FeatureD Alumni:

Class of 1997

Michelle Sanchez

I became part of the CEA at the young age of 4, after almost being held back in another school due to my birth date. My mother knew that even though I was younger that the rest of the children, I had the ability to perform at the same level as my peers. CEA had that same faith and allowed me to enroll in the fall of 1988. Years came and went, after a nine-year tenure at CEA, I soon was 13 years old graduating First Honors, Antigua Alumna and Vice-President of the 1st Student Council, entering in all Honor courses at St. Brendan High School. I later graduated once again with Principal Honors from High School and obtained a BA from the University of Miami.

As an adult that recently entered her thirties, that has completed a Second BA from Florida International University and is now in the process of completing an MBA - I find myself as the youngest Business Banking Lender and Assistant Vice President at TotalBank. I currently manage a $50MM loan portfolio and over $75MM in depository relationships. After graduating from the Florida School of Banking (held at University of Florida), I was recently nominated as the first TotalBank Employee to attend the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University this upcoming May. This program selects future leaders within the banking industry to discuss current and future regulatory changes, as well as detailed review of bank management and credit policy, from an executive management perspective. This program is meant to mold and provide tools to those nominated for their future in executive management of their respective institutions. As a career banker with over 10 years of experience, I know that the qualities that represent my strengths and contributed to my success were identified and strengthened through my years at CEA.

As a child you never really know or understand the value of what has been instilled in you during your school years, but as an adult I see and firmly believe that who I have become is not only a product of my actions but a product of the love and care that CEA placed into assuring I had the ability to make the right decisions. In my eyes, CEA is not only a highly recognized academic institution; it is a nurturing family, a second-home. It is comprised of professional, loving and giving educators who not only seek to give students the tools necessary to succeed in high school, but in reality the tools that are given are to succeed in life. CEA is the essence of life’s true virtues- family, love, friendship, forgiveness, trust, responsibility and respect; and all are interwoven into what the Conchita family is all about. It is a place where I know I can always return to and feel as loved and as important as when I left 17 years ago. One day, I would like for my children to be a part of this marvelous place and become a part of your tradition. In the meantime, I leave you with all my love, gratitude and respect, as you were the nurturers of my dreams, the keepers of my memories and the solid foundation on where I build.