Southwest Florida’s Top Fourteen STEM Students Honored at Sunshine State Scholars Conference
May 21, 2018
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Southwest Florida’s Top Fourteen STEM Students Honored at Sunshine State Scholars Conference
Tallahassee, Fla., May 21, 2018 – The Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation recognized 14 of Southwest Florida’s highest-achieving eleventh grade STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students at the Sunshine State Scholars conference held May 17-18. The two-day conference, presented by Lockheed Martin, celebrated the accomplishments of Florida’s elite students and provided a unique venue for the state’s colleges, universities and employers to recruit their talents.
“I am delighted to honor these Sunshine State Scholars for their outstanding academic accomplishments and congratulate them on being selected to represent their school districts,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “During the two-day conference, they had an opportunity to explore the many higher education and career opportunities available right here in Florida. I sincerely hope they elect to pursue their postsecondary dreams in the best state in the nation to get a good education.”
Listed below are the scholars in Southwest Florida who were recognized as the highest-achieving eleventh grade students.
- Charlotte County
- Jenna Dunakey, Lemon Bay High School
- Collier County
- Abhijith Neelamchalil, Barron Collier High School
- Laura Poelstra, Lely High School
- DeSoto County
- Emily Smith, DeSoto County High School
- Glades County
- Jacey Delana Ridgdill, Moore Haven Middle High School
- Hardee County
- Roman Almaguer, Hardee Senior High School
- Hendry County
- Selinda Puentes, Clewiston High School
- Highlands County
- Luke Halpern, Lake Placid High School
- Lee County
- Mary Brady, Cape Coral High School
- Audrianna Macchia, North Fort Myers High School
- Manatee County
- Emma Johnston, Manatee High School
- Joseph McNaughton, Palmetto High School
- Sarasota County
- Ali Tarek Shams, Riverview High School
- Dominick Sylvia, North Port High School
Event sponsors for this year’s Sunshine State Scholars program include Lockheed Martin, AT&T, Universal Orlando, Blue Man Group, Florida Lottery, Helios Education Foundation, Kyra Solutions, SeaWorld Parks & Resorts, Florida Department of Education – School Choice Office, Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of South Florida, University of West Florida, Polytechnic University, New College of Florida, and Saint Leo University.
For a list of scholars and more information about the event, visit Sunshine State Scholars.
About the Florida Education Foundation
As a valued partner to public education, the Florida Education Foundation’s mission is to invest in high achievement for every student to contribute to Florida's globally competitive workforce. The Foundation is the direct support organization for the Florida Department of Education.
For more information, visit Florida Education Foundation.
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