A devoted and active citizen within her city would best describe Hannie Gil, 22, who works, studies and plays in the city of North Miami.
Gil was just three years old when she left her native country, Venezuela, in 1996 only to become passionate and devoted to her new city: North Miami.
She first started developing her love for the city after becoming a summer camp volunteer and counselor at Enchanted Forest Park at the age of 12 or 13.
Gil’s hard work ethic was soon recognized, and she was hired at 15.
“That camp is literally where I grew up, I have so many memories there,” said Gil. “I would, and still do, go horseback riding, run, ride my bike—it’s literally across the street from my house.”
Gil also began working for the city as a Special Events Leader, which requires her and the team to get approval for events, gather vendors, and make sure there are fun things to do in the city.
“We always, always, look out for new vendors in our city that we would like the community to get to know,” she said. “We like to help people grow their business here in North Miami, and we try our best to reach out so they can advertise to the community.”
While attending North Miami Beach High, in the health science magnet, it was eventually time for Gil to apply for college.
By and by, acceptance letters began to roll in.
“I got accepted to Nova, University of Miami, and Florida International University,” said Gil. “I decided to go to FIU; they gave me a full ride scholarship and it was close to home.”
Attending FIU also meant that Gil could keep her job as Special Events Leader, a job she has held for four years now.
“I really love how close and funny my co-workers are. We all come together and have the best time, no drama, ever,” said Gil. “I have been to New York, Washington, D.C., and Northern Florida, but in North Miami we all come together—it’s really nice.”
Outside of work, Gil likes to have coffee at Alaska Coffee Roasting of Miami, located on Biscayne Boulevard.
“They have organic and vegan-friendly stuff, and I’m vegetarian, so it’s perfect,” Gil said.
She also added that she likes The Whole Foods in the city, and occasionally plays basketball with her friends at the Michael-Ann Russel Jewish Community Center, located on 25th Avenue.
As a recent FIU graduate, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in social media marketing, Gil can look for a full time job within her field.
While she can leave the city to work, Gil has decided that working for the North Miami Police Department is what she wants to work in the near future—hoping to continue living, working and, now, career building in the city of North Miami.
“I think North Miami is a hidden gem, and more people should get to know it,” she said. “It’s a very nice city and the people are really nice here.”—Hannie Gil, Special Events Leader
