With saying bye to the class of 2025 graduates, it is important to recognize a few of the many club presidents. The students who earned these leadership positions made so many changes to PPCHS and were able to leave an impactful mark on their peers. All their efforts and determination to make each club meeting and event they have inclusive, fun, and memorable will always be cherished. Now let’s hear from some of these incredible leaders!
Best Buddies Co-President: Leah Miragliotta
Senior Leah Miragliotta has been a part of Best Buddies since she was a freshman. Her older sister, who was in it before, inspired Leah to join and paved the way for her to become co-president along with senior Martin Pereira. Miragliotta started this year with many new ideas to raise more awareness and have more volunteering opportunities.
One of her most meaningful moments this year was “at the SCHOTT Center, where I built a close bond with my buddy Khalil, and at Swim Buddies, helping little kids learn how to swim. Those one-on-one connections showed me the heart of Best Buddies.”
Best Buddies has taught Miragliotta many lessons and has opened her to various personalities and how everyone is special in their ways. “ I’ve learned how powerful inclusion can be,” she expresses.
One of the Best Buddies’ biggest events is their Friendship Walk, where people from different schools come together to raise awareness and money for the Best Buddies Foundation. Miragliotta comments, “The Friendship Walk was a big reminder of that; seeing so many schools come together for a great cause was amazing.”
One piece she wants to leave behind for new and upcoming members and leaders of Best Buddies is “a club that keeps growing. I want more students to join and feel how welcoming and fun it is, so the chapter becomes even more inclusive for everyone.”
Promote Her Period Co-President: Kayla Carrasco
Promote Her Period (PHP) has left such an impact on so many girls at PPCHS. Senior Co-President Kayla Carrasco finds the mission of PHP so rewarding and is so proud to be a part of a non-profit that supports a change in our community when it comes to women.
“I’ve had many people come up to me, being extremely thankful that PHP provided menstrual products in our many bathrooms,” she explains.
PHP has not only helped other girls learn more about menstrual health but also Carrasco herself. Leading this club, “PHP allowed me to grow my knowledge of menstrual health awareness and period poverty awareness.”
With being Co-President, this has given Carrasco a chance to help the world anyway she can and especially by helping underprivileged people. “If I can help in my future by providing more period products to women in need, I will be all hands on deck,” she beautifully states.
Before Carrasco graduates, a piece of advice she wants to leave behind is to” make sure to lead with passion and empathy. Think about those who are less fortunate and unable to purchase these menstrual products that are a necessity and not just a want,” she expresses.
Relay for Life Captain: McKenna Gregory
Senior McKenna Gregory was one of the head captains of Relay for Life, along with senior Fiona Findley. They both had such an impact on the club this year, with hosting a successful fundraiser where there was dinner for cancer survivors, a walk to remember those who have passed, and recognizing caregivers.
Gregory states that, “Seeing our ideas for what we planned all year coming to life was moving, and being able to say I helped host an event that brought families who went through similar things together is such an honor,” she comments.
With Gregory being a part of many clubs and leadership positions, her most memorable and impactful one was Relay for Life. When becoming a Head Captain, “I was scared because we weren’t given any advice from the presidents of previous years.”
It tested my leadership skills and gave me a challenge,” she states. Relay for Life was not just a club to Gregory, but helped influence her and helped her realize the leader that she is, and “it inspired me to take on things I thought I couldn’t handle, creating a more resilient person out of me.”
With all the advice given throughout the years, it’s truly important to remember “ Everything will work out, even with how unprepared you may seem, and never give up,” she expresses. It may seem basic, but this quote can take you far in life and create a better leader.
DECA Co-President: Sarah Zhang
Senior Co-President Sarah Zhang was extremely involved in DECA since it was first introduced at the end of her freshman year. This club has meant so much to her as she has been an active member for so long and was able to climb to the top as President. During this year, she states that “the most rewarding part of leading DECA this year has been watching both the program and its members grow. Guiding our chapter to states and even internationals, I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come in just three years.”
Zhang has enjoyed every minute of working toward the success of this club, and has made such special relationships where she expresses, “a —special shoutout to Ms. Ferrer and William Peeters—and together, we’ve learned so much while building this program.”
Zhang states, “DECA has played a major role in shaping my high school experience and future goals. Competing in realistic business scenarios and connecting with professionals and like-minded peers sparked my interest in business administration and finance.”
DECA was a club and an organization that helped Zhang find her passion and what she wants to pursue later in college at the University of Florida. This also helped her grow in many ways, such as becoming an inspiring leader within her school, communicating with administration, collaborating with other clubs, and engaging with the student body.
“Most importantly, DECA taught me the value of time management and the importance of delegating tasks effectively,” she comments.
“To future DECA members: Join to have fun, network, and connect with others. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone—that’s what DECA is all about!” expresses Zhang. DECA is not a club where you join just because you want. It’s important to communicate with others while also having fun because time flies by, and so does high school.
