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A few weeks ago, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School senior Andres Ramos toured the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Ramos is applying to West Point as well as the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
He says he feels compelled to serve to honor his grandfather who served in the 82 Airborne.
He’s also applying to the University of Miami, the University of Florida, Florida International University, Clemson and Tulane. He’s leaning toward political science for his major.
Typically, acceptance letters for the academies are sent out starting in November or December.
After his undergraduate studies, Ramos plans to go on to law school.
“I’m looking into the JAG corps with the army,” he says. “You get to travel a lot. It’s a very cool program.”
Going to law school would follow in his mother’s footsteps. She’s an attorney. His father is a Miami Beach Police officer so he’s well steeped in criminal justice.
In fact, he created a community service project his freshman year to help police officers who have been in traumatic situations. Called Behind Our Heroes in Blue (BOHIB), the organization provides boxes to officers who have been in difficult circumstances, such as police involved shootings, a suicide call or a domestic violence call.
Boxes “that are intended toward emotional support and recovery for officers,” he says. “For those who have been in a call that went south. This takes a personal toll on officers and affects their mental health. Locally, our officers are taken care of.”
Even in situations where a strong stigma is attached to the situation, the officer is provided the items without having to ask for them.
“We have currently distributed 25 boxes to five departments,” he says.
The boxes include a journal because journaling is important for the officer to write down their feelings, a book by Dr. Kevin Gilmartin, a gift card for a 30-minute massage at Massage Envy (for stress relief), a tube of stress relief cream, a bottle of Melatonin, and a letter from Ramos and the organization explaining what the organization does. The content of the boxes came as a result of many interviews and much research on what would be the most helpful.
The organization has set things up so that things can continue with minimal engagement.
“We have a supply and will continue to supply the department with boxes,” he says.
“Thankfully these types of situations don’t happen every day. It’s something that could stay alive after I’ve graduated and potentially leave town.”
Ramos says they have partnered with five local police departments – Coral Gable, Miami Springs, Miami Beach, Hialeah, and the City of Miami.
At school Ramos is the president of the Debate Team.
“I’ve been debating since middle school,” he says. “I’ve really dedicated myself toward debate.”
He’s also a varsity swimmer and a varsity tennis player. He does both sports for fun. He’s also in the Music Ministry, the National Honor Society, Rho Kappa and the service-oriented Brothers Club.
He’s heavily involved in the Coral Gables Police Department Police Explorer Post. He’s been a police explorer since his freshman year since you have to be 14 to join.
“It allows high school students to learn what being a police officer is all about,” he says.
If he chooses, he can remain involved until he’s 21.
“Most police departments now require a college degree,” he says. “Once you finish your degree, you can go to the police academy and become a Coral Gables Police Officer.”
Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld
