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Schools

11 young women of promise honored

The students win the Athena Society's awards for their academic and athletic ability, leadership and service to their community.

By AMY SCHERZER
Published May 13, 2005

They aspire to be doctors, lawyers and journalists. They do volunteer work. They get excellent grades in school.

These are the Athena Society's 2005 Young Women of Promise.

School guidance counselors nominated the high school juniors based on their academic and athletic ability, leadership and commitment to improving their community.

The 11 winners were honored May 5 at a dinner reception at the Centre Club at West Shore and Kennedy boulevards.

"We had to give a speech at the dinner and, oh my gosh, a lot of girls were incredible," said Leslie Kelly, 16, an award winner from Plant High School who wants to be an orthodontist or a broadcast journalist. "I was incredibly inspired by them. It opened my eyes to meet other girls who have the same drive that I do."

The Athena Society, a group of female professionals devoted to promoting equal opportunities for all women, began the awards in 1981. Dinner chairwoman Sylvia Richardson presented each recipient with $100 and an engraved glass desk clock.

The winners are:

Thaimi Fina, Hillsborough High School, came to the United States from Cuba at age 6 speaking only Spanish. Now, despite working 16 hours a week as a cashier, she has a 5.1 GPA, runs on the track team and mentors younger International Baccalaureate students. She is interested in psychology and the practice of psychotherapy.

Brittany Fisher, Academy of Holy Names, initiated a book program at Shriners Hospital where she works with children with transplants. She volunteers with the Red Cross and plans to train as a pediatric transplant surgeon. She also wants to conduct stem cell research.

Rohini Kamarla, King High, ranks first in the districtwide College Prep group of 10,858 students. She represented King at the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Forum, is founder and president of the Asian/American Club and submits articles to the St. Petersburg Times. She has volunteered for three years at the Moffitt Cancer Center and wants to be a radiation oncologist.

Leslie Kelly, Plant High, earned district and state honors as a vocalist, pianist and actor. She has a 5.36 GPA, writes for the school paper, belongs to Tampa's Mayor's Youth Corp. and is involved in community theater.

Jessica Nicole Lacy, Berkeley Preparatory School, maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA and was the unanimous choice for the Randolph Macon Book Award at her school. She plays clarinet in the Highlander Band and the pipes in the Pipe and Drum Corp. She participates in peer science tutoring and the Math Club and hopes to be a high school math teacher.

Crystal Danielle Page, Riverview High, distinguished herself with a 4.58 GPA while helping lead Riverview's softball team to the State Championship as team captain. She has numerous honors for cheerleading, is district discus champion and state champion in javelin throwing. She works with inner-city children and expects to major in sports psychology or physical therapy.

Mashay Reynolds, East Bay High, excels in soccer, swimming, track and volleyball, earning multiple scholar-athlete and performance awards. She plays piano and saxophone and recently sang the lead in her school's musical. She is on the Hillsborough County Citizens Advisory committee. She intends to become a veterinarian and open an animal clinic in her home.

Ashley Rogers, Tampa Bay Technical, has devoted almost 700 hours of volunteer service at St. Joseph's Women's Hospital. She belongs to several honor societies and wants to become an obstetrician/gynecologist.

Caitlin Wilson, Gaither High, is captain of the varsity basketball team and a member of the Youth Leadership Council at her church. She volunteers for Shriners Hospital and Metropolitan Ministries. After a three-week mission in China, she envisions a career in international law to help charity organizations.

Jean Grace Wilson-Stayton, Brandon High, ranks first in her class of 456 students with a 5.52 GPA. She recently led a campaign to raise money for tsunami relief efforts.

Anna Wood, Tampa Preparatory, lived in the Republic of Cameroon in West Africa before settling in Tampa with relatives. She performed in her school's production of Godspell, won the best Sophomore History Student and tutors in the writing center. As a volunteer for Lutheran Services, she assists immigrants establishing new households. She sees a career in journalism to increase cultural appreciation and encourage humanitarian efforts.

Amy Scherzer can be reached at 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 12, 2005, 00:28:09]