Fun-loving, high-achieving Bre’anna Morrow recently celebrated her graduation from The Boca Ciega High School with a 4.3-grade point average in the Medical Magnet program with a party at South Pasadena Hibiscus Hall.
BY DEXTER MCCREE, Feature Writer
ST. PETERSBURG — Some 75 people gathered at the South Pasadena Hibiscus Hall to celebrate the graduation of fun-loving, high achiever Bre’anna Morrow, who just recently graduated from The Boca Ciega High School with a 4.3-grade point average in the Medical Magnet program.
As she danced her way into the decorated ballroom to the tune of “Unstoppable” by Sia, her fellow graduates applauded her entrance and joined in the festive occasion.
Tarra Murphy, Anaya Franklin, Ketchna Menard, and Keturah Menard all showed up and out for Bre’anna Morrow’s (second to the right) graduation party.
“That is so Bre’anna,” exclaimed one of her friends. “She has a way of bringing life to the party and always having fun. In class, she makes us laugh and relax while doing difficult assignments. She is always so prepared for every moment.”
Jay Fulmer, Bre’anna’s former fourth-grade teacher at Northwest Elementary, recalled the first day of school when she introduced herself by giving him a business card. He knew she had a bright future ahead of her.
Fulmer reflected on the day the class took a field trip to the Mahaffey Theater. Bre’anna was not feeling well and probably should have stayed home. Within 20 minutes of arrival, she had a severe asthma attack, which resulted in the staff calling an ambulance.
Carlos Walker, a 20-year-old violist, joined the celebration, rendering two selections.
“I spent an hour with her at the hospital until her mother arrived,” recalled Fulmer. “I said my goodbyes and started running back towards Mahaffey only to see the school buses pulling off and leaving. I then had to wait another hour before the school secretary could come to pick me up. Every time I see an ambulance, I always think of her!”
Another former teacher joined in the occasion and was proud of what had become of her student.
“Bre’anna arrived in our second-grade classroom at Maximo Elementary with a strong desire to achieve,” said Gaye Oxendine-Swain. “She was courageous in her learning because nothing intimidated her. Bre’anna was very polite; she was the student you could always count on to be doing the right thing. There was a very quiet mature integrity about her. I loved being her teacher.”
She enjoys classical music, and so do her friends. Carlos Walker, a 20-year-old violist, joined the celebration, rendering two selections.
Walker started his musical career at 10 years old. He currently attends Mercer University, McDuffie Center for Strings, where he is in a split studio with two other students. Outside of playing the viola, Carlos enjoys exploring mathematical ideas and reading. That is so Bre’anna.
‘There was a very quiet mature integrity about her. I loved being her teacher,’ said Bre’anna’s second-grade teacher Gaye Oxendine-Swain.
In the fall, she will attend the University of South Florida, working on her bachelor’s degree in biology. She plans to attend medical school and become a neurosurgeon.
Bre’anna has a heart for health disparities in the community and wants to address them. Her goal is to create an establishment to assist low-income families in receiving quality health care services.
“I recommend that students get involved with their community and network with other people,” said Bre’anna. Find what brings you joy, whether it’s dealing with the environment or social change. Just find out what suits you and then dig deeper. I want to be able to give people exactly what they need.”
To reach Dexter McCree, email dmccree@theweeklychallenger.com
