Name: Kerlys Ruano
House: McKaig
I’m a first-generation college student, born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida. In high school, I graduated in the top 10% of my class with two associate degrees in art from Doral College and Miami Dade College. When the time to apply to universities began, I relied on the incredible CAP Advisor’s at Mater Academy, Mrs. Macho, and Percy Calderon. With their help, I was not just able to get into the top universities in the state, but also get full ride scholarships to each of them. Through them, I also learned about Southern Scholarship Foundation, the non-profit organization that provides rent-free housing to college students in need, and where I currently reside as a member of the McKaig Scholarship House.
I choose to attend FSU mostly due to its incredible CARE program, where I am constantly provided support and guidance as a first-generation student. Aside from that, I loved the structured curriculum for the psychology and creative writing program. I will be graduating in the Spring of 2023 with a bachelor’s in both psychology and creative writing. Post-graduation I will be moving back home to Miami where I plan on attending law school. There I will immerse myself in internships that will enable my future career opportunities in the city. As soon as I graduate law school I will be a practicing property/real estate attorney. This career will also enable my aspirations of becoming a landlord with the maximum amount of legal knowledge about the practice.
Once I have a stable career, I plan on using my creative writing degree to become a published author. This has been a long-held dream of mine. Just last semester I entered a short story writing competition and won. I was published in a short story book with 10 other contestants, which has given me the confidence that one day I will publish a whole novel.
Aside from my professional aspirations, I love to travel. I have been to Georgia, Nevada, Massachusetts, Cuba, and multiple cities in Florida. Once I have explored a couple more states in the United States, I will love to spend a full summer in Italy, exploring its brilliant cities and learning the language.
