Thursday, September 17, 2015
Alejandra Mena Attends Yale!
Hello! My name is Alejandra Mena and I am starting my junior year at Yale University. I graduated from HGHS in 2013, working hard in my honors, AP, and AICE classes to build up my preparation for a rigorous college curriculum. When I got to Yale, I took a few English courses, international relations courses, and Chinese courses. I started learning Chinese at HGHS. I continued to study Chinese my freshman year at Yale, eventually winning a fellowship to study in China for the summer. It was an incredible experience! I recommend study abroad to every college student. I became especially interested in Yale’s renowned political science department. I recently declared political science as my major and will concentrate in international relations and comparative government. This past summer I interned at a consulting firm in Minneapolis. My focus was non-profit consulting: researching and proposing effective practices and offering strategic planning for social service organizations. Non-profit work is appealing to me and I may explore it more. The current plan after graduation is to attend law school. Let’s see where the road takes me!
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Jessica P, Class of 2011, Bachelors Obtained!
We previously spoke to Jessica and you can read that previous update here. Since then, Jessica has graduated from FIU. Here is her story.
Hello Gladiators!
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re sitting in one of the desks that I sat in just a couple years ago. My name is Jessica Perez and I was a part of the inaugural class of 2011 at Hialeah Gardens High School. You might even see my picture hanging on the wall. This school holds a very special place in my heart because of the many activities that I was a part of and the friendships that I made, but most importantly because of the teachers, administration and staff that pushed be beyond my limits! So if you’re currently stressed out and overwhelmed because you’re in 5 clubs and are taking too many AP or AICE classes, you’re on the right path. Don’t give up! Those tough classes and activities you are a part of are the ones that are going to prepare you for your future. They are currently teaching you how to manage your time, how to work with others, how to study, and how to succeed!
After graduating from Hialeah Gardens High School, I attended the Honors College at Miami Dade College where I obtained an Associates of Arts Degree for FREE (yes, I said FREE!). The Honors College paid for my tuition and books while also providing a stipend (free money for maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA each semester). I actually made money going to school! From there, I transferred to the Honors College at Florida International University (FIU) to pursue my Bachelors Degree in Psychology on a full paid academic scholarship that covered the final two years of my undergraduate education. While at FIU, I was a research assistant at the Child Anxiety and Phobia Program (CAPP) from the moment I set foot on campus. While volunteering at CAPP, I began by merely stamping data to make sure it was complete. By my second semester, I had done such a great job and had learned so much, that I was calling families to schedule their appointments and shortly after was conducting my very own treatment sessions with children who struggle with anxiety. Not only was I a part of CAPP, but I was also a vocalist for the Honors College a cappella group known as HEARTbeats (Feel free to check us out: http://news.fiu.edu/2015/03/a-cappella-group-builds-community-within-honors-college/86503
). I was also a member of the Psychology International Honor Society (Psi Chi) as well as a tutor for elementary school aged children. Although I was involved in several activities while taking 15 credits per semester, I managed my time wisely so I wouldn’t burn my self out (time management is key!).
*If you’ve never had a planner or a calendar, it’s time to start investing in one!
As of May 5, 2015, I graduated from FIU with my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and will be attending Graduate School at FIU this Fall, specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My goal is to be able to continue to assist those who are distressed and overwhelmed by anxiety on a daily basis. I also plan to return to CAPP to complete my practicum hours to obtain my license to practice counseling. With this license, I could open up my own practice, work at a school or in a hospital, providing evidence based treatment to children or adults.
Long story short, I am extremely grateful to HGHS for the recommendations and the help that was provided to me. Take advantage of your opportunities because they are right at your fingertips. Sacrifice a minute of your time to visit your CAP advisor, Mrs. Abesada or talk to your teachers. They were in your shoes once too (and trust me, they know what they’re talking about). I have two degrees and didn’t have to pay a penny thanks to some of the advice that was given to me! Now, all of the money that I saved, will help me pay for graduate school. Although it would’ve been cool to go away for college, I don’t regret staying in Miami one bit! I’ve networked with some awesome professors, made lifelong friends and saved a whole lot of money. Meanwhile, I'm still pursuing my dream! You can do the same!
I wish you all many blessings and hope that you can achieve your goals! Have faith that you can do it and you will! Go Gladiators!
Hello Gladiators!
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re sitting in one of the desks that I sat in just a couple years ago. My name is Jessica Perez and I was a part of the inaugural class of 2011 at Hialeah Gardens High School. You might even see my picture hanging on the wall. This school holds a very special place in my heart because of the many activities that I was a part of and the friendships that I made, but most importantly because of the teachers, administration and staff that pushed be beyond my limits! So if you’re currently stressed out and overwhelmed because you’re in 5 clubs and are taking too many AP or AICE classes, you’re on the right path. Don’t give up! Those tough classes and activities you are a part of are the ones that are going to prepare you for your future. They are currently teaching you how to manage your time, how to work with others, how to study, and how to succeed!
After graduating from Hialeah Gardens High School, I attended the Honors College at Miami Dade College where I obtained an Associates of Arts Degree for FREE (yes, I said FREE!). The Honors College paid for my tuition and books while also providing a stipend (free money for maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA each semester). I actually made money going to school! From there, I transferred to the Honors College at Florida International University (FIU) to pursue my Bachelors Degree in Psychology on a full paid academic scholarship that covered the final two years of my undergraduate education. While at FIU, I was a research assistant at the Child Anxiety and Phobia Program (CAPP) from the moment I set foot on campus. While volunteering at CAPP, I began by merely stamping data to make sure it was complete. By my second semester, I had done such a great job and had learned so much, that I was calling families to schedule their appointments and shortly after was conducting my very own treatment sessions with children who struggle with anxiety. Not only was I a part of CAPP, but I was also a vocalist for the Honors College a cappella group known as HEARTbeats (Feel free to check us out: http://news.fiu.edu/2015/03/a-cappella-group-builds-community-within-honors-college/86503
). I was also a member of the Psychology International Honor Society (Psi Chi) as well as a tutor for elementary school aged children. Although I was involved in several activities while taking 15 credits per semester, I managed my time wisely so I wouldn’t burn my self out (time management is key!).
*If you’ve never had a planner or a calendar, it’s time to start investing in one!
As of May 5, 2015, I graduated from FIU with my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and will be attending Graduate School at FIU this Fall, specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My goal is to be able to continue to assist those who are distressed and overwhelmed by anxiety on a daily basis. I also plan to return to CAPP to complete my practicum hours to obtain my license to practice counseling. With this license, I could open up my own practice, work at a school or in a hospital, providing evidence based treatment to children or adults.
Long story short, I am extremely grateful to HGHS for the recommendations and the help that was provided to me. Take advantage of your opportunities because they are right at your fingertips. Sacrifice a minute of your time to visit your CAP advisor, Mrs. Abesada or talk to your teachers. They were in your shoes once too (and trust me, they know what they’re talking about). I have two degrees and didn’t have to pay a penny thanks to some of the advice that was given to me! Now, all of the money that I saved, will help me pay for graduate school. Although it would’ve been cool to go away for college, I don’t regret staying in Miami one bit! I’ve networked with some awesome professors, made lifelong friends and saved a whole lot of money. Meanwhile, I'm still pursuing my dream! You can do the same!
I wish you all many blessings and hope that you can achieve your goals! Have faith that you can do it and you will! Go Gladiators!
Monday, June 1, 2015
Ibis, Class of 2011; Bachelors Completed!
We first posted about Ibis back in October 2013. Click here to read her first update. Since that time, Ibis has graduated and provided us with a new update.
To My Proud Gladiators:
My name is Ibis Iser; proud Gladiator. I was truly fortunate to be the Vice President of the first graduating class— Class of 2011. Gazing back at my high school memories and observing how time has passed so rapidly brings me a feeling of nostalgia. It also brings joy and pride to recognize all I have accomplished within the last four years started right there, in that very seat you could be sitting in at this precise moment.
I recently graduated from St. Thomas University with my Bachelors in Biology and a Specialization in Research. Prior to that I completed my A.A at Miami Dade's Honors College in 2013. Currently for the summer I will be preparing myself for the MCAT through the University of Miami MCAT Prep Program at the Miller School of Medicine. My goal for the next few months is to study harder than ever and do outstanding on the MCAT and apply to Medical School.
It is a long and daunting process but it is totally worth the wait and struggle if it’s your dream. It was not so long ago when I was in your shoes so I understand how this road may seem like an endless horizon at your age but eventually you’ll see land, and that’s a promise. My advice is, study and take advantage of all the perks our school –Hialeah Gardens has to offer, because I know that without the education and educators I would not be where I am today. Truthfully speaking, you all are at the prime of your lives; this is the time to plant the seed that you would like to see flourish ten years from now. I would like to end with this quote: “If your dreams don’t scare you, then it’s not big enough”. Don't be afraid to dream big, study hard, have fun and do not forget to get involved!
Lets go GLADIATORS -Dream BIG!
P.S. If any of you are interested in Medical School or achieving a Bachelors in Science please feel free to contact me at the email below, and I will be more than happy to answer any questions, good luck to all: ibisiser@gmail.com
To My Proud Gladiators:
My name is Ibis Iser; proud Gladiator. I was truly fortunate to be the Vice President of the first graduating class— Class of 2011. Gazing back at my high school memories and observing how time has passed so rapidly brings me a feeling of nostalgia. It also brings joy and pride to recognize all I have accomplished within the last four years started right there, in that very seat you could be sitting in at this precise moment.
I recently graduated from St. Thomas University with my Bachelors in Biology and a Specialization in Research. Prior to that I completed my A.A at Miami Dade's Honors College in 2013. Currently for the summer I will be preparing myself for the MCAT through the University of Miami MCAT Prep Program at the Miller School of Medicine. My goal for the next few months is to study harder than ever and do outstanding on the MCAT and apply to Medical School.
It is a long and daunting process but it is totally worth the wait and struggle if it’s your dream. It was not so long ago when I was in your shoes so I understand how this road may seem like an endless horizon at your age but eventually you’ll see land, and that’s a promise. My advice is, study and take advantage of all the perks our school –Hialeah Gardens has to offer, because I know that without the education and educators I would not be where I am today. Truthfully speaking, you all are at the prime of your lives; this is the time to plant the seed that you would like to see flourish ten years from now. I would like to end with this quote: “If your dreams don’t scare you, then it’s not big enough”. Don't be afraid to dream big, study hard, have fun and do not forget to get involved!
Lets go GLADIATORS -Dream BIG!
P.S. If any of you are interested in Medical School or achieving a Bachelors in Science please feel free to contact me at the email below, and I will be more than happy to answer any questions, good luck to all: ibisiser@gmail.com
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Jonathan Muñoz, Class of 2011; Updated Website
Hi everyone, my name is Jonathan Muñoz and I was part of the first ever graduating class of Hialeah Gardens High School, Class of 2011 (which no matter what anyone says about being the best or not, no other class will ever have that title). ANYWAYS!
College is an interesting conundrum, you will never have so much yet so little time in any other time of your life. It's a paradox that only college brings you. Yes you get to pick your schedule and get to only take four classes if you want, but you'll soon see that with everything you end up doing while you're in college you'll have even less time than you did in high school.
Before I talk about what I'm doing now, let's start from after graduation 3 years ago (wow, it's really been that long already). After I was handed my diploma I started the next fall at the Honors College at Miami Dade College. Personally it was the best decision ever, because I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do and I didn't want to start at a more expensive school for nothing. When I graduated I initially wanted to be a lawyer before deciding that before law school I would get a degree in Public Relations.
And that was my plan until I had this amazing experience to go one week to Washington, D.C. as part of a program of the Honors College. There I spent a week seeing how media and politics coexisted. Now, you have to remember this was 2012 , the start of the primary season and me not wanting to seem ignorant I started watching cable news in order to not sound like I was completely out of it. That along with a week in D.C. changed me. All throughout high school I was waiting for something to hit me and let me know this is what I want to do with my life. Safe to say it never came until that time.
The week I got back, I went to my advisor and told her I wanted to change my track to Journalism (which since it was all under the umbrella of Mass Communication, it really didn't matter on paper). I joined The Reporter, Miami Dade College's Student newspaper and began writing briefs. I worked my way up to Forum Section Editor where I had the chance to spend five days in New York City as part of a conference. Literally 5 minute walk one way to Central Park, and five minute walk the opposite way to Time Square, where I toured the CNN building, saw the ABC headquarters and got to see Rockefeller Plaza.
And so, the time came to transfer from Miami Dade, and I applied to schools I never saw myself. Emerson College (Boston), Northwestern (Chicago), NYU (New York City), USC (Los Angeles), UNC (Chapel Hill) American University (Washington, D.C) and UF (Gainesville) were just some of the colleges that I applied to and got in. Financial and personal reason lead me to the University of Florida, but regardless I had the chance to go anywhere.
So that brings us to this past year, my first year up here at the University of Florida, on track to complete my Bachelors in Telecommunications. Through the school of Communication I've been able to get real world experience as a radio reporter for WUFT-FM the NPR affiliate on North Central Florida and even got a few chances to anchor their hourly newscasts and their weekday 30 minute news program Front Page as part of NPR's All Things Considered.
As a part time job, I freelance for a website called VOXXI, and have written over 100 stories for them (and gotten paid for them, most importantly). Some of my work has even been featured on the Latino Voices section of the Huffington Post (yes THE Huffington Post!). I've had the chance to interview an actress from Fruitvale Station, teen pop singer Matt Hunter, and had a phone interview with Mario Lopez about his new show on NUVOtv.
This summer I'm interning here in Miami, at Fusion, the ABC/Univision joint venture cable new channel, aimed at the millennial generation. I've even written some things for THEIR website already.
Next fall? I'd hoping to become one of the producers and anchors of Front Page (the radio news show I filled in for once or twice, this spring) where this time I'll be the one running the shows with a team of radio reporters. I'll begin with television stories and producing packages for the TV station, whereby the spring I'll be a TV reporter for the PBS affiliate. And lastly, I'll be producing new cut ins for TV and for the web called 'News in 90' where I hope to anchor them by spring.
Career goals? Help with the change in news media, and be at the forefront of the changing media landscape. While others will cling to the past, I want to be the future.
So here's the moral of the story: If you'd told me three years ago I'd be on my way to becoming a multimedia journalist, working with radio, TV, and online content, interning at a channel owned by Disney and Univision, and having my work featured on the largest Internet newspaper out there --- I would have thought there's no way!
If you don't have it all figured out, it's fine. Actually it's expected. You're not the same person you're going to be when you get to college, and college will change you. Opportunities will present themselves to you when you least expect it.
Put it this way. When I was a senior at HGHS, there was one major Florida university I didn't apply to saying to myself "even if I get in I'm not going to go." That university was UF, the one I'm a year from graduating. Life's funny ain't it!
You guys are free to ask me anything, and if you have questions feel free to ask, about whatever. You can follow me on Twitter @JonathanMNews
Website
GO GLADIATORS!
College is an interesting conundrum, you will never have so much yet so little time in any other time of your life. It's a paradox that only college brings you. Yes you get to pick your schedule and get to only take four classes if you want, but you'll soon see that with everything you end up doing while you're in college you'll have even less time than you did in high school.
Before I talk about what I'm doing now, let's start from after graduation 3 years ago (wow, it's really been that long already). After I was handed my diploma I started the next fall at the Honors College at Miami Dade College. Personally it was the best decision ever, because I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do and I didn't want to start at a more expensive school for nothing. When I graduated I initially wanted to be a lawyer before deciding that before law school I would get a degree in Public Relations.
And that was my plan until I had this amazing experience to go one week to Washington, D.C. as part of a program of the Honors College. There I spent a week seeing how media and politics coexisted. Now, you have to remember this was 2012 , the start of the primary season and me not wanting to seem ignorant I started watching cable news in order to not sound like I was completely out of it. That along with a week in D.C. changed me. All throughout high school I was waiting for something to hit me and let me know this is what I want to do with my life. Safe to say it never came until that time.
The week I got back, I went to my advisor and told her I wanted to change my track to Journalism (which since it was all under the umbrella of Mass Communication, it really didn't matter on paper). I joined The Reporter, Miami Dade College's Student newspaper and began writing briefs. I worked my way up to Forum Section Editor where I had the chance to spend five days in New York City as part of a conference. Literally 5 minute walk one way to Central Park, and five minute walk the opposite way to Time Square, where I toured the CNN building, saw the ABC headquarters and got to see Rockefeller Plaza.
And so, the time came to transfer from Miami Dade, and I applied to schools I never saw myself. Emerson College (Boston), Northwestern (Chicago), NYU (New York City), USC (Los Angeles), UNC (Chapel Hill) American University (Washington, D.C) and UF (Gainesville) were just some of the colleges that I applied to and got in. Financial and personal reason lead me to the University of Florida, but regardless I had the chance to go anywhere.
So that brings us to this past year, my first year up here at the University of Florida, on track to complete my Bachelors in Telecommunications. Through the school of Communication I've been able to get real world experience as a radio reporter for WUFT-FM the NPR affiliate on North Central Florida and even got a few chances to anchor their hourly newscasts and their weekday 30 minute news program Front Page as part of NPR's All Things Considered.
As a part time job, I freelance for a website called VOXXI, and have written over 100 stories for them (and gotten paid for them, most importantly). Some of my work has even been featured on the Latino Voices section of the Huffington Post (yes THE Huffington Post!). I've had the chance to interview an actress from Fruitvale Station, teen pop singer Matt Hunter, and had a phone interview with Mario Lopez about his new show on NUVOtv.
This summer I'm interning here in Miami, at Fusion, the ABC/Univision joint venture cable new channel, aimed at the millennial generation. I've even written some things for THEIR website already.
Next fall? I'd hoping to become one of the producers and anchors of Front Page (the radio news show I filled in for once or twice, this spring) where this time I'll be the one running the shows with a team of radio reporters. I'll begin with television stories and producing packages for the TV station, whereby the spring I'll be a TV reporter for the PBS affiliate. And lastly, I'll be producing new cut ins for TV and for the web called 'News in 90' where I hope to anchor them by spring.
Career goals? Help with the change in news media, and be at the forefront of the changing media landscape. While others will cling to the past, I want to be the future.
So here's the moral of the story: If you'd told me three years ago I'd be on my way to becoming a multimedia journalist, working with radio, TV, and online content, interning at a channel owned by Disney and Univision, and having my work featured on the largest Internet newspaper out there --- I would have thought there's no way!
If you don't have it all figured out, it's fine. Actually it's expected. You're not the same person you're going to be when you get to college, and college will change you. Opportunities will present themselves to you when you least expect it.
Put it this way. When I was a senior at HGHS, there was one major Florida university I didn't apply to saying to myself "even if I get in I'm not going to go." That university was UF, the one I'm a year from graduating. Life's funny ain't it!
You guys are free to ask me anything, and if you have questions feel free to ask, about whatever. You can follow me on Twitter @JonathanMNews
Website
GO GLADIATORS!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Roxana Secas, Class of 2012
Hey guys!
My name is Roxanna Secas, and I was part of the awesomeness that was the class of 2012 (best class to graduate HGHS, btw)! I am currently an English major on the creative writing track at the University of Central Florida. After I graduate, I hope to become a book publisher. And, hopefully, get some of my own work published too.
Like most people in my class, I started off my journey in college through Miami-Dade College. I took the opportunity that Miami Dade was offering: to pay my entire tuition for my first two years of college. Along with the scholarships I received from working hard in high school, I was also able to get money back from financial aid, which served as a resource for books and other college expenses. After a year at Miami Dade College, I realized that by taking all the dual enrollment classes that I had taken in high school along with the summer classes I had taken at Miami Dade, I only had one semester left before I could transfer to my dream school: UCF. So, the gears in my head started turning and, with the help of my wonderful parents, I decided to move out to Orlando, transfer to Valencia, finish my AA there, and transfer to UCF.
The real fun began when I first moved and I had to get a job to help pay for my rent. Although mommy and daddy were helping me out, there were just some things they couldn’t do. So, there I was, living alone for the first time ever, balancing my last 6 classes for my AA, and dealing with my first job. I barely had time to catch my breath! However, my hard work paid off, because in the spring of 2014, I started my first semester at my dream school, which is the biggest success I’ve had. I’ve started writing more and more stories, which I hope I can come back soon and tell you all that they’ve been published! I work for a before and after care program in an elementary school, watching kindergarten children, as well as babysitting on the weekends.
Now, I’m going on to my third year in college, while being one of the first students in my class to have her AA in the fall of 2013 instead of at the end of the spring of 2014, and about to get promoted at work (fingers crossed)!
I’m sure most of you have heard it before, but living on your own really does give you a different perspective on life. I’ve come to realize all the things I can do, (like cooking, I can probably make pasta a hundred different ways!) as long as I work hard and believe in myself. That’s the biggest thing I probably won’t be able to stress enough: BELIEVE IN YOURSELVES. No matter what anyone will tell you, no matter the people who doubt your abilities, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. You can do it. Change is hard; I know it is. I used to sit in that very desk you’re sitting, thinking to myself, “I don’t want to go to college, it’s not like high school, it’s going to be weird and hard and I’m not going to be good at it,” but you can do it! Life is about changes, and everything changes. DO NOT FEAR CHANGE. Change is good. Life is good! Enjoy yourselves. Be happy. Work hard. The best things in life aren’t handed to you on a silver platter; you’ve got to work hard to buy the silver platter.
The next thing to tackle on starting in the fall is my savings account for future travels, as well as joining a couple of clubs at UCF; all while still juggling my 4 classes, working at my job, AND babysitting on the weekends. As the great Augustus Waters would say, “I’m on a rollercoaster that only goes up, my friend!”
If you need/want any more advice on moving and tips about college and such, don’t be afraid to message me!
Good luck!
Roxanna Secas
My name is Roxanna Secas, and I was part of the awesomeness that was the class of 2012 (best class to graduate HGHS, btw)! I am currently an English major on the creative writing track at the University of Central Florida. After I graduate, I hope to become a book publisher. And, hopefully, get some of my own work published too.
Like most people in my class, I started off my journey in college through Miami-Dade College. I took the opportunity that Miami Dade was offering: to pay my entire tuition for my first two years of college. Along with the scholarships I received from working hard in high school, I was also able to get money back from financial aid, which served as a resource for books and other college expenses. After a year at Miami Dade College, I realized that by taking all the dual enrollment classes that I had taken in high school along with the summer classes I had taken at Miami Dade, I only had one semester left before I could transfer to my dream school: UCF. So, the gears in my head started turning and, with the help of my wonderful parents, I decided to move out to Orlando, transfer to Valencia, finish my AA there, and transfer to UCF.
The real fun began when I first moved and I had to get a job to help pay for my rent. Although mommy and daddy were helping me out, there were just some things they couldn’t do. So, there I was, living alone for the first time ever, balancing my last 6 classes for my AA, and dealing with my first job. I barely had time to catch my breath! However, my hard work paid off, because in the spring of 2014, I started my first semester at my dream school, which is the biggest success I’ve had. I’ve started writing more and more stories, which I hope I can come back soon and tell you all that they’ve been published! I work for a before and after care program in an elementary school, watching kindergarten children, as well as babysitting on the weekends.
Now, I’m going on to my third year in college, while being one of the first students in my class to have her AA in the fall of 2013 instead of at the end of the spring of 2014, and about to get promoted at work (fingers crossed)!
The next thing to tackle on starting in the fall is my savings account for future travels, as well as joining a couple of clubs at UCF; all while still juggling my 4 classes, working at my job, AND babysitting on the weekends. As the great Augustus Waters would say, “I’m on a rollercoaster that only goes up, my friend!”
If you need/want any more advice on moving and tips about college and such, don’t be afraid to message me!
Good luck!
Roxanna Secas
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Amanda Trompeta, Class of 2012
Hi everyone!
My name is Amanda Trompeta and I was a part of the amazing class of 2012. I’ve been meaning to put together this update for a while, but as many of you will soon see in college you have less free time then you did in high school, A LOT LESS free time! Mainly because graduating isn’t just about the next step in your life it’s also about growing up and learning even more about yourself.
I had the wonderful opportunity to be accepted into my first choice college the University of Central Florida. Not only was I accepted but about 90% of it was covered through scholarships that I earned through my hard work in high school. I was one of the few students of my class who “went away” to college and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. It’s kind of corny but you really do find yourself. Especially when you’ve gotten yourself in sticky situations, like the one time I couldn’t find my car in the parking lot for 3 hours straight hours, it was past midnight and I was all alone. You start to learn how you react to difficult situations when no one else is around to help and how you work under pressure.
To summarize: Throughout the majority of college you will find yourself juggling a million things and trying not to drop any of the balls. I once heard someone say that you can’t have all 3 things in college “good grades, healthy social life and sleep.” Unfortunately, I am going into my third year now at UCF and that is very very true. As far as the course work itself, I really do feel like the reason I wasn’t pulling out my hair the first semester was because I never slacked off in high school (yes not even in my senior year haha thanks Dr. Louis!). I kept a decent study pace and that stayed with me when I first started college. That is why having some honor classes, AP, dual enrollment and/or whatever else is around today is so helpful.
As far as me, I am currently a Biology major on a Pre-Vet track and I will be applying to the only veterinary school in Florida (UF) within a year as well as some other out of state schools (I’m super nervous)! I finally got hired as an Animal Technician at one of the nicest hospitals in Oviedo and I’m getting a lot of one on one training in the vet field. I also have been interning with the extraordinary Dr. Randolph for over a year now and been learning everything from how to treat a cougar at the local wildlife sanctuary to how to spay an animal in under five minutes (the average is about 20 minutes). I seriously hope one day I can be as amazing as she is at surgeries.
Also, something that I’ve always been passionate about besides curing animals is SAVING them! For example, you’d be surprise how many kittens are put to sleep every day in every county you can think of, especially in the summer! After I moved into my own place I started testing the waters with fostering kittens (I had never been able before because my mom would have never had that lol). Now I can proudly say I’m addicted for life. I’ve personally fostered up to 15 kittens and 3 adult cats that were all on death row. It was while I was doing this and volunteering at the local kill shelter that I got inspired to look for people like me. So I started a whole new organization on campus called “Don’t Shop, Adopt” and in two semesters we’ve grown from 10 members to 103! Not to mention that as a club we’ve saved over 50 animals in two semesters, something I could have never done by myself.
If there is one thing that I have regretted is the fact that I haven’t been able to travel as much as I would like to because of work and my summer classes. Nonetheless, that’s the beautiful thing about being in control of your future. You get to say “No! I WILL travel to _______ location by ______ date.” I already started saving up and next summer I’m planning on going to Bali for 2 weeks to volunteer at an animal sanctuary and explore the countryside.
If you’re interested in doing something similar feel free to email me or even if you have any questions about UCF or college itself, feel free to message me. :D
Best wishes,
Amanda Trompeta
My name is Amanda Trompeta and I was a part of the amazing class of 2012. I’ve been meaning to put together this update for a while, but as many of you will soon see in college you have less free time then you did in high school, A LOT LESS free time! Mainly because graduating isn’t just about the next step in your life it’s also about growing up and learning even more about yourself.
I had the wonderful opportunity to be accepted into my first choice college the University of Central Florida. Not only was I accepted but about 90% of it was covered through scholarships that I earned through my hard work in high school. I was one of the few students of my class who “went away” to college and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. It’s kind of corny but you really do find yourself. Especially when you’ve gotten yourself in sticky situations, like the one time I couldn’t find my car in the parking lot for 3 hours straight hours, it was past midnight and I was all alone. You start to learn how you react to difficult situations when no one else is around to help and how you work under pressure.
To summarize: Throughout the majority of college you will find yourself juggling a million things and trying not to drop any of the balls. I once heard someone say that you can’t have all 3 things in college “good grades, healthy social life and sleep.” Unfortunately, I am going into my third year now at UCF and that is very very true. As far as the course work itself, I really do feel like the reason I wasn’t pulling out my hair the first semester was because I never slacked off in high school (yes not even in my senior year haha thanks Dr. Louis!). I kept a decent study pace and that stayed with me when I first started college. That is why having some honor classes, AP, dual enrollment and/or whatever else is around today is so helpful.
As far as me, I am currently a Biology major on a Pre-Vet track and I will be applying to the only veterinary school in Florida (UF) within a year as well as some other out of state schools (I’m super nervous)! I finally got hired as an Animal Technician at one of the nicest hospitals in Oviedo and I’m getting a lot of one on one training in the vet field. I also have been interning with the extraordinary Dr. Randolph for over a year now and been learning everything from how to treat a cougar at the local wildlife sanctuary to how to spay an animal in under five minutes (the average is about 20 minutes). I seriously hope one day I can be as amazing as she is at surgeries.
Also, something that I’ve always been passionate about besides curing animals is SAVING them! For example, you’d be surprise how many kittens are put to sleep every day in every county you can think of, especially in the summer! After I moved into my own place I started testing the waters with fostering kittens (I had never been able before because my mom would have never had that lol). Now I can proudly say I’m addicted for life. I’ve personally fostered up to 15 kittens and 3 adult cats that were all on death row. It was while I was doing this and volunteering at the local kill shelter that I got inspired to look for people like me. So I started a whole new organization on campus called “Don’t Shop, Adopt” and in two semesters we’ve grown from 10 members to 103! Not to mention that as a club we’ve saved over 50 animals in two semesters, something I could have never done by myself.
If there is one thing that I have regretted is the fact that I haven’t been able to travel as much as I would like to because of work and my summer classes. Nonetheless, that’s the beautiful thing about being in control of your future. You get to say “No! I WILL travel to _______ location by ______ date.” I already started saving up and next summer I’m planning on going to Bali for 2 weeks to volunteer at an animal sanctuary and explore the countryside.
If you’re interested in doing something similar feel free to email me or even if you have any questions about UCF or college itself, feel free to message me. :D
Best wishes,
Amanda Trompeta
Friday, May 16, 2014
Natalie Obregon, Class of 2012
A note from a fellow GladiGator:
Hello Everyone! My name is Natalie Obregon. As a disclaimer, Class of 2012 HGHS was and will indeed always be the best. No doubt. Now, let’s get to the good stuff.
As of right now, I am in my third year of college at the University of Florida. I am studying Animal Science and I am currently on the Pre-Vet track (subject to change, but still same field). I LOVE animals. Obviously. But as I have come to find out about myself here in college is that I love animals AND people together. So that has opened up my heart and my mind to endless opportunities in my college experience.
Let me start of by answering some questions for prospective college students (which should be all of you): yes, it most definitely is okay to have multiple passions. Yes, it’s okay to be confused about what you want to amount to in your life. And it definitely IS okay to be a little (or very!) lost and confused upon getting to college. If you don’t feel overwhelmed as soon as you get to college then either you have it made or you’re not doing college right. Let’s be real, the second case is probably the real one.
I want you to understand that I really mean the aforementioned things. You get to college and truth may be, you don’t know where you belong. All I can say is, give it time and take opportunities given to you. That’s it. It’s that cliché and simple, trust me.
Leaving my home in Hialeah to move to Gainesville for college was written in the stars for me, I just know it. I think to how different my life could have been even now if I would have lived with my parents just a little bit more time and spent just a little longer under their roof. But coming to college, it really hit home (no pun intended) how much growing up sucks and just how fantastic it is all at once. Freedom is something we all yearn for. Some maybe more than others (me included), but we all thrive on the idea of following our dreams. And we should feed into that passion.
Looking back at these past three summers and the semesters in between at UF, man oh man have I been challenged. Academically, physically and most definitely emotionally. And guess what? I don’t regret a single thing and I wouldn’t take back a single day. I was so damn close to going back to South Florida when I realized that I might have to pay for my education through loans and that was so hard for me. Most of us on this blog know what it’s like to face financial hardships. We know it because we’ve grown up seeing our guardians, our incredible parental figures juggling putting us through grade school and sending us to college to become “The Future” along with working like dogs day in and day out. Long story short, I stayed at UF and was granted the scholarship that made me believe that things do happen for a reason. That I was meant to be there, experience crappy dorms and stale meal plan foods and bad and awesome roommates with no experience with Latinas. A First Generation student, like me, could not give up the dream of going to such an incredible academic institution.
Because of this scholarship that I earned through my academic achievements and the Hispanic background that I am incredibly proud to have, I have been granted the opportunity to grow here in college. Just this Spring Break I traveled to Nicaragua with a group of incredibly altruistic and compassionate girls on a Marine Conservation Trip through an organization I found out about on campus. I had gone to Nicaragua before to visit family but I had never seen it like this. And they were taken back by the way that some families lived so poorly, below their means. Needless to say, gratification overcame them and me on this amazing trip we were so fortunate to take.
Like these wonderful ladies I met through this trip, I have met fantastic, lifetime friends because I took the risk to put myself out there and meet others different from me. Hence why college is so great!
High school was a little bit like the nagging our parents give us for years, about things that we just can’t understand and advice we just cannot grasp because we haven’t gone through hardships that test our character. College and growing up is the wise Grandma that knows better than to say “I told you so.” Even though she told you so.
What I am trying to say is, expect to be incredibly shocked some days when your 6.7 GPA (is that even possible?) in high school seems like a joke when you take a class in college and realize that your exams aren’t as straightforward as you remembered them being. Failure is expected. Failure is good. Trust me. And whatever you do, you don’t give up on your dreams. You owe it to yourself, just like I owed it to myself to flourish.
Keep that chin up, kid.
Hello Everyone! My name is Natalie Obregon. As a disclaimer, Class of 2012 HGHS was and will indeed always be the best. No doubt. Now, let’s get to the good stuff.
As of right now, I am in my third year of college at the University of Florida. I am studying Animal Science and I am currently on the Pre-Vet track (subject to change, but still same field). I LOVE animals. Obviously. But as I have come to find out about myself here in college is that I love animals AND people together. So that has opened up my heart and my mind to endless opportunities in my college experience.
Let me start of by answering some questions for prospective college students (which should be all of you): yes, it most definitely is okay to have multiple passions. Yes, it’s okay to be confused about what you want to amount to in your life. And it definitely IS okay to be a little (or very!) lost and confused upon getting to college. If you don’t feel overwhelmed as soon as you get to college then either you have it made or you’re not doing college right. Let’s be real, the second case is probably the real one.
I want you to understand that I really mean the aforementioned things. You get to college and truth may be, you don’t know where you belong. All I can say is, give it time and take opportunities given to you. That’s it. It’s that cliché and simple, trust me.
Leaving my home in Hialeah to move to Gainesville for college was written in the stars for me, I just know it. I think to how different my life could have been even now if I would have lived with my parents just a little bit more time and spent just a little longer under their roof. But coming to college, it really hit home (no pun intended) how much growing up sucks and just how fantastic it is all at once. Freedom is something we all yearn for. Some maybe more than others (me included), but we all thrive on the idea of following our dreams. And we should feed into that passion.
Looking back at these past three summers and the semesters in between at UF, man oh man have I been challenged. Academically, physically and most definitely emotionally. And guess what? I don’t regret a single thing and I wouldn’t take back a single day. I was so damn close to going back to South Florida when I realized that I might have to pay for my education through loans and that was so hard for me. Most of us on this blog know what it’s like to face financial hardships. We know it because we’ve grown up seeing our guardians, our incredible parental figures juggling putting us through grade school and sending us to college to become “The Future” along with working like dogs day in and day out. Long story short, I stayed at UF and was granted the scholarship that made me believe that things do happen for a reason. That I was meant to be there, experience crappy dorms and stale meal plan foods and bad and awesome roommates with no experience with Latinas. A First Generation student, like me, could not give up the dream of going to such an incredible academic institution.
Because of this scholarship that I earned through my academic achievements and the Hispanic background that I am incredibly proud to have, I have been granted the opportunity to grow here in college. Just this Spring Break I traveled to Nicaragua with a group of incredibly altruistic and compassionate girls on a Marine Conservation Trip through an organization I found out about on campus. I had gone to Nicaragua before to visit family but I had never seen it like this. And they were taken back by the way that some families lived so poorly, below their means. Needless to say, gratification overcame them and me on this amazing trip we were so fortunate to take.
Like these wonderful ladies I met through this trip, I have met fantastic, lifetime friends because I took the risk to put myself out there and meet others different from me. Hence why college is so great!
High school was a little bit like the nagging our parents give us for years, about things that we just can’t understand and advice we just cannot grasp because we haven’t gone through hardships that test our character. College and growing up is the wise Grandma that knows better than to say “I told you so.” Even though she told you so.
What I am trying to say is, expect to be incredibly shocked some days when your 6.7 GPA (is that even possible?) in high school seems like a joke when you take a class in college and realize that your exams aren’t as straightforward as you remembered them being. Failure is expected. Failure is good. Trust me. And whatever you do, you don’t give up on your dreams. You owe it to yourself, just like I owed it to myself to flourish.
Keep that chin up, kid.
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