The future is bright for these young leaders, Jasmine, Kenisha and Janisha. On Friday, Chief Garcia joined our Lakeland Pal team to honor the program’s newly graduated seniors in a small ceremony Friday with the students and their parents. These students have been participants in many of our PAL programs since they were in elementary school. As they have grown up, many switched from just being participants to being mentors for new students joining PAL.
This group of graduates will become the second official PAL Alumni members. Their photos will hang inside the PAL complex for current participants to see their accomplishments.
We hope you will take a few moments to read the accomplishments of these amazing young adults. We know they are going to do great things for this world!
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KENISHA BRANCH
Kenisha Branch is a daughter, twin, student, and athlete. She has been a part of the PAL Program since the 6th grade. She has developed skills of teamwork, public speaking, cooking, and many more through the program. From managing sports, school work, and chores, she still found time to be a part of the program.
Kenisha has volunteered over 500 hours through the program at football games and other events PAL has held, always being a helping hand. Kenisha graduated from Polk State Collegiate High School with her diploma and AA degree in Liberal Arts. She plans to continue her education here at Polk State College where she will receive her Bachelor’s in Business Supervision and Management.
After finishing her degree, she plans to journey into the world of entrepreneurship and make a living out of it. She will continue to strive to be successful, well mannered, and prepared for whatever lies on the road ahead.
Through the help and mentorship of PAL’s staff and officers, she will always have an ear, hand, or a plate of food waiting for her.
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JANISHA BRANCH
Janisha Branch is a Kathleen High School graduate. She just graduated with high honors with a 3.5 GPA. Janisha enjoys playing chess and weightlifting during her high school career. She was also a part of the music department at Kathleen High School playing the piano and the violin in the orchestra.
Janisha has been with the PAL program since 6th grade, participating in the summer camp, teen mentoring, and volunteer for the little league hurricanes.
The PAL program has helped educate her on colleges, public speaking, and social skills. Janisha will now be attending Full Sail University in the 2 year Music Production degree program. After college she planned to live in Los Angeles, California being a music producer and an entrepreneur.
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JASMINE PARCHMENT
Jasmine Aria Parchment is a recent graduate of All Saints Academy. Jasmine was born in Pembroke Pines Florida on July 6, 2003 to Marcus Parchment and Kadian Parchment. Jasmine is the eldest of five siblings. During Jasmine’s high school career, she has dedicated herself to her academics, community service, sports and her business The Bakery Boutique.
Jasmine completed a rigorous course load including AP and Lyceum level courses and maintained a 4.05 GPA. Jasmine completed her high school career with several distinctions including being a member of the National Honor Society, National English Society and National Spanish Society as well as the 2021 Biden Administration Presidential Award for being an Outstanding Student.
Jasmine has been a starch advocate for diversity and inclusion and was the President of Communication for her school’s diversity club, traveled to Seattle Washington to represent her school at the National Independent School Student Diversity Conference and has participated in several civil rights and diversity events. Jasmine also served as a ASA school ambassador, Junior class Vice President and has been invited twice to the Florida House of Representatives to participate in the House Page and Messenger Programs. Jasmine has a passion for cheerleading and Lacrosse. Jasmine participated in cheerleading for the past 7 years and Lacrosse for the past 6 years and served as the captain of both teams during her senior year. Jasmine has also been selected as an all-county athlete for lacrosse three years and has been awarded leadership awards in cheerleading.
Jasmine has been an active member of PAL since 2014. Jasmine started as a cheerleader and later a Coach in Training. Jasmine has also been involved in the Youth Mentoring Program and has served as a past Secretary, President and most recently Vice President. Jasmine has had the honor of representing Lakeland PAL at the Youth Mentoring Conference in Orlando two years. Jasmine was also the 2017 State of Florida PAL Girl of the Year. Being involved with PAL has allowed Jasmine to increase her community service by being able to participate in community food donation events, nursing home visits, community clean up days and a number of other activities. Being able to be a part of PAL has allowed her to earn over 1500 in community service hours and was awarded a certificate from her school for being the highest earner of community service hours in the school. Jasmine’s dedication to community service also afforded her the opportunity to be awarded with several standout student awards including being a 2021 Silver Garland finalist.
Jasmine was accepted to 11 Universities and will be attending the University of Miami in the fall. Jasmine plans to major in Anthropology with a minor in Japanese studies and political science. After undergrad Jasmine plans on attending law school and matriculating on to become a humanitarian or civil rights attorney.
Jasmine states that the mentors, college tours out of state and family atmosphere at PAL is something that she will never forget. She is excited to start this new chapter in her life and is thankful for the leadership skills, love and support she has received over the years from her PAL family.