Hudson High School / Pasco County
Michael is a senior at Hudson High School; he ranks 3/237 with a weighted GPA of 4.41 and will be a first-generation college student.
He stays busy with studies and involvement with the National Honor Society, the Cambridge Program, and the high school basketball team, where he is the co-captain. Michael also finds time to volunteer as a junior counselor at his local Boys and Girls Club.
As a student at Florida State University, he would like to study marine biology and intern with Coastal Wetlands Research affiliated with the Florida Wildlife Conservation in Tallahassee. Eventually, Michael hopes to graduate with a Ph.D. and have a career at a university research laboratory or for an environmental advocacy organization.
He became interested in marine biology when he and his father would frequent the Florida Aquarium. Michael wants to complete his marine biology studies with oceanography, aquatic biology, animal science, zoology, and conservation biology.
Michael credits his leadership and determination to his dad and grandparents. “A leader must show compassion toward others and put their feelings ahead of yours. You need to build people up, not tear them down.” This is a quote from his grandmother.