Florida Air Academy salutes top three students
By Jennifer Nessmith
Staff writer
MELBOURNE - Merely four years after the school went co-ed, Florida Air Academy in Melbourne will have its first female valedictorian.
Charlene Gracia, 18, of Satellite Beach, who enrolled in the academy's first co-ed class in 2005, will speak as the school's top student at a graduation ceremony at 3 p.m. May 15 at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne.
"I was surprised (to be chosen as valedictorian) because it was such a close race," Charlene said. "But no matter what, we're all proud of each other."
The valedictorian is chosen based on which student has achieved the highest grade point average, said Antiny White, the school's principal.
Charlene will be flanked by two students who tied for second as salutatorians, Jordan Davis and Tarik Acevedo Gonzalez, who will also take their turns at the podium to speak about their experiences at Florida Air Academy.
Florida Air Academy is a military co-ed boarding school for students in the sixth through 12th grades. The disciplinary structure of the school is used to teach the students independence and personal responsibility. The academy also offers more than 30 sports programs and several extracurricular activities, including the opportunity for students to obtain their pilot's license. In fact, in past years, some students have graduated with their commercial pilot's licenses, Mr. White said.
The school has a current enrollment of 352 students, with 50 graduating seniors this year. In order to graduate, a student must be accepted in college, Mr. White said.
"Our goal is not only to get them into college, but to make sure they have the skills to succeed," Mr. White said.
Charlene, who has a 3.9 un-weighted grade point average, is the president of the Kitty Hawk Air Society, which is similar to the National Honor Society, the treasurer of the National Honor Society, a member of the color guard and a varsity basketball team.
She intends to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville this fall, and after completing her degree, would like to enter the U.S. Air Force as a nurse.
Jordan, of Satellite Beach, who has a 3.8 GPA, would also like to enter the Air Force after graduating from college. Her goal is to become involved in military intelligence. She plans to attend University of Florida this fall. Jordan is vice president of the Kitty Hawk Air Society, secretary of the National Honor Society, a member of the color guard and the soccer and varsity volleyball teams.
Tarik, 18, is from Lares, Puerto Rico. He boards at the school, away from his family, but says his roommates have become like family to him. He has a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the volleyball team and the National Honor Society. Tarik said he will either attend University of Florida or Oxford College of Emory University in Atlanta. He would like to become a doctor, but has not yet chosen a particular field of study.
Charlene said that although she is nervous about speaking at the commencement, she will impart her story and tell how the decision to enroll in Florida Air Academy changed her life.
"(Before I enrolled at Florida Air Academy), I had never really considered the military," she said. "Now, I love it. It's also made me more independent and not afraid to take chances."
Both Jordan and Charlene have said that entering the school among the first crop of girls was a great experience.
"It was kind of nerve-racking at first, but everyone's really friendly," Jordan said. "We probably have more guy friends than girl friends."
Charlene agreed, and added that other young girls should consider the opportunities offered by Florida Air Academy.
"Don't be afraid to take the risk, because no matter what the atmosphere is, you can succeed," she said.