Cayla Pla was just one of the many members of Monsignor Edward Pace High School’s Class of 2015 who graduated this past May. However, her graduation marks yet another chapter in a tradition of five Spartan Pla women.
This tradition started with Cayla’s mother Carmen Pla-Izquierdo, a Pace Class of 1981 alumna. Carmen studied in the health field after Pace, receiving a Bachelors and Masters degree in Health Services Administration from Capella University. She now works as the VP of Revenue Cycle Operations for Accretive Health and as an adjunct professor in Health Services at Florida International University. Her education has continued even further as she is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Health Services at Nova Southeastern University.
The eldest Pla daughter is Cristina Pla-Guzman, a Class of 2002 Pace graduate and now Pace High’s esteemed lead teacher for its Academy of Visual & Performing Arts Theatre Program.
Next in line is Cynthia Pla-Lebron, Class of 2005. She earned her Bachelor’s in Health Science from FIU and a Master of Public Health from the University of Miami. Currently, she is enrolled as part of the inaugural class of the Prevention Science doctoral program at UM.
Joining her sister Cristina in the education field is Crystal Pla, who graduated from Pace in 2010 and is currently enrolled in a Bachelors program at Miami Dade College for Pre-Elementary Education.
The youngest Pla daughter, Cayla, will be attending Miami Dade College and FIU through a dual-admissions program. During her four years as a Spartan, Cayla was a leader among her peers as part of the cheerleading, leadership, and drama programs while maintaining excellent grades.
The Pla family involvement with Pace extends to the father, Carlos Pla, who has acted as a technical director and mastermind of Pace Drama’s elaborate sets ever since his daughter Cristina began working at her alma mater in 2007.
On graduation day, the Pla family came together to watch Cayla walk across the stage and receive her Pace high school diploma, fulfilling a legacy that has spanned two generations.