Last week we wrote about three of this year’s Woman’s Club Scholarship recipients, and this week we happily spotlight the other five. As Club President Mayra Lindsay and scholarship committee chair Patricia Bowles emphasized at the awards luncheon, all eight are exceptional young people with bright futures ahead.
Sofia Abbondati was born in Buenos Aires and moved with her family to Key Biscayne ten years ago. She played high school water polo and worked at the Beach Club. She enjoys taking walks on the beach and sums up her affection for the Key in four words: “I love it here!” Sofia is graduating from MAST Academy and will attend Purdue University, where she plans to study biomedical engineering. She looks forward to all the new opportunities college will provide.and ultimately hopes to attend medical school.
Amandine Paran honed her leadership and project management skills during high school by working at the Beach Club, coaching youth volleyball, and serving as captain of her high school volleyball teams. Last year, she and her sister spearheaded a project to collect and clean bottle caps that were recycled into a bench, promoting awareness about single-use plastics along the way. Amandine is graduating from MAST Academy and will attend Florida State University, where she plans to study business management.
Eduardo Ignacio Solorzano moved with his family to Key Biscayne from South Carolina eleven years ago. He played varsity water polo and tennis, which he also coaches. He combines his love for the outdoors with his mechanical inclination by riding and repairing mountain bikes. Last summer he put his CAD (computer-aided design) skills to work during an engineering internship. Eduardo is graduating from Coral Gables High School and will attend Purdue University, where he plans to study mechanical engineering.
Lorenzo Tamayo worked as a tutor in high school and played for the Key Biscayne Rugby Rats. In his free time, he plays tennis and goes to the beach as often as he can. Lorenzo is graduating from MAST Academy and will attend the University of Florida, where he plans to major in mechanical engineering and technology. In addition to focusing on his studies, he aspires to become a better cook while at college.
Jake White has lived on Key Biscayne his entire life and is grateful to the community for shaping him into the person he has become. He takes inspiration from his late grandmother, Helen White, crediting her with teaching him to believe in himself and to stand up for what he thinks is right. Jake is graduating from MAST Academy and will attend Purdue, where he plans to study industrial engineering. He is looking forward to college life in Indiana but is a little concerned about the cold weather and says he will miss his mom’s good cooking.
Sofia and Eduardo were unfortunately unable to attend the awards luncheon and are not pictured here.
For the last #lighterside column, click here.
STEPHEN A. CALLS OUT LEBRON for Giannis and NBA eras comments 
| First Take
