High school rivals come together for blue-and-gold cause

The FIU Alumni Association hosted graduates from Belen Jesuit Preparatory and Christopher Columbus High School for an evening of camaraderie March 24. Guests, who are also FIU alumni, put aside high school rivalries to celebrate FIU.

“I’ve been told and I’ve seen that Belen and Columbus have a friendly rivalry,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “But when this family comes onto this campus, this family is about FIU and helping FIU. I want your support and a lifetime commitment.”

Carlos Simoza ’06, a graduate of Columbus and a senior tax manager at BDO Seidman, welcomed the opportunity to visit his alma mater and see how much the university has progressed. “I owe something to both schools,” he said. “Columbus gave me a strong foundation and FIU gave me my career.

Ralph Rosado ’96, MA ’03, who is running for state representative of district 117, said, “I am both a Wolverine and a Golden Panther. At FIU I was able to blossom as an individual.”