Age 16/ Lake Minneola High School

PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

What groups are you involved in? Future Farmers of America, Health Occupation Student Association, volunteer at South Lake Hospital, and Boy Scouts of America.

What claims most of your time? FFA is the one I’m most committed to because we are such a tight-knit group.

There’s always a competition I can be involved in with my friends, and it’s just a lot of fun to be around them.

What are your accomplishments within FFA? I won second in Parliamentary Procedure and first in district for Ornamental Horticulture.

It was really exciting to win, but it was really nerve-racking also, because only first goes to state. I’m going to state for Ornamental Horticulture.

Do you have time for other pursuits? Last year I played lacrosse for my school. This year, I play football.

I plan on doing more sports in the future but I’m not sure what yet. School consumes a lot of my time.

What does the future hold for you? I want to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.

What interests you about the medical field? I just always felt I like helping people, and I could save lives. After my surgery last year, it made me more interested in it.

I had an appendectomy. Odd as it sounds, I enjoyed it a lot. I like the atmosphere in the hospital, I like being around the people.

They took photos during the surgery and it was really cool to see them afterwards.

Favorite book? One of my favorite series of books is the Alex Riders series that I read in middle school, they are action packed.

Favorite musical artist? George Strait

Biggest influences? My parents. They are persistent and they project an attitude that I can do whatever I want. They always believe in me.