With graduation season in full swing, many seniors from Florida universities are not only celebrating academic achievements but also personal milestones. This article takes a closer look at some of these students’ journeys, highlighting their challenges, triumphs, and future aspirations.

Featured Graduates:

Karina Keifitz – Legal Prodigy

Graduating from Florida International University at the age of 16, Karina Keifitz has achieved significant milestones, including an associate’s degree and a high school diploma simultaneously. She is set to join FIU’s law school with an interest in criminal and real estate law.

Morgan Ray – Achievements Beyond the Pool

A senior in health administration at the University of North Florida, Morgan Ray is a Paralympic silver medalist who also mentors children with disabilities. His journey has been shaped by his health condition, achondroplasia, influencing his field of study.

Britney Deas – Pioneering Change

Graduating from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law, Britney Deas has made history as the school’s first Black female chief justice of the student supreme court. With a rich academic and leadership background, she aims to practice commercial litigation or land use law in Florida.

Miranda Cabieses – Pickleball Advocate

From an early injury to becoming an international pickleball ambassador, Miranda Cabieses’ story is one of resilience and international recognition. As a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University, her future is tightly knit with the inclusive sport of pickleball.

Hannah Roscom – Breaking Barriers

Hannah Roscom, a biochemistry and biomedical sciences senior at the University of West Florida, overcame a challenging early life to succeed academically. With ambitions in scientific research, she will pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Raul Lopez III – Building Community

A dedicated computer science student at Florida Polytechnic University, Raul Lopez III has contributed significantly to campus life by founding multiple student organizations. His next step involves a career at Bank of America in Manhattan.

These stories tell a broader narrative of determination, passion, and strength. Each featured student has embraced challenges and transformed their circumstances into platforms for future success.

This article was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.