The Florida Department of Education Honors Top STEM Students at 2025 Sunshine State Scholars Conference
April 22, 2025
FDOE Press Office
850-245-0413
DOEPressOffice@fldoe.org
The Florida Department of Education Honors Top STEM Students at 2025 Sunshine State Scholars Conference
~ Over 100 scholars attended the conference, with 43 students earning 1-year scholarships ~
Orlando, Fla., April 22, 2025– The Florida Department of Education proudly recognized academic excellence at the 28th annual Sunshine State Scholars conference held in Orlando, spotlighting the state’s outstanding 11th-grade students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). With 112 student-scholars and their families in attendance, the two-day event, co-hosted by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation, celebrated the remarkable achievements of these young scholars. Notably, 43 students were awarded 1-year scholarships provided by State Farm and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
“The Sunshine State Scholars program is an incredible opportunity to recognize Florida’s brightest STEM students and their outstanding achievements,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “I extend my highest appreciation for their dedication and hard work, and I know that these students will continue to reach new heights of achievement throughout their academic journey.”
“State Farm is committed to helping nurture students’ creativity and sparking their imagination through STEM,” said State Farm Enterprise Technology Manager Kevin Reeves. “As an organization, State Farm has many resources and tools to assist our local educators in supplementing their curriculum. We encourage students to enter STEM fields and become lifelong learners, while simultaneously contributing to a dynamic global society.”
"We at the Florida Prepaid College Foundation are delighted to once again support the Sunshine State Scholars Program," said Cynthia O’Connell, Director of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. "Providing education is the greatest opportunity we can offer to our future generations, helping them build a brighter future for themselves and our wonderful state."
Selected by Florida school districts as the top 11th-grade STEM students, these scholars and their families participated in an exciting program designed to connect them with Florida’s postsecondary education institutions and STEM-focused employers. This year, the scholars engaged in a dynamic “think tank,” tackling challenging Florida issues through problem-solving activities and expert presentations. Each scholar also received a new iPad courtesy of AT&T, and SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment generously provided tickets for a day of fun and leisure.
The 2025 Sunshine State Scholars also had the opportunity to interact with representatives from Florida’s premier higher education institutions, including the Florida University System, Florida College System and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. These sessions covered topics such as college funding, interactive panel discussions with STEM professionals, and the multitude of educational opportunities available in Florida.
The Department congratulated each scholar during the event and presented 43 students with 1-year scholarships to attend Florida’s top-ranked higher education institutions. The 2025 Sunshine State Scholars scholarship winners are:
- Alachua—Shivi Tripathi
- Brevard—Hong Duong
- Calhoun—Averee Reisen
- Dixie—Karen Alvarado Cano
- Highlands—Kinston James Ridgeway
- Hillsborough—Casey Ayres
- Hillsborough—Rohan Morgan
- Holmes—Raelyn Audrey Short
- Jackson—Jackson Bethea
- Lee—Deetya Gogineni
- Lee—Justin Wang
- Lee—Nishini Fernando
- Leon—Himank Chhaya
- Leon—Jonathan George
- Manatee—Tina Dang
- Manatee—Melisha Guillen-Arana
- Miami-Dade—Giovanni Antonini
- Pinellas—Faith Bredemeier
- Pinellas—Jaeci Burney
- Okaloosa—Reese Armstrong
- Seminole—Aarav Singhvi
- Volusia—Ava Henderson
- Volusia—Garrick Spencer
- DeSoto—Nataly Ramirez-Moreno
- Hardee—Alana Wyckoff
- Marion—Julia Slaughter
- Clay—David Whaley
- Collier—Jenna Ann Seivert
- Hillsborough—Luis Lopez
- Indian River—Darci Wagner
- Lake—Paul Ratanawetchasit
- Liberty—Ellie Peddie
- Martin—Varun Singh
- Miami-Dade—Raiya Mia Cohen
- Palm Beach—Anthony Stan
- Palm Beach—Victoria Sullivan
- Pasco—Lucy Kossoff
- Pasco—Ryan Mizeski
- Polk—Jacob Andrew White
- Sumter—Matthew Thoai Ngo
- Baker—Kacy Leigh Avedisian
- Bradford—Amy Marie Prescott
- Duval—EvieM'ree Moore
The 2025 Sunshine State Scholars conference was made possible through the support of the Florida Education Foundation and generous sponsors, including State Farm, Florida Prepaid College Foundation, AT&T, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Florida Lottery, Kyra Solutions, Duke Energy, TECO, Limitless Solutions and School Choice.
For further information about the Sunshine State Scholars program and the 2025 conference, please visit floridaeducationfoundation.com.
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