Palm Beach County High School Recipients
Grace Castelin, Class of 2021, University of Central Florida
Grace is a graduate of Suncoast High School where she was Secretary of the Black Student Union, as well as leading their Charity and the Mentorship Committees. For the past 5 years Grace has volunteered as a youth leader with the children’s ministry program of her church. Here she mentored under-served children, many of whom were facing adversity in their lives. Grace also led the children’s choir and organized dance teams and sporting events for the children. Grace will major in political science, and plans to pursue a career in public policy and government. She will attend the University of Central Florida. Grace wrote in her essay, “Due to the many issues and forms of injustice I continue to observe in our society, I desire to do what I can to play a part in bringing these issues to light and advocating for change for the people of today and the generations that are to come.”
William George, Class of 2021, Lock Haven University
William is a graduate of Palm Beach Gardens High School, where he was a member of the Television & Film Production Magnet Program and was a Career and Technology Education Student of the Year. William was involved in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) from 6th grade through his senior year of high school. In 2019 he placed top 8 in the state in the FBLA public speaking competition. William is a trained dancer in hip-hop and jazz, as well as holding district and regional titles in wrestling. William’s favorite service project has been his 5-year participation in the Belle Glade Student Mission Trip, where he worked on beautification projects, sports camp and meal service for at-risk children. William will attend Lock Haven University where he will pursue a dual degree in Business and Communications.
Shahara Ransom, Class of 2020, Florida State University
Shahara was in the top 5% of her class at Palm Beach Gardens High School with a 3.8 GPA, while being dual-enrolled at Palm Beach State College and working 20 hours per week. In addition, Shahara has completed over 500 hours of community service. She participated in a mission trip to the Bahamas to assist with repairing damages from natural disasters, was part of the volunteer program at the Solid Waste Authority and was a volunteer assistant pre-school and Sunday school teacher at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. Shahara also received first and second place positions in the Black Heritage Oratorical Contest for the last four years, second place in Coding and second place in Math League, representing the National Achievers Society of Palm Beach County. Shahara will attend Florida State University, where she will pursue a degree in Biomedical Science, with her ultimate goal of becoming a general surgeon.
Sulvamette Sylvain, Class of 2020, Florida A & M University
Sulvamette maintained a 3.5 GPA at Glades Central High School while being dual-enrolled at Palm Beach State College and performing over 1,000 hours of service. Sulvamette has been involved with the Boys and Girls Club for many years, specifically in their Girls Give Back and their Youth Corp Volunteer Program. She recently achieved the highest honor in the Boys and Girls Club, as the recipient of their Youth of the Year award. In addition, Sulvamette is the founder of Haitian Educators, where she helps immigrants find resources and adapt to their new home. Sulvamette was President of Glades Central Student Government for four years, and participated in Women of Tomorrow, Glades Central Debate Club, the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. Sulvamette will attend Florida A & M University, where she will major in Nursing. Her long term goal is to become a lawyer and lobbyist, advocating for quality medical care for all.
Katleen Jolicoeur, Class of 2019, University of Florida
Katleen is a graduate of Palm Beach Gardens HS and was president of the Science National Honor Society. During high school, Katleen did an environmental fellowship at Florida Atlantic University. Her project focus was to create a food connection between local restaurants and homeless shelters. Katleen will attend the University of Florida and hopes to one day pursue a medical degree in psychiatry. She would like to increase access to mental health services in minority communities, and decrease the stigma associated with seeking these services.
Sierra Richardson, Class of 2019, Skidmore College
Sierra is a graduate of the International Baccalaureate Diploma program at Atlantic Community HS. Sierra has worked part-time and has participated in a wide variety of service activities with organizations such as Painted Hearts, Education Rocks and Sandoway Discovery Center. As a docent at Sandoway, Sierra taught visitors about Florida animals and conservation. Sierra will attend Skidmore College and plans to major in Biology. Her favorite subjects are Biology and Photography. Sierra hopes to be a photojournalist and raise awareness of issues such as climate change via her background in science and art.
Trevon Bailey, Class of 2018, University of Florida
Trevon is a graduate of William T. Dwyer’s International Baccalaureate Diploma program. He maintained excellent grades while holding down multiple part time jobs and volunteering. He has always had a passion for education, and one of the ways he has displayed this passion is by serving as a mentor to elementary school children with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Trevon’s supervisor at Big Brothers Big Sisters describes him as a leader who is looked up to by other mentors in the program. In addition, Trevon has also volunteered with the Homeless Coalition, an organization focused on improving the lives of the homeless in Palm Beach County, and at his school’s library.
Trevon will attend the University of Florida and major in Biology on a pre-med track. Trevon plans on becoming a pediatrician and he hopes to open his own practice in Palm Beach County to continue to aid children in our community. Trevon wishes to continue the mission of the foundation by starting a mentorship program at his college for underprivileged kids.
Liza Hartsock, Class of 2018, University of Central Florida
Liza graduated from the International Baccalaureate Program at Suncoast High School with outstanding grades. During high school, Liza has dedicated many hours helping ESOL students understand their classroom lessons and assignments. She has also volunteered her time teaching karate classes to younger students. Liza will be attending the University of Central Florida where she will pursue a degree in Chemistry. Liza hopes to become a cardiac surgeon and work at hospitals in different countries for several years.
Alexa Bolton, Class of 2018, University of Texas at San Antonio
Alexa graduated from William T. Dwyer High School where she excelled in all of her advanced placement courses.
Alexa has been very involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and was awarded their Mission Award for her exceptional outreach and advocacy during their fundraising campaign. During this time, Alexa raised over $16,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Alexa will be attending the University of Texas at San Antonio where she will be playing for the women’s soccer team. Alexa’s experience while volunteering has shown her that she wants to choose a profession which emphasizes helping others.
Bayne Shaifer, Class of 2017, Stetson University
Bayne is the founder of The Bayne Academy Foundation. This foundation was originally established to help Jupiter High School students afford the $400 annual fee to join the school’s Criminal Justice Academy. Bayne performed over 500 hours of community service and raised over $100,000 for her Foundation. In addition, she was chosen by the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business to receive free consulting for her non-profit. Bayne will be attending Stetson University where she will study criminal justice. Bayne hopes to be a prosecutor.
Cameron Duran, Class of 2017, Florida State University
Cameron is a graduate of the International Baccalaureate program at Suncoast High School. Cameron enjoys community service activities and has pursued this love since joining Girl Scouts at the age of five and 4H at the age of twelve. She is currently the President of the Palm Beach County 4H Club. Cameron will attend Florida State University and will major in political science. She hopes to study family law and help families during the tough process of divorce. She is particularly interested in making a difference in the lives of the children who are affected by divorce. Cameron’s English Literature teacher describes her as “forward-looking, determined, focused, loyal and committed, and a leader who envisions and pursues positive change.”
Natalie Pawlowski, Class of 2017, Cornell University
Natalie is a graduate of the International Baccalaureate program at Suncoast Community High School. This fall she will be attending Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and will pursue Biological Sciences with a minor in International Relations. In the future, she hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon and work for the World Health Organization. Natalie is a dedicated volunteer at the Paley Limb Lengthening Institute where she has been described as providing exceptional assistance with infectious enthusiasm. Natalie is passionate about learning languages, traveling and getting to know various cultures and people. Natalie hopes to continue the mission of the Zoe Loren ’Make a Difference’ Foundation by spreading kindness and empathy for others.
Jason Bolton, Class of 2016, Stetson University
Jason Bolton is a graduate of Dwyer Community High School. He will attend Florida State University and would like to major in accounting. Jason is a passionate supporter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, and has raised over $30,000 for this organization. One of Jason’s teachers describes him as “an amazing, one of a kind student who is so selfless that the scholarship will be repaid in double for all the work he does.”
Kelvin Khemkaran, Class of 2016, University of South Florida
Kelvin Khemkaran is a graduate of Suncoast Community High School. He will be attending the University of South Florida and plans to study biomedical sciences. Kelvin hopes to one day be a surgeon in either Orthopedics or Pediatrics. Kelvin’s teachers describe him as an exceptional student with great compassion for others. He volunteers at St. Mary’s Medical Center in the Pediatrics and Orthopedic departments.
Kelly Ramirez, Class of 2015, Florida State University
Kelly Ramirez is a recent graduate of Pahokee High School, where she ranked third in her class. Kelly was enrolled in the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma program, and was also dual enrolled at Palm Beach State College. Among her many accomplishments, Kelly’s passion for community service ignited after she founded a chapter of a national nonprofit organization, Dreamcatchers, which helps fulfill the last dreams of terminally ill patients. Over the past 3 years, she has amassed over 1,000 community service hours while volunteering in community organizations; including, BRIDGES of Pahokee, Loula V. York library, Glades Health Care Center, Alzheimer’s Community Care Center, and the Pahokee Clean up. Kelly’ states “My biggest goal is to create my own nonprofit organization to work with first generation college students, and mentor them through high school, to ensure that they succeed in pursuing a higher education, despite any family or financial circumstances.” Kelly will be attending Florida State University where she has been one of the twelve freshmen selected to be a Service Scholar. Kelly intends to pursue a degree in sociology and public administration.
Miriam Lucas, Class of 2015, Florida Atlantic University
Miriam Lucas is a graduate of William T. Dwyer High School. While there, Miriam volunteered at The Conservatory School’s aftercare program for four years, as well as the Best Buddies program, which facilitated friendships with students with intellectual disabilities. Miriam will attend Palm Beach State College (Fall semester) and Florida Atlantic University (Spring semester). Miriam plans to attend a Doctor of Pharmacy degree program in the future.
Jesse Sutcliffe, Class of 2015, University of Central Florida
Jesse Sutcliffe will be attending the University of Central Florida where he plans to earn a degree in Criminal Justice. Jesse graduated from Santaluces Community High School where he maintained excellent grades while volunteering and working two part-time jobs. As a young boy, Jesse volunteered with his mother at a local nursing home and he credits his family with instilling in him a strong tradition of giving back. Jesse’s volunteer experiences include many years of involvement with Food for Families and the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Program.
Nathalie Canate, Class of 2014, University of Florida
A graduate of Suncoast Community High School, Nathalie has pursued her interest in photography throughout all four years of school, taking all possible courses on the subject matter and spending time outside of the classroom working with the school’s Photography Club. Nathalie is also very active in her community, working for the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp and volunteering with the National Honor Society. She will be attending the University of Florida come the Fall and plans to pursue a degree in Architecture, hoping to eventually obtain her Masters in the subject.
Tamana Akthar, Class of 2014, FAU Honors College
Throughout her life Tamana has always expressed a desire to succeed and give back to her community. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been actively involved in numerous community service projects, notably fundraising for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Toys for Tots, and Pennies for Peach. A graduate of Pahokee High School, she plans to pursue a degree in Accounting and Business Management at FAU Honors College. Tamana hopes to eventually work in international business with programs that assist people in underdeveloped nations build and grow businesses for a fair wage, particularly women in her native country of Bangladesh.
Daniela Moncaleano, Class of 2013, Emory University
In addition to excelling academically in the 18 program at Suncoast High School, Daniela was the co-founder of the Binding Love Club. This organization recycled, refurbished, and donated binders. The binders went to school children in Haiti, as well as to Alzheimer’s patients to be used as scrapbooks. Daniela will be attending Emory University where she will pursue a degree in International Studies. Her goal is to attend law school and pursue her interest in international law. While at Emory, Daniela hopes to continue to help those in her community.
Jaymie Sardo, Class of 2013, University of Central Florida
A graduate of the Dreyfoos High School of the Arts, where she earned exceptional grades, Jaymie has volunteered as an after school art counselor for the past three years. After seeing how art has allowed her students to express themselves, Jaymie has decided to study Art Therapy and Art Education at the University of Central Florida. In addition, Jaymie has been a frequent volunteer at Big Dog Ranch Rescue and plans on continuing to devote time to community service and volunteering while at school.
Amanda Goldberg, Class of 2012, University of Alabama
A graduate of the IB program with stellar grades, Amanda has completed over 600 hours of community service with organizations such as Hospice of the Palm Beaches, Habitat for Humanity, Jewish Community Center, Hope for Alabama, and The American Red Cross. In the fall, Amanda will be attending the University of Alabama where she plans to major in Nursing.
Andrea Padron, Class of 2012, University of Florida
Also a graduate of the IB program with exceptional grades, Andrea will be attending the University of Florida, where she hopes to pursue a major in the biomedical field. Andrea also exemplifies the compassion and enthusiasm that we look for in our scholarship recipients, and has given back to the community by volunteering at Arbor Oaks, an assisted living facility in Greenacres, FL.