As Adam Ruiz was wrestling with his ambivalence over which college to chose, Florida State University or University Central Florida, he created a sibling rival and a divided house.
His older brother, Eric, attended FSU and wanted him to enroll at his alma mater, but his other brother, Brain, who attended UCF, was coaxing him to choose the school he graduated from.
It was a tough decision for Adam Ruiz, but he choose to be a Knight because the Central Florida school meet his academics and athletic needs.
“Visiting the campus, the college offered a lot of big things and so many options for me to do,” said the Monsignor Pace High graduate. “They offer a lot of things to keep me busy like I did in high school.”
Ruiz was the latest winner of the Roland Gomez-Miami Lakes Optimist Club Scholarship for the 2014-2015 school year to receive his award, a check for $1,000 to use for college, as he prepares to take his academic and athletic talents to UCF in the Fall.
Since he was four-years-old Ruiz played baseball and basketball at the Optimist Club, and he excelled at baseball and volleyball at Pace while maintaining a 4.8 GPA and balancing community service and a job.
Being closer to home was another reason why the Miami Lakes resident chose UCF, where he plans to study Sports and Exercise Science.
“I will have relatives closer than if I had chosen FSU,” he said. “UCF provides criteria where I can handle academic and sports. It’s a friendly atmosphere. I’m glad I chose the school because it’s the right fit for me. My house was a little divided as I was making my decision.”
Ruiz said he was shocked when he won the Roland Gomez Scholarship award.
“A friend of mine won it before and he told me how prestigious the award is,” Ruiz said. “I was shocked when I won it because I know how important it was. With all the years at the Optimist Club, the award means a lot to everyone.”
Jim Hamilton, president of the Miami Lakes Optimist Club, said Ruiz was outstanding in all phases to win the contest.
“He was extraordinary doing well in academics and sports and community service while maintaining a high GPA and good conduct,” Hamilton said. “It was such a thrill that he was the winner of the scholarship.”
Ruiz said following college graduation, he plans on returning to the Optimist Club and volunteer his service.
“I have meet so many friends at the Optimist Club that I don’t mind coming back to volunteer here,” he said.