How did CHS and/or Community Partnership Schools prepare you for the future?
I learned leadership and communications skills through CHS. With Trojan Leaders, that taught me about networking and financial responsibility, and student assisting in the HUB which gave me customer service skills and experience with responsibility and volunteer service.

But more personally, CHS gave me the opportunity to learn more about politics with hands-on experience at the Senate Page program, and a wonderful time publicly speaking at a CHS event. I was able to meet people who truly cared and nurtured me at CHS.

What is one piece of advice you would like to give to an upcoming high school graduate?
Do not let other people dictate your pace! It is never too early to get interested in your secondary education. I remember looking at college prep videos in 10th grade and going to my college career counselor and being told that I should wait for senior year. There is always something to do to be proactive in your education, like drafting a college essay or taking practice SAT or ACT tests.

On the other hand, it is never too late. If you end up at a school that’s not your first choice, don’t give up! You can make the most of it and explore different majors and career paths, or transfer to a school that fits you. Only you can know when you’re ready, and only you can advocate that to others.

What is your favorite memory from high school?
Having the privilege of serving as the senior class president. During this remarkable time, I had the wonderful opportunity to initiate new traditions that have since become a lasting legacy, continuing to be embraced by the subsequent classes.

Being entrusted with the role of senior class president was a moment of immense pride and responsibility. It allowed me to step into a leadership position that would leave a positive impact on the school community.

What is your goal for college and beyond?
I am rising sophomore finance major at Tennessee State University. My campus leadership and involvement includes, FIC Cohort 5 as E-Board Treasurer, President of The Econ and Finance Club, Bloom Academy, and Tiger Tour Guides. I currently have a 4.0 GPA  and I am  on the President’s and Dean’s Lists.  I also currently serve as Executive Secretary for the 2023-2024 academic school year.

My primary objective for college is to complete my degree within four years or even earlier. Simultaneously, I intend to maintain an active role as a student leader on campus, engaging in various extracurricular activities, and contributing to the vibrant college community.

What is your plan for college and beyond?
My goal for college is to be able to graduate with experience in construction and be able to work immediately as a project manager. I plan to intern with a construction company in my area while in school to have a better understanding when I graduate. I plan to go the route of commercial construction but my long-term goal is to own my own residential construction company.

What is one piece of advice you would like give to an upcoming high school graduate?
The best advice that I could give to an upcoming graduate would be to not stress out. I know this is a little cliche as a graduation and the start of adult life is very stressful. But, I want the graduates to know that everything will work out the way that it needs to if they stay patient and cool headed.

How did CHS and/or Community Partnership Schools prepare you for the future?
With Jones being a community partnership school, it definitely helped prepare me for the future. There were many resources and opportunities that were given to me that I took advantage of. I was able to meet new people who had my best interest at heart and who pushed me to greatness.

What is one piece of advice you would like to give to an upcoming high school graduate?
One piece of advice I would give an upcoming high school graduate would have to be don’t let the outside world distract you from your goals. There will be many people trying to steer you off path, people who don’t want to see you win. Don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing you down, prove the naysayers wrong and outshine them all.

How did CHS and/or Community Partnership Schools prepare you for the future?
The Community Partnership School program at Orange Park High School was an integral part of my high school career from the beginning of 9th grade until the very end of 12th. My 9th grade year was also the inaugural year of the CPS program at OPHS and I was on the very first team of student leaders/advisors to the CPS staff, and have been all 4 years. This allowed me to get closely connected with our CPS staff and yielded countless opportunities I was privileged to be a part of. Some of them include monthly drive-thru food distributions, every third Thursday of the month, helping rebuild and maintain out OP Outfitters student clothes closet and food pantry, help establish the new CPS headquarters building the school provided them with, and even got to take a trip to Tallahassee for the Senate Page program, which is probably my greatest memory from high school.

CPS did so many great things for me and continues to do wonderful things for the students of OPHS and the Orange Park community at large. From strengthening the link between the public schools and business/non-profit partners to bridging the gap for many students and their families are might be underserved in a certain aspect of daily life.

What’s next – what are you studying and where are you headed?
I am planning to earn my bachelor’s from UF in Ag Ed & Communication, and I was ultimately inspired by my teachers, admin, and CPS staff in Clay County to want to one day come back to the county and teach high school agriculture. CTE (Career & Technical Education) is my passion, and I hope to take many of the initiatives CPS implements like the job readiness workshops, interview days, resume building classes, business attire shops, etc and replicate them in my career as a teacher to help prepare my students for life after high school.

CPS and our CTE department in Clay County have always emphasize the three E’s (enrollment, enlistment, or employment), and every high school graduate should have chosen one of those things to pursue by the time they walk across that stage, thanks to the work done by these programs.

Tell us about yourself.
I graduated from Keystone Heights High School in 2022 and I am about to start my third year at the University of Florida. At UF, I am on the pre-medical track and have been committed to activities that will help me in my journey to becoming a physician. This summer, I completed EMT school so that I am able to work on an ambulance and I am excited to work and get this pre-hospital experience during the year.

How did CHS help prepare you for your future?
The leadership positions I was able to hold within the CHS student advisory council created growth within myself that I never anticipated. Being afforded this opportunity allowed me to grow my leadership skills in ways that would not have happened otherwise. One of the biggest growths for me was being able to sit at a meeting with only adults in leadership positions and feel comfortable and confident enough to speak my opinions.

Another valuable outcome from my time with CHS would be the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of individuals and discover that despite our differences we share many similarities. Growing up in a very small town I was primarily in a bubble, however this position provided me with an opportunity to see problems that were right before me and to be a part of an effort to help.

What is your greatest memory from High School?
When I was announced as the #8 student out of 350 in my graduating class!

What are your goals for college and beyond?
To work for NASA or a government agency to enhance the USA’s space industry and to open centers across the nation to support others with disabilities.

What is your best memory from high school?
While in high school, I shared many memorable moments. I was a full-time student athlete so, of course, I got to meet different people and make many friends every chance I get. As a high schooler, I enjoyed playing volleyball, basketball, softball, and running track. I also had gotten plenty of opportunity to be involved in extracurricular activities such as being senior president of my class, secretary in SGA, National Honor society, Vice president of Student leader council, captain of the JROTC program and more.

In the mist of athleticism, I received multiple awards athletically and academically. I was a straight A Honor roll student who graduated with a 3.93 GPA as salutatorian of my class as well as a leader in my community. I was given the opportunity to be a senate page at the capital for a week with the help of the CHS program. If it wasn’t for them partnering with my school, I don’t think anyone would have had the opportunity to have such great experiences. I really thank the CHS program for this great opportunity and for this scholarship I am receiving

What are your goals for college and beyond?
Now that I’m out of high school, I will be attending North Florida College starting this fall semester 2024 to pursue my dream of nursing. My goal is to graduate college in honors and start my biggest stage in life with the career as a RN Nurse. Later, I plan to continue college at a 4-year university to become a general Surgeon.