Julia Sotto Nascimento is a North Broward senior who is a year two IB Diploma Candidate. Julia recently won IB learner of the month for her critical thinking skills and her open-minded enthusiastic demeanor. The Eagle Gazette had the opportunity to contact Julia and learn about the IB Diploma through her perspective.
Before she became a North Broward student, Julia lived in Europe where she attended a fully IB school. She recalls, “I appreciated the way the IB provided me with a well-rounded education, broadening my knowledge of different cultures and understanding how cultural differences can impact various areas of study.” With this previous experience, Julia enrolled in the IB Diploma program. Julia also joined the IB Diploma in hopes that it would prepare her for college. She says her goal for the program was to learn “valuable skills such as time management and effective communication.” Julia uses time management and organization to her advantage, expressing that they are “key components to succeeding with your workload in high school.” Julia keeps an organized schedule with all due dates and events for school assignments and extracurricular activities.
While taking part in the IB Diploma program, Julia has faced many challenges, a notable one being the emphasis on thinking critically through different perspectives. To overcome these challenges, Julia explained, “I made it a point to maintain an open line of communication with all my teachers. I went beyond simply asking questions in class; I communicated with my teachers whenever I struggled with the class content and organized a time to meet with them to learn how to overcome those struggles.” When asked what she wished she knew her freshman year, Julia responded, “I wish I knew that you don’t have to be part of every single club or extracurricular activity; instead, focus on a few activities that you genuinely enjoy, so that you can better commit to activities and they can be more impactful.” Julia is the epitome of hard work and dedication, and she encourages everybody to “remain open-minded throughout the process and accept challenges as learning experiences, rather than viewing them as obstacles.”
Furthermore, Livia Matos Sa is also an NB senior who is actively involved in the Fine Arts Program. She is a very talented actress who has performed in several of North Broward’s theater productions, earning praise for her expressive performances and dedication to what she does.
“I have had a passion for storytelling ever since I was little,” says Livia, “but it wasn’t until I came to North Broward that I truly pursued it.” For Livia, North Broward has become more than just a school; it’s the place where her passion for storytelling has truly taken shape. Surrounded by dedicated teachers and a supportive Fine Arts community, she keeps learning to use her imagination in performances that inspire and move others. Additionally, being an international student from Brazil has allowed Livia to truly value what North Broward has to offer, explaining, “My school in Brazil didn’t have a drama department; That is why I’m so grateful to be part of this program.” She has been part of numerous performances, with Clue being her very first one.
When asking her what advice she could give to students thinking about enrolling in the Fine Arts Program, she says, “There is a fear of judgment and what others in your grade will think of you, but if you truly love theater and fine arts, you have to learn not to care what others think. Easier said than done, so I encourage you to start now. The only person who stands in your way most of the time is yourself.” Livia shares that it has been challenging for her to deal with this too, but whenever she does, she remembers something Stella Adler said: “It’s not about you.” “What this means is that you need to stop thinking about yourself at that moment. Your performance isn’t about you; it’s about your character. This completely changed my mindset,” Livia explains.
Ultimately, Livia Matos Sa plans to “keep pursuing acting and to keep learning” after she graduates. “There are so many directions I can take inside the industry, it’s hard to tell what the future holds. But if that is not what happens, I promise it will be something related to [acting], or that I will still be performing,” she adds. As she prepares to take her next steps beyond North Broward, Livia carries with her the lessons, friendships, and memories built through the Fine Arts Program. Her dedication to her craft and her unwavering positivity have left a lasting impact on the community, one that will continue to inspire future actors and actresses for years to come.
