Each month, Stars features exceptional students, student-athletes, educators and all-around boons to the Greater Orlando area.

Sid Kasi        

Kasi, a Lake Highland Preparatory (LHP) School senior, recently implemented software he developed through LHP’s ASPIRE program. By making a user interface for it, he was able to use it at SALT Outreach, a local homeless shelter, during their health screenings. The software he created through LHP’s successful program for students was utilized to give patients a general estimate of their risk for heart disease based on the collected data. He plans to continue offering these once a month.

Jovan Santanahernandez         

Santanahernandez, a 2021 Timber Creek High School graduate, joined the Navy a year ago and is now one of more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard the self-contained mobile airport, USS Abraham Lincoln. Equipped with a full flight deck and more than 60 aircraft, including attack fighter jets and helicopters, aircraft carriers are one of the largest warships in the world. As a member of the Navy, Santanahernandez is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy. As Santanahernandez and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

Atreya Manaswi                

Manaswi, a 17-year-old from Orlando, has been named a winner of the 2023 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities and the environment. Fifteen top winners each receive $10,000 to support their service work or higher education. Manaswi worked for four years to create a highly effective, eco-friendly and inexpensive way to protect honeybee hives from virulent pests. His novel blend derived from beer eradicates beetle infestation in commercial hives without harming bees or the environment.

Christian Leary

Leary, an Edgewater High School graduate and junior wide receiver on the Georgia Tech football team, caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Haynes King with one second left to send the Yellow Jackets to a thrilling 23-20 win over Miami on Oct. 7. Miami had a chance to run the clock out by taking a knee, but instead called for a rushing attempt and ended up fumbling, with Georgia Tech recovering. Leary, who started his college career at Alabama before transferring, made his only reception of the game a meaningful one to cap off the unlikely comeback.

Know someone who deserves Star Treatment? Submit your nominees to Karen@OrlandoFamilyMagazine.com