County schools' best and brightest recognized

Finalists picked to move forward in second annual competition

Staff Writer, Tallahassee Democrat

Finalists for the "Best & Brightest" seniors in Leon County public and private schools were announced Thursday. This is the second year of the program.

"These nominees are the students who set examples, constantly raise the bar and leave lasting impressions," said World Class Schools' Laura Rogers, coordinator of the awards. "We're so proud to have such wonderful students represent our community and the 'Best & Brightest' program."

On March 3, community leaders will interview each nominee. Seniors will be evaluated on their school and/or community service and involvement in one of 15 distinctive categories, including art, athletics and language arts.

"It's exciting to see an increase in the number of young leaders participating who unselfishly contribute their time to school and the community," said Ron Sachs, creator of the Best & Brightest Awards. "These exceptional young men and women who already better our community will also undoubtedly enrich our colleges and work force."

The Best & Brightest Awards are a partnership among Leon County Schools, WorldClass Schools of Leon County, the Tallahassee Democrat, Leon County Schools' Foundation and Comcast, with major underwriting by Envision Credit Union. Ron Sachs Communications is a main sponsor and is producing the awards program. Other sponsors include Credit Union 24 and Rose Printing.

The program will recognize and announce winners at a formal ceremony at 6:30 p.m. May 9 at Ruby Diamond Auditorium on the campus of Florida State University. First-place winners in each category will receive scholarships of $1,000; the runners-up will receive $500, and honorable mentions $250.
The nominees are:

Art:

Jessica Brown, Florida State University School; Tyler Clark, Godby High School; Matthew Cowdery; Maclay School; Shannon Groves, Lincoln High School; Kaley Huston, John Paul II High School; Ishanna Ible, Leon High School; and Angeline Kreucher, SAIL.

Athletics:

Christina Cohen, SAIL; Andrew Hunter, Maclay; Kacie McCloud, Lincoln; Varisia Raffington, Florida State University School; Kyle Record, Leon; Rebecca Stott, Chiles; Seth Walker, Rickards; Brandon Watson, FAMU DRS; and Jessica Whitfield, Godby.

Business:

Romain Benjamin, Florida State University School; Chelsie Brantley, FAMU DRS; Ashley Carter, Leon; Theodore Hammock, Lincoln; Lauren Lee, Chiles; Brittany Pace, Maclay; and Mikale Williams, Godby.

Career:

Shellie Edmunds, SAIL; Koniesha Gilmore, Florida State University School; Charlotte Hommes, Lincoln; Stephanie McMillon, FAMU DRS; Allison Melton, Leon; Vivek Pal, Rickards; Jennifer Salib, Chiles; and Tonisha Wilkerson, Godby.

Drama and Performing Arts:

Jonathan Kubik, Maclay; Casey Malone, Florida State University School; Kayla Rew, SAIL; Mary Rieker, Godby; Waylen Roche, Leon; Jennifer Skene, Chiles; and Gabrielle Waxman, Lincoln.

English and Literature:

Melissa Angel, SAIL; Kenneth Brown, Godby; David Capelouto, Chiles; Ashley Carr, Maclay; Kathryn Cook, Rickards; Catlin Creel, Florida State University School; Rebecca Lu, Lincoln; and Alexander McNaughton, Leon.

Foreign Language:

Kelly Brautigam, Chiles; Michael Franklin, Florida State University School; Morgan Hicks, Lincoln; Meredith Liedy, Godby; Stephen Lawson, Leon; Marley Moynahan, Rickards; and Sarah Stern, Maclay.

Journalism:

Matthew Biggs, Godby; Sarah Burke, Lincoln; Clay Celander, Maclay; Amber Frydrychowski, Florida State University School; and Jessica Moody, Leon.
Leadership: Tanetia Blair, Godby; Brittany Christie, Florida State University School; Brittany Gredler, John Paul II; Candis Jordan, FAMU DRS; Chase Jordan; Maclay; Christine Kessler; Jamel Langley, Chiles; Whitney Moore, Lincoln; Whitney Roberts, North Florida Christian; and Kyle Stockton, Rickards.

Mathematics:

Catherine Cottle, Chiles; Roshan Goli, Lincoln; Elise Gunzburger, Maclay; Gayle Harris, Godby; Rachael Jahnke, North Florida Christian; Benjamin Pomidor, Florida State University School; Louis Reis, John Paul II; Lisa Sawicki, Leon; and Weiping Zhang, Rickards.

Music:

Kerian Cox, Rickards; Travis Crosby, North Florida Christian; Nick Eubanks, Chiles; Sara Folsom, Leon; Raine Guthrie; Florida State University School; Mathew King, John Paul II; Keith Martin, Godby; Jessie Moon, SAIL; and Stefan Sorne, Lincoln.

Public Speaking:

Brandi Aber, Florida State University School; Thy Bui, Godby; Tatiana Galante, Leon; Reginald Garland Jr.. SAIL; Nicola Menchetti, Lincoln; Alexandra Power-Hays, Maclay; and Lindsey Sarvis, Chiles.

Science:

Brittany Garner, Leon; Alan Hess, Rickards; Tyler Rowland, Maclay; LaiTaras Stokes, Florida State University School; Kimberly Struk, Chiles; Catherine Sullenberger, Godby; Claire Svec, John Paul II; and John Turner, Lincoln.

>Social Science:

David Canter, Rickards; Kaitlyn Crandall, Lincoln; Travis King, Florida State University School; Forat Lutfi, Chiles; Sarah Martin, Godby Social Science; Michael McKibben, Leon; and Ginelle Rosenberg, SAIL.

Technology:

James Fadool, Maclay; Jason Hancock, Leon; Ausha Harvey, Florida State University School; Rachel Luczynski, Lincoln; John Morden, Chiles; Katie Mueller, Godby; and Ross Nichols, Rickards.