Camila Chavez is a senior at Coral Gables Senior High. She was born in Cuba and moved to the U.S. at the beginning of her sophomore year. She is a high-achieving student and has been an active member of the Interact Club since 2023. Camila is part of the National Honor Society and is excited to be a new staff member of CavsConnect. She is passionate about volunteer work and dedicates a section of her weekends to helping shelter animals. She loves dogs so much that she thinks it’s unfair they have such a short lifespan. Camila also gives back to the community by cleaning beaches and tutoring kids at her local library. When she is home alone, she plays guitar, listens to her favorite singers — Renee Rapp, ABBA, Cigarettes After Sex, and Taylor Swift — and binge-watches classic shows like Friends and Gossip Girl. She’s a fan of old romcoms, even though sometimes she prefers listening to serial killer podcasts. Camila spent her summer with friends and family, learned to fish, took dual enrollment classes and prepared for college applications. She plans to get more involved this school year and hopes to earn her Associate of Arts degree in Computer Science by the time she graduates high school. Camila hopes her senior year feels like the movies and cannot wait to leave Miami to continue pursuing her education.

Gianna Figueroa is a senior in the International Baccalaureate program at Gables, returning to CavsConnect with vibrant determination to make her third and final year and first as Features Editor count. Driven by her passion for storytelling, Gianna is excited to lead the Features section and looks forward to helping her staff grow as writers by offering meaningful edits to amplify their stories. Beyond the Features section, Gianna extends her involvement on campus as Vice President of Secretaries for Interact, Banquet Chair of Quill & Scroll and Peer Health Educator for the Health Information Project. Alongside balancing academics and extracurriculars, she enjoys sketching, painting and reading; creative outlets that have allowed her to express herself from a young age. This year, she aims to elevate her writing style for her all-time favorite section, Features, by brainstorming creative angles to highlight the impactful voices within the Gables community. On top of this, she hopes to spark a passion for Features storytelling within her staff. She feels extremely grateful to be a part of this beloved publication, which has shaped her high school experience. Gianna is pleased to say she has been recognized by the Florida Scholastic Press Association and, most recently, Best of Student Newspapers Online for her writing. Determined to take the Features section to new heights, she is inspired to help her staff gain recognition for their work, the same way past Features Editor Aaron Rojas once did for her. As she wraps up her studies in the IB program, Gianna looks forward to seeing her past four years of hard work pay off while making the most of the time she has left with her family and friends. She hopes to strengthen and create new bonds, continue growing as a writer and artist and embrace any new opportunities that come her way before heading off to college. Although the future is full of endless possibilities, one thing remains certain: Gianna knows her heart belongs to crafting engaging Features stories and serving her community. Anticipating the pursuit of her dream career, a sacred secret she prefers to keep close until it’s been achieved, she continues to dedicate her time to the things that matter most to her, bringing her closer to the life she envisions.

Brooke Lawson is a senior in the International Baccalaureate program at Coral Gables Senior High. Brooke is a first year member of CavsConnect and is excited for what is to come. She is a member of various clubs along with being on the board of the Andrea Jamie Medical Leaders club. Brooke is very passionate about soccer and aspires to play in college or professionally. She is currently a member of the girls varsity soccer team, along with playing on a travel club team.  Brooke is very interested in expanding her media skills and is looking forward to what is to come this year.

Carolina Reyes is a sophomore at Coral Gables Senior High School with a deep love for marine biology and an even deeper curiosity about the weird and wonderful life beneath the waves. She is an active student in the Academy of Finance program and including in several clubs including key club, Gables Best Buddies and Future Business Leaders of America club. She is known for her responsibility, focus and willingness to support her peers. She is developing practical skills in financial literacy and leadership that prepare her for future world. She consistently strives for academic excellence, and she is actively involved in class projects and extracurricular activities that enhance her understanding of real-world financial challenges and solutions. With dreams of becoming a marine biologist (or possibly a mermaid, whichever comes first), she spends her time learning about coral reefs, sea turtles, and the occasional deep-sea creature that looks like it came from outer space. Her time on the lifeguard stand has given her firsthand experience with ocean safety, water rescue and understanding how humans interact with the sea. It’s the perfect blend of her love for the water and her commitment to keeping both people and nature safe.