April 27, 2021
Tallahassee Community College is honoring three graduates with awards who either began their academic career in the developmental education program or the Eagles RISE Summer Academy during a virtual ceremony today at 5:30 p.m.
There are three award categories recognizing the graduates’ academic achievements: the inaugural Sharisse Bronson Turner Eagles SOAR Award for Student achievement, the Dr. Bertha Flowers Award for Academic Excellence and the Dr. Sally P. Search Award for Leadership.
The inaugural Sharisse Bronson Turner Eagles SOAR Award is being presented to Dante’ Dix for his academic and civic achievement since starting in the Eagles RISE Summer Academy. Dix, a Tallahassee native, credits mentorship from TCC’s Take Stock in Children program and the Eagles RISE Summer Academy for his academic achievements. He has been active in the community and on campus as a member of Black Male Achievers and a volunteer student mentor for Take Stock. Additionally, Dante’ is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. He enjoys working with children and volunteered as a tutor at Bethel Christian Academy. Dante’ has been accepted into Florida State University, where he will pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work and fulfill his career goal of becoming a social worker.
Rita James is recognized 
with the Dr. Bertha Flowers Award for Academic Excellence. James is a native of Nigeria and attributes TCC for providing her with the opportunity to learn and grow as a student. She has a 3.5 GPA and is a star player on the College’s Women’s Basketball Team which recently placed on the second team of the Florida All-Panhandle Conference. James also served as a student representative during the Aspen Prize team site review in Fall 2020 which has named TCC one of the top 10 colleges in the nation. Her goal is to further her studies in accounting.
Terrelle Thomas earned the Dr. Sally P. Search Award for his leadership ability through community service and campus involvement. Thomas, a Native of St. Maarten, plans to transfer to Florida A & M University in the fall to major in forensic science with a cybersecurity specialization. He has been active as a TCC student as a member of the Math Champions program, Vice President for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor’s society and Black Male Achievers. He also served as a student representative during the Aspen team site review in Fall 2020. He holds a 3.7 GPA and has been on both the dean’s and president’s lists, and he was named to the All Florida 2021 Academic Team.
“All of us in Transitional Studies are excited to join in our students’ celebration of their graduation from TCC,” said Sharisse Turner, Dean, Transitional Studies Division. “We are honored to have been a part of their academic journey and to have served as a bridge to completion. We wish these students the best in their future endeavors.”