From being in Honoria, to becoming a full-time teacher and being accepted into Miami Dade’s Honors College, senior Danaize Sanchez is a high-achiever with a bright future.

It was not an easy start for Danaize, having to deal with family issues since the age of 1. Her mother, unfortunately, neglected her along with her sister, and the two girls eventually went under their grandmother’s care.

Danaize is thankful for her grandparents, her aunt, and her uncle. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here today,” she said. “They always motivated me to achieve my goals, and they were always there for me through it all. I owe all of my success to my fun, quirky family.”

Academics

Ever since she started her freshman year at Miami High, honors and advanced classes have been all over her schedule. This year she takes: Dual Enrollment Writing & Rhetoric 1 & 2, Statistics Honors, US Government Honors, and Economics Honors. With a 3.9 GPA, Danaize is also a part-time student in Florida Virtual School and currently takes Chinese 1, just for the love of learning.

“The dual enrollment classes in early childhood education I took at Lindsey Hopkins Technical College during my junior year helped me make my decision to become a pediatric speech pathologist because I worked with students who suffered from autism which inspired me,” said Danaize. “I want to help disabled students achieve their goals and get where they want to be.”

MDC Honors College Student

Danaize plans on attending Miami Dade Honors College this fall. “The application process wasn’t difficult, but rather stressful. You always sit there worrying about whether you will receive the acceptance or the decline e-mail,” she said.

Originally, Danaize was placed on the waiting list due to her full-time job at Home Depot. “The MDC Honors College directors told me they feared I wouldn’t be able to handle full-time school and work at the same time, but I reassured them I could handle the workload,” she said. Miami Dade Honors eventually accepted her into the program, and she’s ecstatic to be there.

Putting her priorities first, keeping organized, and managing her time is her formula for success. Her #1 priority is family, but she also strives to keep academics at the same level.

The Teacher

Danaize also stays busy during the summer. Last summer she taught fifth grade English with Breakthrough Miami and loved the experience. “I was able to relive my youth from when I was a scholar in the program, and I was able to relate to my students,” she said.

This upcoming 2017-18 school year, she is going to begin working full-time as an Americorps member with City Year, an education-focused organization dedicated to helping students and schools succeed. “Getting the opportunity to teach with City Year is honestly a blessing, and I’m excited for what’s in store,” she said.

Involvement

   The first club Danaize ever joined was Honoria. “I have participated in all homecoming parades since my sophomore year which allowed me to actually grow love for the club,” she said. During her junior year, Danaize was appointed Mascot, which is awarded to the most spirited Honoria member.

She also joined the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) during her sophomore year to be involved with bullying issues. Because of her great artistic skills, she was appointed historian by her sister Daymee who currently leads the club as president.

Danaize has also been in Anime Nation since her sophomore year because she loves anime and the Japanese culture. “I wasn’t able to be as involved as I wished I could’ve been my senior year due to work,” she said. “But I do cherish every memory I’ve made with the members from all the clubs I participated in.”

Personal Life

Danaize J. Sanchez-Huerta was born on March 15th, 1999, at South Miami Hospital in South Miami, Florida.  Danaize has been living with her sister, Daymee and her maternal grandmother since the age of 1. She always has a smile on her face, but her childhood had a rough start when her mother went to federal prison.

“It was not easy for my grandparents when they had to raise me along with my sister,” she said. She attended Citrus Grove Elementary and Shenandoah Middle School. While at these schools, Danaize was an outstanding student. “I remember receiving honor roll every once in awhile,” she said.

Her aunt has the same name as her and is an alumna from the Miami High Class of 1991, but she recommended for Danaize to attend elsewhere. Her aunt remembered that Miami High had a negative reputation back in the day when drug use and gang violence were rising. “At first, I started to look at Coral Gables High, but after the school renovations at Miami High in 2013, the new look changed my mind,” she said.

Outside of school, Danaize enjoys singing and riding her uncle’s motorcycle. She also enjoys classic cars. In ten years, she sees herself traveling the world, working hard, and having fun.