GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announced Monday the 27th Annual
Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team, a recognition program that honors 24 graduating student-athletes who excel in both athletics and academics. With this being one of the most important special recognition programs the FHSAA sponsors, 12 girls and 12 boys from all over the state will be awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships.
“The hardworking men and women of Florida’s dairy industry are honored to recognize the significant accomplishments of these amazing student-athletes,” says
Florida Dairy Farmers CEO, Michele Cooper. “We’re excited to support a program that has a great tradition of encouraging excellence on the field and in the classroom and we’re proud to support students that have the special mix of work ethic and determination required to succeed at both.”
To be eligible for this award, students must be a graduating senior with a minimum 3.5 unweighted grade point average and earned a minimum of two varsity letters in at least two different sports during their junior and senior year. The
2021 Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team selection committee received applications from 59 male nominees and 72 female nominees across the state. Each nominee was evaluated on their athletic participation, academic record, extracurricular activities, community service and essay.
Each Florida Dairy Famers Academic All-State Team member will receive a $1,700 scholarship and a commemorative medallion. Out of the 24 All-State Team members, one male and one female will be named the Ronald N. Davis Scholar-Athletes of the Year, the FHSAA’s most prestigious honor bestowed on any active student-athlete. The winners of this award, which will be announced over a live broadcast of the awards ceremony on
NFHS Network, will earn a commemorative trophy and an additional $4,600 in scholarship funds – $6,300 in total.
The members of the 2021 Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team are:
Jack Adams, Episcopal School (Jacksonville) – Jack Adams owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks in the top of his class. He lettered in cross country and tennis for all four years and soccer for two years. Jack is a member of the National Honor Society, Cum Laude Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Through his work with Heart of Africa, Dance Marathon and service as a freshman orientation leader, Jake has earned over 160 community service hours. He is the son of John and Ashley Adams and plans on studying economics at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina this fall.
Brooks Bak, Plant (Tampa) – Brooks Bak owns a 3.98 GPA and is in the top of his class. He lettered in baseball and football all four years of high school. Brooks is graduating as the president of the Gold and Black Honor Society and has volunteered over 160 hours with Key Club, Beta Honor Society, Best Buddies and Dance for Haiti. He is the son of Rosalind and Jeff Bak and plans on studying business economics at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York this fall.
Flynn Baliton, Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) – Flynn Baliton owns a 3.94 GPA and ranks fifth in her senior class. She lettered in three sports (competitive cheerleading, weightlifting, track & field) and is a two-time girls weightlifting regional champion. Flynn is a member of National Honor Society, Ambassadors Club, Spanish Honor Society, Florida High School Athletic Association Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and Mu Alpha Theta. Flynn has over 270 community service hours. She is the daughter of Shannon Baliton and plans on studying biomedical engineering at University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida this fall.
Emma Davey, Trinity Prep (Winter Park) – Emma Davey owns a 4.0 GPA and is in the top of her class. She earned varsity letters in three sports (cross country, track and field and weightlifting). Outside of sports, she participated in Girl Scouts, Best Buddies, National Honor Society and Girls in STEM. Emma has over 165 community service hours through her work with Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida and Trinity Prep. She is the daughter of Scott and Catherine Davey and plans to study chemistry in college next year.
Zachary Harrigan, Steinbrenner (Lutz) – Zachary Harrigan owns a 4.0 GPA and is in the top of his class. He lettered in cross country and track and field for all four years of high school. He was a member of the 2019 Florida High School Cross Country State Championship team. Zachary earned over 225 hours of community service working the Humane Society, Idlewild Baptist Church and Feeding Tampa Bay. He is the son of Maribeth and Sean Harrigan and plans on studying biomedical sciences at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama this fall.
Hartley Hill, Plant (Tampa) – Hartley Hill owns a 4.0 GPA and is in the top of her class. The National Merit Commended Scholar earned nine varsity letters in cross country, tennis, track and field and lacrosse. Hartley is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, KIWI Service Club, Latin Honor Society and National Honor Society. She raised over $83,000 for cancer research her junior year and has over 300 hours of community service. She is the daughter of Michelle and Ben Hill and plans on studying business at University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia this fall.
Julia Horn, Spanish River (Boca Raton) – Julia Horn owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks first in her class of over 500 students. The Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction earned varsity letters in three sports (cross country, track and field and weightlifting) and holds the school record in pole vault and shuttle hurdle relay. Julia is graduating as the Editor-in-Chief of The Galleon and is a member of National Business Honor Society and DECA. Julia has over 500 hours of community service. She is the daughter of Jenny and Douglas Horn and plans on studying engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York this fall.
Jennifer Jacoby, Cape Coral – Jennifer Jacoby owns a 4.0 GPA and is in the top of her class. She lettered in volleyball, cross country and track and field. Jennifer was named to the All-Area Cross Country Second Team her senior year. She is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Lee County Student Advisory Committee, Seahawk’s Eye Newspaper, Model United Nations and Fashion Club. She has over 240 community service hours. She is the daughter of Kellie and Brandon Jacoby and plans on studying international studies and political sciences at University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida this fall.
Zachariah John, Florida Atlantic University High School (Boca Raton) – Zachariah John owns a 3.94 GPA and is in the top of his class. The National Merit Finalist earned varsity letters in cross country and track and field all four years of high school. Zachariah is a student ambassador and member of the Florida High School Athletic Association Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He has earned over 500 community service hours volunteering with FAU Athletics, 4Freedom, Bethesda Hospital and Jupiter Medical Center. He is the son of Saji John and plans on studying science, technology, and international affairs at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. this fall.
Kai Komatsu, Olympia (Orlando) – Kai Komatsu owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks third in his senior class of over 700 students. He earned varsity letters in cross country and track and field all four years of high school and was named to the West Orange All-Area Track and Field Second Team in 2019. Kai is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, Science Olympiad and has over 100 community service hours. He is the son of Naho and Naoyuki Komatsu and plans on studying mechanical engineering at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida this fall.
Ethan Lantzy, Jupiter – Ethan Lantzy owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks sixth in his senior class of over 700 students. The Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor earned varsity letters in cross country and track and field. Ethan is a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Rho Kappa, Spanish National Honor Society, and the Green Initiative Club. He has volunteered his time with Limestock Creek Elementary, Red Cross Foundation, and the Jupiter Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy Green Run. He is the son of Marcella Lantzy and plans on studying environmental science at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida this fall.
Marcus Lisman, Bishop Moore (Orlando) – Marcus Lisman owns a 4.0 GPA and is in the top of his class. The National Merit Commended Scholar lettered in cross country and track and field all four years of high school. He is a member of Hornet House of Representatives, TAME Project, National Honor Society, Chemistry Club, Rho Kappa and has over 200 community service hours. He is the son of Herman and Clara Lisman and plans on studying economics and computer science at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut this fall .
Katerina Nikiforova, Marathon – Katerina Nikiforova owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks first in her senior class. The National Merit Finalist lettered in three sports (cross country, track and field and swimming and diving) and holds the school record in the high jump. Katerina has played the saxophone all four years of high school and is a member of Academic Challenge, National Honor Society and Chess Club. She earned over 250 community service hours volunteering with Technology Education and Engineering Club and Mu Alpha Theta. She is the daughter of Galina and Andrey Nikiforova and plans on studying computer science at Carnagie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this fall.
Caroline Orcutt, Fort Walton Beach – Caroline Orcutt owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks third in her class of over 400 students. The 2020 National High School Heisman winner earned varsity letters in cross country, swimming and diving, soccer and track and field. Caroline is a member of Beta Club, I am Enough Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and Student Council. Caroline received the Girl Scout Gold award and has over 1,350 community service hours. She is the daughter of Teresa and Daniel Orcutt and plans to study biology at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan this fall.
Daniela Paredes, Maclay (Tallahassee) – Daniela Paredes owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks fourth in her senior class. The Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction lettered in swimming and diving, track and field, weightlifting and soccer. Daniela is the Senior Class Vice President and is a member of multiple honor societies (Spanish, Science, Math and National) and participated in Dance Marathon all four years of high school. She has over earned over 175 community service hours. She is the daughter of Alfredo and Maria Paredes and plans on studying philosophy at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida this fall.
Thomas Pitchford, Marathon – Thomas Pitchford owns a 4.0 GPA, ranks second in his senior class and is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. He earned varsity letters in cross country, track and field and weightlifting. Thomas served as Student Government president his senior year and was a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and National Computer Science Honor Society. He is the son of Meghan Richardson and plans on studying ocean engineering at the United State Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland this fall.
Hayaat Kay-Ramos, Gulliver Prep (Pinecrest) – Hayaat Kay-Ramos owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks in the top of his class. He lettered swimming and diving and water polo all four years of high school and was named to the All-Dade Water Polo Second Team in 2019. Hayaat is a member of National Business Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Cum Laude Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa, Chinese Honor Society and has over 500 community service hours. He is the son of Zeinab and Olukayode Ramos and plans on studying finance at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this fall.
Kasey Singer, Clearwater Central Catholic – Kasey Singer owns a 4.0 GPA and is in the top of her class. She lettered in three sports (cross country, volleyball and track and field). Kasey was a member of Student Council all four years of high school and was a member of Peer Ministry and Drama Club. She has given back to her community by donating masks to All Children’s Hospital and Town of Belleair and volunteering with Morning Star School. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Cheryl Singer and plans on studying exercise kinesiology at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida this fall.
Walter Stahll, Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs) – Walter Stahll owns a 3.96 GPA and is the valedictorian of his class of over 600 students. The National Merit Commended Scholar earned varsity letters in cross country and track and field for all four years. Walter is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, SALT, German Club and has over 300 community service hours. He is the son of Walter and Lisa Stahll and plans on studying computer engineering at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida this fall.
Michael Sweeney, Maclay (Tallahassee) – Michael Sweeney owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks third in his class. The National Merit Finalist lettered in three sports (cross country, soccer, and tennis) all four years of high school. Michael served as Student Council president his senior year and was a member of his school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Michael has over 350 community service hours. He is the son of Timothy and Renee Sweeney and plans to study computer science at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Gerogia this fall.
Brogan Tagman, Boone (Orlando) – Brogan Tagman owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks first in his senior class of over 600 students. He earned varsity letters in football and lacrosse all four years of high school. Brogan is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. He has over 300 hours of community service with the Boy Scouts of America and was named an Eagle Scout his junior year. He is the son of Keith and Suzanne Tagman and plans to study computer science at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida this fall.
Gabriella Vera, Evangelical Christian (Fort Myers) – Gabriella Vera owns a 4.0 GPA and ranks in the top of her class. She has lettered in four sports (basketball, softball, tennis, and volleyball). She is a member of Student Government, Sentinel Sisters, Pep Club, Worship Team and A-Team Academic Team. Gabriella has over 460 community service hours from volunteering her time with Fort Myers Summer Shootout, First Assembly of God Youth Group, ECS Volleyball Camp, and ECS Development Sports Programs. She is the daughter of Victor and Ginette Vera and plans on studying business administration at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida this fall.
Olivia Walton, Aucilla Christian (Monticello) – Olivia Walton owns a 4.0 GPA and is in the top of her class. She lettered in three sports (basketball, tennis, and volleyball). Olivia was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Beta Club all four years of high school. She has over 300 community service hours through her work with Aucilla Christian, Beta Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is the daughter of Katrina and Jay Walton and plans on studying accounting at Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia this fall.
Lindsey Weingard, Dr. Krop (Miami) – Lindsey Weingard owns a 4.0 GPA and is in the top 1% of her senior class of over 500 students. The National Hispanic Merit Scholar lettered in three sports (basketball, flag football, and bowling). Lindsey eclipsed over 1,500 career points in basketball and was named to Miami Herald’s All-Dade Flag Football Second Team and All-Dade Bowling First Team. She served as president of the Technology Student Association and was a member of Interclub Community Council and National Honor Society. Lindsey has earned over 600 community service hours. She is the daughter of Joshua and Lizette Weingard and plans on studying environmental engineering at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina next fall.
About Florida Dairy Farmers
Florida Dairy Farmers (FDF) is Florida’s milk promotion organization, representing the state’s hardworking dairy farm families who locally produce more than 300 million gallons of fresh milk each year. FDF’s sponsorship of the Academic All-State Team complements the organization’s long history of supporting Florida’s student-athletes.
About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association supervises and regulates interscholastic athletic programs for high school students at member public, private and charter schools. The organization also recognizes and honors academic achievement among student-athletes at almost 800 middle, junior and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the official governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.