Sean Knight, just do it, I did it award, South
Plantation High School. I am Sean Knight.
I am a senior at Selploitation High School. My favorite
subject besides PE and art is math. I have taken
all the required classes in the first quarter of this year.
I've gotten all A's in one B. I also qualified for
senior privilege. Senior privilege is when you get out on 7th period
while in a gold day.
My parents are caring and they've looked out for my condition all my life.
I love the way my mom supports me the way she gives and my dad with
his helpful teachings.
I've been in special classes from pre-K to 10th grade.
Until the moment I realized that I had gotten even smarter, I started taking
regular classes in 10th grade. It was my disability that gave me
the ability to become smarter and have more experiences than
before. I was nervous about getting into regular classes in 10th
grade, so I follow up what my teacher said and with the
help of Miss Austin to overcome my nervousness. Also, it was
about getting good grades that I had to work towards.
I had been involved in attending art club. It was my
disability that gave me the ability to participate because drawing
has been one of my favorite hobbies to cherish before, now and
then.
I have spent several memorable moments with my best friend
Sonny. I have known him since Seminole Middle School.
We have spent time playing arcade, watching movies,
spending Halloween together, and more. This friendship makes me
feel fully accepted.
When I was in 10th grade, my favorite guidance counselor, Ms. Fra
Ball, supported me in learning what my bright future is,
which helped me go through the rest of my high school years. She
inspired me to keep striving for my goals. I overcome the
challenges that raised my spirits to continue to thrive throughout the rest of my
high school years.
Garcia has been a great conscience to soothe my reputation.
Whenever I am struggling, I ask my teacher
permission to be excused to my guidance counselor. He helped me
overcome the challenges I faced in 11th grade. After
being a junior, I made a lot of progress throughout 12th grade so
far.
I hope for people to be aware of autism, for those who we
are to fight for, to know that autism can be specially be treated
to fill the lives with purposes of their own unique choices like mine.
Whenever you are struggling, when you have autism
at times like this, when you are in regular classes,
just take a deep breath, let it out.
And just go with the flow and not have to worry about anything, just
do your best. And you'll eventually
get the hang of it.
Chandler Palos do it, I Did It
Award Hallendale High School.
Chandler's journey from being recognized with a Just Do It
I Did It Award in 4th grade at Hollandale Elementary
to becoming a cardiac rehabilitation technician at
Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness and Rehabilitation
Center is truly inspiring. I wanted to get a job
in the health. Industry because I want to support others
in need as well as my family and myself.
Now as a student in the work-based learning experience
program, Chandler has successfully transitioned into
full-time employment. One of my career goals is to
excel in the rehab center. Earn recognition
and raises and secure full-time
position. He started his training during the
2023, 2024 school year,
supported by his job coach who provided guidance and support.
Coming in with a positive attitude on time
and of course doing everything as expected.
Today he is fully employed. At work, he plays a
crucial role in maintaining and preparing medical equipment
and documents for patient care. I've never been truly
overwhelmed by the quantity of my workload, more so the
difficulty of it, but I've handled the situation
by staying calm, asking questions when needed.
And taking it one step at a time until
mastery. His use of the tops transit system for
commuting shows his capability and independence.
Looking ahead, Chandler's aspiration to take vocational
courses. Reflects his commitment to continue his
growth and his ambition to further his career in the
healthcare field. I am a doer. If you need something
done, I will get it done as soon as possible and
with maximum efficiency.
Hayley Oliver, just do it. I did it award,
Arc Broward. When Hailey first entered
our school, she was unable to walk independently without
assistance or her walker. This school year she
has progressed a lot and has overcome her limitations and
now is walking independently with just her
AFOs and even pushes staff away when they try to
hold her hand. Hailey has also improved
socially and communicates by using words and has
learned how to use a simple communication device.
She spread so much cheer when she walks into the building, and we
are more than happy to nominate her for this award.
Dylan Martinez, just do it I did it award,
Sheridan Technical College. Dylan Martinez
has made a great deal of progress in career placement at
Sheridan Technical College since he has started here last
year. He is always willing to help his peers and
staff at school. His social skills have improved
greatly. He has made friends at school and is well liked
and respected. He has his learner's permit and
schedules his tops independently to get to and from
work. This year, he is dual enrolled in a network
systems administration computer course, where he currently
has an A in the class. Dylan deserves to be
recognized as an exemplary student.
Jayden Lodge, just do it I did it award,
Everglades High School. Jaden is an
outstanding human being and student. He has a
selfless and helpful attitude and is always willing to go above
and beyond to make everything happen. He belongs to
various organizations and has been an organizer and founder of
various clubs in school. Jayden is president of Best
Buddies and an organizer for eSports and gives morning
announcements as an SGA member. In
addition, Jaden is a member of the Black Student Union,
Page Turner Book Club, Florida Future
Educators of America, GTV
Videography, Key Club, and
National English Honor Society. Jayden has
a diagnosis of autism, specific learning disability,
and language impairment. Higher level language
concepts are a challenge, but he wants to be an author.
Managing conversations was a difficult task, but with
determination, he has turned his challenge into a leadership
tool by communicating with others. Jayden is
an asset to his classes because of his contribution and
participation. He manages all of this by
keeping a 3.4 GPA.
Richardson and Nicholas Singer. Just do
it. We did it award, Hollywood Hills High
School. Josiah joined the school's jazz
band last year through self advocacy and
independently attended the elective in 2024.
This year he requested to join the marching band despite not knowing
the music or routines, assuring the band director he would
learn. Nicholas Sanger, the trumpet section leader,
stepped up as a mentor, taking Josias under his wing.
Nick worked with Josias outside of school hours as his
band buddy, encouraging and supporting him to build the
confidence and skills needed to succeed in this program.
Their partnership is a powerful example of inclusive
practices and student mentorship. Josiah's
determination and willingness to learn have led him to thrive in
multiple bands, becoming a confident and contributing member
of the music program. Meanwhile, Nick's
leadership, empathy, and dedication to helping others has
grown as he has supported Josias. Together
they exemplify the impact of teamwork, perseverance,
and meaningful support embodying the true spirit of the
Jess Doit Awards.
Jeremiah King. Just do it. I did it award,
William Dandy Middle School. Jeremiah King is an
exceptional student whose resilience, determination, and
leadership make him a worthy candidate for the Just Do It I Did It
award. As a student in the exceptional student
education ESE program. He has overcome the
challenges of special learning disability, SLD
and speech impairment SI to
consistently achieve academic excellence, scoring level
fours and fives on the Florida standards assessments
and maintaining outstanding grades across all subjects.
Jeremiah's commitment to his education is both remarkable and
inspiring. In addition to his academic achievements,
Jeremiah actively participates in the 5000
role model of excellence and his school's
law programs. His involvement in these activities
demonstrates his strong leadership skills, focus on personal
growth and aspiration to become a lawyer.
His story embodies the spirit of the just do it I did it
award, facing challenges head-on, excelling through
perseverance and inspiring others along the way.
Joaquin Delia and Genesis Rosario,
Jez do it we did it award, Driftwood Middle School.
Joaquim has a significant deficit in math and needs
consistent one on one explanations and
support to attempt any math problems. Genesis,
without prompting from anyone, saw the need and selfishly
assumed the role of helping Joaquin. In any
given day when one enters their math class, one can
observe Genesis patiently explaining concepts to
Joaquin. Her kindness, helpfulness, and
patience has helped to erase some of Joaquin's fear of
numbers to the point where he is attempting to do math problems on
his own.
Her line Xavier, just do it I did it award,
Cypress Elementary School. Hairline,
diagnosed with a specific learning disability in 2021,
has demonstrated extraordinary growth and transformation since
the 3rd grade. Initially quiet and struggling with reading and
math, she has emerged in 4th grade as a motivated and
determined student. Now in 5th grade,
hairline's progress is marked by increased independence,
reduced support needs, and exemplary leadership as a safety
patrol and role model. She is respected for her
kindness, inclusivity, and responsible behavior,
earning admiration from peers and teachers alike.
Hairline embodies quiet yet impactful leadership,
handling challenges with maturity and grace.
Her perseverance, positivity, and dedication make her
a shining example of success and inspiration
within her school and family.
Sebastian Monzo Ortega and Jackson
Wagner, Jez do it we did it award, Pembroke Lakes
Elementary School. Sebastian and Jackson
share a special friendship that highlights the beauty of
inclusion. Sebastian is a nonverbal student
enrolled in the intellectual disability program at
Pembroke Lakes Elementary. Jackson, who is
in a general education class, participates in
specials alongside Sebastian's special program class.
During these specials, Jackson consistently supports Sebastian, helping
him engage in activities such as navigating the computer,
using necessary tools for instruction, and participating in
physical education. Whenever Jackson approaches
Sebastian, it brings out smiles and laughter from him.
Even though Sebastian is nonverbal, it's clear that he enjoys
and values his time spent with Jackson. Their
relationship exemplifies the power of friendship and support in