Good evening.

My name is Laura Rogers, and I'd like to welcome you to the 20th annual Best and Brightest award ceremony.

And the beautiful Ruby Diamond Concert hall.

Tonight's ceremony will honor the amazing contributions from Leon County's exemplary high school seniors, both inside and outside the classrooms.

The honorable mentions, runners up and winners announced in this evening are students who have set an example of academic success and community service, who constantly are raising the bar for all Leon County students.

Our eighth graders have written inspiring essays on using their democratic voice through volunteerism.

You will hear us describe what enthusiastic and thoughtful students they are.

They want to leave a legacy, to inspire individuals to be more selfless, to take action and not wait around for change, but to be that change.

All of these best and brightest finalists are dedicated, excellent, and humble.

First of all, I'd like to thank our title sponsor, Envision Credit Union.

Envision has supported the Best in prize awards since its creation in 2006, and helped to award more than $1 million to 3512 and eighth grader students in Leon County Schools.

There are many businesses on this screens above that can help make the best and brightest of success.

And please welcome me in thanking the Tallahassee Democrat.

Sachs Media, Comcast Hub International, Sperry Construction, Ron Sachs and Gay Webster Sachs, Leon County Schools, the city Tallahassee, Leon County government, the Florida League of Cities, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, the Richard Foundation, the Family of Amy Nicole Sachs, Capital Health Plan, and CHP champions.

Their support.

Yes.

Thank you to all of these businesses.

Their support allows us to award school based finalists with a $100 scholarship.

Overall category honorable mentions will be awarded tonight.

$500 runners ups will receive 750.

And winners will be presented tonight with $1,500 cash scholarships.

In addition to the scholarships provided to each of the students, World Class schools, which is a program of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, will receive $100 to the Department of the Grand Prize Winners School in each of the 15 categories.

We're also delighted to award our eighth grade essay contest for the 15th year.

An additional element of the Best and Brightest awards.

The eighth graders entered an essay submission about the importance of community service.

The winner is awarded $500.

Runner up will receive 250, and honorable mentions will receive 100.

These students will now begin their high school careers with goals of excellence in academics and service in mind, and hopefully partake in the best and brightest awards again during their senior year.

We'd also like to thank Leon County public and private high schools for their work in nominating the school based winners and their dedication, and encouraging students to excel both in academics and in service.

Let's give a round of applause to our Leon County School Board members.

If they are here tonight, especially to our principals, guidance counselors, teachers and the schools involved.

So if you're here, thank you very much.

Let's not forget the importance of the best and brightest committee.

Many are who are backstage or in front volunteering.

And our judges who made the program possible at this time.

Those who are in the audience tonight who helped with the program.

Please stand and be recognized.

And thank you so much.

I appreciate your assistance with this.

This is a special time for all our students.

But we have a few visiting, best and brightest finalists from years past in the audience.

And if you are here, please raise your hand or stand.

Any former best and brightest we got 1 or 2.

I know we have some working outside.

Congratulations.

We had a nice article and the task director today of some of our 2006 winners.

And we love having you back here in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.

And the staff always takes great care of us tonight with the videographers from Wfsu who are broadcasting the ceremony tonight.

And as always, I appreciate you, Ben Gunter, who will be our pianist tonight and make our ceremony so exciting and joyful.

Thank you.

Ben.

And now I'd like to bring to the stage the founder of the best and brightest and co-chair of SACs media.

Our master of ceremonies, Ron Sachs.

Thank you.

Honor.

Yes.

Thank you for.

Good evening.

Boy, this is my favorite night of the year, bar none of what the talented students were honoring here tonight.

We're going to bring them in and expect to hear rousing applause from you all.

And we're going to begin with our eighth grade essay contest finalists.

As they enter from the back of the auditorium.

Let's welcome them to their seats.

And the main event.

Eighth graders are the warm up, but the main event is the 2025 class of the best and brightest seniors.

Let's welcome them with a long standing go.

Because we're going to need to stand a long time to get them up.

All right.

And are.

Surprised.

They.

Have a great.

I.

Like.

See.

Are.

This is your night.

Excited.

But I'm here.

You see you, man.

Great to see you.

All right.

How are we doing this year?

I know you guys knocking.

Things.

Come on.

You.

Mason and King.

Night.

Were.

Wow.

Hey, doesn't the whole place look better now?

You.

So.

We're getting ready for the big show.

But before we start, we want all the seniors to look up at the balcony.

You can't see the handsome, bearded man up there who's our formal photographer.

But he's going to take a few beautiful shots.

You all.

So make sure you can see the balcony.

Even if you're in the back row.

Say one day.

So the folks who aren't the eighth grade students or the 12th grade students are honoring tonight know this.

This community helped develop them.

And all of you, parents, siblings, teachers, guidance counselors, mentors, friends, neighbors had something to do with who they've become and haven't.

They become amazing people.

So thank you all who are here related to them in any way for what you've done.

Give yourself a round of applause.

This year, the students were asked to describe their experience in high school, and the words they use most commonly were dedicated, ambitious.

Resilient.

There's a word puzzle for you.

Resilient.

Perseverance.

All of those.

Before we begin, we have some, brief guest speakers who have been part of this program since the inception.

But I don't want to put a few house rules into place.

You know, you go to a lot of awards and events where they ask you to please hold your applause until we're finished.

This is not that.

Okay?

If someone you love is named to win the eighth grade essay contest or one of the top three awards in the 15 categories, you hoot and holler all you want.

Okay.

Deal.

Okay.

So I am Ron Sachs, and I moved here in 1990 to raise my family in the best community in the state.

And, it occurred to me that, we didn't have a program like this that honored high school seniors for their body of work.

So I might have come up with the idea, but bringing it to life has been the labor for the last two decades.

Of all the people you saw Laura mention and recognize, and these students weren't even born when we began the program.

So surely that's so for the eighth graders.

And when you read of their achievements or hear them tonight or reading them in the program after tonight or in the newspaper tomorrow, you will be heartened that even in a very contentious time that we live in, maybe locally, statewide, nationally and globally, they are our hope for the future.

So God bless.

And, a 20th anniversary is an emerald anniversary.

So you see the green sashes on their Olympic style medallions.

So we're honoring our emerald anniversary, and we're honoring all of these students for their commitment to academics and particularly for service to others.

So every year, we're kind of blown away by the achievements of these students and their predecessors and these eighth graders and everybody here is already a winner.

So before we go into the awards, let's just give one more round of applause to all the eighth grade winners from their schools and all the seniors from their schools.

So you heard Laura mentioned that Envision Credit Union since year one has been our title sponsor.

Most of the money every year comes from their charitable giving.

Please help welcome doctors to cancer.

Cassandra Grayson, the board of directors chair for Envision Credit Union.

Good evening.

I am grateful and honored to experience this exciting award ceremony as chairman of the Board of Envision Credit Union.

My heart is filled with joy that we can continue to be the premier sponsor of the best and brightest since its inception 20 years ago.

That's awesome.

As an education based credit union member owned, we are delighted to encourage and support the education of our youth.

Envision has contributed over $1 million towards scholarships and.

And our employees enjoy volunteering with the best and brightest program.

Envision is pleased to expand our footprint in Florida with a new partnership with Addition Financial Credit Union.

Both credit unions.

In addition, by the way, is in Central Florida.

So we have a long way to go and expand the program.

Both credit unions honor our education foundation, and together we will increase the support of important programs like best and brightest.

We will continue to recognize the exceptional accomplishments of our students and support the communities we serve.

For the next decade, I personally commend you students for your success.

I also commend the parents, the guardians, and teachers who have helped along the way.

These students have been impacted by some special teachers.

Their teachers have inspired them with their love of the subject matter.

Caring for each of the student success, encouragement, support and community service.

We love our teachers right?

And again, for the teachers.

Envision Credit Union is proud to recognize you for your achievement, talent, hard work, and setting an example for other Leon County students to follow.

People will forget what you said, and oftentimes they will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel.

By Maya Angelou we wish you much success in the future as your journey unfolds.

Stay focused.

Thank you.

Thank you Cassandra and envision.

We're fortunate to live in a community that is covered by the Tallahassee Democrat, and their commitment to this program as a founding sponsor has been for 20 years.

All the space is fairly well donated by the Democrat.

Let's welcome our wonderful editor, William Hatfield.

Thank you Ron.

Good evening, everyone at the Tallahassee Democrat.

We are honored to be part of this special celebration of the best and brightest tonight at this award ceremony, as we honor these amazing students.

For 20 years now, we've gotten the opportunity to break one of the most inspiring stories of the year.

When we showcase the students accomplishments and give a glimpse of the impact they have made already in such a short time in their lives.

We're in the midst of three days of coverage of the best and brightest.

Today, our reporter Alesia Brown, who's covering, this event tonight, had a story about that first, best and brightest class 20 years ago.

It has led one of them to the Oval Office.

Not the president, but in the Oval Office.

It's led another courtside at the NBA.

You'll want to read the whole story.

It's on the front page.

It's in tallahassee.com right now.

But that was today.

Tomorrow you will, see a full page ad featuring the top three award winners in each of the 15 categories.

But beyond that, we will feature the 64 page color insert with Bios and features of all the students.

So make sure to look for that special section.

On Sunday, I'm the only one with a prop here.

We had a full page ad that featured the top three award winners in each of the 15 categories.

The coverage will continue on Friday's front page if the news cooperates.

So you'll want to look for that as well.

The news in Tallahassee can be heavy.

So I can honestly say this is a night that truly brings out the best of Tallahassee.

Congratulations, students.

So thank you, William.

And the Tallahassee Democrat.

By the way, that 64 page section William talked about will be available in the back of the auditorium when you leave after the awards in our schools here in Leon County, among 67 counties are rated among the best in the in the country and certainly the best in the state.

And we're fortunate to have a superintendent who has a teacher's heart, a principal's experience, and a superintendent's vision.

Welcome, superintendent Rockingham.

This is my not YouTube.

And the tradition continues.

I told them they could do something cute.

Just not too cute.

They still have to graduate next week, right?

First and foremost, it's an honor to to be here this evening.

I would, my senior year not have been recognized, as my father would probably attest, as being the best or the brightest, but I did try hard.

So I'd like to thank, first and foremost, Ron Sachs.

This was this was his baby from inception.

And Laura Rogers for the last 20 years has raised it.

So how about another round of applause for both Ron and Laura?

I'm going to be very brief.

You did not come here to listen to me speak, but I did want to say a few words on behalf of the Leon County School District in Leon County School Board.

See, our some of our members here tonight.

Roseann wood, Lori Lawson Cox, Darrell Jones and Doctor Marcus Nicholas.

And I believe Miss Smith is on her way looking for a parking spot not to get a ticket.

So thank you all for being for being here.

This is, without a doubt, the marquee senior awards event of the year that we have high school seniors here tonight representing the entire community.

20 years ago, I was the principal of mama mater Leon High School, and we actually hosted the very first ceremony in Leon's Oratory home.

Mr. Hatfield mentioned something about the young lady in the Oval Office.

She was Leon senior class president.

Ashley Williams and her mother's here this evening.

But she just represents one of hundreds and hundreds of other young, best and brightest, award winners that have gone on to do wonderful things.

Then Superintendent Monfort, in that first ceremony, shared just how proud he was of these students and all that they have accomplished.

Now we fast forward 20 years later and I am just as proud of this year's class as Mr. Montfort.

Superintendent Moffatt was of class number one.

Being selected as a finalist is a true testament to your dedication, hard work and talent.

More importantly, you being on this stage tonight is also a testament to your commitment to help others.

The great Muhammad Ali once said that our place on earth must be earned, that each of us must do our part.

Each of us must pay our rent.

These young people are doing their part and paying their rent, and we are all very proud of them.

So how about another round of our proud for our students?

And like also like Ron mentioned, no matter what happens tonight, each and every one of you is a winner.

And you should be extremely proud of yourself and all that you have accomplished.

Never forget that.

And I would be remiss if we didn't once again acknowledge all the amazing teachers that are here tonight that made this happen.

If you're a teacher in Leon County, would you please stand up to be recognized?

There they are.

And I would also, as a former principal, like to thank all of our principals and school administrators for for being here tonight.

Would you guys and guy all stand up to be recognized?

All our principals, principal Joe Burgess, I see you, Doug Howard to miss Doug cook, Deborah Barnes, Tony McQuade.

Miss Tibbetts from Lincoln.

And let me tell you, this is a competitive group.

They're keeping score.

Trust me, they're keeping score.

So when Charles gets called, Mr. Burgess is going to yell and scream.

Same for Principal Cook.

They're keeping tabs on DeMar.

They're going to be talking smack about whoever wins.

I can promise you that.

And finally to the best and brightest class of 2025 I wish you nothing but the best in your chosen path after high school.

Just as you have made your mark and in your schools, so you enrich the colleges and universities you attend and the businesses and institutions you ultimately choose for your career.

Thank you for all you've done to make a difference in your school and in our community.

Congratulations and God bless you.

Thank you, Mr.

Superintendent.

You know, one of the things that makes Tallahassee great isn't just being a capital city, but having three great higher education institutions, and one of them has been a partner in the project for the last many years.

So please help welcome Bill Spiers, director of financial aid with Tallahassee State College, who's got an amazing thing to tell you.

Good evening.

On behalf of our president, Doctor Jim Murdock, and our Board of Trustees, I offer you congratulations and best wishes on your next path to success.

Nearly 75% of our graduates transfer to the state university system within a year, primarily to the schools right here in Tallahassee.

As in years past, Tallahassee State College has partnered with the best and the brightest to add an additional scholarship opportunity to the top 45 winners.

Those winners announced tonight will also receive from Tallahassee State College additional funds of an annual amount up to two years to attend TSC.

Based on the level of winning with the Best and Brightest awards, those students who receive honorable mention will receive an additional thousand dollars each year towards TSC tuition.

Runner ups will receive $1,500 each year towards TSC tuition, and winners will receive $3,000 each year toward TSC tuition.

I hope that those that are interested in attending TSC, no matter what level, will contact me to help you earn your degree.

You are the students we're the most proud of to have tind TSC because you are dedicated to your studies and active with your school.

Congratulations and we hope to provide you these academics scholarships to many of you tonight, and we hope to see you on our campus in the fall.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

That's amazing.

On top of their scholarships.

So we're going to ask Laura Rogers and Doctor Grayson to come back to the stage.

You know, 15 years ago, we wanted to reach down into middle schools for students are ascending up to high school and let the best and brightest touch their lives, too.

Ergo was born the best and brightest essay contest.

So the middle schools, are prompted with a quote by somebody famous, and then the students write an essay.

And these are school based winners.

So let's give them a round of applause before we pick the top winners.

You see it in your programs, but the, the prompt this year was a terrific quote by the great statesman Winston Churchill.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Winston Churchill.

So we each middle school selected three top finalists.

The essays were submitted to a panel for tonight's announcement of the top three county wide winners countywide winners.

As Laura said, got a $500 runner up, 250 honorable mention, 100 from Envision Credit Union.

All the schools recognized the finalist with a certificate at their individual convocations later this month.

As I call out the winners names, please join us on the stage from whichever stairwell is closer to where you're sitting and you will get a photograph by Dave Barfield and be honored by this big, wonderful audience.

The honorable mention in the eighth grade Essay Contest.

Goes to Anna Lee Klein from Community Leadership Academy.

This is what Anna Lee wrote in her essay.

Volunteering benefits everyone who is involved, including those who are serving and those who are being served.

The people who are serving benefit by learning new skills, gaining new experiences, and building new connections.

The people who are being served get support they need.

Overall, it brings joy to everyone who is involved.

That's Anna Lee Klein for Community Leadership Academy.

Our runner up, meaning eighth grade essay contest, is Kira Fano Muncie Guaranty with Fairview Middle School.

Here's what casino wrote in her essay.

Community service is more than an obligation.

It's a way to find purpose and inspiration.

In Hinduism, there is a saying what you do comes back to you.

This principle encapsulates the essence of community service as acts of kindness create a ripple effect that benefits the world as a whole.

Beautiful.

Congratulations to your Fano with Fairview Middle School.

And the 2025 first place winner in the eighth grade essay contest for the best and brightest is Olivia Lammers with Cornerstone Learning Community.

Here's an excerpt from Olivia's wonderful essay to make fortunate the others realities.

I give time, money, work.

In the act of giving bits of myself.

I open up to new perspectives and experiences.

The more hope I create, the more I feel, the more I know, the more it's precious and real.

Money makes a living.

But as the Buddha said, peace comes from within.

In raising the world through service and compassion.

I inadvertently raise myself amazing.

Olivia Lammers, Cornerstone Learning Community.

Congratulations to the top three county wide.

And congratulations to all the eighth grade SRS.

Terrific work.

You know it's a winner from the school.

You'll be recognized with a certificate at your school awards program.

As I said earlier, middle school principals.

Please remember to pick up your school certificates in the lobby after the program.

And students, we hope this evening will inspire you to aspire to be on that stage four years from now as the 2029 class of the best and brightest.

Let's go for it.

Okay.

Shall we go for the main event?

The seniors.

Let's do it.

So these students have grown.

The selection process gets more and more challenging and difficult.

And thank goodness I've never had to be a judge in this program.

Happy to just be in this role on the side.

Each of the school based winners here have truly been named the cream of the crop at their own schools.

Most are already recognized that their schools before the best and brightest.

But being the best and brightest at your school is an honor you'll always hold.

And so let's one more time.

Honor all the seniors before we go through the winners.

The students who are not among the top 45, still get a check for $100.

They had their medals and it's pretty great program.

When your name is called and drawn alphabetically in the categories, folks.

So hang in there if you're with technology or world languages.

So, doctor Cassandra Grayson from Envision Credit Union.

You'll be getting a check and a trophy from Mr. Hatfield.

He's going to be building up those guns of his with these heavy duty trophies.

Once the top three in each category on the stage, we're going to take a picture.

And Laura will be doing a brief interview with the first place winner in every category.

It's one of the best parts of tonight.

And, to assist with the presentation of the trophies by awards from you, Paula Johnston, a dedicated volunteer with the B and B, is going to join us in the presentation of the awards.

So we're done with the preliminaries.

Let's get to it.

Okay.

It's awards night at the best and brightest.

And the honorable mention for the 2025 best and brightest in the art category is Alex Xavier Hunter of Rickards High School.

Come on down.

Alex Xavier earned the most creative award from the 2024 Tallahassee Future Leaders Academy for his innovative contributions to film production.

He's a member of the National Honor Society, vice president of Records Film Club, where he animated a film for the Florida Radon Contest.

He has a strong foundation of graphic design and animation, using Adobe Creative Suite with a keen eye for detail and storytelling.

Alex Xavier is also on the bowling team and balanced a rigorous IB curriculum, while also competing in movie three and jujitsu.

And that's Alex Xavier Hunter of Rickards High School.

Runner up 2025.

Best and brightest in the Arts category is Marina Stoli Villanueva.

Of Sail High School.

Go Sail Marina volunteered at the A Suki Land Co-op drama camp, initially as a counselor.

Later as a set designer, combining passion for art with community service.

She was the General Artist winner at the 2023 TCA Whiteley Student Exhibition and Best in Show from the Turner Center for the Arts.

She's a National Honor Society, received the highest score on our AP drawing portfolio from the College Board, along with other school department awards of Excellence in Geometry and World History.

She served as president of her school's inaugural National Art Honor Society, where she organized the sail Art Festival and volunteered with the school's Be Kind Community Service initiative.

And that's Marina Stoll evening on the wave of sail High School.

And first prize for the 2025 best and Brightest in the Arts category is Johan Hopgood of Lincoln High School.

Johan was awarded the 2024 Master Whiteley General Artist Award for one of his 3D sculptures, which was also exhibited at the Tallahassee Capital during the Florida Winter Festival.

He received Lincoln's Fine Arts Award in both his freshman and sophomore years, created chalk Art in front of the capital, and is active with the Lincoln Culture Club.

He's an AP scholar, lettering on the Lincoln Varsity tennis team, excelling in math courses as a winner in calculus at Mu Alpha Theta.

Johan serves as president of the National Art Honor Society, supporting efforts as an arts ambassador and selling art items to raise money for children and families affected by domestic violence and poverty.

So that's our grand prize winner, Johan.

And congratulations to all the art category school based winners for 2025 as well.

Congratulations, John.

Very excited for you as an accomplished artist.

I've seen your portfolio.

What do you tell people?

How does art how are you inspired?

I think that art, true art and meaningful art comes from passion.

I find that passion around me.

Through my friends, through my family, through my teachers.

I think that that really inspires me and that drives me.

It's just that passion inspires other passion.

Congratulations.

Okay.

If you're following alphabetically, let's go to sports and the athletics category, which is sponsored by CHP.

Terrific champions program.

And the winners are honorable mention in athletics.

Gabrielle Simmons of Leon High School.

Gabrielle excelled as a multi-sport athlete by playing indoor volleyball as a regional champion and earning academic awards.

She transitioned successfully in soccer, securing varsity letters as captain during her junior and senior years, and was active in national English, Spanish, science, math, and social studies honor societies.

She was a star in club and indoor volleyball, earning bids and awards with Edge performance, beach volleyball, and contributing to the school's success by coaching at local camps.

Gabrielle served as Community Service Chair for SGA and spearheaded a new fundraiser that helped raise $19,000 for Cancer Center and founded the Book Huck Charity, providing new books at pediatricians offices.

That's Gabrielle Simmons of Leon High School.

Our runner up for 2025, in the athletic category is Natalie Nelson of Lincoln High School.

Natalie is a dual sport standout who's been a standout in both varsity soccer flag football since her freshman year, earning multiple accolades in addition to membership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society.

She twice helped advance her team to the State semifinals in soccer and received All-State and first team honors.

She excelled in flag football with awards such as Varsity Athletic Award and Coaches Award, reflecting her all around dedication and skill in sports, and she contributed more than 600 volunteer hours with the Lincoln Sports Medicine Program.

The Reckoning pre-professional women's soccer club by supporting free soccer clinics at city events.

Natalie Nelson of Lincoln High School.

And first prize in athletics for the 2025 best and brightest goes to Darius Jones to, Rickards High School.

Wow.

Darius.

Darius set the school record in the pole vault at 14.8ft, while excelling as a four year member of Rickards varsity track and field team.

He earned All-American honors in the decathlon and captured a second place finish at the AA, a national second place nationally, and a serve as the girls varsity soccer manager.

In addition to national honors, he's a multi-sport achiever by qualifying regionally with the fastest 100 meter time on the varsity swim team and playing on the JV basketball and football teams during his freshman and sophomore years.

Darius made a lasting impact beyond athletics through extensive volunteer work at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and leadership leadership as president of Rickards, Omega Lamplighters.

That's Darius Jones, two of Rickards High School.

Congratulations, Darius.

And then I read about you in the paper today.

So because you had stated everything.

So you're not only an outstanding athlete, but you're also an academic and in leadership as well.

What advice can you give a young student in how to get ready for high school, and how to manage at all?

One of lifestyle giving young student is key God first and also giving young student your time management is everything.

You have to manage your practices and your homework so that you keep your grades out.

Because if your grades are not, you won't be able to get on the field or court anytime.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

So and one more round of applause for all of our athletic category finalists.

All right.

Under the umbrella of the Tallahassee Chamber, that business category is sponsored by the Florida League of Cities.

Naming businesses.

And your honorable mention goes to Bhargava ten.

Nearly a record high school.

Bhargava created a YouTube channel that chronicles the immigrant experience amassing over 100,000 subscribers.

Not an easy thing to do, and earning a YouTube Silver Play button while aiding future immigrants with practical insights.

He donates a quarter of his channel's revenue to promote health and wellness in both his Telugu and Tallahassee communities.

He's earned industry certifications in entrepreneurship, business, technology, JavaScript.

He made a national impact through a summer internship and internship, developing an AI powered chat bot at Sin Tech Systems, and Bhargava is a National Merit Semifinal list.

He made videos of lesson plans for Stem out, volunteered with Pangea, and served as co-executive director for Dance Marathon.

That's Bhargava talk to needy records high school.

Our business category runner up for the 2020 2025 best and brightest is Isabel Davidson.

Maclay school.

Isabel demonstrated entrepreneurial expertise by winning a pitch competition and competing in the 2024 Big Bend Shark Bowl, showcasing innovative business ideas and public speaking skills.

She was a winning team member at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship Summer Camp Pitch competition, and is a National Honor Society and Rho Kappa member varsity track and field champion in discus and Shotput, and serves as captain of the varsity Weightlifting team, earning district and state honors.

Isabel volunteered more than 250 hours with the Tallahassee Police Department Cadet Program as a sergeant, and she's president of the Weaver Cove Mental Health Club.

Isabel Davis of Maclay School.

And first prize for the 2025 best and brightest in the business category goes to Heydar Hamid of Chiles High School.

Hadrian founded Urban Health, which is a health care software that helps connect hospitals with rural patients and manages a 12 person team.

He's a National Merit semifinalist, a USA Physics Olympiad qualifier, and a U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad national finalist.

In addition to being an Eagle Scout, Wow also varsity tennis player, member of the Youth Leadership Tallahassee Class 20 and winner of the National Mu Alpha Theta Awards.

Hadrian volunteered in Kashmiri with their health services and Premier Medical Clinic founded G flex clothing company and the Learning Quest Florida chapter to distribute books to underprivileged children around the world.

Handrail, Hamid.

A Child's high school.

Getting their picture taken.

Now Laura is going to talk to handrail.

Congratulations.

I'm so proud of you.

Many companies can recognize and appreciate the value of having employees volunteer and help with community service.

So what you've been doing already?

What do you think that you're going to be able to bring and have support for the business world when you go in there for the future?

I think there's two things.

I'd say passion and perseverance.

And I learned it right from home with my parents.

So great things.

Thank you.

And let's congratulate all our business category finalists and our 2025 business winners tonight.

All right.

All these students have a great future in careers.

So we're moving into the career technical category sponsored by Sperry Construction.

And the winners are honorable mention Victoria Clutch of Salle High School.

And excuse me, that's victory.

Victory and victory played an essential role in the media ministry at New Mount Zion Church by mastering camera operations, audio management and live production for weekly broadcast.

Victory expanded technical skills with commercial art technology courses.

Received certification in industrial pipe fitting and completed the FSU AI Camp on coding and Python game design, data analysis, digital production, visual communication, and commercial design.

He started the Morning Fitness Club at Sale to create a supportive environment for students to focus on fitness, and is active with the Ultimate Frisbee team and soccer club.

Victory was honored with Sales Dreamer and Doer Award recognizing his commitment to excellence in media and technology.

And he's a national Honor Society member and Victory is Yours victory of Sale High School.

Our runner up and the career technical category is this Rama bar John Apache.

Rickards High School.

Vishwanath, for short achieved a significant summer breakthrough.

Research is researching sustainable polymers at the Famu, FSU College of Engineering, focusing on creating materials that are more easily recyclable and sustainable.

National Merit semifinalist varsity soccer player records.

Chess club co-president, U.S.

Chess Federation certified tournament director.

Outreach head for the Protea team's Mental Health Advocacy Club and a member of Youth Leadership Tallahassee Class 20.

This was served as Vice president of the Science Olympiad team, mentoring more than 120 members, leading to top five places at the state level, and also co-director of the Record Science Olympiad Invitational for three years.

This was a record high school.

And the best and brightest first place winner in career Technical for 2025 is a Maya Lawrence of Leon High School.

Wow.

Amaya completed an externship with the Kaua'i Ward Law Office, gaining hands on experience by reviewing case trial videos and engaging in real world legal tasks.

First placed in the Varsity Track and Field Relay Championship.

Historian for the National Honor Society.

Vice President of Students Demand Action and School Advisory Council representative.

She transformed school culture as Student body President and School Science Committee co-chair by launching Inclusive initiatives like Variety Day and Food Truck Friday to unite student groups, and she also volunteered in preserving the school's history in an archive room.

A Maya was a Leon County School District school influencer, a member of the Pearls and Perfection Service Club, a capstone AP scholar, and an Interact Club member.

That's a Maya Lawrence of Leon High School, first place.

And that's why.

It's very heavy Trophy.

You're strong.

Congratulations.

So careers are being taught in schools now.

It's very important to have that trade.

So what one have you thought has been really important that you're going to continue on what trade do you think needs to be enforced?

I would say being able to become a leader and also be able in also being able to become a father at the same time, you can't always want to be the face of everything and want everybody to know that you always get the work.

You have to be able to follow the people behind you and take notes from everyone, because you have to realize you don't know everything.

So I would say being able to lead and follow at the same time.

Congratulations.

A lot of wisdom there.

Congratulations to the county winners and all of our school based career technical winners.

There's a lot of drama here tonight, so let's go to the Drama and Performing Arts category.

All right.

Honorable mention for 2025.

Best and brightest goes to Aden Hafez a maclay school.

Aden is immersed at Young Actors Theater, excelling in roles with numerous Best Actor award nominations.

He's dedicated for years as an assistant teacher for kindergarten students, mentoring young performers, and he was selected for Studio Singers, an elite audition only troupe performed at Walt Disney World on a Royal Caribbean cruise and in the Gershwin Theater in New York City.

He is summa cum laude with AP Scholar Distinction and Spanish Rho Kappa Science.

National Honor Society is involved with Key Club and Teen Court, and is a member of the Maclay Student Ambassador Leadership Council and Spectrum Club.

Serves on the Better Together Board for school wide food drives, and is a morale member and team captain for Dance Marathon eight and a half.

As a high school.

And the runner up for Drama and Performing Arts for the 2025 Best and Brightest is Gabriel, a reader of Florida State University Schools.

Gabriella was recognized as most likely to be on Broadway in her senior yearbook.

She honed her craft at Young Actors Theater through rigorous rehearsals, serving as a teaching assistant and at the theater summer camp student director for Arts fall 2024 production of beauty and the beast, receiving the easily Best Supporting Actress award, and also serves as student liaison to the Art board.

She's National English, Math, Junior Classical League, Honor Society and started a business of knitting hats, with many donated to Grace mission.

Gabriella has volunteered more than 900 hours at good Shepherd Catholic Church vacation Bible School, and is president of the Book Club, president of National Thespians Honor Society.

Gabrielle, a reader at Florida State University Schools.

And the 2025 Best and Brightest first place winner in drama and performing arts is Andre Williams of Godby High School.

Wow.

Is that great or what?

Andre is the dedicated Thespian Honor Society member who helped raise $6,500 for his troupe while earning accolades including district rated superior actor, excellent playwright, state rated superior actor.

He asked senior class representative Leon County, Student District Advisory Council rep, Black History, Brain Bowl captain, National Honor Society, Treasure Duel, enrolled at Lively Technicals, Certified Nursing Program, assist with patient care at Pruitt Health Center, all while volunteering at his church's food drives.

Andre performed or performed at Ron Middle Schools.

Black History Show assistant assisted the theater director with God Bees Kid shows, and is a 2025 billet Ncop scholarship winner.

That's Andre Williams of Godfrey High School.

Isn't it nice that I have the mic to tell you to settle down?

Hi, Andre.

Congratulations to you.

Production takes a lot of time and a lot of work.

Can you give us some ideas of how you would suggest to future students on how they can balance being in production, and also being a good student and being active in the community?

I would say balancing is an important part of being an actor because there's so many other subjects.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

As somebody who has talked to the youth a lot for my kids shows, I would say do what you love, but maintain what you need.

Being able to balance is very hard, but you got to set organization and boundaries most importantly, and be around those who love and take advice.

Congratulations.

So and round of applause for the countywide winners and all the school based winners for Drama and Performing arts.

Okay, moving on to English and Language Arts, sponsored by Hub International.

And the winners are honorable mention Megan Vargas of Maclay School.

Megan served as editor in chief of Maclay literary magazine notes from the underground, and writes poetry and essays.

She's been a youth leader at good Shepherd Catholic Church since 2021, participated in a Costa Rica mission trip, and served as student outreach coordinator for ears for Elders Companionship Program.

She's captain of the varsity tennis team, competed on the All Big Bend doubles team, president of the Spanish and co-president of the National Honor Society magazine.

Maclay student Ambassador team captain in the Student Astronaut Challenge, winning the Eugene Kranz Award for Exceptional Teamwork Megan Vargas and Maclay School.

And runner up and Best and Brightest English language category for 2025.

Gray Shoe of Childs High School.

For 60.

Grace was president of the Creative Writing Club, helped launched literary journal Timberwolf Review, and was the Gold Key winner in the South Region for Scholastic Art and writing Awards.

National Merit semifinalist receiving outstanding social Science and science department awards.

She spent six weeks at the University of Iowa's Young Writers Studio with other top young writers from around the country.

She litigated over 70 cases as a teen attorney for Leon County Teen Court, earning her the 2020 for Outstanding Litigator Award.

She was the starting pitcher on the softball team at shoe O'Brian Youth Leadership Academic All-Star, and has received state sonata recognition awards in piano Grace shoe from Child's High School.

And first place in English Language Arts for 2025 goes to Braden Richardson of Lincoln High School.

Braden led Lincoln's mock trial team, is captain and head writer, crafting compelling legal arguments that help the team reach the state championship for the first time in five years.

Co-founded and served as Secretary of Culture Club, leading projects to celebrate cultural diversity and engage the school community and he raised more than $2,000 for Walk to End Alzheimer's.

He's in the National Honor Society, recipient of the AP Capstone Diploma Tutors, English and Math Weekly.

To his peers, was the varsity tennis team MVP and champion of the city tennis tournament in doubles.

He also serves as co-chair of the Leon County Student District Advisory Council, spearheading major initiatives like Longest Table voter registration drives and formation of a middle school council.

Braden Richardson, Lincoln High School first place.

Congratulations, Braden.

Thank you.

In this world of Instagram and TikTok, how are we going to encourage people to continue to read books and keep up on their writing skills?

Well, I think reading is one of the last, truest forms of media.

And I think until today's like political climate, it can get hard to decipher what's real from what's, you know, not so real.

And I like collecting quotes.

And Frederick Douglass once said that, once we learn to read, we are truly free.

So I think that like, basically once we learn to read and decipher what's right from wrong, we can truly join together as a society.

And I think that's a beautiful thank you.

Wonderful words.

Braden Richardson, Lincoln High School, congratulations to the county wide winners and all of our school based winners in English and Language arts.

This is a little personal for our family.

The journalism and media production category sponsored by our family in honor of our lost daughter, sister sister Amy Nicole Sachs.

And the winners are honorable mention Elizabeth Vine Butler of Maclay School.

Elizabeth goes by the name vine and quickly rose through the ranks at the Andalusian Maclay student led newspaper, where she served as editor in chief.

Sharon.

Multiple awards for her writing, including three Florida Scholastic Press Association Spring Digital Contest Awards and her sophomore year, five accolades.

In her junior year, and was the class winner of the Poetry Out Loud.

She's a member National honors Spanish, Spanish, honor societies Quill and Scroll, and Vine helps tutor her classmates on how to use Adobe InDesign and volunteers most summers and McKay's kindergarten camp.

That's Vine Butler, a maclay school.

And our runner up in the journalism category for 2025 is Nishi Nanda Nini, a record high school.

Nishi was the student producer of the 411 Teen Politics podcast at Wfsu media, coordinating youth discussions on current events for an audience of more than 40,000 listeners.

President of Rickards Model Yuan, earning accolades such as the University of Florida Model U.N. Verbal Commendation Award and the Florida International Model U.N.

Outstanding Delegation Award.

She directed the Pan Jia Cultural Festival at Rickards and helped raise $15,000, and was a page for the Florida Senate, and she also volunteered at TMH, served at publicity chair for Dance Marathon, and interned with a mental health nonprofit called Choose to Do.

Nishi Nandan Nandini, a record size.

And our first place winner for the 2025 best and brightest in journalism and media productions is Haley Grant of Lincoln High School.

Haley pioneered the launch of Lincoln's weekly talk show as its first official member and sole video editor.

Teaching themselves Adobe Adobe Premiere Pro, they advanced to executive producer by overseeing every aspect of production, including research, script writing, filming, and editing across more than 150 episodes.

Haley was co editor in chief of the yearbook, creating logos for Lincoln's 50 year anniversary is the Latin Club.

Tech officer, placed second in the audiovisual competition at the State Latin Forum.

Haley is an Adobe certified Professional in video design and Visual design, and has received a Principal Award for excellence every year at Haley Grant of Lincoln High School.

Congratulations, Haley.

So there's so much going on in the world.

What do you think that you would want to document for what's going on now or in the future?

And how would you do it?

I think it's really easy to get bogged down in the heavy stuff that's going on right now, especially like the political climate.

And I think it's really important to cover the smaller, uplifting moments and remember to stay positive.

And I think that journalism can promote that pretty well.

Yes.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

And and that was an uplifting moment.

Congratulations to the county wide winners and all the school based winners in journalism and media production.

We're moving on to the leadership category.

There are all leaders here tonight, the eighth graders and the seniors.

But this specific category is sponsored by Leon County Government.

And your honorable mention goes to Tula Lop beneath day of Godby High School.

Tulo serves as Famu trio talent search ambassador, earned national awards such as the National African American Recognition Award and the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Dreamers and Doers Award.

He broke new ground by becoming the first African American male student from Godby to serve as a student school board representative for Leon County Schools, ensuring diverse voices are heard.

He enhanced his leadership and technical skills through FSU Summer camp and black men in technology.

Tolu maintained a strong academic record as a dual enrolled student at Tallahassee State College, was vice president of National Honor Society, and also served as a volunteer librarian at Lake Jackson Library.

That's Tolo from Godby High School.

And runner up for the 2020 2025 best and brightest in the leadership category is Carson Conroy of Maclay School.

Carson founded the Better Together Initiative to combat food insecurity, organizing food drives that distributed more than 4,000 pounds of food across northern Florida in 2024.

He served as class president throughout his sophomore year, received a perfect score and the Poetry Out Loud competition, and is in the National Honor Society.

He strengthened campus unity as a Leadership Council officer for Maclay Ambassadors, training new members and organizing engaging campus tours.

Carson also participated at Youth Leadership Tallahassee Class 20, sponsoring bills at Florida Boys State, serving as vice president of Model U.N. and earning him a National Leadership Award from the American Youth Foundation.

Carson Conway of Maclay.

And the 2025 Best and Brightest first prize in the leadership category goes to jazz and jazz.

Roll up Tallahassee Collegiate Academy.

Jazz spearheaded the creation of Tallahassee Collegiate Academy Student Government Association from the ground up, after transferring her as a junior, building a platform that fosters inclusivity and student engagement, she advanced as VP of the junior class to president of the senior Class, launching initiatives like Pep rallies, Multicultural Spirit Weeks, Senior Sunrise, and Friends Giving.

She implemented impactful anti-bullying and anti vaping campaigns, assuring a safe, positive environment for all students and jazz balanced extensive responsibilities and launching a National Honor Society.

Serving as Secretary, volunteering hundreds of hours through SGA coaching, cheerleading and dual enrolling at TSC.

That's Jazz Roll.

The Tallahassee Collegiate Academy.

Congratulations, jazz.

And I saw that you just graduated last night.

Yeah.

TSC, this is their first class for participating in best and brightest.

So being a leader, you have to take a bunch of small steps to get to the bigger project.

And you coming here as a junior, how did you accomplish that?

There's always changes to come in your life.

The thing that motivates me the most is the people to come after me.

There's always people looking in your footsteps.

So just whatever you do, just remember that they're looking at you.

And whatever you do affects the world that comes tomorrow.

Congratulations, Gratulations the countywide winners and the school based winners in the leadership category.

All right.

Moving on to mathematics, which is sponsored by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.

And the winners are honorable mention Cole Robinson of Leon High School.

Cole, intern at the Miller Laboratory at FSU, conducting biochemistry research and participating at the Boston University Summer challenge, where hands on courses deep into understanding mathematical applications in medical research.

Served as Volunteer Coordinator for the Peri, an honor society organizing tutoring for more than 100 students.

National Merit Commended student with distinction as an AP scholar, co-founder and president of Students Demand Action, a student board member of the Southern Shakespeare Company, and a summer camp counselor at Cornerstone Learning, Cole combines his passion for math with everyday creativity and serves on the Eco Club Dance marathon and the tennis team.

Cole Robinson Leon High School.

Runner up in math for 2025 is Dr. Patel of Maclay School.

Dia has provided peer tutoring at Maclay Academic Resource Center since her sophomore year, and created a free SAT tutoring initiative for Big Bend students during her senior year to make quality test preparation accessible to everyone.

A National Merit semifinalist placed in Rickards mu Alpha Theta Invitational, volunteered at the Rose Land Public Speaking Debate Program, utilizing her Hindi language skills to assist beginning English speakers in rural Indian villages, and mentored bilingual children children in the big band through the Quincy Tutoring Program.

Dr. Patel Maclay School.

And a winner in the mathematic category is Suki Gooley of Rickards High School.

Suki volunteered as a virtual math tutor for middle school refugees to an organization called Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America.

Directed Rickards Invitational, one of the largest student run high school math competitions in the southern U.S., managing registration and test organization for nearly 1000 competitors.

LED National Mu Alpha Theta student president and a student president of the Florida Association of Mu Alpha Theta, spearheading outreach projects for more than 120,000 students across 2500 schools.

Secures intern with the Florida Courts of the Clerk and Comptrollers.

Serves as the student rep on the Foundation for Leon County Schools, while also earning competitive accolades as a USA math Olympiad Qualifier and a top 15 Mu Alpha Theta participant.

That Suri Gooley, a Rickards High School.

Congratulations!

We know math is important, but it's hard for a lot of us.

So can you tell us why it's so important to study for our mathematics and give us some tips on how to make sure that we can help those struggling students when they can become having a hard time in the classroom.

Yeah for sure.

I think patience is the key for any math question.

I think, like I think through my years I've struggled with math a lot, but I think math has taught me one thing and that's patience.

So I think you can apply this to any area of life.

If you keep attacking a problem, eventually you will solve it.

And I think that's what math teaches us and that's why math is important.

Thank you.

Well said.

Congratulations to our countywide winners in math and all our school based math winners.

Okay, we move on to the music category and the 2025 Best and brightest honorable mention is Emily Hawkins of Maclay School.

Emily showcases her multi instrumental talent as lead vocalist and guitarist for the band All the Things.

Earning recognition from the mayor and City of Tallahassee.

She performs with guitar, vocals and ukulele and has delivered memorable stage performances and leading roles as a thespian society member.

Earning her multiple Superior and Critics Choice Awards at district and state competitions, she's a member of the Spectrum Leadership Board, won a General Artist Award from Lemoyne Arts, and is in the arts, Spanish and national honor societies.

Emily founded Maclay Outdoors Club volunteers at Unity Eastside Church, and participated in Youth Leadership Tallahassee Class 20 Emily Hawkin, a maclay school.

And a runner up in our music category is Matthew Harley at Florida State University School.

Matthew has been recognized for his musical talent with accolades such as the Outstanding Bass Award at Jacksonville Sings and consistent superior ratings at Thespian Districts.

He's an actor and student director for high school and middle school productions, vice president of thespians.

President of chorus, and received the National Recognition Award this year.

President of Mu Alpha Theta and the Student Astronaut Challenge, and Vice President of National Science.

Honor Matthew dedicated summers as a theater camp counselor at Florida High.

Mentors peers with their lines and annually helped raise money for the club as chair of the Fall Carnival.

Matthew Harley, FSU schools.

And first place winner for the 2025 best and Brightest in music is Aaron Broder of Charles High School.

Aaron served as the president and troop captain of the International Thespian Society of Trials, leading the group to consistently earn Critics Choice Awards and various one act categories.

She is the tri music honor society with diverse supporting and leading roles in productions recognized with multiple Triple Threat awards for acting, singing, and dancing.

She's active with the Sharon Davis School of Dance, Tallahassee Irish Step Dancers, Rock Climbing Club, Dance marathon and received the President's Volunteer Service Award.

Aaron's a Girl Scout, earning the Silver Award for volunteer hours and maintaining a butterfly garden at DeSoto Trail Elementary.

She serves on the advisory Committee and as a board member of the Youth Leadership Council.

That's Aaron Broder of Charles High School.

Congratulations, Aaron.

Give us some ideas of ways that we should incorporate and include music in our everyday activities and in the classroom.

Whether it's listening to music or performing music, I think it's very important to incorporate that, because music, whether we know it or not, I mean shown by our lovely accompanist here, it connects everyone, and I think we should find ways to put it into our lives, because it can create such a positive environment.

Thank you.

Congratulations, Aaron Gratulations to all our music winners countywide in schools.

You know, Americans, when they're surveyed, say their number one fear isn't dying but dying in front of an audience and public speaking is the principal way to do that.

Let's move on to the public speaking category.

And these fearless seniors, honorable mention in the public speaking category.

And this is sponsored by the City of Tallahassee.

Honorable mention is Isa Allison of Record High School.

Isa is our driving force and records model U.N. rising from participant to specialized committee director spearheading the raider model U.N. event.

President of the speech and debate Club.

Founder and president of the Film and Drama Club.

Founder and co-president of the African Student Union.

He's student director of Black History Month showcase, chief of staff at Florida's Bowie State, president of National Honor Society.

Treasurer of the Florida District of Key Club International Isa volunteers of TMH, and is a backstage coordinator for the Pangea Multicultural Talent Show.

Isa Allison of Records.

Runner up in public speaking for 2025 is Macie Coombs of Leon High School.

Macy launched her leadership journey in SGA, rising quickly to serve as freshman class VP, Junior Class secretary, orchestrating events like prom and Senior Carnival, and is the Public Relations Committee chair.

She's a family liaison captain with Dance Marathon.

Remember the cross country and JV tennis team active with Interact Service Club.

As Miss February, she was head of the Faculty and Staff Committee in the National Honor Society, the National Science Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta.

Macy represented Leon at the Florida Association of Student Councils convention, where she co-hosted impactful workshops on the transformative impact of dance.

Marathon.

Macy Combs of Leon.

And first place winner in public speaking for the 2025 Best and brightest is John Fletcher Butler of Maclay School.

John Fletcher commands the microphone as the voice of Maclay sports announcer, delivering dynamic, informative commentary and crafting polished, pre-written scripts for live events.

He's also on the varsity tennis team.

Received Scholar Athlete of the year class, School Athletic Service Award, and the Chris Hixon Exemplary Sportsmanship Award.

He's a maclay Student Ambassador, a member of the Student Council Key Club, National Spanish Rho, Kappa Social Studies, National Honor Society.

John Fletcher is intern at the Tallahassee Quarterback Club and spoken at more than 40 conferences and delivered upwards of 33 speeches.

Public speaking.

First place John Fletcher Butler, a maclay.

Congratulations, Tom Fletcher.

So after 40 speeches, can you give us an idea of how not to be nervous?

For me, it's all about preparation.

But I know that I've prepared.

And I put in the time before the speech that gives me the confidence to actually go out and perform like I want to.

So for me, it's about preparation.

Congratulations.

You've been prepared.

Well said.

Congratulations to all our countywide and school based winners in the public speaking category.

All right.

We're kind of into the bottom third of awards here.

But there as important as any.

Moving on to science and health sponsored by Capital Health plan or honorable mention for science and Health goes to Evan Kyle of Leon High School.

Evan transformed Leon's Eco club from a handful of members into a popular student organization as its president, leading environmental service projects across campus and in our community.

He applied scientific skills during an externship with the Northwest Florida Water Management District, where he collected water quality data and surveyed management sites to deepen his understanding of environmental science.

Serves as Secretary for movement for Data Science.

National honor member of national French Rho Kappa, and Honor societies.

And Evan is also an AP scholar with distinction.

A three year varsity soccer player, senior captain, long time volunteer with Saint John's Episcopal Church youth programs Evan Kyle of Leon.

Our runner up for 2025 and Science and Health is McLean Stroud.

A fam your dress.

McLane is dual enrolled at Famu, presented breast cancer research at the Minority Science Engineering Improvement Program student Research conference, earned recognition as a Sunshine State Scholar, she was asked to attend Famu Summer Research Program and holds American Red cross CPR and First Aid certifications and is in the National Society of High School Scholars.

She's a National Beta Club and honor society, served three years as SGA class secretary.

Volunteers with solar, the South Side McClain balances a rigorous science pursuits with leadership as a winning world competitive dancer, varsity cheerleader, co-captain, and Congress to the Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence recipient.

McLane Stroud of Famu.

Dr.. And the 2025 Best and Brightest first prize for Science and Health goes to Keegan Fleury of Florida State University School.

Keegan conducted graduate level research and the University of Florida's Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Lab, giving a symposium, presentation and academic paper, and is co-founder and co-president of the Investment Club.

She co-founded My Bookshelf for kids, a nonprofit that's distributed more than 2500 new and gently used books to children from low income families across our community.

She leads Florida High Stem community as president of the Science National Honor Society, member of the Science Olympiad team, National Stem, Spanish and Math Honor Society, and Keegan was honored as the 2025 Sunshine State Scholar, served as vice president of NASA's International Student Astronaut Challenge, and is a varsity golf, flag football, and soccer player during high school.

That's Keegan Flurry of FSU school.

Congratulations, Keegan.

In this world of science and discovery, is there something special that you want to research in science in your future?

Yes.

I am hoping to pursue biomedical engineering.

I think it combines my love of medicine and problem solving in math with engineering.

We hope you do.

Congratulations and congrats to all the science and health category countywide and school finalists.

And we move on now to Social Science sponsored by the B Attitude Foundation.

And the winners are honorable mention or duty.

Mookie Rolla of Leon High School.

A duty served as a defense attorney for Leon County Teen Court, crafting opening and closing statements and conducting cross-examinations with a focus on restorative justice, ultimately helping reduce repeat offenses and juvenile cases.

Interned with the Public Defender's office and a local law firm.

President of Rho Kappa Social Studies honor secretary.

Appearing in honor society, she excelled in every available AP social science course, building a strong academic foundation, and legal and societal studies, participating in an Interact Club, and tutoring peers.

A duty played varsity volleyball for four years, earning multiple medals All-Big Ben recognition, and volunteered with the Indian Association of Tallahassee at duty Mu Kerala of Leon High School.

Runner up in the social science category Margaret Murray of Maclay School.

Margaret goes by Maggie and she co-founded and co presided over McLeod's Women's Service Club, coordinating projects like food deliveries and cleanup efforts, and the school's first pink out with a breast cancer survivor visit.

She contributed to the Andalusia newspaper as head editor, staff writer, designer, mentor and as president of the wrote Kappa National Social Studies honor.

She interned for a circuit judge in Leon County Courthouse, serves on McLean's Honor Council, and was a page in the Florida Senate.

Maggie was recognized by daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens program and participates in competitive dance.

In addition to taking on leadership roles for Dance Marathon, Maggie Murray of McClain.

And winner of first Prize 2025 best and brightest in Social Science is our senior yellow goalie of record high school.

Hasani co-founded a mental health advocacy group called Protea Teens as a sophomore and as president led advocacy at the Florida Capitol, helping secure $1.5 million in state funding for youth accessible 988 mental health crisis line.

She was awarded Do Something's Ember Mental Health Initiative grant to host a statewide conference for more than 80 teens and is the North South Foundation Junior board president.

She served as a high school research intern with Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation, is an accomplished violinist with Tallahassee Youth Symphony, director of Information and technology for the Science Olympiad Club senior is a National Merit semifinalist and launched the each A voice podcast to introduce teens to psychology topics.

In addition to founding Records Mental Health Club to foster open peer led discussions.

That's the CNE Records High School.

Wow.

Congratulations.

So much has been emphasized with the Stem class work.

So with that in mind, what do you think should also be placed with the research of all these social sciences, especially, what would you've been emphasizing and studying.

Yeah, yeah.

So Stem is of course really, really important.

But I think that social sciences and research in the social sciences gives us the opportunity to learn and question the structures that we live in, and also learn about the people around us.

And I think that both Stem and social sciences go hand-in-hand, but without social sciences and research in that field, we wouldn't know how to properly and ethically implement the research and findings from Stem.

So I think, I think both of them are extremely important.

But social sciences has to have, has to have focus in order for, both of them to work.

Yeah.

That's right.

Thank you.

Right.

Congratulations to our countywide and school based winners in social science.

And we move on to the technology category sponsored by Comcast.

And the winners are Cigar bot.

Rickards High School.

Sager spent three summers interning at the nonprofit Intelligent Robotics, where he developed instructional materials, crafted challenging coding problems, and authored step by step security vulnerability guides.

Vice President, Moon Alpha Data director of their Math Invitational competition with more than 1000 competitors, raised almost $10,000.

Vice president of the programing club.

An attorney with Teen Court, one third place in the state science and Engineering Fair, and Sager demonstrated unwavering dedication while completing 1000 plus hours in computer science studies and 1500 research hours.

Sager, of Rickards High School.

Our runner up for the best and brightest in technology is Austin Langston of FSU School.

Austin co-designed and coded an autonomous robot for Science Olympiad that navigated randomized mazes, rigorously testing and fine tuning voltage and sensor outputs.

He wrote, directed, and edited physics project films and Adobe Premiere Pro, and launched AP Chemistry Pictures, a website and mock movie studio, to showcase his films and foster interest in Stem and the arts.

He volunteers through Science Honor Society for the Florida High Carnival and as a summer camp counselor in training, Austin applied digital design talents to create custom slideshow templates for clubs, design a school solar Eclipse Watch Party poster, and an interactive calendar for the Student Astronaut Challenge Club.

Austin Langston of FSU schools.

And first place in technology for the 2025 best and brightest goes to Courtney Stokes of Leon High School.

Courtney teaches Python programing, Lego robotics and 3D design printing through Young Engineers Tallahassee and interned as an FSU IT Project Manager, Software engineer intern for Leon County, miss.

She serves as Leon's performing arts theater technician, mastering light rigging, sound engineering, is a beautician, volunteer, and a member of the Youth Leadership class of Tallahassee 20.

She has the most volunteer hours with National Honor Society.

Won the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership President Volunteer Service Award, in addition to numerous honors societies and clubs, and Courtney is the Florida Associated Student Council district one president, senior class president, established a brand Cortes donor, which reaches over 1.6 million viewers on YouTube and TikTok with your tech and productivity tutorials.

Courtney Stokes of Leon High School.

Congratulations, Courtney.

So it was brought up earlier that y'all weren't even born two decades ago, and so the technology was definitely different.

20 years ago.

What do you think is going to be another 20 years for the next generation?

Well, I think technology is only growing in its popularity, especially when it comes to its boosts in human efficiency and productivity.

So y'all buckle up because technology is only going to get more powerful and more common in our day to day lives.

Thank you.

Buckle up.

All right.

We're moving on to the final category of the 15 categories, but not the final award of the night.

So don't get out of this room.

All right, moving on to world languages category, where the honorable mention goes to Asher Robertson of Lincoln High School.

Now, I'm going to read you a little bit about Asher after he gets his picture taken.

Okay.

Asher spent three summers tutoring deaf and hard of hearing students in American Sign Language and academics at Buck Lake Elementary, ensuring they receive both language instruction and academic support.

He mentors students in overcoming language challenges and building confidence by educating peers and the wider community about American Sign Language and the experiences of deaf individuals.

He's in the National Honor Society participate in lunchtime service projects, and is also on the varsity tennis team.

Asher maintains strong academic performance with awards in geometry, the State Agriculture Certificate of Achievement, all while serving as a role model by inspiring others to break down community barriers.

That's Asher Robertson of Lincoln High School.

Our runner up in the world language category, Ava finals of FSU schools.

Ava interned at Second Harvest of the Big Ben, helping implement a campus food pantry and using Spanish fluency to assist local Hispanic families and produce outreach content.

As president of Florida High's Building Incredible Generations, she organized a high profile Black History Month celebration, is president of the Future Business Leaders of America and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Gem's mentorship program.

Ava is president of the National Spanish and Irish Society, co-founded and Esol tutoring program for immigrant children, and founded Global Cultural Celebrations featuring dances and food demonstrations.

And Ava was recognized with the distinguished young Woman of East Leon County title and the Big Ben Outstanding Youth and Philanthropy Award for him.

PAC for Community Engagement.

Abby Files of FSU schools.

And first place for the 2025 best and brightest in world languages is Alex Srivastava.

I'm Charles High, strong.

Alex founded and presided over the Foreign Language Club, creating cultural events that celebrate global traditions, foods, music and fostering inclusive appreciation for linguistic diversity.

He volunteered as a French instructor at the Tallahassee Senior Center, and he combined language and tech skills to develop an online helpdesk, offering one on one tutoring for French learners.

He's the national rural and small town scholar, a boys state delegate, a youth health leadership member, and an Eagle Scout who built playground equipment at Sable Palm Elementary.

Alex led his team to victory in the 2023 U.S. Congressional App Challenge with route e.R, a disaster relief routing website presented at the National Stem summit.

The next Alex of Charles High School, first place.

Think.

Wonderful.

Congratulations, Alex.

People learn languages for different reasons.

Why did you study French?

And can you tell us some of the opportunities that it's given you?

Yeah, sure.

So I originally learned to speak French so that I could communicate with my grandparents.

They don't speak English, so I decided to make sense that I learn French, too.

I learned French, that I could communicate with them, but we did more than that was, I was able to learn so much more about other people and about people that I would have never, ever talked to if I didn't speak French.

I learned about their stories, about their lives.

And on top of that, I learned about myself.

Because I learned so much more about others.

I was able to understand how I communicate with others and how others see me, and I was able to improve upon that.

Congratulations.

That's wonderful.

Congratulations to Alex, all the world language winners countywide and our school based winners and world languages as well.

Before we move on to kind of the grand prize finale of the night, one more time, let's have all these best and brightest seniors stand up and be warmly appreciated by all of us.

Congratulations to all of you.

And now I just like to say that this fine woman, Laura Rogers, has shepherded this program through 19 of the 20 years.

I know that the best 19 years.

And I'd like to call her back to the podium with her wonderful husband, Sam Rogers.

Thanks, Ron.

Congratulations, everyone.

And, congratulations to the parents.

You guys did a great job as well.

For the past 20 years, the best and brightest has recognized and honored 2855 high school seniors and Leon County.

Impressive.

These students each reflect a strong record of academic achievement and leadership, with a special emphasis placed on the dedication to community service.

For the past 14 years, an additional award has presented to one of the finalists who truly exemplifies the spirit of the best and brightest with their deep love of civic duty and service.

This award is in honor of our son, Brooks Rogers, who lost his life in an automobile accident.

His commitment to community service and his passion for life exemplifies the spirit in the best and brightest.

Because of the generosity of the Tallahassee community.

After his death, a scholarship was funded to form, was funded and formed to benefit the best and the brightest recipients.

This recognition has been an exciting culmination of the awards program, with the $2,500 scholarship presented to the student.

With that spirit, the winner is selected from the 45 honorable mentions, runner ups and winners in each category so anyone can win.

The recipients of the best and brightest truly exemplifies what it means to have a passion for service and giving back to the community.

So let's talk about this year's recipient.

This person has maintained their academic excellence over the past four years.

They have engaged in community outreach that directly impacts students in their school and mentored young people on civic awareness, helping the elderly, and organizing programs to help those in need.

This person serves as president of their school's National Honor Society.

This person was a leader on the field in four sports.

This person is devoted to their church families.

By not only teaching biblical doctrines, but by hosting bi weekly math and reading tutoring programs.

He embodies the four principles of leadership, academics, maturity, and perseverance, and serves as the president of the Omega Lamplighters.

This year's winner of the Spirit of the Best and Brightest exemplifies wisdom far beyond his years.

Congratulations, Darius Jones, the second.

And second.

We also have, something else for Darius.

Come back.

Man, you're not finished.

I the students are so generous with their talents and time.

We have an additional announcement statewide and its significance for our spirit.

Winner from Jose Tamayo, chief executive officer of volunteer Florida.

Please welcome her.

Thank you.

Are you here with her?

Yes.

Well, thank you, Ron, and what a pleasure it is to be with all you all this evening and the wonderful young men and women.

And as I look at them, I know that we are in good stead, and that our nation is strong and our leaders in every category.

So this evening, it is my honor to be here and to be here for the 20th anniversary of the celebration of the best and brightest.

And it's a pleasure to be here.

As the CEO of Volunteer Florida, we are the state's lead agency in promoting volunteerism, promoting national service, and ensuring that our communities throughout Florida are resilient.

And we honor those who provide service and volunteerism and lead throughout our communities.

So we take an opportunity.

It is our pleasure to be here to recognize this young man here sitting, standing to my right, because we look for those leaders in our communities, young and old, that are the bold changemakers that truly believe in service community to everyone of Florida.

And that is the motivation that makes me go and get up every morning and serve all the people of Florida.

So particularly one of the things that we love to do a volunteer Florida, and it is my greatest honor and privilege, is to highlight those who who excel in service and volunteerism and responsibility to their communities.

And so it is my honor to present volunteers.

Florida's one of our highest awards to Darius Jones, an Excellence in Volunteerism award.

And here we go.

There you go.

Y'all.

So thank you for attending tonight's, 20th anniversary for the best and brightest.

But wait, wait, there's more.

So at this time, I would like to introduce the mayor of Tallahassee, Mayor John Daley, who's going to present our finalist with a proclamation from the city mayor John Daley.

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and what a fine evening it's been.

My name is John Daley.

I am the proud mayor of the great city of Tallahassee.

And first and foremost, ladies and gentlemen, congratulations.

You are absolutely outstanding.

You are an amazing group of young people.

And I don't know about you moms and dads and family and friends, but I'm feeling pretty good about the future right now.

That is for sure.

And I know that we have a future mayor of Tallahassee in this group right here.

But ladies and gentlemen, I'm also here to celebrate this amazing event itself.

And not just the individual nominees and award winners.

Mr. Sachs, if you'll come join me, please.

Ladies and gentlemen, from the governing body of the city of Tallahassee, a proclamation.

Whereas among the thousands of students graduating from Florida high schools, there are many exceptional seniors who with whose accomplishments throughout their academic career merit special recognition.

And whereas these accomplishments reflect a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, and with these students embracing learning as a vital path to a brighter future.

And whereas, beyond the classroom, many of these remarkable seniors have demonstrated a deep dedication to service, giving their time and talents selflessly to the schools and communities and exemplifying the highest ideals of civic responsibility.

And Whereas, in investing in education and development of our youth is a shared value across Florida, and programs like the best and Brightest awards play a vital role in helping shape the next generation of leaders.

And Whereas, this year we proudly recognized 139 graduating seniors and 47 eighth grade students for their extraordinary achievements and their unwavering commitment to making a difference.

Now, therefore, I, John Evans, daily, by the authority vested in me as the mayor of the City of Tallahassee, do hereby recognize May 14th, 2025 as Best and Brightest awards day.

Read into the record in front of each and every one of you here this evening.

Signed with my signature John Daley dated May 14th, 2025.

Ron Sachs.

It's my honor and privilege to present you with this proclamation, sir.

So.

And finally, it is my distinct honor and privilege.

And this is a true surprise.

For the past seven years, I have served as your mayor and the one of the greatest.

Blessings as mayor is to recognize outstanding citizens of this community.

The cream of the crop, those that truly give back and leave the impression for generations to come.

Best and brightest would not have even been here if it wasn't for Ron Sax.

Ron Sachs is my friend.

He's your friend.

He's your friend.

Whether you realize it or not.

He is that individual, nationally and internationally recognized as one of the best in the business.

He is also the true definition of Tallahassee.

He is service.

It is individuals like Ron Sachs that truly, truly make Tallahassee special.

And we are all blessed to have him be a part of our life.

In the medieval times, our cities were walled, and the highest honor that a citizen could receive is if those that were in charge placed a key to the gate, allowing them to protect the citizens of that city and lock the gate each night.

The key was also entrusted to those citizens, allowing them to come to and fro and travel across the land, knowing that that individual will truly represented the ideals and the beliefs and the true character of that community.

Today, the key to the city is a truly ceremonial event.

We do not live in walled cities anymore, but as the mayor, it is the highest award that I can possibly bestow upon a citizen of our community or any community at that.

It is at my sole discretion and this is an award that I take extremely seriously.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you please stand in body or spirit.

Mr. Sachs, if you will come join me on behalf of the citizens of the City of Tallahassee.

And as your mayor and friend, Ron Sachs, it is my honor and privilege to present you for outstanding service to the City of Tallahassee.

Dated May 14th, 2025, with my signature, ladies and gentlemen, the key to the City of Tallahassee.

Coming.

Thank you, I love you, I love you.

Come on, let's it.

This is his box.

I'll take it back and.

Congratulations, Ron.

Do continue to add to the excitement of this evening.

We have an early edition of the full color 64 page insert in the Tallahassee Democrat, which is included in the subscriptions.

And the RAC sales are the Tomorrow's Democrat.

This is a commemorative printed highlight of all the finalists in the articles of the top winners and of all the finalists.

Please, take a few.

They're out there and the volunteers at the door will pass them out and hang out at the, Westcott Fountain.

And also, in recognition of our 20 years of recognizing all these exemplary students and encouraging future Leon County students to strive for excellence.

In June, we will have a street sign dedication for the newly renamed Street Best and Brightest Way, which is off Thorpe Street between Ruediger Elementary School and Levi Park.

So our traditions of excellence, students and dedicated service will continue to live on.

If there's any middle school principals here, don't forget to pick up your school certificates for your finalists and for the finalists that are here on stage.

Please stop by the front to receive your check.

Congratulations to all our students, parents, teachers, friends.

Congratulations!

Thank you so much.

Have a safe night!

Put on your calendar for May 13th, 2026 and enjoy and let us keep in touch.

We are so proud of you.

Good evening.

Hey, be careful with those turkeys.

Be careful with the turkey.