On Sunday, May 19, 2019, Shorecrest Preparatory School held its Commencement Ceremony for the 72-member Class of 2019. Among the graduating class were a United States Naval Academy appointee, 7 students recognized by the National Merit Program, 8 NCAA committed student-athletes, a City of St. Petersburg Ambassador to Japan, a People of Distinction Humanitarian Award winner and 4 Eagle Scouts. Collectively the Class of 2019 completed ~12,000 service hours over their four years of high school through roles close to home with The Kind Mouse and Guardian ad Litem, nationally through Relay For Life and internationally with mission work in Nicaragua and Nepal.

For someone who is known for creating the recycling drive at Shorecrest and winning a science fair for a chemistry project on using recycled glass to create an aggregate to build roads, Karlei Kongsiri's advice for her younger schoolmates is to "try something new," no, really, “try something new!”

“Growing up, adults would always tell me how I could accomplish anything that I set my mind on. As a response, my 12-year-old self would simply roll my eyes. However, upon reflecting on my last four years in high school, I’ve realized that they weren't completely wrong. Maybe I won't become the first 5’0” pro basketball player or solve the issue of climate change before I’m 20, but I have accomplished things I had never thought possible. At the start of high school, I had never once stepped inside of a sailboat. Now I’m committed to sail at the University of Pennsylvania. With some hard work and perseverance I was able to accomplish what I had previously believed to be impossible. Looking forward, I’m excited to see what other things I can achieve intellectually… maybe even solving climate change.”

In 2016, Jordan Tralins ‘19, was nominated for WEDU’s BE MORE INSPIRING Rising Star Award. The award recognizes an individual under the age of 21 who has distinguished themself in the community through acts of kindness. Nominees represent up-and-comers whose contributions to our community make them stand out among their peers and position them as future leaders.

Administrators at Shorecrest chuckled a bit when they heard about this nomination, in part because the name of the award was so like Shorecrest’s “Be More” tagline, and also because Jordan had already clearly positioned herself as a Star on campus. Athletics, musical theatre, service and a whole lot of brains - Jordan Tralins does it all extraordinarily well. Jordan is More, without giving less, something few teenagers - or people - can say they’ve accomplished.