Portraits of Success

Luisa Soaterna 2006

Luisa Soaterna grew up with a strong work ethic and a sense of determination fostered by parents who emigrated to the United States from Colombia.  Luisa spoke only Spanish when she arrived, but by the time she attended T.C. Williams, her language skills had improved so much that she could maintain a high GPA while being an active member of both the JROTC and ROTC cadet corps.  Luisa served as a Cadet Corps Commander and Drill Team Commander and led her team to success and national recognition.  Luisa also tutored ESL students and along the way found time to serve as a mentor to others. 

With the support of the Scholarship Fund, she went on to get her B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Virginia State University and today is fulfilling her "American dream" by pursuing a Ph.D. in Biophysics at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.  She plans a career in academics and research.  Always striving to be the best she can be, Luisa follows the advice of her parents, who remind her that life is what you make of it and is too short to waste. 

T.C. Williams Class of 2000
B.S., Virginia State University, 2004
Ph.D. Candidate, The Johns Hopkins University