Irene Paul - Winter Park High School

Irene Paul is a dedicated and accomplished student who balances rigorous academics with extensive extracurricular involvement. As a candidate for the 1B program and a Valencia Dual Enrollment student, she seeks out challenging academic opportunities.

Her commitment extends to athletics, where she captains the Girls Varsity Weightlifting team and is a member of the Track and Field team, aiming to excel in her final year. Irene's service is highlighted by her profound commitment to the T.R.A.C.K. Center, a nonprofit providing aftercare to elementary and middle school students. Starting in the fall of her junior year, she quickly accumulated over 300 hours of service, stepping up during the summer program to volunteer 55-60 hours a week. She became more than a teacher, acting as a mentor and playmate, nurturing the students' potential, and even creating a daily drawing tradition.

Beyond academics and service, Irene holds multiple leadership roles: she co-presides over the Spanish Honor Society and the UNICEF Club, is the president of the Neuroscience Club, and is the Social Media Director for the STEMbark Society. A proud achievement of hers is co-founding the Maryann Michael Studios, a dance nonprofit where she serves as Senior Dance Instructor, which highly promotes cultural awareness and physical fitness. She also engages her critical thinking skills as a participant in the Science Olympiad. 

Irene tries to be totally inclusive and attempts to create a space where everyone is seen and respected. She is a person of empathy and views everyone with respect and as an equal. Humanitarian traits come naturally for Irene, which makes her a flawless submission for the Orlando MLK Humanitarian Award.