Central Florida’s Top Fifteen STEM Students Honored at Sunshine State Scholars Conference

May 21, 2018

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Central Florida’s Top Fifteen STEM Students Honored at Sunshine State Scholars Conference

Tallahassee, Fla., May 21, 2018 – The Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation recognized 15 of Central 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 Central Florida who were recognized as the highest-achieving eleventh grade students.

• Brevard County
  • Ryan Brown, Palm Bay Magnet High School
  • Smriti Sanjay-Gopal, West Shore Junior-Senior High School
• Flagler County
  • Patrick J. Argento, Matanzas High School
• Florida Virtual School
  • Brianna Leigh Denson, FLVS Full Time
• Lake County
  • Kelly Folsom, South Lake High School
  • Rachel Williams, Eustis High School
• Orange County
  • Jonathan Huynh, East River High School
  • Shannah Nice, West Orange High School
  • Nabiha Nur, Maynard Evans High School
• Osceola County
  • Luke Michael Haas, Osceola County School of the Arts
  • Sonny Lucas Wemhoener-Cuite, Osceola County School of the Arts
• Seminole County
  • Shea McLinden, Oviedo High School
  • Rachel Paul, Lake Mary High School
• Volusia County
  • Marion Hagstrom, T. Dewitt Taylor High School
  • Grace Liu, Spruce Creek 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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