Monsignor Pace High student Adam Ruiz and Florida Christian student Faith Vasquez were named the male and female winners of the 29th annual Miami Lakes Optimist Club-Roland Gomez Scholarship Award during a ceremony at Miami Lakes Middle School.
Ruiz and Vasquez will each receive a $1,000 for college-related expenses.
Ruiz, who has a 4.85 GPA, was the team captain for his volleyball team and he also played basketball at the Optimist Club.
The senior has been accepted to the University of Florida, Florida State, University of Central Florida and Florida International.
His mother, Barbara Ruiz, said he has narrowed his choices to FSU and UF.
Vasquez is a sophomore with a 4.46 GPA and played sports at her school and the Optimist Club and participated in community service, as part of a requirement to be nominated for the award.
For the boys, Hialeah Miami Lakes senior William Zepka (3.70 GPA) was the runner-up, MAST Academy student Jordan Oria (4.87 GPA) finished third followed by Goleman senior Jahi Citizen (4.87), Miami Lakes K-8 Center student Joel Chavez and Hialeah Miami Lakes sophomore Chris Perdomo (4.33 GPA).
For the girls, Mater Academy’s Alondra Angulo (3.8 GPA) and Hialeah Gardens student Liz Garcia (3.90 GPA) were tied for runner-up, and Miami Lakes K-8 Center student Erika Castroman (3.0 GPA) and Mater Academy student Mercy Gonzalez (2.75) were tied for third place.