The Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) is proud to announce its 2025 Sunshine State Scholars, Penelope Gordon from Fort Walton Beach High School and Emma Michel from Niceville High School. Adonaiah White from Crestview High School has been named the district’s alternate scholar. The Sunshine State Scholars Program is an annual initiative that recognizes Florida’s top 11th-grade students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM). Each school district selects its most outstanding STEM scholars to participate in a two-day event in Orlando, where they can network with STEM-focused employers and colleges and be honored for their academic excellence and aspirations in these critical fields.
“Penelope, Emma, and Adonaiah exemplify the talent, determination, and curiosity that drive innovation and discovery,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “We are incredibly proud of their achievements and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make in the future.”
For more information about the Sunshine State Scholars program, visit the Florida Department of Education’s website at https://www.fldoe.org/academics/sunscholars/.
Sunshine State Scholars
Penelope Gordon, Fort Walton Beach High School
Pictured above: FWB HS Principal Lindsay Smith, Penelope Gordon, and Ms. Jacqueline Sheffield
Emma Michel, Niceville High School
Adonaiah White, Crestview High School, Alternate
