Adrian Santana
Choosing whether or not to attend SAS was the most difficult decision in my life. I was doing fairly well in my old school, but I knew that I needed a change. I wanted to attend a school that would both challenge me and make me stand out as a student. I was already taking AP classes at my old school, but I knew that it was not enough. I chose SAS because it offered a very strong curriculum that rewarded me with an Associate’s Degree, which in my mind would make me noticeable to universities across the country.
Although I chose SAS for its curriculum, I believe that the best aspect of the school is its environment. Upon entering SAS, I became aware of the friendly nature of the students and the staff. I was surprised to see how easy it felt to talk to a teacher about anything, which was something that I loathed in my old school. I remember when I would go to the fifth floor just to have a random conversation with any teacher that was there or even watch people play chess. I believe that this made me a more confident student inside the class, as I noticed that my classroom participation increased dramatically over time. I was never fully confident in myself at my old school, so I thank SAS for allowing me to open up and become more self assured.
Also, I noticed that I was surrounded by people with similar goals and expectations. This made me more confident, and therefore made it easier for me to communicate my thoughts and ideas with others. Due to this, I was able to form friendships that I hope will last a lifetime.
I thank SAS for the wonderful experiences that I have had for the last two years. I truly believe that these experiences will impact me for the rest of my life. I believe that I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend this school, and that I am very fortunate because of the opportunities that have come from making the decision to attend.
Adrian Santana
SAS Wolfson Campus, Class of 2017
Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2021
Alex Alfonso
First and foremost, I must say that SAS is a place of challenge. Each academic subject, whether it be in a college or the high school setting, will demand diligence and effort. I have certainly experienced challenges in my academic career that I likely would have never encountered in another school. And that is where SAS goes beyond being just “another high school”.
Here at SAS, I was able to experience new things, challenge myself, both academically and socially, in ways I never had before.
In short, I feel that I have grown tremendously as a person from my time at this school. It is stimulating in a way that very few academic institutions are, what with being exposed to both the classical high school rigor alongside the new curriculum of college classes.
This is a school where I have learned well beyond the classroom, being able to meet new people and share ideas and have discussions in an environment that promotes a healthy appetite for academic learning and personal exploration. Throughout all of the college work and high school projects, and even some school events along the way, attending SAS is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Alexander Alfonso
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2017
Cornell University, Class of 2021
Alexia Vignau
Personally, I value endeavors that challenge me. Those which thrust me out of my comfort zone, and expose me to things that I never would have pursued on my own. SAS was definitely that type of experience to me. Looking back, it was a high intensity whirlwind of memories which included challenges, epiphanies, friendships and ultimately growth that leaves me whiplashed at how fast it transpired, yet craving more of the same excitement in my next steps in university. Were there moments that were difficult? Try juggling college finals, AP level classes and extra curricular activities. However, the benefits I reaped are vast; and the stamina and preparation I have for my future university and my professional life down the line are unparalleled.
To be completely frank, what I think really put my experience at SAS over the edge were the people. While I have attended this school, I have been exposed to so many interesting people from all walks of life who have been interested in investing in me at a personal level. From my MDC college classes to SAS high school classes, I was never simply a face in the crowd. My high school teachers tirelessly put effort into tutoring, and giving of their own time to ensure my success; as well as composed an overall incredibly loving staff that made entering the trailer feel like home. Not only are they great at what they do, their love of their subject inevitably shines through in their teaching. Also, because of the fact that I was able to take advantage of college staff, I was able to soak up knowledge from professionals that are acclaimed and are experienced in their field. For instance, my Anatomy professor was a medical doctor and my Ensemble professor was a PhD level composer and virtuoso. What regular high school will offer such a wide array of classes with teachers who are so qualified and passionate?
I am proud of how much I have grown intellectually and emotionally at SAS; but ultimately I am proud to be part of such an amazing group of people and to be called a White Tiger.
Alexia Vignau
SAS Kendall Class of 2017
University of Miami Class of 2019
Alvin Huezo
I had lost my Dream.
Attending a school shrouded in a sub-par educational environment, I was deprived of any academic stimulus and thus ventured in search of quenching my thirst for knowledge. I became the first and only sophomore to take dual enrollment classes in hopes of actually learning, but it was still not enough. I began to conform to my surroundings and was compromising my capabilities.
Receiving the timely SAS letter in the mail was a buoy in disguise (and the closest Harry Potter experience of my life [until flying broomsticks are invented]). Not only would I take 3-4 college classes, but I would also be able to take AP courses for the first time. This was my 7-Eleven Big Gulp!
Apart from being eager to attend the nationally-recognized School for Advanced Studies, I was also anxious to transition from the bicycle-with-training-wheels that is my former high school, to the challenging unicycle demands of SAS. Demands including but not limited to: AP exams, AP assignments, college midterms and finals, and college applications.
The uncertainty of whether I was capable of succeeding at SAS was immediately subdued when I encountered the faculty. Supportive instructors and a helpful counselor were within reach along every step of my junior and senior year. Whether it was competing in chess with my math teacher, reviewing assignments with my English and social studies instructors, or applying to scholarships with the assistance of my counselor, the faculty and administrators created a friendly, welcoming environment that triggered an everyday smile on my face and guided my high school experience.
Not only did SAS produce an intellectual-intense atmosphere, but it also bestowed on me life-long friends that I will always hold dear to my heart.
Not only did SAS provide me the freedom in choosing my college classes so that I can become CPR certified through Basic Emergency Care, but also expanded my musicianship through Jazz Improvisation I & II, where I was exposed to virtuoso performances through the “Jazz at Wolfson Presents” series..
Not only did SAS prepare a first-generation, low-income, single-parent-household student for any college; it prepared me for a top university.
SAS was the catalyst for me to Dream, imparting the resources and guidance needed to turn my Dreams into a reality.
I am honored and forever grateful for the tremendous impact of the SAS Dream Factory.
Alvin Huezo
SAS Wolfson Campus, Class of 2017
Emory University, Class of 2021
Alyson Diaz
It’s been awesome! Truly, I can’t say enough about how dedicated the School for Advanced Studies is to their student body. It is here where I have spent the two most challenging years of my life, yet the most amazing. My parents and I are super impressed with the support we received from our Principal, Mr. Omar Monteagudo, all of his great staff and excellent teachers. They all have contributed to my education and my academic and individual maturity.
Every day, SAS helps create an environment where anything is possible, continuously serving as a source of inspiration. At SAS, I was able to share all of my dreams and aspirations; it has provided me with critical grounding into the college application process, which allowed me to make the best decisions and ultimately reach my goals. Without the expertise of SAS faculty, I would have been unprepared to meet and surpass my expectations. It was through their mentorship and guidance that allowed me to find the opportunities I would have never known about without their experience.
The School for Advanced Studies was helpful and personal and has made me stronger and brilliant. I will be forever thankful to SAS!
Alyson Diaz
SAS Kendall Campus, Class of 2017
Duke University, Class of 2021
Arselyne Chery
My first encounter regarding SAS was from one of my closet friends who at the time was a grade ahead of me and was planning on transferring to SAS. He would make jokes every now and then about the fact that I always “followed” him to every school he went to and said that it was only bound to happen again. But of course, I told him that things were different now, and that I was perfectly fine at the high school that I was at. Fast forward to tenth grade year, my mother informs me that her boss, a mother of two—and in less than a month, three—SAS legacies, recommended that I apply to SAS for her daughter was as well, and in less than a week’s time, I got an invitation to attend a SAS information session. It didn’t take long for my mother to be fully convinced that this school was a perfect change for me; emphasis on my mother.
Yes, it’s true that my first thought about going to SAS was not a positive one, and to be honest, that’s the beginning of the story for many SAS students who were influenced to attend. However, it is not the end of the story. Having spent two whole years here, I have realized that coming to the School for Advanced Studies has greatly impacted my life.
As you know, attending this type of institution comes with a truckload of responsibility. You must know how to manage AP classes and sometimes even harder college level courses while still giving a hundred percent of your heart to your extracurricular activities. It will be hard, trust me. But it’s better to learn how to deal with this amount of work now instead of suffering to do so later once you enter a college or university full time. Nevertheless, it would be dishonest of me to say that SAS was a horrible experience. It’s not. You will have moments where things don’t go the way you planned it. Yes, that is inevitable. However, there will be many rewarding moments that come after those failures that will help you keep going and to remind yourself that you are never alone. There will always be others who are losing and gaining right along with you. In fact, that is what I believe makes SAS truly a special place: its growing sense of family.
There are teachers, counselors, advisers, secretaries, and other administrators who care about your day and who will make the effort to be there for you during the good and bad times. There are students, diverse in race, ethnicity, and personality, who want to share laughs with you and will definitely offer a shoulder to cry on as well as their ears to listen to you. This essential aspect of SAS is what has helped mold me to become the strong but humble woman I am today. I have overcome so much not just in my academic life but also in my own private life because of the support of my SAS family. I can’t remember the last period of my life in which I felt like I had so many mothers and fathers who were watching over me and putting me in line whenever I messed up. So, I will forever be grateful for their times of advice, unconditional love, and humorous quirkiness.
Therefore, if you are still deciding on whether you should attend SAS, I’d say just take a chance because that is what I had to do; and at the end—which is the same ending of my fellow classmates’ stories—I reached my full potential and became successful. And after God, I owe that success to SAS.
Arselyne Chery
SAS North Campus, Class of 2017
Williams College, Class of 2021
Carolina Cariello
These past two years at SAS have taught me more than my last 16. I came to SAS expecting rigorous coursework because, after all, who doesn’t love a challenge. Little did I know I would be challenged every single day by both my professors and my peers. From questions involving politics, to advanced forms of calculus, to who your favorite Kardashian/Jenner is, SAS students truly expand past your average high school student spectrum. Finding solutions to these daunting questions was never impossible because at SAS everyone is willing to extend a hand. By the end of these two years, I have gained 105 new family members (SAS Kendall Senior Class).
The roller coaster that is SAS starts off just like any other roller coaster, on a sharp, slow incline. The twists, turns and loops that come after the gradual incline is what makes SAS unique. Every teacher here makes it a priority to provide tutoring hours. Not only are you able to boost your knowledge, but you’ll be able to gain a close relationship with your teachers. The staff is loving and provides friendly smiles to make the trailer feel like a second home. They genuinely care about your well-being and success. The long sleepless nights fueled only by motivation and a lot of caffeine have made this roller coaster all the more worth it.
After these two years, I am still asked “What is SAS?” The simple answer is: it’s a collegiate high school at Miami Dade College where students graduate with their Associates Degree before they get their high school diploma. The more complex one is: a school of intellectually curious individuals who are not scared of the future, instead they strive to, one day, shatter glass ceilings everywhere. SAS has been the best decision I have made thus far, and I am proud to always be a White Tiger.
Carolina Cariello
SAS Kendall Campus, Class of 2017
Georgia Tech University, Class of 2021
Camila Basora-Oliveira
I realized I was unhappy with my previous high school when I was ashamed to tell new people I met where I attended school. Since I entered SAS, I have never encountered this situation.
SAS gave me a place where I feel I belong, a place I can proudly announce “This is my school!” At SAS, I am challenged daily with a pool of my peers. These challenges are no smooth sailing, but they provide me the ambition to learn; the motivation to succeed, to thrive; and the stimuli my intellect sought. SAS emits excitement, not necessarily an every day happy, fun excitement, but an excitement of the senses and mind. I am constantly active and in motion here at school.
SAS instilled me with pride in my achievements. It is good to be proud of your accomplishments, while avoiding arrogance. I am happy to say, “Yes, I am graduating high school with an Associate’s Degree.” Emerging from SAS, I have a positive perception of myself and my abilities to succeed in the competitive world that I know I would not have been able to receive anywhere else.
After SAS, I will be attending Boston University in the Fall of 2017 as a Journalism Major, hopefully receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in two years thanks to the resources SAS provides for its students.
Camila Basora-Oliveira
SAS Kendall Campus, Class of 2017
Boston University, Class of 2019
Camille Molas
My time at School for Advanced Studies has not only been beneficial to my education but also to my character as a person. Yes, SAS is an academically rigorous program. However, it is also a success factory that molds a student to become resilient and passionate. Coming in as a junior, I was inundated by all my impressive peers who later on became my best friends. These brilliant students became my support system to keep going, keep working hard, keep studying to ace that exam, and to keep reaching for success.
SAS challenges its students more than any other program I have seen. The expectations of teachers and administration are raised every single day. It seems overwhelming and at times it might be, but the beauty of SAS is its community. As a student I was not the only one feeling the pressure, my peers were as well; through this community, we built a support system that benefited us all in the end and helped us pursue our goals. The relationship and support doesn’t end with the students, it also extends to faculty and staff. The teachers are aware of the heavy course load and genuinely want to help the students prevail with their studies. I’ve had countless tutoring hours with my teachers, whether it was to help push my essay score higher or to figure out a calculus problem, the teachers were always happy to help me regardless of how long it took. Even though the classes are taught in a group setting, gaining individualized lessons are not rare at SAS.
SAS has the most intimate type of relationships when it comes to counselors and students! This is so beneficial when applying to college but it also is such an amazing experience. The counselors at SAS know each individual student and can attentively work with the student since it is such a small class size in comparison to other high schools. Personally, my counselor has turned into one of the few people I seek for guidance. Personal close relationships are what thrives at SAS, These relationships become the foundation of success.
Choosing SAS was one of the greatest decisions I’ve made in my life; it might sound cliche but there is not one single ounce of regret with the choice I made. My education and my future would not be the same without SAS. I am proud and honored to be part of SAS and I can genuinely call this school my home and my family.
Camille Molas
SAS Homestead Campus, Class of 2017
Pomona College, Class of 2021
Carlos Sandoval
Being accepted into School for Advanced Studies was a dream come true. I first found out about the school in 7th grade thanks to my friend’s brother and I knew since that day I wanted to attend SAS. To this day I can’t forget the moment I checked my mailbox and saw the acceptance letter lying within the cluster of mail.
The journey through SAS was even better than I expected it to be. Despite the rigorous classes, SAS was full of fun experiences. Throughout the past two years I have formed more relationships with my teachers and counselor than I have my whole life, leading to an improved classroom experience. I have made countless friendships with people who are just as ambitious in their academic careers as I am.
These two years SAS has given me are ones I will cherish forever. They have taught me how to balance and manage my time wisely, and how to succeed not only in school, but in life as well. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity SAS gave me and will continue to make them proud of the man they have forged me to be. I will be attending Florida International University under the National Hispanic Scholar Merit Scholarship.
Carlos Sandoval
SAS Kendall Campus, Class of 2017
Florida International University, Class of 2019
Chloe Tenn
SAS had caught my eye on a glimmering pamphlet at the Falls shopping mall. With my insatiable curiosity, it was inevitable I would pick it up, research it, and fall in love with the program. SAS was the best decision I made, not only for my education but also for the friends and experiences I was able to accrue. I stepped into the MDC cafeteria on a Monday morning, nervously expecting my first college class and I immediately fell into the magnetic dynamic of the students around me striving toward the similar goal of success.The people I met were not the only amazing facet of this school. In a homely trailer by the athletic track, a coalition of educators with the biggest hearts reside. Through the confusion of college applications, my endless spew of questions regarding my essays in AP English Language, and perfecting scholarship applications, the staff at SAS managed to calm me with patience and advise me with invaluable words that I will treasure as I pursue my undergraduate degree. With my daily hugs ready for the administration, I am comforted in the knowledge that I am steadfastly supported in all my endeavors and given my best opportunity to accomplish my goals.I am a graduating senior now and regret is one word not in my vocabulary. SAS is not only a school for advanced studies, but a home that welcomes the determined, the conscientious, and the brave. I am blessed that my fur was one of a white tiger for two of my high school years. I could not imagine any other high school where I would rather be.
Chloe Tenn
SAS Kendall
North Carolina State University, Class of 2021
Cynthia Dillon
My experience at SAS has embodied the true definition of a roller coaster experience, and before entering SAS, I never would have thought a roller coaster experience could be pleasant. Through countless difficulties and failures, the sincerely compassionate, kind, and admirable staff and student body at SAS inspired me to continue trying, and eventually to succeed. I have yet to encounter another high school with a community so enhancing and strengthening as that of SAS. The counselors and teachers make the students believe in themselves and inspire them to find something they feel as passionate for as they do about teaching. Going to SAS has honestly been the best decision of my life. It has taught me the real value of a powerful support system and has transformed me into the type of person I could only dream of being before.
As I look back and reflect on the years I have spent as a White Tiger, I compare the Cynthia that entered SAS with the one soon graduating, and I realize that the loving SAS community has shaped me into a stronger, more confident, more aware, and more involved student and citizen. In a way like no other, this school pushes its students to play an active role in the development of their school environment as well as the betterment of their community. Whether it’s through its plethora of student clubs and organizations or its student internship program, SAS emphasizes the importance of young people’s contributions to the world. In doing so, it not only ensures that students are a part of something greater than their own interests, but it also inspires them to truly believe that they have the power as individuals to stimulate a far-reaching change in the world.
SAS has motivated me, as well as my classmates, to use the priceless education and real-world training acquired there to develop a fervent passion for something that can make the world a better place. Whether a student is interested in the sciences, arts, engineering, or languages, SAS has something for everyone; it is a truly enriching and rewarding community that treasures the unique qualities in each individual. SAS fosters the development of the leaders of the world to come: students who will dedicate their life to making a difference, who will ensure the world’s achievement alongside their own, and who will forever honor what it means to be a SAS White Tiger.
Cynthia Dillon
SAS Homestead Campus, Class of 2017
Florida International University, Class of 2019
David Fernandez
Admittedly, I was very unsure about making the decision to come to the School for Advanced Studies. Maybe I wouldn’t fit in. Maybe the workload would be too much to handle. Maybe I would be sacrificing my high school experience. Two years later as I count down the days to graduation, I couldn’t have been farther from the truth. I can confidently say that I would not be the person I am today had it not been for my time at SAS.
I feel as if before coming to SAS, I received very little guidance or motivation to succeed. College was an afterthought, and anything beyond high school (or beyond sophomore year for that matter) was unclear. My story goes to show that no, not everyone coming into SAS has the next 10 years of their life planned out, so don’t feel intimidated. SAS gave me resources that helped steer me in the right direction toward my passions and goals. Exploring actual college classes, one-on-one time with my counselor, and support from my teachers and classmates only begin to describe the help that I am fortunate enough to have received as an SAS student.
I’d like to emphasize that last point – support from friends and teachers. By far, it is the people at SAS that truly make it an amazing place to be. The teachers I have worked with – including those from other campuses – have all been the best I have ever had. Each and every one is willing to go great lengths to ensure that you not only learn something, but that you are prepared to succeed beyond SAS. As for my peers, being surrounded by so much talent is motivating, and it will push you to become the best you that you can be. In my two years as an SAS student, I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. Plus, my classmates are going to be really rich and successful one day, so I can brag and say I went to high school with them.
I am so proud to be a graduate of the SAS Class of 2017, and the school, students, and teachers will always hold a special place in my heart.
David Fernandez
SAS Homestead Campus, Class of 2017
University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2021
David Zhou
SAS is an environment where students engage in stimulating discussions and interactions with both the students and the teachers. It is a community where vibrant, and passionate students learn and explore a wealth of knowledge together. But most importantly, it is a school where I can find my own niche and unique role among an accepting and diverse family. And thus, SAS becomes the familiar home I gladly choose over extra sleep every terrible morning.
David Zhou
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2017
Bowdoin College, Class of 2021
Esteban De Las Traviesas
Making the decision to transfer to SAS was a tough call, but I am proud to say that my time here has been extremely rewarding! The students and faculty at SAS help foster an atmosphere that challenges you to better yourself both academically and personally. With the guidance of teachers who do everything they can to help you succeed, it is impossible not to have an enriching experience.
The resources that SAS provided me with have allowed me to meet and go beyond the goals I set for myself, transforming who I am as a person. By having the opportunity to take unique courses in a variety of subjects, I discovered a newfound passion for learning. The experience that SAS provides is one of unquestioned merit. I have gained a number of skills and insights that I can no longer see myself without. Perhaps above all, the tight-knit community that I’ve found myself immersed in has inspired my academic success. Whenever I had difficulty understanding a concept or making a decision regarding my future, I was surrounded by peers and faculty who were always rooting for me.
The students, educators, and faculty of SAS are like family. I look forward to the future with comfort in the fact that, if need be, I can turn to my fellow white tigers for direction. I am grateful to have spent my last two years of high school at SAS because they have granted me indispensable memories, wisdom, and a new outlook on life.
Esteban De Las Traviesas
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2017
Columbia University, Class of 2021
Isachaly Campusano
Leaving my old school and coming to SAS is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Although I took dual enrollment courses there, I had no say in which those were. I was forced to take classes that did not interest me nor help me further my education in my field of interest: criminology. I felt trapped inside an agenda that did not stimulate or challenge my mind. I was looking for an escape, and the SAS academic rigor and freedom were just what I needed.
While I knew I was making the right choice, I still came into SAS scared that I wouldn’t be able to handle the pressure and I’d have my nose stuck in a textbook all the time, along with other doubts. These concerns were soon alleviated by the welcoming faculty who made sure I was not only learning, but engaged in the curriculum in a fun way. Sure enough, I did.
I took advantage of everything SAS offered. I took classes relating to my field, such as Introduction to Criminal Justice and Human Behavior in Criminal Justice. SAS also gave me the opportunity to intern with the CSI division of the Miami Police Department, since I had an open spot in my high school schedule. SAS exposed me to different cultural and philosophical perspectives that broadened my mind and helped me think critically. Not to mention, I did not expect to make friends with like-minded individuals who aspire to leave a mark in this world and also walk around campus bursting out singing ’90s R&B and Disney movie theme songs. They served as my support system and pushed me to reach for the stars, but also kept me in touch with reality.
SAS impacted me in a way that the old me could not dream possible. It allowed me to explore different academic disciplines while also solidifying my passion for criminology. SAS paved the way for me to succeed in a world that does not expect much from women of color. I am sincerely thankful for all of the lessons I’ve learned and skills I’ve picked up. For this reason, SAS will always hold a special place in my heart.
Isachaly Campusano
SAS Wolfson Campus, Class of 2017
University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2021
Ivan Shestopalov
SAS isn’t just a high school, it is an experience. It is the experience of freedom – from class choices to the very schedule of your day. It is the experience of open doors, of choosing your own path through life. Taking college courses along with regular high schools classes is a unique opportunity which cannot be found anywhere else and cannot be substituted with anything else. At SAS, you are not just a junior or senior taking a few dual-enrollment courses, you are a full-time enrollee of Miami-Dade College; taking part in two years of college life for free.
Here you will find a tight-knit community of passionate, dedicated students who simultaneously challenge and help one another through these two years. It is a group of people you cannot find in any other school – driven yet friendly, genuine yet kind. There is no other place I would rather have gone.”
Ivan Shestopalov
SAS Wolfson Campus, Class of 2017
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Class of 2021
James Leng
SAS is more than a school. It is a place that helped me grow. Many times at SAS I have found that I needed to balance my academics and my extracurriculars (of which I spent a lot of time on). With the stress accumulating, I found my self in a position of failure at times. It is through overcoming failure and realizing the skills I lacked that I was able to grow. SAS is not an easy place. But it is definitely a place where you can challenge yourself and grow as a person.
James Leng
SAS Wolfson Campus, Class of 2017
University of California Berkely, Class of 2021
Jessica Lamour
Entering School for Advanced Studies (SAS) as the fourth Lamour (4th in my family to attend), I was cognizant of the rigor, pressure, and challenge to come. I readily accepted this challenge knowing that in the end, graduating with my Associates in Arts degree, it would all be worth it. I thought I was ready for it all. However, to my surprise, what I was not ready for was the unassailable passion, diversity, and opportunity that SAS immediately exposed me to. Milton Berle once stated that “if opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”; in attending SAS the students, teachers, counselors, secretaries, and the administration were all vital building blocks to my door of success.
Here excellence is not only spoken about but also carried out as it is radiated throughout our student body. At SAS I was surrounded by teachers, who would with pleasure write me a recommendation letter upon my discovery of a scholarship -even if I asked hours before it was due! These are our teachers; teachers who genuinely want you to succeed so much so that your urgency would ultimately transform into their emergency. They became more than just our AP teachers; they were our friends, mentors, and cheerleaders. As a White Tiger I was surrounded by other White Tigers who although they came from diverse backgrounds, ultimately shared the same coat as me. This coat of brilliance, perseverance, and distinction made us a family; a family who never sought to be better than one another but rather greater together.
In attending SAS rare opportunities transformed into realistic opportunities. Before coming to this school, I would have never imagined that I would perform live on WLRN at the Miami-Dade School Board meeting, become a Mayor’s Shining Scholar, or even a Silver Knight nominee! But hey that is what happens at SAS, your greatest self is destined for augmentation.
Thank you SAS, I couldn’t have imagined my last two years of high school being as eventful and unforgettable anywhere else but here.
Jessica Lamour
SAS North Campus, Class of 2017
Emory University, Class of 2021
Julia Lee
I have dreamt about attending SAS since middle school when they first visited my school to talk to us about a way one would be able to graduate with an Associates of Arts degree along with a high school diploma.
It did not seem fathomable yet it was a challenge I was willing to take. During the first two years of high school, I realized that not everyone viewed school the same way I viewed it. For me, attending school was a blessing, and I wasn’t sure if I was surrounding myself with the right people. I wanted my peers to have the same amount of motivation towards school as I did but I felt different around them.
When I transferred to SAS, I immediately saw a difference in the attitudes of my classmates which made me more confident in being myself. Students around me were excited about their studies, passionate about their aspirations, and encouraging towards one another. Every person I met motivated me in accomplishing my goals and throughout the struggles of a packed schedule, we were all there for each other. Despite the late nights of endless amounts of homework and studying for both high school and college classes, I was able to get through it because of the friends and teachers who were right by my side the whole time.
The relationships that I made at SAS are ones I know will go beyond graduation and I am proud of all of my peers as they continue their successful future endeavors. The experience that SAS has gifted me is something that I would not have been able to get from any other high school. It is a preview of how college will really operate and heading off to a new state for higher education does not seem intimidating to me anymore. I am excited to continue striving to achieve my dreams and I thank SAS for helping me realize that I truly am capable of doing anything and everything.
Julia Lee
SAS Kendall Campus, Class of 2017
University of Virginia, Class of 2021
Lauren Paulet
I was originally one of those students who was not compelled to attend the School for Advanced Studies… obsessing over the minutiae of the “high school experience” as an opportunity cost. Witnessing the other intelligent students transferring to SAS from my school, I was stubbornly certain that I could perform well and reach the capstone of my old high school without much effort if I had stayed- an undoubtedly easier route. I threw away the SAS brochure…not knowing my mother had swiftly saved the trash that would become my treasure.
After the relentless persuasion by my parents and several days of deliberation, SAS became the attractive counter to the stagnating academic environment I was a part of. Six months past the deadline and one very tardy application submission later, I received my status: waitlisted…precariously teetering on the edge of an opportunity that would transform the course of my life. Only fate could decide for me, and I’m forever grateful the odds fell in my favor.
The benefits of increased academic freedom journeyed alongside the stressors of an unorthodox education. It’d be a lie to say that there weren’t times when I was pushed out of my comfort zone, or became intimidated by the thought of failure. These were the moments that provided for the greatest amount of growth, surrounded by a supportive family away from home.
I often ponder the thought of where I would be today, had I not tested my abilities and held high aspirations at SAS. Would I have flown off to attend the fly-in program at the university I am now attending? Would I have had the same personal interactions with the deans of admissions at prestigious institutions? Would I have held the same confidence in myself to even apply to colleges outside of my perceived league? Not likely…
The Latin saying “Veritas vos liberabit” translates in English to “The truth shall set you free”. The truth is that SAS is an unparalleled institution that grants each and every scholar the freedom to mold their potential into reality. SAS has served as the nexus to my success, to my future and to the world.
Lauren Paulet
SAS North Campus, Class of 2017
Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2021
Maria Pita
SAS has pushed me past my academic and personal boundaries. As an eleven grader, still uncomfortable in my new role as a full time high school and college student, I learned that SAS would not allow me to burrow within the convenience of my comfort zone. Throughout the last two years I’ve taken classes I never thought I would, pushed myself to volunteer for tasks I never believed myself brave enough to tackle, and made the best of friends in the most unlikely situations.
The two years I’ve spent at SAS have empowered me more than I can convey. I’ve grown stronger in my convictions, unwavering in my pursuit of excellence, and more proud than ever of the person I am at the end of this remarkable journey. As Dr. Monteagudo frequently warned, SAS is not for the faint of heart. It is taxing and difficult, but is to date, my proudest accomplishment. It is here that my dreams took flight and I mustered the courage to reach for the stars.
Maria Pita
SAS Kendall Campus, Class of 2017
Duke University, Class of 2021
Melany Hernandez
I remember passing by the large blue and white billboard advertising School for Advanced Studies. My first reaction was, “No way! I am not leaving my current school.” But, my curiosity got the best of me and soon enough I was at MDC’s testing center.
From the minute I walked into the hallway on the first day of school, I knew I would not regret my decision to attend SAS. Astonished to see charismatic individuals offering assistance as opposed to my previous institution’s sometimes rude demeanor, my first day of junior year felt like entering another universe in which I fit right in.
It has now been almost two years since then; I have just graduated Miami Dade College and will soon be graduating high school at SAS. I cannot help but ponder what would have happened if I would have stayed at my home school. I would have not been introduced to such intellectual individuals who sometimes leave me dazed with their knowledge. I would not have known about opportunities such as QuestBridge and fly-in programs. I would not have known what an Ivy League institution meant. In reality, I would not have been pushed to excel as much as I have during my time at School for Advanced Studies. And most of all, I would have not done it surrounded by teachers, classmates and administration who truly care and know me personally. It is incredible how one decision can shift your life entirely, I rate my experience a 10/10 and would recommend SAS to EVERYONE.
Melany Hernandez
SAS North Campus, Class of 2017
Emory University, Class of 2021
Myles Lopez
A lot of people come to SAS alone, like I did. The close friends and stellar academic record you forged in the last two years at your old school are suddenly dimmed as you take the spotlight, front and center on an unfamiliar stage. What will you do next? Run and hide, or connect and thrive? Under tremendous pressure, you are partial to the former. But because you’ve learned to confront pressure and use it to your advantage your entire life, the latter prevails. SAS is kind of an odd school because everyone here functions similarly. Where else would you find this?
We are challenged with the toughest classes, the most rigorous workloads—then in another two years, we’re in our first semesters of college after SAS, often at the best schools in the state or country. Just like that. And all of the people that you met in SAS are still your closest friends. We bonded over being scared of what’s to come. We crammed for the AP Macroeconomics exam together and triumphed with 4’s and 5’s. We found our dream schools. We met rejection. We sat through a college-level Calculus 2 class that met at 7 a.m. and left with A’s and B’s. We met opportunities we could not take up. We cried. We made the heart-wrenching, exciting decisions of what schools we will be attending in the Fall of 2017. SAS was truly our Dream Factory because it gathered talented people from all over the county and gave us the opportunity to realize our dreams. SAS taught me that I will succeed no matter where I go. No matter what stage we’re on, or how blinding the spotlight, the White Tigers will prove victorious.
Myles Lopez
SAS North Campus, Class of 2017
University of Florida, Class of 2019
Ricardo Torres-Garzón
Street poet and philosopher Jermaine Lamarr Cole once said: “there’s always going to be a bigger house somewhere, always going to be a car that’s better than the one you have, always going to be clothes fresher than the ones you rock, always going to be a girl that’s prettier out there on the tours, but you will never be happy until you love yours.”
Originally, when faced with the academic challenges SAS provides, I was quick to compare my accomplishments and capabilities to those of other students in an effort to fit in. The quality of ‘adapting to survive’ seemed to dominate how I viewed my place at SAS. However, I saw a different quality in my fellow peers as junior year progressed: the quality to thrive. I learned that valuing my identity would allow me to thrive rather than simply survive the adversity I would come to face in my time at SAS and afterwards in life. Every human has his or her exclusive identity, one to be harnessed as life progresses, and further shaped by experience. The cheerful moments shared with friends, stressful nights completing applications for universities and scholarships, and thoughtful conversations with college professors and high school teachers all evoked a sense of introspection that allowed myself and my peers to discover our interests, desires, and aspirations for future successes. Most of all, the impactful moments experienced at SAS provided a means to appreciate what each student, including myself, had to bring to the table: diversity.
Embracing diversity is the gateway to ‘love yours.’ To love your quirky personality, your smile with braces or without, your cultural background, your embarrassing friends and family, and much more. The places that embrace diversity are those that allow ourselves to feel most at home. Above all, it is in places that embrace diversity that we learn to love ourselves for who we are and cherish the unique talents with which we find our purpose in life. SAS is more than a school, it is a community teeming with knowledge of all trades. One that couples personal edification with thoughtful structure, and most importantly, one that encourages you to ‘love yours.’ SAS is home.
Ricardo Torres-Garzón
SAS Kendall, Class of 2017
Williams College, Class of 2021
Sam Merritt
Once I established a close group of friends and became comfortable at my previous high school, the idea of switching to SAS made me very nervous. Despite my qualms, I accepted the opportunity with a hopeful and eager heart. After the first quarter of my junior year, I realized that the School for Advanced Studies is a high school unlike any other, filled with motivated and unique students. What started as an awkward group of unfamiliar high schoolers quickly developed into the tightly knit SAS student body, cultivated by engaging classes and impromptu study groups. The school’s culture is notable for its quirkiness and being inclusive.
Respect from the administration and generous amounts of freedom come at a price: responsibility. I have grown into a much more responsible and organized individual through my time at SAS. These traits have helped me manage my workload and have prepared me to be more successful in college/adulthood. The professors and teachers that I have had at SAS served to guide and refine my outlook on politics, philosophy, and life. I believe this school is the most intellectually stimulating one in Florida, which has provided me with opportunities that I never would have dreamed of. I can honestly say that I have never, not even for a second, had a feeling of regret during my SAS experience.
Sam Merritt
SAS Kendall Campus, Class of 2017
University of Chicago, Class of 2021
Sebastian Abisleiman
SAS has meant the world to me and more because it has enabled me to pursue a multitude of experiences not normally found in a typical high school.
At SAS I participated in mock trial, completed internship at a “makerspace” and a engineering firm, and participated in student government as class treasurer. These experiences have given me different perspectives and insights into different fields so that I could make a sounder decision as to what I planned on studying in the future.
This variety of experiences that I have had was only made possible through the freedom and responsibility that the SAS environment offers. I was able to utilize my time wisely and efficiently towards many goals including completing my Associate’s Degree with Miami Dade College. This also allowed me to pursue high-powered model rocketry, founding the Model Rocketry Club, and participating in other STEM oriented clubs. Responsible use of freedom has been critical to my success at SAS.
Equally critical to my accomplishments at SAS has been the environment that students and teachers provide. The teachers are unimaginably well versed in their subject areas and are always ready to assist if the need arises. They are also very friendly and it is not unusual to find a student in an amicable discussion or debate. The student community is also very supportive as peers are always helping each other in every occasion possible while also promoting achievement in others.
Ultimately, SAS has been my home and has allowed me to thrive during my two years in a way unimaginable anywhere else.
Sebastian Abisleiman
SAS Wolfson Campus, Class of 2017
Case Western Reserve University, Class of 2021
Sophia Saenz
SAS is known to be unique due to the incredible opportunity it provides for its students, allowing them to graduate with their AA degree before they receive a high school degree. However, SAS is much more than that. In my two short years here SAS has changed my life in ways I never thought possible. Both of my parents immigrated to the United States as adults, so they knew very little about the college process. I had no one to guide me through high school and was scared about the college application process. At SAS I received more help than I could ever imagine. My teachers would review my college essays, my counselor assisted me through the application process, and thanks to SAS, I had opportunities that I would not of had at a regular high school, such as the Hillary Clinton rally I got to attend. The adults at my school truly cared about me and prepared me for the future in ways a traditional school could never do. My teachers made sure I would succeed in their class, they would provide tutoring whenever needed, and dedicate their time to helping students. Honestly I have SAS to thank for many of my achievements.
Coming from a family where only my sister had gone to college in the United States, I was unaware of many of the opportunities that where available to students like me. I had no idea of all the resources that were within my reach. It was thanks to the emails that my counselor sent me that I became aware of all the options I had. They all contained information about internships and scholarships I could qualifie for. At SAS I was constantly informed of all the resources available to me. Suddenly, all the worries I had freshmen and sophomore year were gone.
SAS has taught me one of the most important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and that was how to balance the different aspects of my life, such as my family life, academic life, and social life, and I could not be more grateful for that. While the students are academically focused and there is no denying that, they are also regular kids. I can vent to my friends about how much I dislike Shonda Rhimes for killing George from Grey’s Anatomy, but I can also ask them for help on a Calculus problem. I’ve been surround by students that have similar goals as me and this has inspired me to do better. At SAS students demonstrate that nothing is impossible and through hard work and dedication any dream can become a reality.
Sophia Saenz
SAS Kendall Campus, Class of 2017
University of Florida, Class of 2019
Tamara Gomez-Ortigoza
Since day one of my junior year I knew that deciding to come to SAS was one of the best decisions I had ever taken. From my earliest years, I have always been a dedicated and intellectually curious student who always felt somewhat restrained by traditional schools. Being able to choose classes from a handful of electives was simply not enough for me to feel truly challenged and explore the topics that genuinely interested me. Thus, when I first heard about the rigorous academic program that SAS offered its students along with true freedom to choose from a variety of college classes in order to complete an Associate’s Degree at Miami Dade College, I knew SAS was the place for me.
Two years later there has not been a day when I have regretted my decision to attend SAS. That is not to say I have not had days of doubt, or days when I yearned desperately for a relief from the endless dance of AP classes, college classes, college preparation, and college applications that is SAS.
However, these moments of doubt were few and utterly overshadowed by the many triumphs and moments of unparalleled elation that SAS has brought me. At SAS I unfurled my wings and soared for the first time. I explored new disciplines at the college, met incredibly ambitious young adults like myself, and had the freedom to discover new passions. Yet, what I found to be the most remarkable aspect of SAS was the incredible faculty. Never before have I met teachers and school administrators who so genuinely cared about me and were willing to go above and beyond to help me succeed. SAS teachers are individuals who will happily take time away from their personal lives to offer students personalized tutoring or college essay help. They are brilliant individuals who will make the densest concepts go through like water. Indeed, SAS has somehow managed to gather some of the most capable and passionate educators I have ever encountered.
I will never forget my time at SAS, for it has forged me into a better version of myself. My ambition when I entered SAS was vibrant but shapeless in many ways. Now it is honed and focused. As I graduate and move on to a new epoch of my life, I will warmly treasure the many beautiful memories that I formed over the past two years. Thank you SAS.
Tamara Gomez-Ortigoza
SAS Wolfson Class of 2017
Dartmouth College Class of 2021
Victoria Lageyre
When I was in ninth grade, my cousin was graduating from SAS, and she invited all of her family to come to her graduation at Miami Dade College. I eagerly went, excited to see what a college graduation looked like. After the graduation ceremony was over, I knew that I wanted to do that, too. My parents brushed it off thinking, “Oh, she’s just joking. She doesn’t really want to suffer for the last two years of high school.” When I approached my parents a few months later with the completed SAS application in hand, they knew it was no joke.
From the first day of my junior year at SAS, I knew I made the right decision. I’ve never felt more at home in a school setting. The SAS curriculum proved to be challenging while at the same time allowing me to thrive. I now know how to manage my time effectively, juggling college classes, AP level tasks, and college applications. It definitely wasn’t easy; there were countless late nights spent doing homework and even more mornings when all I wanted to do was keep setting my timer for just five more minutes. However, while it wasn’t always fun, it was definitely worth it. The knowledge and opportunities available to me during these past two years far exceeded the opportunities I had at my previous high school.
The experience that I’ve had at SAS has shaped me in so many ways. The memories I’ve made here will last me a lifetime. From the endless inside jokes with the teachers to the many lunchtime periods spent laughing with friends, SAS will always be my second home.
Victoria Lageyre
SAS Homestead Campus, Class of 2017
University of Florida, Class of 2021
Yvenide Belizaire
When I arrived at School for Advanced Studies (SAS) I was simultaneously inspired and intimidated. I would look out among the crowd of students to find them all engaged in the lesson; this is to be expected because SAS is a community of highly dedicated students, but I’d never seen this anywhere else. SAS was definitely challenging, when I first arrived my “best” suddenly wasn’t earning me the A that I expected. SAS was not an easy journey; I remember sobbing to my counselor and teacher about how I felt like I was lagging behind in my math class. They both showed me a paramount amount of support, and reassured me to keep trying. That’s one of the life lessons I’ve taken away from SAS; to remain persistent in the midst of difficulties.
Additionally, the variety of courses offered at SAS and MDC allowed me the opportunity to learn more about the world and most importantly about myself. Before SAS I was shy, but I stand confidently today because of the amazing clubs that gave me opportunities to speak and the wonderful teachers who encouraged it. Most significantly, SAS offered me a variety of resources that helped me bridge the gap from a low income first generation student to getting accepted to an amazing liberal arts school. The wonderful counselors and teachers continuously guided me through my junior year feeling of inadequacy, through my senior year fears of rejection and now as I embark on an new journey, I have no doubt that the SAS community will continue to stand with me.
Yvenide Belizaire
SAS North Campus, Class of 2017
Hamilton College, Class of 2021