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Graduate Hopes Illness Can Inspire Her Peers

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

Paola Guerrero (right), International Studies Salutatorian, talks with Gwendolyn Henderson, Dept. Head of Business and Marketing at Jefferson High School, before the class of 2008 commencement ceremony begins at the fairgrounds in Tampa Thursday.

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 30, 2008

TAMPA - Paola Guerrero kept a secret from most of her Thomas Jefferson High School classmates until her graduation speech Thursday night.

Guerrero, the school's international studies magnet program salutatorian, announced she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor as a sophomore.

The tumor is benign and has decreased by half without surgery, although Guerrero still suffers severe headaches and gets an annual MRI.

Guerrero had told only about 15 or so friends at school.

"There was no reason to tell people that were not really my friends," she said.

She decided to tell her story at the ceremony at the Florida State Fairgrounds to motivate graduates as she has used her illness to motivate herself.

"When we go out, there will be a lot of things that may become obstacles in our lives, but we can get through all of them if we have the desire to persevere and continue," Guerrero, 18, said in an interview before graduation.

She also spoke Thursday night about her faith in God, and she thanked her parents in Spanish for their support. She encouraged fellow students to have strength in facing their futures.

Guerrero, a native of the Dominican Republic who came to Tampa at age 6, has earned $23,500 in college scholarships and was awarded the school's Principal's Award for her character and school involvement.

She plans to major in finance at the University of South Florida but dreams of becoming a pediatrician.

At Jefferson, she played violin in the orchestra, was president of a business and marketing club, and was a member of the Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society. She also was a member of the school's Academy of Finance and volunteer branch manager at its Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union.

"I will miss everything that we were able to do there," Guerrero said. "It is an environment where the teachers help out the students, and it is a diverse environment among the student body."

Guerrero isn't the only member of Jefferson's Class of 2008 to overcome an illness.

Senior class president Joshua Wallace was diagnosed with a small cancerous tumor in his liver last year. The tumor was removed, and Wallace said Jefferson's students and faculty were instrumental in his recovery.

"They just helped me and loved me and helped see me through this," said Wallace, 18.

Principal Dan Bonilla said Wallace and Guerrero are exceptional students who work hard and are determined to succeed.

"Both of them represent the 'a' in achievement," Bonilla said.

Wallace is a member of the school's National Honor Society, the Academy of Finance, and the business and marketing club.

He plans to major in broadcast journalism and advertising at the University of Central Florida and wants to be a news anchor.

He has received $26,000 in college scholarships.

"If I could, I would go to Jefferson forever," Wallace said. "I love that school so much.

"I have gained some lifelong friends, and I wish we could be together forever," he said.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

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