Local student nominated for one of country’s highest honors

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Twenty five high school students across New York State were nominated for the “U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.” It’s one of the nation’s highest honors for seniors and two of them are right here in Monroe County.

The two students are Jasmyne Floyd, a senior at World of Inquiry High School NO. 58,  and Alexa DeSanctis, a senior at Fairport High School.

We were able to meet Floyd at School 58. While laughing in excitement, she told us, she had no idea that she was nominated.

“It’s surprising, I didn’t know I would be nominated.”

Floyd says she’s dedicated to helping people. She says even though she’s ready to hit the ground running on her career path,  being nominated for one of the nation’s highest honors would help make her dreams reality.

“I want to be a child therapist, or work in human resources, or something like that, I want to talk to people and see how they feel, get to know what’s going on in their lives and help them.”

Floyd plans to go to Monroe Community College and major in psychology. Then, grad school. She says learning how to make a difference in someone’s life is her mission. Kwame Donko-Hanson, principal of school 58, says he’s so proud to have students like Floyd walking the  halls.

“Showing up, doing the work, being a model citizen, being scholars, being an example in the community, knowing how to resolve differences and conflict resolution,” Donko-Hanson said.

The state education department nominates, and then awards high school seniors across New York based on excellence in academics, community service, commitment to career goals and more. Floyd says all these attributes reflect who she is a person, and he hopes she’s chosen.

“I do all my work, and I help other students and stuff, and I’m always cheery and even if it’s a bad day, I’ll come to school and make people laugh.”

New York Assemblyman Demond Meeks recommended Floyd, saying, “Jasmyne has shown tremendous amount of dedication towards her education.”

After winners are chosen, the scholarship is awarded in June.