Sofia Zamora Named AHA 2025 Teen of Impact at Coronado High School

Sofia Zamora leading a heart health initiative at Village Elementary School.

News Summary

Sofia Zamora, a senior at Coronado High School, has been recognized as the 2025 Teen of Impact by the American Heart Association of San Diego. Zamora led a nine-week heart health advocacy campaign, raising over $4,000 for research and educating students about heart health. She also organized CPR training with the Coronado Fire Department and plans to study pre-med at USC, inspired by her family’s educational legacy and personal experiences with heart disease.

Coronado – Coronado High School senior Sofia Zamora has been named the 2025 Teen of Impact by the American Heart Association (AHA) of San Diego. This recognition comes after she led a successful nine-week campaign that showcased her ardent dedication to heart health advocacy, education, and fundraising.

Zamora’s initiative as AHA’s Teen of Impact urged young leaders to actively promote heart health within their communities through a combination of educational outreach and fundraising efforts. A key part of her campaign involved educating students at Village Elementary about heart health and securing funds to support critical research aimed at combating heart disease.

Notable aspects of Zamora’s efforts included collaborating with the Coronado Fire Department to provide life-saving CPR training for fourth and fifth graders at Village Elementary. Her commitment to heart health began the previous year when she participated in a Kids Heart Challenge assembly at the same elementary school.

In her efforts to support AHA research, Zamora organized multiple fundraising activities that collectively raised over $4,000. These efforts included a raffle, restaurant give-back nights, and personalized appeals to her community, demonstrating her skills in leadership and community engagement.

Although her official campaign started in February, Zamora’s passion for cardiology is deep-rooted, evolving from her personal experiences with her grandfather who suffered from a heart condition. This connection inspired her to shadow her grandfather’s cardiologist, Dr. Andrew Ho, influencing her aspiration to pursue a career in medicine.

Additionally, her accomplishments extend beyond her advocacy work. During her sophomore year, Zamora participated in a research internship at UCSD School of Medicine, focusing on pulmonary arterial hypertension. She further expanded her experience in the medical field by shadowing Dr. Thomas Diggs at Sharp Coronado Hospital and completing the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Pathway program at Coronado High School.

Sofia Zamora has remained deeply connected to her roots in Coronado, having attended Graham Memorial Preschool and being part of the Coronado Unified School District since kindergarten. Her mother, Edith Salas, has profoundly influenced her life and career path, serving as a role model by instilling a strong work ethic and commitment to giving back to the community.

Looking ahead, Zamora plans to attend the University of Southern California this fall to study pre-med, with aspirations of becoming the first doctor in her family. She is enthusiastic about continuing her family’s educational legacy at USC, where her mother also pursued her studies. Zamora feels well-prepared and confident about her chosen path towards a career in medicine, attributing her confidence to the extensive experiences she has gained in the medical field.

The recognition of Sofia Zamora as the AHA 2025 Teen of Impact not only highlights her accomplishments but also emphasizes the importance of youth involvement in health advocacy and community service, setting a commendable example for her peers.