Returning to the familiar halls they once roamed in, the De la Vega sisters, having an unbreakable connection to their alma mater at Coral Gables Senior High, came back not as only students, but as teachers. Both Ms. Monica and Ms. Natalie De la Vega felt like they had never left. Although far proximity to each other on campus, they have never felt closer. Returning to the pride of being a Cavalier, both sisters have seen what changed and what they needed to learn.
Ms. Natalie De la Vega
The graduating class of 2001, Ms. Natalie De la Vega came back to Gables feeling as if though she never left. As a freshman, she was confident in her studies and sports. Even though she was new, her family has had an extensive history of being Cavaliers.
“Coming in as a freshman I actually had two older cousins that came here who were just graduating when I was coming in. They took it upon themselves to take me and let me meet all their friends, letting everyone know I was their younger cousin, so, I came in more confident since I knew I had people that knew who I was. Yet, I was still nervous since I played softball which brought a lot of expectations of what I should bring to the team as a new member,” Ms. Natalie De la Vega said.
As an International Baccalaureate student athlete, juggling three sports, Ms. Natalie De la Vega has done it all. From playing through the fall, winter and spring seasons, she never had a dull moment at Gables. Playing for the volleyball, basketball and softball varsity teams, she additionally took it upon herself to become a star athlete.
“Tips I would give is just to show teachers that you are prioritizing your academics and if ever you are going to miss a class, take it upon yourself to ask for the makeup work ahead. Being an athlete, I had missed many of my classes, and having the responsibility of being captain for my team, it made me realize how on top of my work I needed to be,“ Ms. Natalie De la Vega said.
Coming back to Gables was something she never expected. Influenced by someone whom she trusted, IB Biology teacher Mr. Molina convinced Ms. Natalie De la Vega to return to the world of sciences. As she entered the hallways and familiar buildings, she began learning the footsteps of her former teachers and getting used to talking to them daily.
“I’ve known her since she was a freshman athlete here at Gables, so I have known her for quite a long time. She was a tough athlete and a dedicated person. As she graduated from college and I hired her as a softball coach, I thought it showed value to the kids since they are seeing somebody that was here before and that has grown. That is one of the main reasons I brought her back, and the fact of brining her back felt comfort to me and even her. It is always good to have people around you that you know and that have your back,” Mr. Molina said.
Returning here brought back memories with nostalgia for the connection she has built around the word Cavalier. Walking back into Gables with Mr. Molina’s influence, she realized that being around the spiritedness felt like a second home.
“I felt like I never left. Mr. Molina was the athletic director and he was my high school teacher. Not only that, but it also took me a while to get used to Mr. Nelson by his first name, and just felt weird to me,” Ms. Natalie De la Vega said.
Ms. Monica De la Vega
Just like her older sister, Ms. Monica De la Vega was also a well rounded student athlete and her transition from Gables to college and then back to Gables went by fast. Graduating in 2006 as an IB student, she entered as a college student at the University of Tampa and Florida International University.
“I had my siblings that came here, and one was still here when I was here so he helped me out and prepare. For sports, I just needed to come to volleyball practice in the summer. Once I started meeting more people I started feeling more comfortable and helped me transition confidently in my freshman year,” Ms. Monica De la Vega said.
Influenced by her sister’s return, she had no intention of becoming an educator. Ultimately deciding to return to having the mascot as a Cavalier, Ms. Monica De la Vega was referred to by her sister.
“My sister was brought back by Mr. Molina and then she brought me back since she needed an assistant as a part-time job, and I got stuck and never left,” Ms. Monica De la Vega said.
Working initially as a substitute teacher and later following her sister’s footsteps, Ms. Monica De la Vega found her independence from academics by entering into sports as the Head Coach of the girls’ volleyball team. Creating a personal bond with her volleyball team, she made it her priority to foster positive sportsmanship on and off the court.
“She is a really great coach and she is always bringing everyone up. She has a great attitude and really knows what to say in tough situations. She has helped me as an athlete by encouraging me to just shake off bad points. Not only that but she has taught me that volleyball is not just a game,” freshman Natasha Macau said.
Being reminded of all the memorable moments she experienced as a student and the changes since she left, Ms. Monica De la Vega has seen her life in Gables grow, along with a sense of emotion, with a new roster of students walking across her door at the beginning of each school year.
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“We had some really good pep rallies. Also, the football games at Tropical Park were a huge thing. I also have very good friends from volleyball that I traveled with over the summer, even as a teacher. Being back also felt like I never left, and took so time getting used to seeing my teachers and transitioning them into my co-workers,” Ms. Monica De la Vega said.
Switching up the role from student to teacher, both De la Vega sisters have shown their uniqueness and how they can be different in what they achieve. They have shown compassion and school pride throughout their years by embellishing the catchphrase, “Always Remember, Go Cavs” in everything they do.
