Don’t be surprised when you see our very own Mingli Yactayo on TV for her latest discovery in oceanography. This senior is already on her way to revolutionize and protect our oceans and marine life.

Guppy

Mingli Yactayo was born in Lima, Peru, on May 18^th, 2000. The youngest of four siblings in her family, Mingli’s father is Peruvian, and her mother is Chinese.  When she lived in Peru, she can remember spending her time at an after-school program or her parents’ restaurant.

In December of 2005 her family moved to Miami. She attended Eneida Elementary School, but she didn’t know any English at the time. Mingli was an ESOL student for about 3 years, but she learned to speak English within 3 months of going to school.

“I felt like there was a language barrier between me and my classmates so I figured that the faster that I learned English, the faster I would make friends,” she said.

Mingli attended Shenandoah Middle School, and when deciding on her high school, she was in between MAST Academy and MHS. Although her sister had gone to MAST, Mingli chose Miami High because she wanted to be her own person and her friends were going to Miami High as well.

 From the Pond into the Ocean

Her freshman year, Mingli decided that being a regular student just wouldn’t cut it for her, so she got involved in her school. “I realized that I like to keep myself busy,” she said. “I got involved and ended up loving it.”

Mingli holds many positions within the school. She is the Interact president, English Honor Society treasurer, a Thespian, and a member of the bowling team. She has also collected about 1,500 community service hours.

Her overall involvement within the school includes going to community service events, performing in our annual holiday and spring shows, organizing and reading at the Lit Café, and making a couple strikes at the bowling alley, proving that she is a true Stingaree who faithfully follows the school motto, “Non verbis sed operis, (Not by words but by deeds)”.

Her favorite school event is the annual Paint-a-Can where all the clubs customize and decorate their own garbage can to beautify the school.

“There’s something about all of us coming together,” she said. “We are all frustrated, hot, and tired, but we are all the same in that moment. It creates a bond, and that is what makes it so great.”

Mingli is also very dedicated to her academics, and is one of the top students at MHS. She has taken three AP classes and four dual enrollment classes. “I always try to do the best that I can,” she said.

Leaving Stingtown

Mingli is graduating at the top of her class, earning the honor of Magna Cum Laude. She has yet to decide where she is going for her post-secondary education, but she is hoping to get into Bard College in New York. It attracts her because of their diversity program.

“As someone who is Hispanic, but also Asian, I always felt a sense of being out of place. I was either too Hispanic or too Asian, and I believe that this program can help me figure out where I stand,” she said

Mingli plans on studying Marine Biology and Oceanography. She stated, “If we want to end climate change and global warming, then we should start with the ocean because it’s having the greatest impact from the sun and the air in our atmosphere.”

As a senior, she has spent four years of her life within the walls of MHS, so she encourages the incoming students to get involved and take advantage of all the activities. “What do you have to lose?” she asks.