Sarasota County SSTRIDE

First Aid training for SSTRIDE students

Located in Sarasota County, The SSTRIDE Program is located in the City of Sarasota on the southwestern coast of Florida. The area is renowned for its cultural and environmental amenities, beaches, resorts as well as arts and entertainment. Sarasota has a very diverse socioeconomic status ranging from poverty to some of the wealthiest individuals in America. Sarasota is situated approximately 60 minutes south of Tampa. The SSTRIDE Program started in Sarasota in 2017 through a generous grant from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, and currently resides in the McIntosh Middle and Sarasota High School in partnerships with Sarasota County Schools as well as the FSU College of Medicine Sarasota Regional Medical School Campus.

Mia Martin

Mia has been awarded the Promising Youth Medical Scholar Award for the 2024 school year based on her academic achievements, tireless commitment to community service, and her determination to pursue a medical career in Radiology. Mia was awarded as a Senior at Sarasota High School. She was ranked in the top 10% of her large graduating class and has shown great dedication to her academics since starting with SSTRIDE in the 8th grade. She balances her academics with a high amount of community service hours working at the local food pantry and at local community clean up days around town. She is also a regular blood donor, recognizing how important giving blood is to the medical community. Mia is also active working youth camps in lacrosse teaching sports and leadership to the next generation. She has been active in the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society for the last 2 years. She has been a varsity athlete in lacrosse and golf as well as being active in multiple clubs and leadership activities at Sarasota High School. She is a stand out SSTRIDE student and we are proud to have her entering FSU, taking the next step in the medical pipeline to becoming a Radiologist.

2023 Promising Youth Medical Scholar

Tegan Hoffman

Tegan was in 9th grade when she was awarded. She has a 4.8 GPA and near-perfect attendance. She has earned many awards for her hard work and dedication to SSTRIDE such as the SSTRIDE Academic Excellence award since her start in the program. She is heavily involved in her school and community. She regularly volunteers at various places like the local women’s shelter, beach clean-up days, and community clean ups. Tegan has been a part of many clubs through school such as National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and Varsity and Junior Varsity Basketball. She is a natural born leader as indicated by her many accolades. Her future goal is to attend Florida State University and become a Pediatric Oncologist.

2022 Promising Youth Medical Scholar

Madison Silverthorne

Madison was awarded in 2022. She maintained a 4.6 GPA, was a member of the National Honors Society, the OneNine Club, and the Black Student Union. She was on the Superintendent Student Advisory Council for Sarasota County High Schools, and volunteered regularly at Fruitville Elementary with students with Autism. Her future career goal is to be an OBGYN or Reproductive Endocrinologist. She was a leader among her peers and has a shining personality!

2021 Promising Youth Medical Scholar

Leah Wojtaszek

Leah was awarded in 2021 when she was in 10^th grade. Leah is always the student teachers turn to when other students need help. She continuously makes straight A’s and leads in class through example. Leah hopes to attend Florida State University and pursue a career as an Anesthesiologist or in pediatric medicine.

2020 Promising Youth Medical Scholar

Maren Schweid

Maren was awarded in 2020 when she was in 11th grade. She excelled while she was in SSTRIDE, maintaining over a 5.0 GPA . While in high school, Maren was a competitive gymnast and ran on the high school track team. She is currently a freshman at the University of Florida and is majoring in Exercise Physiology.

2019 Promising Youth Medical Scholar

Emma Davie

Emma was in 9^th grade when she was awarded. She has all A’s and near-perfect attendance at school and in her SSTRIDE Biology Class. She volunteers for the Relay for Life every year and participates in the AICE and MAST Programs at Sarasota High School. She is very upbeat and always has a positive attitude in class. Her future goal is to become a Veterinarian or Physical Therapist.