Two Downtown Doral Charter Upper School Seniors Earn National Recognition

Maria Alfonzo named Cooke College Scholarship Finalist, Sofia Garcia selected as Semifinalist

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Two seniors from Downtown Doral Charter Upper School have earned prestigious national recognition from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, one of the country's top scholarship programs. Maria Alfonzo has been named a Cooke College Scholarship Finalist, while Sofia Garcia was selected as a Semifinalist, placing her among the nation's top student applicants.

Why it matters

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation provides significant financial support to help exceptional students from low-income backgrounds pursue higher education. This recognition highlights the academic excellence and leadership of students from Downtown Doral Charter Upper School, a public charter school serving a diverse community in Miami, Florida.

The details

Maria Alfonzo has been a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar since 7th grade and has earned numerous academic distinctions, including AP Scholar with Honors, Florida's Superintendent's Diploma of Distinction, and the Florida Seal of Biliteracy and Fine Arts. Outside the classroom, she has completed over 900 community service hours and founded a podcast promoting intergenerational storytelling. Sofia Garcia, who immigrated to the U.S. from Venezuela at age 9, has a 5.053 weighted GPA and is a dedicated leader, serving as the president of the Future Business Leaders of America and captain of her soccer team. She plans to pursue a career in law, advocating for immigrant communities.

  • Maria Alfonzo has been a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar since 7th grade.
  • Sofia Garcia immigrated to the U.S. from Venezuela at age 9.

The players

Maria Alfonzo

A senior at Downtown Doral Charter Upper School who has been named a Cooke College Scholarship Finalist, recognizing her years of academic achievement and dedication.

Sofia Garcia

A senior at Downtown Doral Charter Upper School who has been named a Cooke College Scholarship Semifinalist, placing her among the nation's top student applicants.

Downtown Doral Charter Upper School (DDCUS)

A public charter school serving a diverse community in Miami, Florida.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

One of the nation's most prestigious scholarship programs, providing significant financial support to help exceptional students from low-income backgrounds pursue higher education.

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The takeaway

This recognition of two exceptional students from Downtown Doral Charter Upper School demonstrates the academic excellence and leadership being cultivated at this diverse public charter school, and the impact that programs like the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation can have in supporting the educational aspirations of talented students from underserved communities.