If a single moment could set the vibe for a high school experience, Darshan Dadlani’s took place at the first Friday night football game of his freshman year at Barron Collier High School. He may not have realized it then, but his memory of crowd surfing the student section and being embraced by the entire student body was a preview into the fulfilling, challenging, and fast-paced four years ahead of him. Darshan's advice for upcoming seniors stresses the importance of time management, a skill he seems to have mastered as he excelled academically while being involved in student government, clubs, and activities on campus. As he closes this chapter of his life, Darshan looks forward to attending Boston College and studying business finance.

Meet Dionara McDermott, a senior at eCollier Virtual Academy (eCA), who transferred to the school in her junior year due to the opportunity for flexibility, which has been a significant factor in her success. Dionara's favorite quote, "seek and you shall find," has been her guiding principle in life. She attributes her success to the teachers and staff at eCA who have provided crucial support, enabling her to pursue her passion for photography in other states. Dionara will be attending Florida Gulf Coast University where she plans to major in journalism and minor in photography. Although eCA's student body is small, Dionara will always appreciate how the school recognized and celebrated all of its students' accomplishments.

Everglades City is known for its slower-paced style of living and tight-knit community. It is no surprise that Everglades City Schools senior James Collins spent the majority of his memorable moments in high school with family and friends. Everything from homecoming, to prom, to the day-to-day “hanging out” in between, added up to countless memories that will last a lifetime. James remembers he was once told “to be more confident and not procrastinate,” and he made sure to apply that advice to his life throughout high school. Confidence led him to one of his greatest accomplishments – participating in the Incubate Debate program with the 2023 Washington delegation. Additionally, James is thankful for getting involved in dual enrollment early in his high school years. It was a decision he believes helped develop his sense of direction, pointing him to the University of Florida to pursue a degree in engineering. When asked to describe his senior year in three words, without hesitation James said, “exciting, stressful, and promising.” 

Golden Gate High School senior Bryan Grisales Garcia is the type of young man that takes obstacles and turns them into goals. Coming from Colombia and being new to the country presented challenges, but Bryan overcame those hurdles by excelling in school. As a Collier County Public Schools student, Bryan was exposed to technology in the classroom, which led him to develop a passion for the field. He is now committed to attend Columbia University where he will purse a degree in computer science. Bryan’s advice to upcoming seniors: “Have fun! Some months will be stressful, but you need to learn the balance of having fun and getting your work done.” His time at Golden Gate High, the people he met, and the friends he made along the way will have a long-lasting impression on his life, helping him overcome the distance between home and college life.

The first day of her freshman year at Gulf Coast High School, Kaysie Turner was sitting in front of the campus with her father when he shared some of the best advice she has ever received. “Kaysie, it is what you make of it!” With those simple yet powerful words etched in her mind, Kaysie made the absolute best of her high school experience. Principal Kim Lonergan describes Kaysie as “the pride and spirit of the Gulf Coast Sharks.” She was the student body president, student government association president, and member of the cheer team, plus she managed to complete over 200 hours of community service. Kaysie’s heart is even bigger than her school spirit. The memories she shared all included the friends and family she has made throughout the years. Her everlasting impact will indeed follow her to Florida Gulf Coast University where she will major in entrepreneurship. 

Yuridia Calihua-Panzo is a graduating senior at Immokalee High School (IHS). It’s hard to single out a greatest accomplishment when you have the leadership skills Yuridia carries. Not only was she the president of the IHS BETA Club during her junior and senior years, she was also the elected senior vice president for the National BETA Club representing the State of Florida. Being a part of such a prestigious club gave Yuridia a chance to foster leadership skills and overcome her fear of public speaking. Her participation in school activities and the pride she gained from being a part of school traditions have prepared her for the next step in life as she attends the University of Florida to study neuroscience. Yuridia is sure to succeed and advises future seniors to “believe what you want to do and follow your path.”

Lely High School’s Francisco Angeles has Trojan pride running through his veins. Throughout his four years in high school, Francisco spent most of his time with his baseball team, creating lifelong memories. The bus rides after away games were especially meaningful to him. Win or lose, each ride came with its own adventures and unforgettable conversations. Along with sports, Francisco also participated in Lely High’s Academy of Aviation and obtained his student pilot’s license. Flight training was one of the biggest challenges he faced, but with the help of his favorite teacher, Mr. Alan Davis, he overcame and succeeded. Now, Francisco is excited to pursue his passion in the health profession at the University of South Florida where he will study biomedical science.

Emanique Cunningham, a senior at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School, is the embodiment of persistence and drive. Her exceptional academic achievements are a testament to these characteristics. Emanique will graduate in the top 2% of her class with not one, not two, but three degrees – her high school diploma, a degree in database programming from Lorenzo Walker Technical College, and an associate's degree from Florida SouthWestern State College where she focused on high-level math and engineering classes. Emanique's pursuit of academic excellence and ambition will take her to the halls of the University of Florida with aspirations of becoming an electrical engineer. Her remarkable achievements have earned her many prestigious scholarships, including the Florida Academic Scholars Bright Futures award, an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority scholarship, and the Harold P. Bovenkerk Engineering and Natural Sciences Scholarship. As she begins this next chapter in her life, her continued drive and persistence will guarantee her success.

Kiley McKernan learned early on to pursue her passions and get involved wherever possible. As she approaches the end of her senior year at Naples High School, her principal, Kristina Lee, describes her as a shining example of academic excellence, school leadership, and athletic involvement. It comes as no surprise that Kiley's fondest memories revolve around school events such as Friday night lights, homecoming, spirit week, and prom. However, beyond her enthusiasm for school, Kiley is known for her kind heart and her eagerness to assist anyone in need. Over the summer, she volunteered at the NCH Heart Institute, which ignited her passion for nursing. The experience of helping patients and making a difference in their lives will now lead her to Clemson University’s School of Nursing. She will also showcase her athletic talents as a member of the Clemson Tiger’s rowing team.

There's a quote that reads, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." Senior Jacob Llorca from Palmetto Ridge High School embodies the qualities and determination needed to uncover that incredible something. Jacob is a go-getter who consistently goes above and beyond what is expected of him and always does it with a positive attitude. Despite juggling advanced placement classes, academic challenges, extracurricular activities, and personal interests, Jacob also volunteered his time to film the Palmetto Ridge football team. He found the perfect balance between excelling in his studies, creating unforgettable memories, and cherishing his senior year. After a well-deserved summer break, Jacob will attend the University of Central Florida on a full-ride scholarship in the fall, pursuing his dream of becoming an aerospace engineer. For Jacob, the sky is not a limit but a playground to explore.