By Kevin Deutsch

Coral Glades High School this month announced their nominees for the Miami Herald’s 2022 Silver Knight Awards, one of the nation’s most prestigious student award programs.

The program recognizes outstanding students who have not only maintained good grades but also “unselfishly applied their special knowledge and talents to contribute significant service to their schools and communities,” according to The Herald.

The program was instituted at the newspaper in 1959.

Hundreds of students representing Broward and Miami-Dade schools were nominated for the awards this month. Winners will be announced later this year.

Notable past winners include Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, who won the Silver Knight in the science category in 1982, and Bill Conti, an Oscar-winning composer who wrote the music for the “Rocky” and “Karate Kid’’ films, and won the Silver Knight in the music category in 1959, according to The Herald.

This year’s nominees for Coral Glades High School in Coral Springs are:

Valerie Block, nominated in the general knowledge category, showed “excellence demonstrated through accelerated studies and service in various categories.” She is the school’s National Honor Society president and plans to pursue a career in the medical field.

Maxine Hakimi-Bulson, nominated in the mathematics category, said she “would love to one day have a job as an aerospace engineer or work with NASA.” She was a member of the 2022 Florida All-State SSAA Chorus in Tampa.

Anastasia Del Valle, nominated in the athletics category, is the 2021-2022 Girls Varsity Soccer Co-captain, Student Government Association President, and Student Government Association Parliamentarian.

Shaina Desroches, nominated in the digital media category, showcased digital media in her Silver Knight portfolio and wants to “start a nonprofit organization one day or work for one so I can leave this world a better place than I found it,” she wrote.

Carly Ginn, nominated in the business category, is DECA President and Varsity Cheerleading Captain. She collected over 278 donations of pet supplies and $1,190 for the local nonprofit Good Karma Pet Rescue.

Sara Gerstenfeld, nominated in the world languages category, created a project called Sara’s Specs to help the 1.3 billion people in the world who cannot afford or access eyeglasses.

Camila Iglesias, nominated in the science category, has been president of the Engineering Club and National History Honors Society, among other accomplishments. She completed a project designing and improving the design of prosthetic limbs, specifically bionic arms.

Makayla Joyce, nominated in the journalism category, is Co-editor in Chief of the school newspaper, The Prowl. She is involved in DECA, Newspaper Club, NEHS, STEM, and IEA Equestrian.

Kiana Krutchaiyan, nominated in the music and dance category, is a Youth Lion Dance Instructor at the Coral Springs Chinese Cultural Association. She co-choreographs interactive performances and mentors younger dancers to teach and promote Chinese culture awareness.

Greer Monfries, nominated in the speech and debate category, plays girls lacrosse and is an equestrian champion, in addition to her academic accomplishments.

Sakeena Shoaib, nominated in the English and literature category, created a writing workshop called “The Write Way” that helps students write and publish their own books by holding online workshops. She revived the school’s Asian American Association and led the club as its president.

Elena Vazquez, nominated in the social science category, was the main event planner for the CGHS Voter Booth and Public Forum, helping create and implement the project.

Zachary Tenn Yuk, nominated in the art category, is co-founder of the BRACE SenYOUR Year college readiness program, which helps rising seniors prepare for the college application season.

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Kevin Deutsch

Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning crime journalist and author. A graduate of Florida International University, Kevin has worked on staff at The Miami Herald, New York Daily News, and The Palm Beach Post.