TASIS Dorado Senior Natalia Pérez de León ‘23 Completes National Program Requirements to be named a National Student Council Distinguished Student Leader

Dorado, PR - Natalia Pérez de León, a Senior at The TASIS School in Dorado, has successfully completed the NatStuCo Student Leaders Program, earning national recognition as a National Student Council Distinguished Student Leader. She is one of approximately 800 students in the nation to achieve this recognition, which is becoming a highly sought-after honor by student leaders across the country. Sponsored by the National Student Council (NatStuCo) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Student Leaders Program serves to:

● Give schools a tool to enhance and improve their efforts to develop student leaders.

● Challenge students to work for recognition that is based on their abilities and knowledge in the area of leadership.

● Create an award that provides authentic assessment and recognition based on a student’s demonstration of skills and knowledge.

● Support the standards and goals of the National Council of Excellence Awards and missions of National Student Council and NASSP.

Natalia has been a TASIS Dorado Bear since seventh grade. This year, she is the Executive Board President of the Student Council; in years prior, she has served as the Executive Board’s vice-president and treasurer. She is also part of the National Honor Society, Computer Science Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Science Bowl Team, and Interact Club. In terms of the latter, Natalia has always enjoyed volunteering and has logged more than 270 hours of community service during her time at TASIS. She has done tremendous work for the Los Naranjos community in Vega Baja; she has provided countless hours of tutoring as well as helped run summer camps for this disadvantaged community.

TASIS Dorado 2023 Student Council Earns Top National Award for the Third Consecutive Year

For its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that improve the school and community, the TASIS student council has been recognized as a 2023 National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Student Council (NatStuCo) for the third consecutive year. The NatStuCo program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

"Exceptional student councils are a hallmark of exceptional schools," said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. "The TASIS Dorado Student Council has taken student leadership to the next level, creating a culture promoting scholarship and citizenship that resonates far beyond their team. I'm delighted to recognize their hard work with the National Gold Council of Excellence Award for their commitment to service, leadership, and uplifting the voices of their peers."

"We're incredibly proud of our Student Council Executive Board and advisor Karen Miranda for their remarkable achievement of receiving the National Gold Council of Excellence Award three years in a row. Your exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment have brought immense joy and pride to our school. We are grateful for your dedication and hard work. Go Bears!" - Upper School Director Sara Hernández.

TD Student Council advisor Karen Miranda praised her executive board on this award: “…This award recognizes our Council's representatives' effort, dedication, and commitment and confirms the positive impact this year's Student Council has had on our school. I am incredibly proud of the example and legacy this year's Council leaves behind for our school and community. I want to especially highlight the work and dedication of our Executive Board members: Natalia Pérez '23, José Puig '23, Alana Fuentes '24, Nicolás Casanova '24, and Mariana Inclán '25. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and Bear Pride!"

Read full article at https://www.tasisdorado.com/page.cfm?p=614

TASIS Dorado Senior José Antonio Puig Camacho Named 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar for Puerto Rico

Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the 59th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. TASIS Dorado senior JOSÉ ANTONIO PUIG CAMACHO '23 joins 161 high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic and technical excellence, and a commitment to community service and leadership.

Next fall, José will pursue his undergraduate studies in Biology at Brown University under the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME).

As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.

"I am honored to have been named a U.S. Presidential Scholar and represent TASIS and Puerto Rico. It proves that determination can lead to significant accomplishments. I want to thank my parents, family, friends, and teachers for their support throughout my journey. I couldn't have done it without them," proudly said José.

José recognized Dorian López, Ph.D., as his most influential teacher, who has been teaching at TASIS for eight years and is currently teaching several AP’s: U.S. and European History, Research, and Macroeconomics. Dorian's exceptional teaching skills and dedication have earned him the prestigious Distinguished Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education.

Head of School Deborah Monroe praised José Puig as an exceptional TASIS Dorado leader who exemplifies kindness, empathy, service-orientation, and keen intelligence. "On behalf of the Board of Directors and Administration, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to José Puig on this remarkable and prestigious achievement. His exemplary role model qualities have positively influenced younger students, and undoubtedly, he will continue to make a powerful impact as a leader at Brown University."

Find José's full article and interview on El Nuevo Día on May 14th and 18th, 2023.