and supported me as I looked to develop myself in the organization.

Career:
* Since last June I have been a Student Trainee (Intern) with the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This internship has been a great opportunity as I have learned about public service firsthand. Some of my duties have included: being a speaker at naturalization ceremonies where I have presented the candidates and the motion on behalf of the Government of the United States to the delegated official to make the individuals’ citizens, I have assisted in providing immigration benefits to applicants, performed case review and analysis on cases, and even worked with management with regards to office autonomy and performance. In a few weeks I will be transitioning out of this role as I will become a Student Workforce Trainee with one of the Department of Justice’s agencies. As an intern with one of the federal law enforcement agencies I will partake in a program that will develop my skills and allow me to continue my public service. I can directly attribute my current success in my career with HGHS’s internship program. Thanks to Ms. Morales and Ms. Nino I took on an internship with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at the end of my Junior year and continued that over my Senior year. By partaking in the internship program I was able to start my career and develop my resume which has led me to where I am today. I encourage all of the current Gladiators to make the most of their opportunities and be involved in the school, make connections with teachers and listen to their advice, try to land an internship while finishing high school because it will make all the difference when trying to apply for a college internship. It always looks better and makes it easier to get your first college internship when your resume lists relevant leadership and work experience. Make the most out of every opportunity that HGHS facilitates for you.

Gladiators, if you ever want to connect or have any questions for an alumni feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianceballos/) or via email at BCeba002@fiu.edu.

Best wishes to all the current gladiators!

Regards,
Brian Ceballos
Class of 2016