Pedro is a ?diamond in the rough.?  Born in Nicaragua, Pedro left his native land at age 6 and traveled to the United States on foot.  The journey took nine months, but Pedro and his family made it safely.  Pedro was adopted by his great aunt and came to live in Maryland.  Faced with constant obstacles that almost consumed him, his writing became more than Pedro?s means of self-expression, it became his escape.  Over the years, Pedro has honed and perfected his skills, discovering his ideal means of expression in cultural writing and poetry.  He attributes much of his success to his Spanish teacher who has become not only his mentor, but also his friend. A talented and gifted writer, Pedro received the Springbrook 2000 and 2001 Creative Writing award for his poetry.  He was involved with the Hispanic Cultural Club and Hispanic Assembly.   Pedro has also excelled in all of his school subjects.  He has been recognized as an Honorable Mention by the National Hispanic Recognition Program and by the City of Baltimore, from which he received a Citizen Citation for his completion of the Outward Bound program.  Pedro is committed, motivated and excited about his writing, through it he believes that he can voice the hope of those who cannot do for themselves so they too can be heard. 

Pedro attends Eckerd College in St. Pettersburg, FL. where he created a club to promote Hispanic awareness (?Los Latinos con Sabor?), which received the first ever plaque for the best new club of the year.  Other accomplishments in school are school newspaper column editor, creative writing club and tour guide, member of Model United Nations, host of a radio show, and a tour guide.  He also has a paid internship in a mental health center.  He has decided to triple major in psychology, creative writing, and Spanish.