December 2022 Spotlight: Nicholas Ramirez
Nicholas Ramirez, ISPA Class of 2016; MDC Honors College 2016-2018, Vanderbilt University 2018-2020
Degree: AA – MDC Honors College / BA in Law, History & Society – Vanderbilt University
Career Goals: Attorney
What has been the biggest surprise about the college experience? How different it is from the high school experience – while there is a lot more personal responsibility, there is also a ton of personal freedom. You and you alone are responsible for your success.
Most challenging coursework in college? Mandarin, without a doubt. It was time-consuming, work-intensive, and difficult. But, it was also one of my most rewarding courses. It was completely foreign (for obvious reasons) and that made it all the better because it was not just about the new language or the new culture – it was taking on a challenge that I was not sure I could handle and proving to myself that I could.
Accomplishment most proud of? Everything Model United Nations. Founding MDC’s chapter, leading Vanderbilt’s travel team in competitions held at Harvard, Duke, and others, as well as running a high school competition. MUN is a passion I discovered at ISPA (under Ms. Rodriguez’s guidance!) and I consider myself awfully thankful to have worked with individuals that have allowed me to either found or further that passion for those around me.
Can you provide any advice for current ISPA students? Take risks and push yourself out of your comfort zone. I know that’s cheesy and overused advice, but I mean it sincerely. I came to ISPA as the awkward shy kid, terrified of speaking out of turn and worried about other’s judgment. If I had stayed in that safe bubble, I know for a fact I would not be where I am today. Do something different, even if it’s scary at first – you only really fail when you never try at all.
Can you tell us how ISPA prepared you for success in college and in life?
Honestly, the people at ISPA are what helped me most. Sure, mastering Spanish has opened doors for me, but the teachers and faculty were crucial to my development (and success.) Ms. Bez taught me to reach out for help, even when you feel lost; Ms. Rodriguez showed me there is more to history than reading a textbook; Mrs. Acevedo proved that even when things are tough, keep a smile on and keep going and, most of all, when anyone tries to tell you that you aren’t enough, prove them wrong. You’re graduating with two diplomas after all!
I paid for college with… Scholarships and savings. It is possible! Most of my funding was through scholarships, and the jobs I worked throughout high school and my time at MDC covered the rest.
Fondest memory from High School? Definitely lots of good memories, but perhaps my favorite was afterschool Model United Nations (as a whole.) Every meeting was a mad dash to grab a slice of pizza and cookie from Whole Foods, but I got to spend an hour with my closest friends. Looking at you Kassy!