St. Johns County School District career academy students awarded $19,600 in scholarships

The Career Academy Awards on Thursday showcased programs across the St. Johns County School District.

Students from several academies received a total of $19,600 in scholarships. Business and community partners were also recognized by students for support of the programs.

"We continue to grow and continue to expand in everything we're doing," Superintendent Joe Joyner said.

He credited much of that growth to school-level initiative, community support and student enthusiasm for the programs.

The Business Partner of the Year was Leonard's Studio.

The studio's Lisa Dowling serves on three academy advisory boards. These include the VyStar Academy of Business and Science, Communications Academy and Academy of Emerging Technology.

Leonard's provides annual scholarships, summer internships, volunteers for school events and field trips.

Castillo de San Marcos was named Rookie Business Partner of the Year. Steve Roberts, chief of interpretation and education, accepted the award on behalf of Amy Vela, education coordinator.

Roberts said the Castillo de San Marcos actually had ties to the school district dating back as far as 1906.

Vela serves on the advisory board for the St. Johns County Academy of Future Teachers. The Castillo de San Marcos has provided several school-year and summer internships to academy students.

The Leadership Award went to Paula Chaon, former director of career education for the district. Under her direction, academies grew from nine to 15 programs, while total enrollment grew from 1,013 to 3,656 students.

She has moved on to work for Citigroup as their education liaison to school districts locally and internationally.

Joyner said the district will expand information technology programs at Bartram Trail and Ponte Vedra high schools, anticipating a workforce shortage.

"Talk about an emerging field," he said. "It seems like any time you turn on the television, you hear about cybersecurity."

Participation district-wide in career academies grew 7 percent from last year.

Chris Force, director for career and technical education, said there were already more than 4,000 applications for career academies for next year.

Scholarships

Kristen Lyons and Summer Thurston, Flagler Hospital Academy of Medical and Health Careers at Pedro Menendez - $1,000 each from Flagler Hospital.

Caleb Moseley and Haille Ausher, Academy of Emerging Technology at Creekside - $1,000 each from Leonard's Studio.

Mikayla Oko, VyStar Academy of Business and Finance at Bartram Trail - $500 from Cady Studios.

Caleb Moseley, Academy of Emerging Technology at Creekside - $500 from Cady Studios.

Raquel Holness, Communications Academy at Nease - $500 from Cady Studios.

Chase Kelly, VyStar Academy of Business and Finance at Pedro Menendez - $500 from Cady Studios.

Vincent DePorre, Academy of International Business and Marketing at Ponte Vedra - $500 from Cady Studios.

Victor Martens, VyStar Academy of Business and Finance at Bartram Trail - $500 from Jacksonville Jaguars.

Zach Bias, Academy of Emerging Technology at Creekside - $500 from Jacksonville Jaguars.

Kirra Tavary, Matthew Emerick and Sunny Naik, St. Johns County Aerospace Academy at St. Augustine - $1,000 each from St. Augustine Pilot's Association.

Kirra Tavary, St. Johns County Aerospace Academy at St. Augustine - $500 from Charles R. Deck Memorial Scholarship.

Cole Lane and Daniel McDonald, Academy of Architecture and Building Sciences at Pedro Menendez - $500 each from St. Johns Builders Council.

Tobin Clark and Ana Mashevsky, Academy of Engineering and Environmental Science at Creekside - $500 each from St. Johns Builder Council.

Cody Berkner, Manufacturing Program at St. Johns Technical - $500 from Carlisle Interconnect Technologies.

An additional $6,100 in scholarships from VyStar Credit Union, Stellar and St. Johns River State College to career academy students will be announced in May.