Compiled by Angela Skane, St. Petersburg High; and Michael Newcomer, Tarpon Springs High
Photo by Rachel Mowat, Hillsborough High

By many measures, they are successful. They have been accepted by impressive universities. They have been awarded the Barnes Scholarship, worth up to $60,000 over four years, chosen by the Tampa Bay Times Fund for their superior academic achievements and their remarkable resilience in the face of poverty, tragedy and other struggles. (To read more about them, see bit.ly/yrXewH.) Today we celebrate four Tampa Bay area seniors and ask them for advice. After all, they know a thing or two.

Basil Jackson, Berkeley Preparatory
College acceptances: University of Pennsylvania, New York University, Wake Forest, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Drexel University
College attending: University of Pennsylvania
Planning to study: Computer science
Fun fact: I like to sing in the shower, I love music and I am always listening to it. I’m a horrible singer though, so don’t ask me to sing.

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE: What has helped you be so successful?
I would say my parents, and the work ethic they’ve instilled in me. Teachers and coaches helping me be more caring. It’s not just about me; it’s about others.

LISTEN UP: What three tips would you offer high school students?
1. Never stop learning.
2. Always be positive.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

TA-DAH! What do you want to do to change the world?
I want to raise awareness about environmental problems. By holding protests against big auto companies on the home front, and big fisheries in other countries. I see those as the biggest problems.

Nourhan Elsayed, St. Petersburg High
College attending: Duke University (early decision)
Planning to study: Right now, it’s biology and public policy, with a certificate in nonprofit business management.
Fun fact: I collect nail polish. Whenever I get stressed I go to CVS and I look for the sale stickers and I buy the nail polish on sale, go home and put it on and then take it off. I have about a hundred bottles of under-a-dollar nail polish at home.

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE: What has helped you be so successful?
I smile. Nothing can ever be bad, or a fail, if you smile while you do it, so I smile.

LISTEN UP: What three tips would you offer high school students?
1) Don’t become addicted to caffeine.
2) Find something that you’re passionate about and pursue it. For me, it was just learning. Everything I was able to see and experience in high school.
3) Learn to love high school, you’re going to have to be there for four years, try and make something of it.

TA-DAH! What do you want to do to change the world?
I just came back from Duke, and while I was there, I heard the story of a female student who opened a clinic in Guatemala. One of my big goals has been to fuse my passion for the sciences and medicine, and empower women in my culture. So when I heard about this girl, it immediately hit me that this would be my opportunity to do that. So my way to change the world is to open a clinic in the Middle East, where a lot of women don’t have access to health care (women are only allowed to see female doctors, which are scarce). By doing that, hopefully set up a program where girls in the clinic city are able to go to school to become RNs, even doctors, in order to sustain the clinic themselves. Not only empowering women through education, but also through health.

Ayushe Misra, Alonso High
College acceptances: Columbia University, Fordham University, New York University, Northwestern University, University of Alabama, University of Florida
College attending: Most likely Columbia. I’m going there this weekend to visit, and hope to make up my mind. I’ve always wanted to be in New York City, because it’s the center of the world. It’s the place to be. Plus, Columbia has a closed campus, there’s a school spirit there, a cohesiveness. It’s the best of both worlds.
Planning to study: Journalism and business
Fun fact: I really like Chinese food from Panda Express in Tampa — Kung Pao Chicken and Mushroom Chicken with Noodles.

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE: What has helped you be so successful?
The values my parents instilled in me. They said, “Make sure you’re happy doing what you’re doing.” Being SGA (Student Government Association) president, and NHS (National Honor Society) president, that makes me happy.

LISTEN UP: What tips would you offer high school students?
1.) Time management. Definitely. This is a must, because a lot of people these days, they’re so busy.
2.) Prioritize. If you have a project due, do that first. Then go see a movie.
3.) Set goals for yourself. It helps you never lose sight of your focus.

TA-DAH! What do you want to do to change the world?
Hmmm. That’s a big one. Spreading social justice. That’s why I want to go into journalism. Spreading news, and positive values, helps shape public opinion about how they want society to progress.

Ruben Godinez, Strawberry Crest High
College acceptances: Duke University, Notre Dame University, Miami University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida
College attending: Duke. I liked the prestige of the school. It’s only a 10-hour drive, so it’s far enough for me to be independent and close enough for me to come home for a weekend.
Planning to study: Political science
Fun fact: I like country music; Taylor Swift, I like all of her music.

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE: What has helped you be so successful?
Support from my teachers, parents and peers. Anything I needed for school was always put first before any other activities. My parents would go out of their way to make my experience in school the best.

LISTEN UP: What tips would you offer high school students?
1. Procrastinate as little as possible.
2. Find as much balance as you can between school, sports and social life.
3. Study what you love in college.

TA-DAH! What do you want to do to change the world?
I want to prosecute criminals, as a prosecuting attorney. I hope to reduce the number of criminals on the street.

About the Barnes scholarship
The winners of the 2012 Barnes Scholarships were among 10 finalists selected from 389 applicants. The scholarship program targets high school seniors in the Tampa Bay Times’ audience area of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

BARNES SCHOLAR RUNNERS-UP: The six runners-up for the 2012 Barnes Scholarships are Morgan Metzger of Citrus High School in Citrus County; Devin Bird of Robinson High School, Julian Couture of Lennard High School, Anne-Marie Nemeth of Gaither High School, all in Hillsborough County; and Marissa Lazo of Osceola High School, and Henris Zaimaj of Pinellas Park High School, both in Pinellas County. Each will receive a one-time $1,000 award.