Nicole Abreu is a 14 year old freshman attending SBHS who was born in Caracas, Venezuela. 

“I grew up in two completely different cultures and countries,” said Abreu.

When she was five years old, Abreu and her family had to close their family business and leave Venezuela due to the country’s political troubles. They moved to Peru, where they spent about a year before moving to the United States. She was seven years old. 

Her family landed in Hollywood, Florida where Abreu started elementary school.  At school, her class was full of kids who mostly spoke only English. Not only was learning a new language difficult, but getting used to the different traditions and cultures was as well.

“I think moving around at such a young age had advantages, but also disadvantages,” said Abreu. “I got to meet many different people, but I also had to adapt to different food, different teaching styles and different rules,” said Abreu.

She doesn’t like to just sit in her house all day and has always had different hobbies. From learning how to make jewelry and how to dance in Peru to trying out for the basketball team in middle school, Abreu always has been open to try new things. 

“I had tried all these different sports like ballet and tennis, which helped me find the passion I have for volleyball,” said Abreu.

Growing up she has always liked to excel in anything she does. Despite her inner drive, in eighth grade Abreu started slacking in school.

“I started taking high school classes in middle school, but I didn’t pay attention to the work, because I thought it was going to be easy,” she said. “But, I saw my friends doing well and I wasn’t.”

She decided to manage her time better and find a balance between sports and school.

“The hardest thing about being a student is trying to finish by the deadlines and trying to balance your sports, with school and your social life,” said Abreu.