The Woodson African American Museum of Florida, led by Executive Director Terri Lipsey Scott, proudly announces the 2025 recipients of the prestigious Woodson Warrior Scholarship.

This year’s class features 18 exceptional students recognized for excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, leadership, and community service. They will attend top colleges and universities nationwide, pursuing careers in medicine, law, engineering, education, and more.

Founded in 2019 by Jane Bunker and Mason Morfit, the Woodson Warriors Scholarship Fund has grown through the generosity of donors including the Milkey Family Foundation, Tampa Bay Rays, Derrick Brooks Foundation, Valspar/Copperheads Charities, Frances Gatz and Roger Telschow, Tom and Renee Tarbert, Carey Gordy, James Sweeny, Marcelli Family Foundation, Parallel Foundation, Janine Brown, Jon Arterton, James Mack, Carolyn Lane and Walter Lindauer, among many others.

With over $1.3 million awarded to date, the fund continues to empower talented students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.

2025 Woodson Warrior Scholarship Recipients

Ahmad Crumity

Ahmad is the son of Brittany Lamar and a proud graduate of Shorecrest Preparatory School, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete and student leader. He set school records in the long and triple jump and won the 2024 State Championship in Triple Jump. He was also part of a state championship football team. Ahmad is a dedicated member of the Pathfinders mentoring group and volunteered with the Special Olympics. He will attend Florida State University to study Computer Science and plans to become a computer engineer focused on designing tomorrow’s technology.

Aliya Woodard

Aliya is the daughter of Ms. Rose Cates and a graduate of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. She was actively involved in Student Government, National Honor Society, Interact Club, and Future Healthcare Professionals, contributing over 240 hours of community service through Bay Pointe Nursing Pavilion, Turkey Trot, and Run for the Beaches. She will attend Florida State University, majoring in Biochemistry, and aspires to become a pediatric surgeon.

Aniya Sconiers

Aniya is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alphonso and Kristy Evans, and a proud graduate of Boca Ciega High School. She held leadership roles including Senior Class President, Vice President of Donations for the National Honor Society, and Vice President of the Asian Association. She completed internships at St. Anthony’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins All Children’s, gaining over 300 hours of experience. Aniya will attend the University of Central Florida to study Nursing and plans to become a registered nurse.

Ava-Marie Rollins

Ava-Marie is the daughter of Meghan Fountain, Darius Fountain, and Bobby Rollins, has been awarded and a graduate of East Lake High School. She was involved in National Honor Society, AVID, Key Club, and French Club, and participated in basketball and flag football. She will attend Clark Atlanta University to major in Biology with the goal of becoming a pharmacist.

Erin Shepherd

Erin is the daughter of Mr. William and Mrs. Erica Shepherd and a graduate of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. She was actively involved in Interact Club, Future Healthcare Professionals, Black Student Union, and National Honor Society. Erin also served as a youth leader for the Juvenile Welfare Board, worked at the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA, and volunteered for over three years with the All Kidney Patients Support Group. She will attend Xavier University of Louisiana to study Chemistry Pre-Medicine and pursue a career as a doctor.

Graham Kelley

Graham is the son of Ms. Ananda Bergeron and a graduate of Gibbs High School. He was a standout baseball player and talented musician, serving as a middle infielder on the baseball team for three years, volunteering at the St. Pete Youth Farm, and performing jazz at restaurants throughout the city. He will attend the University of South Florida to study Medical Biology with plans to become a radiologist.

Jordan Moore

Jordan is the daughter of Mr. Vincent and Mrs. Patrice Moore and a graduate of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. She served as Vice President of the Feminist Club and Treasurer of Student Government. Her extensive involvement includes National Honor Society, Model UN, PMAC, AKA Exquisite Gems, the Ryan Nece Student Service Program, and the Juvenile Welfare Board’s Youth Leadership Committee. Jordan was crowned Mrs. Debutante 2025 through the Essence of Ebony Pearls Cotillion. She will attend North Carolina Central University to study Political Science and aspires to become a Foreign Service Officer.

Josiah Brandon Walker

Josiah is the son of Mr. Brandon Walker and a graduate of Boca Ciega High School. He was an active member of Model UN, Varsity Cross Country, and the BCHS Fundamental Leadership Team. He participated in numerous college prep programs, including the Pinellas County Schools College Planning Cohort, FBLA, and the Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity’s Summer Boot Camp. Josiah will attend Williams College, majoring in Economics and Philosophy.

Khamani Snow

Khamani is the grandson of Ms. Sharon Snow and a proud graduate of Gibbs High School. He served as section leader for the tuba section in the school band and was selected to perform in the Pinellas All-County Music Festival in 2023 and 2025. He was also active in Jack and Jill of America, Kappa League, and Delta Sigma Theta’s Beautillion program. Khamani will attend St. Petersburg College to study Business with dreams of becoming a professional voice actor.

Kinea Moore

Kinea is the daughter of Ms. Miakayla Gilbert and Mr. King Moore III and a graduate of Boca Ciega High School. A standout wrestler who advanced to state tournaments, Kinea also served her community through food pantry work, elder care, and environmental cleanup efforts like Scrub the City. She will attend Oklahoma State University to study Business Marketing with aspirations of becoming a global publicist.

Kortney Snead

Kortney is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewin and Keisha Snead, and a graduate of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. She serves as President of the West Coast Conference YPD, leading youth from 64 churches, and is the Co-Founder and Co-President of the Black Student Union. She’s also active in the Feminist Club, Creative Writing Club, and Exquisite Gems, and is a two-time UCA National Champion with Florida Top Dog All Stars. She has dedicated over 100 volunteer hours to mentoring youth through cheerleading. Kortney will attend Spelman College to study Documentary Filmmaking and pursue a career as a film director.

Kylan Marshall

Kylan is the son of Mrs. Krystal Perry and a graduate of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. A member of the National Honor Society, he regularly volunteered through service projects including beach cleanups and food distribution events. He will attend the University of Central Florida to study Psychology with plans to one day open a therapeutic café.

Marquise Sapp

Marquise is the son of Ms. Monique Cooper and a graduate of Gibbs High School. He was active in Yearbook, the SAVE Club, and Student Government, and participated in soccer and tennis. Marquise will attend St. Petersburg College to study Marketing with the goal of launching his own global marketing firm.

Mikal Morris

Mikal is the son of Dr. Shameka Jones and a graduate of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. He served as President of the National Achievers Society, Captain of the Lakewood Varsity Baseball Team, and interned with the Tampa-St. Pete Sports Connection. He has contributed over 300 hours of community service through organizations including the YMCA, Juvenile Welfare Board, and Keep Pinellas Beautiful. Mikal will attend Florida A&M University to study Broadcast Journalism and pursue a career as a national sports commentator.

Pharyn McCrae-Bryant

Pharyn is the niece of Ms. Sharon McCollough and a graduate of Gibbs High School. A skilled performer, she studied ballet, jazz, and hip-hop and was active in The Family Blessing, Keep Pinellas Beautiful, AKA AKAdemy, and FYI Dance Company. Pharyn will attend Louisiana State University to study Kinesiology with dreams of dancing professionally on stage or screen.

Sinai Dunbar

Sinai is the daughter of Mrs. Yashica Thomas and a graduate of Shorecrest Preparatory School. She is a two-time Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year, Captain of the Varsity Cheerleading Squad, and President of the Black Student Union. She also served as Youth Outreach Liaison at Unity Christian Church and was a Chick-fil-A Team Trainer and Student Council Representative. She participated in the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference, AKAdemy, and the Debutante Cotillion. Sinai will attend North Carolina Central University to study Business Administration and aspires to lead her own product marketing firm.

Tylea Calhoun

Tylea is the daughter of Mr. Tyler and Mrs. Ashley Wesley-Loyd and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg High School’s International Baccalaureate program. She was a member of Key Club, Environmental Club, Black Student Association, and multiple honor societies, and participated in Med Club community health initiatives. Tylea will attend the University of South Florida to study Nursing before heading to medical school to become a pediatrician.

Xavier Terrell

Xavier is the son of Grady and Debbie Terrell and a graduate of Lakewood High School. He founded and serves as President of the College Prep & Success Club, helping over 30 students with applications, scholarships, and SAT/ACT prep. He’s also been involved in Key Club, FBLA, church media teams, mentoring programs, and the Pathfinders initiative. Xavier will attend Claflin University, play baseball, and study Cybersecurity, with plans to one day own his own firm.

Read the article as originally published with student portraits at https://theweeklychallenger.com/meet-the-2025-woodson-warrior-scholars/

Morning Blend anchor Natalie Taylor sat down with Elicia Hinson, Senior Marketing Associate at the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, to talk about the Turbo Babies early learning campaign.

Watch the segment below as they discuss how and why Turbo Babies, fueled by JWB, aims to foster a love of learning in babies during their first 1,000 days.

To get area infants and toddlers off to their best start in life, Turbo Babies invites parents and caregivers to special Racetrack Read Along events on National Read-A-Book Day (Saturday, September 6).

Turbo Babies Racetrack Read-Along events are free and open to the public from 10:00-11:30 AM at these four Pinellas County Libraries:

• West St. Petersburg Community Library, 6700 8th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
• Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Dr, Largo, FL 33771
• Clearwater East Community Library, 2465 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33765
• Palm Harbor Library, 2300 Nebraska Ave, Palm Harbor, FL 34683

For more information and to register for your closest read along, visit TurboBabies.com/Read.

Watch the WFLA Daytime news show segment with Maggie Rodriguez and Elicia Hinson, Senior Marketing Associate at the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, discussing the Turbo Babies early learning campaign and the power of early reading.

She also invited parents and caregivers to special Racetrack Read Along events for infants and toddlers on National Read-A-Book Day (September 6).

Inspire your Turbo Baby’s love of reading at Racetrack Read Along events on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10:00-11:30 AM at four Pinellas County Libraries:

• West St. Petersburg Community Library, 6700 8th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
• Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Dr, Largo, FL 33771
• Clearwater East Community Library, 2465 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33765
• Palm Harbor Library, 2300 Nebraska Ave, Palm Harbor, FL 34683

Parents and caregivers can find more information and register for this FREE event at TurboBabies.com/Read.

JWB Senior Marketing Associate Elicia Hinson was interviewed on WFLA’s Bloom Tampa Bay news show about the Turbo Babies early learning campaign and special Read Along events happening on September 6th, 2025. Watch the interview in its entirety below.

And join us to inspire your Turbo Baby’s love of reading this National Read-A-Book Day!

Racetrack Read-Along events are happening this Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10:00-11:30 AM at four Pinellas County Libraries:

• West St. Petersburg Community Library, 6700 8th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
• Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Dr, Largo, FL 33771
• Clearwater East Community Library, 2465 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33765
• Palm Harbor Library, 2300 Nebraska Ave, Palm Harbor, FL 34683

For more information and to register for this FREE event, visit TurboBabies.com/Read.

Pilar Bradley of Preserve Vision Florida has been named a winner of the 2025 KidsFirst awards by the Pinellas County Juvenile Welfare Board.

The annual KidsFirst Cooperman-Bogue Awards recognizes outstanding local professionals who provide direct services and work tirelessly to put children first.

Bradley is the family services manager for Preserve Vision Florida. JWB invested $222,000 with Preserve Vision Florida’s “Seeing Our Bright Future” program in 2024 to provide vision screenings and follow-up to more than 4,200 children ranging in age from birth to 18.

The program works in partnership with public and private schools, as well as with community organizations to bring Preserve Vision Florida screening and treatment services to children throughout Pinellas County.

“For more than 13 years, Pilar has made it her mission to ensure that every child who needs eye care receives it,” JWB said in announcing the award. “She has built and refined a process so effective that 90% of children referred for follow-up care actually receive it, compared to the national average of just 30%. She reaches out personally, educates parents, coordinates appointments, and removes every barrier that might stand between a child and a clear view of the world.”

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/article_67b51c1f-48bf-406e-be8c-5cc636a6e6bc.html.

What You Need To Know

• Experts said there is a growing need for mental health services among children
• Funding for mental health services in Pinellas County Schools was uncertain when President Trump froze federal education grants
• At the time, the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County said it was reallocating lapse funds to two mental health providers
• The frozen funds were released, and the board is still reallocating money to fund therapists that will help more than 300 students

Local experts said there is a growing need for mental health services for Pinellas County students.

Funding for those services at Pinellas County Schools was up in the air when President Donald Trump froze federal education grants in July.

While the funding was released, the school district had a back-up plan it is still moving forward with.

School is back in session, and school-based therapists are hard at work. 

“It feels amazing, it is the most rewarding job you can have. The children are wonderful and having them just run up to you every day and give you hugs and they’re just so excited to see you,” said Danielle Potter, school behavior therapist at Suncoast Center.

Danielle Potter is a school-based therapist in Pinellas County. She’s been in this career field for over four years, helping students in kindergarten through fifth grade. 

“We treat a variety of mental health disorders. Many of our children are struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder,” she said.

She has a wall full of tools to help her treat those disorders. Whether it’s coloring, reading or playing with blocks, her goal is to get her students to open up.

“It’s super important, it helps me identify the issues that we need to work on and the skills that we need to develop,” Potter said.

She said the need for mental health services has been growing since the pandemic. Potter said the need is so great, she splits her time between Sandy Lane and Kings Highway Elementary schools every week. 

“So both schools have extensive needs for the services, and a lot of the children are struggling and have behavioral challenges,” she said.

Funding for mental health services at Pinellas County Schools was uncertain when Trump froze federal education grants in July. Those funds were released, but a plan that was initially considered as an alternative has become reality.

“In order to be ready to learn and be available to learn in school, it’s important that we nurture and support our youth,” said Karen Boggess, chief operating officer of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County.

The Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) said it is reallocating lapse funds to two mental health providers. About $600,000 will be split between Suncoast Center and Directions for Living. That’s funding a handful of therapists and helping more than 300 students. 

“When we can come together and partner with each other and figure out solutions so that our children and youth have all the tools that they need to be able to learn, grow, develop and be successful, and that’s what’s the most important,” Boggess said.

This school year, Potter says her position is now fully funded by the Juvenile Welfare Board. Both the board and Potter said her role is crucial to student success.

“We need to address the mental health issues that our children are exhibiting now, instead of waiting until they are adults,” Potter said.

In an executive order, President Trump called for more oversight of federal grant making. He said every tax dollar the government spends should improve American lives or advance American interests.

View the segment with interviews and read the article as originally published at https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/08/29/federal-funding-freeze-juvenile-welfare-board

For Sarah Seoudi, patience isn’t just a virtue — it’s a way of life.

For four years, the widowed mother of two has been helping her children and others deal with the stresses associated with grief, trauma and everyday life through The Living Lab presents Mindful Methods, a nonprofit program she founded in 2023 that provides an outlet for kids to express themselves and navigate life by utilizing a holistic health approach based on Buddhist principals.

The journey Seoudi has undertaken since her husband, a Marine veteran who struggled with substance abuse and PTSD, was killed in a car accident in October 2021 has been long, bumpy, and expensive, with several stops along the way.

But after self-funding her startup with her own money plus donations from supporters and friends, including business partner Laura McHenry, Seoudi can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. The Living Lab has found a home base in Clearwater and aligned with key community partners.

“We really live through faith, and it’s all about unlocking your journey,” Seoudi said recently from The Living Lab’s headquarters at 2337 Belleair Road in Clearwater, the third location in two years after she launched an adult-focused version of the program at the Ridgecrest YMCA fall 2021.

“So, even when we didn’t have answers, paths kept opening.”

Those paths have come through recent collaborations with major city and county organizations, including the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), the Clearwater Neighborhood Family Center (CNFC), the cities of Largo and Clearwater, Pinellas County Schools, The Tampa Bay Community Foundation, Rainbow Village and Evara Health.

In July, Seoudi and McHenry took the Lab — focused on four curated stations where kids do everything from drawing to creating scents, cards and fruit smoothies — to St. Peterburg College’s Drew Street campus in Clearwater to participate in the CNFC’s eighth annual Rising Above Wellness Wonderland.

The sprawling event provided an opportunity for them to show how The Living Lab works with each child individually and in group settings, teaching everything from good hygiene and self-care to using their creativity, imagination and other outlets for dealing with trauma, fear, anger and self-doubt.

CNFC Executive Director Terry Jones said he found Seoudi’s program through a coworker and thought it was an ideal fit for his organization’s recent pivot to focusing on mental health and wellness.

“I met Sarah last year, and I instantly fell in love with her ideas and her solutions,” Jones said. “I wasn’t really sure,” about inviting The Living Lab to participate in the July 16 event, “but I was sure of her. I felt her passion and her knowledge. So, we gave her a shot, and she did really well.”

Indeed, the shot proved fruitful — The Living Lab had a full class of 30 kids for the 10 a.m. event.

Watching her work with the kids one-on-one, it’s easy to see why children trust Seoudi. She meets them literally at their level and talks to them like “regular” people, not troubled children.

“We want to help you work through the senses and emotions you feel every day,” Seoudi told two young boys coloring paper butterflies, which she uses as a symbol for The Living Lab program.

“Sadness, anger, fear, happiness all live inside us, and some emotions are stronger than others,” she continued. “What we do here is help exercise the emotions that don’t get as much work, like joy. It lives inside you, and we want you to experience feelings you haven’t had yet. We teach you how to make those parts of you stronger, and we want you to know you are not alone. We’ve got your six. I’ve got your back.”

When Seoudi asked for an adult-like handshake to seal their deal, the boys happily obliged.

“Ninety percent of dilemmas can be solved with dialog, and every kid is so different,” she said afterward. “So, we have to ask, how can we meet them where they are and get them to achieve self-sustainment?”

HAPPINESS STARTS AT HOME
Seoudi said she believes The Living Lab is finally attaining stability and success because the nation’s children are in a crisis that crosses all political, social, racial and religious boundaries.

“The Living Lab is for everyone. There’s no politics or religion involved, because this is an American problem,” said Seoudi, who “loves God and was raised as Roman Catholic” growing up in Philadelphia and was introduced to Buddhism’s principals by her late husband.

She also doesn’t pretend their methods are the only solutions for today’s kids and families.

“We know there are other methods that are working,” Seoudi said. “We’re not the moral compass. But we are wellness advocates starting at home, and we will work with anyone who needs us. We won’t turn kids away.”

The “at home” element is another component that separates The Living Lab program from others.

“We literally walk through every part of their life with the Lab, meeting with teachers and parents and family members, which allows them to integrate these tools without us,” Seoudi said of the free program, which is currently at capacity. They are working on new avenues to increase the size and scope.

“Teachers are above their heads, and parents are lost, too,” McHenry added. “So, we can be an advocate and mitigate the situation, because we’re a community of people who should be working together.”

Several parents of kids enrolled in The Living Lab’s action plans and wellness sessions said having everyone included in the process initially drew them to the program.

“Sarah always brings the family in. She never excludes family,” said Reba Harrison, a Clearwater mother of three whose kids suffered after their father’s death five years ago. “She asks if it’s OK how she presents herself to the kids, and I really appreciate that. She doesn’t see me as a threat.”

Fellow parent Erica Sekso, who has an 11-year-old daughter, Alissa, and 14-year-old son, Zachary, enrolled in The Living Lab program, agreed.

“My daughter loves it,” she said as the kids lounged in one of the Lab’s colorfully decorated sensory rooms.“She enjoys learning healthy habits and she brings those habits home. Sarah is an inspiration to all of us. She’s such an amazing person.”

Kristin MacRone, another Living Lab parent and volunteer, went further describing Seoudi.

“She brings out the best of everyone she’s around. She’s like an extra parent they’ve been missing.”

When told about the praise she’d received from the parents, Seoudi was genuinely surprised.

“I don’t get to hear that kind of stuff very much,” she said with a laugh. “But it’s very rewarding to know that what we’re doing is impacting these kids’ and families’ lives in such a positive way.”

THE NEXT LEVEL
Thanks to the new partnerships with organizations like CNFC, JWB, Evara, and others, as well as a new online course and platform for adults and organizations wanting to join “for a nominal cost,” Seoudi and McHenry believe The Living Lab is finally ready to spread its wings and reach kids and families nationwide.

“We think all communities can use this, and we can’t be everywhere,” McHenry said of their plan to integrate the program into schools, after-school programs and other childcare facilities. “So, if we can create this baseline, hopefully it will take off, and that would be our goal.”

“I feel like this is our time and this is a big year for us,” the ever-positive Seoudi said from their new Belleair Road space, where they recently signed a three-year lease, providing much needed stability for the program.

When asked to reflect on how far she has come since her husband’s death, Seoudi said: “This is a journey, and when I started, I understood it wouldn’t be through in a year. This is something we’ve dedicated our lives to, and the most important thing I’ve learned is, this isn’t really about me. It’s about responsibility, and the more you take responsibility, the more things begin to click. Keep showing up, have faith, and surround yourself with family, friends and supporters, and good things will happen.”

When Living Lab parent Reba Harrison was asked during a December open house if the program was having a positive effect on her previously traumatized kids, the Clearwater resident didn’t hesitate.

“Their morale has been boosted,” she said of her twin 8-year-old daughters, Tira and Tori, and 10-year-old Tali. “The girls are participating in a gifted program in school and in youth services at church, and they’re excited about it instead of feeling indifferent.

“With Sarah’s help, they know they’re special.”

For more information on The Living Lab, Inc, visit the nonprofit’s website.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tbnweekly.com/clearwater_beacon/article_215b6798-aa9e-4b82-8654-5bff1372b7ff.html