By Ruth Reyes, @ummnobodycares

It was the day after Christmas, and the weather outside was dreadful, but the grey skies, rain and humidity did not keep MLEC students and alumni away. They challenged the common assumption that “once graduation comes along, high school students never look back” once again.

On the 26th of December, less than 24 hours after Christmas Day, Cambridge students and alumni met together for a potluck lunch at Miami Lakes Picnic Park West.

The reunion — hosted by Journalism teacher, Neyda Borges, and Academy leader, Erica Evans — grouped alumni, from the very first 2009 graduating class, to current high school students.

“We want you to know how very proud we are. You continue to work hard and accomplish great things,” Neyda Borges told the alumni at the end of the picnic. “You’re working in various fields across the country and the world. We want to help you stay in touch and help you, help each other.”

Many of the alumni in attendance have already finished their university studies and are employed as professionals, while others are currently attending university both at the graduate and undergraduate level.

“I came because I’m indebted to the staff of the Cambridge program and grateful for the faculty’s impact on my life,” said Jimmy Hernandez, a 2009 Alumni that graduated from MIT, when asked why he’d come to the gathering.

As they smiled and hugged, chatted and posed for photos and selfies, the alumni reunited and shared their stories. They talked about their university classes, shared tips on getting a job, and discussed the conflicts of coming back to their families for the holidays.

“My mom has already sent me three messages today asking me ‘how are you?’,” said Lauren Franquiz, 2011 Alumni, in mock horror.

The others agreed and commiserated.

“I’ve come home but my freedom has decreased from 100% to 75%,” said Luis Alvarado, a 2012 graduate currently studying Biomedical Engineering at University of Central Florida, to his friends, as they chatted.

“That’s lucky,” said Laura Montoya, an alumni from the same class currently studying at Cornell University. “I went down to 20%.”

Everyone bonded and chatted over lunch, board games, soccer, frisbee and playground games. Eventually, as they reconnected, the older ones gave advice and tips to their younger friends.

“This reunion was a great idea because you realize that there so many ex-students that you can call on in the future,” said Alyssa Indart, a 2010 alumni and a recent graduate of Columbia University.

“I can give the little ones advice. Tell them that they can major on whatever they want, and pursue something completely unrelated – I majored in Latin American Studies, but focused on health sciences. Now I’m heading a lab at Columbia’s Medical School, researching cerebral palsy and applying to medical school.”

After hours of reuniting, the students gathered for a group picture and the hosts thanked everyone for coming, and re-establishing their connections.

“Cambridge was what made us realize that we go beyond anything we ever though we could,” said Cosette Perez, alumni class of 2012, when asked how the academy had made a difference in her life.

“The teachers really pushed me to do things that would I didn’t think I’d do, and they let me know about opportunities that I didn’t know existed.”