Three Paths, One Gulliver Education: The Milton Family Story
As Gulliver celebrates its Centennial and reflects on a century of shaping students and communities, families like the Miltons illustrate the lasting impact of a Gulliver education across a generation.
For Ana Veiga Milton, choosing Gulliver was about finding a school that could nurture her three children as individuals: Alec Milton ’11, Eric Milton ’13, and Diana Milton ’15. With her children’s different passions, personalities, and ambitions, she wanted a place where they could explore widely and unlock their own potential.
“Gulliver’s large and diverse student body, committed families, wide range of course offerings, and strong academic reputation made it an excellent choice for my three children, each with different talents, interests, and strengths,” Ana shares. “Gulliver offered the breadth of opportunity that allowed each of them to grow and succeed in their own way.”
Their journeys reflect a common truth that Gulliver empowers students to forge their own path and pursue success on their own terms.
For Alec, the turning point came through photography. As the yearbook photographer, he discovered both a creative outlet and a way to connect with others. “Through Mr. Sylver’s photography club and his assignments, I came out of my shell and started engaging with classmates I might never have met otherwise,” he recalls. “It helped me learn how to connect with people and become less introverted.” Today, as Vice President in his family’s organization, that experience continues to shape how he approaches management and relationships.
Eric’s defining Gulliver experience came through the engineering and robotics programs, where he discovered his love of problem-solving. During his time at Gulliver, his robotics team represented the school at a national NASA competition in Texas, earning first place for an invention they later patented. The experience proved transformative, inspiring his decision to pursue computer engineering and become Chief Technology Officer at his family’s company.
For Diana, Gulliver offered opportunities that she embraced with determination and initiative. In her junior year, she aspired to serve as President of the National Honor Society, and her consistent participation in organization activities and “villager” mentality prepared her to achieve that goal. Additionally, she served as president of the Robotics Club and as captain of the cross-country team. She credits her success at Georgia Tech to a summer internship at the University of Miami John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, where she built on the skills she developed in her Gulliver biomedical engineering class. Today, she is a practicing attorney specializing in technology law, intellectual property, and artificial intelligence.
“Gulliver’s programming encouraged every student to find and capitalize on their passions,” says Diana. “The opportunities I embraced at Gulliver instilled in me the courage and confidence to position myself as a leader throughout my life.”
Each Milton has carved a unique career path, yet they share one advantage: the support of Gulliver’s vibrant alumni network in Miami and beyond.
“Several years after graduating, I’ve started reconnecting with classmates as our careers develop,” Alec says. “The time we spent together at Gulliver creates a foundation that makes those relationships more personal and meaningful.”
Diana adds, “High school is an identifier in the Miami community, woven into the fabric of the city. Living elsewhere has made me realize just how widespread Gulliver’s network is.”
From Gratitude to Giving
For Ana, the long-lasting impact of a Gulliver education is why her family supports the school, particularly to advance STEM education and foster the problem-solving mindset it cultivates. Through the Cecil and Ana Milton Family Foundation, the family made a $100,000 gift in celebration of the school’s Centennial year. The funding will support the Gulliver Fund and robotics, an investment in the hands-on learning and innovation that shaped two of her kids’ Gulliver experiences – and today, her niece’s as well.
Ana’s niece, Cecilia Florin-Veiga, is currently a sophomore at Gulliver and is already charting her own path. Like her cousins, she has discovered a passion for robotics and biomedical studies, representing Gulliver at national engineering competitions.
“Philanthropy is a Milton family tradition, particularly in supporting education and initiatives such as STEM that elevate South Florida as a destination for academic excellence and entrepreneurial innovation,” Ana asserts. “Witnessing Ceci’s experience, alongside all the recent investments in infrastructure, programming, and teachers, is thrilling. Hopefully, the next generation of Miltons will benefit from investments made today.”
The Milton family will be inducted into the 1926 Society for their lifetime giving of $100,000 or more, as well as the Centennial Society, which memorializes their leadership gift during Gulliver’s Centennial.
As the school looks ahead to the next 100 years, the Milton family’s story is a reminder that the impact of a great school is carried forward by the passions students discover, the communities they shape, and the generations that follow.
