Scholarship Winners 2007
- Nichola Burney
Nichola Burney is a senior at Gaither High School and plans to attend Florida State University to study medicine.
Nichola is actively involved both in and out of the classroom. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Advisory Council, Health Occupation Students of America and BETA National Honor Society. She is captain of her high school’s track and field team and was recognized as best all around athlete. Nicola is a four-year member of Gaither’s high school chorus and received a superior rating for solo and ensemble. Nichola also volunteers at the YMCA, assists the school’s football team and lends a helping hand to the Special Olympics.
Nichola believes you must to take full advantage of the opportunities given to you.
- Arlene Echevarria
Arlene Echevarria is a senior at Plant City High School and plans to attend Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Arlene has been a four-year member of JROTC and led her squad to victory at the district drill squad competition as the group’s commander. She is a two-time recipient of the cadet of the year award and also received such accolades as the Military Excellence Award, Award of merit, and the 82nd airborne ribbon.
Arlene volunteers at the V.A. Hospital and is secretary for the Health Occupation Students of America. Arlene aspires to earn her nursing degree and travel the world to help others.
- Kayla Eversole
Kayla Eversole is a senior at Simmons Career Center and plans to attend Hillsborough Community College. Kayla is treasurer for the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society. She also participates in the Future Business Leaders of America and Drama Club.
Outside of the classroom, Kayla mentors elementary students attending the Exceptional Education Center. Kayla understands the important role that education and experience play in obtaining the job of your dreams. Her desire to help others is what inspires her to become a psychologist.
- Iliana Figueroa
Iliana Figueroa is a senior at Durant High School and plans to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago in the fall to study education. Iliana is the co-founder and vice president of her high school’s Word Club, which introduced spoken poetry and provides a monthly open mic forum to her peers. Iliana’s passion for the arts is not limited to writing, as she also enjoys photography. She truly embraces education and aspires to become a high school teacher so that she can inspire teenage students to succeed.
Illiana maintains her honor roll status, while working at her part-time job. She also volunteers at Metropolitan Ministries and participates in Junior Civitan, Durant’s service club.
- Kawanda Foster
Kawanda Foster will graduate from Hillsborough High School with her International Baccalaureate Program diploma and plans to attend the University of Miami to study medicine. Kawanda’s fascination with biology inspires her to be a cardiac surgeon.
Kawanda demonstrates her academic promise as a well-rounded student who holds officer positions for the Spanish Honor Society, Delta Gems, and Student Government. She is first chair viola in her high school’s orchestra, and is a member of chess club and Track & Field. Kawanda is active outside the classroom as a mentor for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Organization.
Her love of music inspires her to someday open a performing arts school for underprivileged children. She believes music has the power to change lives
- Corey Hooks
Corey Hooks is a senior at Jefferson High School and will attend Florida State University to study finance. Corey is a three-year member of the National Honor Society and currently serves as president. He is branch manager of the student-run Jefferson High School Suncoast Credit Union and is a member of the Distributive Education Clubs of America, Fellow Christian Athletes and the National Technical Honor Society.
Corey is equally dedicated outside the classroom. He has volunteered for Ronald McDonald House, Metropolitan Ministries, the YMCA and his church. He was named most improved athlete for Track & Field and is currently the captain of the track team.
- Andrea Jacko
Andrea Jacko is a senior at Gary Adult High School and plans to attend Hillsborough Community College in the fall. Andrea enjoys helping others and has volunteered for the Hillsborough County Aging Services and Meals on Wheels program. She was also vice president of the Armwood High School Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance youth initiative.
Andrea loves to perform. She has studied ballet since she was six and sings in her church’s choir. Andrea wants to make a difference in people’s lives by becoming a doctor. Her dream is to open a clinic for woman. Andrea recognizes that perseverance, hard work and education are the key to achieving her goals.
- Maylin Martinez
Maylin Martinez is a senior at Leto Comprehensive High School and plans to attend Hillsborough Community College in the fall. Maylin is a well-rounded student. She is a member of National Honor Society, Thespians National Society, Spanish Honor Society, Key club, and her school’s leadership group. She is also president of the Spanish Honor Society.
Maylin received the award for the Hispanic youth voice of Tampa Bay and two awards for excellence in Spanish language competitions. Maylin moved to the United States less than three years ago and will be the first one in her family to attend college.
- Orville Pemberton
Orville Pemberton will graduate from Tampa Bay Technical High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida in the fall to study microbiology.
Orville has demonstrated his academic abilities through his rigorous studies. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club and Math Club. Combining his interest in science and his need to help others, he has volunteered over 175 hours at MOSI by assisting summer youth participants with science experiments. Orville received the Excellence in Science Award and is ranked first in his class of over 200 students.
- Thuy Pham
Thuy Pham is a senior at Robinson High School and plans to attend The University of Tampa to become a pharmacist. Thuy is a model student in and out of the classroom. She is a member of the National Honor Society, BETA, and French Honor Society, and holds officer positions in Interact and the Knight Vision POWER Program - a program sponsored by TBWA youth initiative.
Thuy is an accomplished flutist in Robinson’s marching band, concert band, jazz and chamber ensemble, and orchestra. She is the treasurer of Tri-M Music Honor Society and was awarded the band director’s award in 2006. She is described by her teachers as having a “can do” attitude, while being compassionate and diligent. Her kind hearted nature was recognized in 2006 with the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award.
Thuy is the first one of her family to attend college and understands the important role education plays in becoming self sufficient.
- Razi Ullah
Razi Ullah is a senior at King High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida to study mechanical engineering. Razi has known from an early age that he has a natural talent for the field of engineering. He is club president, team captain and head engineer of the King High School Remotely Operated Vehicle club. He led his team to a first-place title in the regional competition with an underwater robot, which led to an international competition at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Houston, Texas.
Razi is a member of the national honor society, two-time winner of the Top 10 student award and is fluent in four languages. He has volunteered for FEMA, the local police department and was captain of a rescue team during hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne. In addition to keeping a rigorous schedule, Razi works 40-hours a week.
- Alexandra Wayson
Alexandra Wayson attends Riverview High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida in the fall to study law and English literature. Alexandra has known from an early age that she has the uncanny talent to persuade people. Her academic performance and extracurricular activities display her talent and aspiration to become a federal prosecutor.
Alexandra is a member of the Mock Trial Team, where she won third place in the state, Law Review Club, Student Government and Fellowship of Christian Students. She is also a Florida Key Scholar and National Merit semi-finalist. Alexandra finds fulfillment in making a difference in the lives of others and has accumulated 112 hours of community service.
“Because of this scholarship, I will have an opportunity to go to college. Thank you all for having faith in me and believing that I deserve this scholarship.”
Arlene Echevarria
2007 TBWA Scholar