Kaylee Hood is a Sarasota native and a senior at Suncoast Polytechnical High School. Kaylee also attends Sarasota County Technical Institute, where she participates in the Medical Administrative Specialist program. She is involved with student council and was inducted into the National Honor Society in 2010. She has been a Girl Scout and played softball since she was 7. In spite of all these involvements, Kaylee found time to obtain her first job last summer working as a cashier at Publix. 

Essay Recipient, LOTW Member

Lucinda Louis is of Haitian descent and a native of Miami, though she has spent most of her life in Sarasota. She is a senior at Booker High School (BHS) and a vocalist in the Visual & Performing Arts Magnet Music Program at Booker High School. She is also President of BHS‘s National Honor Society. Her hobbies include singing, reading, and playing sports, UNO and video games. Lucinda refers to her family and her church as her foundation and her main supporters. They mean everything to her.

Essay Recipient

Vanessa Alexis is a senior at Booker High School. She will graduate in May 2014 and hopes to attend the State College of Florida (SCF) and then transfer to the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa. She plans to major in business administration. In her spare time, Vanessa loves to write and do hair. Vanessa has contributed to her community in many ways. While being a member of Y-Achievers, she has helped pass out turkeys, gave away backpacks, and tutored children. Vanessa also serves as assistant secretary to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Essay Recipient