Q: Can you go over the information to apply for Programs of Interest for next school year?
A: Eligible students may apply to a Program of Interest during the application window which opens Jan. 4, 2024, and closes Jan. 31, 2024 at 5 p.m. Programs of Interest include High School Career Academies, JROTC, AICE/IB programs, Early College Program, Early Career Program, the St. Johns County Center for the Arts at St. Augustine High School, and the St. Johns County Center for the Arts at Murray Middle School. Be sure to visit https://cte.stjohns.k12.fl.us/apply for all the details about how to apply.
Q: Does District 4 have any Sunshine State Scholars this year?
A: Yes. Daniel Benton from Beachside High School and Arianna Rahmathulla from Ponte Vedra High School have been selected as the 2023 – 2024 St. Johns County School District Sunshine State Scholars. Abhinav Gottipati from Nease High School has been selected as the 2023 – 2024 SJCSD Sunshine State Scholar Alternate. We will recognize them, plus the representatives from all of our high schools, at our January School Board meeting. Sunshine State Scholars are high school juniors with a weighted GPA of 3.9 or higher who are planning to pursue a career in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) related field.
Q: Do you have any other accomplishments to recognize?
A: The Mayo Clinic SPARK program scholars recently completed their projects and were recognized at a ceremony on Dec. 5. This incredible program allows students to work alongside esteemed researchers at Mayo to solve real world problems. From Ponte Vedra High School, participants were Mira Bhutani, Diana Chirila, Carter Magnano, and Emi Varghese. Jay Dalvi from Beachside High School and Abhinav Gottipati, Shreya Kalarikkal and Shubhangi Maitra from Nease High School were participants.
Also, the regional Incubate Debate tournament was held in November at The Bolles School. Rodrigo Delon Ruiz of Nease High School secured the championship title from among the 100 students from St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam, Clay, Duval, Alachua, and other counties who participated. They were judged by professors from Flagler College, University of North Florida, and Edward Waters College as well as attorneys from all over Northeast Florida and members of local government. On Jan. 13, 2024 another regional Incubate Debate is scheduled and several of our St. Johns County School Board members will serve as judges.
Finally, the winner of the St. Johns County Spelling Bee was Sree Vidya Siliveri, a seventh grader from Landrum Middle School. She spelled “bittern” correctly and will go on to the regional Spelling Bee.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 4?
A: The 11th annual Character Counts! 6K/3K Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. The run/walk will begin and end at Palencia Elementary School, located at 355 Palencia Village Drive. Visit https://tinyurl.com/52nb22se for more information and to register.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at kelly.barrera@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call me at (904) 547-7510.
