It was a day filled with excitement, pride, and a touch of nostalgia as we gathered together to honor the remarkable achievements of the River City Science Academy graduating class of 2023. The air buzzed with anticipation as families, friends, faculty, and distinguished guests filled the grand auditorium at UNF.

The ceremony commenced with a procession of the graduates, dressed in their elegant caps and gowns. The sight of their beaming faces, a reflection of years of hard work and dedication, created an atmosphere of joy and accomplishment.

Graduates:

Hamza Ababseh, Nathnael Abate, Kristen Abernathy, Aylen Aguirre-Blancarte, Eldina Alajbegovic, Hamza Al-krad, Ali Alqanas, Hasan Al-Saedi, Kiala Altenor, Kinda Alwardi, Yoselin Antonio-Sanchez, Ali Attia, Caroline-May Aurelio, Gong Awet, Fatima Ayoub, Ehsan Ayoubi, Maikol Baez Ramos, Emill Beganovic, Shacondra Bracy, Aldin Brkic, Alex Cervantes, Jessica Chahin, Solomon Cahu, Silvia Colon, Xavier Colon, Gage Conrad, Evan Consuegra, Aleigha Davis, Gavin Dawson, Yuriy Dekalskyy, Christian Desouza, Oakley Dorrian, Omer Dur, Iyah-Rae Dyer, Riley Eastham, Samira Eminova, Lonna Enright, Mariann Falcon, Kimberly Fejza, Isaias Fonseca, Taylor Frazier, Chermaine Gildore, Joseph Glespen, Emma Gowans, Nasir Grant, Kirsten Green, Amelia Hannah, Abigail Harrison, Alexandra Heneck, Michelle Hernandez, Jonathan Houston, Myanh Huynh, Aleks Ivanov, Dez’neya Johnson, Darhensky Jovin, Jumma Jumma, Mohammad Kamakhli, Haide Kassab, Tina Keshavarz, Onur Kiroglu, Ethan Linton, Arianna Litchfield, Jasmin Ljeskovica, Ethan Loncke, Gabrielle Love, Kyle Martin, Elvis Medic, Zamira Mendez, Laura Miller, Maryam Mohsin, Nooralhuda Mohsin, Daniel Mora, Justin Mota, Adam Muratagic, Adrian Norman, Madison O’Shields, Yaira Ocasio, Jaslyn Olvera, Muhammad Ouadouha, Jacob Pinon, Abigail Rautter, Mohammad Rawahneh, Alayna Roberts, Shaina Robinson, Emily Rodriguez, Christian Rojas, Hunter Ryan, Koji Samonte, Savannah Sargeant, Marlene Silva-Juarez, Ian Silvestriz-Benite, Isaiah Smith, Noah Spink, Habtamu Stephens, Cailyn Stewart, Jazmin Stroughter, Alice Thigpen, Logan Thomas, Khayli Waldschmidt, Cherish Washington, Logan Waters, Lailah Wiener, Amelia Wilkinson, Luke Williams, Marquis Williams, Mackenzie Willis, Gaven Wright, Heaven Wright, Daniela Zavala, Zani Zerman, Mihaela Zhivkoska, and Mirza Zukic.

The air grew still as the enchanting voice of Ms. Zahara Mauldin filled the room, resonating with the patriotic spirit that embraced the moment. The grandeur of her rendition of the National Anthem captivated the audience, stirring a sense of unity and pride within each heart present. Her powerful vocals soared through the air, carrying the weight of history and the promise of a bright future.

Dean of Students, Ms. Crews, moved the crowd with an address to the graduates. Her words resonated with wisdom and compassion as she urged the graduates to pause for a moment and express heartfelt gratitude to those who had supported them throughout their educational journey. Ms. Crews’ heartfelt speech moved the crowd, touching upon the invaluable role played by parents, family members, friends, mentors, and faculty in nurturing the graduates’ growth and success. She emphasized the power of gratitude, urging the graduates to acknowledge the unwavering support, sacrifices, and encouragement they had received along the way.

Founder and Executive Director of River City Science Academy (RCSA), Dr. Dogan Tozoglu, took the stage next for opening remarks. His presence commanded respect and admiration as he embarked on a heartfelt journey, recounting the remarkable story of the school’s evolution. With genuine warmth in his voice, Dr. Tozoglu acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the various groups and clubs, as well as the parents, faculty, and administration that had become integral parts of the RCSA experience.

In a poignant moment of recognition, Dr. Tozoglu turned his attention to a special group of graduates, whose journey had intertwined with the very inception of the school. These remarkable individuals had started their educational journey as wide-eyed kindergarteners, embracing the RCSA community from its earliest days. With a tinge of nostalgia and immense pride, Dr. Tozoglu warmly acknowledged their perseverance and growth, celebrating their remarkable achievement of graduating from the very institution that had shaped their educational paths for over a decade.

The evening’s keynote speaker was Dr. Matthew Ohlson, Director of the Taylor Leadership Institute and Associate Professor of Leadership at the University of North Florida. He has has served as a Leadership Coach to 7 Olympians, 15 professional athletes, and more than 500 educational leaders throughout the nation. Dr. Ohlson began by giving our school the highest compliment by saying:

“River City is something special… River City is one of the best schools I have seen in the entire world.”

The Three A’s:

Dr. Ohlson then asked the graduates to take a selfie of themselves and send it to at least 2 or 3 people in their network, anyone who made an impact in their life. He asked that the message of APPRECIATION include three words:

We did it.

To highlight the importance of recognizing ACHIEVEMENT, Dr. Ohlson asked the graduates to turn to the person sitting next to them and introduce themselves, and share what makes them phenomenal. He then invited the audience to participate and share personal achievements.

In conclusion, Dr. Ohlson reminded the graduates to take ACTION every day to be better versions on themselves.

Dr. Ohlson’s keynote address was a powerful reminder that the path to success is paved with appreciation, achievement, and unwavering action. His words of wisdom echoed in the hearts of the graduates, serving as a beacon of light as they ventured into the uncharted territories of their future endeavors.

Mr. Payne, with great admiration, took a moment to recognize the esteemed honors members of the National Honor Society and the AP Capstone Program.

Next, 4 incredible students were recognized for their contributions towards Science Olympiad by Mr. Dastan.

Dr. Dogan Tozoglu returned to the stage to present the Dorrian Scholarship program to deserving senior, Marlene Silva-Juarez.

Valedictorian Aleks Ivanov stepped up to the podium next. His words echoed with appreciation, recognizing the profound impact that his mother and father have made in shaping his character and fostering his intellectual growth. Through moments of vulnerability and reflection, Aleks reminded his peers of the challenges they had overcome together, the bonds they had forged, and the memories they would carry with them into the next chapter of their lives.

With warm sentiments, Hasan Alsaedi then introduced the 2023 Senior Video.

The moment came for the presentation of diplomas by Mr. Crotty and Ms. Lewis. The sense of accomplishment and gratitude was palpable as diplomas were handed out, symbolizing the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

Ms. Ashley Cetin, Senior Class Advisor returned for this ceremony to recognize this year’s graduates with a beautiful speech and officially lead the turning of the tassels, symbolizing the transition from students to alumni. It was a symbolic gesture that marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, one filled with endless possibilities and opportunities.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the room erupted in thunderous applause, a resounding tribute to the graduates’ perseverance and accomplishments. With hearts full of hope, the graduates left the auditorium, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead, armed with knowledge, experiences, and memories that would forever shape their lives.

The graduation ceremony was a testament to the power of education, the celebration of hard work, and the profound impact that a supportive community can have on one’s journey. It was a day that will be cherished in the hearts of the graduates and their loved ones, serving as a reminder of their extraordinary achievements and the boundless potential that lies within each and every one of them.

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2023! May your future endeavors be filled with success, fulfillment, and endless opportunities to make a positive difference in the world.