As the newest batch of freshmen embark on their Cavalier journey, Coral Gables Senior High School welcomes students with different backgrounds, interests and goals. Yet, a couple of these students are quite familiar with the campus already. Thanks to the Little Cavaliers Preschool, freshman Jazlyn Vazquezbello and Sophie Leon have been part of the Gables family from the moment they learned to walk as babies.
Freshman Jazlyn Vazquezbello
For Jazlyn Vazquezbello, it was written in the stars for her to attend Gables. Working at the home of the Cavaliers before Vazquezbello was even born, Ms. Vazquezbello, who teaches Pre-International Baccalaureate English, Advanced Placement English Language and Composition and Theory of Knowledge found it to be an easy and practical choice to enroll her in the Little Cavaliers Preschool.
During her time as a Childcare student, Vazquezbello was able to make unique and personal connections with some of her peers as toddlers. Befriending each kid with the help of her high school “buddy”, Vazquezbello made the most of this system to form friendships with other kids her age. Creating unbreakable bonds up until this day, Vazquezbello remains friends with many of the kids from the program she used to share giggles and nap times with.
Knowing the school like the back of her hand, for Vazquezbello, her first day of freshmen year was a breeze. Experiencing a full circle moment, walking down the same hallways she used to explore as a little girl brought her a surreal feeling and a sense of comfort. Though Vazquezbello misses being a little kid and having no worries, she is excited to make the most of her high school experience.
As a freshman, Vazquezbello finds herself surrounded by teachers she had already created a bond with, and finds reassurance knowing that there is always someone around the corner she can rely on to lend her a helping hand. While some might find it overwhelming to have a parent nearby all day, Vazquezbello enjoys knowing her mom is just a few fifty feet away from her.
Branching out in middle school, Vazquezbello enjoyed activities ranging from theatre, debate, yearbook and the Science Engineering Communications Math and Enrichment club. As an incoming freshman, she is a part of CavsConnect and Student Activities. She plans on joining Interact, Gables Wellness and the International Baccalaureate Honor Society. Even though she has grown up since she was last at Gables, at her core, she is still the little girl she used to be, excited to discover all the new opportunities Gables holds for her.
“If I were to wish for anything for Jazlyn’s high school journey, I would hope she takes advantage of everything that is available to her and that she gives it the best that she possibly can. But if I were to describe this full circle moment I would just say proud. I am always so proud of her,” Ms. Vazquezbello said.
Freshman Sophia Leon
Feeling a great sense of joy as she walked the halls, for Sophia Leon Gables has always felt like a second home. Keeping her little one close at work, Ms. Chaviano, Master of Science Exceptional Student Education teacher, enrolled her daughter Leon in the Little Cavaliers Preschool, where she quickly came into her own.
Close to Leons’ heart, her favorite memories were made during nap time. As all the other kids lie awake and were ready to learn, Leon cherished her naps and would be fast asleep despite her teachers nudging her awake.
Although Leon was only truly familiar with the Childcare hallway, she was pleasantly surprised by all the people at Gables willing to help her navigate the school. If she ever finds herself lost again or in a predicament, Leon knows she can always count on her mother, former Childcare teacher Ms. Baez and lifelong friend and fellow freshman Jazlyn Vazquezbello to guide her. Though she may have gotten lost on the first day a few times, Leon feels at ease alongside the support of familiar faces.
“If I could say anything to a current Little Cavalier or their parent, I’d tell them to definitely come back. It’s a very familiar and nostalgic feeling you get when you pass by the childcare room. It’s really fun to be back where you used to come to school,” freshman Sophia Leon said.
Hoping to nurture their mother-daughter relationship throughout these upcoming four years of high school, Leon spends her lunch time with Ms. Chaviano. As much as Leon misses her childhood nap times, she is thrilled to experience high school life.
With her first year just unfolding, Leon is apart of Catharsis, as she is interested in creative writing. Leon returns as a high school helper for Childcare at Gables, deciding to give back to the same program she was apart of 10 years ago. On top of this, in her spare time Leon enjoys creating her own jewelry and reading books of her choice. As she ponders what clubs she is interested in joining, Leon believes her Cavalier experience will be just as amazing as it was the first time.
“I sometimes see Sophia going somewhere, and I’m like, oh she’s going to math, or something like that. And you know it makes me feel super proud, like that’s my daughter, and I know she’s a wonderful student,” Ms. Chaviano said.
With plans to get further involved and contribute greatly to Gables, these Little Cavaliers have grown greatly over the years. From favoriting nap time to now being apart of one of the many publications at Gables, Vazquezbello and Leon look forward to kicking off their high school journeys on a high note.
