A Future Leader and Past Graduate of Our Schools

Guardian Catholic Schools is justifiably proud of the students that graduate from Holy Rosary and St. Pius. With a high school graduation rate approaching 90%, our schools have a long record of service to our community. St. Pius just celebrated 80 years of service to the African-American community.

Additionally, Holy Rosary has been educating future leaders for over 45 years. One of these alumnae is Jacksonville attorney Ms. Latasha Garrison. Latasha is a 1986 graduate of Holy Rosary, who then went on to attend Bishop Kenny High School, the University of Florida for undergraduate work and then graduated from UF Law School in 1999. While in law school, Ms. Garrison served on the trial team and served as the Program and Development Senior Board member for the Journal of Law and Public Policy. After graduation with honors, Latasha joined the law firm of Foley and Lardner as an attorney in the Labor and Employment Practice Group. She was recently named as an “Up and Comer” by the Jacksonville Business Journal and serves on numerous boards for civic organizations.

Ms. Garrison expresses enormous appreciation for her parents and their decision to send her to Holy Rosary. Ms. Garrison’s parents felt that Latasha would be more challenged and in a more disciplined environment at Holy Rosary. For seven years, Latasha benefited from the caring and demanding teachers. She feels that the religious education helped mold her values and that her education at Holy Rosary was the basis for her future success, critical thinking and decisions making skills.

Latasha learned some of life’s simple but profound lessons at Holy Rosary: try hard, respect others, and maintain a positive attitude. Ms. Garrison continues her association with Holy Rosary. Last year, Latasha taught trial advocacy skills to the 8th grade class, thus, introducing them to the legal profession and our legal processes. While Latasha Garrison is exceptional, she is not the exception.
Our schools work and the quality of our graduates is our proudest achievement.

 

2002 Graduates of Saint Pius V

Zalika Nesbith is a St. Pius graduate, class of 2002. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High in 2006 and was presented with St. Pius V’s 2006 Sister Catherine Academic Award. She was a member of the National Honors Society since 11th grade, captain of the girl’s golf team for four years, a member of the Renaissance Club and has earned two letterman’s jackets. Zalika has sung in her church choir since she was nine years old and has been on the announcement committee since 2003. She spent countless hours volunteering at Shands of Jacksonville in the pediatric sickle cell unit and as a candy striper assisting floor nurses. Zalika is also involved with First Tee working as a youth counselor at the golf course.

 

Zalika earned the following awards and honors during her high school tenure:

• Who’s Who Among American High School Students Inductee for 4 years
• National Honor Roll Inductee for 4 years
• Placed 2nd in Duval County’s Girls’ Gateway Conference for Golf
• Recipient of the Earl Woods Playing Though Determination Golf Scholarship

In the 2005-2006 School Year:

• High School pageant winner “Miss Andrew Jackson”
• Duval County’s Governor’s High School All-Star recognized by Governor Jeb Bush
• Student Leader from Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Program 2005
• Duval County’s Girls’ Gateway Conference Winner for Golf Winner 2005 Zalika’s grade point average is 4.32 and she ranked 1st out of 249 seniors.

Tyrell Johnson, a 2002 St. Pius graduate, was presented with St. Pius V’s 2006 Samuel George Athletic Award. He graduated from Terry Parker High School in 2006 and that fall started Alabama State. He was the president of The Men of Distinction and for three years and was on the basketball team, serving as captain in his last season. He was also a member of the track and field team. Tyrell ranked 2nd in Terry Parker High history in the high jump, 3rd in the long jump and 5th in the triple jump. He helped to set a new school record in the 4 x 400 meter relay. At the 2005 state championships, Tyrell ranked 8th in the high jump despite receiving 30 stitches earlier that day from an injury on the long jump.

Tyrell’s history teacher and coach Mr. Poole said, “From my first encounter with Tyrell, I was impressed with his gentle but serious and respectful demeanor.” Mr. Day, other of Tyrell’s teachers, said “During the peak of basketball season Tyrell remained focused and never used basketball as an excuse to diminish his efforts in class.”

Mr. Wells who coaches the boy’s basketball team stated, “He was truly one of the leaders on the court, in the classroom and in the community. Tyrell is one of the best athletes I’ve had the pleasure of coaching but most importantly, he is a better person than he is an athlete.”

Tyrell has received the following awards and titles:

• 8th in the 4A State track meet in the high jump
• 11th in the 4A State track long jump
• Selected for the 1st All Tournament Team in the Arlington Lion’s Club Tournament
• All Conference in track
• District champion in high jump
• District champion in long jump
• District runner-up in the triple jump

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