Ten Florida high school seniors chosen for scholars programs at UF

May 5, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida has named seven Florida high school seniors to the Lombardi Scholars Program and three to the inaugural Stamps Scholars Program.

Each year, students who exemplify former UF President John V. Lombardi’s commitment to academic excellence, community service, leadership and public responsibility are selected as recipients of this prestigious award program. Lombardi Scholars receive a scholarship for four years of study at UF. They also are matched with a faculty mentor in their field and receive support for overseas study and leadership experiences.

The Penelope W. and E. Roe Stamps IV Leadership Scholar Awards are made possible by generous funding from the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation. Stamps Scholars are chosen from the same applicant pool as the Lombardi Scholars, and receive the same financial package and participate in the same enrichment activities. The Stamps Foundation seeks to reward exceptional students who exemplify leadership, perseverance, scholarship, service, and innovation; therefore, this is a natural complement to the Lombardi Scholars Program.

Florida high schools were invited to nominate one student, and winners for both programs were selected from 162 nominees and 18 finalists. The Lombardi program is in its ninth year, and the seven additional students will maintain the program at 32 participants. This is the first year of the Stamps program.

During their first year, students spend six weeks participating in a study program in Merida, the capital of the Yucatan in Mexico, during the summer before they begin at UF. All students will participate in the honors program.

The 10 students who have accepted the Lombardi and Stamps scholarships beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year are:

LOMBARDI SCHOLARS
Lindsay Avila: Avila is a senior at Gainesville High School in Gainesville, where she has been recognized as a Cambridge Scholar and an AP Scholar with Distinction. She has dedicated many hours to the Alachua County March of Dimes’ Chain Reaction Youth Leadership Program, where she served as Health Conference Chair for at risk youth and was the 120th top fundraiser in the nation. Avila was also the president of her school’s March of Dimes Club and co-president of STOMP (Students Teaching Open-Mindedness and Pride). Avila plans to double major in political science and psychology and pursue a career in law.

Lauren Donnangelo: Donnangelo is a senior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra where she is ranked in the top 1 percent of her graduating class. An AP Scholar with Distinction, Donnangelo is treasurer of the National Honor Society, has been secretary of the National Art Honor Society, and is an active member in the Beta, National Hispanic, and National Science honor societies. She is also the varsity swim team captain; her freestyle relay placed second at the state level, receiving All-American Consideration status. She has volunteered at the Baptist Medical Center for four years. She plans to major in neurological sciences and Spanish before attending medical school.

Matletha Fuller: Fuller is the valedictorian and president of the senior class at Glade Central High School where she is a Coca-Cola Scholar and will be receiving her associate’s degree in English simultaneously with her high school diploma. Fuller maintains positions as president of her Youth NAACP, striving for equal rights within the school and community, and vice president of Glades Delta GEMS, a program that fosters self-esteem in “at-risk” teenage girls. A member of her school’s Criminal Justice Academy, Fuller volunteers at the Palm Beach County West Area Courthouse in preparation for her intended career as a juvenile defense lawyer.

Gabriel Hament: Hament is a senior at Pine View School in Osprey. He was named the Region IV Youth Volunteer of the Year, and he is heavily involved with several environmental causes. Hament founded Universal Environmental Strategies, an organization dedicated to improving and protecting the environment. He plays the violin, is on the varsity tennis team, and is pursuing a private pilot license. He has served as an intern in two congressional campaigns and may run for office in the future. Hament plans to study finance and economics at UF and to work in the alternative energy industry after graduation.

Jose Perez: Perez is a senior at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, where he is valedictorian of his graduating class and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed.” Perez is co-editor in chief of his school’s yearbook and a finalist for Florida High School Journalist of the Year, as well as a St. Petersburg Times Career Journalism Scholarship recipient. An active member and president of the Future Business Leaders of America, he was awarded the first place Future Business Leader award. Perez also volunteers as a tutor for sixth-grade students, and plans to be an English teacher.

Austin Reed: Reed is from Longwood and is the valedictorian at Lake Mary High School. He has been named a National Merit Finalist and a National AP Scholar. Reed is an Eagle Scout and volunteers at the Central Florida Regional Hospital. He plans to study biochemistry and biomedical engineering with the goal of becoming a physician. In addition to being a varsity lacrosse player, he is also an avid scuba diver and enjoys underwater photography.

Darien Williams: Williams is a senior at First Coast High School in Jacksonville where he has served as vice president of the FCHS Art Club and treasurer for International Thespian Society Troupe 4808. He has been recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Art at the Duval County 2009 School Board Exhibition, Outstanding Achievement in Junior Drama, and was awarded first place at the Clay County Shakespeare Recitation Contest. Williams has been involved with several theatrical stage productions including “The Wiz,” for which he was voted Best Actor. Williams also has other passions, including Anime Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, Environmental Club, and Newspaper Staff.

STAMPS SCHOLARS

Tyler Davidson: Davidson is a student in the International Baccalaureate Program at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School where he has been named a Senior of Distinction and an AP Scholar with Honors. Davidson was awarded the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Community Service for organizing the Rafe Maccarone 5K Scholarship Fundraiser, which raised more than $4,000 toward a scholarship fund honoring a deceased classmate. Captain of his school’s cross country and track teams for two years, Davidson was selected for the All-Florida and All-South National Cross Country Team, and will be running cross country and track for the Florida Gators next year.

Claire Kent: Kent is the valedictorian at Forest High School in Ocala. A four-year member and past president of the Junior Classical League, she received the Silver Medal on the National Latin Exam, was awarded the Ike Neeley Latin Award, and has consistently placed in the top ten at regional and state Latin competitions. Kent plays on a national volleyball club team and as captain of her high school team led them to their first district championship in seven years. She was also named by the Ocala Star Banner to both the all-county volleyball team and the all-county team for academics. Her plans are to study biochemistry and pursue a career in public health medicine.

Alice Rhee: Rhee is a senior at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne. She has been named National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and valedictorian. Rhee is co-captain of her school’s varsity tennis team, captain of the Academic Team, and holds leadership positions on Student Government, Mu Alpha Theta, Honor Council, and the National Honor Society. In her free time, she catches up on sleep, reads, and writes short stories, several of which have placed in the county writing competition.