Words by Kim Vreeland, Director of Marketing and Communications
Athlete, Student, Citizen
A two-time state champion in weightlifting, winner of Academy’s month-long science internship in the Amazon, and a multi-year winner of our school’s public speaking contests, C.J. Fernandez certainly made his mark at our school. An Academy “lifer,” CJ took full advantage of the wide range of opportunities available to our Wildcats across their school careers.
CJ will begin his next chapter at the University of South Florida Honors College where he will study biology and ultimately practice medicine.
His Academy journey began in kindergarten with Miss Heidi and Miss Lizzy – two teachers who still hold a special place in his heart, “I loved seeing them at the all-school assemblies every year for the last 14 years! Every chance I got, I would say, hi,” CJ shares. “As I grew up, Academy became a place where I was surrounded by faces that I’d known since I was five. This sense of connection allowed me to always feel comfortable and confident. Academy was a place where I belonged.”
A dedicated student-athlete, CJ played soccer, swam, and competed in basketball, track, and football, but his passion lies in weightlifting. A two-time state champion and number 2 lifter in the nation, CJ is a decorated weightlifter with two national silver snatch medals, one national bronze clean and jerk medal, and one national bronze total medal under his belt.
On a different kind of stage, CJ is a natural at public speaking, winning Academy’s grade-level competition four times – in third, fourth, seventh, and eighth grades. “The first time I won was in fourth grade, and I was terrified of going up in front of everyone, but I ended up loving it,” he said. “I’m very confident in saying that the public speaking competition is a significant part of why I’m so comfortable talking to people and why I never had an issue talking to adults when I was younger.”
But perhaps his fondest memory is being awarded the Amazon Internship – a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity awarded yearly to one deserving student – providing the opportunity to spend a month in the Amazon shadowing two retired family medicine doctors and assisting with care for nearly 70 patients. “The internship provided the opportunity to observe up close real medical practice and gave me a better sense of what I’d like to do with my time in college and my career,” CJ shares.
Taking advantage of every opportunity included those in the classroom and serving his community. An AP Scholar, he challenged himself academically by taking numerous Advanced Placement courses, developing the time management skills that will serve him well in college. “I became accustomed to a heavy workload, so I find that I’m not frequently overwhelmed or unable to keep up with any tasks.”
Serving his school as a Student Ambassador and the greater community through Key Club and Green Club, CJ’s stewardship is notable. Reflecting on his Academy journey, “Put simply, Academy is an experience you won’t find anywhere else. You get a family and a community that will always have your back.”
