This morning, Friday, September 6, Montverde Academy hosted its annual Convocation and Presentation of the Flags to signify the official start of the school year and to celebrate the vast diversity on campus. Montverde Academy is ranked No. 1 on Niche for diversity in the state of Florida and that was ever-present in the 93 countries whose flags were presented.

Of the 93 flags presented representing the Montverde Academy student body, 14 of those flags were presented by 20 SIMA student-athletes. SIMA’s diversity is found in the 24 countries represented within the program and approximately five states.

"We believe that diversity is one of the unique elements that makes the SIMA Program and Montverde Academy so special," said SIMA Director Mike Potempa. "Interacting with student athletes from around the world allows us to unite as a program in many ways that others cannot. Today we celebrate our diversity as an institution."

The diversity present in the SIMA program and across campus is a testament to the efforts by Coach Potempa and the Montverde Academy administration to create an environment where student-athletes and coaches alike can learn from each other.  These efforts have heeded incredible results as students are able to learn in such an environment.

This diversity reaches beyond the student-athletes to the SIMA coaching staff as they represent more than 10 countries and four states

"We are extremely proud of our diverse school community and we will never underestimate the power of a true global vision," said Potempa.