A sophomore at Cardozo, Daron Dasilva sets the bar high with his strict schedule and relentless work ethic. As Cardozo NJROTC’s physical training commander, Dasilva leads PT exercises every Friday during morning practices.
Whether it’s using his words, or physically engaging in the exercises with cadets, Dasilva is consistently motivating his peers. Because of his hardworking nature, the NJROTC program was able to bring home trophies under the drones category at almost every single competition over the past year.
“I think I definitely have a passion for flying drones,” he said, with pride. “I’m always looking for ways to improve and drones are a great way for me to see how much I’ve improved, like looking at my flight time from freshman year to now.”
Outside of school, Dasilva holds numerous hobbies ranging from athletics, to studies. “Some of my hobbies are running, and playing sports and in my freetime, I study various subjects and I workout as well by jogging for 3 miles or doing strengthening exercises,” he said.
Even with a tight schedule, Dasilva is able to maintain good grades. “The thing that motivates me every single day is the mindset of wanting to be a better version of myself than I was yesterday,” he added.
Whether it’s waking up at 5 a.m. every morning or going to sleep at 9 p.m., or pushing himself to finish what he starts, his discipline sets him apart from the other students. Dasilva’s routine not only reflects on his strong time management skills, but his dedication to personal growth.
“I have a really complex morning routine,” he joked. Dasilva’s day starts immediately with pushups and core exercises. After his studies, he can be found near the pull up bar or executing complicated workouts.
“Working out is just something I enjoy,” he explained. “It’s something I would say I’m pretty good at.”
A quote that stands out to the NJROTC student is, “You can only get so far on motivation, discipline defines who you are as a person.” Dasilva not only applies this message to his NJROTC commitment, but also his academics.
Friends of Dasilva also describe him as someone who is determined and focused. “Daron is really focused on what he wants, whenever you need help with something he’s always there,” his close friend explained. “When I’m stuck on an assignment or wanting to learn the proper pushup form, he’s always ready to help.”
After high school, Dasilva plans on enlisting in the United States Navy with the goal of becoming an educated and professional individual.
“I believe it will help me become more disciplined, gain valuable skills, and set a strong foundation for my future while challenging myself and growing both mentally and physically,” he said.
