For Daniela Salgado, being BETA president was both “unbeatable” and “unforgettable.” A dedicated member since freshman year, she describes her time leading the club as the high point in her high school experience that changed her for the best. “It was the most challenging yet rewarding year of high school,” she says.

BETA President
Strangely, she had not originally planned to run for president. “I wanted to pursue other leadership roles and extracurriculars,” she admits. But when no one else volunteered, she recognized she was prepared. “I was capable, qualified, and ready to do this,” she said. Her motivation came from an interest in giving back to the community that had inspired her and from loyalty to a club that had given her so much.
“Being BETA president was the best thing that’s could’ve happened to me,” she said. She did not have the desire at first, but she ended up loving it.
However, leadership has not been without its challenges. She openly talks about how she was judged by people who did not really know her. “Being a strong leader makes you unlikable because people are very comfortable with doing the bare minimum or less,” she said.
She stayed calm, relied on her group, despite everybody’s criticism. “Behind every great leader, there needs to be an even greater support group to foster that greatness,” she says, giving credit to her officers and advisor with helping her stay focused and stable. “The people who truly knew me are who patted me on the shoulder for my work, and that’s all I really needed,” she said.
She has placed a high importance on equality, especially given the size of the club. To keep a positive feeling, she pointed out the value of working together among her officers. “Acknowledging someone’s presence and talking to them,” she explains, is a simple but powerful way to make members feel valued.
As president, she hopes to be remembered as someone who created opportunities for everyone, “the president who gave others the opportunity to have an incredible school year,” as she says. More than that, she led by example, trying to keep BETA’S requirements for academic success, school spirit, and important service.

Goals for the Future
            As graduation approaches, she is entirely focused on the future. This summer, Daniela will be moving to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University, a new chapter that begins just ten days after she graduates. While that leaves little time for major trips, she plans to make the most of her time in Florida before she moves. “I only plan to travel within Florida with my friends to enjoy activities like Disney and the Keys before I must take my leave to a very different environment,” she says.
Her long-term goals come from her growing interest in math and science. She plans to pursue a career in medicine, with dreams of becoming either a cardiologist or an ophthalmologist. That interest is not random–it is personal. “I grew up my entire life with glasses and a minor heart murmur, which is why my interests fall in those areas, the heart and the eyes,” she explains.
But it was not just life experience that guided her; it was also the educators who inspired her along the way. “Miami High’s science teachers Dr. Yoham, Dr. Hueck, Mr. Rivera, and Mr. Pavon and my math teacher Ms. Munguia allowed me to discover my passion in STEM,” she says.
Even when college and a career in medicine are still in the future, one of the things that continues to excite her the most is planning events for BETA. Whether it is a habit already kept, or something entirely new, the opportunity to bring people together and create lasting memories is something she values deeply.
“The most exciting things I plan are events for BETA. Whether it is creating tradition or not, the idea of bringing people together and making memories is especially important to me,” she said.

Interests and Passions

While academics and leadership play a significant role in her life, she also makes space for things that keep her settled. Lately, she finds joy in something that a lot of teens are familiar with, spending time with friends and exploring unfamiliar places. “This year I began enjoying going out more and exploring new places with my friends,” she shares. When asked what she would spend her life doing if she could choose just one thing, she said, “Shopping.
She is also open to new experiences, even the ones that push her outside of her comfort zone. “I want to try skydiving and camping because it’s something I fear I’d hate, but you never know till you try it,” she says, showing her willingness to challenge herself and embrace the unexpected.
What excites her most is the idea of leading a life that goes beyond the limits of the past. “Seeing and experiencing the world that my parents and grandparents never got to see,” is what drives her to dream big, take chances, and make the most of every opportunity.

Personal Growth

For Daniela, personal growth is not about academic achievement or being a leader. It is about becoming more intentional in how she lives each day. Right now, she is working on something simple but meaningful: becoming more organized. It is a small step toward the larger goal of self-discipline and balance, both of which are important to her as she moves into something new.
The biggest lesson she has learned so far is based on point of view and appreciation. “Be grateful for the things you have, even if it isn’t much,” she says. She feels that suffering is something that happens often in life and does not differentiate her from others.
“There is a reason you are going through the things you are now. There is a plan and a path; you just need to stay focused,” she said. Each new day, she explains, is a chance: “If God allows you to wake up the next day with a healthy body and mind, then you need to make the most out of it.”
It is a mindset shaped by self-awareness and kindness, as she reminds herself that some may be hoping for life itself. “I am only 17. I have a whole life to live and experience,” she said.
Looking back, the advice she would give her younger self speaks to a lesson in self-worth. “Not every adult you encounter is meant to guide you in the right direction but take the entire experience as a lesson learned regardless,” she said, having learned to stop waiting for approval and instead open her life to those who want to be part of it.
In tough times, she leans on people who not only care but also guide her with wisdom. “Just because someone is a good and close friend doesn’t mean they know how to say the right things at the right time,” she says.
For motivation, she turns to trusted people. “I go to people who I know give good advice and are going to motivate me to hold myself together,” she said.

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