SHARE:
Top Florida Grads
Making the Grade
The best and brightest among Florida's undergraduates range from inventors to medical researchers to artists.
? Bryson Voirin, 22
New College (Sarasota)
Hometown: Winter Springs
Major: Environmental studies and biology
Notable: Published "The Seclusion of the Sloth: A Journey into the World of Canopy Animals" in the winter 2006-07 issue of Explorers Journal, the quarterly magazine of The Explorers Club. Conducted research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. Growing up "my favorite thing to do was to read National Geographic," says Voirin. Assisted in the Jason Project's television documentary on rain forests. Started New College's Tree Climbing Club and launched "Dinner in a Tree," a fund-raising project catered by local restaurants. President of New College Republicans -- "There are only about four of us." Started a sea kayaking club. Named to USA Today's 2006 Academic All-Star team, an annual listing of the top 60 undergraduates in the U.S. Recipient of a Udall Foundation environmental issues scholarship.
Plans: Graduate school on a Fulbright scholarship in Germany. Considering medical school, possibly to train as a tropical-disease doctor.
? Deirdre Foisy, 22
Nova Southeastern University
(Fort Lauderdale)
Hometown: Putnam, Conn.
Major: Athletic training
Notable: Founder and former president of the Athletic Training Student Organization at Nova. Research on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that has become prevalent in athletics. Presented research at the Athletic Trainers Association of Florida's annual meeting. Received second place award in the 2006 undergraduate research symposium for science research for a case study focusing on cellulitis. Member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society.
Plans: Graduate school at Nova to become a physician's assistant.
? Maria DeMaio, 22
St. Leo University (Saint Leo)
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens
Major: International studies and religion
Notable: Traveled on mission trips to the Dominican Republic, Mexico and New Orleans, working with rural families, orphanages and, in the case of New Orleans, gutting houses. Dean's list, Rhodes Scholar nominee
and Marshall's Scholar nominee. Twice awarded a Sodexho scholarship. Team captain of the St. Leo Lions soccer team for past three years. Chaplain for the Samaritans, a student volunteer organization.
Recipient of the Elaine Evans Spirit of Saint Leo Award, given to a female student athlete who exemplifies the university's core values and community spirit.
Plans: Graduate school for a master's in peace studies or conflict resolution.
