Florida School for the Deaf & the Blind - Do More. Be More. Achieve More.

Hakeem Cius is from Pompano Beach, Florida. Hakeem has attended FSDB for 1 year. While at FSDB, he was a member of the track team. His favorite memory was playing soccer in the evenings with his friends from the dorm. After graduation, Hakeem plans to return to FSDB for the SOAR program and gain work experience. Congratulations, Hakeem!

Nathaniel is an honor graduate from Hastings, FL. He has earned the title of Salutatorian for the class of 2026. While at FSDB, Nathaniel participated in Goalball, International Thespian Society, Cobra Adventurers Guild, Ski Club, and the Student Leadership Council. Nathaniel earned 3 credits through the Dual Enrollment program at St. Johns River State College. He earned the OSHA 10-hour General Industry Safety and Health Certification as well as the OSHA 10-hour Construction Safety and Health Certification. Nathaniel has been accepted into the University of Central Florida where he plans to double major in Digital Media and Communications. Congratulations, Nathaniel!

Nikki Cicio is an honors graduate from Green Cove Springs, Florida. She has attended FSDB for 13 years. While at FSDB, she participated in e-Sports and was on the yearbook committee. Her favorite memory was the 8th-grade Washington, D.C., trip and socializing with her friends. After graduation, Nikki plans to return to FSDB in the SOAR program. Congratulations, Nikki!

The end of the year is always filled with enjoyable activities in Kramer Hall, both outdoors and indoors. Students are taking advantage of the nice weather by spending time on the playground. When it's time to head inside, they have been learning to sew!

#FSDBAfterSchoolWednesdays

Alexzander Louis Bishop is from Homosassa, Florida. He has attended FSDB for 10 years. While at FSDB, Alex has been involved in the Outdoor Club and a member of the Cross Country team. His favorite memory was the 8th-grade trip to Washington, D.C. After graduation, Alex plans to return to FSDB for the SOAR program to enhance his career skills. Congratulations, Alexzander!

Jack is an honor graduate from Jacksonville, Florida. While at FSDB, Jack participated in Goalball and was a member of the Student Leadership Council. He earned 12 credit hours at St. Johns River State College through the dual enrollment program. Jack earned OSHA certifications in agriculture and construction, in addition to earning a CPR certification. He was selected as the Kiwanis Club student of the month representative for FSDB. After graduation, Jack plans to attend the University of North Florida to major in Kinesiology. Congratulations, Jack!

Skylar Bergman is from St. Augustine, Florida. She has attended FSDB for 10 years. While at FSDB, Skylar participated in volleyball, basketball, track, and flag football. Skylar was also involved with the yearbook committee. Her favorite memories are traveling to different states with her sports teams. After graduation, Skylar plans to attend RIT/NTID for pre-veterinary studies. Congratulations, Skylar!

CTE is proud to highlight Andrea, one of our SOAR student workers, for the incredible growth she has shown through her off-campus work experience at the Alcazar Cafe in Downtown St. Augustine!

 Andrea has gained valuable hands-on experience both front-of-house and back-of-house—serving as a hostess while also supporting the team as a dishwasher and prep cook. Through these roles, she has developed essential employability skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, responsibility, and adaptability.

 Her willingness to learn, take on new challenges, and contribute wherever needed truly reflects the qualities of a strong and dependable employee. Andrea’s journey is a great example of how real-world work experiences help build confidence and prepare students for future success.

#FSDBCTETuesdays

Edward Bell is from Bartow, Florida. He attended FSDB from Kindergarten through first grade, then returned as a sophomore, for a total of 5 years. He has been involved in football, wrestling, and track. His favorite memories are his classes with his English teacher, Sam, and learning under his coach, Eric. After graduation, he will either go to Gallaudet to learn how to work with animals or begin working at Amazon. Congratulations, Edward!

Janna is from Jacksonville, Florida. While at FSDB, Janna participated in Young Life, Track and Field, Goalball, Outdoor Club, Cobra Adventures Guild, International Thespian Society, Student Leadership Council, Art Expressions Club, Ski Club, voice lessons, and flute lessons. One of her favorite memories while at FSDB is being part of the apartment program her senior year. After graduation, Janna plans to attend the University of North Florida to study psychology. Congratulations Janna!

Lauren Elizabeth Beisbier is an honors graduate from St. Augustine, Florida. She has attended FSDB for 11 years. While at FSDB, Lauren was involved in the Outdoor Club and the Yearbook Committee. Lauren’s favorite memories have been spending time with her friends at various after-school events. After graduation, Lauren plans to attend Daytona State College to study Criminal Justice or Environmental Science. She aspires to become a park ranger or game warden. Congratulations, Lauren!

Alexander Garvey, Printer II, shares his favorite memory below:

"More than 25 years ago, the elementary school departments organized popular end-of-year field trips to Strickland’s Landing at Kingsley Lake near Starke, Florida. These trips were centered around swimming and lakeside recreation, and they were a highlight of the school year.

Students wore color-coded wristbands that determined which water slides they were allowed to use, based on age, from the smallest to the largest. Of course, some of us couldn’t resist sneaking onto the biggest slide anyway.

Those trips left me with some truly nostalgic and unforgettable memories."

#FSDBMemoryMonday #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam

Juan Barrios is from Miami, Florida. He has attended FSDB for 5 years and been involved in the Drone Club. His favorite memories are going to the dorms, respecting the staff, and helping new students. After graduation, Juan will remain a SOAR student as he decides whether to attend Gallaudet or start working. Congratulations, Juan!

Track and Field team participated in the FHSAA Class 1A Region Meet at Wildwood High School on May 1st. Here is a quick snapshot from the event!

Gooooo Dragons! Gooo Cobras!!

Christian is an honor graduate from Jacksonville, Florida. He has earned the Seal of Fine Arts diploma designation. While at FSDB, Christian served as the Senior class president and participated in the National Honor Society, Student Leadership Council, Goalball, Swim team, Ski Club, and Space Camp. He also participated in Track and Field where he focused his efforts on Shot Put. Christian has earned 33 credit hours at St. Johns River State College as part of the dual enrollment program. After graduation, Christian plans to attend St. Johns River State College to finish his Associate in Arts degree, prior to transferring to the University of North Florida to pursue a degree in Environmental Science. Congratulations, Christian!

Eduardo Aviles-Cortes is from Palm Coast, Florida. He has attended FSDB for 5 years. While at FSDB, Eduardo was a member of both the wrestling and football teams. His favorite memory was attending wrestling tournaments and FSDB winning first place. After graduation, Eduardo plans to return to FSDB and enroll in the SOAR program to gain work experience. Congratulations, Eduardo!

Annalei Allen is an honors graduate from Hastings, Florida. Annalei has attended FSDB for 13 years. While at FSDB, Annalei was involved in the drone club, Dance Troupe, and Jr. NAD. She was also a manager for the track & field team. Her favorite memories at FSDB are the times she spent in elementary school and going to Georgia with the drone club. After graduation, Annalei plans to move to Kentucky and enter the workforce. Congratulations, Annalei!

Ellen Margaret Allala is an honors graduate from St. Augustine, Florida. She has attended FSDB for 7.5 years. While at FSDB, Ellen was involved in the outdoor club and HOPE signs. She was also a member of the Dance Troupe. Ellen was on the cheerleading team for the football and basketball seasons. Her favorite memories at FSDB include getting hyped for game day and visiting Gallaudet and the signing Starbucks on the 8th-grade trip to Washington, D.C. Ellen plans to return to FSDB for the SOAR program to continue enhancing her college-readiness skills. Afterward, she plans to attend Gallaudet University to major in the medical field to become a children's CNA. Congratulations, Ellen!

Spotted: SOAR students enjoying their time at the prom!

#FSDBSOARSaturdays

Hannah Vela Alford is an honors graduate from Zephyrhills, Florida. She has attended FSDB for 11 years. While at FSDB, Hannah was involved in the Jr. NAD, yearbook committee, and the Dance Troupe. Hannah was also a member of the basketball, flag football, volleyball, cross country, and track & field teams. She has also earned 9 college credits through St Johns River State College. Her favorite memories include traveling out of the state for sports and bonding with her team. After graduation, Hannah plans to attend Gallaudet University and major in Physical Education, with the hope of becoming a PE coach. Congratulations, Hannah!