When Alejandro discovered his newly opened school had no band, he decided to help build one.

He rounded up donations and recruited members. When getting to after-school practices became a problem for students without transportation, he started a car pool. When it became clear the temporary band room needed sprucing up, he and friends secretly painted it.

As drum major, he led his band to superior ratings in several competitions and a performance in the American Musical Salute in Washington. A sax player, he was named a superior soloist in state and district competitions; was selected best student in athletics by his school; and named his school's most involved student.

** Honorable Mentions: Fiorella Roversi, Miami Christian; Daigelis Rodriguez, Coral Park; Mirtha Voltaire, Edison.