Breakthrough Miami Alumni Network

“Raul’s extracurricular involvement is solely focused on education and community service. He is an active member of the Anchor Club (Service-Based), Chess Club, Physics Club and Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics) Club. He completed an internship at Florida International University’s Wolfe Center, in order to build professional skills. Raul is unassuming, compassionate and kind, a true scholar, and he aspires to make a difference in the world.” - Ms. Jan Spivak, M.S.

The BreakthroughMIami Alumni Network is excited to announce this additional $150 book scholarship award this year. Graduating from Miami Springs Senior High school, Raul Vaquedano will be enrolling at Rochester Institute of Technology this fall. He hopes to  pursue a future in robotics or computer engineering/programming, working at companies along the line of Microsoft or iRobot in addition to contributing to the works of Boston Dynamics if possible.

“I hope to become a person who is very well driven to strive to be the best in everything that I involve myself in. I want to be involved in different things on campus and participate in many events whether I’m the leader or the volunteer.  Having a strong work ethic and a thrive to learn and try new things will allow me to prosper and expand as a leader and could put me on the pedestal of starting my own clinical firm dedicated to children with disabilities and aiming to provide endless opportunities for them to find themselves and grow mentally.”  - Jaylah Knowles 

The BreakthroughMIami Alumni Network is excited to announce an additional $150 book scholarship award this year. Graduating from Jose Marti Mast 6-12 Academy, Jaylah Knowles will be enrolling at the University of Central Florida this fall. She plans on obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and occupational therapy with the desire to later obtain a Occupational Therapy Doctorate to fulfill her pass of working with children with disabilities. 

“Kamryn has a deep passion for creating change in her community and I’ve witnessed her grow into one of the most accomplished young women that I’ve interacted with. Observing her success over the past six years has served as a motivator for her peers and the students that she serves with the Breakthrough Miami Organization.” - Breakthrough Miami Site Director, Kenneth Garrett  

The BreakthroughMiami Alumni Network is excited to announce the second recipient of a $300 book scholarship award this year. Graduating from Dr. MIchael Krop Senior High School, Kamryn Walker will be enrolling Davidson College this fall. When asked about education and career goals, she stated that her intended career choice is to become an Aerospace Engineer for NASA. After receiving her Bachelors’ in Physics and or Chemistry, Kamryn plans on attending Columbia University for graduate school. With this knowledge, she hopes to design and help create spacecrafts to increase both NASA’s and the world’s knowledge of other planets and space elements. 

“Education has always been a pillar for me to rely on. My Filipino parents have instilled the need to do be studious but throughout the years, my love for learning has stemmed beyond that. To share my love for learning through service is why I have dedicated the past three summers to Breakthrough.” - Isabel Armedilla

The BreakthroughMiami Alumni Network is excited to announce the first recipient of a $300 book scholarship award this year. Graduating from Mast at FIU’s BIscayne Bay campus, Isabel Armedilla will be enrolling  at the University of Florida this fall. Once on campus, she plans to major in neuroscience and minor in public health to address the discrepancies of health, knowledge, and medical treatment to communities of color. By doing so, she hopes to facilitate more meaningful relationships students have with science.

Unable to physically celebrate with the BreakthroughMiami scholars as they transition to alumnus this year, due to Covid 19, we are excited to announce the recipients of our Second Annual BTMAN Book Scholarship! Since 2019, the BTMAN has established a book scholarship to award seniors to help offset the cost of books for their first semester of college.

Alumni Highlight:

Congrats to Kalyn Lee on her Rookie Teacher of the Year Award! Kalyn was a BTM Teaching Fellow (2014 & 2015 at Ransom Everglades Site) and a Summer Site Coordinator at College Bound (2016).

We are proud of you, say we are proud of you! 👏🏽

BTM Alumni Highlight - Anyssa Chebbi

Anyssa recently joined the BTM Alumni Board. She currently lives in Center City Philadelphia, where she works as a senior management consulting analyst at Accenture. Anyssa was a Breakthrough Scholar in 2008 and 2009, and a Teaching Fellow in 2014. She graduated from Princeton University in 2018 with a degree in International and Public Affairs and a minor in Near Eastern Studies. Join us in welcoming her!

Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anyssa-chebbi

BTM Alumni Highlight - Tywan Harris

Tywan recently joined the BTM Alumni Board. He currently resides in Tallahassee, Fl, where he works for the Justice Administrative Commission as a Fiscal Assistant. Tywan is a former Breakthrough Miami student starting from the 5th grade and then became a Teaching Fellow with the program in 2015 through 2017. He is now a senior at Florida State University pursuing a B.A. in Marketing where he is also serving as the Vice President of the Financial Management Association. Join us in welcoming him!

Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tywan-harris-b7a107102/

BTM Alumni Highlight - Darren Printemps

Darren is a Sophomore at Miami Dade College majoring in Elementary Education. His end goal is to eventually receive both his Masters and Doctorate degrees. Breakthrough Miami has been apart of his life since he was 11 years old, almost like a second family to him. Darren is forever grateful for Breakthrough Miami and plans on giving back and paying forward as much of his time as possible.

This year Darren was appointed to BTMAN's Board of Directors! Join us in welcoming him.

Join the St.Thomas and Breakthrough Miami community on a scenic route beginning at St.Thomas Parish School in Coral Gables Saturday, February 1,2020 @ 8 AM.

Proceeds of the race will benefit St.Thomas Episcopal Parish School's Financial Aid Program and Breakthrough Miami in their commitment to increase the level of education attainment in our community. Register Today! Enter code BREAKTHROUGHMIAMI2020 to receive a registration discount for Scholar families & alumni: $10 per participant! 🏃🏽🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏿‍♂️

#BTM #BTMAN #Run #5k #RunMiami

BTM Alumni Highlight - Kawali Gokool

Kawali is a Senior at the University of Florida working towards completing her Masters in International Business in Spring 2021, and perusing a career in event management. Kawali became involved with Breakthrough as a 6th grader when the Palmer Trinity site first opened. Since then she had the privilege to be a scholar, volunteer, and teaching fellow, and watch my scholars and the program grow in to something even more powerful year after year.

This year Kawali was appointed to BTMAN's Board of Directors!

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kawaligokool

We're truly ecstatic to be going into our fifth year! What has been clear over the last four years is that our success depends on you! We invite you to join us on this journey, by contributing your ideas, finances, and time. Keep an eye out throughout the year for chances to strengthen our Network!