March 9, 2026
FDOE Press Office
850-245-0413
The Florida Department of Education Celebrates Top STEM Scholars at Annual Conference
Tallahassee, Fla., March 9, 2026 – The Florida Department of Education recently celebrated the accomplishments of the state’s leading 11th-grade students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at the Sunshine State Scholars Conference. This noteworthy event, spanning two days, brought together 111 exceptional students from across Florida, acknowledging their academic excellence and connecting them with higher education institutions and career paths in STEM. Additionally, thanks to the support of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and the Florida Education Foundation, 10 students were awarded scholarships, underscoring the commitment to nurturing Florida’s future leaders.
“I am incredibly proud of this year’s Sunshine State Scholars. They represent Florida’s brightest young minds in STEM,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Sunshine State Scholars not only honors their academic excellence but also connects them with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in higher education and future STEM careers right here in Florida. These students are the innovators and leaders of tomorrow, and we are excited to support their academic journey.”
Among the attendees, 10 scholars received a one-year scholarship to further their education at one of Florida’s esteemed higher education institutions. The recipients of the 2026 Sunshine State Scholars scholarships include:
- Collier – Sarah Dabees
- Glades – Ryan Peet
- Hendry – Farhan Emran
- Leon – Rakesh Raj
- Okaloosa – Emma Michel
- Orange – Jessie Nunez Sosa
- Pasco – Jackson Cullison
- Pasco – Sai Joshitha Vadapalli
- Sarasota – Selby Kirschner
- Seminole – Gia Han Le
In collaboration with the Florida Education Foundation, the Sunshine State Scholars initiative offered students and their families the chance to interact with representatives from the State University System of Florida, the Florida College System, and other independent colleges and universities. This engagement provided students with essential information about college funding, academic paths, and post-secondary opportunities available throughout the state.
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