Bell Creek Academy: Tribune scholars profiles and essays

More than 200 of Hillsborough County’s top high school seniors from 35 public and private schools accepted an invitation to share their accomplishments and take part in an essay contest through the 2021 R.F. “Red” Pittman Tribune Scholars program. Their profiles and essays are published here, just as the students submitted them. To search all schools, click here.

Alvin Wu

School activities and accomplishments: - Salutatorian (rank 2) of my senior class

- Starting Defense End on our 2020 Varsity Football team (we won SSAC Class A and became state champions)

- Earned my Cambridge AICE Diploma through completion of courses and exams

- Completed over 100 hours of volunteer service at the South Shore Regional Library and Feeding Tampa Bay

- Part of Student Government Club

- Part of National Honors Society

College or other post-high school plans:

Enroll at the University of Florida or University of Michigan Ann Abor for pre-nursing (I am still trying to decide which to commit) and try my best to start working as early as possible. Potentially work at the Tampa general hospital in future career years or open my own nursing practice.

Essay:

In the past year, all of our lives were altered in some way due to the coronavirus. A pandemic that could have been avoided has extended far too long and caused nearly 580 thousand deaths in the US alone. I believe there were many steps that could have been taken and still can be right now to help us return to normal society.

As we know the only way to get the virus is through exposure to one who is infected, this being said the immediate course of action should be to limit interactions with others. I believe a law should be passed that requires the usage of masks in public spaces even if a person has already had the vaccine. This is because the Vaccine is simply another layer of protection against contracting the illness. It is of best interest to wear face masks in any public spaces until herd immunity is reached where around 70% of the population becomes immune to the virus ultimately reducing the spread of the virus altogether.

Social distancing should remain a guideline alongside frequently washing your hands and keeping hand sanitizer on your person at all times. Those affected by the virus should quarantine immediately and notify those with who they have been in contact to avoid further complications. Everyone must respect these basic ideals since the only way to reduce the spread of the coronavirus is for everyone to work towards a better tomorrow together.