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Miami Palmetto High School rising senior Vasyl Romankiv recently came home after spending a week at the United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar.
“It was an incredible experience that I will remember forever,” he says. “I got to experience what life was like in a service academy and was exposed to a new, interesting environment.
It was definitely very challenging physically and mentally, but I am glad I endured this.”
He stayed up 17 hours a day, touring the school, working out, going to classes, going on several runs, and practicing formations and drills.
“On the second to last day, we went through sea trials, a challenging course filled with about seven hours of a variety of physical and teamwork activities,” he says. “Through all of this, I was able to meet some great people, gain some valuable friends and connections, and was able to build on vital leadership skills. In all, I was extremely pleased with the experience, and it reassured me of my future goals for a future career in service academies. I loved it.”
He plans to apply to several of the academies.
“I get to give back to the country that gave so much to me and my family,” he says. “I’m considering several options. All give a great opportunity.”
He plans to study Cyber Security.
Now that he’s back in Miami, Romankiv is spending June and July interning in Sen. Marco Rubio’s office.
“It’s like a learning experience,” he says. “I am doing policy research, writing reports, and helping individuals with their cases. Any inquiry they give us, we do that. I learn how the government interacts with the people and how the government aids the community.”
Since Romankiv is Ukrainian, moving to America in 2014, Romankiv uses his language skills to help people who call in.
“I speak English, Ukrainian, and Russian. I understand Polish pretty well. I’m not fluent at it,” he says.
He is happy to be interning in the office that helped speed up the process of getting his grandmother’s green card when the Ukraine war broke out.
“It was extremely helpful,” he says. “Seeing what their office did, it’s an environment I would like to intern for. I want to potentially help other people in their needs.”
Romankiv is known for putting his heart and soul into helping the community. He volunteers at the Ukrainian Catholic Church, where his father is the priest.
“Helping people brings joy to me. That’s one thing I’ve always stood by, helping other people,” he says.
He also dances for the Ukrainian Dancers of Miami.
“We travel around Florida to represent our culture,” he says. “Once a year we have a show at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts representing the core of Ukrainian culture.”
He finds dancing fun and he takes pride in it.
“In this country and in this city where we have a diverse culture, I get to represent another part. It’s really a beautiful thing. During the war, some people may see Ukraine as struggling and war-torn. I want people to see the vibrant culture of Ukraine.”
At school he’s a member of the National Honor Society, secretary of the English National Honor Society, and secretary of the Finance Club.
This past year, he was co-captain of the varsity swim team. He focuses on swimming the freestyle and the breaststroke. While it was a transitional year for the team, he has great expectations for next year.
Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld
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