DURANT HIGH SCHOOL

A fourth-generation Plant City native, Mollie Rose Usher has always been devoted to giving back to the community and preserving the special character of her hometown. The determined, resilient, and understanding young woman dedicated more than 202 hours of volunteer service for efforts such as Wreaths Across America, Peer Tutoring, Tampa Dynamo, Zoo Tampa and feeding the homeless with Cowboy Up Ministry. She also assisted in the establishment of Rain Frog Ranch, a non-profit for equine therapy and wildlife habitat. Ultimately desires “to leave this Earth a little better than it was when I entered it.”

For her success, she first credits “Jesus Christ” and then her parents, Gretchen Hoke and David Usher, stepfather Jonathan Hoke, grandparents, and “all family members, both in person and in spirit, looking down from heaven.”

The sibling of Mahayla Mae Hoke, Dawson Usher, Guy Hoke, and Aubree Hoke has served on two mission trips to Guatemala with Church On The Rock. Her extracurricular involvements included varsity soccer, varsity track and field, varsity swim, and ROTC.

At Durant’s graduation ceremony, Mollie will wear honor cords representing her achievements as President of Science National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, AP Capstone diploma, Math Honors Society, National English Honor Society, Honor Court, and biliteracy in Spanish.

Several DHS teachers and counselors have also had lifelong impacts. A few favorite classes include AP Statistics with Mr. Sawyer, AP Biology with Mr. Wood, AP Capstone Research with Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Kimble, and Physics Honors with Mr. Stone.

“Mr. Matthew Stwan, my AP Calculus teacher was also a mentor. I could never thank him enough for the lessons, inspiration, support, and kindness he provided these past two years. This ‘beautiful light in the classroom’ truly cares about his students’ well-being and the academic excellence he can instill.”

“Mr. Randy Sawyer, my AP Statistics teacher, is an absolute blessing who devotes himself tirelessly to his students’ successes. His dedication sometimes meant time away from his family so he could provide the best education.”

“My AP Biology teacher and adult supervisor for the research project that took me to state competition this year, Mr. Kenneth Wood, elevated my understanding of biology and its important application to our Florida wildlife and ecosystems.”

To aspiring valedictorians, Mollie offers: “Success isn’t a straight line. Throughout your life, you’ll experience heartbreak and setbacks. The determining factor in accomplishing goals is how well we adapt to our changing trajectory and how well we master fear to have courage regarding obstacles. Don’t be afraid to traverse through untraveled terrain, and when you feel overwhelmed, stressed, and borderline-broken, revel in that feeling; it’s a reminder you’re alive.”