GET TO KNOW YOUR MENTORS.
Here they are, YOUR mentors! Get to know the students who lead the program, the mentors, and the junior mentors who are training to go solo next year. We asked them questions and provided their answers so you can better get to know them. Their contact info is here because they want to hear from you- we encourage you to reach out!
Laura Muñoz,
Senior
NHS VP
Program Director
CONTACT INFO:
(305) 318-1303
If you could create a class on anything, what would it be on?
The role of women in post-Revolutionary Cuba compared to how they were depicted in the media
If you could use any hashtag to describe yourself, what would it be?
#IKnowWhatIWant
Mery
Llano
Junior Director
CONTACT INFO:
(305) 904-9230
What are three words that describe you?
Passionate, determined, and trustworthy.
If you could create a class on anything, what would it be on?
If I could create a class on anything, it would be a class on improving your self-esteem. Mostly because there are many students who feel insecure about themselves and hide behind a mask to try to fit in. They need to know they are perfect just the way they are.
Jennifer Blanco
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 334-9844
If you could use any hashtag to describe yourself, what would it be?
#DoItForYou
What is one thing you could eat forever?
Vegetables, more specifically potatoes to be exact- FRIES!!!
Yanisbel Ruiz
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 354-2523
What is your favorite quality about yourself?
My enthusiasm and dedication in what I set my mind to.
What is one thing you could eat forever?
KFC Famous Bowls
Liz Travieso
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 537-0139
When you're not in school what are you doing?
I'm swimming. You'll always find me in the pool!!
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
I'd go to Italy, because the history and the sights are marvelous.
Amanda Gonzalez
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 449-6059
amandagonzalez.school@gmail.com
If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?
If I could meet anyone, I would definitely choose to meet Tennessee Williams (whom I hope is a viable answer, for the question did not specify if the person had to be alive). His play The Glass Menagerie was truly life-changing. I saw myself in Laura Wingfield's reflection and reading about someone who was so dysfunctional, fragile, and cracked helped me cope with troubling circumstances.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
Agloe, New York. Agloe was originally a paper town, created by cartographers for copyright reasons yet so many people believed in its existence that Agloe is now arguably a real city, the setting for a real general store. Agloe's symbolism is inspiring: it's a fiction that became reality, an exhibit of how the way that we imagine the world shapes it.
Barbara Marin
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 203-9908
If you could meet anyone in the world, who would you meet?
Co-founder of the National Organization for Women in 1966 Betty Friedan is recognized as a force for social change. Betty Friedan spoke about truths about women, who were silenced because staying at home caring for their children, attending to their husband's every need was their role in life. Women were not supposed to have a voice, not allowed to venture into the world to make a change because in a man's world there was no need for change. Men went home where women had cleaned, cooked, dolled themselves up ready to be used again for amusement. It was a perfect world where the only worry a man had was to bring home the cash because god knows every other responsibility was taken cared for by a woman. Betty Friedan broke out that mold demanding for change because women deserved a right to venture into the world, women deserved more as human beings to have a greater purpose in life than just a simple homemaker. Women deserved to have the same opportunities men had in the workforce. Our conversation would consist of how women dealt with the role of being a homemaker, being silenced by society and how she was able to write and dealt with the responses of The Feminine Mystique. I would thank her for her revolutionary contribution to the feminist movement that allows me to speak freely in a classroom enabling me to aspire to become a recognized neurosurgeon in a field dominated by men.
What are three words that describe you?
Spontaneous, Humble, Athletic
Aremi Velasco
CONTACT INFO:
(305) 766-3055
If you could be a color, which would it be and why?
I would be the color gray, because it is my favorite color! It's a very soothing and cute color.
What is one thing you could eat forever?
It's a tie between grapes and chocolate!
Alexa Flores
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 454-5760
What are three words that describe you?
Creative, intelligent, and a little sarcastic.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
I would go to the Dominican Republic. I have so many responsibilities at home and school that sometimes I forget that I need to relax, a week off from school in a beautiful country would help. I have been to Punta Cana before and it was one of the best and most relaxing week of my life; I would do anything to be able to have the opportunity to go back.
Veronica Caraballo
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 209-5414
What are three words that describe you?
Understanding, persistent, studious
When you're not in school, what are you doing?
When I'm not in school I'm usually in the only place where I feel like I can express myself the best, my dance studio. Through dance I can share so many emotions and it is the only place where I feel secure. Dancing is also my #1 stress reliever. If I'm not dancing I'm probably in school helping out for the many clubs I take part in.
Shaunteria Guerrier
CONTACT INFO:
(305) 494-2163
shaunteriaguerrier123@yahoo.com
What are three words that describe you?
Optimistic, dedicated, passionate
When you're not in school, what are you doing?Being that I am Miami Dade Youth Commissioner of District 2, when in not in school I'm usually planning events and projects for the youth in District 2. These events consist of acknowledging the youth in our society and allowing them to become a "better you" and understand that the sky is the limit.
Nicole Vieyto,
Senior
NHS President
Assitant Director
Paola Torras
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 499-3730
If you could create a class on anything, what would it be on?
I would create a Literary Psychological Analysis class where characters, themes, and literature in general is analyzed through a psychological lens.
Who is your favorite writer?
Tennessee Williams for his play A Streetcar Named Desire.
CONTACT INFO:
(305) 336-5560
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
If I could go anywhere in the world right now it would be New York. I got the chance to go last winter with my family and the vibrancy and fast pace of the city made me fall head over heels for it. Plus, who could resist spontaneous adventures, exploring the city's never ending streets, whenever they wanted to?
When you're not in school, what are you doing?
When I'm not in school, I'm probably curled up under a bunch of blankets with a cup of coffee next to me, reading a book. Reading is a passion of mine, and I love unraveling a story's plot, overanalyzing every detail of it until I figure it out.
Amanda Pulido
CONTACT INFO:
(305) 613-7651
If you could be a color, what color would it be and why?
Yellow because that color is proven to cause happiness, which is what I hope to do as well.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would travel to Italy because after recently taking Italian for two years, it would be amazing to practice. Additionally, the thriving culture, art, and history has always attracted me to the wonderful country.
Joshua Vega
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 280-8444
When you're not in school what are you doing?
I'm usually hanging out with my friends or doing things for Student Government.
What is one thing you could eat forever?
Chipotle! I love getting a bowl with white rice, black beans, chicken, mild and hot sauce, corn, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole
Maria Rojas
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 746-8651
What are three words that describe you?
Sarcastic, passionate, unapologetic.
What is one thing you could eat forever?
Grits.
Samara Rabassa
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 340-6330
When you're not in school what are you doing?
I’m most likely playing guitar. I have been playing since 2013, and love the feeling I get when I learn a new strumming pattern, chord, or song. That exhilarating feeling is what drives me to continue on with the difficult instrument, as my day is made when I finally master a tune that seemed difficult before.
If you could create a class on anything, what would it be on?
I would make a creative writing course. I’m a firm believer on self-expression, therefore, just as how performing art classes allow students to showcase their talents, those who are not considered “artistic” should have the opportunity to do so as well. I believe that creative writing would be beneficial to students due to the fact that they wouldn’t be oppressed to the intriguing-yet-specific topics that many English classes focus on. In class, students could write about anything and everything, and a class like this, in which infinite thinking is applauded could be both physically, and emotionally rewarding to anyone.
Rosario Caballero
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 269-4746
If you could be a color, which would it be and why?
Purple, the color of royalty.
What are three words that describe you?
Patience, tolerance, and resilience.
Annabella Gonzalez
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 380-2764
If you could create a class on anything, what would it be on?
It would be on social issues that are currently important topics in our country, and the rest of the world. These would be issues like abortion, climate change, gay rights, domestic surveillance, feminism and equal pay, decriminalization on drugs, the migrant crisis in Europe, and gun control. Students should have access to non-biased, accurate information about these controversial topics. This access to information leads them to formulate their own opinions and conclusions on these topics. Controversial topics should be discussed because there is an abundance of students, and citizens in general, that need to be made aware of the decisions being made in their country that will directly or indirectly affect them.
What are three words that describe you?
Open-minded, determined, and intelligent.
Xaviera Villarino
CONTACT INFO:
(305) 825-8367
What is your favorite quality about yourself?
My favorite quality about myself is definitely my drive for success. Everything I do, I do it from a futuristic perspective, seeking and analyzing the possibilities and probabilities of my actions' outcomes.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
If I could travel anywhere in the world right now, I would travel to Bora Bora. Sometimes it is hard to take a break when you're so focused on school, so I encourage taking time out for yourself when possible, and Bora Bora is a beautiful dream vacation spot of mine!
Jessica Cruz
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 241-4782
What are three words that describe you?
Passionate, driven, luchadora
When you're not in school, what are you doing? I would want to meet Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Since a young age I've aspired to be just as courageous and passionate as her. She is the first latina to ever be inaugurated into the Supreme Court of the United States, this has inspired me to believe that one day women of color will dominate the political agenda. Her drive towards political change is what empowered me to make a difference in my community.
Gabriela Gonzalez
CONTACT INFO:
(786) 543- 1487
What is one thing you could eat forever?
Mac and cheese
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
Washington, D.C.