Health Sciences
University of Central Florida

A star high school soccer player, Alejandro was forced to temper his soccer dreams after his mother suffered a debilitating stroke and he was forced to work to help her support his siblings.  Though his free time is now limited, he continues to coach soccer and support the youth in his community.  Alejandro’s involvement in his mother’s post-stroke medical care has inspired him to pursue a career as a physical therapist.

Business Administration
University of Central Florida

Born into a politically active family, Aniuska, fled Venezuela with her parents at a young age to escape the Chavista regime, seeking asylum in the United States. Her early understanding of politics and personal experiences with persecution fueled her passion for activism. At thirteen, she became the data director for Johanna López’s school board campaign, leading a youth-driven effort that resulted in López becoming Orange County’s first Afro-Latina school board member. This campaign, which engaged over 200 volunteers and reached thousands of voters, helped her community heal after the Pulse nightclub shooting, where she lost close family friends. Since then, she has continued to work and volunteer on political campaigns. Her dedication to political activism honors the sacrifices of her parents and the memory of her friends.

Electrical Engineering
University of Central Florida

Anthony Zabala is an electrical engineering major at the University of Central Florida, where he also pursues a minor in mathematics. Anthony graduated with honors from Valencia College and is a member of the honors college at UCF. Originally from Venezuela, he moved to the United States in 2016. Outside of academics, Anthonny practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and holds a blue belt. He has a passion for Greek mythology and works part-time at an imaging center to support his education.

Biology
Rollins College

Participating in a dual enrollment program at Edgewater High School and Valencia College, Avery completed 24 hours of coursework towards an associate degree and was named to the Valencia President’s Honor list. She moved nine times prior to high school graduation and persevered to become a straight A student. Avery plans to eventually earn an advanced degree in astrobiology and join the aerospace industry.

Health Science
Valencia College

Overcoming the loss of both of her parents as an 11-year-old, Bailey persevered through this traumatic experience and plans to make life science and medicine her career. Her plan includes a move to the University of Central Florida upon finishing two years at Valencia College and pursuing a pre-medicine program with the goal of becoming a physician assistant.

Nursing
Seminole State College

Growing up in a single-parent household with an incapacitated mother, Bianca’s experience with visits to hospitals and doctor’s appointments opened her to the world of medicine and the vulnerable nature of the human body. She decided to pursue a career in nursing. After an abrupt medical surgery during her senior year of high school and the difficulties of recovery, she further grew in her beliefs regarding the meticulous care needed for people to heal, physically and mentally. Today, Bianca works part-time as a server in an assisted living facility, where she forms social bonds and close connections with the elderly.

Business and information Management
Seminole State College

Chelsea moved from Ecuador to the U.S. at the age of 10. Since then, she and her family have faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties. However, as a supportive and empowering family, they have worked together to overcome many of these obstacles. Currently, Chelsea is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business and information management with a specialization in social media and E-Marketing. Despite the demands of working two jobs, she has maintained a remarkable 4.0 GPA, demonstrating her dedication and resilience. Chelsea aspires to secure an internship followed by a career in the marketing field.

Nursing
Seminole State

Daniel Zuniga is a dedicated full-time nursing student who also works part-time at a pediatric office. Balancing his academic commitments with hands-on experience in the medical field, Daniel is passionate about providing compassionate care to children. He has volunteered as a group leader at a youth group, demonstrating his commitment to supporting and mentoring young people. Daniel’s journey in nursing is driven by a deep commitment to making a positive impact on others around him.

Biomedical Sciences
University of Central Florida

Shortly after turning 17, Daniela emigrated from Venezuela to Buenos Aires with her twin sister and mother due to socioeconomic issues. Despite the challenges, she completed her first year of medical school, but external circumstances forced her to move to the USA, where she started attending Valencia College. Being involved in her school and volunteering at her local community, she learned what an impact she could make as a student and as a physician. Today, Daniela balances part-time work, academics, extracurricular activities, and volunteering, with the goal of becoming a physician and researcher dedicated to helping others.

Nursing
University of Central Florida

Since she could speak English, Dyanna would help her family translate appointments and documents and help them in whatever way she could. This created a desire to help others. When volunteering at an early intervention program, Dyanna discovered her passion for working with people with special needs and is currently studying Nursing while also working as a Registered Behavior Technician. Dyanna hopes to pursue her master’s degree after college to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.

Accounting
University of Central Florida

A career as an accountant has been Diego’s goal since the very beginning of his college journey at UCF, though he has had to overcome some personal challenges along the way, including hurricane storm damage that affected his housing arrangements. Diego is focused on earning the additional credit hours necessary to qualify to sit for the CPA exam. He recently completed an internship at KPMG – one of the “Big 4” accounting firms – which is a testament to his commitment to this career path.

Material Science and Engineering
University of Central Florida

Once a bright student, he fell on hard times wondering why he couldn’t get himself to keep his grades up, despite publishing research. After being diagnosed with ADHD, he got the help he needed. His ambition could finally be acted upon and now he does all he can to fulfill his potential, support his parents while continuing to carve out an excellent career!

Psychology
Rollins

Growing up, Gustavo has always had a deep empathy for others. Whether it was helping his mom with phone calls in English or comforting a crying sibling, Gustavo was always first to volunteer to cheer someone up. When Gustavo was in his teenage years, he began to fall into a deep depression and struggled to fit in a world that seemed so cruel. Through the help of his friends, family, and medical professionals, Gustavo was able to overcome his mental health struggles, and it inspired him to want to study psychology. Today, Gustavo is a senior at Rollins College and he’s working at a psychiatric hospital as a child mental health technician. Gustavo will continue working on his dream career of being a child and adolescent psychologist.

Psychology
Rollins College

During her junior year, Marie started working with the children at her campus’s child development center. Her experience led her to work closely with a child and write a case study about the child’s psychological development over the course of the semester. It was from this experience that Marie decided to apply for her master’s degree in behavioral analysis so she can support the development of neurodivergent children. Today, Marie continues to work part-time at an IT helpdesk so she can save up for her future degree.

Psychology
University of Central Florida

Shortly after moving to the U.S., Ivana faced the challenge of adapting to a different culture and language while becoming the emotional support and translator for her family. Her experience led her to volunteer with By Their Fruits, packing food for Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. During her first semester at Valencia College in 2022, she volunteered in the Office for Students with Disabilities West Region. Her dedication earned her a position as a Desk Clerk in the same office. Ivana recently graduated from Valencia College, earning a spot on the President’s List for Spring and Summer and being named Work Study Student of the Year. This fall, she will begin her studies at UCF, aspiring to become a psychologist specializing in child and adolescent development and promoting mental health.

IT Cyber Security
Florida Technical College

Karina’s educational journey began at Valencia College, where she earned an associate’s degree. However, life took an unexpected turn, and she paused her education to begin working. She eventually became a stay-at-home mom to two children, but eventually faced a challenging separation. She eventually found the strength to return to school full-time, balancing her studies with full-time work and raising her young children, in order to create a brighter future for her family.

Philosophy
University of Central Florida

Since arriving in the United States from Venezuela in 2016, Karla has pursued her dreams with unwavering dedication. Currently based in Kissimmee, Florida, she is a student at the University of Central Florida, working towards a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and Spanish. Karla aspires to become an immigration lawyer to give back to her immigrant community. She actively volunteers with organizations like Coming to America and Orlando Global Shapers and engages in advocacy on educational and legislative issues. Her commitment to her community and her future career reflects her passion for making a meaningful difference.

Business and Information Management
Seminole State College

Karol is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Information Management with concentration in Human Resources at Seminole State College. Karol came to the United States at age of 21, not speaking English and having to work to bring her oldest son from Honduras. Over the past ten years she has worked as a housekeeper, in manufacturing, as a marine electrician, and in customer service, among other jobs. During this time, she obtained her GED, learned English, and began working on her college degree.

Mechanical Engineering
University of Central Florida

Growing up in a two-bedroom apartment with six other people taught Jonathan to make the best of any situation. Moving during the COVID pandemic, he quickly became involved in his new local community. Collaborating with Second Harvest Food bank, Jonathan helped over 100 families receive fresh produce each month. Even with this tremendous workload required yearly, Jonathan’s academic career did not falter. He received UCF’s prestigious Provost scholarship and is now enrolled in their Burnett Honors College where he aspires to graduate with a Mechanical Engineering degree.

Nursing
AdventHealth

Juan is currently enrolled in AdventHealth University to obtain his degree in nursing, with the goal of obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Along his journey, Juan has faced significant challenges, including financial hardships and personal obstacles. Despite these difficulties, Juan has never considered quitting, as his strong mental fortitude has enabled him to persevere through tough times.

Biology
University of Central Florida

A cancer survivor who endured chemotherapy during her high school years, Julie is determined to use the experience as continued inspiration while pursuing a career in medicine. Living with cancer taught Julie the value of perseverance and that you can accomplish things you never thought possible. After completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida she plans to apply for medical school and eventually help those who are dealing with cancer as she once did.

Computer Science
University of Central Florida

Luis is a student born in Mexico and raised in Puerto Rico. He moved to Florida during third-grade year. Adapting to the English language was a significant challenge, but it also sparked his passion for foreign languages. This led him to start the unofficial “World Language Club,” where he taught friends and classmates the basics of French and Spanish, providing them with a foundation for their future language classes. Additionally, Luis founded the “TCG Club,” where he taught his classmates strategy and planning skills through card games. While serving as president of both clubs, Luis also juggled dual enrollment classes, volunteering in the school media center, and interning with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Luis is a model student who seeks to excel and distinguish himself in everything he undertakes.

Kinesiology
Seminole State College

Lyan and her family were displaced from her native Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria in 2017. She was forced to leave her friends and schoolmates behind and start a new life in Oviedo, Florida. Lyan’s family has struggled financially since their arrival in Florida, which has led to frequent moves and constant economic challenges. However, Lyan has thrived academically, and will begin her college career at Seminole State College, where she will study kinesiology. It will be a first step toward achieving her goal of becoming a physical therapist.

Business Administration
University of Central Florida

Laura’s family was politically persecuted in her native Venezuela and came to the U.S. almost three years ago. A first-generation college at UCF, she is focused on creating systems that provide viable solutions to communities that improve the administration, economic development and wealth generation. During the pandemic Maria Laura volunteered with her school’s Hispanic Latino Student Union working with the school’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) children and volunteers.

Civil Engineering
University of Central Florida

Melania Carrigan is “a Cuban girl with an Irish last name” and learned to speak Spanish from her mother and grandmother. She is currently attending the University of Central Florida, where she is pursuing a BS in Civil Engineering with a minor in business administration. She maintained a 4.0 GPA during her freshman year and was recognized on the president’s honor roll.

Computer Engineering
University of Central Florida

Mia is a junior at UCF, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering with a strong dedication to a career in the tech industry. Her passion for technology began in high school, sparked by writing her first lines of code in a computer class. Her goal is to enter a top graduate program in Computer Engineering and work in both software and hardware development. Mia is also actively involved in a student organization focused on promoting diversity and inclusion in technology. Volunteering at tech workshops has further fueled her passion, and she hopes to leverage these experiences to excel in graduate studies and make significant contributions to the tech industry.

Biomedical sciences
University of Central Florida

Michael Stokes is pursuing a degree in biomedical sciences at the University of Central Florida, driven by a passion to be an advocate for the underrepresented students wanting to be in the medical field.
Prior to UCF, Michael attended Seminole State College, where he led the pre-health club and demonstrated an early commitment to the medical field. This commitment was further strengthened serving as an ER scribe and as a volunteer at Grace Medical Homes and Ronald McDonald House. These experiences have resulted in Michael’s determination to become a medical doctor, dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Civil Engineering
University of Central Florida

Neida completed an internship with a construction company this past summer and it has solidified her desire to pursue a career in the construction industry. She’s even begun to learn to weld to have a better understanding of the trades used in the industry. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Central Florida, Neida aspires to one day take her skill in building things to the third world, and work on international development projects that build homes and critical infrastructure for communities that lack access to the resources and expertise to construct them.

Computer Engineering
University of Central Florida

Escaping the oppression in Venezuela for opportunity in the United States, Nestor has overcome financial, health, and immigration challenges to earn a spot at UCF. In his short time in high school in this country, he distinguished himself as a high achiever in the STEM courses and aided his fellow students seeking to improve their academic achievement. A lifelong techie, Nestor will pursue computer engineering to fulfill his interest in creating new technologies that improve the user experience.

Biology
University of Central Florida

When Oriana was younger, she witnessed her grandfather undergo multiple surgeries following an auto accident. This experience ignited her passion for becoming a doctor and saving lives. After relocating to the United States and learning a new language, Oriana faced significant challenges and feared her dream might not come true. Despite these obstacles, she has worked tirelessly to rebuild her life, achieving certification as a medical assistant. Today, Oriana balances full-time and part-time work while attending school as a full-time student, all in pursuit of her goal to become a neurosurgeon.

Marine and Aquatic Biology
University of Central Florida

When she turned 16, Paola and her family left everything they knew in their home Puerto Rico, to pursue a better future in the United States. She dealt with many doubts and negative comments from educators and peers who diminished her. Paola took those doubts and used them as motivation to succeed, , eventually graduating Valencia College as the “Puma of the Year” and with the highest academic honors. Today, Paola is a 2024 NOAA EPP/MSI Scholar and a Marine Biology student at UCF, with her sights set on a career in marine research.

Biomedical Sciences
University of Central Florida

At the age of nine, Patricia faced a life-changing event when her grandmother suffered a stroke, leading her to take on caregiver responsibilities. This encounter and an interest in science sparked by encouraging high school teachers inspired her to seek a career in medicine. Growing up in Venezuela, she witnessed her community and struggles due to a lack of healthcare resources, which motivated her to move to the U.S. for a better education. Currently residing in Central Florida, Patricia is dedicated to giving back to her new community while pursuing her goal of attending medical school and specializing in cardiothoracic surgery. Motivated by the resilience and compassion her mother instilled in her, she wants to raise awareness of heart disease and assist underserved communities.

Aerospace Engineering
University of Central Florida

During the early days of the pandemic, Rodolfo constructed 1,500 face shields using a 3D printer when PPE was non-existent. He delivered these to hospitals, nursing homes, police departments, and grocery stores. Rodolfo also organized a video game tournament at his school to raise money for a nonprofit that provides video games to the less fortunate. After graduation, Rodolfo plans to work for a major aerospace company like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, or SpaceX.

Aeronautical Science
Valencia College

When Sergio was 13 years old he had to leave his home country to a whole
different new world with new challenges in the United States. In high school,
Sergio joined the JROTC program where for four years he dedicated every
day to pursuing a military career. However, due to hearing loss, he was
medically disqualified. Undaunted, he decided to take a different approach
and enrolled in the aeronautical science program at Valencia College.

HealthSciences Pre-Clinical
University of Central Florida

Sualba’s interest in the medical field began growing up alongside an older brother with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. While in and out of hospitals with her brother, she saw how his medical providers worked together for the same goal of maximized independence and mobility. In the future, Sualba wants to become a medical provider in the neurology field to help other kids with special needs. She is currently working on research that focuses on creating structural interventions to reduce health disparities in highly policed communities, which has made her interested in policy development. She is also working towards becoming a licensed medical assistant to gain clinical experience and insight on providing quality care for patients.

Biomedical Science and Clinical Psychology
University of Central Florida

Pursuing a double major in Biomedical Science and Clinical Psychology at UCF, Silvia’s goal is to gain entry to a top medical school and eventually pursue a career as an anesthesiologist. Outside of the classroom, Silvia is building her medical school application portfolio by serving as an undergraduate teaching assistant in UCF’s Immunology lab and working with a student organization that aims to increase awareness of the importance of service animals and service animal etiquette.

Valencia College

Not even a year into her immigration journey from Venezuela, the
Covid pandemic added additional complexity to the challenges Valeria
already faced in learning a new language, navigating a complex education
system, and overcoming financial difficulties. However, her passion for
Venezuelan culture led her to share it with her community here in the U.S
through volunteering, traditional dance performances, and cultural events
around the country with Isla Danza Venezuela Arte y Cultura. She hopes to
continue to support her cultural community as a nurse.

Computer Science
University of Central Florida

Growing up, Vimalys dreamed of attending university, a goal that was uncharted territory for her family. To afford her education, she worked almost 30 hours a week in high school while balancing academics and extracurriculars. During her senior year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced her parents to close their business and file for bankruptcy, making her college savings the only source of family income. Despite these challenges, Vimalys persevered and secured a scholarship from HHSF, allowing her to attend the University of Central Florida, where she is majoring in computer science.
Vimalys serves as the External Vice President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. She has completed internships at Lockheed Martin and Bank of America. After graduation, she aspires to work as a software engineer and continue supporting the Hispanic community by sharing her story and empowering the next generation.

Health Sciences University of Central Florida

A star high school soccer player, Alejandro was forced to temper his soccer dreams after his mother suffered a debilitating stroke and he was forced to work to help her support his siblings.  Though his free time is now limited, he continues to coach soccer and support the youth in his community.  Alejandro’s involvement in his mother’s post-stroke medical care has inspired him to pursue a career as a physical therapist.

Biology
Rollins College

Anavictoria has persevered through her parents’ struggles with multiple health issues and lack of stable employment due to job losses associated with post-Covid cutbacks. She has been particularly affected by her mother’s struggle to manage chronic pain, leading her to pursue pre-pharmacy studies with the goal of becoming a practicing pharmacist.

Aerospace Engineering
University of Central Florida

Shortly after his eighth birthday, Aref was diagnosed with stage four Ewing Sarcoma and ended up beating cancer three times. His experience led him to volunteer with Camp Fiesta, which serves kids battling terminal diseases. During his senior year of high school, the pandemic affected his family’s business, so he began working full-time to earn money for college while finishing high school. Today, Aref continues to work part-time while juggling academics, extracurriculars, and volunteering.

Health Science
Valencia College

Overcoming the loss of both of her parents as an 11-year-old, Bailey persevered through this traumatic experience and plans to make life science and medicine her career. Her plan includes a move to the University of Central Florida upon finishing two years at Valencia College and pursuing a pre-medicine program with the goal of becoming a physician assistant.

Business Administration
University of Central Florida

Homeschooled her entire life, Briseias received her associate degree at age seventeen. To cope with the loss of a close family member, she began writing poetry to deal with her grief, and it gave her a new perspective on her own ambitions. A fan of numbers as well as words, Briesias is looking at a career in finance or accounting upon graduation.

Biology
University of Central Florida

Financial challenges limited Cecelia’s college choices after high school, but they did not limit her ambition of becoming a veterinarian. She excelled in high school and used that success to earn a Bright Futures scholarship, allowing her to attend Seminole State College and complete her associate degree. Now at UCF, she will major in Biology, thus taking the next step toward her achieving her goal of attending veterinary school.

Biomedical Science
University of Central Florida

Christian has had an interest in becoming a physician since his boyhood in Colombia, where he was pressed into service to respond to a medical emergency that befell one of his elementary school teachers. Continuing to preserve in his pursuit of this career goal after arriving in the United States, he has overcome language barriers and financial challenges to earn a 3.9 grade average in biomedical sciences at UCF.

Information Technology
University of Central Florida

Christine’s steady pursuit of her education goals has consumed almost half of her life. She recently completed her associate degree and is now on to UCF to pursue a degree in Information Technology, with a career goal of becoming a network security analyst and pursuing a graduate degree.

Early Childhood Development and Education
University of Central Florida

Growing up as one of six children, Cristina watched her parents work hard in agriculture to give her family a better future. As a GEMS mentor, Cristina has also helped fellow women thrive in their first two years of college. After noticing that her mentees were quiet during their Zoom sessions, Cristina decided to invite impressive guest speakers to their meetings including a Google recruiter. Following graduation Cristina is interested in working abroad.

Nursing
Seminole State College

Working in a pediatrics office as a high school student has shaped Daniel’s career aspirations. He was exposed to both the clinical work of the office and the management challenges associated with running a medical office. He chose the clinical route will and nursing degree, with aspirations of a career in the profession.

Nursing
University of Central Florida

The daughter of Colombian immigrants, Daniella lost her father at the age of nine.  She watched her mother work tirelessly to provide opportunities for her and give her the opportunity to achieve her academic and career goals, which inspired her to aim high. Daniella plans to work as a pediatric nurse after receiving a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Central Florida.  Ultimately, she would like to return to school, earn a master’s degree in nursing and serve as a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist, focusing on pediatrics. 

Accounting
University of Central Florida

A career as an accountant has been Diego’s goal since the very beginning of his college journey at UCF, though he has had to overcome some personal challenges along the way, including hurricane storm damage that affected his housing arrangements He is now focused on earning the additional credit hours necessary to qualify to sit for the CPA exam. Diego recently completed an internship at KPMG – one of the “Big 4” accounting firms – which is a testament to his commitment to this career path.

Psychology
University of Central Florida

The only child of immigrants from Mexico and Peru, Gabriela overcame debilitating anxiety as a child to eventually graduate in the Top 10 of her high school class and earn admission to UCF. She is majoring in psychology, with an eye toward a career in medicine where she can assist others who have experienced mental health challenges like the ones she faced as a child. 

Psychology
University of Central Florida

Immigrating to the United States from his native Venezuela at age eighteen, Gianfranco worked full-time for four years to put himself in a position to become a full-time student, first earning an associate degree from Valencia College and now at UCF, where he works as an undergraduate research assistant while pursuing a degree in Psychology

Psychology
Rollins College

Gustavo has overcome a difficult and psychologically taxing childhood and young adulthood to successfully complete an associate’s degree and gain admission to Rollins College. In the process of doing so, he also discovered his calling, and now aspires to a career as a psychologist, giving him the opportunity to assist others who may have faced similar challenges to those he faced while pursuing his goals.

Biology
University of Central Florida

A cancer survivor who endured chemotherapy during her high school years, Julie is determined to use the experience as continued inspiration while pursuing a career in medicine. Living with cancer taught Julie the value of perseverance and that you can accomplish things you never thought possible. After completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida she plans to apply for medical school and eventually help those who are dealing with cancer as she once did.

Biology
University of Central Florida

A multi-sport high school athlete from a family of modest means, Julimar graduated in the top ten percent of her class and started her biology degree at UCF immediately in the first summer term, when she was still only seventeen years old. Her career aspiration is to become a government research scientist in public health or disease prevention.

Advertising and Public Affairs
University of Central Florida

Learning to bridge the Venezuelan culture of her immigrant parents and the American culture of her peer group developed Karla’s interest in communications and public relations. She will pursue this interest by majoring in advertising and public relations at UCF. After graduation she hopes to join a creative agency that promotes social and environmental responsibility as part of its work with clients.

Business and Information Management
Seminole State College

Immigrating to the United States from Honduras in her early twenties, Karol spoke no English and therefor had limited employment opportunities. She eventually found work as a housekeeper and began learning English by learning the words for each item on her cleaning cart. She also found a mentor at a local women’s charity who redirected her academic career. Karol went on to earn her associate degree during the 2020 pandemic and is now pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Seminole State College.

Computer Science
Valencia College
Arriving in the United States from her native Cuba unable to speak English, Lorena persevered through several menial jobs in manufacturing, hospitality, and food service, using her co-workers to practice the language, eventually becoming proficient. She eventually applied for and was accepted into the Seneff Honors College at Valencia College, which broadens the horizons of students by offering an enhanced curriculum and opportunities to explore numerous career and public service paths. Lorena’s immediate goal is to move on to the University of Central Florida and pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Chemistry
University of Central Florida

Luis Perdomo Hernandez is in his fourth year at the University of Central Florida. He graduated from high school Summa Cum Laude and is trilingual. He received a bronze and silver medal in the National French Contest and is also fluent in Spanish. Luis’ goal is to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering and then work in the pharmaceutical industry. He says he wants to honor his community and Hispanic heritage as a scientist to provide innovations that can facilitate a better standard of living for Americans and the generations to come.

Dental Hygiene
Valencia College

Laura’s family was politically persecuted in her native Venezuela and came to the U.S. almost three years ago. A first-generation college student, she plans to transfer to UCF, earn a bachelor’s degree and go to dental school to become a dentist specializing in maxillofacial surgery. During the pandemic Maria Laura volunteered with her school’s Hispanic Latino Student Union working with the school’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) children and volunteers. María enjoys painting and drawing in her spare time.

AdventHealth University
Cardiovascular Sonography

Maria left Colombia as a teen mother of a young daughter and persevered through community college and an undergraduate degree in international business, choices made to best position her to support her family. However, she maintained a lifelong dream of becoming a healthcare provider, and will now pursue that dream at AdventHealth University, where she will study cardiovascular sonography

Mechanical Engineering
University of Central Florida

Leaving her native Mexico for the United States, Marianna became a Texan, eventually arriving in Florida to join the of the University of Central Florida track and field team. She is also anxious to get her career as a mechanical engineer off and running and has already done an internship in her field. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Mariana is looking forward to pursuing a career in the aerospace industry.

Education
University of Central Florida

Nalleli is a registered behavior technician who is committed to improving the lives of children, a pursuit that is informed by her own experiences in a family beset by chronic illness. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in early childhood development and education at the University of Central Florida and aspires to become a child life specialist, utilizing social media and emerging communications technology to connect with her clients.

Social Entrepreneurship
Rollins College

Nazliyan has a lifelong commitment to social responsibility that has led to Rollins College, one of the best non-profit management programs in the United States. Working three jobs and completing required weekly volunteer hours, she has still managed to earn President’s List academic honors. Post-graduation, Nazilyan’s goal is to work with social enterprises to build sustainable supply chains that improve their bottom line.

Civil Engineering
University of Central Florida

Neida completed an internship with a construction company this past summer and it has solidified her desire to pursue a career in the construction industry. She’s even begun to learn to weld to have a better understanding of the trades used in the industry. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Central Florida, Neida aspires to one day take her skill in building things to the third world, and work on international development projects that build homes and critical infrastructure for communities that lack access to the resources and expertise to construct them.

Fire Academy
Seminole State College

A dance instructor who aspires to be an EMT Nialynn is committed to making saving lives her eventual life’s work. Navigating the challenging process of attending the fire academy and the necessary on-the-job training that follows has been difficult but has also served to strengthen her resolve to succeed in her career of choice.

Nursing
University of Central Florida

The discipline of competitive Brazilian Jujitsu has led Noe to believe in her ability overcome challenges. She is currently working a full-time schedule as a restaurant shift manager while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, one of the most challenge four-year degrees. Post -graduation she will continue to accept challenges, with a goal of working in an intensive care unit and ultimately pursing an advanced degree.

Biology
University of Central Florida

At a young age Oriana had multiple interactions with healthcare providers that led to her commitment to pursuing healthcare as a career. In one of these situations, Oriana was coaching a youth gymnastics team when a fellow coach suffered a seizure. Her self-assessment of her response to the emergency convinced her that she had the personal traits necessary to pursue a career as a trauma physician, which is now her goal.

Biomedical Science
University of Central Florida

From the time she looked through a microscope at onion skin cells in sixth grade, Osvanelly wanted to be a plant scientist. Volunteering in botanical gardens put her close to horticulture and botany, and she hopes to use these experiences to pursue a career as a plant science field research scientist.

Marine and Aquatic Biology
Valencia College

Still a teenager, the quad-lingual Paola has already completed an internship at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is working on publishing her first research paper. After finishing at Valencia, Paola will attend UCF and then on to an advanced degree. Her career goals include a return to NOAA or other marine research organization to pursue a career as a marine biologist.

Data Analytics
Seminole State College

Arriving in Florida from Puerto Rico in 2017, speaking no English, Priscilla completed both ESOL and EAP to build her language skills in preparation for college. Acquiring the financial resources to pursue her education goals was Priscilla’s next challenge, and she will work full time while attending Seminole State to finance her degree.

Management
University of Central Florida

Sebastian has experienced complex migraine headaches since age thirteen and has overcome this debilitating condition by adopting a healthy lifestyle. This focus on his personal health has allowed him to pursue full-time study and part-time employment, both of which are critical to achieving his goal of completing a double major in Management and Marketing and working in sports management.

Psychology
Rollins College

Sofia moved from to the United States from the Dominican Republic to attend Rollins College during the Covid pandemic, when only 200 students were on campus. Three years later she is a resident advisor and holds two other jobs on campus, including student psychology researcher. Motivated to study psychology by the stigma associated with mental health issues in her home country, Sofia’s goal is to earn a PhD in psychology, become a practicing psychologist, and work to change the perception of mental health illness in the Latino community.

Mechanical Engineering
University of Central Florida

An accomplished soccer player, a torn ACL put Sonia’s athletic pursuits on pause but gave her time to satisfy her curiosity about other things, including her own surgery and recovery. This led to an interest in medical devices and, eventually, to her majoring in mechanical engineering for the opportunity to build them. Already having visited over a dozen countries, Sonia hopes to work abroad following her graduation from UCF in Spring 2024.

Health Sciences University of Central Florida

Alondra has a strong commitment to giving back. She has performed free blood pressure screenings for the homeless, served as a translator for Shepherd’s Hope, and worked as a medical assistant for a nonprofit that helps the uninsured. Alondra was selected to participate in a STEM apprenticeship program and is very active in campus organizations. She is pursuing a minor in business and plans to go to PA school or work in the business side of healthcare.

Neuropsychology
University of Central Florida

Andrea is a Robert E. McNair Scholar at the University of Centra Florida. This program specializes in facilitating resources to prospective PhD students. She serves as a mentor for the Academic Advancement Program (AAP) at UCF, an initiative that prepares underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation college students to pursue advanced degrees. Andrea is also a member of the UCF LEARN program, which immerses first-time STEM students in undergraduate research.

Aerospace Engineering
University of Central Florida

Shortly after his eighth birthday, Aref was diagnosed with stage four Ewing Sarcoma and ended up beating cancer three times. His experience led him to volunteer with Camp Fiesta, which serves kids battling terminal diseases. During his senior year of high school, the pandemic affected his family’s business, so he began working full-time to earn money for college while finishing high school. Today, Aref continues to work part-time while juggling academics, extracurriculars, and volunteering.