Twelve years ago, the Seminole County South Rotary Club made the decision to accentuate the positive with young people in our community. They decided to recognize two students from each of our Seminole County public

high schools who have had to overcome challenges, obstacles or adversity, or managed unusual responsibilities in their lives, yet are still graduating and going on to pursue their dreams. Many of these students have overcome challenges that were huge obstacles in their path, but they managed to cope with those challenges, learn from them, and still keep going. Challenges such as being homeless, physical challenges, life-threatening illnesses, fleeing from a foreign country, victims of violent crimes, being raised in foster homes or public housing are not the life of a typical teenager!

To date, 324 students have been recognized over the twelve years and South Seminole Rotary is as proud of their accomplishments as their families! We were proud to recognize their perseverance and for not giving up when the odds were against them. Some could easily have slipped into a life of crime but they chose not to do so. We proudly continue the Rotary Rising Achievers Program to honor these students!

12th AnnualRising Achiever’s Program

Rising Achiever’s Program Committee

Program Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John DaviesStudent Recognition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dede SchaffnerCorporate Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dudley BatesRaffle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim DeKleva Michael MerrillProgram & Web Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shannon CostelloAudio-Visual Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill PotterPortrait Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter BurgSilent Auction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharon DeRoushaPrinting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill PotterGala Celebration Logistics . . . . .. . . . . . . . . Maria Musick Shannon Costello Janet Kearney

Seminole County South Rotary ClubForty-two years ago, on March 8, 1969, Rotary International granted the

Rotary Club of Seminole County South its Charter. Officially a member of the Rotary Family, the club, under the leadership of the first president, Jack P. Toole, commenced its “Service Above Self” with 33 members.

Today, with 90+ members, here is a list of a few achievements:

Locally• The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards annually• Grant scholarships to students annually• Cook and feed for the Coalition for the Homeless• Built a house for Habitat for Humanity• Created the Wekiva River Promise• Started the Annual Art's, Craft & Wine Festival• Raise money during the Salvation Army's Bell Ringing campaign

Internationally• Host Group Study Exchange teams• Built an orphanage in Santiago Chile• Constructed a medical clinic on the Ile de la Gonave, Haiti• Projects in La Amiablle, Haiti including water supply and school

improvements• Build stoves and plant trees in Guatemala.

What is Rotary?

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately

1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the community's business and professional men and women. The world's Rotary clubs meet weekly and are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.

The main objective of Rotary is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development.

The Rotary motto is Service Above Self.

Rising Achiever’s Program Recipients1 Crooms Academy of Information Technology 4

Evening Schedule

1 Cocktails & Silent Auction 45:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

1 Welcome by Emcee 4Karen Almond

1 Color Guard 4Lake Mary High School

1 Invocation 4Dudley Bates

1 What is Rotary 4Paul Crouch

1 Dinner 4

1 Tribute to Sponsors 4Dudley Bates

1 Student Recognition & Awards 4Dede Schaffner

Barry Gainer

1 Raffle Drawing 4Jim DeKlevaMike Merrill

1 Close 4Karen Almond

Being a full-time student and mother of a two-year-old, Shanice Jenkins realized early in life that her only way to a better life for herself and her child is through education. First in her family to graduate high school, Shanice is on the honor roll at Crooms, has been accepted at Seminole State, and is then hoping to go to UCF and pursue a career as an orthodontist.

Raised by her grandmother and cousin, Kayla Lawson will be the first in her family to graduate high school. “I have what it takes to reach my goal of becoming a counselor or a lawyer. I know what it feels like to go through things in life while feeling alone. I plan to excel in one of these careers by going to college and dedicating myself to my education.”

Kayla plans to attend Polk State College and major in criminal justice.

Shanice Jenkins

Kayla Lawson

Rising Achiever’s Program Recipients1 Lake Brantley High School 4

Rising Achiever’s Program Recipients1 Hagerty High School 4

Born with schizencephaly with hemiparesis (part of her brain was missing), Casey LaFave has learned to deal with challenges! She had multiple surgeries. By high school, classes were difficult and stressful. “I can’t believe I am actually going to graduate and go to college. My parents are going to be in tears because they will be so proud of me. All the time and effort they spent helping me over the years, telling me that I could do it, will finally pay off. I realize that now I could do it! I plan to attend Seminole State College to become a pre-school teacher.”

The youngest of five children with a single mother, Rachel McLeod learned what stability is all about. When the family fell on financial hardship, her life became very unstable until a family friend came to Rachel’s rescue. The family took Rachel in last June. Rachel has a 3.8 GPA and has earned a Bright Futures scholarship. She works part-time as a cashier at Winn Dixie, is trying to save money to cover college expenses as she heads off to Florida State University to study pre-med.

Imagine the shock of going from being in a class of one student to a high school of almost 3,000 students! Home-schooled until the second semester of her sophomore year, Jennifer came to Lake Brantley where her home-schooled credits did not automatically transfer so she had to go back and pass final exams in all her previous courses as well as take a full course load at Brantley. No small feat! But, she did it!

Jennifer will be attending the University of South Florida and plans to major in graphic design.

Jennifer Barre

Kendra Doolittle

Casey LaFave

Rachel Mcleod

Coming to Lake Brantley in her sophomore year, Kendra Doolittle immediately decided that she wanted to turn her life around. “Coming to Lake Brantley, I went head first into getting what I needed to complete my studies, including making straight A's and finishing two years in one year, taking virtual classes and making up credits I had missed. I will do anything to reach my goal to become a registered nurse.”

Kendra has been accepted at Seminole State College and hopes to then attend UCF where she will be studying nursing.

Rising Achiever’s Program Recipients1 Lake Mary High School 4

Rising Achiever’s Program Recipients1 Lake Howell High School 4

When Andrew came to Lake Howell, he had little chance of success. He was 16 years old with only two elective credits. The stress of those 18 months showed itself physically – he had gained almost 100 pounds since beginning his high school career. Did he conquer his challenges? Currently, as a senior, Andrew has worked his way to the point that he is potentially eligible for a Bright Futures scholarship AND he has lost 100 pounds! As two administrators at Lake Howell write: “In our 40 collective years as educators, we have never seen a student that was so far behind achieve so much in a short period of time in every facet of his life.”Andrew will be attending Seminole State College and then UCF to complete a degree in either electrical engineering or something in the medical field. He would also like to become a Senator at some point in his life.

Sebastian Woods-Mariano, (better known as See Bass), is one of the most beloved students on the campus at Lake Howell. In spite of the fact he was diagnosed with a learning disability, See Bass has taken all regular education classes and chooses not to use his diagnosis as an excuse or a crutch. Sebastian is most known on campus for leading the mentor group where he is serving as president as well as playing football. He plans to attend Ava Maria University where he will be part of their inaugural football team.

He wants to become a businessman and coach where “I can affect the life of others.”

As a high school student, Jelica has seen more than her share of life experiences. She experienced the death of both her brother and her mother during significant periods of her life. Through these tough times she has faced, this young lady has stood strong and brave. Academically, Jelica has a 3.68 GPA, which is especially significant when you see that she is taking Advanced Placement and Honors classes.

Jelica plans to attend Seminole State for two years and then transfer to UCF to major in child psychology or teaching.

Tiffaney Langhorn

With family financial issues that were quite challenging, Tiffaney Langhorn struggled her freshman year and it continued through her junior year. She struggled to handle it all. When her teachers became aware of her situation they reached out to help. “I am glad I am finally going to graduate this year and that I pushed through so many personal and mental obstacles which makes me truly the best in my eyes and in the eyes of others.”

Tiffaney hopes to attend Stetson University to be a psychologist for teenagers who suffer from adversity.

Jelica BojadzijevAndrew Vandenwall-Arnemann

Sebastian Woods-Mariano

Rising Achiever’s Program Recipients1 Oviedo High School 4

Rising Achiever’s Program Recipients1 Lyman High School 4

Zuberi McGill suffers from severe scoliosis, which confines him to a wheelchair. Having endured halo surgery at the Shriners Hospital in Chicago in 9th grade, Zuberi feels the worst is behind him.

One of his issues when he first enrolled at Lyman was a GPA that might prevent him from graduating due to a rough patch his first two years of high school. He continues to improve this semester and will be graduating with his class.

Zuberi plans to attend Seminole State College, transferring to UCF where he will major in something in the medical field. He would like to become a pediatrician.

“When leaving the place where I grew up with my friends, family and loved ones I felt scared and upset. Later when I found out I was being sent to Boys and Girls Town, I didn’t know what to expect. I felt very much alone but was determined to continue making good grades.” In spite of this hardship, she maintains an admirable 3.75 GPA and looks forward to graduation.

Safiya desires a career as an attorney and currently works for a local lawyer to earn experience in the field. She would like to attend Rollins College.

Tori George

For over 15 years, Tori George was home-schooled. After her mother’s death, she abruptly entered public school her junior year. This transition presented difficulties, both culturally and academically. In her senior year, she found herself homeless and bewildered but she pulled herself up by her bootstraps, went back to school, turned in assignments and pressed on. Living with her older sister now, she has dedicated countless hours to the Florida Dream Center mentoring disadvantaged children. “I am determined to proceed with my dream and my passion to impact the lives of others. My mother’s death fueled my passion to change the inequality in medicine. Becoming a physician means improving access to health care for the economically disadvantaged. Life has stripped me of external security but has built my inner resilience to succeed.”Tori has been accepted at numerous colleges and will pursue her career goal of becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon and also perform spinal surgery.

Safiya Thompson

Zuberi McGill

Tamanna Mina

Moving to this country 6 years ago from Bangladesh, Tamanna Mina faced linguistic and cultural challenges that have been huge. Her English skills were so limited as a 9th grader she had to get used to an entirely new phonology and writing system. Yet she jumped right into higher-level assignments and college level courses.

Culturally, the way of life for a US teenager is very different from her own world-view and experience but she has always approached this with dignity and grace.

She will be attending Seminole State College and UCF where she will major in internal medicine.

Rising Achiever’s Program Recipients1 Seminole High School 4

Dealing with domestic issues since she was seven years old, Caitlin Stevison lived from couch to couch with no contact from her family. When she turned 18 she moved into an apartment with 3 friends, realized that wasn’t a good idea so she moved out. She’s had a mentor all four years in high school and that has been her strength. As Caitlin says: “she’s exceeded being just a mentor…she’s become family. She’s taught me how to deal with and see things from a grown up point of view. My guidance counselor and a few of my close friends have helped me get through these past couple of years.”

“Playing basketball and running track has helped keep a strong and healthy attitude about things; they have both been a good outlet for me. I now live in Longwood, I’m still going to school, I’m still succeeding in my sports and I plan on joining the Coast Guard.”

Alicia Smith’s troubles started in 5th grade and continued on until she took control, decided she was going to be a good student, and set her sights on straight A’s in school. Not one to make friends easily, she suffered from migraine headaches as well so life was a struggle. She wanted to succeed so she got involved in activities at school and things began to turn around.

Alicia plans to pursue a career in either animation or art history at UCF, Rollins or Seminole State College.

Rising Achiever’s Program Recipients1 Winter Springs High School 4

Heather Chambers

Experiencing challenges at home, Heather Chambers was shocked when her father passed away and she found herself the emotional support for her mother and sister. She was working in tenth grade at the movie theatre and soon had to quit that job to help at home while her mother was at work.

Heather volunteered at South Seminole Hospital, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

She plans to attend Seminole State College to pursue a career as a therapist.

Alicia Smith

Caitlin Stevison

Lyneisha WatsonAfter the death of her cousin last October to a horrible act of violence, Lyneisha Watson began to experience more and more challenges in her life, including anxiety attacks brought on by the stress of his death and other issues. She has experienced many health issues but through it all, she has maintained good academic and social habits along with a positive attitude.

Lyneisha has been accepted at Florida A & M where she will pursue her goal of becoming an English teacher.

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The Rotary Club of Seminole County South

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April 15th, 2012