Next Stop, UPenn

When she’s not in class, captaining the softball team, or participating in indoor track and field, Micaela spends a lot of her time at Riverdale helping others. “It’s how I show my gratitude for the opportunities granted to me.” Micaela leads Friendly Fridge, a club that helps to provide food for people in need, and is a member of Best Buddies, which fosters relationships between students and people with disabilities. She also mentors incoming freshmen as part of her school’s peer-assisted leadership program.

Of Micaela’s many activities, one in particular is an investment in her future. “I’m in the medicine club and have been able to practice suturing, learn about disease prevention and spread, and talk to public health workers and doctors about their experiences. I joined last year because I was interested in furthering my education in the sciences, specifically medicine.”

READY TO GROW

As she excitedly looks ahead to UPenn, Micaela is confident she’ll succeed. “The rigorous course load at Harlem Academy was fundamental to my preparation for Riverdale,” she says. “The analytical writing we did was particularly helpful, and I am so grateful for the close reading practice.” Now, those skills will transfer on to college. “Having faith in myself and my potential is the spark that keeps me going. When you push yourself and never give up, like the School Creed says, the reward is big!”