Palmer Trinity School

CAMPUS NEWS One for All, and All for One By: Jennifer Agress, Communications and Marketing Coordinator Coming from Doral Academy to Palmer Trinity School as a sophomore, Stephane Granada '13 quickly established herself as a leader on the PTS Varsity Girls Basketball team. Since her arrival, Stephane has served as the team's point guard, setting numerous school records and being selected as the first PTS Varsity Girls Basketball player to ever make The Miami Stephane Granada '13 plays point guard for the PTS Girls Varsity Herald's 1st Team All-County. Basketball team. Selected as captain for the past two years, this senior Falcon acts as a guide for younger players on the team; serving as a mentor for middle school player Chrystal Peterson '17 and setting an example for work ethic—oftentimes staying late to lift weights even when practice is over. "She is a great student, she is humble, and she is goal-oriented," says James Valle, Stephane's coach. "Most importantly, she values her teammates and makes efforts to help them be successful." Born with an aptitude for sports, Stephane spent much of her childhood joining every sports team she could—even trying her hand at Tae Kwon Do. It wasn't until she began playing basketball at PTS, however, that she knew she had found her niche. "I lose myself playing it," she says. "In my opinion, it's fun whether you win or lose." With plans to continue playing basketball at the university level, Stephane has already received a scholarship offer from the University of West Florida, in Pensacola, where she hopes to study physical therapy. "For people who are willing to work hard, basketball can be both fun and challenging," Stephane says. "The friendships you build on the team become family. I can't imagine my life without it." Student Races to Fame By: Jennifer Agress, Communications and Marketing Coordinator Juan Manuel Correa '18 earned a second place finish in the Rotax Pan American Championships. Just this past September, Palmer Trinity School student Juan Manuel Correa '18 earned his racing stripes when he competed in the Rotax Pan American Championships, in Englewood, Colorado, and placed 2nd in the Rotax Junior division. Competing in karting races for nearly six years—with a resume of accomplishments that includes a 2009 Ecuador National Championship, placing 3rd in the National Championships in South Bend, Indiana, and qualifying for, and competing in, World Finals in Portugal, just this past November—as a middle school student—Juan is already an integral member of Jay Howard's professional Team Motorsports Driver Development (Team MDD). Watching his first karting race with his dad, a rally car racer, at a very young age, Juan believes racing is more than just a hobby—it's a part of who he is. "I like it because it's something different," Juan tells us. "It has just become my sport." A Champion in the Making By: Jennifer Agress, Communications and Marketing Coordinator On Sunday, November 11, 2012, Palmer Trinity School student Alejandro Rodriguez '14 competed in the Miami Man Half International Triathlon— placing 1st in his age group, 10th overall for male participants, and 10th overall for the entire race. Participating in this event with his dad, Alejandro Rodriguez, Sr., this PTS student swam 0.6 miles, biked 22 miles and ran 6.6 miles in a total two hours, four minutes, and 19.68 seconds. Having always played soccer in school, Alejandro was introduced to triathlons one year ago, when his father suggested that he try one out. Competing in five triathlons since then, including the Miami Man Half International Triathlon, Alejandro is now on a strict training regimen—training four hours a day, before and after school, and everyday this past summer. Joining the Palmer Trinity School Boys Varsity Cross Country team, just this year, to help with his training, Alejandro placed 2nd overall in District Championships. Admittedly, Alejandro maintains that the running component of triathlons is his favorite part of the competition. "Running is what I'm best at," Alejandro says. "It's a way to give your all, after you get off the bike and hit the concrete. It gets me stronger in both the mind and muscle." Relatively new to the triathlon scene, Alejandro is already taking the world by storm. Competing in Nationals earlier this year, which attracts the top 100 athletes per age group, Alejandro placed in the top 20. As a result of this accomplishment, he will represent the U.S. in the U19 division of the International Triathlon Union's (ITU) world championships, in London, this September—competing on the same track used in the Summer 2012 London Olympic Games. With so much success already, Alejandro knows this is only the beginning. "My dream goal is to go to the Junior Olympics in 2014," he says. While still in high school, Alejandro also wants to letter in three varsity sports to get the coveted letterman's jacket—and, in addition to participating on the soccer and cross country teams, plans to join the Palmer Trinity School Track team in the Spring to bring him closer to that goal. Of all these athletic commitments, Alejandro still maintains that the triathlon is his favorite. "I got the opportunity to try new sports, and I guess I found one I'm good at," Alejandro says. "I don't know what I would do without triathlons." Alejandro Rodriguez (on podium) wins first place. W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 / 1 3 9

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