Olivia Clapcich- Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) - Thursday night, three Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) senior students won their categories at the Golden Herald Awards.
The Golden Herald is an award ceremony that honors outstanding Manatee County high school seniors for noble service to their schools and community.
The award program was established in 1978 by the Bradenton Herald and is considered a significant honor for students.
The Golden Herald Award in each category is given to the individual whose record of achievement and service to school and community best exemplifies the unselfish use of talents and abilities to help others.
Last night’s winners included -
Chloe Drapak - Journalism Category
Alpha Diarra -Mathematics Category
Kylie Scott - Vocational Category
Scott said, “I feel so honored to have won the vocational Golden Herald. I would like to thank Mrs. Shack (LRHS Early Childhood Education teacher Delaney Shackelford) and the early childhood program for the last four years, along with the shadowing opportunities.”
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There is a total of 16 categories, and all of the high schools in Manatee County (including private schools) nominate seniors. All students that participated had tremendous accolades and were worthy of placing at the ceremony.
Drapak said, “I was so shocked to have won the Golden Herald Award for Journalism. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the continuous support and the hard work of the 60 staff members of (LRHS journalism program) ‘Mustangs Ahead.’ Shoutout to Mr. Honsa (LRHS journalism teacher Tom Honsa)!!”
“Even being nominated for the award is a momentous achievement and everyone that was a nominee put their best foot forward and represented Lakewood Ranch in the best way possible,” she continued
Diarra said, “I feel very grateful for winning a Golden Herald. I thank Mrs. Gregory (LRHS English teacher and Golden Herald Coordinator Tracy Gregory) for all her help and guidance and the judges for selecting me. I would advise future nominees to not stress during the interview. You will do great even if you think it went poorly, keep your head up.”
LRHS Principal Dustin Dahlquist said, "Congratulations to Chloe Drapak, Alpha Diarra, and Kylie Scott! And, a Congratulations and Thank You to Ms. Gregory for all of the time and effort put forth for our 22 nominees. The competition across the county was at an extremely high level this year. All of our nominees represented our school very well.
It was a great night for all Mustangs!"
The winners each received a medal, trophy, and a $2,000 scholarship.