Two Sarasota-Manatee County high school students have been selected as Bank of America Student Leaders.

Maria Alonzo is a recent graduate of Manatee High School, who moved to the U.S. three years ago from Venezuela. Alonzo is the senior director at Your Advance, a student-led nonprofit. She has dedicated her time to helping immigrant families learn English and has led translation teams at UnidosNow community programs, directed FAFSA workshops, and volunteered to distribute food to the people in need.

Chloe Bernal is a recent graduate of Booker High School who, with her peers, stepped up to tutor elementary school students virtually during the summer of 2020 to ease stress and provide academic support for those struggling to learn through a computer screen. She was also part of a program where she supported the translation of crucial school and college readiness information for ESOL students at her school.

As Student Leaders, Maria and Chloe will participate in virtual sessions that expose the vital role nonprofits play in the community and work closely with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County. The program, which started in 2004, recognizes 300 community-focused juniors and seniors from across the U.S. annually.