Scholarship Winners 2009
- Damian Ash
Damian will graduate South County Career Center and plans to attend Johnson & Wales University to study culinary arts. Damian will serve as assistant to the Food Network’s Chef Jeff Henderson during his presentation at Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance’s Youth Summit Saturday April 25, 2009. Damian is set on becoming a well-known chef and owning his own restaurant.
- Davalda Bellot
Davalda will graduate Leto High School and plans to attend the University of North Florida to study pre-medicine. Davalda’s school activities include Health Occupations Students of America, Falcon Friends and Second Harvest Food Bank. She received a second place award for public speaking at the regional Health Occupations Students of America competition. Davalda loves sports and is a member of the Leto cross-country team. Davalda also works part-time at AMC Theatres.
- Anaidiel Beltran
Anaidiel will graduate Hillsborough High School and plans to attend the University of Tampa to study nursing. Anaidiel’s school activities include National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She volunteers at the Caribe Program and the Town & Country Regional Library. Her accolades include spelling bee, composition and oratory awards. She received the highest score in her class of forty-four students on the semester exam for Latin. Anaidiel also works for TECO People’s Gas.
- Jessica Bush
Jessica will graduate Armwood High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida to study pre-medicine. Jessica’s school activities include cross-country team captain, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Drama Club. Her accolades include first place in Armwood’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day art contest, Who’s Who in English and fastest race times in two track & field categories. Jessica is ranked number two in her class of 392 students, making her the class salutatorian. She also volunteers her time at the YMCA and the Special Olympics.
- Le’Amber Dunn
Le’Amber will graduate Durant High School and plans to attend Spelman College to study mathematics and educational studies. She plans to be a teacher. Le’Amber’s school activities include Junior Rattlers, Melody in Motion, Step team and Young Ladies Ministries. Her accolades include high honor roll and Young Ladies Ministries Lady of the Year. She was also selected to participate in the 2009 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey. Le’Amber has devoted over 75 hours of community service by assisting the elderly with their housekeeping.
- Agustin Guerrero
Agustin will graduate Brandon High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida to study psychology. Agustin’s school activities include National Honor Society, Junior Classical League and Mu Alpha Theta. His accolades include maintaining a 100% average in his Human Geography class, Who’s Who and a National Presidential Award. Agustin is currently writing a novel.
- Phalicia Jancaitis
Phalicia will graduate Gaither High School and plans to attend the University of Central Florida to study biology. Phalicia’s school activities include Beta Club, National Honor Society, Science Honors Club, Spanish Honor Society and Civinettes. She has also tutored students at Ben Hill Middle School. Phalicia serves as first chair in orchestra.
- Laquida Jennings
Laquida will graduate Jefferson High School and plans to attend Saint Leo University to study marketing and Italian. Laquida’s school activities include Delta Epsilon Chi Club, Upward Bound, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society and the Derrick Brooks Charities First and Goal Program. She received the Youth of the Year award from the Boys and Girls Club.
- Arielle Keith
Arielle will graduate Tampa Bay Technical High School and plans to attend Florida State University to study nursing. Arielle’s school activities include Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Senior Class Treasurer, Health Occupations Students of America and Humanitarians. She has volunteered over 150 hours at University Community Hospital and held the position of president for the college reach-out program.
- Shakea Kindred
Shakea will graduate Spoto High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida to study business and dance. Shakea’s school activities include Mu Alpha Theta, girl’s basketball manager, senior council, National Honor Society as well as National Spanish Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America. She served as dance director, captain of the girl’s track team and plans to study dance as a minor in college. Shakea also participated in math tutoring.
- Amber Lancaster
Amber will graduate Riverview High School and plans to attend Hillsborough Community College to study business administration. Amber’s school activities include holding the position of president for both Future Business Leaders of America and Delta/Epsilon Chi and volunteering for the American Red Cross and Relay for Life. Her accolades include placing in the top five in two Future Business Leaders of America competitions and a Poseidon Award in 2008.
- David Le
David will graduate Robinson High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida to study music. He aspires to be a Flute professor. David’s school activities include band, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society and Tampa Bay Youth Symphony. His accolades include 2008 College Board Advanced Placement Scholar and Hillsborough County Master Musician – as you heard earlier. David was also selected for Florida All-State Bands.
- Christopher Lockwood
Christopher will graduate Freedom High School and plans to attend Bethune Cookman College to study criminal justice. Christopher’s school activities include Chess Club, Latin Dance Club, Florida Public Service Association and African American Studies Club. He has also participated in programs at the Museum of Science & Industry and Angel Care Ministries.
- Andrew Mikhail
Andrew will graduate Wharton High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida to become a dentist. Andrew’s school activities include the wrestling team, track & field, football, National Honor Society, Beta Club, student government and the debate team. His accolades include Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors, Employee of the Month and Most Valuable Wrestler.
- Joshala Peterson
Joshala will graduate Middleton High School and plans to attend Tallahassee Community College to study nursing. Joshala’s school activities include National Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America and mentoring elementary school students. She has volunteered at Metropolitan Ministries and has completed the Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance Youth Leadership Institute. Joshala is ranked in the top three percent of her graduating class.
- Edmund Rosenbaum
Edmund will graduate Plant City High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida to study accounting. Edmund’s school activities include Students Against Drunk Driving, Civitan and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has varsity letters in football, wrestling and track. Edmund was named Captain of the Offensive Line and was responsible for calling blocking schemes at the line. He also finds time to volunteer his time at a local middle school. Edmund is ranked in the top ten percent of his graduating class.
- Nataly Sedler
Nataly will graduate Alonso High School and plans to attend Hillsborough Community College to study criminal justice. Nataly’s school activities include Fellowship of Christian Athletes, volleyball, basketball and flag football. She also participated in the Junior ROTC program. Her accolades include best defensive award for basketball and being named captain of the volleyball, basketball and flag football teams. Nataly works part-time and served as a newspaper staff writer for her school.
- Vianca Simpson
Vianca will graduate H.B. Plant High School and plans to attend Florida State University to study pharmacy. Vianca’s school activities include track & field, tutoring in chemistry and Upward Bound. She has won at the district level for track & field. Vianca is graduating high school a year early because of her determination and perseverance.
- Ashley Stollings
Ashley will graduate Sickles High School and plans to attend Saint Leo University to study biology and then go onto law school. Ashley’s extra-curricular activities include National Honor Society, Drama Club, Spanish Honor Society, Orchestra and Senior Class Representative. She has received awards for two different writing competitions and earned a superior rating for orchestra.
- Jessica Slater
Jessica will graduate Blake High School and plans to attend Hillsborough Community College to study pre-law. Jessica has been in the gifted program since the first grade. Her extra-curricular activities include tutoring family members and maintaining a part-time job.
- Safi Ullah
Safi will graduate King High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida to study biomedical science. Safi’s extra-curricular activities include National Honor Society, Key Club, Advancement via Individual Determination, River/Beach clean up, and tutoring. He has received such accolades as Employee of the Month while working at the Museum of Science and Industry and Temple Terrace Library. He is fluent in four languages and can also read Arabic. Safi is ranked among the top five percent of his class.
- Alishan Vazir
Alishan will graduate King High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida to study pre-Medicine. He aspires to be a pediatrician. Alishan’s extra-curricular activities include National Honor Society, Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America and Debate team. He co-founded the BOLD club at school. BOLD stands for Believe Overcome Lead and Discover and promotes the acceptance of different races, religions, cultures and beliefs through constant dialogue, interaction and education. He also launched the second Interfaith Youth Alliance in the nation. Alishan is the captain of his local recreational football and basketball teams.
- Morgan Williams
Morgan will graduate East Bay High School and plans to attend the University of Florida to study environmental science. Morgan’s extra-curricular activities include National Honor Society, student government president, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, cross-country, soccer, track and volleyball. Her accolades include Most Valuable Player and Most Promising Player. She is currently ranked third in her class and will be the first person to graduate East Bay with 16 varsity letters.
- Samantha Wilson
Samantha will graduate Bloomingdale High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida to study nursing. Samantha’s extra-curricular activities include French Club, Future Teachers of America and True Love Waits. She is an Advanced Placement Scholar – having passed three or more Advanced Placement exams. Samantha has volunteered at Oak Hill Hospital during the summer.
“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