Sherry Clendinen, Scholarship Committee
MAJOR SCHOLARSHIPS:
Marcus Hayes, Scholarship Committee
CLOSING REMARKS
Kevin Jackson, Guide Right Foundation Chairman
BENEDICTION
Rev. Jesse D. Washington, Master of Ceremonies
from Richard C. Spoto High School with distinction. Excelling both and engagement with her community. Now, she looks forward to aspirations to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology and make a meaningful
Throughout his high school career, Christopher demonstrated exceptional academic performance, culminating in his remarkable GPA. In addition to his of Kappa League, where he honed his leadership skills and contributed to
Emmanuel Jordan Ray, currently 18 years old, is the son of Lakisha Ray and stepson of Jesse Washington, Jr. He graduated Cum Laude from Hudson High School, where he excelled in AICE and Cambridge classes, ranking in the top 20% of his class among 330 students. During his time at Hudson High, he was involved in The National Society of High School Scholars and served as the president of Kappa League for two years starting in 2022. Emmanuel was also honored with the National Honor Society award from the Citizens Concerned for Students, recognizing Pasco County African American public high school students. In addition to his academic achievements, he captained his AAU basketball travel team and played football.
Emmanuel is set to attend Saint Leo to begin his college journey in Pre-Nursing, with plans to complete his nursing degree at FAMU. This summer, he aims to obtain his CNA certification to further his nursing career. Alongside his academic and professional pursuits, he is launching his own clothing line brand, Divine Kouture, inspired by his stepfather's fashion sense and his mother's creativity. Both of his parents run their own businesses, motivating Emmanuel to bring his creativity and fashion sense to the forefront.
In his free time, Emmanuel enjoys dining at Brother Trigg's restaurant, Konan's BBQ, in Tampa. He has a diverse taste in music, particularly enjoying old school Hip-Hop. He is passionate about drawing, exploring new cuisines, spending quality time with family, and embracing his individuality.
Tyree Smith, a dedicated student-athlete, has been fortunate to participate in various extracurricular activities that have significantly contributed to his personal and professional growth. His experiences in football, basketball, and track have instilled in him the values of perseverance, discipline, and teamwork. These qualities are ones he is eager to apply to his academic and professional pursuits.
Tyree will be attending LSU’s College of Engineering, where he plans to major in Computer Science and Cybersecurity. He is excited to leverage his passion for technology and his commitment to protecting his country. Determined to contribute to national security, he aims to make a meaningful impact on a global scale.
Believing that great things come from hard work and perseverance, Tyree is inspired by Kobe Bryant's philosophy: "No excuses!" He graduated from Armwood High School with a 3.64 GPA and was actively involved as a Black Student Union Representative, a member of the Kappa League, and a Youth Assistant Coach for the Eastbay Buccaneers Youth Football Association.
Shawn Dowe, an East Bay High School Class Honor graduate, has distinguished himself through exceptional academic achievements and over 300 hours of community service. During his senior year, he served as the Student Government President, Command Sergeant Major of the JROTC battalion, captain of the varsity baseball team, and a member of the National and Math Honor Societies.
Shawn’s journey in baseball began long before high school, having played on several all-star, AB, and travel ball teams. As a freshman, he tried out for the junior varsity baseball team but was cut, leaving him devastated and questioning his future in the sport. Encouraged by his mother, he reluctantly joined a recreational team for one more year. This pivotal experience helped him grow as an athlete, leading his team to regionals where they placed second overall.
The following year, Shawn tried out for the junior varsity team again, returning as a stronger, more focused player with a higher baseball IQ. Not only did he make the team, but he was also rostered on the varsity team, playing "split squad" and gaining extensive practice and game experience. During that season, he was selected as the East Bay High School All-County Underclassman, an honor given to one underclassman from every school in the county, allowing him to play in an all-county game attended by college scouts.
Florida, majoring in Political Science with the goal of becoming a through the RAISE program (Reading Achievement Initiative for Community service has shown her the importance of making a
Wesley Houston, daughter of Leah and Renay Houston, graduated from Lennard High School and will be attending the University of Florida, majoring in Pre-Pharmacy. In addition to her high school diploma, she earned a college degree from Hillsborough Community College through the collegiate program.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wesley discovered a passion for golf and overcame the challenges of breaking into a sport that has historically lacked diversity. She proudly served as the team captain of her high school golf team, a role that allowed her to showcase her skills and inspire her teammates.
Being elected as team captain was a significant honor for Wesley. She embraced the role with enthusiasm and determination, working tirelessly to improve her game and lead by example. Despite the barriers she faced, she refused to let stereotypes deter her. Instead, she viewed golf as an opportunity to challenge the status quo and defy expectations.
As captain, Wesley focused on fostering a culture of inclusivity and excellence within the team. She encouraged open communication, teamwork, and mutual respect, creating a positive environment where everyone felt valued. She also mentored and supported her teammates, offering guidance and constructive feedback to help them develop their skills and build confidence.
Wesley is proud of the inclusive and supportive team culture she helped cultivate and hopes to inspire future generations of minority athletes to pursue their passions fearlessly. By breaking down barriers and leading by example, she has become a beacon of possibility and inspiration for others.
Morgan J. Blackmon, daughter of Ternica Blackmon and Grady agriculture. She has made the exciting decision to attend North about understanding where food comes from and its historical
Growing up in Georgia and Florida, Morgan has always been the intricate system of tending to livestock, plants, and gardens, healthier world and hopes to inspire others to appreciate the importance of agriculture.
Claire Ross, daughter of Justin and Mary Ross, has graduated from Lennard High School with a firm ambition to become a kindergarten teacher. While starting her academic journey at Hillsborough Community College, her ultimate goal is to transfer to a Florida university to study education.
Claire's passion for teaching began in kindergarten and remained unwavering throughout her school years. Inspired by her own teachers, particularly her kindergarten teacher, Ms. Klevin, Claire has always admired the positive impact educators have on young minds.
Her experiences in Girl Scouts and babysitting her cousins further fueled her desire to work with children. Claire believes that teaching is not just a career but a calling, and she is eager to create magical moments for her future students.
Looking ahead, Claire is excited to pursue her passion for education, confident that it will be a path where she can thrive. She is determined to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children and inspire them to love learning as much as she does.
Ella Luzey, daughter of Debora and Cesar Luzey, is a graduate of Howard W. Blake High School with a deep passion for dance and education. While she plans to continue her academic journey at shaping her identity and providing her with a creative outlet for
only honed her technical skills but also developed a profound appreciation for the art form's ability to inspire and connect people.
Teaching dance over the past two years has solidified Ella's desire to pursue a career in education and dance. She finds joy in sharing her knowledge and passion with others, witnessing their growth and transformation as dancers and individuals. Teaching has also equipped her with valuable leadership, communication, and empathy skills.
Ella's dream is to continue her journey in dance while transitioning into a role as a school teacher. She believes that combining her passion for dance with her desire to educate and inspire young minds will allow her to make a meaningful impact in both the artistic and academic realms. By integrating dance into her teaching career, she hopes to provide students with an education that nurtures their creativity, discipline, and confidence.
David Frazier, son of Darius and Tamara Frazier, graduated as Salutatorian from Lennard High School with a 7.91 GPA. He's headed to Florida State University as a Presidential Scholar in their Honors Program, aiming to double major in Political Science and Economics with a Music Minor.
David's passion for helping others was sparked early, inspired by segments on local news highlighting acts of kindness. Volunteering at Metropolitan Ministries and teaching piano to the elderly, he accumulated nearly 300 community service hours.
His interest in law was kindled in 7th grade Civics class, leading him to participate in the 2023 Florida American Legion Boys State program. David aspires to attend law school and become a Judge Advocate General in the Navy, where he plans to develop a pro bono program to assist underserved individuals in the legal system.
He sees this scholarship as crucial in solidifying his educational journey and continuing his mission to help others at all levels of government. David is committed to making a positive impact in his community and beyond.
Nina Jaramillo, daughter of Gonzalo Jaramillo and Michelle Rivero, is a graduate of Bloomingdale High School. This Spring, she will be attending Colby College, where she will major in Mathematical Sciences with a Pre-Med track.
Nina's insatiable curiosity has been a driving force in her life since childhood. She constantly seeks to understand the "why" behind every process, not content with simple explanations. This mindset led her to explore the concept of Neuroplasticity, the brain's capacity to adapt and change. Understanding that intentional changes in thought patterns and behaviors can lead to positive improvement in all aspects of life, Nina is eager to delve deeper into this topic during her undergraduate years.
With a passion for neurology and a desire to assist others in fostering positive changes in their lives, Nina aims to apply the principles of neuroplasticity to her future career as a pathologist and public speaker. Despite facing challenges, including working 40-hour weeks to support her family of 11, Nina remains undeterred in her pursuit of her dreams.
With her determination and intellectual curiosity, Nina is poised to make a significant impact in both the medical field and the lives of others.
Sampreeth Cheedella, son of Srinivasa Rao Cheedella and Vishnu Priya Cheedella, is a graduate of Walter L. Sickles High School. He is eagerly preparing to embark on his college journey at the University of South Florida, where he will begin his enrollment in the summer of 2024 with a major in cybersecurity.
Sampreeth's decision to pursue a degree in cybersecurity stems from his profound desire to combat the pervasive threat of cybercrime and make a tangible difference in the world. His fascination with technology from a young age, coupled with the increasing vulnerabilities in our digital age, has fueled his passion. Witnessing the detrimental impact of cyber attacks on individuals and businesses has only strengthened his resolve to become a skilled professional in safeguarding our digital infrastructure.
sparked his fascination with metal and its versatile applications in aluminum alloys in his foundry. His curiosity eventually led him to importance of pursuing a career path that offers sustainable opportunities. Thus, he has chosen to pursue a career in welding at to leverage his passion for metalworking and craftsmanship into a various industries.
with specific emphasis on mentoring, leadership development, and appropriate programs
capital for our academic enrichment, leadership development and
