Miami Students Engage in Community Service Through Leadership Program

As summer draws to a close in South Florida, a group of nine high school juniors and seniors have dedicated their time to a transformative 8-week paid internship program focused on community service. Participants, including 17-year-old Nicolas Castillo from Mast Academy, engaged in various projects, such as collaborating with Blue Missions, a Miami-based organization that facilitates mission trips to the Dominican Republic. These trips involve building water trenches and establishing sustainable water sources, providing invaluable hands-on experience. Among the participants is Rocio Pena, a Venezuelan immigrant attending Doral Academy, who emphasizes her commitment to giving back to her community. "Helping my community is a really big thing for me because I want to help as many people that went through the same thing as me," she stated, highlighting her personal motivation. Alejandro Paes-Sansonetti, a recent Coral Reef High School graduate, expressed his passion for science and community development, noting his involvement in projects addressing food insecurity. Mikaela Robaina, a junior at Miami Arts Studio, is leveraging her interest in journalism to enhance media literacy among younger students. She initiated a community service project aimed at introducing broadcast journalism education in elementary schools, ensuring that students have access to resources for their educational advancement. These exceptional students, part of Bank of America's student leadership program, are not only acquiring essential skills for future success but also serving as role models for their peers. In late July, they participated in a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where they learned about the collaboration between nonprofits, governments, and businesses.