|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Palmetto High School rising senior Alexis Cohen recently returned from Guatemala where she participated in a mission trip with other teens from Temple Beth Am’s Social Justice Teen Fellowship group.
“My service trip to Comalapa, Guatemala, was incredibly inspiring,” she says. “The people there embraced life with a deep appreciation for what they had, free from superficial desires. Seeing the children’s enthusiasm for education was particularly moving. Unlike many places where school is often dreaded, these kids were eager to learn, choosing to attend with genuine excitement and curiosity. Their joy and dedication left a lasting impact on me, highlighting the beauty of gratitude and the value of education.”
The teens helped build a school out of recycled materials, an effort that epitomized sustainable development.
“The Social Justice Teen Fellowship is committed to various causes each month. Earlier this year, we visited Immokalee to learn about conditions for migrant workers.”
On another occasion they stocked community fridges for a Mitzvah Day.
“Packing the fridges was a humbling experience,” she says. “We learned about food insecurity and the daily struggles many face. People were coming in when we were packing the fridges and thanking us.”
Cohen says that while she was aware that food insecurity is a significant issue, she did not realize the extent of it.
“These fridges are emptied daily by those in need,” she says. “They rely on community members to help keep them stocked.”
Cohen will continue with the fellowship, since it is a two-year program for juniors and seniors.
At Palmetto, Cohen won the PAW Award at the end-of-the-year awards ceremony. This accolade is awarded to students who demonstrate integrity and have a strong sense of character.
“I’ve won the PAW Award for three consecutive years,” she shares.
At Palmetto, she’s an active member of Interact and serves as the Class of 2025 Treasurer.
She’s also an athlete having played varsity basketball and lacrosse her freshman year and continuing as a varsity lacrosse player.
“I love being part of a team and forming relationships on and off the field.
Last year, the Palmetto team had its best season ever and we hope to do even better this upcoming season. The rising seniors are actively mentoring younger players and potential newcomers to improve their game.
“I love teaching rookie players new skills,” she says.
She also likes how coaching helps her learn even more about the game.
“It helps you grow as a person and grow as a player,” she says.
She likes coaching so much that she coaches a Rookie Girls basketball team (grades three to five) in the Beth Am Basketball League with her dad.
“I coached two seasons,” she says. “I plan to coach two more seasons next year.”
She will probably continue coaching with her dad, but she is toying with the idea of taking on a team on her own.
“I played Beth Am Basketball from second grade to seventh grade, until COVID interrupted the season and I aged out of the league,” she says.
Her volunteer experience includes being a past president of the Miami Diaper Bank Teen Advisory Board.
“I felt a strong connection to their mission,” she says. “I wrote letters to donors and organized numerous diaper drives, both in person and virtually during the pandemic. It was a meaningful experience.”
She is also a dedicated member of the BAFTY Board at Beth Am, beginning her fourth year of involvement.
From service and leadership to athletics and academics, Alexis exemplifies dedication and dedication and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.
