Alexandria S, Class of 2012

Dear HG Family & Friends,
Greetings from Annapolis, Maryland! Yes, it’s much colder up here and no, I do not like the snow one bit. Nonetheless, here I am at the United States Naval Academy studying weapons and control systems engineering as a major and Chinese (Mandarin) as a minor, while at the same time training to be an officer in the great American Navy. Boot camp was fun, but hard (and I try not to remember those times when my hair was short to my chin)! This past summer I spent a month on an amphibious assault ship, a ship that has a carrying capacity of about 10,000 sailors and marines, and even had a chance to drive it as part of my summer training.

It’s truly humbling to come to this school with 4400 others (including MIDN 2/C Rick Bravo, HGHS c/o 2011) who are so dedicated to serving the country. I wanted to serve because my parents fought to come to the United States from Cuba, and earning a college degree while also serving was the perfect way to go about it.
I am on the Navy’s club waterpolo team, which of course I am in love with. We compete all over the east coast against club teams of other colleges and universities. I write for the magazine on campus, which is published about every two or three months. Writing for the magazine has become an escape from the engineering technicalities that I study all day long teehee. I am also an active member of the community service group on campus called MAG, and I serve as the liaison between MAG and my company of 150 shipmates.
On a heavier note:
A lot has happened in the past few months with regard to security and malicious attacks in DC. The events that happened on the Washington Navy Yard on 16 September serve as a reminder of the school I go to and how it is basically a potential target. Never underestimate the safety of your school, as it is extremely important. If something ever does happen, you’ll always ask yourself if there was anything that could have been done to prevent it. Please, please don’t underestimate your safety and the safety of your friends!
Fair winds and following seas, my friends!
Picture is me with my family on the weekend I finished boot camp in August 2012.
Alexandria “Ali”
HGHS c/o 2012 (the best class)

Ariana L, Class of 2012

Hi Dr. Algaze,

I hope all is well, I haven't had the opportunity to travel or do anything outstanding. After graduating in 2012, I went to Florida Career College to study Patient Care Tech. Since I have a passion for those who are sick and bed-ridden. I hope to work with children in hospitals like Joe DiMaggio. I plan on being a PCT for a mental institution so I can advocate for them. Life sometimes does get rough and I want to be able to enlighten their spirits during their path to recovery. I still write poetry, plays, and short stories. I have had the opportunity to publish four of my poems in four different anthologies. To check out Ariana's poetry, check out this book.

Ariana Leon

Ibis, Class of 2011

I currently attend St. Thomas University as a Biology major with a specialization in research. I'm currently part of the math and science program and I was fortunate enough to be part of St. Thomas Spinal Cord Research with zebra fish. Above keeping up with academics here at St. Thomas I spend most of my time analyzing the swimming behavior of zebra fish before and after a spinal cord injury has been introduced with or without morpholino. Half the time I'm not 100% sure what will be my next step after I finish my Bachelors (very soon), because of all the opportunities out there.

Starting college I had a narrow mindset of what I wanted to do with my life but as I got here it broadened. One thing, I am grateful for my experience at Hialeah Gardens High School. I wanted to be a doctor and HGHS gave me the opportunity to expose myself to the health and science field which allowed me to choose my major as I entered college. I didn't immediately get into St.Thomas University, right after high school. I went to the Honors College at Miami Dade North Campus, and it was my efforts, my interactions, the help of my teachers, the academics of HGHS that allowed me to take the next stepping stone to the HC at Miami Dade, because HGHS was structured and I felt supported. I am where I am today, going to scientific conferences twice a year, participating in annual symposiums, all with a full ride for my first four years in college because of Hialeah Garden High School. I want to thank my high school teachers and the experience I had here because it created the gladiator in me...allowing me to stand for what I believe as I strive for excellence.

Jessica, Class of 2011

I am a Psychology major who just graduated from the Honors College at Miami Dade College with a 3.89 GPA. While I was at Miami Dade, I not only went to class, but participated in extracurricular activities as well. I was the Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa (The International Honor Society on campus) and also dedicated hours of my time volunteering at His House Children's Home which reassured me that I was in the right field of study. I worked with kindergarten and first graders who were currently overcoming MAJOR adversity. I was able to help them with their classwork and basically be a role model in their life.

Once I completed my Associates in Arts degree at Miami Dade College, I transferred to the Honors College at Florida International University where I was granted the Eduardo Padron Scholarship that covers full-tuition to complete my Bachelor's Degree. I am currently volunteering for the Child Anxiety and Phobia Program at FIU as as Research Assistant where I get to work with children who suffer from mild to severe forms of anxiety. Part of my job is working with graduate students to help them assess a computer based treatment to the children who have come to seek help from us at CAPP. Since abnormal disorders in childhood and adolescence is what sparks my interest, I couldn't picture myself anywhere else. Once I complete my Bachelor's Degree, my goal is to go on to graduate school and obtain a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to eventually work with children and adolescents who suffer from different forms of child psychopathology.

*The university experience teaches you how to live in the real world because you are no longer babied and told what to do. We were ALL warned in high school and every warning was true. In college, everything is on your own. You have to turn in assignments without being reminded, you have to manage your time properly and of course study in order to pass your classes so that you can maintain a good GPA and your scholarship as well.

*Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of my work at FIU or His House, due to confidentiality reasons, but I attached a picture from my MDC graduation picture and a picture from when I did a presentation at HGHS on sports safety for Phi Theta Kappa.

Johandra, Class of 2012

Johandra graduated at the top of her class and is currently studying International Relations at FIU. She recently studied in France and we asked her to share her experience with us. Here's what she said.


Study abroad is not only about learning in the academic sense, but more about finding yourself and making your own history. I spent July 2013 in France on a study abroad program through FIU's Honors College that focused on art, war, and human rights. I lived in Paris, where I walked the same streets and buildings as kings and angry revolutionaries who developed the modern notions of liberty and equality. I researched a World War II pilot and stood next to his grave at the Normandy American Cemetery as I told my classmates about his sacrifice to his nation. With two friends, we researched places dedicated to the defense of human rights along a Paris metro line. As an international relations student, my experiences taught me the importance of government in a society and the measures it will take to defend its ideals. On a personal level, I learned that I must not forget that history is not a series of passive events but is actively shaped by individuals and, as Joseph Weismann, a survivor of the Holocaust whom I had the honor of meeting said, to never accept the unacceptable.
Next May, I will embark on a second study abroad adventure to Italy, where I will analyze the effects of classical Rome and the Renaissance on the contemporary world and once again, discover more of myself.

This is Jojo again. She sent me a recent picture of her in Rome (May 2014)

Principal's Welcome

The purpose of a high school is to prepare its students for their futures. With this in mind, we have created this alumni page to keep in touch with our Gladiator alumni. Ensuring that their connection to their alma mater remains strong creates a sense of community that pays dividends in the futures of not only our alumni but also the current students of the school. We are proud of our Gladiator alumni and would like to highlight their accomplishments since graduation! -Dr. Algaze