News

Alumnus takes on full-time job as reporter for Univision

[The following article was originally published in the University of Miami's (Communique) and is posted here with permission]

By SCOTT BRAUN
Communique Writer

A typical day for Andrea Linares last fall might have started at 3 a.m. and not stop until midnight. That's because in addition to being a full-time School of Communication student, Linares had a full-time gig as a reporter and fill-in weather anchor for Univision's local newscast.

Her final semester at school was a wild ride between completing her degree and working hard to earn her stripes at the station. The Spanish-language channel (WLTV-23) is the most watched TV station in Miami, according to the Nielsen Station Index ratings. “Right now it's a lot of work juggling school and a full-time job. In the beginning of hurricane season, I worked 15 straight days,” said Linares, 21. “It's not easy. There were times when I went from working nightside and getting home at midnight and then I would have to go back in for the morning shift at 3 or 4 a.m.” Reporting almost every day for a major TV station and taking 14 credits at the University of Miami made for a rigorous workload, but she handled it like a true professional. “I barely get any hours of sleep, but I know that it's all for my own good,” she said. “Each time that I'm on-air, I get more experience. It's more practice for me and also more opportunities for viewers to get to know me.” Broadcast journalism professor Andrew Barton was one of Linares' teachers.

“She is one of the hardest working, most motivated students I have taught in my eight years at UM,” he said.

Barton said it is quite unusual to jump right into such a big market, but didn't seem too surprised.

“If someone was going to do that, it was going to be Andrea,” he said.

From the moment she arrived on campus, Linares took full advantage of her time at the university, and the myriad of scholarships and awards she's received are a testament to that. Freshman year, she won a Newsroom Bound Scholarship from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, an award that includes scholarship money for three consecutive years and an all expenses paid trip to the NAHJ convention to anchor and report for the convention's newscast. This year, she earned the prestigious CNN Scholarship, an award that only three students in the nation receive from NAHJ based on the work they've done in the field of journalism. Linares credits a lot of her early achievements to the experience she gained in her internships at the NBC and CBS affiliates in Miami, and to her on-air work with the UMTV. “It was just yesterday that I was on NewsVision,” said Linares, referring to UMTV's news program. “I was at UM working for UMTV as a volunteer last semester, so for me this is still kind of surreal. I'm just enjoying every bit of it and giving it my all.”

Please click here to see pictures from the Alumni Basketball tournament.

A Class Ring’s Tail "Class of 1992"

My story starts in the winter of 1991. I along with many others of my kind, became the “Class Rings” of Westwood Christian School students; mine carried the name Javier Sampedro. Never was a ring so cared for as I. I could feel the joy and pride Javier had in me each time I was placed on his finger. In spring of 1992, Javier and I graduated from Westwood Christian and moved on to bigger things: college and a career. Along the way I was given to young woman Javier fancied as a token of his affection. His former ladylove cared not for me the way Javier had and lost me on a beach in Wilmington, North Carolina.

I lost all track of time, until one day another woman found me lost and alone. My heart was cheered as she picked me up and wiped the sand from my gemstone. After reading the name of the school on my top and finding Javier’s name inside this kind lady named Carol Black decided to track down Javier. I was kept in box for what seemed by years, for indeed it was many a year. Then a most wondrous thing happened Carol Black bought a computer and added to it the Internet. In the spring of 2006, Carol decided to clean our dresser and she looked into each box. Once again, she held me in her hand.

To her computer she went to make a search. Westwood Christian School was in Miami, Florida she found. On the WCS website she found the name of the school’s guidance counselor, Wayne Jeffries. She sent an e-mail asking if he could find Javier to give him back his ring. He made a search and found that Javier had graduated from Clearwater Christian College in 1996.The college gave Javier’s e-mail address to Mr. Jeffries. I was packed and mailed to Miami. Now I am in another box on my way to Minneapolis, MN. because that is were my Javier lives now.

Javier Sampedro lives with his wife Sarah and their children Micah – 2, and 3 week old Sophia in Minneapolis, MN. Javier earned B.S. in Psychology from Clearwater Christian College.

Upon reading Mr. Jeffries’ e-mail, Javier responded, “That is incredible! I never thought I would see that ring again. Once in a while I think of that ring and wish I still had it.”

Our thanks and gratitude go out to Ms. Carol Black for her kindness in taking the time to reunite Javier with his long-lost class ring.

Two Westwood Alumni in Nova Pharmacy School

Does all the hard work in high school pay off later in life? If you ask two of our alumni, David Pino (Class of 2001) and Gustavo Llerena (Class of 2002), they would tell you yes. This past summer both Gus and David were selected to study Pharmacy at Nova Southeastern University School of Pharmacy. This year 1600 students applied for admission in this highly regarded Pharmacy program. Of the 1600 student who applied, only 200 were admitted. Of the 200 admitted two were Westwood Christian School alumni. David Pino is a recent graduate from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science degree, and Gus Llerena graduated from Clearwater Christian College earning his Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduating from Nova Southeastern both will earn a Doctorate in Pharmacy Medicine.  Class of 2005 grad Andrea Linares served this past summer as an intern at NBC 6/ T51. The highlight of the summer was Andrea and the other interns produced a news program that is currently being aired on NBC6 website.

Westwood Alumnus gets Practical Experience While Working on His Degree

Did that friendly, “May I help you,” sound familiar the last time you picked up your prescription? If you shopped at the Walgreens  Pharmacy at Bird Road and 107^th Avenue, it would have been familiar because you recognized the voice of efficient pharmacy technician David Pino (Class of 2001). David is working part-time as a pharmacy technician while he completes his bachelors degree in biology and chemistry at F.I.U. this coming summer (2006). 

After completing his Bachelors degree, David plans to work on a Doctorate in Pharmaceutical medicine at Nova Southeastern University. It will take four years to complete the Ph.D. to prepare him to take the state board to become a pharmacist.

Will working as a pharmacy technician give him an edge in his studies at Nova Southeastern? “At first probably, but later in the program no. But it does help pay the bills.” It is clear that David understands the value of practical experience in his career planning. It is equally clear that he appreciates the value of his high school education

 When asked if his education at Westwood Christian had helped him in college, “definitely,” he answered. “Especially biology and chemistry. English class was also a big help” David added.

David’s co-workers tell us that David is doing a great job. At a future date, you could get your medicine from Dr. David Pino at his own drug store.  David does have a “love interest,” but they plan to complete both his and her college work before any marriage plans. 

1990 Graduate Ministers to Major League Baseball Players

Gio Llerena (class of 1990), serves as chaplain of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. During the baseball season Geo conducts chapel services for Major League Baseball and has opportunities to minister to the players in one-on-one settings. In addition to his work with Major League Baseball, Geo uses his bilingual skills to minister to baseball players in the Dominican Republic , Puerto Rico, and Venezuela . To learn more about Geo’s work, visit Baseball Chapel.