Making Their Mark
Harlem Academy students strive for excellence, meet challenges with determination, and care deeply for their community. No matter what path they choose after leaving our halls, our graduates take these same qualities into the wider world. We caught up with a few alumni to hear how they are making their mark.
Micaela in sixth grade, eager to take part in a class discussion.
Micaela Gonzalez ’21 program and helms the Hispanic Organization for Latino Awareness affinity group.
Senior at Riverdale
Freshmen mentor
Attending UPenn to study nursing
Ask Riverdale senior When she’s not in class, captaining the softball team, or participating in Micaela Gonzalez indoor track and field, Micaela spends a lot of her time at Riverdale helping what is most others. “It’s how I show my gratitude the opportunities granted to me.” important to her, and for Micaela leads Friendly Fridge, a club that educates students about food she’ll say service. insecurity and helps provide food “I’ve always had a passion for giving back to my community.” It’s the reason she will study nursing when she heads to University of Pennsylvania this fall. “Nursing is providing care. I’ve known for a while that it is the career I want to pursue.” 6 | Harlem Academy
for people in need. She is a member of Best Buddies, which helps foster relationships between students and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also mentors incoming freshmen as part of her school’s peer-assisted leadership
Of Micaela’s many activities, one in particular is an investment in her future. “I’m also 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.” 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 Creed says, the reward is big!”