This year's 27 MOST seniors (three not pictured) graduated from 14 Memphis-area private schools and will attend 16 colleges and universities. Two are valedictorians, one is a salutatorian, one served as student body president, and two will play college football. Impressive!
On behalf of the MOST Class of 2020, Northpoint Christian School valedictorian Sammy Lee created the video below to thank those who have supported their education. Together, the group has received $598,328 from generous MOST donors over the years.
Hamza Alsaadi
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Pleasant View School (K–12). Future plans: Hamza will attend the University of Memphis. He was also accepted to Christian Brothers University.
Audrianna Anderson
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (9–12), St. Anne Catholic School (8), and St. John Catholic School (1–5). Honors and activities: soccer, basketball, and Spanish Club. Future plans: Audrianna will attend the University of Memphis, where she plans to major in biomedical engineering and minor in psychology.
Madison Ariste
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Hutchison School (7–12). Honors and activities: Senior Class Fine Arts President, Spanish National Honor Society, Thespian Society, Spread the Seed nonprofit founder, Wilson Society, Crest Society, and Ascensus Society. Future plans: Madison will attend the University of Tampa to study cinematography and film production. She was also accepted to Barry University, Jacksonville University, the University of Memphis, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Lauren Avant
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Harding Academy (11–12), Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (5–10), and St. John Catholic School (K–4). Lauren will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville on the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. She plans to major in psychology and later become a clinical psychologist.
Kennadee Carlton
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. George's Independent School (1–12). Future plans: Kennadee will attend Belmont University, where she plans to major in audio and video production.
Summer Edwards
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. Agnes Academy (9–12) and Holy Rosary Catholic School (1–8). Honors and activities: summa cum laude, National Thespian Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Dominican Torch Award, Miss St. Agnes first runner-up, National Spanish Honor Society, SGA commissioner of fellowship, Orpheum STAR Council, and Outstanding Lead Actress nominee at the 2019 Orpheum High School Musical Awards. Work experience: Swanky's Taco Shop and Mosa Asian Bistro. Future plans: Summer will attend Columbia College Chicago (Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship). She has also been accepted to the University of Memphis, Western Kentucky University, and Mississippi University for Women. She's interested in studying musical theatre, Spanish, and/or women's studies.
Scarlett Gonzalez
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. Benedict at Auburndale (10–12), Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (9), and St. Michael Catholic School (K–8). Honors and activities: soccer team, English Honor Society, National Spanish Exam honorable mention, Spanish Club, Badminton Club, and “Live From Varnavas Drive” cast member. Work experience: Baskin Robbins and Outback Steakhouse. Future plans: Scarlett will attend the University of Memphis on the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, a Federal Pell Grant, and a TN Student Assistant Grant. She plans to major in health studies with a concentration in dietetics. Scarlett was also accepted to Christian Brothers University, Austin Peay State University, and Johnson & Wales University–North Miami. Her dream job is to be a pediatric nutritionist.
Kamaria Griffin
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. Agnes Academy (7–12). Honor and activities: JRP Club president, Class of 2020 Sergeant at Arms, National Beta Club, basketball, and softball. Work experience: Incredible Pizza. Future plans: Kamaria will attend Tennessee State University on a full scholarship, including the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, and plans to major in nursing with a concentration in neonatal. She was also accepted to the University of Memphis, Austin Peay State University, and Middle Tennessee State University.
Markea Griffith
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Briarcrest Christian School (1–12). Honors and activities: honor roll, theater, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Key Club, Medical Professions Club, Bridge Builders, Spanish Club, and Jungle Kids for Christ Club. Work experience: Cracker Barrel. Future plans: Markea will attend Xavier University of Louisiana on a full scholarship and plans to major in biology. She was also accepted on scholarship to Rhodes College, Mississippi State University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Fisk University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the University of Memphis. After college, she'd like to pursue a master’s degree and work as a genetic counselor at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Lizzie Higareda
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. Mary's Episcopal School (K–12). Honors and activities: soccer, National Beta Club, National Spanish Honor Society, Model United Nations, and a volunteer at Streets Ministries, Multinational Ministries, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Porter-Leath Books from Birth, and the FedExFamilyHouse. Work experience: Huey’s Restaurant. Future plans: Lizzie will attend DePaul University on a Presidential Scholarship and is interested in studying health science on a pre-med track and going to medical school for pediatrics. She was also accepted to the University of Denver, Loyola University Chicago, University of Memphis, and University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Jada Hines
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. George's Independent School (K–12). Honors and activities: Bridge Builders, Upper School Choir president, Emerson-Thoreau Award for Special Merit, Choir Award (two years), Memphis Youth Chorale, Volunteer Girls State, first-place team member in a Baptist College of Health Sciences competition on stroke research; MySpaceAlliance Club, History Club, Helping Hands Club, St. Jude Club, Student Government senior representative, and prom committee. Future plans: Jada will attend Saint Louis University on an academic scholarship. She was also accepted to the following schools: Belmont University, Birmingham–Southern College (Multicultural Student Scholarship, Bonner Leader Program, and Presidential Scholarship), Fisk University, Hendrix College, Lipscomb University, Loyola University New Orleans (Social Justice Scholarship), Murray State University, Oglethorpe University (Presidential Scholarship), Savannah State University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UT Promise Scholarship), and Xavier University of Louisiana. She’s interested in studying political science or psychology.
Romello Ivory
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Macon Road Baptist School (5–12) and Heritage Baptist Academy (1–4). Honors and activities: A/B honor roll, National Honor Society, and varsity football. Future plans: Romello will attend the University of Memphis.
Brooklyn Johnson
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. Mary's Episcopal School (K–1, 7–12). Honors and activities: 2019 Keeper of the Dream Award given by the National Civil Rights Museum; founder of Empower Memphis, a nonprofit that provides free and low-cost day camps for Memphis youth; senior class student council representative; National Beta Club; Quill and Scroll Honor Society; Latin Club; National Latin Honor Society; and Save First Tax Preparation volunteer. Future plans: Brooklyn will attend Rhodes College. She was also accepted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Loyola University Chicago, the University of Memphis, Saint Louis University, and Southwestern University. She is interested in pursuing a pre-med track in hopes of attending medical school and specializing in rheumatology.
Said Khatib
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Pleasant View School (1–12). Future plans: Said will attend the University of Memphis. He was also accepted to Rhodes College.
Sammy Lee
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Northpoint Christian School (K–12). Honors and activities: valedictorian, National Merit Finalist, DeSoto Times–Tribune “Reaching for the Stars” Award, Indie Memphis Youth Film Fest CrewUp Jury Award, Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Key Award, tennis, soccer, band, class president (grades 9-12), Broadway Baptist Church youth praise team keyboard player and VBS volunteer, Binghampton Christian Academy volunteer, Broadway Baptist Church VBS volunteer, and DeSoto Grace volunteer. Future plans: Sammy will attend Belmont University, where he plans to study film production. He was also accepted to Liberty University, the University of Mississippi, and Mississippi State University.
Karis McCraw
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Northpoint Christian School (9–12) and St. Anne Catholic School (K–8). Honors and activities: varsity soccer and softball, Ryan England-State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Month, Spanish I and II Award, Bible Award, Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, and Memphis Ambassadors Program. Work experience: Desoto Athletic Center lifeguard and Pharm–Care Inc. intern. Future plans: Karis will attend Southwest Tennessee Community College, where she plans to study pre-pharmacy.
ReSheia Parrish
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. Benedict at Auburndale (11–12), Memphis Catholic Middle and High School (7–10), De La Salle Catholic School (4–6), and St. Therese Little Flower Primary School (1–2). Work experience: Incredible Pizza, Putt Putt Golf and Games, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and MPLOY internship. Future plans: ReSheia will attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. She has also been accepted to the University of Memphis, Middle Tennessee State University, and Tennessee State University.
Angelica Perez
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. Benedict at Auburndale (9–12) and St. Michael Catholic School (1, 3–8) and St. Ann Catholic School (2). Honors and activities: track and field, Best Buddies, and Feed My Flock. Future plans: Angelica will attend the University of Memphis, where she plans to study social work.
Kourtney Pryor
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. Agnes Academy (7–12). Honor and activities: AngelStreet volunteer, Latin Club president, National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. Work experience: Baskin-Robbins. Future plans: Kourtney will attend the University of Memphis on the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, the Dean’s Scholarship, and the George B. Floyd Scholarship. She plans to major in health studies in hopes of entering the medical field.
Max Ramirez, Jr.
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Christian Brothers High School (9–12), De La Salle Catholic School (4–8), and St. Joseph Catholic School (K–3). Honors and activities: soccer. Future plans: Max will attend the University of Memphis.
Johnny M. Reed II
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Christian Brothers High School (9–12), St. Michael Catholic School (3–8), St. Therese Little Flower Primary School (2), and Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School (K–1). Honors and activities: football, basketball, and St. Mary’s soup kitchen volunteer. Future plans: Johnny will attend Bethel University on a football scholarship and the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. He plans to study physiology or business management.
Isaac Smith
Attended as a MOST Scholar: St. George's Independent School (K–12). Honors and activities: 2019 D2AA West All District Football Team and placed at state track-and-field meet. Future plans: Isaac will attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he will play football and plans to major in finance.
Jade Sublett
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Lausanne Collegiate School (1–12). Honors and activities: Student Ambassador, LynxServe community service program, soccer, track, and Spanish Club. Future plans: Jade will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville on the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship and the UT Promise Scholarship. She plans to major in biology on a pre-med track.
Maria Vega
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (9–12) and St. Michael Catholic School (K–8). Honors and activities: salutatorian, honor roll, Spanish Club, International Club, Environmental Club, Campus Ministry, School Ambassador, National Honor Society, National Beta Club, and volunteer at the Mid-South Food Bank and Catholic Charities. Work experience: Palace Cinema. Future plans: Maria will attend the University of Memphis on a Dean’s Scholarship, the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, and a TSAA grant. She plans to major in one of the sciences and study abroad. She was also accepted to Christian Brothers University, University of the Incarnate Word, Millsaps College, and Mississippi State University.
Sylicia Williams
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (9–12) and St. Michael Catholic School (1–8). Honor and activities: National Honor Society, Beta Club, Spanish Club, International Club, basketball, and Mid-South Food Bank volunteer. Work experience: Wendy’s. Future plans: Sylicia will attend Georgia State University, where she plans to study computer science. She was also accepted to the University of Illinois at Chicago, Mississippi State University, and Southern Illinois University.
Toosie Williams
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Brinkley Heights Urban Academy (K–12). Honors and activities: student body president, volleyball, and basketball. Work experience: Street Reach Ministries. Future plans: Tanisha will attend the University of Memphis on the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. She is interested in studying film production,
Christina Young
Attended as a MOST Scholar: Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (9–12) and De La Salle Catholic School (K–8). Honors and activities: valedictorian, soccer team captain, International Club co-founder/VP, National Honor Society, Catholic Charities Teen Advisory Board Member, St. Ann Special Athletes Fun Day volunteer, and Lichterman Nature Center volunteer. Work experience: ICCS summer camp and aftercare program. Future plans: Christina will attend Holy Cross College at Notre Dame, Indiana on the Bl. Basil Moreau Signature Scholarship. She has also been accepted to Christian Brothers University, Mississippi State University, and University of Saint Joseph, Connecticut. She is interested in various areas of study, including education, theology, and global studies.
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