By: Emilee Caldera
Every year, Braddock loses hundreds of students who walked the halls for years before they walked the stage at graduation and left the school behind. Although not all of these hundreds can be remembered, there is always a few or even just one student who sticks out from the crowd, Nicole Caldera being one of them.
Not only has she proved herself worthy of recognition with her immense extra-curricular activities and high academic standing but she also has a glowing personality that will be remembered throughout the halls of Braddock even after she is gone. Caldera plans to attend Santa Fe College in Gainesville this fall, but her future life endeavors stretch farther than just that.
At the beginning of this year, when she began to fulfill her role as senior class president, Nicole brought something fresh to the table: an indescribable amount of bulldog spirit and pride. In a quote from activities director, Nelly Odio she stated “Nicole has been one of the best class presidents I have ever had. She is reliable, applied, respectful, and always willing to help others.” Caldera has undoubtedly made a standing impression on any faculty that she has met, but is she just a teacher’s pet? The answer to that question is no. According to Jorge Palmer, “Nicole has this weird thing about her that no matter what you’re going through or what’s been happening, she always manages to put a smile on your face. There’s an undoubtable quality of her characteristic that can’t help but make you happy”. Nicole also serves as a great representation of the youth in the LGBTQ+ community and is an active part of the Safe Space club here at Braddock, as well as having an opinionated voice about political issues that surround us today.
The entirety of Nicole’s high school career has consisted of practicing and playing her two favorite sports: softball (which she has recently earned the title as a first-team all-Dade athlete) and soccer. She has served as a true role model to the incoming bulldogs, and will forever be remembered as a true Mrs. Braddock. Although she will be leaving in just a couple of short days, she will forever be remembered for her bulldog accomplishments and will go down in the Braddock Hall of Fame.
The Watchdog 