Freshman Holden Payne is a 14 year old with a jam-packed four years of high school in his future. His life as the freshman class president, a student activities member, an excelling student in academics, and a person with an extreme passion for sailing is quite intriguing.

Born and raised here in Miami, Payne has always had a passion for sailing. He has been sailing for 8 years and is now currently a part of the Coral Gables Sailing Club; you can spot Payne sailing every Saturday and Sunday at the Coral Reef Yacht Club, as well. Aside from being part of the sailing club for Coral Gables, he hopes to start one for the school in the near future.

Payne can be described as a smart, well-rounded student with excellent academic grades. He strives to do his best, and mostly receives A’s on his report card. Payne also enjoys being in school and taking part in the many activities it has to offer. Being a member of student activities as a freshman has given him the privilege of getting involved with the school as much as he had hoped to be when he arrived.

“I like to be integrated and involved in the school, especially through activities because it has helped me meet new people and learn a lot about the school. It even gave me the idea to run for freshman class president so I can get even more involved,” Payne said.

As president of the freshman class, he has many ideas and future plans he hopes to one day fulfill. He also aspires to remain as class president for all his four years of high school.

Payne is a member of IBHS and Gables Earth, both of which he hopes to excel in. He aims to continue on with Hanna Payne’s coral lab project.

“I plan to continue with my sister’s plan for the coral lab, and bring in more entertainment tanks with possibly more fish,” he said.

Aside from participating in clubs, he is also a part of the water polo team and the swim team. This has enabled him to get to know upperclassmen and feel more comfortable in such a huge school.

Payne also got to be the MC for the Mr. Coral Gables pageant this year, which he feels really helped boost his confidence and become more comfortable in front of a big crowd.

“The whole experience was amazing; getting to know juniors and seniors participating in the Mr. Coral Gables pageant was an overall great experience, and I hope to do it again,” Payne said.

He also aspires to run for Mr. Coral Gables in his junior or senior year for Gables Earth, or even for the CGHS Sailing Club he hopes to one day start.

Holden Payne, a student that shines in everything he does, has great expectations for his remaining time in Gables. We will just have to wait and see what other marvelous ideas and actions Payne throws at us.