• Honorable Mentions:

Matthew Jonathan Hoffer-Hawlik, Ransom Everglades School

Tiffany Fan, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy

Nicholas Thomas DeLisa, Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School

NEW MEDIA

LUIS ANGELO LARCO

DR. MICHAEL M. KROP SENIOR HIGH

Thanks to his technical skills, Luis almost singlehandedly put his school's clubs on the Web. After becoming the computer specialist for his school's Mu Alpha Theta math society, Luis approached various clubs about starting websites in an effort to reduce paper waste. Eventually, he created sites for more than 10 clubs.

He also started a school recycling center; created a database for his school's PTA; and designed math placement tests for new students arriving from other countries.

Luis earned a 5 on his AP calculus test, as well as perfect scores on his math SAT and FCAT exams. He is a member of the National Honor Society and gifted musician who received the Maestro Award at the Chicago Heritage Festival and superior ratings for Jazz Ensemble and Choral programs.

• Honorable Mentions:

Keivan Zolfaghari, Coral Reef Senior High School

Michael Charles Sale, Miami Country Day School

Nicarla Brittney Gabriel, Miami Carol City Senior High School

SCIENCE

RAFAEL JESUS FERNANDEZ

RANSOM EVERGLADES

To help eliminate poverty, Rafael took on Starbucks. After reading about the success of micro financing in developing countries, he started a Cuban coffee stand at his school, persuading students to skip their morning java from a nearby Starbucks and instead contribute to his micro lending program.

The money he collected was distributed through an international aid organization. After two years, his efforts raised enough money to sponsor 40 loans.

Rafael was named an AP Scholar with Distinction and was inducted into Mu Alpha Theta and the French honor society. He was named a National Hispanic Scholar and conducted research at the University of Miami.

He also played the French horn in the University of Miami Frost School of Music's honor band; the South Florida honor band; and the Greater Miami Youth Symphony.

• Honorable Mentions:

Melanie Suzanne Frances Metal, Palmer Trinity School

Rokeshia Renne Ashley, Miami Edison Senior High School

Shane Mackey, Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School

SOCIAL SCIENCE

KY'EISHA WHITNEY PENN

MIAMI NORTHWESTERN SENIOR HIGH

Rather than be defeated by a personal hardship that included living in a shelter with a mother battling epilepsy, Ky'Eisha drew strength and became a founding member for a local chapter of the Harlem-based Zone Project.

The program creates a protective web for children in troubled areas, monitoring them from birth through college. As a member of the Zone's board, Ky'Eisha guides and inspires young children.

She received the Harvard book prize, is ranked in the top five percent of her class, completed summer enrichment courses at local universities and belongs to the National Honor Society. She also served as band captain and clarinet section leader and was president of her student government. She also performed for the president.

• Honorable Mentions:

Valerie Alexis Weldon, Miami Carol City Senior High School

Allen Claude Quetant, Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School

Travis Christian Benaiges, Barbara Goleman High School

SPEECH

LEONARD MORRIS THOMPSON

MIAMI CAROL CITY SENIOR HIGH

As a child, Leonard was ridiculed for his proper speech. But being articulate came in handy when he embarked on a peer mentoring program in his troubled neighborhood. ''An education is costly,'' he would argue in an effort to persuade peers to embrace education, ``but stupid is free.''

Leonard teamed up with the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's office to work on a program assisting ex-offenders and served as both a defense attorney and prosecutor on the county's teen court.

Leonard was named to the United States Achievement Academy's Who's Who in Speech and Drama; recognized as a Miami Dolphins Student of the Week; and named a United States Achievement Academy All-American Scholar. He was also named a Man of Tomorrow by the Egelloc Civic & Social Club and won the City of Miami Gardens Oratorical contest.

• Honorable Mentions:

Ivanna Christina Gonzalez, Coral Reef Senior High School

Harold Stuart, Miami Northwestern Senior High School

Mercedes Guillot, G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School

VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL

RONALD A. PORCELLI

CORAL REEF SENIOR HIGH

What started as a solitary, Friday afternoon job doing custodial and clerical duty at a nursing home became an enchanting garden for Ronald.

Two and a half years ago, he signed on as a volunteer at St. Anne's nursing home to complete community service hours. Quickly, he realized that with his skills in landscape design, he could do more.

As president of his school's chapter of the Future Farmers of America, Ronald had been honored for his work in landscaping as well as nursery operations. So when he saw residents of St. Anne's wandering sterile hallways or looking out windows, he decided to turn their weedy yard into a garden blooming with papaya, Star Fruit, bananas and other plants.

Ronald was named an AP Scholar with Distinction and earned a gold medal at the National Floriculture Career Development event.

• Honorable Mentions:

Carolina Ragolta, Gulliver Preparatory School

Tanzania Neishay Burnett, Miami Carol City Senior High School

Alejandro A. Lazaro, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

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