Abigail Peterson’s high school journey at Aubrey Rogers High has been filled with passion, leadership, and service. One of her proudest achievements is starting a holiday gift drive for Parkside Elementary students in need, a project she began at Lely High and continued at Aubrey Rogers through the DECA club.

Beyond academics, Abigail excelled in sports—swimming, cross country, basketball, lacrosse, and track—while also taking on leadership roles in DECA, student government, and the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy. A highlight of her high school career was the thrilling victory over Gulf Coast in basketball, marking the first win in seven years for a Collier County team.

Abigail plans to attend the US Naval Academy to pursue a career as a surface warfare officer. Her advice to future students... "Get more involved and have fun."

With her drive, dedication, and heart for service, Abigail leaves a legacy that will inspire those who follow.  

For Braden Miller, senior year was unpredictable, exciting, and—above all—fun. A proud Barron Collier Cougar who began his journey at Pelican Marsh Elementary and Pine Ridge Middle, Braden has made the most of every moment. A standout on the golf team, he considers making it to states with his teammates during both his junior and senior years one of his greatest accomplishments.

Braden’s love for golf extends beyond school, and it’s been extra meaningful with his father as his coach for all four years. But golf isn’t the only place he’s left a mark—he’s also been involved in DECA, science fair, and other school activities that reflect his drive and curiosity.
Inspired by his favorite teacher, Ms. Applegate, Braden plans to pursue pre-med at the University of Florida. His advice... “Stick with something—it helps you grow, make friends, and stay committed.”

Looking back, Braden wouldn’t change a thing. Every challenge shaped the bright path he’s proudly walking today.

For Gena Collins, senior year has been demanding, exciting, and above all, hopeful. A proud lifelong student of Everglades City School, Gena has embraced every opportunity with heart and purpose—from athletics and leadership to academics and service.

She’s already earned her associate’s degree from Florida Southwestern State College and will attend the University of South Florida to pursue her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Her dream is to return home and teach at the very school that shaped her—driven by her passion for tutoring and the inspiration of her greatest role model, art teacher Mr. Tribble.

Throughout high school, Gena played volleyball, basketball, and softball, served as student government president, and volunteered with the Everglades Historic Society. Her most treasured memories come from her youth group, especially attending camp and Rock the Universe.

Her advice to younger students... “The road is difficult, but it’s worth it. And, God’s love never fails.” Gena’s journey is one of purpose, faith, and service—leaving a legacy that will echo through Everglades City School for years to come.

For Danya Voltaire, senior year has been exciting, surprising, and eye-opening. A student who embraces challenges with heart and faith, Danya credits her growth to the wisdom of mentors like Ms. Perinon, the school's Media Specialist, who helped her learn to treat herself with more kindness and grace.

One of her proudest accomplishments came during her freshman year, when she chose to fully embrace her identity and values rather than conform to fit in. That moment of self-realization, she says, shaped her confidence and set the tone for the rest of her high school experience.

After graduation, Danya plans to attend Florida SouthWestern State College, then transfer to Florida Gulf Coast University to pursue her dream of becoming a holistic doctor and opening her own clinic.

With a deep sense of purpose and compassion, Danya is ready to step into the world—and shine.

For Isabella Lala, senior year has been exciting, memorable, and rewarding. A dedicated leader and scholar, Isabella has excelled in DECA, Model UN, Best Buddies, and science fair—all while playing varsity soccer and piano. She’s also volunteered at NCH Healthcare and shadowed ER doctors, deepening her passion for medicine.

Accepted to Columbia University with a full-ride scholarship, Isabella plans to major in biomedical engineering or chemistry on a pre-med track. Her ultimate goal? To become a trauma surgeon and pursue groundbreaking research.

Inspired by her mother’s resilience and her father’s medical journey, Isabella leads with empathy, drive, and purpose. Her most cherished moments come from forming deep connections—with teachers, friends, and teammates alike.

Her advice: “Failure only happens when you limit yourself. Stay well-rounded, stay motivated, and never stop working toward your goals.”

Kelly Garcia’s high school journey has been anything but ordinary — it’s been bold, global, and filled with growth. A proud senior at Immokalee High School, Kelly describes her final year as transformative, challenging, and fun — three words that perfectly capture her spirit.

One of Kelly’s most remarkable accomplishments was spending her junior year studying abroad in Finland. With courage and curiosity, she embraced a completely new culture and language. “I still don’t know how I did it,” she admits, smiling. “It was extraordinary.”

Back home, Kelly has been a dedicated member of Beta Club and band, where she’s played the oboe since middle school. Her love of music has taken her on exciting trips and helped her build lifelong friendships.

Kelly is stepping into her next chapter with purpose. She plans to pursue a degree in international business, ready to take on the world with optimism, ambition, and heart.

Congratulations, Kelly! The future is yours — and it’s looking global.

Maggie Poling’s senior year has been nothing short of unforgettable, irreplaceable, and fun. As an active participant in cross country, basketball, and lacrosse, Maggie has shown her dedication to sports while maintaining her place in band, managing a jam-packed schedule with grit and passion.

Inspired by her siblings, who all attended Lely, Maggie embraced every opportunity that came her way—from joining multiple extracurricular activities to forging lasting friendships. Her most cherished memory? Winning districts with her basketball team, an achievement that brought pride, excitement, and unforgettable moments.

Maggie plans to attend a four-year university to study kinesiology or environmental studies. Whether she’s exploring new cities or soaking in summer with her high school friends, Maggie is ready to take on the world. Her advice to younger students... “Join as much as you can and meet as many people as you can. You won’t regret it!”

With her strong work ethic, supportive mentors, and drive, Maggie is set for success.

Travis Michel, a senior at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School, describes his senior year as eventful, a little stressful, and definitely fun. Throughout his journey, his school counselor, Miss Sudnick, has been his biggest inspiration. She supported him during the college application process and pushed him to strive for the best version of himself.

A proud recipient of the prestigious Gates Scholarship, Travis calls it his greatest school accomplishment. This nationally recognized scholarship has opened doors for him to pursue higher education and further his dreams. Though juggling academics, extracurriculars, and college applications was no easy feat, Travis persevered, proving his resilience.

Looking ahead, Travis plans to attend college in Boston, where he’s excited to meet new people and experience a different environment. With a career goal of becoming a surgeon, he’s driven by his love for science and a desire to help others in his community. For Travis, the future is full of promise, and he's ready to embrace every new opportunity that comes his way.

Savannah Toro describes her senior year as fast, crazy, and unbelievable—a perfect summary for someone who’s done it all. A two-year drum major and first chair flutist in the Naples High School band, Savannah has led both on the field and in the classroom. She’s maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while juggling rigorous courses, SGA, swim team, and math tutoring.

Inspired by her first-generation parents—especially her mom, a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University—Savannah is heading to the University of Florida to study applied physiology and kinesiology, with dreams of becoming an emergency medicine doctor. She’s always loved helping others and thrives in high-energy, high-impact environments like the ER.

One of her favorite memories is leading the band at her first Friday night football game as a junior—a moment full of pride and adrenaline. Looking back, she’d tell her freshman self to relax a little and enjoy the ride.

Her journey has been filled with dedication, leadership, and a passion for learning, and she looks forward to the next chapter at UF.

For Baily Mathews, senior year has been hectic, challenging, but so rewarding. A dedicated student leader at Palmetto Ridge High School, Baily leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, community involvement, and leadership across multiple clubs and honor societies.

As captain of the varsity debate team and founder of the school’s Envirothon team, Baily has spent years building her voice and vision—watching her debate club grow from five members to over twenty. She’s a Sunshine State Scholar, an AICE and AP Scholar with distinction, and recipient of the first-ever Florida Farm to School scholarship—proof of her passion for Florida’s agricultural future.

Inspired by her mom and motivated by the importance of slowing down and appreciating the moment, Baily has embraced every opportunity. Her most cherished memories are the club trips where learning and friendship came together.

Baily is heading to the University of Florida to study political science, with plans to pursue the administrative side of agriculture.