UthMpact proudly hosted a graduation ceremony for high school student leaders who successfully completed the 2023-2024 UthMpact Leadership Class XIII program on April 3, 2024 at the Bartow Civic Center.
Congratulations to UthMpact Class XIII graduates: Adyson Bowling (Mulberry HS) - Skylar Cartagena (Central Florida Aerospace Academy) - Kylee Conrad (Auburndale HS) - Addison Dhue (Central Florida Aerospace Academy) - Maxim Dorvilien (Lake Wales HS) - Abigail Dowdy (Central Florida Aerospace Academy) - Gael Galvan (Lake Wales HS) - Jada Garnett (Lake Wales HS) - Verslyn Garnett (Lake Wales HS) - Zeke Girard (McKeel Academy of Technology) - Colton Hance (George Jenkins HS) - Kevin Hernandez (Lake Wales HS) - Angelly Hernandez-Martinez (Summerlin Academy) - Hope Hill (Lakeland Christian) - Jordan Holloway (Lakeland HS) - Parker Ingram (McKeel Academy of Technology) - Dhanvitha Lakshmanan (Bartow IB) - Caleb Litwa (Lake Wales HS) - Landon Neubrand (Summerlin Academy) - Gioselin Oropeza (Auburndale HS) - Chase Osler (All Saints Academy) - Maison Sesser (Polk State Collegiate) - Kylie Stamey (Winter Haven HS) - Anabella Venci (Winter Haven HS) - Jacob White (Auburndale HS).
Each year, two seniors who embody the mission and leadership qualities of UthMpact are awarded $500 scholarships. Congratulations to 2024 UthMpact Scholarship recipients Kelsi Davis and Cristina Barrios!
Kelsi Davis, a senior at Central Florida Aerospace Academy, served as co-president of UthMpact Leadership Class XIII. On her scholarship application, Kelsi shared, "UthMpact creates hope and joy in the community that keeps bringing people back to our events and listening to our podcasts. UthMpact is an amazing addition to our community. We provide a way for students of different backgrounds from different schools to come together and learn about each other and their community. It creates many lasting relationships even after the program is over." Along with her duties with UthMpact, Kelsi is a part of Air Force JROTC as well as founder of the Women in STEM club at her school.
Cristina Barrios, a senior at Harrison School for the Arts, served as UthMpact Class XIII's Vice President and co-chair of the Everyday Healthy Living & Equal People podcast committee. Cristina described her time with UthMpact in her scholarship submission essay stating, "Working in a team is one of the hallmarks of the UthMpact executive board. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to further explore that through our committee. The committees require a lot of involvement: scheduling events, organizing members, and communicating with those around us is key. It would be impossible to manage anything if our team were not cohesive. My time here has shown me that everything falls into place when people work together." In addition to her service with UthMpact, Cristina is part of the Camp Fire Sunshine Board of Directors, the Harrison Symphony Orchestra, and works as a lifeguard at Legoland.
UthMpact is a coalition of teen leaders committed to helping educate
and deliver key substance abuse prevention messages to their peers. The
Leadership Program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk, UthMpact,
and key business and community partners, helps teens develop crucial leadership
skills. Participants representing nearly every high school in the county travel
monthly to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of
local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and law
enforcement.
The group’s most prominent projects are Project
Prom, to provide formal wear and
accessories to deserving high school students and educate about risky behaviors
during prom and graduation time, as well as
the UthMpact
Facts social norms program, which celebrates the positives in Polk youth culture and shares important facts and informative
messages about alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, prescription drugs, vaping,
bullying, mental health, and distracted driving in area
high schools and at community events.
Candidates for the 2024-2025 UthMpact Leadership Class XIV, chosen based on their scholastic and leadership experience, will be announced soon. For information, please contact Samantha McCain at (863) 802-0777, visit www.uthmpact.org, or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk.
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