Still They Rise

Meet the 2025 Rising Achievers, two students from each local high school who have overcome incredible obstacles to graduate and pursue their dreams. These remarkable young men and women will be honored at a gala celebration in May sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lake Mary.

Oviedo High School

Jada Rose Narcisse

Jada is an exceptional student-athlete whose resilience, leadership, and dedication set her apart. When Jada’s parents separated, she and her mother were left homeless. Jada became responsible for transporting her younger brothers and taking care of the family while her mom was away at work. She is a four-year varsity soccer player and a two-time Girls Soccer First Team All-Conference honoree. Jada has been offered a scholarship to play soccer at Valdosta State University. Her goal is to study sports medicine and eventually become an athletic trainer.

Spencer Wainright

Spencer is intrinsically motivated to find solutions to problems. When his grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, he realized he needed more guidance to keep his head straight. His faith grew and helped him mature, and Spencer succeeded on Oviedo High's varsity bowling team for four years. He received the Disney Dreamers and Doers award and has been a leader in his Bible study club. Spencer works 20 hours a week at Publix and is expected to graduate in the top 10 percent of his class. Spencer's goals are to attend UCF, graduate with a degree in finance, and be accepted into the Bank of New York internship program in Lake Mary.

Hagerty High School

Liliana Kramski

Liliana lost her father to brain cancer during her first year of high school. During her junior year, she moved from Illinois to Florida to live with her aunt and uncle leaving her immediate family behind. Despite her daily challenges, Liliana has persevered. At Hagerty, she was a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and served as an advocate for mental health for her peers. Liliana has a 3.4 GPA and has been accepted at several Florida universities. She plans to major in biology.

Taylor Van Sant

Taylor was adopted from Astana, Kazakhstan, when she was nine months old. In 2020, when we were all dealing with COVID-19 and learning at home, Taylor’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, and her father has now also been diagnosed with cancer. Taylor has persevered earning a 3.59 GPA and has been accepted into several colleges. She plans to attend Wayne State University to major in psychology or neurosurgery.

Winter Springs High School

Au’Keira Franklin

Au'Keira has a serious attitude toward education and the pursuit of knowledge. Early in high school, she was bullied and her father passed away. Her emotional state suffered and her grades dropped. Au'Keira transferred to Winter Springs High School and has since excelled in the Young Women of Excellence program, the Pre-Collegiate Minority Club, and Gospel Choir, and she is the captain and choreographer of the Step-Team. Au'Keira's plan after graduation is to attend Seminole State College, North Florida College, or Florida Southern College and become a police officer.

Jeremiah Williams

Jeremiah lost his father when he was 12 and was raised by a single mother with nine siblings. Even though he spent his entire senior year living with a friend’s family far from his own, Jeremiah knew he had to focus on his academics. He is president of the Black Student Union Club, a volunteer with the ReadSquad youth reading program, a Mayo Clinic Innovation Day assistant, the 2025 Longwood Juvenile of the Year, and a Disney HBCU Week attendant. Jeremiah has been accepted to Saint Thomas University. He would like to be a dentist and own his own practice.

Crooms Academy of Information Technology

Janelle Rivera

Between the ages of 14 and 16, Janelle was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, two heart defects, and vertigo. These problems have been overwhelming, challenging her both physically and mentally, making school that much harder. That hasn’t stopped her from attaining a 4.3 GPA. Along with being in the National Honor Society, Janelle is active in many clubs including the Crooms Ambassador Program, Beautification Club, Teen Trendsetter, and the yearbook. Janelle is holding down two jobs, and her ultimate goal is to help kids like her through elementary education and social work.

Clarisse Reyes Lopez

When she moved from New Jersey, Clarisse struggled with her grades as her father was deployed with the Army to Qatar for that year. Just before entering high school, she faced the loss of her mother while her father was actively deployed. Despite being cared for by different families while her father was away, Clarisse has excelled. She is on the varsity soccer team and is the head editor of the school yearbook. Clarisse is driven to be a personal financial advisor and has been accepted at Stetson University and Montclair State University in New Jersey.

Lake Mary High School

Sofia Nava Hermida

Sofia was born in Venezuela, lived in Spain, and eventually came to Florida. Just as she was preparing to graduate from Lake Mary High, Sofia lost her father. Despite her challenges, she is in the National Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society, and the Spanish National Honor Society. Sofia also works at Publix and has tutored other students at school in the media center. After graduation, she plans to attend Seminole State College and then transfer to UCF. Her ultimate goal is to become a veterinarian.

Jose Nunez

Born in the Dominican Republic, Jose’s challenges began at an early age. At two years old, his father passed away from a heart attack just 15 days after Jose’s sister was born. His mom worked day and night, and the family eventually lost Jose’s brother and stepfather, as well. Since moving to America, Jose has been very active with the Latinos in Action and tutors elementary school students. He plans to study computer engineering upon graduation and is still deciding if he will attend Seminole State College, UCF, or the University of Pennsylvania.

Seminole High School

Ellie’Anna Burns

Ellie’Anna lost her dad at the age of three and her mom’s struggle with substance abuse caused her to constantly move around from state to state and family to family. At the age of 13, Ellie’Anna’s sister gained custody of her after their mom’s overdose and became her adoptive mother, but Ellie’Anna lost her adoptive mom to suicide in 2023. Despite it all, Ellie’Anna maintains a 3.5 GPA and has been accepted into the Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology.

Maria Reyes

One of Maria’s biggest challenges was the language barrier she faced when she first arrived in the United States. An even bigger challenge came when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. At school, Maria is a member of Latinos in Action, an organization that focuses on student leadership and community service. She has been accepted to several colleges and plans to become a cosmetologist or nurse.

Lake Brantley High School

Kaleighya Dunn

Kaleighya is new to Lake Brantley. She came from Louisiana and is a victim of child abuse. As a foster child, Kaleighya moved often and struggled with her grades, but since settling in Central Florida with a relative and attending Lake Brantley, her grades have seen a total turnaround. She holds a steady job and volunteers at Pine Hills Elementary School helping the young students with reading. Upon graduation, Kaleighya plans to attend Seminole State College to study biology. Her goal is to be a marine biologist and scientist.

Nicolas Rufrano

Nicolas – or Nico, as he is known – was raised by a single mother until his mom lost her battle with cancer last fall during Nico’s senior year. After her passing, Nico had to rely on extended family from out of state to help him fill in the gaps until he graduates. Nico has been a defensive end for the Lake Brantley football team, played on the lacrosse team, and is a member of the Chess Club. He volunteers with the Shriners to distribute food for those in need and started his own car-detailing business. Nico plans to attend Seminole State College’s Fire Academy. He would like to be a firefighter and stay in Central Florida.

Lake Howell High School

Annie Gao

Annie grew up in China before reuniting with her mother here in Central Florida at age six. Even as a young girl, she had to translate for her parents, care for her younger siblings, and manage the household bills and the property owned by her dad. Over time, Annie looked at these experiences as an opportunity to grow and learn. She has a passion for the environment and climate care. She is a member of the Environmental Science Club at Lake Howell and tutors other students in environmental science. Annie has a 4.5 GPA and was accepted at several universities. She expects to attend UCF to major in entrepreneurship.

Kai Sanchez

Kai has battled generalized anxiety since second grade and has watched his dad battle chronic Lyme disease all his life. Despite it all, he maintains straight A’s and recently won both district and regional tournaments in weightlifting. Kai also says gardening is his passion, and it helps with his anxiety. Since third grade, he has volunteered at the UCF Arboretum and is #7 in his graduating class with a 4.6 GPA. Kai plans to attend the UCF Honors Program and major in biology-plant science with a minor in aerospace engineering.

Lyman High School

Alexis Campbell

Alexis has supported herself financially and mentally since the age of 14. She works full-time and excels in AP and honors courses. Her teacher, Lisa Hart, says, “Alexis’s maturity and sense of responsibility allow her to multi-task and complete everything she starts, even while overcoming so much adversity.” Alexis has a 3.4 GPA and will attend Seminole State College to major in respiratory therapy.

Omarielys Garcia

Omarielys says the hardest part of her life was when a family member walked out on her and her dad for the second time. That is when Omarielys decided to advocate for herself and do something her parents didn’t do: become a high school graduate. “While my life was difficult and obstacles often seemed impossible to overcome, I always found a way to overcome them,” she says. Omarielys has a 3.1 GPA and will attend Seminole State College to major in sports medicine or physical therapy.