Meet the Senior: Alivia Arroyo

Alivia Arroyo

“I think that the IB was the defining factor in me receiving this scholarship, because I’ve done well in it and universities know how difficult it is.”

In this new addition to the Volt, the Student Media Team will be contributing articles chosen, researched, and written by the students. This week, we sat down with Alivia Arroyo, one of our excelling seniors, to share her story.

by Natasha Webster and the VIMSIA Student Media Team

Although it’s only December, VIMSIA senior Alivia Arroyo has already been accepted and signed with Nova South Eastern University in Florida. Alivia received the Dean Scholarship, granting her a full ride to the college.

“I think that the IB was the defining factor in me receiving this scholarship, because I’ve done well in it and universities know how difficult it is,” she says.

In college, Alivia plans to major in Public Health to eventually become an ultra-sound tech. She mentioned how her IB Biology class has furthered her interest in this.

In addition to college applications, Alivia is somehow ahead in the intense workload of the IB classes. Whereas recent graduates and current students alike agree that their senior year was/is the most challenging year time-management-wise of their lives thus far, Alivia is ahead on all of her deadlines. “She is one of the most self-motivated, productive people I have ever met. She gets everything done and somehow still has time for other things,” says a fellow classmate.

Not only is managing college and the IB successfully an outstanding accomplishment, but Alivia balances the intense workload with a committed sport and job. She plays on the 18 Under Elite Volleyball traveling team for Island Mixx, and when school volleyball was in session, she led the team to claim first place in the inter-island championship team. Lastly, she also works at Ocean Surfari as a sales associate on the weekends.

So how does she do it all?

“At the beginning of the year, I was stressed, because I didn’t have a plan and I knew that things were just going to get more difficult. I know I get stressed easily and I have a lot going on, so I forced myself to make a plan and stick to it,” Alivia explains.

When asked what she recommends to be able to balance everything during senior year, Alivia shared her advice of creating lists, calendars, and reminders, but most importantly, “know yourself, because everybody handles stress differently. Once you balance your school work, life will be much less stressful”.

College Happenings this Week - by Ms. Ebe Cook

Denisse Huezo-Rosales of Simmons University talks with VIMSIA students

VIMSIA hosted two college focused events this week! We were happy to welcome Denisse Huezo-Rosales, Associate Director of Admissions at Simmons University, back to our campus. She took some time to discuss Simmons and its programs with a group of PGIA students at a drop-in session during lunch!

Virtual College Planning Night

Our Virtual College Planning Night was well received with over 30 families in attendance. Ana Saul-Sykes, Director of Admissions for Special Programs at Brown University shared great information and advice on college planning and college search for high school students across our community. Here is the event recording (passcode: FU.Q4G18)
Our Online Collection of College Resources is always available and includes various resources to support all stages of the college process. This semester, we look forward to visits from: Vanderbilt University, Franklin and Marshall College, Bates College, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Universidad de Navarra, Lynn University, School of Visual Arts NYC….and more!