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Portraits of Success
Student profiles
Latasha Garrison-Fullwood | Zalika Nisbeth | Tyrell Johnson | Chris Evans | Deandra Green | Stephanie Delk Jonathan Harrington & Thomas Sweat | Yasmeen Green | Tameka Williams | Nathaniel Herring
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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2006 Graduates... Where are they now?
Tall and quiet. Yet when he can, he'll throw a pretty good one-liner your way. When thinking about him, confidence, humor, kindness and determination come to mind. Christopher Evans is a 2006 St. Pius V graduate and is now a sophomore at Bishop Kenny Catholic High School.
Christopher is maintaining a "B" average and finds the biggest challenge is staying organized. He states that high school forces you to sharpen your organizational skills and he thinks his are well on their way.
Based on the sheer number of activities he participates in, he IS well organized. In his freshman year at Kenny, he joined the marching band playing the saxophone. Shortly thereafter, he switched to the trombone. After football season, he joined the Kenny symphonic band and played in the Christmas program. He has traveled to Savannah to participate in the St. Patrick's Day parade. He was invited to participate in the Festival of Winds at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He is a true musician in the making.
As if all that isn't enough, Christopher took summer classes in order to join the Bishop Kenny NJROTC where he is a Cadet Petty Officer, 2nd Class, assistant to the historian and ceremonial platoon commander. Just recently he has been accepted in the Tri-M Music Society at BK (Modern Music Masters). All this he sums up with "I love being part of the Bishop Kenny community."
Christopher has his future planned, college first and then the military band. He says he knows he must do what he has to in order to do what he wants. He contributes the ROTC for his discipline and advanced maturity. He considers his solid foundation a gift from his loving parents and his educational success to St. Pius V School.
Sitting down with Ms. DeAndrea Green, Holy Rosary Class of 2006, confirmed what we are accomplishing on the north side of Jacksonville. In a word, Excellence.
DeAndrea is now a sophomore at Bolles School, maintaining a "A-B" average. She is enjoying the diversity of the student population and has made many new friends.
Not only is DeAndrea holding her own academically, she also plays outfield on the school softball team and participates in Pathfinders in her west side church.
Rose Hanson, DeAndrea's mother, takes her to school daily, a 30 minute drive each way. Occasionally she'll gets a ride with a friend. Rose doesn't consider this a sacrifice but a blessing. She is very aware of the opportunity her daughter has been given by receiving this scholarship. Her face shows the gratitude better than words could express.
DeAndrea aspires to be a pediatrician and minor in child psychology. She prays daily for the Lord's guidance, spends the summers playing tennis and caring for her little sister, Lydia Rose, a Holy Rosary pre-k four year old.
When asked what she'd like for Christmas, "Nothing in particular" was the answer. She received everything she wanted at a recent Sweet 16 Birthday party. She suggested that she not get gifts for her 14th and 15th birthdays in order to have the Sweet 16 Party she'd been dreaming of, which she did. Growing up she desired books, clothes and shoes as presents versus toys and games.
DeAndrea's hope for the future is to attend an Ivy League college or the University of Florida. She looks forward to a future that will allow her to return all the gifts she has been given.
She credits Holy Rosary for giving her the educational and spiritual foundation needed for a successful and positive future. There is no doubt we will see much more of her and we wish DeAndrea the very best the future has to offer.
St. Pius V Class of 2004
Stephanie Delk graduated from William H. Raines High School in May. After receiving her final report card she send a copy to St. Pius V principal, Sr. Elise Kennedy. Her 4th semester grades were 6 A’s and 2 B’s and Stephanie’s final exam average was a B+. Stephanie’s mom, Madie wrote “Stephanie has applied for an academic scholarship with on campus living at the University of North Florida. Thanks so much for the excellent teaching you gave her. She is doing wonderful.” Great Work Stephanie!!