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.

In Upper School, Jordan took every class offered in science, English and Spanish. Science Teacher Erich Schneider originally had some apprehension about that. “Jordan registered to take AP Chemistry with me in eleventh grade. When I learned that she was tripled up in science classes (AP Chemistry, AP Physics II and Honors Biology), I was concerned that she bit off more than she could chew… With volleyball tournaments in the fall, countless Relay For Life meetings in the winter, and many late night musical rehearsals in the spring, Jordan’s effort never waned and her attitude remained exemplary. Evidently, she has some very effective time management strategies. Perhaps she should share those with the rest of us!“

In the classroom, Jordan possesses a unique combination of innate intelligence, a curious mind, and incredible work ethic. National Merit named her a Commended Student (only about 2% of the high scorers on the PSAT receive letters of Commendation), and she had some large scholarship opportunities at prestigious universities to choose between. Eventually she landed on Cornell University in the College of Human Ecology, where students (according to the Cornell website), “improve lives by exploring and shaping human connections to natural, social, and built environments.”

Jordan is already improving lives through her commitment to making the world a more inclusive place for people with different abilities. Numerous awards highlight her efforts with people who have intellectual / developmental challenges, including The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Community Service Award, the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award, Shorecrest Athletics Commitment to Others Award -- and when Shorecrest was awarded the 2018 Community Service Award from PARC, Jordan was awarded PARC’s 2018 Community Volunteer of the Year as the Founder and President of the Shorecrest club SPARC, which brought students to volunteer at PARC. PARC is a nonprofit organization in St. Petersburg whose mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities to experience life to the fullest.

Jordan founded SPARC in her junior year to support people with intellectual / developmental challenges. In her own words, “SPARC is active in the greater community working with various organizations, mainly PARC. Throughout the summer and on days when we are off school, students go to PARC and work on art projects with their clients and we produce a musical with them. We also volunteer at the Special Olympics throughout the year and a prom for students with special needs.”

At PARC, Jordan worked alongside the Arts Administrator and Certified Music Therapist, Mattie Mingst, to assist in the development of a summer musical theater program called the Inspired Performers @ PARC. Mattie said, “Her involvement allowed the Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC to become a full, well-rounded arts program that would ultimately educate the over 800 children and adults at PARC to experience true arts culture within their own community. She paved the way for new volunteers and interns who want to learn through the arts program at PARC, and Jordan showed leadership to those who needed guidance when working with the clients.“

Bonni Klement, Associate Director of College Counseling, expanded on Jordan’s commitment and its ties to her family life. “At home, Jordan is More to her family, especially to her two younger sisters Ella and Myla ‘25. Ella was born with an intellectual disability. As a result, Jordan has had exposure to individuals with varying special needs. Given her special connection with her sister Ella, Jordan has become immersed in the special needs communities, charities and their causes.She brought her theatre classmates to PARC, and with their assistance, worked with the clients at PARC on basic acting, singing, and dancing techniques while choreographing a musical revue from “The Lion King.” The show was a huge success and a tradition that will certainly carry on long after Jordan leaves for college.”

Jordan anticipates being an advocate for those with special needs as she continues her life's journey. She states, "I believe the best way to change the world is to bridge the gap between people who are different from one another."

Jordan’s giving spirit doesn’t end there. Each year Shorecrest hosts a student-led Relay For Life on campus. This day-long event gathers the community together to raise funds for American Cancer Society. Both junior and senior years, Jordan was a Co-Lead of Relay For Life on campus. Jordan’s involvement with Relay began in fifth grade. “I was on the Committee and was a team captain, and expanded the team to be most of the grade. I’ve had a lot of grandparents who have gotten sick with cancer. My dad is also a radiation oncologist, and he treats cancer. I Relay on behalf of my family, my grandparents, and all the patients. It’s just something that really touches my heart. I hate seeing people suffer from cancer. The Class of 2019 has walked hundreds of laps around the track at Relay For Life and raised over $300,000 in the process.”

Jordan also knows how to Be More on stage. Her theatre teacher, Bill Leavengood ‘78, elaborated, “Jordan is a remarkable young woman whose talent, dedication, resolve, and maturity have led to numerous achievements at the highest level. As a sophomore, her Duet Acting scene received Critic’s Choice at District Thespians. As a junior, Jordan was singled out for the All-Star Cast in One-Acts by the judges for her outstanding performance in LITTLE WOMEN. That same year, she was a stand out among a uniformly powerful and talented cast, playing Sheila in A CHORUS LINE. Although the salty, flirtatious, jaded character was the polar opposite of Jordan’s own personality, she acted, sang and danced the role to perfection.” And the regional judges of the Broadway Star of the Future Awards agreed, naming Jordan Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical for her role as Madame (aka the Stepmother) in CINDERELLA.

Somehow, this Charger also found time to play Middle Blocker for the State Championship Volleyball Team. Jordan felt her game improve each season and would train on volleyball skills in the summer and regularly runs, jumps rope and practices yoga to stay in shape. Somehow she makes the balance seem effortless.

“The way I found the best balance is really just committing myself to everything that I do. When we have a long rehearsal, or we have to spend time planning Relay For Life, it doesn’t feel like a chore for me, it feels like what I want to be doing. Especially when I’m with my best friends. It’s something that makes me happy. “ explained Tralins. “I kind of just found a balance by doing the things that make me happy and studying to the best of my ability. Shorecrest has provided me with countless opportunities. I have been able to participate in arts, athletics, service and multiple clubs that the school has to offer. It’s a warm and welcoming community. The moment I came in fourth grade I felt at home.”