Leto High School: 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.

Amanda Chinea Moreno

School activities and accomplishments:

1. Top three student of graduating senior class

2. 6.4 GPA

3. Volunteer at Cafe, helping feed the elderly and deliver the food to them

4. Member of National honor Society and Junior club for a year

5. Took 47 credits of dual enrollment courses

6. 5 AP courses taken throughout high school

7. Participated in the Big Brother Big Sister Program

College or other post high school plans:

I plan on attending the University of South Florida and pursue a degree in the premed track, and will later attend med school in order to achieve my dream of becoming a pediatric surgeon.

Essay:

When Covid first started to make its impact, the cities began to close little by little, but even so, Florida never reached a total lockdown; many stores remained open due to being “essentials” for the community. Many people did not take quarantine and staying at home very seriously and said quarantine took less than three weeks before being lifted again, even though the cases continued to increase and increase. I had the experience of going to work in the middle of the pandemic, and as I said, there was never a total close.

Other countries such as Poland, France, and Italy, which also faced many daily cases, have decided to close even their essential stores to protect the community and prevent cases from going up. In my opinion, Florida authorities should decide to close the state again. However, this time, it should be more serious about completing the state’s complete closure, including stores considered essential and schools, where the state found more cases and where more kids are exposed to the virus. They should hold onto these measures for a couple of months until the chaos subsides and not force a lockdown lift if the state is not prepared for the consequences.

The community should note that local authorities have taken suitable measures when caring for people’s health in public places. They have kept distance and safety for people during social gatherings.

Brilian Diaz Avila

School achievements and accomplishments:

1. Received certificate of outstanding achievement for placing number 9 on top 10 highest GPA in Leto’s traditional class.

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2. Received Presiden’t Education Awards Program

3. Received Falcon’s finest award.

4. 50 volunteer hours for an animal shelter.

5. Played in the tennis team.

6. Member of the Spanish Honors Society.

College or other past high-school plans:

HCC Liberal Arts and Sciences AA transfer track , still deciding between doing a double major to get a Bachelor of Business administration with a specialization in finance degree and a Film or Drama degree or a degree in Aerospace engineering .

Essay

The world begins to lift as the Vaccine spreads ,with it a hopeful end to coronavirus and the beginning of herd immunity. There were countries that took bigger, more drastic measures , some of them managed to get the coronavirus under control. It would be in our best interest to follow the example of those who have succeeded.

A negative covid-19 test or proof of vaccination should be required for those who want to air travel ; in case of no vaccination but a negative test the person should also be required to take a test before returning to the country and then be quarantined for two weeks, same for those coming from other countries. Setting a limit on how many are allowed in restaurant/stores and banning recreational boats (as countries with little to no coronavirus cases have done) would not only discourage people from going to public spaces where they could come in contact with someone infected, it would also help de-crowd spaces like popular beaches that have become ’'covid hotspots’'. Masks should also be mandatory in public spaces.

Without restrictions many will fall under the false illusion that just because others are getting vaccines and it has been over a year precautions are no longer necessary to remain safe .To prevent a bigger spread the government must take action and set these guidelines along with showing a plan for them to be lifted accordingly to the number of people vaccinated.

Leah M. Alvarez

School activities and accomplishments:

1. Principal’s honor roll

College or other post-high school plans;

Associates degree in Arts, Hillsborough Community College

Essay:

Steps that can be taken to stem the spread of the coronavirus are to take vitamins and maintain a healthy body, wear mask at work, school or any public place, wash your hands, and keep your distance from others. Taking these steps will make sure both you and those around you stay safe, healthy and reduce the spread of the virus. Making sure we maintain a healthy lifestyle and take in our daily vitamins will ensure our immune system stays strong to combat the virus if present in our body.

Wearing a mask will ensure any particles from you or the environment won’t enter the body of you or those around you. Washing your hands will ensure you don’t spread or rub germs collect on your hands to the rest of your body. Maintaining a safe distance from others will ensure you or others aren’t spreading any other germs or particles that could harm or increase the chance of obtaining the virus.