Leo, RYE-Florida Outbound Student

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Leo Canizares

2012-13 Outbound to Japan

Hometown: Boca Raton, FL

School: Olympic Heights High School

Sponsor: District 6930, FL

Host: District TBA, Japan

Leo's Bio

Hey! My name is Leonardo Canizares but most just call me Leo. I'm sixteen years old at the moment and am currently a junior at Olympic Heights High School. I live in West Boca with both of my parents Nestor and Elizabeth Canizares, along with my twelve year-old sister Valeria and my dog Simba. I've recently switched schools to Olympic Heights High School this year and due to this I haven't gotten into many clubs yet, but I intend to change this once I know my way around the school a bit more. When I get a chance, I would like to join some sort of robotics or computer science club. After school I normally head directly home, do my homework and if I have time, play a video game or do some programming. I like to hang out with friends in my free time at the movies, but we mostly go to each other’s houses. I play soccer in a SABR (Soccer Association of Boca Raton) team and have bass practice once every two weeks. I also play the piano in my free time. I’ve been playing the piano for about 3 years and practice whenever I can. My favorite songs I play are scores from popular video games. Over long weekends or holiday breaks my family and I like to go camping. We used to go camping with a YMCA group when I was younger, but more recently have gone with family friends instead.

I want to become an exchange student for a couple of reasons. I’ve always liked going to new places and learning about new things. I did a short term exchange to France over the last summer. It was a great experience and the trip helped me decide that I wanted to do this for a longer period of time. I like seeing what the world is like from a different perspective and what the culture and the customs are. Becoming an exchange student will allow me to travel abroad and learn what it’s like from that corner of the world. This coming year when I leave to Japan, I want to learn the language and hopefully become fluent in Japanese, as well as learn about their culture and their lifestyle and be a part of it. I am thankful to the rotary club for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime by making this trip possible. I’m sure this year will be an amazing growing experience for me and will teach me many things in life that aren’t taught in a classroom.