Class of 2023: Our Hope for the Future
Dear Class of 2023: There were a lot of lessons taught throughout your high school career. Some of the most important ones are those that helped you discover who you are. I encourage you to revisit those lessons as you embark on your next journey in this great big world. Ahead of you is this thing called “life”; ahead of you are all the years you have yet to live. You will have to go through life with more than just a passion for change. You will need a strategy. Not just awareness, but action; not just hashtags, but votes. It’s all important. Learn from every mistake because every experience, encounter, and particularly your mistakes are there to teach you and force you into being more of who you are. Then figure out what is the next right move. It’s all up to you. So, think on these words:
“There’s nothing and no one that can stop you from changing the world; you’re unstoppable.” Alicia Keys
“Decide to ground yourself in values that last, like honesty, hard work, responsibility, fairness, generosity, respect for others.” Barack Obama
“It’s time to chase every dream, accept every challenge, strive for greatness, honor every promise and recommit to your community.” LeBron James
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” B.B. King
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Abraham Lincoln
Class of 2023: you are our hope for the future. Let’s meet some of you.
Stephani Bryant graduated from Southeast High School with a weighted 4.67 GPA, graduating in the top four percentile of her class. At Southeast, she was active in Student Government Association in her sophomore and senior years, serving as Sophomore Class Representative and SGA Representative. She was also on the Junior and Senior Advisory Boards, co-captain of the FHSAA Varsity Bowling in her senior year, member of National Honor Society and volunteered with Key Club during her junior and senior years. Stephani’s community involvement includes volunteering with Margwine Organization, Inc., which empowers girls to reach their full potential; was a summer camp counselor with Streets of Paradise, volunteered with All Faiths Food Bank and the Great American Cleanup. She was also selected to participate in the Class of 2022 Sarasota-Manatee Bank of America Student Leader program, a paid internship program which provides students with first-hand experience in serving their communities. Stephani will continue her education at the University of South Florida, Tampa, to pursue a Master’s degree in Psychology and eventually become an Applied Behavioral Analyst or Pediatric Psychologist. She is the daughter of Margwine Pierrelouis and Stephen Bryant, Jr.
Leah DuBose graduated from Booker High School with a 5.0 grade point average. She was ranked #5 in her class of 267. Last year, Leah received the Cambridge AICE Diploma, an internationally recognized diploma awarded to students for satisfactory completion of a series of academically rigorous courses. She was also active in the North Carolina-based program, Young Black Leadership Alliance, which develops young black men and women into leaders to impact their peers, families and community. At Booker, she was a member of the National Honor Society, was a peer mentor, active in College for Every Student, Brillian Pathways Ambassador, and was on the girls varsity basketball team since 9th grade. She was also on the track and field team and was active in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Delta Gems and in the Safe Children Coalition’s Achievers Program. Leah will attend Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University as a Bio-Medical major. She is the daughter of Katrenia DuBose and E. Keith DuBose.
Johari Jones, 17, is a graduate of Booker High School where he maintained a 3.2 GPA. He attended Sarasota Military Academy until his senior year when he transferred to Booker High School. He played varsity basketball and was the team’s point guard. Johari was active in ROTC throughout high school and received the American Legion’s Certificate of School Award for distinguished service and in recognition of the possession of those high qualities of courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service, presented by Sarasota Bay Post 30. Johari joined the U.S. Naval Academy and will leave on July 19. He is the son of Ron Jones and Kim McFarland.
Tatyanna Schacole Mitchell graduated from Booker High School with a 4.3 GPA. She was active in the Visual and Performing Arts choir, tennis and Career Exploring with Take Stock. She has a summer internship at Children’s Clinic of Sarasota, which will give her an opportunity to further her career and advance her personal traits. Tatyanna worked and volunteered at Girls Inc. and at Tuttle Elementary School helping Spanish speaking students learn the English language. Other volunteer activities included community clean ups on Lido and Siesta Key Beaches. Tatyanna will attend Valencia Community College to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. As a child, she aspired to become a pediatrician but with her internship at Children’s Clinic of Sarasota, she has a new perspective of what she wants to do. She is the daughter of Barry Mitchell and Tonie Walters.
Christopher Jabari Phillips is 18 years old and a graduate of Braden River High School where he maintained a 3.5 GPA. Jabari played football in middle school but because of an injury in 2018, his football career ended and he never had the opportunity to play high school sports. Prior to his injury, he played baseball and football. Jabari will attend State College of Florida, then transfer to the University of South Florida or the University of Central Florida. He plans to major in Business and become the owner of his own gym. He is the son of Christopher and Shaquanta Phillips.
Ariel and Anastasia Samedi graduated from Bayshore High School. They attended Booker High School before transferring to Bayshore in their senior year. Both have been active in the Safe Children Coalition Achievers Program, Girls Scouts, Truly Valued, Inc., Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce, Bradenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Delta Academy and Delta Gems, Streets of Paradise, Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Club, Speech and Debate Club, Ringling College Robotics Team, Barbershop Men of Prayer, Learn my History and the Jabazz Spann Foundation. Ariel is the immediate past president of the Sarasota County NAACP Youth Council and Anastasia served as secretary. Ariel is also assistant treasurer for the NAACP Florida State Conference. Both will begin their college career at State College of Florida. Ariel will also serve in the Army Reserves and plans to join the U.S. Army after graduation to pursue a career as a Trauma Surgeon. Ana plans to major in Psychology and Neurological Studies.
Jordyn Simon graduated from Booker High School with a 4.75 GPA and was in the top 5% of 312 students in her class. She was a dual-enrolled student at State College of Florida during the 2022-2023 school year where she earned college credits. At Booker, Jordyn was team manager for the girls varsity basketball team for three years. She also volunteered with various community organizations including six years with the Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida, where she served those who experienced homelessness during the Christmas holidays. She also distributed backpacks to low income families through Truly Valued, a program that promotes positive self-esteem, education, confidence and character among youth and families. Jordyn will attend State College of Florida to complete prerequisites for the Doctor of Pharmacy program and then transfer to Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy to pursue a degree in Pharmaceutical Science. She is the 18-year-old daughter of Shavonne Sams and Troy A. Simon, Jr.
Jaylah Wilson graduated from Riverview High School where she maintained a 4.2 GPA. At Riverview she was a member of the Key Club and was on the girls basketball team where she served as captain and a four-time Defensive Player of the Year. She was also named Career and Technology Education (CTE) Student of the Year and placed first in the Ceramic Division in the Sarasota County Schools District Art Show. Jaylah was also active in the Safe Children Coalition Achievers Program, Greatness Beyond Measure, Youth United for Success Mentoring Program and Trinity Christian Fellowship Ministry. She was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Delta Academy, and was a Duke TIP Scholar – Talent Identification Program – a gifted education program based at Duke University. Jaylah plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Florida A&M University. She then wants to focus on innovative advances in technology and medicine to develop new devices and equipment for improving human health. She is the 18-year-old daughter of daughter of Keisha and Jesse Wilson.
