As the class of 2014 prepares to enter the college world, we would like to take a moment to celebrate some of the local remarkable seniors. Their many accomplishments include athletic triumphs, mission trips to Mexico, hundreds of hours of community service and other extraordinary pursuits, while still being able to achieve stellar academic feats.

To all the members of the Class of 2014 – graduation is not the end, it is just the beginning, and we wish you the best of luck!

Gabrielle and Daryth Gayles
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Gabrielle and Daryth are a powerful pair. The identical twins are standout seniors at their school for their academics, community minded leadership and unparalleled athletics.

Gabrielle is team co-captain of her varsity track team and won third place in the Junior Olympics in the 400-meter dash and became an All-American.Daryth considers her biggest accomplishment earning the spot as valedictorian of her class. One of her best memories is winning the team track and field state championship.

Daryth and Gabrielle will attend Stanford University and have signed on to run track.

 

Ahsan Rashid
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Ahsan’s dedication to his studies and his extracurricular activities have earned the respect of his peers, faculty and staff. Along with taking 10 AP courses he is active in National Honor Society, Chemistry Club, Latin Club, track and field, and more.

 

Sevonte Miller
Rockledge High School

Sevonte is described as a true gentleman, courteous, honest, intelligent and ambitious. He has won many awards for his community service, volunteering more hours than any other student at Rockledge High School, while participating in varsity track and soccer. He received the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Award.

 

Kathleen Daly (left)
Eau Gallie High School

Kathleen is a 4.0 student who will graduate as valedictorian with her AA degree from Eastern Florida State College and her high school diploma. She is captain of the girls’ varsity soccer team and four year letterman. She has contributed over 200 hours in community service to local causes.

Alexa Raley (right)
Eau Gallie High School

Alexa was awarded the J. Kyle Braid Leadership award. Prior to her senior year, after suffering two major injuries, Alexa’s doctors didn’t think she could play her senior year. Alexa’s hard work paid off as she was back on the volleyball court after three months as captain.

 


Alexander Liles
Viera High School

Alexander is described as civic minded and having a passion for community service and government. He has served his school as student body president and president of Student Government Senate. He is a principal’s scholar with a 4.0 GPA and an AP Diploma candidate.

 

Antoine Griffin (far left)
Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High

Antoine’s accomplishments include achievements in the classroom and on the athletic fields. He was team captain of the varsity football and track and field teams and a state finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman. As a student, his guidance counselor described him as an active listener who never tires of doing the right thing.

Adeline Morgan (middle left)
Melbourne Central Catholic

Adeline’s favorite high school memory is singing for the Tuskegee Airmen. She intends on double majoring in pre-veterinary science and vocal performance. She was the founding president of the Tri-M Music National Honors Society. With several years of private opera training, she hopes to participate in choral groups at her school and share her passion for music.

Kimberly Bress (middle right)
Melbourne High School

Kimberly combined her passion for soccer with her leadership ability and compassion for citizens with disabilities to co-found Beachside TOP Soccer – a year-round soccer program for athletes with disabilities. As the executive director and coach, she organizes and leads the volunteers and athletes. Since tenth grade she has continued to dedicate her time and energy to the program.

Megan Moisand (far right)
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Megan considers her greatest accomplishment to be her acceptance into Elon University. “My acceptance is the reward for working very hard to maintain a 4.2 GPA while playing volleyball year round and spending a lot of my free time volunteering, particularly at the DOCK.” She plans to study elementary education and possibly minor in special education.

 

Olivia Ninesling
Viera High School

Olivia had a rigorous schedule of academics, honors clubs, Model Student Senate, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Explorer Program. She is the Battalion Executive Officer in Viera High’s JROTC program, placing her second in command of 215 cadets. She aspires to become a military officer and continue in a field related to international affairs.

 

Julia Duffin (left)
Merritt Island High School

Julia earned the honor of being salutatorian for her graduating class. She has taken AP courses and won several awards for her academic excellence. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the marching band, and Student Government Association. Her best memory is being selected for the homecoming court and winning homecoming queen.

Yasmine Zubi (right)
Satellite High School

Yasmine has worked tirelessly in her school’s science research department. Most notably her 2013 project placed second in the international science and engineering fair in cellular and molecular biology. The same project earned first place for Brevard’s regional science and engineering fair. She is also a gifted musician playing the French horn, trumpet and the viola.

 

Luis Salazar
Palm Bay Magnet High School

Luis will study botany at the University of Florida and hopes to graduate with at least a master’s degree to work in gene splicing and genetic modification of plants with biotechnology. He will graduate with his AP Diploma and AA degree from Eastern Florida State College. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA in both AP and dual enrollment courses and is described as humble, courteous and kind.

 

Brian Truong (top left)
Heritage High School

Brian is an extremely well rounded student, according to his nominator. He excels in academics as well as extracurricular activities including National Honor Society and Student Government. Brian credits his two closest friends with having the biggest influence on him. “They showed me that it doesn’t take much to create happiness, just simply doing what you love and putting your whole heart into it.”

Tatiana Martin (middle)
West Shore Junior/Senior High School

Tatiana raised $26,000 and hosted and organized a meal packaging event where her church packed 50,000 meals to send to Africa. “My mom’s passing in eleventh grade truly made me realize the blessings I have in my life, but I have to give much credit to my role model and best friend and big sister, Julie Anne,” Tatiana said.

Johnny Koh (bottom right)
Florida Air Academy

Johnny describes himself with four words that he says he has stood by during his high school career: leadership, respect, initiative and teamwork. His pursuit of leadership training has earned him a place among the top ranking cadets of the school as a squadron commander. He was also president of the National Honor Society and a President’s List student.

 

Jasmine Shireman (left)
Titusville High School

Jasmine successfully obtained her certification as a nursing assistant while attending high school and playing soccer. “I loved caring for the patients and knowing I was helping them.” She credits her grandmother with inspiring her. “She has always supported me in everything I’ve done and I love to share my new accomplishments with her.”

Reyna Verano (right)
Merritt Island Christian School

Reyna is originally from Nicaragua and came to the United States at the age of 13 when she was adopted. She worked hard to learn English and considers this to be her greatest accomplishment. She plans to work while she earns her degree at Eastern Florida State College and eventually attend medical school.

 

Matthew Adams
Cocoa High School

Matthew is described as well balanced and self-motivated by his nominator. He is valedictorian of his graduating class and will also receive his AA from Eastern Florida State College. He has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while taking the most rigorous courses. He is active in multiple athletics including football and soccer.

 


Diana Konarzewski

Edgewood Junior/Senior High School

Diana took it upon herself to help hungry and undernourished kids as her senior project with no prior experience other than joining her parents in some of the packing sessions by the local charity, The Children’s Hunger Project. Diana raised $2,000, purchased the specific food items, gathered family and friends to put the food together and wrapped the items.

 


Drew Denson

Astronaut High School

As a scholar athlete Drew admits it is a challenge balancing academics, clubs, church involvement and sports training. “Placing 15th overall at state cross country this year while in AP and college classes has shown me that with dedication and good time management, you can achieve great things and have balance in your life.”

 

Jordan Folkes (middle)
Bayside High School

The many academic, musical and extracurricular honors that Jordan has garnered reflect his intelligence, leadership and dedication to serving others. He is an AP diploma recipient, drum major and president of his senior class. Additionally, he created a nonprofit organization which regulates the donation of clothing and domestic items for local women, children and homeless shelters.

Ally Sokoloff (left)
Melbourne High School

In her high school years Ally has served as two time soccer state champion, a member of Bulldog leadership, Student Government and the varsity swim team. All while holding over a 3.5 GPA. She has traveled to Mexico on mission trips seven times in four years. She will attend Southeastern University.

Emily Toler (right)
Space Coast Junior/Senior High School

Emily will attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee to study audio-video production in the fall. She considers her certification as an Avid media composer her biggest accomplishment. After less than two years in

her school’s television program, she took the certification exams and earned the highest scores in her school.