The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald Recognized Alessandra Maggioni Along With 29 Other High School Students in Miami-Dade and Broward for their Academic Achievements, Commitment to Service and Talents

Gulliver is proud to announce that one of its seniors, Alessandra Maggioni, was named winner of the Speech category for the The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald Silver Knight Awards. Alessandra was honored in a ceremony earlier this week for her academic excellence and community service.

"Having one of our students win a Silver Knight Award is such an honor," said Gulliver Head of Schools, Frank Steel. "The Silver Knight is one of the nation's most important and prestigious student awards programs, and we are thankful to have student nominees every year. We are so proud of Alessandra and how she embodies our school's dedication to academic excellence and community involvement. She is a truly deserving recipient of this award."

Alessandra's love of public speaking began from a young age when she underwent a major life change. At 14 years old, Alessandra's dream of becoming a professional tennis player was shattered when she had to undergo spinal fusion surgery to correct her scoliosis. After recovering, Alessandra returned to Nicklaus Children's Hospital as an ambassador, sharing her story at hospital events and lending support to spinal injury patients and their families.

Alessandra has also created a device, pending patent, to help patients during their recovery, which landed her a spot in the 2015 TEDx Coral Gables event. Her work as a patient advocate extends globally to Brazil, Germany, Italy, Russia and Venezuela. In addition to being a Silver Knight winner, Alessandra is also the recipient of two Presidential Volunteer Service Awards.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award in the presence of so many talented students who are changing lives through their service," said Maggioni. "The greatest and most beautiful gift that I have gained from my experience is the art of learning to help others, and then doing so. When I speak publicly, I do it in the most simple, openhearted and humbling way possible. The blessing and the joy you receive when you help someone else is much more rewarding than winning a tennis tournament."

About Gulliver Schools:

Gulliver Schools is a 501(c)(3) private, non-profit, independent, coeducational, nonsectarian day school with the mission to create an academic community devoted to educational excellence, with a personal touch, that fulfills each student's potential. For more information about Gulliver, please visit www.gulliverschools.org.