As a record-breaking athlete, Mikhail Whyte is tenacious and ambitious. Mikhail’s varsity basketball coach, Barry Bearden asserts that Mikhail is a vocal leader; he loves to motivate his teammates and is one the biggest cheerleaders of his teammates. Evidence of this quality was also witnessed by faculty members during homecoming week when Mikhail not only cheered his senior class on during class competitions, he was also seen motivating and inspiring younger students to put their whole heart into competitive events. Mikhail’s heart and grit started the day off right for the Track and Field state competition this year; Mikhail was the first to compete, and he not only crushed the competition, but he set a new school record for long jump. Track and field coach, Richie Cameron, notes that Mikhail is so highly respected because when things don't go as planned, he reflects on his performance first before ever looking at how his teammates can improve. Mikhail exhibits reflectiveness, hard work, and accountability as a student-athlete.
This year, these athletic qualities have earned Mikhail a spot on the Pinellas Private School All-conference, second team for basketball, a Florida Highschool Athletic Association 1A Track and Field state championship for long jump, and the incredible accolade of being awarded the Coach Phil Hayward Outstanding Male Athlete Award for 2022-2023.
Given Mikhail’s strong engagement in all of these activities, one would think Mikhail has time for little else. However, Mikhail not only holds a job at Chick-fil-a, he also started his own clothing company called Purple Sky. He did this by combining natural talent with knowledge he learned from Advanced Placement Statistics and Economics and Studio Art classes. His brand has become successful through his innovative vision and creativity as well as by his truly collaborative spirit. Sara Rose, class of 2024, wrote in a recent The Chronicle article about Mikhail’s artistic endeavors, noting that Mikhail’s embroideries use rich colors and intricate patterns, showcasing individualism and untamed freedom in the work he does. Mikhail is the first art student at Shorecrest to use cloth and needles on painting canvases, which has proven a huge inspiration to his peers.
Mikhail Whyte’s future is very bright indeed. In the fall, Mikhail will attend Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mikhail was one of only two students to earn the full-ride
O’Brien/ Off Scholarship to the university.
Every year, ever since the first graduating class in 1976, the Shorecrest faculty selects and votes for one senior who demonstrates the best qualities and characteristics of a Shorecrest student, including leadership, scholarship, mentorship, and service while being well-respected by the upper school student body. Today, we take time to honor the impact Mikhail has made on the Shorecrest community because Mikhail Whyte is awarded with the Class of 2022 Outstanding Senior. Congratulations, Mikhail Whyte!