SUCCESS STORIES
SUCCESS STORIES
Aldo Briano
Sirius 2015
Co founder of Skootel & Yiftee
Aldo co-founded Yiftee, where he plays a variety of roles, including product management, development, growth marketing, and others. He is in charge of recruitment, development and structuring of the team across Engineering, Product, Growth, and Marketing functions. Passionate about creating deep and meaningful connections with consumers through technology.
Also co-founded Skootel, new alternative method of transportation for short distances. Established in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
Raquel Sofia
Sirius Class 2005
Graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor in Jazz
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, as well as a Grammy and Latin Grammy Nominee. From 2012-2013 Sofía performed backing vocals to Juanes as well as Shakira and Jean Carlos Canela on tour. In 2013, she was featured in advertisements for Target and in 2014 signed to Sony Music Latin releasing her first solo EP and debut album the following year. Raquel Sofía received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 16th Latin Grammy Awards. Before releasing an album, she had already written and performed with some of the most popular & influential artists in the Latin market, including Shakira & Juanes.
Emmanuel Lopez Alonso
Phoenix Class 2015
Is an actor and dancer born and raised in Puerto Rico. He started his career at the age of eight performing throughout the world. At the age of 15 he had won the title of World Salsa Champion three times. Emmanuel is currently a Los Angeles based actor and recently graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. You may have seen him recently in the Broadway production of "ON YOUR FEET!," Season 4 of NBC's "BLINDSPOT," and in "Russian Doll,"a new Netflix series.
Mayrim Monti Carlo
Puerto Rican Chef
With her wry smirk and sharp wit, Monti Carlo is a combustible mix of food knowledge and comic relief. The Puerto Rican Chef and former radio personality is a contributor on many of Food Network’s and Cookin Channel’s top-rated shows. The host of Help My Yelp on Food Network and Make My Food Famous on FYI, Monti is also the Co-founder and Director of Culinary Content for Everything Food, a digital platform that connects consumers with high-quality food providers. She’s a spokesperson for KitchenAid and a chef instructor for Common Threads, a non-profit that teaches underserved children to cook. In 2012, she placed Top 5 on Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef. Monti spends her free time hunting down the perfect slice of chocolate cake with her son Danger.
Marixtell Carrero & Diego Acevedo
Class of 2003 / Warriors 2022
Actors
Maritxell Carrero is a film, television, and theater actress with international acclaim. Known for her versatility and perfectly bilingual (English and Spanish), she is the lead in "Esperanza" (2018), a film produced by Jana Memel. She was the lead actress in Peter Sellars' opera "The Indian Queen," recipient of the 2015 Golden Mask Award, which she notably performed at the English National Opera, Teatro Real in Madrid, and Moscow's Bolshoi Theater.
Our alumni Diego Acevedo plays the main character during his childhood. Diego performs with the actress Marixtell Carrero, from SESO’s class of 2003, and is currently performing successfully in theaters and movies.
“Dos Caminos” is a Puerto Rican production with a deep social theme. It was filmed in Mayagüez by Luis Enrique Rodríguez, the director.
Awards
- Recognized as one of 10 outstanding young people of Puerto Rico in the category of excellence and personal achievement by JCI, 2014.
- Received Universidad del Sagrado Corazón Portic Medal for Personal Development and Leadership.
- Student of the year, Southwestern Educational Society.
- Student of the year among all Private Schools of Puerto Rico, 2006
Lorraine Valle
TV Host, Producer, Reporter, Script Writer and Spokesperson
Dynamic Media Communication’s Reporter and TV Producer with seven years of broadcast production experience. Demonstrated experience as a TV Host, Producer, Reporter, Script Writer and Production Assistant. Skilled at producing programming, Public Service Announcements, news reporting and as broadcast talent. Proven production expertise researching and writing scripts, securing locations and talent, arranging interviews, and planning and scheduling the video shoot. Solid experience budgeting radio and television projects and negotiating contracts.
Don Francisco Interview
Mariangie Rosas
Gryphons Class 2002
CEO, UrbanVittles LLC; Founder, co.co.haus Puerto Rico
Mariangie Rosas is an entrepreneur, community builder and mentor determined to boost Puerto Rico’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. After a career in architecture in New York and Mexico City, she returned to her home in Puerto Rico at a time when most professionals were leaving the island to pursue better opportunities in the U.S.
In San Juan, as Mariangie began her journey to launch a culinary tech startup, she realized that there was a lack of
coworking space available for the local entrepreneurship scene. In a pivot, she put a pause on her startup and in 2017 founded co.co.haus, the first co-working space in the Santurce district of San Juan.
For Mariangie, entrepreneurship is the answer to the economic turmoil that has overpowered the island for decades. She believes networks are a powerful instrument, and her mission is to empower and catalyze this community by providing the right working spaces.
In February 2019, Mariangie was invited to attend Facebook’s Communities Summit, where 400 community leaders were handpicked to attend conferences and access mentoring at the company’s headquarters. She has also attended relevant conferences and workshops including the Global Coworking Unconference Conference in Canada and the UD, SXSW and Startup Grind.
Mariangie serves the boards of various community organizations that work on the betterment of her community of Santurce. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in architecture.
Dr. Joseph Ng
Class 1993
Vice President of the Board at Sights On Health
Dr. Ng is currently a critical care intensivist at Mather Hospital in New York. He has been making strides by caring for critically ill patients, serving in the specialized role of chief medical information officer, and assistant vice president of medical affairs at the teaching hospital. On top of all his duties, when Covid-19 hit the US in early 2020, Dr. Ng was quick to set up a system of record keeping that would ensure patient information was complete and always available for all patients, even the ones that could not communicate!
Malenis Holloway Nazario
Jaguars Class 2001
Program Assistant for The Graduate Chemistry Office at Northwestern University
Currently, she is the Program Assistant for The Graduate Chemistry Office at Northwestern University, one of the most prestigious Chemistry Programs in the country. Prior to that she worked in a K-12 school as an office and communications manager.
Malenis is also an entrepreneur. She co-owns a small homemade organic soap business called Mar & Soul Soaps. She provides affordable, quality soaps for everyone from every walk of life. Their scents and ingredients are inspired by our culture and are familiar to many.
“At SESO there was always this sense of community. Many students grew up together, and families, staff were very involved in our lives. Working in education, I realize how important it is to have that community. Although it’s been 20 years, I take that community with me everywhere I go.” - Malenis Holloway Nazario, Class of 2001- Jaguars
Dr. Gabriela Rodriguez
Bacabs Class 2007
𝗚𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘇, Bacabs Class of 2007, recently received a NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship from the National Eye Institute of the NIH. Dr. Gabriela Rodriguez studies how neurons that process visual information change when animals learn to discriminate visual stimuli. She is working to define the time course of learning related changes in the brain and to find out how different subtypes of neurons participate in this process.
Shuk Ling Ng
Crusaders Class 2004
Owner and Pharmacist at Ling's Drugstore.
She prepared herself by obtaining a BA in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus and a PhD in Pharmacy from Nova Southeastern University. She states that SESO played a vital role in her success in higher education as SESO gave her the tools and confidence to tackle the challenges that are presented during the university and adulthood.
“I come from a family of entrepreneurs and since I was young it never seemed far-fetched that I would start a business on my own. While I was studying to become a pharmacist, it became a goal of mine to open a pharmacy and serve the community where I grew up in.” - Shuk Ling Ng, Class of 2004 - Crusaders
Ángel Enríquez
Class 2012
Biomedical Engineering “PhD student, Ángel Enríquez, was chosen as a LATinE Trailblazers in Engineering Fellow through Purdue University's College of Engineering.
EnrÍquez was specifically chosen for the
LATinE program at Purdue Engineering, which has a goal to prepare future trailblazing faculty in engineering with a focus on preparing outstanding scholars who are also committed to increasing the success of Latinx engineers. Trailblazers in Engineering Fellows are selected not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements but also for their potential impact in expanding representation and diversity in engineering.”
Hilton A. Zapata Hernández
Class 2011
Certified Public Accountant
Hilton Zapata, class of 2011, is a Certified Public Accountant. He obtained his BSBS in Accounting and Finance from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus where he graduated SUMMA CUM LAUDE and is currently pursuing his Law Degree. He also is an Infrastructure Associate at the Financial Oversight & Management Board for Puerto Rico focused on providing fiscal and budgetary oversight to the PR Aqueduct and Sewer Authority in an effort to promote long term fiscal responsibility and operational sustainability consistent with the PR Oversight Management and Stability Act (PROMESA). You may find him teaching continued education courses at university programs in Puerto Rico.
"I can attest that SESO’s mission as college prep school enabled a smooth transition into my undergrad studies and my gradual formation as a professional. In addition, SESO provided me with a basic tool kit to broaden my critical thinking skills which in turn has helped me tackle everyday problems from a very young age." - Hilton Zapata
Keily N. Soler & Paola F. Rivera
Patriots Class of 2017 / Seekers Class of 2018
Both students graduated from the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus and obtained the highest honor they have to offer, the Luis Stefani Raffucci award for academic excellence.
Amaris Sánchez-Larragoity
Gryphons Class 2002
Educational Consultant
Amaris Sánchez-Larragoity, is a Psychologist who specializes in managing rare diseases. She is constantly educating the community by sharing content through Academia en el Hogar. Follow her and learn more about how to improve your child’s education and socialization!
Dr. Jorge Weber Guzmán
Gryphons Class 2002
Vascular Surgery
Dr. Jorge Weber Guzmán, SESO Alumnus,
Gryphons Class 2002, moved back to Puerto Rico last year and is now helping people at the Menonita Hospital, Cayey and Caguas. “He specializes in the treatment of complex vascular disease including carotid disease, abdominal and iliac artery aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, vascular access for hemodialysis, and thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections with special interest in endovascular approach.”
