Greetings to the HGHS Family!
My name is Laiyen Suarez. I graduated from HGHS in 2011. Directly after graduation (and after my trip to China with fellow HGHS Chinese students), I attended Miami Dade Honors College because I wanted to have a strong, holistic foundation. I majored in International Relations. While at Miami Dade College, I participated in so many activities and organizations that I couldn't possibly fit them all in one post. The organizations that most influenced my time at Miami Dade College were MDC Model United Nations (I participated as a delegate of Ukraine in NMUN's 2012 New York Conference) and MDC Confucius Institute. I've also published a few literary works in MDC North Campus' creative arts magazine, AXIS.
I applied to several transfer universities after MDC Honors. I was accepted in John Cabot University (Rome, Italy), Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, MA), Florida International University (Miami, FL), American University (Washington DC), University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL), Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL), and Georgetown University (Washington DC).
As of 2013, I attend FIU. I major in Geography and minor in International Relations. I chose geography because I'm very interested in studying regional and world populations. I am also pursuing a certificate in Asian Globalization and Latin America. I plan to take some classes to familiarize myself with Japanese culture and a basic class of Japanese language. I know some Mandarin Chinese. I'm very grateful to Ms. Liu and HGHS for sparking my interest in Mandarin. I took three years of Chinese at HGHS and a short summer class at MDC. This summer, I once again traveled to China and studied at Beijing International Chinese College (BICC) for two weeks (BICC is just one of the things I owe thanks to MDC Confucius Institute). While I don't intend to take Chinese classes at FIU because of credit restraints, I do actively seek out to practice and study it on my own as much as I can (I still have a very long way to go until I can speak Mandarin at an intermediate/expert level) because I really enjoy learning Mandarin. This past semester, I joined FIU's club, "Let's Talk Mandarin" to to review basic Chinese phrases and words I've learned. I currently work as a tutor at ISPROOF Foundation, a reading program for young students (usually low income) in South Florida.
By mid-2014, I'll apply to the JET (The Japan Exchange and Teaching) program. If I get accepted, I'll be teaching English to Japanese students for a year. Once I return to the US, I plan to pursue my graduate degree. Most likely, I'll engage my graduate studies in a private, out-of-state university. My biggest dream is to continue globetrotting (I've visited a few countries thus far, such as Austria, Germany, and China) and find a career in geography that fully satisfies my need to teach, analyze, and create projections about our society.
----
Thank you and I wish you a happy new year.
Best,
Laiyen Suarez
Monday, January 6, 2014
Jasmine Gonzalez, Class of 2013
Hello HGHS students,
My name is Jasmine Gonzalez and I’m currently a freshman pursuing a Biochemistry major at the University of Florida. I am certain that everyone’s experience entering college will be different, but here I’ll be sharing snippets of what my time at UF has been for the past four months. Being a first generation student I had no prior knowledge as to what college would be like. However, I was ready to take on any challenge that I’d be faced with.
Leaving high school I felt decently prepared for college. I thought to myself: "I’ve taken various AP courses, I’ve always worked hard, so no problem, I’ve got this." I was wrong. Now that I look back at my first few months of college I realize that I was still with the high school mindset. I thought I knew the material being taught in lecture and if I studied just a few days before I’d be fine. Then reality struck. After my first exam, I began to reevaluate almost every single little thing I was doing in school. How I was using up my time, my form of studying for different classes, and most importantly what and how I had to change to improve.
Thankfully I met a few people along the way who were able to guide me and I soon learned what the right way of studying would be for me. Students I just want to give you a little heads up and I’m probably sounding like a teacher right now, trying to tell you what to do and such, but it’s only the very truth. I’ll give you an example of how hard I had to work to achieve an A in my Chemistry or Calculus 2 exam. Apart from working out many practice questions every day, doing my written and online homework (yes homework still exists), I’d start studying a week before my exams. I’d review all of the material, make sure I’d understand it, and then came the most essential and helpful art of studying. Doing past practice exams. I’m not lying, but I’d usually do 6 or 7 past practice exams before taking my actually exam, and that way when the real thing came around once I saw a question, I’d easily recognize how I’d have to work it out. (I was not the only person who had to study this much to do well on exams, but actually the majority of people who did well followed a similar studying pattern). I’m not here to scare you, but I just wanted to share with you the idea that college IS hard, but not impossible.
Like a quote that I like says, “ Of course it’s hard. It’s supposed to be hard. If it’s easy, everyone would do it. Hard is what makes it great.” In my case I see my first semester as a time where I was able to really learn and grow from my mistakes. There were also times when I met new people (some who transferred with about 80 AP credits, had been President of this and that society, or spoke 5 to 6 languages) and I’d begin to think that I was underprepared for college, but I was wrong. From that I learned everyone’s case is different. Everyone comes from a different situation and it’s not right to compare yourself to anyone else.
That it’s better to focus on yourself, learn about yourself, and work to improve yourself. As you can probably tell my first semester was challenging at first, but I slowly began to overcome the difficulties and ended up passing all of my finals with As. Now I don’t want to make you think college is all about studying only. I definitely had to learn how to really balance out my time in order to fit in some fun times and activities, but luckily UF has so much to offer and I didn’t only have to do school work all semester long. Apart from attending the really fun football games, I’d go to comedy stand up shows (by a student formed group called Theatre Strike Force) and they’d be great! Not only that, but some of my favorite moments were when I was able to attend events where Vince Gilligan (creator of the t.v. series Breaking Bad) or Bill Nye (The Science Guy) came to UF to speak to a group of students. Or when I was able to go to a One Republic or The Fray concert at UF (and they were free :) I’m now excited to continue with my second semester of college and feel better prepared for what is to come! Well this was a bit of how my first college semester was. Students I sincerely hope you were able to at least take a little bit out of my experience and good luck for the remainder of your school year!
P.S. (I thought I should let you know this as well)- Dr. Louis is and will forever continue to be one of the BEST teachers you’ll ever have. Trust me when I say this! Even though, her class can be tough at times, it is one of the only ones that will really prepare you for the future .
My name is Jasmine Gonzalez and I’m currently a freshman pursuing a Biochemistry major at the University of Florida. I am certain that everyone’s experience entering college will be different, but here I’ll be sharing snippets of what my time at UF has been for the past four months. Being a first generation student I had no prior knowledge as to what college would be like. However, I was ready to take on any challenge that I’d be faced with.
Leaving high school I felt decently prepared for college. I thought to myself: "I’ve taken various AP courses, I’ve always worked hard, so no problem, I’ve got this." I was wrong. Now that I look back at my first few months of college I realize that I was still with the high school mindset. I thought I knew the material being taught in lecture and if I studied just a few days before I’d be fine. Then reality struck. After my first exam, I began to reevaluate almost every single little thing I was doing in school. How I was using up my time, my form of studying for different classes, and most importantly what and how I had to change to improve.
Thankfully I met a few people along the way who were able to guide me and I soon learned what the right way of studying would be for me. Students I just want to give you a little heads up and I’m probably sounding like a teacher right now, trying to tell you what to do and such, but it’s only the very truth. I’ll give you an example of how hard I had to work to achieve an A in my Chemistry or Calculus 2 exam. Apart from working out many practice questions every day, doing my written and online homework (yes homework still exists), I’d start studying a week before my exams. I’d review all of the material, make sure I’d understand it, and then came the most essential and helpful art of studying. Doing past practice exams. I’m not lying, but I’d usually do 6 or 7 past practice exams before taking my actually exam, and that way when the real thing came around once I saw a question, I’d easily recognize how I’d have to work it out. (I was not the only person who had to study this much to do well on exams, but actually the majority of people who did well followed a similar studying pattern). I’m not here to scare you, but I just wanted to share with you the idea that college IS hard, but not impossible.
Like a quote that I like says, “ Of course it’s hard. It’s supposed to be hard. If it’s easy, everyone would do it. Hard is what makes it great.” In my case I see my first semester as a time where I was able to really learn and grow from my mistakes. There were also times when I met new people (some who transferred with about 80 AP credits, had been President of this and that society, or spoke 5 to 6 languages) and I’d begin to think that I was underprepared for college, but I was wrong. From that I learned everyone’s case is different. Everyone comes from a different situation and it’s not right to compare yourself to anyone else.
That it’s better to focus on yourself, learn about yourself, and work to improve yourself. As you can probably tell my first semester was challenging at first, but I slowly began to overcome the difficulties and ended up passing all of my finals with As. Now I don’t want to make you think college is all about studying only. I definitely had to learn how to really balance out my time in order to fit in some fun times and activities, but luckily UF has so much to offer and I didn’t only have to do school work all semester long. Apart from attending the really fun football games, I’d go to comedy stand up shows (by a student formed group called Theatre Strike Force) and they’d be great! Not only that, but some of my favorite moments were when I was able to attend events where Vince Gilligan (creator of the t.v. series Breaking Bad) or Bill Nye (The Science Guy) came to UF to speak to a group of students. Or when I was able to go to a One Republic or The Fray concert at UF (and they were free :) I’m now excited to continue with my second semester of college and feel better prepared for what is to come! Well this was a bit of how my first college semester was. Students I sincerely hope you were able to at least take a little bit out of my experience and good luck for the remainder of your school year!
P.S. (I thought I should let you know this as well)- Dr. Louis is and will forever continue to be one of the BEST teachers you’ll ever have. Trust me when I say this! Even though, her class can be tough at times, it is one of the only ones that will really prepare you for the future .
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Anthony Hernandez, Class of 2011
Hello to the best high school and professors!
My name is Anthony Robert Hernandez (known as DJpana back when I was in high school). First graduating class and the best :) I can say that things have been great for me so far. I am graduating in 2015 from Johnson and Wales University with a Bachelors in Business Management. I've been employed since 2010 with one of the best lodging hotel companies ever known--The Marriott. In the last four years, I have worked and gained experience at various Marriott Hotels including: Doral Golf and Spa Hotel & Resorts, Miami International Airport Marriott, Eden Roc, and finally I made it to the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne. I enjoy what I do and I'm loving it. To be good at what you do, listen to Davis and The wonderful Mena :). Have fun guys and enjoy Hialeah Gardens High.
My name is Anthony Robert Hernandez (known as DJpana back when I was in high school). First graduating class and the best :) I can say that things have been great for me so far. I am graduating in 2015 from Johnson and Wales University with a Bachelors in Business Management. I've been employed since 2010 with one of the best lodging hotel companies ever known--The Marriott. In the last four years, I have worked and gained experience at various Marriott Hotels including: Doral Golf and Spa Hotel & Resorts, Miami International Airport Marriott, Eden Roc, and finally I made it to the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne. I enjoy what I do and I'm loving it. To be good at what you do, listen to Davis and The wonderful Mena :). Have fun guys and enjoy Hialeah Gardens High.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Siris Garcia, Class of 2011
Siris Garcia, Class of 2011
To all the Gladiators:
As soon I graduated in 2011, I went to DeVry University to major in Computer Engineering Technology. Three months later I got my first job as a tutor helping college students with Math, English, electrical and programming courses. I stayed at this job for a year and then I transferred to the IT department as a Lab Assistant, which is really fun since I get to fix all the computers that break in the school. After two years of studying and working, I became a senior and started hunting for an internship. A couple of months later I got accepted to a very exciting internship at Perry Ellis International where all I do is programming (c#, JavaScript, css, C++ and java) and I can say this: “I LOVE IT”. Finally all the hard work and studying is paying off and I am having fun.
Besides working I have had many extracurricular activities like being a member and a model for the Media Club. Also I joined the IEEE club where we participated in a couple of competitions and built some nice robots. I became the president of the Tau Alpha Pi National Honor Society of the school. Furthermore, I had the privilege of being one of the keynote persons for the herWorld Conference where we encourage young ladies from many high schools, including HG to join careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. 
Now, I look with great enthusiasm to graduating from DeVry University in 2014 and hopefully continue pursuing my master and doctoral degrees. I know one thing for sure and it is:
“I could not have gone this far without the knowledge, experience, advices and help that I had at Hialeah Gardens Senior High. I thank all my teachers for helping me prepare for what came after graduation. Believe it or not, each of them gave me a piece of advice that at some time between graduation and now has come very helpful. I specially give thanks to my greatest high school friend and teacher Mr. Alex Garrido. Thanks to him I have gone beyond my dreams of success. Finally, I thank you Dr.Algaze for giving me the opportunity of being in the Technology and Engineering Academies while in high school. The knowledge I gathered while I was in the academies were a key principle to my success now.”
I hope the best for all the Gladiators!!!!
*Class of 2011, “We are so good that we are #1 twice”*
To all the Gladiators:
As soon I graduated in 2011, I went to DeVry University to major in Computer Engineering Technology. Three months later I got my first job as a tutor helping college students with Math, English, electrical and programming courses. I stayed at this job for a year and then I transferred to the IT department as a Lab Assistant, which is really fun since I get to fix all the computers that break in the school. After two years of studying and working, I became a senior and started hunting for an internship. A couple of months later I got accepted to a very exciting internship at Perry Ellis International where all I do is programming (c#, JavaScript, css, C++ and java) and I can say this: “I LOVE IT”. Finally all the hard work and studying is paying off and I am having fun.
Now, I look with great enthusiasm to graduating from DeVry University in 2014 and hopefully continue pursuing my master and doctoral degrees. I know one thing for sure and it is:
“I could not have gone this far without the knowledge, experience, advices and help that I had at Hialeah Gardens Senior High. I thank all my teachers for helping me prepare for what came after graduation. Believe it or not, each of them gave me a piece of advice that at some time between graduation and now has come very helpful. I specially give thanks to my greatest high school friend and teacher Mr. Alex Garrido. Thanks to him I have gone beyond my dreams of success. Finally, I thank you Dr.Algaze for giving me the opportunity of being in the Technology and Engineering Academies while in high school. The knowledge I gathered while I was in the academies were a key principle to my success now.”
I hope the best for all the Gladiators!!!!
*Class of 2011, “We are so good that we are #1 twice”*
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
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)
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.
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)
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
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
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.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
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.
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.
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