Univision honors 10 ambitious South Florida high school students
Ten South Florida high schoolers will be celebrated after receiving the Univision Miami “Orgullo de Nuestra Juventud,” or Pride of Our Youth, award.
The annual award honors students who demonstrate academic excellence and community service or have achieved academic success despite significant setbacks in their lives. Of the nine honorees, five recipients were also nominated or awarded the Miami Herald Silver Knight Awards, which are given to 30 high-achieving students in South Florida.
“At TelevisaUnivision, we remain dedicated to empowering determined students who, often against great odds, pursue academic excellence and embody the American dream,” said Angela Ramos, Regional Director of Community Empowerment.
Six students were recognized for outstanding academic achievement and community service: Giancarlo Palmeri from Medical Academy Science Technology (M.A.S.T) at Homestead, Maria Sophia Fernandez-Brito of Miami Beach Senior High, Matthew Vila from Belen Jesuit Preparatory, Michelle Grados from School for Advanced Studies North Campus, Sara Peaguda from Ronald W. Reagan Doral Senior High and William Rivero from South Dade Senior High.
Matthew won the Miami-Dade Silver Knight Music & Dance Award after creating a nonprofit, Harmony Hugs, which offers music enrichment programs for special needs children in South Florida. Michelle received an honorable mention for the Miami-Dade Silver Knight Science Award. Sara was a nominee for the athletics award.
Univision’s award also celebrates students who achieve academic growth through times of hardship in their personal lives. The students recognized are Nicolas Reyes-Retana from Westminster Christian, Pierre De Agostini-Frometa from School for Advanced Studies-Wolfson, Rebecca Hoard from William T. McFatter Technical High School and Wilisha Charles from Hallandale Magnet High.
Pierre was nominated for the Miami-Dade Silver Knight English and Literature Award. Rebecca was a Broward-Monroe nominee for the Silver Knight Science Award.
Award recipients will receive a $2,000 scholarship from Publix and a scholarship valued up to $7,500 to Miami-Dade College.
Rebecca, 18, was ecstatic to see the email congratulating her, despite initially ignoring the phone calls, thinking they were spam.
“It was a very surreal moment for my mom and I, and my dad is just so proud of me,” Rebecca said. “I’m very thankful for that feeling.”
Rebecca was diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency, a condition where the ovaries stop working normally, at 15. She was in and out of doctors’ appointments and even had to switch schools to better accommodate her condition, while her family struggled with the stress. After celebrating her achievements, she plans on studying to become a veterinarian at Florida International University.
The 29th annual luncheon will be hosted by Univision 23 News Anchor Jenny Padura Friday at Miami Dade College Hialeah Campus. Recipients and their families will also be joined by Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools Jose Dotres.