The Class of 2018 has made it known that they are destined for greatness. This year’s graduating class is filled with future doctors, artists, educators and entrepreneurs who are ready to broaden their horizons and dive full-force into taking their industries by storm.

The Seminole Tribune wishes the Class of 2018 the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Carrisa Colon from Miami Palmetto Senior High School plans to do some traveling first and then possibly attend Manatee Technical College. She’d eventually like to own a small business of some kind after college. Her favorite high school memory is saying goodbye to teachers and friends, although it was “bittersweet.” Her family, friends and late brother inspired her to finish high school. She is looking forward to meeting new people, seeing new places and experiencing new opportunities.

Maurice Billie, Rochester High School

Julian D. Yescas from Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia will attend Lynn University in Boca Raton to study biology and run cross country and track. Julian’s favorite high school memories are graduation and winning the state championship. His parents, friends and mentors inspired him to finish high school and go to college. Julian is looking forward to running cross country and track for Lynn University while he decides on future career plans.

John Osceola

Demetric Billie from Miccosukee Indian School plans to take a year off to work around the Trail Reservation honing his skills and research trade schools. He plans to travel around the U.S. and hopefully other parts of the world. His mother and grandmother inspired him to finish high school, as did Lymire Marie, a teacher and administrator at MIS. Demetric’s favorite memory was seeing the 2017 seniors graduate and going to the National Science Teachers Association with his science teachers his junior year in Los Angeles.

Amya Baxley from John Carroll High School plans to become a cosmetologist and will start beauty school in August at the Boca Beauty Academy in Boca Raton. Her goal is to own her own salon to help make other people feel and look beautiful every day. Amya said her parents inspired her to finish high school. Her favorite high school memories are when she hit her first homerun in a softball game her senior year and when her mom, sister and boyfriend attended her graduation.

Adrianne Bell received her GED in Oklahoma and will attend Sheridan Technical College in Hollywood for culinary arts and hospitality management and will also pursue a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship. She hopes to own a business and expand her sewing ventures to create traditional Seminole clothes. Her favorite high school memory is attending the pep rallies, where she said she was the loudest student singing all the songs. Adrianne’s mother inspired her to finish school and gave her a needed “push.”

Samuel Sanchez from Fort Gibson High School in Oklahoma wants to enjoy the summer in Florida while preparing to attend Oklahoma State University and major in psychology. He says a big reason he chose OSU is because the school offered him a chance to play football. His favorite high school memory is playing football with his older brother Jesse. Sammy’s inspiration to finish high school and attend college came from his mom Alicia Cabal and stepdad Frank Cabal, coach Sammy Johnson and older siblings.

Terance Danai Hill, Montverde Academy

Jessi Harmon from Flagstaff High School in Arizona will attend Virginia Military Institute to play Division 1 soccer and major in history and international studies with a minor in modern languages. She will attend on an NROTC Marine Option Scholarship and will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from VMI. Her favorite memory is being the only girl on her high school’s football team. She wants to take advantage of educational opportunities, travel and grow as an individual.

Maia Shore from Thornton High School in Colorado plans to attend Arizona State University and major in forensic science. She said one of the reasons she chose ASU is that her uncle lives nearby and she really likes the school. Her favorite high school memory is running with the cross country team, which she was very close to. Her older brother Ryan inspired her to finish high school. She is looking forward to meeting new people in Arizona.

Tyrek Lasane, East Bay High School

Leatrice Cypress-Cummings from Immokalee High School would like to go to Florida State College and then possibly Haskell Indian Nations University to study Tribal government, as she hopes to be the first female president of the Tribe.While in high school, Leatrice learned that God always has a plan and that every barrier can be broken. She is inspired by her one-year-old son Kenai, who she says is full of life and encourages her to wake up every day and be happy.

Gherri Osceola from Immokalee high School will attend Florida Gulf Coast University for pre-med. She’s always been fascinated with how medicine interacts with the body and one of her high school teachers inspired her to pursue the medical field. The most important lesson she learned in high school is time management and her favorite memory is going to high school events and spending time with her best friends. Gherri’s mother Geraldine Osceola and her sisters inspire her to be better.

Aldricia Cypress-Cummings from Immokalee High School plans to attend Immokalee Technical College and study early childhood education. She would like to open a day care center and work with children. Her favorite high school memory is having her baby, Marhz. Even though he’s three months old, she says he has an old soul and inspires her.

Nicole Slavik from Seacrest Country Day School will attend Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to study fine arts and graphic design. She isn’t sure what career path she will take, but she wants to represent the Tribe and show her Native American voice through art. She is considering art therapy, being an art teacher or a graphic artist as career choices. The biggest lesson Nicole learned in high school was to look past people’s differences and is inspired by the artist Gustavo Rimada, whose art blows her away.

Trinity Bowers from Nova Southeastern University School plans to continue with the NSU community and attend Nova Southeastern University to study English and library services and hopes to become a librarian. Trinity believes college is a good opportunity and is looking forward to the feeling of accomplishment graduating will provide. During high school, she learned that it’s always good to ask for help and take breaks when they’re needed.

Kalani Bankston from Nova Southeastern University School is moving to Syracuse, New York, to study biology at Syracuse University. Eventually, Kalani would like to focus on genetics and was inspired to pursue the sciences by his high school chemistry teacher Mr. Boulos. Along with his teacher’s encouragement, Kalani was motivated to finish high school and pursue college because neither of his parents went to college and they pushed him to seize the opportunity.

Franklin Jumper received his GED and will begin his college career learning woodworking and carpentry at Broward College, although in the future he hopes to get a music degree. Even though he didn’t attend Ahfachkee for his senior year, his favorite school memory was going to the school’s prom. Franklin’s mom and older brother inspired him to obtain his GED and the dedication and perseverance he learned along the way is a lesson he will carry with him into college.

Elizabeth Frank from Nova Southeastern University School will attend High Point University in North Carolina where she will major in biology. She hopes to become a cardiovascular or neuro surgeon and looks forward to working with cadavers. Her teacher Mr. Northrop motivated her to finish high school, attend college and succeed in life.

In memoriam of Jon Jimmie

Jon Jimmie would have graduated with his class at Immokalee High School on May 25, but he passed away in February. This letter from his mother Elsa Zamora, on behalf of the entire family, including father Jonnie Jimmie and their son and daughters, is a loving tribute to him. Jon would have turned 19 on June 15. 

To my son Jon,

Congratulations, you finally graduated. Son, I am so proud of you. Having you here with us for 18 years was a blessing from God. Although we miss your smile, along with your laughter and hugs, you left us with beautiful memories. These photos remind us of how handsome you looked, but you were also a gentleman with a kind heart who often helped others. Fishing and basketball may be your sports, but I was told that every time we hear thunder it is you playing basketball.

Happy Birthday my little Native son Jon Jimmie. We love you and miss you.

Not pictured:

Anissa Billie (Pen Foster), Anthony Billie (Glenpool High School), Claireese Avila-Billie (Riverside Indian School), Lanie Baker (The Vanguard School), Kyler Bell (Paladin Academy), Asiana Briana Billie (American Heritage), Cartaya Billie (Labelle High School), Brian Bishop (Okeechobee High School), Dasani Cypress (NSU University School), Jason Cypress (GED), Kasera Cypress (Hollywood Hills), Bly Davidson (Okeechobee High School), Jon Davis (GED), Howie Drake (American Heritage), Marquis Fudge (Okeechobee High School), Kaitlynn Gorney (NSU University School), Annie Cypress Joe (The Sagemont School), Cecil Johns (Homeschool), Arek Jumper (Hollywood Hills), Bradley Latchford (NSU University School), Spawn Loudermilk (Okeechobee High School), Jared McInturff (The Sagemont School), Alyssa Osceola (Florida Virtual School), Chahechom Osceola (American Heritage), Davena Osceola (Miccosukee Indian School), Drew Osceola (Know It All Prep School), Isaac Osceola (Liberty Christian Prep), Joseph Osceola (Liberty Christian Prep), Kailani Osceola (Miccosukee Indian School), Shae Pierce (Glades County homeschool), Donavin Spiva (Hollywood Christian School), Hunter Strickland (Okeechobee High School), Mason Sweat (Okeechobee High School), Maurice Tyler (GED), Ross Zepeda (St. John Neumann High School)