Sarasota County SSTRIDE
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 environmental amenities, beaches, resorts, as well as arts and entertainment. Sarasota is situated approximately 60 minutes south of Tampa.The SSTRIDE program in Sarasota is made possible through a generous grant from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation and is in partnership with Sarasota County Schools as well as the FSU College of Medicine Sarasota Regional Medical School Campus. From 2017-2026, the SSTRIDE in-school program resided at McIntosh Middle and Sarasota High School. From 2021 to the present day, the SSTRIDE Pre-Med Mentoring program resides at Booker High School.
2026 Promising Youth Medical Scholar
Alix Leinweber
Alix has been awarded the 2026 Promising Youth Medical Scholar Award in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement, exceptional leadership, dedication to service, and unwavering commitment to pursuing a career in medicine. With an outstanding 4.9 weighted GPA, Alix has been an active participant in the SSTRIDE Pre-Med Mentoring Program since the ninth grade and has consistently demonstrated the qualities of a future physician. A true leader both in and out of the classroom, Alix serves as Senior Class President, Captain of the Girls Basketball Team, Co-President of the Medics Club, a member of the Principal's Cabinet, Band Leader, and Stage Manager. Her commitment to serving others extends beyond school as President of Safety at Temple Sinai, a Counselor-in-Training at URJ Camp Coleman, a counselor at Camp Jenny, and an active blood drive volunteer. Alix plans to pursue a career as a cardiothoracic surgeon and credits the FSU SSTRIDE Summer Institute with helping her discover that passion. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, "I didn't realize I wanted to be a surgeon until I shadowed the head of cardiothoracic surgery while he performed a mitral valve replacement during the FSU SSTRIDE Summer Institute. That moment changed my life!" We are incredibly proud of all Alix has accomplished throughout high school and look forward to seeing all she will achieve as she begins the next chapter of her journey at the University of Florida this fall.
2025 Promising Youth Medical Scholar
Mackenzie Riley
Mackenzie was awarded the Promising Youth Medical Scholar Award as a 12th grader at Sarasota High School. She has exemplified the mission of SSTRIDE and the FSU College of Medicine through her outstanding leadership, academic dedication, and heart for service. She graduated with a 4.98 GPA, having straight A’s from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and was ranked in the top 10% of her large graduating class. Also, she is a four-year varsity weightlifter and senior co-captain, reflecting a strong work ethic in both sports and studies. Her four years in student government and leadership role in 1-9, a female empowerment group, highlight her commitment to student voice and social awareness. She was an active member of Students for Healthcare Opportunities and Education and has explored healthcare careers through Big Brother Big Sister medical field trips. Beyond school, she coaches 30+ youth athletes through Sarasota Crew, volunteers with organizations like the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund, Children’s Cancer Center, and the Payton Wright Foundation. She also developed strong caregiving skills through babysitting children ages 1 to 12. She has earned many awards for her hard work and dedication such as the SSTRIDE Academic Excellence award each year since she started the program in 8th grade. With plans to study biology at Florida State University and become a trauma surgeon, she has a clear passion for helping others. On her leadership philosophy, she shared: “My ability to work with many different types of people makes it easy to connect and communicate with others. I like to lead by example, stay self-motivated, and remain open to the strengths of others.”
2024 Promising Youth Medical Scholar
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.
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