April 5, 2022
The event celebrates African American students who have demonstrated academic excellence. The awards ceremony was held Monday night at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg. In addition to honoring 170 students, seven deserving students learned that they will receive college scholarships:
- Executive Leadership Team Award - Boca Ciega High senior Jeremiah Daniels: $1.280
- R'Club Scholarship - Boca Ciega High senior Jazmyn Bargman: $1,000
- PABSE Award - St. Petersburg High School senior Yamira Patterson: $750; and Pinellas Park High School senior Tatiana Smith: $750
- YMCA Scholarship - Northeast High School senior Isaiah Hobbs: $1,000
- City of St. Petersburg Scholarship - Gibbs High School senior Zori Dasher: $1,000
- Davis Family Scholarship - Gibbs High School senior Cartez Rentz: $500
- Award from Dr. Mary Conage - St. Petersburg High School senior Christelle Marc: $500
The keynote speaker was Area Superintendent Dr. Dywayne Hinds. The evening also included incredible performances by the Lakewood High band and chorus.
The award honors the legacy of the late Vyrle Davis, a longtime Pinellas educator and administrator who joined the district in 1960. He began his career at 16th Street Elementary and Junior High, which is now John Hopkins Middle School. During his tenure, Davis served as an assistant principal at Gibbs High School and a principal at St. Petersburg High School. In 1986, Davis became the county’s first African American area superintendent. He continued to serve in that role until he retired in 1995.
