Tampa Catholic 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 Lam

School activities and accomplishments:

• Cross Country Runner (3 years)- Captain, MVP 2018/2019/2020, Regional and State Qualifier
• Track and Field Runner (4 years)- Captain, Most Improved Runner 2019, Regional Qualifier
• New Tampa Juniorettes Volunteer Club (6 years)- Vice President (2020-21)
• Principal’s Honor Roll (4 years): Awarded AP Scholar with Distinction (2020)
• Invited Speaker at the National FARE Teen Summit Conference (2017)
• Member of 8 Honors Societies: President of the National Science Honors Society, Vice President of Rho Kappa

College or other post-high school plans:

I plan to enter a Pre-Med Studies Program at Case Western Reserve University. I will also be running for the Cross Country and Track teams at Case Western. Go Spartans!

Essay:

On March 2nd, 2020 Surgeon General Jerome Adams stated that “you can increase your risk of getting [COVID-19] by wearing a mask if you are not a health care provider” on a Fox and Friends interview(Perrett, 2020). He reasoned that improper mask wearing can lead to unnecessary face touching and an increased spread of the virus. One month later, Adams stated that the “CDC recommends and the task force recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings”... “It is critical”(Perrett, 2020).

These contradictory statements by the Federal government merely scratch the surface of the plethora of differing instruction due to the coronavirus. When less scientifically educated individuals are bombarded with varying opinions, it can be especially difficult to differentiate accuracy and inaccuracy. In my opinion, the most effective solution in ceasing the spread of the coronavirus is to have different action plans for every region based on the severity of the situation.

As cases emerge in a specific region, COVID-19 regulations such as masks and the “6 feet apart” rule should strengthen. However, if the majority of a region is vaccinated and case numbers are not severe, COVID-19 regulations should slowly be modified in order to gradually bring us back to a “normal” society. For example, mask requirements could adjust to only being mandatory indoors.

By allowing different regions to make new changes over others based on severity levels, the government can slowly effectuate change that allows our nation to become normal again, one region at a time.

Works Cited:

Perrett, C. (2020, March 02). The US Surgeon general once warned against wearing face masks for the Coronavirus but the CDC now recommends it. Retrieved April 17, 2021, from https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-dont-need-masks-pence-says-as-demand-increases-2020-2

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Amber B. Castro

School activities and accomplishments:

1. Girl’s flag football defensive player, four years.

2. 51 hours volunteering as a translator and distributor in a COVID-safe drive-thru at a local food pantry.

3. Received “Sobresaliente” award for impromptu speech at the Florida State Spanish Competition, junior year.

4. Student ambassador, junior and senior years.

5. Ambassador for a dance marathon that helped raise over $75,000 for Shriner’s kids and their families, junior year.

6. National BETA Club President, senior year.

College or other post-high school plans:

Biology course of study, University of South Florida.

Gabriela Cartaya

School activities and accomplishments:

1. Lettered in soccer high school team, four years

2. Lettered in lacrosse high school team, four years

3. Summer internship, Community Food Pantry, 2020

4. President of school spirit club, senior year

5. Member of seven honors societies, junior and senior years

6. AP Scholar with Honor, junior and senior years College or other post-high school plans: Construction Management, University of Florida

College or other post-high school plans:

Construction Management, University of Florida

Kendall Mendoza

Activities:

Founder of the Medical Pathfinders Club, AP Scholar with Distinction, Varsity Volleyball Offensive Player of the Year and Entheos Award, inducted into 7 honor societies

College:

University of Florida, Major: Biology

Micayla K. Vereb

School activities and accomplishments:

1. Vice President and Co-founder of Gardening Club at Tampa Catholic.

2. Member of the Crusaderette Dance Team, two years.

3. President of Tampa Catholic Debate Club, senior year.

4. 177 hours volunteering for Bakas Equestrian Center; 247.50 community service hours overall.

5. School ambassador and SHAPE Senior mentor to incoming freshmen.

6. AP Scholar with Distinction

College or other post-high school plans:

Attending the University of Florida, planning to major in biology with a pre-medicine course of study.