INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Congratulations to Vero Beach High School Junior, Kaden Diniz, who has been selected as the 2014-2015 Indian River County Sunshine State Scholar for Mathematics and Science.
The Sunshine State Scholars Program (SSSP) began in 1997 through the efforts of a group of Florida educators with experience in school districts, the Department of Education, and universities.
The main objective of the program is to provide recognition to students who have shown significant accomplishments in mathematics and science throughout their high school careers.
By offering such recognition, the designers of the SSSP believe that high school students throughout Florida will recognize more fully the value of their achievement in these important disciplines, and will be encouraged to excel in challenging mathematics and science courses. The designers also believe that schools will strive to offer their students a higher level of mathematics and science courses that will increase students’ expectations and accomplishments.
Each school district in Florida identifies high school juniors who are most accomplished in mathematics and science, and designates among those students, its District Sunshine State Scholar.
The SSSP allows each district to establish its own strategy for selecting its District Scholars. Indian River County chose to select its Sunshine State Scholar through an interview process.
Three members of the community who have made a career in one of the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) were chosen to conduct interviews with the nominees from each Indian River County high school. Selections were based on the minimum criteria set by the state and the interview process. One winner and one alternate were chosen.
In February 2015, Sunshine State Scholars and their parents are invited to a recognition and recruiting conference where they have the opportunity to meet with recruiters and representatives from Florida’s leading colleges and universities.
For more information on the Sunshine State Scholars Program, contact Laura Lane, Curriculum Specialist, Mathematics, 564-3218.
