Name: Tamara Sonera
House: Pilot FSU
Greetings! My name is Tamara Sonera, a current second-year student at Florida State University majoring in social work with minors in psychology and education. I was born on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico and moved to Jacksonville, Florida, at the age of 4. I am currently the Media Coordinator for the LaVerne Weddle Pilot Scholarship House. Life at SSF has allowed me to pursue my dreams of attaining a higher education without financial burdens. Over my past three semesters at SSF, I have had the opportunity to learn and live with so many amazing people! As a first-generation college student and the only person in my family who has been afforded the opportunity to attend college, I hope to give back to my community by actively working to dismantle educational disparities.
I have always been passionate about helping others and aiding my community in a way that eliminates systemic barriers. During high school, I participated in a vocational program that focused on Early Childhood Education. I was able to work as a preschool teacher in Title 1 schools for four years. Through my experiences working with children and families in schools, I discovered my passion for advocating for educational equity and wrap-around services for students. After completing my bachelor’s in social work, I hope to pursue a combined Master’s in Social Work and Public Policy.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and discovering new places in Tallahassee! Balancing academics and social life has been a huge part of my undergraduate experience and success. On a daily, I enjoy destressing by watching Netflix, baking, and taking occasional and well-needed naps! Moving forward, I hope to discover new hobbies and be able to travel to new places. Traveling is something that I have learned to love as it opens your eyes to new experiences and cultures. So, far I have traveled to many Caribbean islands and Mexico. In the future, I plan to travel abroad to expand my experiences.
