This past January’s student of the month was Senior, Victoria Amado. Victoria exemplifies all of the qualities a “student of the month” should possess. She is a very bright and intelligent person.  Victoria is a person of great commitment and loyalty, and she works hard at anything and everything to which she puts her mind. Victoria is currently an IB Diploma candidate, taking six IB courses along with her Honors French III. Victoria is currently looking at colleges, but has yet to decide where she will attend in the Fall. With her wide range of options, it’s a difficult choice. Currently, Victoria is looking at Columbia University, New York University, Fordham University, Syracuse University and George Washington University.

Victoria was extremely excited and felt honored to receive the SOTM accommodation. Victoria explained her motivation for success as follows: “I am extremely strict with my personal time management because of everything I do outside of school. I babysit, tutor and train with a professional dance company in New York City so I know that every minute could be used to get work done and be as productive as possible”. Victoria has been dancing since she was  four years old. She is with Koin and Co. Dance Company in New York, dancing up to twenty hours per week. Victoria’s favorite type of dance is jazz and her favorite dancer is Diana Matos, a dancer known for her live performances and appearances in world renown videos with Nicki Minaj and Jay-Z.

In addition to Matos, Victoria counts her sister and parents as influential role models: “My older sister definitely played a large role in motivating me to be the person I am today. She was always someone who worked extremely hard and she was able to accomplish some of her wildest dreams so I saw first hand the effects of hard work. The adversity and challenges my parents faced to provide the absolute best they could also greatly shaped the person I am today. I know that I would not be the same person if I hadn’t seen the lengths they were willing to go to to make my sister and I happy and I couldn’t be more grateful”.

As Victoria prepares to embark on her next journey she leaves the following to the students of Shore: “Advice I would give any student would be to really try your hardest and work towards whatever you are passionate about because you can make it happen! Hard work does pay off in the end!”