As the school year comes to a close, families, friends, and communities come together to celebrate a season of achievement and new beginnings. From the eager smiles of 5th graders preparing for middle school, to the proud strides of 8th graders stepping into high school, and the emotional farewells of high school seniors heading to college, all the way to college graduates ready to embark on their professional journeys—each stage marks a unique and meaningful milestone. This season, we honor the hard work, resilience, and growth of every graduate across all levels, applauding not just their academic success, but the dreams and determination that have carried them to this moment.

Parents: Eric and Sarah Massey, & Jackie Massey
 Siblings: Jason and Evelyn
 Graduated From: Florida State University
 Degree: Bachelor of Finance 
 Summer plans: Hanging out with friends as I prepare to move to New York City! It’s a lot of work to move somewhere brand new so a lot of summer has been dedicated to that process.

Favorite School Memories: Being around all my friends and my senior year apartment. It was always a great time to go home and see everyone in the living room always ready to eat, talk, or do something we all enjoyed.

Activities: Playing basketball and golf. Golf has been a big constant this year in trying to get better. If not easy but something that can be worked at for a long time, with dedication and hours you can always get better.

Talents: Playing the Cello

Awards: Cum Laude graduation as well as dean’s list almost every semester! 

What’s next: Moving to NYC to start a job in re-insurance. 

Parents: Ken & Stacy Liszewski
 Siblings: Tré, Jes, Brittany, Nicole & Kenny
 Graduated From: Southeastern University
 Attending Next: Tusculum University (MBA)
 Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration
 Favorite Subjects: Digital Marketing & Graphic Design
 Summer Plans: Returned from a mission trip to Bulgaria and will work as a Youth Summer Camp Specialist at Arlington Park
 Favorite School Memories: Playing indoor and beach volleyball, and participating in mission trips to Australia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Bulgaria
 Activities: Flag football
 Talents: Graphic design
 Awards: Four-Year Athlete
 What’s Next: Sylvia is blending her heart for service with business savvy as she continues her education and leadership journey.

Parents: John & Rose Brasgalla
 Siblings: Noah & Jake
 Graduated From: Florida State University
 Next Step: Working for FSU in Florence, Italy
 Degree: International Affairs with a concentration in Urban Planning
 Summer Plans: Enjoying Sarasota before heading abroad
 Favorite School Memory: Studying abroad in Florence and London and making lifelong friendships
 Most Inspiring Teacher: Professor Frank Nero – energized students to embrace independence and cultural exploration
 Activities: FSU Club Rowing, Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Catholic Student Union, Italian Heritage Club
 Talents: Fluent in Spanish and Italian, music, swimming, weightlifting, reading, travel
 What He’ll Miss: Friends, family, and everything about his hometown
 What’s Next: Samuel is stepping into his next chapter with purpose and international perspective.

Izzie graduated cum laude from American University with a major on justice and law. She will be working at Shumaker Loop and Kendrick as she prepares to submit her applications to law school. 

Parents: Heather Chase & Patrick O’Neill
 Sibling: Emily
 Graduated From: University of Utah
 Degree: Finance, Minor in Personal Selling
 Summer Plans: Traveling to England and France with his girlfriend before returning to study for FINRA exams
 Favorite School Memory: Winning the first lacrosse conference championship in school history
 Activities: Lacrosse
 Talents: Skiing, camping, hiking, pickleball
 Awards: France Davis Impact Award for leadership and advocacy
 What He’ll Miss: The beach, sunsets, humidity, and Publix
 What’s Next: Conor begins his career in wealth management, bringing Sarasota values to clients in Utah and beyond.

Parent: Nicole Nash
 Sibling: Anson Nash
 Graduated From: Riverview High School
 Attending Next: University of South Florida
 Planned Major: Journalism
 Favorite Subject: IB English Language & Literature
 Summer Plans: First trip out of the country—10 days in Croatia
 Favorite School Memory: IB end-of-year celebrations that reward hard work
 Activities: STROLL intern, English Honor Society, Rho Kappa, Model UN
 Talents: Writing and drawing
 What She’ll Miss: The easy access to the beach
 What’s Next: Bella is heading to Tampa with a passport full of dreams and a journal ready to fill.

Parents: John & Rose Brasgalla
 Siblings: Sam & Noah
 Graduated From: Sarasota High School
 Attending Next: Santa Fe College, then transferring to University of Florida
 Planned Major: Construction Management
 Favorite Subject: Math
 Summer Plans: Enjoying his final summer in Sarasota
 Favorite School Memory: Road trips with the band to state competitions, including performing at the Military Bowl in D.C.
 Most Inspiring Teacher: Ms. Gibbons – taught open-mindedness and critical thinking
 Activities: Marching Band, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Junto Club
 Talents: Weightlifting, bass guitar, tuba, trombone, piano, sousaphone
 What He’ll Miss: His dog Athena, the beaches, Bayfront, and The Y
 What’s Next: Jacob is building a future brick by brick, starting with big dreams and blueprints in Gainesville.

Parents: Jason & Leigh Hughes
 Sibling: William Hughes
 Graduated From: Sarasota High School
 Attending Next: Samford University
 Planned Major: Elementary Education
 Favorite Subject: Anatomy and Physiology (Honors)
 Summer Plans: Visiting the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Maine; working at a Young Life camp and skim/surf camps
 Favorite School Memory: Competing in the Miss Sarasota High competition
 Most Inspiring Teacher: Marta Boyle – always supportive and encouraging
 Activities: Pickleball, volunteer work, Young Life, church, enjoying the outdoors
 Talents: Working with kids
 What She’ll Miss: Her family
 What’s Next: Leigh is on a path to inspire the next generation through teaching and service.

Parents: Christy & Jay Bailey
 Siblings: Grace & Davis Bailey
 Graduated From: Sarasota High School
 Attending Next: Elon University
 Planned Major: Elementary Education
 Activities: Tennis
 Awards: AICE Diploma
 What’s Next: Ashley is excited to begin her college journey and pursue her passion for teaching young minds.

Eliza graduated as a distinguished scholar from Booker High and is excited to attend Florida Southern College in the fall where she will double major in English with a focus in creative writing and Theater.

Parents: Ailish & Brian Murphy
 Siblings: Nora & Aidan
 Graduated From: Out-of-Door Academy
 Attending Next: Providence College (D1 Swim Team, Big East Conference)
 Planned Major: Business – Marketing
 Favorite Subject: History
 Summer Plans: Working, volunteering with All Faiths Food Bank, and swimming
 Favorite School Memory: Qualifying for and swimming in the finals at State Championships
 What’s Next: Ronan is ready to make waves in college athletics and business studies.

 Parents: Evan & Audrey Randall
 Siblings: Kenzie & Taryn
 Graduated From: The Out-of-Door Academy
 Entering Next Year: The Out-of-Door Academy
 Favorite Subject: Business and Math
 Summer Plans: Attending a caving adventure camp in South Carolina, a running camp at Princeton University, and training for the upcoming cross-country season
 Favorite School Memory: Traveling to Washington, DC and New York on the 8th-grade class trip
 Most Inspiring Teacher: 5th-grade history teacher Rebecca Walsh — “Her amazing and fun lessons made learning unforgettable.”
 Activities: Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Track, Band
 Talents: Running, playing the trumpet and piano, exercising, and staying fit
 Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Music, Most Improved Varsity Track, RISER Award for Varsity Cross Country, Honor Roll and Head’s List, Superior rating for Trumpet Duet at FBA Solo & Ensemble and Auxiliary MPA
 What’s Next: Finn is a motivated and multi-talented student-athlete with a passion for music, athletics, and adventure — ready to excel in high school and beyond.

Parents: Marina & Matt Parkin
 Sibling: Victor Parkin
 Graduated From: Sarasota High School
 Attending Next: University of South Florida
 Planned Major: Architecture
 Favorite Subject: Spanish
 Summer Plans: Start summer semester at USF after traveling to Canada to visit family
 Favorite School Memory: Winning Mr. Sarasota 2025 by performing Wonderwall live
 Most Inspiring Teacher: Mr. Zacharias – helped him pursue his dream of architecture
 Activities: Soccer, art, building furniture, music, gym, clothing brand
 Talents: Art, design, guitar, soccer
 Awards: Mr. Sarasota, Adobe Certifications, Business Ownership CTE, CTE Art Festival
What’s Next: Massimo is diving into architecture and design while bringing creative energy to everything he does.

Parents: Nikki & Trevor Taylor
 Siblings: Madison & Ella Taylor
 Graduated From: Sarasota Middle School PGA
 Entering Next Year: Riverview High School IB Program
 Favorite Subject: Math
 Summer Plans: Starting his first job and beginning an IB summer project
 Favorite School Memory: 8th Grade Dance
 Most Inspiring Teacher: Mrs. Epstein – Made ELA engaging with great book choices
 Activities: Running, sailing, weightlifting
 Awards: National Junior Honor Society
 What’s Next: Austin is ready to take on high school with energy, focus, and a great sense of discipline.

Parents: Nikki & Trevor Taylor
 Siblings: Madison & Austin Taylor
 Graduated From: Southside Elementary
 Entering Next Year: Sarasota Middle School PGA
 Favorite Subject: Math
 Summer Plans: Dance camp and summer reading to prepare for middle school
 Favorite School Memory: BizTown
 Most Inspiring Teachers: Mrs. Luzzi, Velasquez, and Mr. Harting – Made every day amazing
 Activities: Dance
 Awards: First Place Dance Solo
 What’s Next: Ella is dancing her way into middle school with joy, confidence, and sparkle.

Parents: Erika & Matt Borland
 Graduated From: Southside Elementary
 Entering Next Year: Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences (SSAS)
 Favorite Subject: Art
 Summer Plans: Going to the family cottage in Canada
 Favorite School Memory: School plays, safety patrol, 5th grade celebrations—Busch Gardens, Arlington Park, BizTown
 Most Inspiring Teacher: Mr. Harting – Math
 What’s Next: Madison is looking forward to middle school adventures and exploring her creativity in art.

Graham Wohlwend – Preschool Graduate
 Parents: John & Lauren Wohlwend
 Siblings: Selby Wohlwend
 Graduated From: Forty Carrots
 Entering Next Year: Southside Elementary
 Favorite Subject: Building Legos
 Summer Plans: Traveling with family to a Dude Ranch in Montana, Disney World, Gasparilla Inn, and Homosassa
 Favorite School Memory: Experiencing the kindness of teachers throughout the year
 Most Inspiring Teacher: All the teachers at Forty Carrots!
 Activities: Tennis, soccer, Lego building
 Talents: Building Legos, scoring goals in soccer, playing tennis
 Awards: Junior Player of the Year in tennis, Champion team at Suncoast Sports Soccer League
 What’s Next: Graham is full of energy, imagination, and joy — heading into kindergarten with excitement and a big smile.

Quotes:

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." Ralph Waldo Emerson

" Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get." W.P. Kinsella

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller

"You're off to great places. Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way." Dr. Seuss

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." A.A. Milne

"A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open." Frank Zappa