Classical grad named Bank of America student leader

LYNN – Miguel Morillo, a recent graduate of Lynn Classical, was named one of Bank of America?s student leaders for his continued work in the Lynn community.?It was really great that they picked me. It was an honor,” Morillo said.Because he was named one of Bank of America?s student leaders, he got to participate in a six-week, paid internship and go to Washington, D.C., interacting with 230 civic-minded high school juniors and seniors.Morillo went to Washington in July where he attended conferences, learned how to be a more effective leader and visited Capitol Hill. “It was a great experience,” Morillo said. “It was one of the best weekends of my life.”The experience prepared him for his future in the workplace. “It really taught me how to network better,” Morillo said of his experience.Morillo was chosen for this honor because of his dedication to civic involvement. He has volunteered at RAW Art Works and St. Stevens Church as well as balancing two sports at Classical.?We picked Miguel because of his dedication to civic involvement and giving back to the community,” Bank of America Account Executive Carly Nardella said. “Bank of America really tries to capture that and help foster the future leaders.”Morillo has been a part of RAW for seven years now and during his sophomore year of high school became a RAW Chief. He started going because his friends would go there every Friday. “They would always go and I wondered where they were going. So finally one day I went with them,” Morillo said.After that day, he never stopped going. He decided to become a RAW Chief after being inspired by an older chief who mentored him. “They were like an older brother for me. They were always there for the kids,” Morillo said. Immediately, Morillo enjoyed the role. “I got paid to do something I love. It was great,” Morillo said.Morillo credits RAW for making him more humble. “I can be a little stubborn sometimes and have too much pride,” Morillo said. “I have taken criticism better now because of RAW. It has made me better myself. I feel I can take on the world now.”Expressive Arts Therapist Susannah Horwitz of RAW has watched Morillo grow through the years. “He was really enthusiastic from the start,” Horwitz said. “I have seen him go through a lot of growing pains. He is a lot more confident now.”Horwitz was impressed with Morillo by how he could juggle being a Chief and a two-sport athlete. “A lot of the times we are a little weary if a kid is involved in sports because it gets too much for them and we don?t want them to quit,” Horwitz said. “However, Morillo wanted to do both so he found a way.”The athlete is thankful for what sports have taught him. He was a point guard for the Classical basketball team and a cornerback for the football team. “It taught me hard work and dedication. If you push through anything, you can achieve anything,” Morillo said.Along with RAW, he volunteered at St. Stevens Church working with the KIPP summer program. While he was used to working with kids because of RAW, younger children was a whole new experience for him. “It taught me patience. Little kids are always running around and get so easily distracted so I am a lot more patient because of it.”In the fall, Morillo will be heading off to Westfield State University for his freshman year of college. “I am little nervous. I feel like I have been in Lynn my whole life,” Morillo said.The freshman will be double majoring in criminal justice and business. “I always wanted to be a cop or lawyer growing up. Also, I have always been good at math and want to own my own business. Maybe one day I will own my own law firm,” Morillo said.Morillo chose Westfield because of the campus and the class size. “I liked it because it is not too big. I want my teachers to know my name,” Morillo said. He is looking forward to meeting new people when he arrives on campus. “I can?t wait to meet new people from different environments and be able to get outside Lynn for a little bit,” Mori