Honorees

2026 Best & Brightest Finalists

Announcing the 129 finalists for the 21st annual 2026 Best & Brightest Awards. These outstanding high school seniors—representing public, private and homeschool programs across Leon County—have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement along with a strong commitment to leadership and community service. Finalists were selected through a competitive process and interviewed by a panel of judges.

All will be honored at the Best & Brightest Awards Ceremony on May 13, where category winners will be announced.

Art 10

Camden Philley Homeschool
Ella Tobe Maclay
EmmaLin Starnes Leon
Hawa-Larai Harruna Rickards
Karsen White Lincoln
Laila Alexander Chiles
Nicholas Echnevarry Florida State University Schools
Tabitha Howard SAIL
Tonie Palmer Godby
Zoe Ford Tallahassee Collegiate Academy

Athletics 8

Dahee Seo Chiles
Danielle White Florida State University Schools
Emma Punausuia Lincoln
Justin Murphy Maclay
Logan Corneluis Godby
Peyton Waller Homeschool
Tanvee Doddi Rickards
Xavier Uchino Leon

Business & Entrepreneurship 10

Breyana Davis North Florida Christian
Jadin Rolle Godby
Jalil Smith Leon
Jordyn Adams Florida State University Schools
Kaitlyn Grauer Chiles
Kennedy Davis Lincoln
Manny Arisso Maclay
Peter Boulware Community Leadership Academy
Rylee Fessler Homeschool
Srikar Marthi Rickards

Career & Technical Education (CTE) 9

Alex Wang Maclay
Anshu Patel Florida State University Schools
Averett Baldwin Tallahassee Collegiate Academy
Blaze Norman Lincoln
Dylan Ryan-Zilavy Rickards
Emily McConnaughhay Leon
Jeriel Garcia SAIL
Madison Bates Chiles
Taryah Brown Godby

Drama & Performing Arts 9

Ava Hardy Homeschool
Charlotte Simone Chiles
Crew Carlile Maclay
Helen Piris Florida State University Schools
Isabella Hanselman Leon
Karsyn Simmons Lincoln
Kayden Hall Rickards
Nayeli Street Community Christian School
Tallist Jean Godby

English & Language Arts 6

Alyssa Bowman Florida State University Schools
Anna Piotrowski Chiles
Dylan Lawson Leon
Rithvika Veerapureddy Rickards
Sophia Ferguson Lincoln
Sophie Lombard Maclay

Journalism & Media Production 8

Camila Jalomo Godby
Chloe Williamson Lincoln
Eden Hatfield Leon
Harper Henning SAIL
Kate Bascom Maclay
Meghann Metarko Chiles
Nitya Konidala Rickards
Vy Nguyen Florida State University Schools

Leadership 10

Aster Frances-Templin Rickards
Bryn Miller Lincoln
Carmen Diaz Tallahassee Collegiate Academy
Caroline Couch Maclay
Ireland O’Dell Florida State University Schools
Isiah Hylton Leon
Omega Forbes Godby
Sanhvi Kalathil Chiles
Sydnei Feldman Community Leadership Academy
Winter Brookshire SAIL

Mathematics 7

Adit More Florida State University Schools
Anna Chuku Maclay
Himank Chhaya Rickards
Patrick Garland Godby
Robert Strauss Lincoln
William Wu Chiles
Zoe Shoplock Leon

Music 10

Aaryn Watson Florida State University Schools
Anjani Vemuri Rickards
Colton Campbell Leon
Dannielle Cromwell Lincoln
Emerson Lalla SAIL
Isla Welge Maclay
Mars Humphreys Godby
Mason Adams Chiles
Petra Croom Homeschool
Sarah Methellus Tallahassee Collegiate Academy

Public Speaking 7

Ella Van Lueven Leon
Jasper Opel Rickards
Kelsey Drinks SAIL
Libby Shalley Florida State University Schools
Nishi Bhanderi Maclay
Siri Davidi Lincoln
Wynn Whitfield Chiles

Science & Health 10

Brandon Paek Chiles
Jonathan George Rickards
La’Zaria Thurman FAMU DRS
Logan Martin JP II
Marsh Wraithmell SAIL
Nihal Kalathil Lincoln
Osaima Alhalabi Leon
Rishil Kodela Florida State University Schools
Sara Aboulkassi Godby
Suhani Gawde Maclay

Technology 8

Amogh Acharya Rickards
Christopher Martinez Barbosa Godby
Joshua French SAIL
Mikhail Abraimov Chiles
Shlok Shah Lincoln
Sofia Evers Maclay
Sophia Liu Leon
Tyson Terry Florida State University Schools

World Languages 9

Aalysha Bryant Godby
Aditi Lalitha Jyotsna Eyunni Lincoln
Connor Eller Vaughn Rickards
Javier Santana Fiallo JP II
Maggie Haber Leon
Mariela Galaviz SAIL
Reid Roberts Maclay
Vishal Pamulapati Chiles
Yailene Silva Florida State University Schools