St. Thomas University signed several athletes for its inaugural wrestling team, including Barbara Goleman Senior High’s Maximo Fernandez and Mater Lakes Academy’s Reynaldo Rivera. Fernandez plans to enroll in the school’s sports administration program. Rivera plans to study nursing. St. Thomas coach Jake Patacsil announced both signings in recent weeks. Rivera was a district finalist as a sophomore and junior, and as a senior...

When Christa Curry was very young, her mother worried that her only child might grow up to be spoiled or entitled. Instead, Christa, 16, who will be a junior at Barbara Goleman Senior High School in the fall, has grown up to become a selfless young lady. The United Way of Miami-Dade recognized the Miami Gardens teen with its Outstanding Youth Award, for “enhancing the quality of life for many homeless women and their children, by...

Gabriel Perez plays several instruments and has used music to support impoverished classmates and to brighten the lives of elders, children and the community with his performances. The judges of the 62nd Annual Silver Knight Awards recognized the 18-year-old’s efforts on behalf of others. What put Perez, who graduated from Hialeah Gardens Senior High, in the spotlight was his community service, which included performing for dementia...

The founders of a subscription jewelry business who have ties to Miami Lakes are offering a chance for a low income or minority student to win a MacBook computer and an internship. The contest, which also comes with an annual $2,000 grant for textbooks, is accepting applications from college-bound seniors or recent high school graduates until July 15. Ylette Luis launched XIO By Ylette. Members who pay $60 per month receive a box...

Diana Maria Alonso, 26, of Miami Lakes, graduated in May from The GeorgiaInstitute of Technology in Atlanta.She earned a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.Alonso was in the Class of 2012 at Barbara Goleman Senior High School. Photo courtesy of Alonso.Alexa Cruz, 22, of Miami Lakes, graduated in May from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.She earned a Bachelor of Science degree.Cruz is a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas...