Omar was a summer scholar at the University of Michigan, Stanford University, the University of Texas and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was also named a finalist for the University of North Carolina's Morehead-Cain Scholarship, one of only 140.

He has participated in the Harvard Model Congress twice and was named a National Merit Commended Scholar.

• Honorable Mentions:

Jenna Rachelle Ackerman, Ransom Everglades School

Nicole Ludmir, Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School

Lucy Li, Miami Palmetto Senior High School

JOURNALISM

ANGELIQUE TRIANNA GAYLE

MIAMI LAKES EDUCATIONAL CENTER

Poised, driven and compassionate, Angelique has dedicated countless hours to mentoring young girls and serving her school.

Three years ago she started a dance troupe at her Carol City church, which evolved into a sisterhood where the girls could gain confidence and motivation.

Angelique is also an award-winning journalist who has written for both The Herald's TeenSpeaks and the Sun Sentinel's Teen Link. She was a finalist for Journalism Student of the Year in the local chapter of Newspapers in Education; placed second at the Florida Scholastic Press Association's news writing competition; and edits her school paper.

In addition to juggling a demanding course load in her school's Cambridge Academy, she was elected student representative to the Miami-Dade County School board, representing the district's 350,000 students.

• Honorable Mentions:

Claudia Alexandra Aguirre, Ronald W. Reagan - Doral Senior High School

Ashley Giddings, Miami Palmetto Senior High School

Cristina A. Guerra, St. Brendan Catholic High School

MATHEMATICS

ANDRE SHOMORONY

DR. MICHAEL M. KROP SENIOR HIGH

Just four years ago, Andre, a native of Brazil, spoke little English. He enrolled in summer and online math courses and borrowed books from advanced math teachers. As he labored to prove himself and learn English, he consoled himself with music. Eventually he emerged as a leader not just in his school's mathematics program, but in music.

Two years ago he started Music in the Community, an organization to stage performances countywide. He also developed a musical therapy program with his school's special education department and created an online portal that helps students understand math through music.

He has been accepted at Yale, where he was awarded a QuestBridge scholarship; was named an AP Scholar with Distinction; received the Harvard book award; and was named a Coca Cola Scholars semifinalist.

• Honorable Mentions:

Jose Cardenal, Westminster Christian School

Yo Sup Moon, Miami Palmetto Senior High School

Crystal Patrice Harrison, Miami Northwestern Senior High School

MUSIC

JARODA STRAPP

MIAMI NORTHWESTERN SENIOR HIGH

Inspired by her visually impaired mother, Jaroda created a program to bring together sighted and unsighted, young and old.

An active member of the Florida Council of the Blind, Jaroda struggled to find a way to relieve the isolation that can come with blindness and found her answer in music, creating a program that allows participants to interact through music. While volunteering countless hours, Jaroda also struggled to care for her mother, her 90-year-old grandmother, great aunt and autistic cousin, with whom she also lives.

She ranked second in her class of 475, has played in the marching band since ninth grade and last year was named the most outstanding junior band student. She was selected to participate in People to People, visiting Greece for her community service. She also performed for President Barack Obama.

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