Page 25 - 2017 yearbook

Ignite your Future By: Lucas Cabrera-Ramon

Over the summer, the class of 2017 was “I always thought that I wanted to become a applying himself to a job was senior Michael Prado.
advised by college counselors to go out and intern in the veterinarian, and after interning with my uncle I realized Prado worked as a counselor and swim instructor at
field that they would be studying in college. This ignited I was completely right,” said Ramirez. “I think I’ve Venetian Pool in Coral Gables. Although he received
an interest in many students to go out and try working in definitely found my calling.” services hours for his work, he felt that this job was
the field in which one day they expect to work. Among In a completely different part of town, senior good for both the community and his college application.
many of the students who took part in this endeavour Stefano Santamaria worked on his grandfather’s farm in Aside from teaching young children how to swim, Prado
were seniors Juan Ramirez and Stefano Santamaria. Homestead. With the hopes of one day owning his own was also the camp photographer.
Ramirez worked over the summer as a farm, he spent the summer working with his grandfather “I originally worked as a life guard at the
veterinarian’s assistant at his uncle’s pet clinic in and learning the basics of agriculture. He learned to mix Venetian Pool in order to beef up my college resume, and
Wynwood. Ramirez stated that his prior idea of becoming microbes that would be used in the fertilizer of the crops get out of the house. However, I actually ended up having
a veterinarian was confirmed after he had such a great in order to promote growth and build up immunity to a really great time and volunteered for an even longer
experience working in this industry and in such an up and pests. period than I needed to,” said Prado.
coming area of Miami. Santamaria hopes to one day major in Although most young people look forward to
At first he thought that he would not have agriculture with a minor in biochemistry. This specific hot summers lingering around the house and waking up
the stomach to be able to handle a surgery, but he was degree will allow him to further develop microbes so that late in the afternoon, other took their time seriously and
surprised by his interest in the process, and his ability to his crops can be taken care of to the best of his abilities. made something productive out of those long, lazy days
put aside the gore of the procedure and help the animal. Another student who spent his summer of summer.

During a surgery, senior Juan Ramirez observes as his uncle, a professional veterinarian, helps a dog in distress. Far above: Stirring microbes on his grandfather’s farm, senior Stefano
Santamaria makes sure that the plant’s fertilizer contains the propper
nutrients in order to promote growth.
Directly above: In his official lifeguard uniform senior Michael Prado, proudly
shows off his summer gig.