Student Spotlight: Ramón González Fernández

Meet Ramón González Fernández, a recent graduate of John A. Ferguson Senior High, Miami, Florida. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ramón moved to the USA at the age of 5. He always had a passion for computers and, from a young age, was fascinated by how they worked and the endless possibilities they offered.

It wasn’t until 4th grade that Ramón really began to dive into the world of computer science. He joined a programming club in 5th grade and quickly fell in love with the problem-solving and satisfaction that came with getting a program to work. He found great inspiration in learning from Coding Train, a popular online coding YouTube channel, and decided to pursue a career in computer science.

Ramón’s dedication to computer science paid off. He gained a strong foundation in many programming languages, including EcmaScript, C++, and Rust, and is always eager to learn more. During his sophomore year he earned the Unity Artist industry certification, in his junior year, he earned his Unity Programmer, Unity VR Developer, Java, JavaScript, and Python certifications. In addition, he earned the HTML5 Applications Development certification this year. During his senior year, he took AP Computer Science: A, Multi-User Game and Simulation Programming, Introduction to Computer Programming Dual Enrollment with FIU, along with AP Calculus BC, IB Physics SL, and AP Physics C: Mechanics. His Unweighted GPA is 4.0, and his Weighted GPA is 5.014.

In March, Ramón won 1st place in the advanced track in the Cyber Launch competition, presented by Cyber Florida in Orlando, Florida.

During his free time, Ramón enjoys playing FPS games, like Valorant, and heavily modded Minecraft. Recently, he has been using the mod CC: Tweaked to play more efficiently by programming machines in-game.

In five years, Ramón sees himself in a junior system programming job, working with a team to design, develop, and maintain complex computer systems.

Ramón’s advice to other young students interested in computer science is to try to connect their interests to programming. Whether it’s music, video games, or art, there are always ways to incorporate programming into their passions. By doing this, they will be able to see the potential of programming beyond just coding, as a tool for creating something unique and interesting. “Programming is a versatile tool, but it’s easier to learn if you’re invested.”

Ramón is an excellent example of how dedication and passion can lead to a successful career in computer science. His journey from a young student in Buenos Aires to John A Ferguson Senior High School in Miami-Dade County, Florida, is a testament to the opportunities available for those who pursue a career in computer science. If a student is interested in computer science, they should take Ramón’s advice, connect their interests to programming, and see where it takes them.