Four staff members from the University of South Florida’s Sarasota-Manasota campus served as judges for the 2023 Golden Herald Awards, a prestigious prize that honors high school seniors in Manatee County for their service to their schools and to the community.
Volunteer judges evaluated finalists and their applications in 16 categories during interviews on March 25. The winners and honorable mentions will be announced April 13 during a ceremony at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
The Golden Herald judges this year included USF Sarasota-Manatee campus staff members Darren Gambrell, associate director of diversity, equity and inclusion; Kristi Hoskinson, assistant vice president, strategy and campus initiatives; Sandra Justice, associate director of research; and Cayla Lanier, assistant dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
“The opportunity to serve as a judge has been an incredible honor,” Justice said. “What the students had in common was a shared sense of purpose to give back to their community. A number of programs were foundational to preparing these students on their path of excellence, including but not limited to CyberPatriot and Take Stock in Children. Listening to these high-achieving students reinforced for me the importance of community engagement and the impact outreach programs can have for families.”
“It was an incredible experience. I was impressed by the leadership and servant hearts of these young adults,” Hoskinson said.
Lanier said she was a judge in the English/Literature category.
“I was moved by the stories shared by each of the students. Though they are planning to pursue careers in pathology, civil engineering, and psychology, they described the impact literature has had on their interests, passions, and outlooks on the world.
“All of these young women were inspired by stories to engage deeply with their local communities through volunteerism and service,” Lanier said.
The Bradenton Herald started the Golden Heralds in 1978, and for the past several years they have been presented by Manatee Memorial Hospital.