FeatureD Alumni:

Class of 1978

Art Alonso

I am a CEA 1978 grad. At that time, I was known more for my foiled pranks and inopportune clumsiness - a.k.a class clown. Today, I am recognized as the fire/paramedic guy with the mop-top in the CEA welcome video. Despite my behavioral shortcomings in my pre-high school years, I acquired an academic foundation at CEA that would benefit me for the rest of my life.

Not only did I graduate from Immaculata-LaSalle High School with relative ease, despite a heavy sports involvement, but I was prepared to do well in college. Today, I am 27 year veteran and fire captain with Miami Dade Fire Rescue. I am also a RN & Barry University grad (BA Public Adm). I strongly feel that the education, study habits and test taking skills instilled upon me at CEA afforded me the impetus to achieve my true potential. Furthermore, the peer group of fellow students with similar high goals provided the ideal synergy for higher learning.

I often reflect back to my youth and the rough Little Havana neighborhood that I was raised in. Despite similar socio-economic backgrounds and family structures, not one of my neighborhood buds ever graduated from college. Some of them have faced incarceration, homelessness, or worse. I have always attributed that disparity in educational actualization to my parents' decision to transfer my sister and me from an inner city school to CEA in 3rd grade. I will be forever grateful and appreciative of the moral compass and learning advantage that I was privileged to attain at CEA. Thank you!