At first glance, Lakewood Ranch High School senior Sophia might remind you of any driven teen with big dreams and a packed schedule. But spend a few minutes watching her report for Mustangs Ahead under her popular segment “Sophia Speaks,” or see her in action on the track team, and it quickly becomes clear that she’s a unique blend of ambition, authenticity, and quiet confidence.
Sophia hopes to attend Florida A&M University in Tallahassee next fall, with a goal of becoming a broadcast journalist, focusing on sports. The career path is deeply personal to her. She’s following in the footsteps of her father, a television news anchor, and has been nurtured by her experiences in the school’s journalism program.
“Mr. Honsa has been my favorite teacher all four years,” Sophia says. “Journalism class definitely gave me more opportunities to meet more people. I'm not extroverted. It takes me some push to get out there. This job has helped me get into my comfort zone and gain confidence.”
Confidence is something Sophia returns to often. While she’s made a name for herself as Outreach Coordinator for Mustangs Ahead on campus, she’s candid about the challenges her generation faces... especially when it comes to the impact of social media.
“In general, I think it’s taken a toll,” she explains. “But phones aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Our generation is really hardworking. There are so many influencers who have social media to thank for their careers.”
In many ways, Sophia is a modern high school student. But there are also familiar threads connecting her to teens from decades past. She shares the trends of today, including Birkenstocks, baggy jeans, and hanging out at the mall, even if she’s not thrilled that there’s no food court. Her music taste leans heavily into 80s and 90s R&B, with Boyz II Men on her list of favorites.
She lists some of the TV shows popular with teens, including The Summer I Turned Pretty, Grey’s Anatomy, and Love Island—all full of drama, love triangles, and relatable storylines. In another era, it was those same themes in Beverly Hills 90210, Dawson’s Creek, and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which had teens talking.
Sophia finds joy in sharing the stories of others, especially those rooted in culture and identity. When asked about her favorite piece she’s worked on, she mentions her coverage of Black History Month, which allowed her to explore cultural heritage through a journalistic lens. That connection between storytelling and identity also shows up in her personal interests, including a love for reading that spans self-help, historical nonfiction, and fiction.
She also gives back through her work as a volunteer with Dive into Reading, a program that supports early literacy and helps build a strong foundation for young readers in the community.
Though she’s still in high school, Sophia is already shaping the kind of journalist she hopes to become: thoughtful and confident in her voice. She’s not the loudest person in the room, but her work speaks volumes.
It’s easy to draw comparisons between Sophia and those who came before her. Students who once sat in classrooms, unsure of where their curiosity might lead, until a teacher like Tom Honsa helped them find direction. Today, Sophia is that student, already making an impact while preparing to take her storytelling to the next level.
Her generation may communicate differently, but the heart of the story remains the same. Sophia is ready to tell it.
You can read all the Good News from Lakewood Ranch High School on their website: https://www.manateeschools.net/o/lakewoodranch/news.